༺ I Didn’t Mean for Them to Come to My House (1) ༻
The most important Ministry of the Empire was the Imperial Household. They were responsible for the Imperial Family’s affairs and served as their secretaries, so it would be weird if they weren’t ranked first.
If the Emperor were to rank another ministry as the most important, everyone would rush to the palace and plead to withdraw the decree. This was because the importance of the Ministry of the Imperial Household was directly related to the authority of the Imperial Family, and that would merely be a loyalty test.
And because they had such status and authority, people who weren’t affiliated with it were extremely reluctant to enter the Imperial Household’s building. If something good happened, the Emperor personally delivered the news. However, if it was something bad, he punished them through the Imperial Household’s office.
‘I ended up here.’
But I ended up coming to that office. Thankfully, I hadn’t come here because I had angered the Emperor, but I had narrowly avoided the worst-case scenario. However, I was now set to be punished by everyone beneath the Emperor.
As I glanced at the vicinity of the office, I noticed several splendid carriages. These were the carriages used by the Ministers of each ministry, but the numbers seemed unusually high. Was I the last one to arrive?
‘Damn it.’
Although these nobles were a bit slow, they seemed to move quickly when the Crown Prince was involved. However, I didn’t expect them to gather so soon. After all, there was still 30 minutes before the meeting started.
Someone approached me as I hurriedly entered the building.
“I’ll guide you.”
“Is everyone here?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince hasn’t arrived yet.”
That was a relief. It was better to be known as an Executive Manager who arrived later than the Ministers than a mere servant who had arrived later than the Crown Prince.
“It’s here.”
I arrived at the main conference room. It was a vast space, considering that only a little over ten people would gather. But taking into consideration the title of those who were gathered, it made sense.
I took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the conference room. Once I opened this door and entered through it, I would become the weakest.
— Knock, knock.
“It’s me, the Prosecutor Office’s Executive Manager.”
“Come in.”
After hearing the voice of the Minister of the Imperial Household, I opened the door and entered. Nine pairs of eyes instantly turned to me.
There were many expressions among the high-ranking people who welcomed me, ranging from neutral to uninterested. Some were displeased, and others tired. Seeing that made my head spin.
“Prosecutor’s Executive Manager, long time no see.”
A white-haired elder spoke while adjusting his glasses. He was the Governor of the Capital and a senior figure in the Empire’s politics.
“Since you were dispatched, I thought you wouldn’t make it here.”
“How could I miss a meeting where important matters are being discussed?”
“Since you hadn’t come yet, I assumed you wouldn’t attend.”
The Governor was looking at me with displeasure. He had spent his entire life as a servant of the Imperial Family and had been recently given the position of Governor as a way to spend his last days in peace. Now that he’s suddenly been dragged into this situation, he must be in a bad mood.
“Haha. Wasn’t the Prosecutor’s Office’s Executive Manager in the place that’s located the furthest away? He must have hurried to get here.”
The Governor nodded at the Minister of Foreign Affair’s remark. I guess he wasn’t really intending to blame me. He just wanted to vent his unhappiness.
“That’s true. I didn’t think of that. My apologies, Prosecutor’s Executive Manager.”
“It’s okay.”
After saying that, the Governor slightly lowered his head. Had he fallen asleep? I’m sorry, sir. I’m sorry for having you dragged here when you look so tired.
“Don’t stay there and take a seat.”
“Ah, yes.”
At the Imperial Household’s Minister’s invitation, I took a seat at the very end. When I greeted the Minister of Territory who was sitting next to me, he nodded indifferently. As always, he wasn’t someone easy to read.
“So, Prosecutor’s Executive Manager, how’s life at the Academy?”
There was about 30 minutes left until the meeting started. The Crown Prince would arrive precisely on time, so all ten of us had to sit in silence. Whether it was to break the awkward silence or to share information about the foreign figures, the Minister of Foreign Affairs broke the silence.
“It was an unforgettable time.”
“That’s an interesting choice of words.”
“He was someone uneducated, after all. Having seen things he hadn’t before, it’s understandable that he found them unforgettable.”
“Pfft. Hahaha—”
The Minister of Internal Affairs chuckled at the sarcastic comment but quickly closed his mouth. A quick glance was enough to see that it was him who laughed, but he pretended that wasn’t the case.
“Well, that’s one way to think about that.”
My feelings hurt a bit at the laughter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. A way to think about that?
“Don’t be like that.”
However, there was someone with a beautiful soul who put a brake on both Ministers.
“The lack of education isn’t a crime.”
No, he was even more of a son of a bitch than the other two. The shoulders of the Minister of Internal Affairs started to shake at the words of the Minister of Justice.
However, I had some responsibility for this meeting, so I kept my mouth shut. I may not be fully responsible, but I definitely played a part in triggering it.
‘Damn jerks.’
These were the people burdened with tedious and hard work. It was surprising that they seized any opportunity to mock and boss someone around legally. How astonishing.
30 minutes later, the door of the conference room opened, and everyone stood up to bow. It was obvious who had entered.
“It’s okay. Everyone, sit down.”
Before the Ministers could say anything, the Crown Prince waved his hand and took the highest seat. Observing that the Crown Prince had skipped the greetings, the Ministers quietly exchanged glances and then sat down.
“Sorry for calling you all when you’re so busy with work. Something unexpected has come up.”
“This is also for the Empire; how can we complain about being busy?”
“I’m always satisfied to see the loyalty of the Imperial Household’s Minister.”
The Crown Prince nodded in satisfaction. He fell into thought for a moment and then opened his mouth again.
