Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Secret Weapon
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“A vassal contract with the Grand Duchy...”
The Emperor closed his eyes, hiding the greedy gleam in them.
Luna and I waited anxiously for his response, seeing the troubled look on his face.
“How long do you plan to stay here?”
“I shall follow Your Majesty's command.”
If we couldn't revise the vassal contract, we would be in serious trouble.
Our negotiations with the other races would completely fall apart.
The Emperor spoke with conflicted eyes.
“I understand what you're saying first and foremost. But I must conduct my own investigation. What you've told me is all new to me.”
He looked at Luna and continued.
“I'll summon you again in a few days. We can talk more then.”
“Your benevolence humbles us.”
The Emperor turned to me.
“Very well. And since I need to learn more about what you mentioned, prepare a report for me later.”
“As Your Majesty commands.”
I had already prepared the report.
After that, Luna and the Emperor conversed.
They discussed the state of the Grand Duchy and how recent tax reductions were boosting economic development.
“Your late father was truly a loyal man.”
The conversation even touched on Luna's parents.
As their unexpectedly long talk continued...
-Knock knock!
-Your Majesty, your next appointment awaits.
The Emperor sighed.
“Haah, I suppose it's time for you to go.”
“Please take care.”
The Emperor nodded to Luna and left the reception room.
“Secretary Aiden. Are you sure it was okay not to give it to His Majesty?”
I nodded at Luna's subtle question.
“We can't make it too obvious.”
The Emperor surely knew the rumors about himself.
But giving him alcohol said to boost virility with Luna present—a woman—might just embarrass him instead.
No need to unnecessarily bruise the Emperor's pride.
“Hmm... I just don't understand men's pride at all.”
Luna shook her head.
“He's not as easygoing as the rumors say. To think he'd fall for something like that.”
“Men can't tolerate insults to their masculinity.”
She covered her face with her palm.
“I don't want to know. Stop it.”
“Yes. Leave the rest to me.”
The Emperor had asked me to submit the report.
I had already prepared one outlining what we wanted and why it was necessary.
Of course, our secret weapon was all set up too.
-Knock knock.
“Who is it?”
-Crown Prince Ferdinand has come to visit.
The Crown Prince arrived at the reception room right after the Emperor left.
The door soon opened.
“Oh, Grand Duchess Luna, it's been too long.”
A handsome man with golden blond hair and striking blue eyes.
Crown Prince Ferdinand.
This was my first time seeing him in person, but he was more beautiful than most women.
I'd never thought Jin was drop-dead gorgeous...
But this level of handsomeness was on another plane entirely. I swallowed back tears inwardly.
No... what do they feed these people to make them look like that? Do they select the Crown Prince based on looks?
But with a face like that, stealing a woman's underwear?
The mismatch between his appearance and his record made me shudder.
“It's been a long time, Your Highness.”
Luna stood, glaring at the Crown Prince with contempt.
“You're always so cold. Well, that's your charm, I suppose.”
What was that supposed to mean? How does someone deliver such a cringeworthy line?
It might slide in a novel, but seeing it in real life felt outright repulsive.
“I'm grateful for your words.”
-Zap.
It was a completely different expression and tone from her usual icy demeanor, but the Crown Prince didn't seem to notice.
“Heh heh, if my praise makes you happy, I could say it hundreds or thousands of times.”
Do you seriously think that looks pleasing to her?
Seeing Luna radiate arctic chill, I wondered if the Crown Prince's eyes were buttonholes.
“It's good to see you after so long. But who's that beside you?”
“This is Aiden, my new secretary.”
As Luna introduced me, I stood and bowed.
“I'm Aiden.”
The Crown Prince's eyes widened in brief surprise before returning to normal.
“Oh... so you're Aiden. I've heard a lot about you.”
What? Why would you hear about me? Wait, could it be...?
A sudden chill gripped my spine.
“From a spy in the Grand Duchy?”
Luna's voice was icy enough to freeze the air.
“No! That... that incident was a frame job! A trap set by my other suitors!”
The Crown Prince fidgeted, his voice trembling, and my eyes narrowed.
This guy's definitely guilty.
