CH 23

The Prince continues, “Now that the director has gone missing, the director of the Court Magic Tool Maker is vacant. We don’t know when it will fill up. It’s not possible for her to return in the first place. The selection of a new director has begun.”

Until the Exiled Duke’s Daughter,...

“Y-Yes…”

“So, I was thinking that you might be suitable for the position.”

“M-Me?!”

I react exaggeratedly.

Am I suitable to be the director?

I have never even thought about it.

“The person suitable for the director’s position is someone who is the most knowledgeable in that field in the country, and has achieved recognition from others. You fit both of these criteria. Don’t you think you’re suitable?”

“N-No… I am still inexperienced.”

“You’re humble. But many people recognize you. You saved my life in this incident. There is no one more qualified than you.”

“…”

His Highness is praising me.

I am sincerely happy.

To be recognized.

To hear those words from the Prince’s mouth.

It fills my heart. 

But, that’s why there are things that I can’t help but think about.

“What if…I become the director? What about my current position?”

“In that case, you will no longer be under my jurisdiction. You will become the one who governs the Magic Tool Maker Court.”

“…”

If I become the director, I won’t be able to work by His Highness’s side.

That…was something I didn’t want.

“Um…I’m going to be selfish.”

“It’s okay. I owe you a big favor. I want to hear your wish.”

“I want to stay as I am now.”

I fidget with my fingers and speak with a low voice.

His Highness had recognized my power and had asked me to become the director.

I might disappoint his expectations.

Even so, I——

“I want to continue to be by His Highness’s side…I want to be of help to His Highness.”

I didn’t want to leave this person’s side.

More than becoming a director, this place was my oasis and ideal world.

If I left now, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to return.

I spoke my true feelings, knowing it might sound presumptuous.

Then His Highness exhaled and laughed, as if he had been relieved of something.

“…Huh, okay.”

“Your Highness?”

“Well, then there’s no helping it.”

I had been prepared to be scolded.

But His Highness was laughing with a refreshing expression.

As if he had been expecting this to happen.

“Then let’s ask the other candidate. Lidoria Marquetin, who was the vice director. She should have a good grasp of the situation.”

“…”

“What? Did you think I was going to force you to do it?”

“N-No, of course not! Your Highness would never do such a thing.”

He’s the kindest person I know.

If I said I didn’t want to, he would back down.

I knew that.

What surprised me was that he seemed happy about it.

“To be honest, I was hoping you would refuse.”

“Eh…”

“I also wanted you to stay by my side. It was just my selfishness.”

“Your Highness…”

It seemed that His Highness had the same feelings.

It made me so happy that my chest felt hot.

My heart was beating so loudly that it felt like it would explode if I didn’t hold it back.

“Because of such personal reasons, I wanted you to refuse. However, in that case, there is something else I would like to ask of you.”

“An ask, you say?”

“Yes. I want you to assist Lidoria, who will become the new director. This is an unusual promotion. I’m sure she’ll be confused by the suddenness of the situation, and she’s still young.”

“So, you want me to help with the director’s work.”

“That’s right.”

I happily accepted.

If it’s a request from His Highness, I even feel like I want to do anything for him.

Aside from that, I was also a little interested.

Lidoria-san, who was also given work by the previous director like me… I wanted to meet her and see what kind of person she was.

❂❂❂

She sits in a chair in the director’s room and picks up her glasses.

Lidoria Marquetin, who was appointed as the new director this time, seemed to be someone who could really do the job… with a calm and composed demeanor.

“Haa, why do I have to do this…”

But her inner self was very sensitive.

An unexpected promotion at an unexpected time. 

Many people would be happy, but it’s different in her case.

The first thing she felt after being appointed was disappointment.

“Being a director is impossible…I’ll just end up with more work…”

Having been burdened with countless tasks and working like a horse, she did not want to be in a position where she would receive even more pressure than before.

She had only one wish.

“…I want to rest.”

Interestingly, it was the same as the Freya of that time.

In fact, while Freya stayed late at the court working, she was working normally.

Why didn’t she notice?

The reason was that she had turned off the lights in the room intentionally, working only by the small candle flame because she felt more comfortable in the dark.

“That old lady is really the worst…she left work for me until the very end.”

There was a mountain of work left by the former director on the table.

She looked at it and felt disappointed.

Knock, knock, knock——

The sound of knocking on the door echoed.

“Who is it? Oh, that’s right, the assistant is coming.”

No one had told her yet. 

She calls out to the door, “Come in.”

The door opens.

“Excuse me.”

“Ah…”

The two of them meet face-to-face.

Although they work in the same place, they have had no contact until now.

But the two somehow know each other well.

Because their situations were similar.

The two facing each other were silent for a while.

And at the same time, they spoke.

“”Thank you for your hard work.””

The two of them, who are similar in some ways.

The first greeting they exchanged was a word of congratulations to each other.