“Did you say it’s three?”
“Yes. It’s Prince Rutis Robens, Prince Lather Ostia, and Tannian Enes.”
“It seems like Ainter has made some fine friends.”
There was an awkward silence at the Crown Prince’s words that were spoken with a chuckle. After all, it was chilling to hear that when it was coming from someone who had eliminated Ainter’s brother.
“Executive Manager.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Is Ainter doing well?”
“He’s diligent in his studies but reluctant to do physical activities, so I’m concerned.”
“Oh. If he doesn’t move regularly, he will become more sluggish. That isn’t good.”
That statement was enough. Hearing ‘He isn’t doing anything strange, just like when you had him monitored in the palace,’ seemed to satisfy him.
In fact, Ainter was more of a victim in this situation than me.
He originally lived in the Capital in the first place, so he was naturally going to come here during the vacation. But now, Princes from other countries would also come? Going on a trip to a different area could be considered a club activity, but all of them going to the Capital could be considered that he was trying to curry favor with them.
Thanks to this, Ainter has been speaking less these days. To oppose the trip to the Capital, he needed to explain his current situation with the Crown Prince to them, which was an internal issue of the Imperial Family that couldn’t be discussed with outsiders. It was unfortunate.
“I spoke about something too personal before you all. My apologies.”
“Your Highness, everyone knows your affection for the 3rd Prince, so you don’t need to apologize.”
‘Woah.’
I was impressed. So that was the eloquence you needed to become the Minister of the Imperial Household. How does he even come up with such words in this situation? As expected, those who served as bridges between the Administrative Offices and the Imperial family were extraordinary.
“Let’s stop the small talk here. Let’s begin.”
Seemingly satisfied, the Crown Prince declared the beginning of the meeting.
Discussions about the general framework went back and forth. The details were going to be handled by the Ministers when they returned to their respective departments. After all, a Minister alone couldn’t decide on every single matter.
They agreed on the responsibilities that each ministry should undertake and their scale of action. For example, if the roads were jammed when the escort troops and band needed to enter the Capital or if there needed to be more budget to decorate the street where the club members would pass through, it could be a problem. That’s why they had to coordinate to avoid such annoyances.
“This doesn’t seem like our ministry’s job.”
“That’s something the Minister of Internal Affairs should know.”
“Isn’t this a job for the Minister of Defense?”
Tedious arguments continued.
In any case, while the Ministers from each department were discussing, my role was just one.
‘So it splits here again.’
I was looking at the table’s pattern.
Well, what else could I do? I’m not a Minister. I was just the Executive Manager. Besides, my direct superior was the one directly discussing the budget with the other Ministers.
Furthermore, there was absolutely nothing the Prosecutor’s Office could do about this matter. The reason why I was brought here wasn’t to give my opinion during the meeting but to simply occupy a seat.
‘I am Groot…’
I was just a Civil Servant who came here running because I was told to do so.
“Are they going to continue to stay at the Academy?”
I was looking at the table’s pattern when I looked up after hearing the word ‘Academy.’ The Minister of Internal Affairs seemed to be scratching his chin in concern.
“Since it’s the vacation, the escort forces will naturally decrease. Is it right to keep them at the Academy?”
“That’s true. Although the number of people that have to be protected will decrease, we can do nothing about the unease.”
The Minister of Internal Affairs’s concern was acknowledged by the Minister of Defense. Due to certain individuals deciding to remain at the Academy during the vacation, they needed to reconsider the escort strategy. It was a troublesome yet concerning situation for the Minister of Defense.
“There’s no need to stay in the Academy.”
As the Minister of Defense was about to discuss reorganizing the escort forces, the Crown Prince interjected.
“If they’re going to come to the Capital anyway, wouldn’t it be better for them to stay here during the vacation?”
The pupils of the Governor shook at the unexpected mention of the Capital.
“There’s no need to mention how secure the Capital is. Also, we can use the Capital’s teleportation magic circle to move them, so it will be convenient.”
“You’ve made a valid point.”
The Minister of the Imperial Household, who’d been looking at the Capital’s Governor, eventually sided with the Crown Prince. Because it was a vacation, staying in the Capital would be much safer than staying in the Academy since the number of escort forces would decrease during that time.
From the perspective of the foreign guests, the Capital, which was connected to almost every major city through teleportation magic circles, would be far more convenient than the Academy, which didn’t have such facilities. He wasn’t wrong in that sense.
“I’ll prepare accommodations for the guests.”
“There’s no need to do that. I do understand that you want to welcome them as a host, but keeping the guests in a ceremonious place seems bothersome for the guests who want to enjoy their trip.”
In the palace, there were rooms that were used to welcome distinguished guests. The Minister of the Imperial Household had said he’d prepare a room for the guests, but the Crown Prince shook his head and turned toward me.
“Executive Manager. If I remember correctly, you’re the Advisor of the club these distinguished guests belong to, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Wait, why are you asking me that?
“From what I remember, there wasn’t only the Krasius family’s residence in the Capital, but there’s also the personal residence of the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager.”
“Yes?”
What is he trying to say…?
“From the perspective of the distinguished guests, wouldn’t it be more comfortable to stay at the residence of the familiar Prosecutor’s Executive Manager than the palace?”
Stop with the nonsense.
Seriously, what do you mean? Even if this world is based on a fantasy novel, this had just crossed the line. Why should I keep the members of a royal family inside my house?
“That’s a brilliant idea.”
My teeth chattered at the words of the Imperial Household’s Minister. What’s so brilliant about it?
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