༺ I Didn’t Mean for Them to Come to My House (2) ༻
My eyes, hands, and feet started to tremble. The evil superiors didn’t hesitate to ruthlessly tear apart the miserable underling.
“Having guests who came for travel purposes stay in the palace is too much. The procedures for entering and exiting can’t be omitted, so wouldn’t it be a waste of time?”
The Imperial Household’s Minister, who supported the Crown Prince’s idea, began explaining what good it would do. But wasn’t it him who first suggested a room in the palace? He had somehow eliminated the palace as an option. His ability to turn the tables around was impressive.
Of course, the palace wasn’t a local inn, so it could be considered an excessive measure. Even diplomats on official visits had to go through all sorts of procedures to enter and exit the palace, and they could only move within a set range.
If we only consider hospitality, there was no place capable of treating the guests as lavishly as the palace. However, holding the travelers in the palace could be awkward and bothersome for both parties. A lodging where one couldn’t move or go out as they pleased was a bit too much, right?
“Even if it isn’t an Academy schedule, it’s true that they are students and they belong to the pastry club.”
At those words, the expression of the Minister of Internal Affairs twitched slightly. It seemed like he was about to burst into laughter as the cute term ‘pastry club’ was mentioned while discussing serious plans for welcoming Princes from other countries and a future saint.
“Isn’t the Executive Manager the advisor of the club? It wouldn’t be weird for the advisor to stay with the members. Fortunately, the Executive Manager is known for having a good relationship with the members.”
Good? Me, with them? What the hell is their standard for a good relationship?
“You’re right. Since it isn’t an official visit, it would be hard for administrative officials to step in, but it’s possible for the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager.”
“Yes. After all, the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager has built a relationship with them from the Academy.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded at the words of the Imperial Household’s Minister. As the Minister of Justice also agreed with them, my hope for an escape route was cut off.
Still, I glanced at the Governor, who might be reluctant to let the members stay within the Capital.
‘It’s over.’
But after seeing his expression, I sensed my doom. That old man, who’d lived his life as a loyal servant of the Imperial family, didn’t seem to have the intention of going against the Crown Prince’s opinion.
Yes, it was unlikely the Governor would have any trouble. After all, it would be rough only on the first day they came to the Capital. After that, I was the one who would deal with them, so there was no reason for the Governor to be bothered at all.
“Indeed. There’s no one closer to them than the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager.”
As the Ministers agreed or remained silent, the Crown Prince turned to me while smiling.
“Don’t overthink it. Just think of it as doing what you did in the Academy in the Capital instead.”
It’s none of your business, so it’s easy to say that.
My teeth were chattering, but there was nothing I could do.
It seemed like the Crown Prince and the other Ministers had no objections to this decision. From the Ministers’s point of view, the welcoming process was important. Where the members stayed afterward was not.
“Still, it will be problematic if the Executive Manager is lacking in treating the guests. Minister of Finance, provide him with ample support.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
At least it seemed like I would receive proper support, which was a relief.
Anyways, I’m glad. I had to think that way to calm myself down.
The meeting ended smoothly for everyone except for one Executive Manager. From the beginning, the matter that brought the most headache was the members of foreign royal families coming to the Capital, not the reception itself. It would be strange if the Empire, the center of the continent, couldn’t handle a single reception properly.
Thus, the Ministers and the Governor left the conference room.
“You don’t know how reassuring it is to have the Executive Manager.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
The Crown Prince and I were left alone. I initially intended to leave immediately, but this guy held me back, saying that he had something to say.
“I hope I’m not bothering the busy Prosecutor’s Executive Manager with something trivial.”
= Hey, are you annoyed?
“It’s a subordinate’s duty to follow Your Highness’s orders.”
= If you know, then shut up.
His saying that was nothing more than trolling. Even if I’m the advisor of the club, wasn’t offering my residence too much?
When he said that it was better to stay in the Capital rather than the Academy, I naturally thought he would arrange a room in the palace for them. Even that sly Minister of the Imperial Household thought that at first. Why summon me to the Capital if he were going to attach them to me?
“You’re already busy with work related to the Prosecutor’s Office. To think you won’t even be able to rest in your home. How sad.”
That doubt was immediately answered by the Crown Prince. The reason he brought me to the Capital was because I wouldn’t be able to go to the Prosecutor’s Office if I stayed in the Academy. The target wasn’t the members, but me. Damn, are you even human? Since you’re the son of the Emperor, maybe you aren’t human.
