Chapter 88

Tears trembled, and my hands and feet began to shake. The wicked superiors had no hesitation in mercilessly tearing apart the pitiful underlings. "Hosting distinguished guests who have come for travel in the palace is an excessive measure. Since we cannot omit the procedures for entering the palace, wouldn't it be troublesome every time?"

The Minister of the Imperial Household, who supported the Crown Prince's words with his keen insight, began to strengthen his persuasion with a particularly unpleasant remark. But wasn't it the Minister of the Imperial Household who first suggested preparing rooms in the palace? Now, he was ruthlessly removing the palace from the options. His skill in turning things around was truly an art.

Of course, the palace is not just any local inn, so it could be seen as an excessive measure. The palace is a place where diplomats must go through all sorts of procedures to enter and can only move within a strictly defined area.

If we look at it purely from the perspective of hospitality, there is no place that can treat distinguished guests as splendidly as the palace. However, keeping travelers in the palace is a mutually annoying and awkward situation. A place where you can't move or leave as you please—doesn't that sound a bit off?

"Even if it's not part of the Academy's schedule, the fact that I am a student and a member of the pastry club is true."

The Minister of the Interior's expression twitched slightly at the Minister of the Imperial Household's words. It seemed he almost burst out laughing at the quaint term "pastry club" in a serious discussion about welcoming the prince and the next sage. He is usually a person who laughs a lot.

"Isn't it the head of the Inspection Department who is the advisor? It's not strange for the advisor to stay with the club members. Fortunately, I understand that the head of the Inspection Department has built a harmonious relationship with the club members."

Harmonious? With them? What exactly is the standard for harmony?

"That's a good point. Since it's not an official visit, it's difficult for administrative officials to take the lead, but the head of the Inspection Department can."

"That's right. The head of the Inspection Department is a person who has known the guests since the Academy."

The Minister of Justice and the Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded in agreement with the Minister of the Imperial Household's passionate speech. The moment the two ministers, responsible for precedent and diplomacy, supported it, even the faintest escape route was blocked.

Still, hoping for a miracle, I looked at the mayor. The mayor is the type who would be reluctant to have the club members stay in the city.

'It's over.'

But the moment I saw the mayor's expression, I sensed my doom. The loyal old man, who had lived his life as a servant of the royal family, showed confusion at the Crown Prince's opinion but did not seem to have any intention of opposing it.

Yes, in fact, the mayor is unlikely to suffer. It will only be noisy when the club members first arrive in the city, but since I will be the one directly in charge of them, I will have to bear the burden. If I hold out, the mayor won't be bothered.

"Right. There's no one as close to the distinguished guests as the head of the Inspection Department."

As the ministers either agreed or silently supported, the Crown Prince turned his gaze to me with a small smile.

"Don't overthink it. Just think of it as doing the same work you do at the Academy, but in the city."

Easy for you to say, it's not your problem.

I was seething, but there was nothing I could do. Not only the Crown Prince, but the other ministers also seemed to have no objections to this decision. From their perspective, the process of welcoming the guests is important, not where the club members will stay afterward.

Moreover, if I react, they will surely gang up and beat me. "Still, if the head of the Inspection Department is inadequate in hosting the distinguished guests, it will be troublesome. Minister of Finance, provide ample support."

"Yes, Your Highness."

At least the support seems to be certain, which is a relief.

Anyway, it's a relief. Thinking that way helps calm my mind.

The meeting ended smoothly, except for the tears of one minister. Initially, the unusual situation of the royal family's city visit was causing headaches, but the protocol itself is not a particularly difficult task. If the Empire, the center of the continent, can't handle a simple protocol, that would be even stranger.

In the grand conference hall, after the ministers and the mayor had left:

"The presence of the head of the Inspection Department is such a comfort."

"I am honored by your words."

The Crown Prince and I were left alone. I originally intended to leave immediately after the meeting without looking back, but this brat caught me, saying he had something to say.

"I'm worried that I might have caused trouble for the already busy head of the Inspection Department by bringing up unnecessary matters."

= Hey, are you mad?

"Isn't it the duty of a subject to follow the orders of the Crown Prince?"

= If you know, then shut up.

Even after shoving fresh shit in his mouth, saying such things is no different from trolling. Trolling by the Crown Prince—where can I even complain? No matter how much I am the advisor of the club, offering my mansion as a sacrifice is too much.

When he said it would be good for the club members to stay in the city rather than the Academy, I naturally assumed he meant preparing rooms in the palace. Even the experienced Minister of the Imperial Household initially thought it would be the palace. So why summon me to the city if he just wanted to stick me with the club members?