His reaction—like a criminal getting grilled—confirmed it.
Filthy bastard.
“Ahem... anyway, Secretary Aiden. I've heard of your talents. Vain's hero and a prized asset of the Grand Duchess, right? Let's have a meal together sometime.”
With that, the Crown Prince turned to Luna.
“I have something to discuss. Do you have a moment?”
“Speak here.”
She glanced at me and continued.
“Secretary Aiden is a pillar of the Grand Duchy. I have nothing to hide from him.”
True. She tries to throw herself at me naked all the time, so I wish she'd hide a bit more now.
“To think you've found such a trustworthy talent. That's wonderful. But this is a personal matter...”
Luna furrowed her brow, lowered her head, and let out a deep sigh.
“Haah, Secretary Aiden, wait in my room after this.”
“Yes, understood.”
With that, I headed out of the reception room.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As Aiden left the reception room, the Crown Prince sat in his seat.
-Thud.
Luna frowned at the sight.
She stood from her chair, sat across from him, and spoke coldly.
“What is it?”
The Crown Prince gave an awkward smile at her sharp, thorny words.
“I was just wondering how you've been.”
“Don't you have spies for that?”
After learning the Crown Prince had bribed a maid to steal her underwear, Luna had thoroughly purged the Grand Ducal Palace.
The shock had been immense.
Already a staunch advocate of staying single, that incident had cemented her view of men as untrustworthy creatures, fueling her disgust for the Crown Prince.
“Grand Duchess! I swear I didn't do it! H-how can I make you believe me?”
At his shameless response, Luna smirked coldly.
“Then explain why a maid had a letter claiming orders from Your Highness, and why your seal was imprinted on it.”
The seals here were infused with unique mana to prevent forgery.
In other words... the Crown Prince's seal was genuine.
“That... it's...”
Facing Luna's icy gaze, the Crown Prince struggled to speak.
“It must be Andrea's doing! Only someone connected to the Magic Tower could pull off something like this.”
Andrea was one of Luna's suitors.
A disciple of the Tower Lord and a brilliant mage.
He might indeed be capable of forging a seal.
But.
“If so, why not file a formal complaint? Forging the Crown Prince's seal is a grave crime.”
“That's...”
An investigation would reveal the Crown Prince had stamped it himself.
If it truly was a forgery, it was a perfect chance to eliminate a rival as the Crown Prince.
Luna knew this well, and the Crown Prince hemmed and hawed.
He finally spoke with effort.
“Filing a complaint would be awkward. He's... the Tower Lord's disciple, isn't he? A rift between the Imperial Family and the Magic Tower wouldn't benefit the Empire.”
Luna sighed at his mention of Imperial-Magic Tower relations.
“Haah, fine. Get to the point of your visit.”
“Ahem... yes. I heard the expedition failed. It must hurt the Grand Duchy's finances. So I was thinking of speaking to His Majesty on your behalf...”
Luna cut him off.
“The expedition did not fail.”
“It wounds your pride, I know...”
“And the Grand Duchy's finances have actually improved.”
Luna's red eyes glared coldly at the Crown Prince.
“So please don't spread such nonsense elsewhere. People will laugh.”
“Grand Duchess?”
Having said her piece, she rose from the sofa.
“This doesn't seem important, so I'll take my leave.”
As Luna left the room, the Crown Prince clutched his face with both hands.
'Ah, why does it always end like this?'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving the reception room, I grabbed the prepared report and secret weapon, then headed to the Emperor's office.
I faced inspections along the way, but it was just a stack of documents and a gift for the Emperor.
“This? Liquor?”
A knight uncorked the bottle and sniffed it.
“Doesn't smell that great. Is this really a gift from the Grand Duchess?”
“Yes. It's a health tonic.”
The knight recorked it and handed it back.
“No weapons, so you're good.”
-Knock knock.
The knight knocked on the Emperor's office door.
-Who is it?
The Emperor's voice came from inside.
“Aiden, secretary to Grand Duchess Luna, requests an audience.”
A brief silence followed.
-Let him in.
The office door opened, revealing the Emperor's vast workspace.