Chapter 31 – The Crown Prince

Anyway, he said he didn’t like my eyes, so I lowered them down.
Then I rolled them slowly as I thought about why the Crown Prince was doing this.
Hmph… I don’t know much, but I can know one thing.
He was a nutjob and a pushover.
As to why he was one was because he suddenly walked over to me, held my face up with his hand, then said the following:

“Let me give you a warning.
If you turn your eyes like that ever again in front of me, I will pull them out myself.”

It was a terrifying statement, but I never heard of a person who died within the palace of the Crown Prince yet.
I found calmness within myself when I thought this was just one of his threats.
Yeah, so the Crown Prince is a psycho.
I should just ignore him, trying not to ever come across him if I can help it.

“Then get lost,” said his highness.

“Yes, your highness.”

***

I sighed as soon as I got out of the office.
The servant outside looked at me sympathetically and asked, “Are you alright, ma’am?”

I was curious about that question.
What was the fuss about? It wasn’t as serious as I thought.
He’s just an average nutjob.
I was actually surprised that he was more normal than I expected.
I was worried he might suddenly swing a sword at me because of all those talks from other officials… Anyway, I smiled brightly at the servant.

“I’m totally fine.
He’s more normal than I expected.”

The servant then gasped at my words.
I became curious about his reaction when I saw the servant quickly bowing behind me.
Ugh, no way.

“Normal… That’s very interesting, Secretary Harrant.”

God dammit, when did he come out? Why did he follow me out right away?

Then, he continued, “I’ll try my best not to look normal from now on.”

It was a sign that my life here will not be easy from now on.
But it is a mistake to say that it would make me panic.
Honestly, I have seen some crazy people in my life, and the Crown Prince was only one of them.

By the way, something is off…

‘Oh! I almost forgot the tray!’

I was reminded of the expensive mithril shield- I mean tray thanks to the Crown Prince.
I guess everything has its use after all.
He’s a nutjob, but he still made me remember about the tray.
How useful.

“Your highness, wait a second!”

The Crown Prince was about to go back into his office when he stopped at my call and stared.
He seemed to be urging me to speak quickly, so I didn’t hesitate.
“I apologize, but I left my shield- …I mean, the tray at the office.”

His highness’s face distorted weirdly.
I, however, wasn’t going to back down from something like that.
It’s an expensive mithril! The servant became pale, quickly picked up the tray, and handed it over to me.
Then, he was signaling me to get out.
I took the tray and calmly bowed at the Crown Prince.

So, my job was complete, and I just needed to return to the office.

***

“Mari- Associate Harrant! Are you alright?”

Rave ran over to me as soon as I got into the office.
He then wore a strange look on his face when he couldn’t find anything wrong.
“Huh? You’re okay?”

Rave’s expression changed strangely.
I was curious as to why and told him what I experienced, “He’s more normal than I thought.
He didn’t throw anything either.”

“That’s strange.
Every proposal we brought to him from our ranks was always rejected… I also think your proposal was great but did he pick on other issues instead?”

It was as I expected.
He bullied all the other officials aside from me.
Then I replied, “Yes, he did mention issues on commerce, but I gave him my best answer.
He dismissed me.”

Then, Rave’s mouth twitched before he burst into laughter.
Punk, why the hell are you laughing?

“You sure are something, Mari- I mean Associate Harrant.
Only Associate Directors and higher ranks were able to give an answer that his highness approved of and got out safely.
It means that you’re the first person among us.
Not only that, nobody answered all at once like this! I mean, I would have done similarly if I went, but you still did great!”

I didn’t understand the fuss Rave was making, and I didn’t put much thought into it.
I was just lucky that he and I had similar thoughts.
In my opinion, there are no correct answers to policies, so we can only try to achieve the best.
As such, I gave the best answer I could, from what I know already.

“Anyway, we sure have a great recruit this time,” said Rave.

“That’s right, Head Secretary.
We would have been in trouble from his highness’s rage if it wasn’t for her,” added one clerk.

“I will trust and follow you, Secretary Harrant!!” said another clerk.

Starting from Rave, the other clerks and officers began complimenting me.
I was flattered.
So, this was what it felt like to be recognized.
If I hadn’t broken up with Kyles, I never would have felt this way.

“What’s all this fuss?”

The Chancellor and other high-ranking officers returned from their meeting and entered the room.
Rave went over to them and reported what had just happened.
The Chancellor looked at me with interest in his eyes and spoke to me in a kind voice that didn’t suit him much.

“Control the prices and fill the food storage at the palace at a lower price… That is a sound idea.
Though, I wouldn’t have approved that tax proposal.
Who approved that?”

“It-it was me, sir.”

A small man with a boy-like face raised his hand.
He was Second Secretary Lynel, a clerk, who returned from the meeting with the other higher-ranking officers.
The Chancellor looked at him sternly.

“You should be more careful next time, Second Secretary Lynel.
You should be thankful to your associate,” said the Chancellor.

“…Yes, sir.”