Chapter 53

Penguin was sound asleep, so I asked Ellie to let me know when he woke up.

I immediately had breakfast and was sipping guava juice when Rumburg appeared.

The morning briefing was supposed to be a little while after my breakfast, but it’s a bit early.

Alru, who takes care of my meals, is here, but Ellie and Bartholomew haven’t come to the dining room yet.

“Rumburg. Can you wait a bit until everyone is here? Have some tea.”

“No, I didn’t come for the meeting. I have an urgent message for Joshua-sama.”

“Is that so? Thank you for coming so early. What is it?”

“A visitor has come. What should we do?”

Visitors this early in the morning?

Something serious must have happened. I’ve been told by Rumburg that the supplies and fuel provided by the residents are still plentiful, but...

“I’ll see them immediately. Depending on the situation, I might delay the meeting.”

“Understood. I will bring them right away.”

If it’s an unexpected situation, I need to act quickly.

Even if it’s not urgent, it’s good to know nothing is wrong.

However, Rumburg’s choice of words is a bit concerning. “I will bring them” instead of “I will take them.”

Hmm, now that I think about it, I heard some animal sounds other than birds when I woke up...

That sound, no, it couldn’t be...

It was definitely the mooing of a cow.

Hmph.

Hearing that mooing makes my heart ache.

A certain conversation naturally came to mind, a painful memory etched in my brain.

“Sir, it’s milk.”

“Shal, wait a moment...”

“Indeed, drinking milk in the morning helps you get through the day’s work!”

“Oh, really?”

“Don’t you think that by drinking milk and working, drinking milk and working, you can work infinitely?”

No, that’s not right!

Thinking about that unpleasant memory...

This might be a prelude to something.

If so, I need to act quickly.

“W-wait. Rumburg.”

“Sir, Rumburg has already left.”

A bad feeling ran down my spine, and I reached out, calling his name.

However, Alru, tilting her head, cruelly informed me that he was already gone.

My bad feelings are often accurate.

Oh, I hope it’s just a regular resident. She has already returned to her territory, hasn’t she?

She’s doing well and leading her territory with vigor. There’s no problem. No problem...

“I have kept you waiting.”

So fast!

Rumburg is already bowing deeply in front of the open door.

“Please show her in.”

“Certainly! Lady Charlotte of the Gerdemann family, this way.”

Rumburg stepped aside, bowing beautifully and gesturing with his arm.

My bad feeling was right! Cold sweat dripped down my back, soaking my shirt.

I need to keep my composure. It’s okay, it’s okay. This is different from the Principality era. Yes, that’s right.

The small me in my heart cheered, but I couldn’t relax at all.

Unaware of my agitation, the lady in question appeared with a brisk, clacking sound of her shoes.

Her passionate red hair was still in the same updo as before. She wore silver armor with a hawk emblem in the center, a navy skirt, and black boots.

A slender, rather petite girl. I know all too well that she is filled with an incredible amount of energy.

“It’s been a while, Shal.”

“It’s been a while! Sir! Are you well?”

The red-haired girl—Charlotte—stood at attention like a soldier and saluted.

This lady’s tone... she hasn’t changed at all.

“Sure. What’s going on? Why are you here in such a remote place?”

“I heard that Sir is struggling alone in Cambreland and couldn’t sit still.”

“You came to check on me? I’m fine. It seems to be going well.”

“To check on you is too much! When Sir arrives, any border will instantly become a splendid city!”

“Ah, yes...”

“But, Sir!”

Her voice is so loud... my ears are ringing...

Charlotte saluted again and started rummaging in her pocket, pulling something out.

Then, she suddenly knelt on one knee and held up a small bottle high.

The bottle, with its cap on, contained a white liquid.

“Milk...”

“Yes. I brought the cow too! Please leave its care to me. I will deliver fresh milk to Sir every morning without fail.”

“Wait, every morning?”

“Yes! I will deliver it every morning, without fail!”

“Um, Shal. What about your territory?”

“There’s no problem with my territory! I have trained a reliable person and handed everything over to my younger brother, the next earl.”

Handed over, huh? Wait a minute.

You can’t be serious. You’re staying in Nellac just to deliver milk to me? No, no, that’s not like her. She wouldn’t settle for such a leisurely life.

I want to play with cows and sleep.

“So, what do you plan to do, Shal?”

I don’t want to know, but I have to ask.

Charlotte, still on one knee, placed her right hand on the floor and bowed her head.

“I beg you, Sir! Please, let me stay by your side!”

Oh... I knew it.

Charlotte is undoubtedly one of the most excellent civil servants I’ve ever met.

She excels in project management and can handle three complex progress reports simultaneously with ease.

Right now, I desperately need civil servants.

Some might think it’s great to have a beautiful girl who brightens up any room as a secretary. Some people might envy me just for seeing her once.

But the reality is different.

She is...

She is a workaholic!

That’s why I’m hesitant. Is it right to bring her in?

I looked at Rumburg, who might think Charlotte is my ally and believes she came to my aid in an emergency, as he was pressing a silk handkerchief to his eyes.

Alru, the housekeeper, seemed to understand nothing. She was smiling, her ears drooping, and waiting for my words.

Unable to respond, I looked up to see Charlotte staring at me straight in the eye, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Sir! I know I am not capable enough! But please, let me join your team. I want to be of help to you!”

“Ah, u, um?”

“Thank you! I will work to the best of my ability!”

It’s my fault for not clearly rejecting or accepting her.

I shouldn’t have just nodded vaguely.

Now, I need to make a decision. She is “useful.”

My goal is to stabilize Nellac in three years, hand everything over to the next generation, and indulge in a life of leisure.

With her, I can make significant progress toward my goal. After the task is completed, I can persuade her to return to her territory.

Yes, this is it! This is the way to go.

“Alright. I’ll count on you.”

“Yes!”

I helped her stand up and shook her hand firmly.