“I will make efforts to lessen your burden, so don’t worry too much.”
While I was internally thinking of ways to troll the Crown Prince, he casually made a hopeful statement. Even the Crown Prince’s sparse conscience seemed to think that he’d gone too far.
“There are some extra hands in the Ministry of Intelligence, so they can provide some help to the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager.”
“Thank you for your generous consideration.”
I began thinking about the Crown Prince’s offer of providing me with support from the Ministry of Intelligence. I was surprised that the Minister of Intelligence had remained silent during the meeting, but it seemed like he’d already talked with the Crown Prince beforehand.
While I had gone to the Academy alone due to negotiations with the three countries, the Capital was not the same as the Academy. It was natural for the Empire’s forces to roam around, so those forces being seen around my residence could also be considered as just another coincidence.
It wasn’t a bad support. It was better to have eyes and hands ready to intervene in situations involving the club members than to handle them alone.
“And it would be troublesome if the Executive Manager is absent often, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
I nodded vigorously at the Crown Prince’s words. I even received permission not to attend the Prosecutor’s office daily. Rather than going to the Prosecutor’s Office every day and being tied up late, I was advised to stay at my residence most of the time and appear only when necessary.
I was prepared to do remote approvals from the Academy. If I could commute from the Capital, there was no need to go to work every day. Even intermittent attendance was more efficient than working remotely.
But what’s this? The terms were surprisingly good. Support was coming to me from both the Finance and Intelligence Departments. Not only that, but I didn’t need to go to the office every day. Wasn’t this too generous for the price of offering my residence?
‘Why is he being so generous?’
The Crown Prince smirked as if he’d read my thoughts.
“You’re going to take care of important foreign guests on behalf of the Empire, after all.”
In other words, he was taking care of me since it was something related to the prestige of the Empire. With those words, the Crown Prince left first.
“It’s a gift from His Highness.”
At that moment, the Crown Prince’s secretary approached me and handed me a pouch. When I opened it, I saw ten shining gold coins. It was exactly twice the amount I had lost at the Boyar casino.
Indeed, His Highness the Crown Prince wasn’t someone who overlooked the efforts of his subjects and warmly embraced them. He was someone who would become a great ruler in the future. I always believed in the Crown Prince.
‘You jerk.’
I will let this pass since the support was greater than expected.
* * *
I returned to my office after the unexpected meeting.
‘How bothersome.’
I massaged my stiff neck while sitting down in my seat. The Emperor was getting older, and my workload had increased. Hearing the news that royal members from other countries would be coming to the Capital made me wonder what was going on.
If it were for me, I would block them from entering the Captial and ignore them. However, this was an issue related to the Empire’s prestige. After suffering for two years because of the traitor, the Empire received suspicious and challenging gazes from various countries on the continent.
We’ve finally been able to put many of those uncomfortable eyes to rest. But if we give a less-than-stellar welcome to royalty from other countries even if it’s unofficial, they might rear their ugly heads again. What a nuisance.
‘At least I don’t have to worry about Ainter.’
However, one thing had become clear through this event. Ainter had no ambition regarding the throne. If he did, this kind of situation wouldn’t have happened.
Even if he had connections with foreign princes or future saints, so what? The Emperor and the nobles support me. If he were aiming for the throne, he wouldn’t openly flaunt his connections and come to the Capital.
‘He isn’t someone who can’t even do such simple calculations.’
Ainter was a guy with good reasoning and social skills. If he had other intentions, he definitely wouldn’t have come to the Captial. Even if he did, given the current situation, he wouldn’t pose a threat. After all, this had proved that Ainter couldn’t control the other princes.
A royal visit was annoying and bothersome, but I was able to reconfirm Ainter’s intentions, so it wasn’t bad in every sense. After all, I just had to show up for a short time and shake some hands.
‘The only one who’s going to struggle is the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager.’
I chuckled after remembering the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager’s bug-chewing expression. It was regrettable, but what could I do? It was the best solution. I would’ve considered them if there were other options, but there wasn’t.
Moreover, he always brought above-average results, even if he complained. How could I not trust him? He quickly loosened up and moved if you gave him moderate support and greased the wheels.
‘Not using him would be strange.’
A subordinate who was capable, diligent, and didn’t hold any grudges. Moreover, he was young. If someone else was in my position, they would’ve probably used him more.
At least I was more human than that bastard Dorgos, who was probably in Hell.
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