Chapter 37

Chapter 36

The Singing and Smiling Fair - 3

Brother Karl said to treat his subordinate casually, but how could I do that with someone I just met? Moreover, unlike the foreign guests who came to help at Brother Karl's request, this person seemed to have been dragged along while passing by, making me even more awkward.

So, I whispered to the sister, who was his subordinate, to take it easy and rest. She nodded in what seemed like gratitude, then took out a skewer from the envelope she was holding to prevent Brother Karl from taking it. Her bright, shining eyes were a bit overwhelming.

"Do you want to eat this?"

"It's okay. I've already had a bit while making them."

"Really? They're delicious."

"Then I'll eat it."

Before I knew it, Brother Karl, who had approached the sister from behind, took the entire envelope instead of the skewer she was holding. The sister, looking bewildered, watched the envelope leave her arms, which was honestly a bit pitiful.

"Why are you here if I brought you to work?"

"Chief, I really think giving orders outside of work is a bad thing."

"If you're upset, you should have been promoted before me."

"Ugh..."

Ignoring the dejected sister, Brother Karl instead grabbed her head with one hand and pressed it down. The more he did, the more her expression melted, and she trembled.

"Ow, it hurts, it hurts..."

"Luise, don't just stand there. Give her orders without hesitation. If you leave her alone, she'll cause trouble everywhere."

"Got it, Brother Karl."

I awkwardly smiled and nodded in response to Brother Karl's words. Hearing my answer, the sister looked at me with eyes that seemed to say she felt betrayed by someone she trusted, which made my heart ache a bit.

'But we just met today...'

I wondered when she formed such a sense of trust with someone she just met.

"If she's hard to manage, I'll use her. Is that okay?"

"Of course, Brother Karl. You brought her here."

As I said this, I watched Brother Karl lead the sister to a corner. Brother Karl, who kept nagging, and the sister, whose shoulders drooped.

'They look close.'

At the same time, a deep sense of intimacy was evident between them. Despite Brother Karl's scowling exterior, there was a sense of comfort. A close relationship I hadn't seen in the club. The sister, despite her pout, showed a playful and friendly side.

I had never seen Brother Karl like this. In the club, he was kind and considerate, but there was always a bit of restraint and distance. Now, it seemed he had put aside that restraint and was showing his true self.

This is Brother Karl's real self. A side he doesn't show me.

'Just met today...'

I bit my lip slightly. I felt a bit frustrated, thinking I didn't really know this person I was grateful to and owed so much to.

When I met the princess recently, I felt the same way. Brother Karl seemed to keep a bit of distance from the princess, but the princess genuinely seemed to like him. Before coming to the academy, Brother Karl was a high-ranking person, so he must have become close to the princess.

Thinking there were more sides of Brother Karl I didn't know made my frustration grow. Brother Karl is a really kind person, a precious advisor to the club, and someone I...

"Ah."

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. What was I thinking? It's natural for Brother Karl to have close friends. He doesn't have to tell me everything.

I had a strange thought for a moment, hoping Brother Karl would rely on me to repay his kindness.

'Really... strange.'

Why? The frustration seemed to turn into a throbbing pain. I forced myself to look away from Brother Karl.

***

I admit I was being a bit harsher with Section 1 Chief than usual, but maintaining discipline between superiors and subordinates is the duty of a department head. Considering how lax the chiefs might have become while I was away from the inspection department, this was necessary.

To begin with, he only listens to half of what I say. So, to get 100, I need to push 200.

"Chief, sir."

"Why again?"

I frowned at Section 1 Chief's words. I'm now anxious whenever he calls me. He was talking about the third prince earlier, so what is it now?

"Who's that? I don't remember her."

Following Section 1 Chief's gaze, I turned around to see Luise handing bread to Villar.

"Club president here."

"I know that, but she seems too ordinary compared to the other members."

Section 1 Chief's puzzled expression was understandable. Even the weakest member, Erich, is the second son of a baron. As an inspection department officer, I have to know basic information about such people.

In contrast, Luise, the president, is the daughter of a common baron. Even for the inspection department, it's hard to know every baron's daughter. If I weren't familiar with the original story, I wouldn't even know about the Nierad baron.

"She's ordinary. There's nothing to dig into, so don't worry about it."

"Why would I do that? I'm not Section 2 Chief."

To me, you and that guy are the same.

Despite my stern gaze, Section 1 Chief kept glancing at Luise and sighed.

