Maybe You Finally Got Interested in Me?
The noble conference had finally wrapped up. All the draining sessions were over.
The moment Cecilia stepped out of the conference hall, she let out a long, relieved sigh. "Phew... What a relief."
She turned to me with a bright smile. "I'm glad I could share some good news today."
We headed straight back to the study room together.
Mullia and Flora were already there, hard at work, and they bowed deeply the instant they saw the Empress. "We are honored to have Your Majesty return safely."
Mullia spoke up first. "How has everything gone so far, Your Majesty?"
Cecilia nodded once, her tone light and cheerful. "It went very well. Not a single issue."
She then walked straight to her throne and settled down.
I dropped into my seat the second she was seated and immediately started going through the notes from the meeting.
The parade that would celebrate the monster-slaying mission and the grand banquet that would follow that same night at the Imperial Palace. Two weeks remained until the Imperial Knights returned to the palace.
I cleared my throat and addressed my two colleagues. "I have something important to tell you both."
Mullia and Flora turned their heads toward Cecilia at the same moment. Flora asked with a hint of worry, "Is everything all right, Your Majesty?"
If Flora hadn't been here, the atmosphere in the study room would have been even more stifling. I glanced sideways at Mullia, but she was calm and attentive as always.
Cecilia's voice rang out next, casual yet decisive. "From now on, the workload will increase."
A spark of excitement flashed across Flora's face. "Then will there be a bonus as well?"
Mullia, sitting opposite me, had that same hopeful gleam in her eyes. This was exactly the kind of women who were obsessed with money. Even if the work piled up, as long as the pay was good, they'd take it without hesitation.
Cecilia gave us a calm, measured look, scanning all three of us in turn. "Unfortunately, I can't offer a bonus for standard administrative work."
Flora let out a small sigh of disappointment, while Mullia remained perfectly composed. I had expected exactly this reaction. Even though I knew it was coming, hearing it out loud still stung a little. But what could I do?
I want to escape this direct-secretary role as soon as possible...
Cecilia's voice continued, softening just a touch. "In exchange, if you complete this next task well, I'll give each of you a full day off."
Both Flora and Mullia let out surprised gasps. I was shocked too. "A day off? Wow!" Flora exclaimed. Mullia repeated, "A day off?"
I stood up abruptly and bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle. "Your Majesty, we are truly grateful!"
Flora and Mullia followed suit immediately, both offering their heartfelt thanks. Cecilia opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. She looked almost flustered, as if someone had suddenly caught her off guard. "I feel like I've been pushing you too hard..."
No one objected. Not even Flora. Even she stayed silent. Cecilia cleared her throat, embarrassed. "I guess... I'm sorry for making you all work so hard."
Flora quickly reassured her. "Please don't worry, Your Majesty. This is all work for the benefit of the Eckhart Empire."
Mullia and I nodded in agreement at once. Cecilia's lips curved upward in a small, almost hidden smile. She seemed pleased despite trying to hide it. But the moment didn't last. She returned to her usual cool demeanor and waved her hand lightly. "Enough small talk. Sit down. I haven't explained the details of the new duties yet."
Once everyone was seated again, Cecilia continued. "You all know the usual administrative tasks. Now you must also prepare for the parade and the evening banquet. That's why I mentioned the workload would rise."
Mullia and Flora answered together, "Yes, Your Majesty."
I added, "The atmosphere has been tense lately, but now we have something to look forward to. Don't you agree, Mullia?"
Mullia pondered for a moment, then nodded gently. "Yes... you're right."
Cecilia turned to me. "And what about you, Luke? You don't seem excited at all."
I hesitated. "Well... I've never actually attended one of those official banquets before."
Flora raised an eyebrow, clearly disbelieving. "Really? Not even once?"
Cecilia tilted her head. "Then this will be your chance to experience it properly. I'll help you if you need it."
Flora leaned forward and lightly tapped my chest with her finger. I couldn't help but glance down at the soft curves hidden beneath her dress. "Flora, remember that the later you finish your work, the later you'll have to leave."
Flora jumped. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Your Majesty!"
Cecilia had to step in before things escalated further. The meeting wrapped up for today. "Now, let's review the documents."
I took a deep breath and returned my focus to the files in front of me. It was time to deal with those endless spreadsheets again. I felt a little lighter, though. One less noble meeting to worry about.
The parade and banquet preparations had gone surprisingly smoothly. The security control was assigned to the police department, and the construction of fences and flower arrangements was handled by the finance ministry. We also had to hire a band for the marching music and write the speech the Empress would give at the palace parade ground. It was all incredibly detailed work. And we had to do it all while preparing the banquet too...
Luckily, there were three bright spots. First, the extra workload had been evenly distributed among all the palace departments. Second, during the entire preparation period, not a single noble meeting had been scheduled. Having one less source of stress was genuinely helpful. Lastly, Cecilia herself would be writing the speech. That alone was a relief.
Today, as soon as the afternoon session began, someone knocked at the door. "Your Majesty, the final budget proposal is here for your review."
It was Marquis Casel Exient, the Prime Minister himself. He entered with his usual calm and composed demeanor. "Thank you for coming, Exient."
Cecilia accepted the documents he offered and scanned them carefully with her sharp eyes. "I see everything has been calculated down to the last coin."
It was time for me to join the review. She looked at me with a knowing smile. "Luke, check this as well."
I stood up without hesitation and received the papers from her. Sitting back at my desk, I ran a quick abacus check to make sure every figure matched. "It all checks out perfectly, Prime Minister."
Exient nodded approvingly. "Then that's settled."
He gathered the papers and left with a courteous bow. I circled the final budget item on the list and turned to my colleagues. "Cecilia, what else is left for the parade preparations?"
Mullia handed me the prepared checklist. "Everything here has been scheduled, Your Majesty."
I examined it for a moment. "I see the marching course was already finalized this morning?"
Cecilia rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Mullia and Luke, please go check the parade route once more. Just in case."
I shot a quick glance at Flora, but she was completely absorbed in her work and didn't notice. 'Maybe I overthought it.' I kept my thoughts to myself and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Mullia also replied promptly, "Understood."
Flora looked up worriedly. "Your Majesty, if we two are gone from the office, will everything be okay?"
I had brought up the concern before leaving. "If the work wouldn't get done without us, I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place. Go ahead and relax."
Cecilia's lips curved in a small smile. "Come back as quickly as you can!" I replied. Mullia and I stepped out together.
We rode in an open carriage toward the palace gates. Mullia sat across from me in silence the entire way. She hadn't said a single word since we left the study. Her eyes stayed fixed on the road ahead. I decided to focus on the route myself. The carriage moved slowly past sturdy posts where the fencing would be installed.
Everything looked perfectly normal. No damaged facilities, no dirty areas near the path. A final check the day before the parade should be enough. I finished planning my report in my head and relaxed, enjoying the gentle ride.
Mullia suddenly turned her head toward me. Our eyes met for a brief second. "..."
I refused to look away first. After all, class differences didn't make me shy. The carriage was now nearing the north gate of Deleson.
It took Mullia a full thirty minutes to finally speak. "Secretary..."
I waited calmly. She hesitated, then asked the most unexpected question. "Where exactly did you learn administrative work?"
I blinked in surprise. "What?"
Did that mean... maybe you finally started to take an interest in me?