Chapter 45

"Hey, hey, Mr. Diego, it's been a while! Let's get along well from today as fellow employees hired by Lord Claude! Nice to meet you, senior!"

The moment he entered, I was taken aback by his explosively cheerful demeanor and looked up at him.

Without reacting to my lack of response, the person Lord Claude Lindbergh, my master and a ruthless workaholic, had brought in, firmly shook my hand.

"How terrible! Could you have forgotten me? After all the conversations we had!"

Huh? Uh?

"Diego, you can ignore him."

"Yes! Lord Claude, this is a human rights issue! I've been forgotten! Isn't it pitiful? You could at least show some sympathy! This treatment! I must certainly tell Lady Reisha!"

"When did you get permission to call her by her first name?"

"Of course, from Lady Reisha herself. Even though I was hesitant, she said to call her Reisha, and she looked so cute—just kidding, just kidding!"

Hey, stop it! I'm getting chills down my spine!

The office froze in an instant!

But if it freezes every time, I can't function as Lord Claude's secretary.

Everyone wants a peaceful day, but I wish people who bring chaos would leave early. But those people never read the room.

Or maybe the person in front of me is intentionally not reading the room?

"I'd be happy if we could get along well as fellow employees! I've never had a male friend like this, so please!"

No, I don't remember becoming friends with you...

He's really pushy.

He's the complete opposite of Lord Claude.

"Huh, something?"

Staring at me, I was confused.

He's a man, but he's so beautiful that he could easily be mistaken for a woman in disguise.

Even knowing he's a man, I still get a bit flustered.

"Yeah, you don't seem very popular, do you?"

Okay, take that back!

I thought he was the opposite of Lord Claude, but he's actually a kindred spirit!

To say I don't seem popular on our first meeting is a bit much, isn't it?

That's ridiculous!

"You have the sign of a womanizer, I know a lot about girls, so I'm sure. Be careful of girls who come near you. There's definitely something fishy about them."

"By the time you say that, it's too late."

"Ah, I see. You seem easy to deceive... but you seem to be a good talker."

Hey, what are you two saying in front of me?

I should be getting angry by now...

"By the way, Mr. Diego, that's wrong."

He casually pointed it out, and I hurriedly reviewed the documents.

Indeed, the calculation was wrong!

What, did he do the calculation in that instant?

For real?

"You still have a lot to learn."

"Well, well, I think he's a pretty competent secretary. Not as good as me, though."

He's so overconfident.

It's fine, but... by the way...

"Lord Claude, who is he?"

Both of their gazes turned to me.

Actually, I had a sense of déjà vu. I might have seen him somewhere before.

I feel like I've met him...

But if I had met such a handsome young man, I wouldn't forget.

"By the way, I haven't introduced myself. Mr. Diego, I'm Michel Loo. I'm officially Lord Claude's temporary secretary, a friend, and Lady Reisha's friend and bodyguard. Oh, my main role is Lady Reisha's closest friend, best friend, you know!"

"Michel...?"

"Yes! Mr. Diego. Or—do you recognize me better as—?"

He suddenly leaned in close, and his voice changed.

His expression and atmosphere changed as well.

I was taken aback and muttered.

"Michel Andreot, the daughter of the Duke of Andreot—..."

He smiled as if to say, "Finally, you recognized me."

"Did you finally realize, senior! Well, I've already cut ties with the Andreot family. I'm just a hired hand now."

"I'm not a friend or a best friend, just a lowly servant."

"I'll keep the best part for Lord Claude, so please cheer up."

Wow...

His radiant smile is blinding.

Lord Claude's cold air in response is chilling.

I've never seen anyone treat Lord Claude like this before.

He apparently has some schoolmates, but they all seem a bit reserved.

Moreover, the fact that the daughter of the Duke of Andreot is a man is being swept away so quickly...

I was overwhelmed by the momentum and couldn't even interject.

"Alright, enough joking around. Let's get to work."

His previous playful attitude changed to a serious one as he handed documents to Lord Claude.

His posture, straight and proper, exuded the education of a noble.

I've had some education too, but I can tell that this is something that comes naturally to someone born into it.

"Here, I've investigated everyone involved in the recent incident. I've done a detailed investigation of the knight and Lord Ibride in particular."

The incident in question is the one where the princess tried to harm Lady Reisha. I don't know all the details, but the royal family can't ignore it since Lord Claude witnessed it on the scene.

The king and queen are lenient with the princess, but they don't want to make the Lindbergh family their enemy. The Lindbergh family is the leading supporter of the royal family, but they have the power to replace the king if necessary.

With an already excellent crown prince, a quick succession could happen.

What kind of life the king and queen would lead afterward...

For now, the princess is under house arrest, but she will likely be sent away in a way that satisfies the Lindbergh family.

"Oh, and this is a little extra, or an apology."

As if it were an afterthought, Michel handed over another document.

"I've also reflected on my actions. Even though I said it was the most effective, I put Lady Reisha in danger. I also caused Lord Claude some heartache."

Heartache... I didn't know Lord Claude could experience that.

I'm surprised.

"So, I've investigated Lady Reisha's likes! Don't think you can just ask people like Mr. Ragnarot or the maids! This is super confidential information I dug up!"

What, what is that?

I'm really curious.

Lord Claude, though skeptical, read it, folded it, and put it in his chest pocket.

"Did you like it? I'm good at reading people, you know."

"Consider it for reference."

"Again, you're happy, aren't you? Or do you want to make her happy yourself? Wow, pure love!"

Where did his serious attitude go?

Lord Claude, used to his teasing, is handling it casually, but if he starts on me, I won't be able to handle it.

I just want to work quietly!

"Then, Lord Claude, I'll get to work right away, so I'll take my leave! Oh, being with such a beautiful woman all the time is the best reward! Oh, you're still building trust, right? Even though you're her husband, it's pitiful that you can't be with her, so I won't say more!"

"Michel, I think you've forgotten that I'm the one who hired you."

"Of course, I remember! But I'm just being honest!"

That's enough...

Don't say any more! The damage will come my way!!

Lord Claude is usually patient, but he's been a bit petty about Lady Reisha lately!!

"See you, Mr. Diego! Later!"

After thoroughly teasing us, he casually left the office.

In the silent office, Katari and Lord Claude stood up.

"This is an additional task. Do it."

"......Yes."

A weak employee can't complain to a ruthless and merciless master.

Even if I know the master is pushing work on me to go check on his wife.

I'm going to have another sleepless night, and I slumped onto the desk.

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