"It's a pity that the head of the Inspection Department, who is already busy with departmental duties, can't even rest at home."

The moment I heard the Crown Prince's words, my doubts were resolved. If I stay at the Academy, I can't go to the Inspection Department, so he brought me to the city. The purpose was not the club members but me. Damn, are you even human? You don't seem like the son of the emperor.

"Still, I'll do my best to reduce your workload, so don't worry too much."

While thinking of ways to make the Crown Prince eat shit, he casually mentioned something hopeful. It seems even from the perspective of his remaining conscience, this was a bit too much.

"By the way, there are spare hands in the Special Affairs Department. They should be able to help the head of the Inspection Department sufficiently."

"I am grateful for your generous consideration."

The Crown Prince's words, which directly guaranteed support from the Special Affairs Department, made me quickly think. It was strange that the Minister of the Special Affairs Department remained silent during the meeting, but it seems he had already aligned with the Crown Prince. It appears they decided to attach the Special Affairs Department's forces to me before the meeting.

My solo trip to the Academy was due to negotiations with the three countries, but the city is not the Academy. It's natural for the Empire's forces to be present in the city. And the frequent sightings of those forces near my mansion are just coincidences.

It's not bad support. Having more eyes and hands to intervene in emergencies is better than handling the club members alone.

"Besides, it would be troublesome if the head of the Inspection Department, who is the main person involved, is often absent, wouldn't it?"

"Right."

I nodded vigorously at the Crown Prince's words. I even received permission not to go to the Inspection Department every day. He said I don't need to go to the department daily and can stay at my mansion, only showing up when necessary.

I was already prepared to handle remote approvals at the Academy. If commuting to the city is possible, I don't need to go to the department every day. Even if I go irregularly, it's more efficient than remote work.

But what is this? The conditions are better than expected. Support from the Ministry of Finance, support from the Special Affairs Department, and no need to go to the Inspection Department every day. In exchange for offering my mansion, the deal is surprisingly good.

'Why is it good?'

As if reading my thoughts, the Crown Prince smiled.

"Isn't it a matter of representing the Empire in welcoming the distinguished guests?"

In other words, since it's related to the Empire's prestige, he will pay attention. With those words, the Crown Prince left first.

"It is a gift from His Highness."

Then, the Crown Prince's secretary approached and handed me a bag. When I opened it, ten shiny gold coins were inside. Exactly double the amount I had offered at the Boyar's casino.

Indeed, His Highness the Crown Prince is a person who warmly embraces the efforts of his subjects. Truly, he has the qualities of a wise ruler. I have trusted the Crown Prince from the beginning.

'Bastard.'

Since the support is better than expected, I'll let this one slide.

***

After the unexpected meeting, I returned to my office.

'What a hassle.'

I rubbed my stiff neck and sat down. My workload had already increased due to my father's declining health, and hearing that the royal family was coming to the city was puzzling.

I would like to block their entry or ignore them, but it's a matter of the Empire's prestige. After being tormented by the usurper for two years, the Empire has faced the suspicion and challenges of various countries on the continent.

Now that we have managed to dispel much of that unpleasant gaze, how can we handle the welcome of a foreign royal family carelessly, even if it's unofficial? It could bring back that unpleasant gaze, which is the most annoying thing.

'Ainter doesn't need to be worried about.'

However, this incident confirmed something for me. Ainter has no desire for the throne. If he did, this wouldn't have happened.

No matter how close he is to the foreign prince and the next sage, so what? The support of my father and the nobles is with me. If he had any ambition, he would lie low and wait for an opportunity, not openly display his friendship and come to the city. He would have no excuse to live if he did.

'He's not that stupid.'

Ainter is a smart and perceptive guy. If he had other intentions, he wouldn't have come to the city. Even if he did, the current situation shows he is no threat. It's proven that Ainter can't control the princes.

The royal visit is a somewhat annoying and troublesome event, but it's not a bad thing to confirm Ainter's true intentions. I only need to show my face and shake hands.

'The head of the Inspection Department will suffer.'

Thinking of the head of the Inspection Department's bug-eaten expression, I couldn't help but laugh. It's unfortunate, but what can I do? It was the best method. If there were other options, I would have considered them, but there weren't.

Moreover, when I give him a task, he complains but still brings back results above average. How can I not trust him? With the right support and encouragement, he quickly recovers and gets to work.

'It would be strange not to use him.'

A capable, diligent, and uncomplaining subordinate. He's even young. Whoever is in my position would use him more, not less.

At least I'm a better person than Doragos, that bastard, who is in hell.