"Wow, but she's really pretty. I've never seen pink hair like that."

"It's not a common color."

"But it doesn't really suit red."

"..."

I closed my eyes at his comment. Is that what he thinks when he sees someone's hair color? Overcoming my mixed feelings, I opened my eyes to see Section 1 Chief still staring at Luise.

"Come closer."

"Huh?"

I gave him a 400 instead of 200.

While I was reprimanding Section 1 Chief, the second rush began. There wasn't much difference from the first rush; it was just another wave of customers.

The only difference was that Section 1 Chief was standing next to me like a totem.

"Rare to see you here, sir."

"Ha-ha, I didn't expect to see you again at the academy."

The nobleman's gaze shifted to Section 1 Chief next to me. He smiled but didn't speak. I had sternly warned him not to say a word, and he complied.

Having Section 1 Chief next to me was a kind of warning. The reason for the inspection department head being at the academy was already well-known, so it wasn't strange. But the inspection department head and Section 1 Chief together at the academy on an open day? Clearly, something was up.

No one in the social circle would survive by thinking it was a mere coincidence. Just their presence together was enough to warn the nobles that something was about to happen.

'They'll be careful.'

If, by some chance, the third glory intercept fails and they manage to enter the academy, the nobles, who would have guessed something was up, would have strengthened their guards. This would significantly reduce the attention they would need to divert.

Officially announcing that the third glory was approaching the academy was difficult. If the information leaked, the third glory might go into hiding, causing chaos at the academy and likely a commotion from the three countries. So, I had to resort to this roundabout warning.

Fortunately, Section 1 Chief is an academy graduate, so there's a valid reason for him to be here for the fair, not for official business. In any case, the official reason is just attending the festival, so there's no need to worry.

And this reason actually worked on Villar and the three countries. While it wasn't intentional, Section 1 Chief's appearance, carrying food and walking carelessly, strongly reinforced the idea that he was here for fun.

'Thanks, Villar.'

You're a straightforward knight who doesn't overthink things, which is a relief. I feel a bit guilty for deceiving you, but it's necessary. Civil servants naturally prioritize their country's interests over personal loyalty.

While I was thinking this, my current interlocutor changed. The nobleman who just left would spread the word about Section 1 Chief's presence, and the news would quickly spread among the nobles. Nobles' mouths are both heavy and light, and in this case, they tend to be the latter.

"Ah, it's been a while. Since we last met at the parliament."

This gentleman will also spread the word effectively.

A handshake with a smile, a meaningful glance at Section 1 Chief. After sending off all the nobles who reacted the same way, only one remained.

'Who is this?'

But it was someone I truly didn't recognize. I didn't remember his face, name, or anything. It wouldn't be a problem if we were meeting for the first time, but if we had exchanged pleasantries while passing by, it would be an awkward situation.

Ignoring my discomfort, the man greeted me with a smile.

"Chief, how have you been? It's been a while since we met at the café."

Ah, it's you.

Mentioning the café made me remember, and I felt relieved.

"Indeed. It was in the southern part of the city, right? It was really nice."

"Ha-ha, the cake there was quite good."

"I'd like to visit again if I have the chance. Unfortunately, I don't have time now."

"I'll make time when you do. Let me know when it's convenient for you."

He then naturally shook hands and said goodbye. As I watched the young man leave, I looked at my hand. A small piece of paper was now in my palm. It read:

[1 hour later, main building, 2nd floor.]

Café, southern part of the city, cake, no time, making time. It was a kind of code that changed periodically, used by the intelligence department when meeting someone.

'How long will they keep this up?'

It's sometimes pitiful how they stick to tradition despite the changing times. It must be cumbersome for them to keep doing this, but the intelligence department must be quite conservative.

Moreover, the intelligence department still has many senior figures who are still active, so even the head of the department can't easily abolish these traditions, no matter how cumbersome they are.

'Poor them.'

In any case, the one who always suffers is the head of the intelligence department. With a sigh, I naturally put the paper in my mouth and swallowed it.

Of course, the person on the other end of the contact suffers from the intelligence department's traditions as well. I won't have to do this anymore if the head of the department successfully reforms these practices.

'This tastes terrible.'

At least use better paper, please.

Author's Note

It's already the last day of April. It feels like the new year just started, but we're about to enter May. Time really flies.

This April was unforgettable for me. I was busier and faster than usual, focusing on a writing contest.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, Geunseong and Saebyeok! I appreciate your support!