Chapter 44
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44.
I found myself momentarily speechless, alternating my gaze between the application and the person who had submitted it.
Could this really be happening?
'...I only remember treating this person poorly during their time at the Winter Palace.'
Of course, I hadn't conducted myself childishly in matters of education, since I had no desire to become like those incompetent fools at the Summer Palace Administration.
'Could they possibly enjoy suffering...?'
Why would anyone abandon such a cushy arrangement—working only three days a week, mornings only—to throw themselves into this hellscape?
Yet despite such conscientious thoughts,
'If I gain one more advisor, the Administrative Officials get five more!'
The devil's voice screamed relentlessly inside my head.
Then our Administrative Officials could finally leave before midnight during settlement periods.
Should I just close my eyes and accept?
Besides, according to Cassian, I could completely overturn the First Empress's plans.
How much effort had the First Empress expended to make Ashwood a senior advisor to First Prince Charlie!
There wasn't a single noble in the Capital City who didn't know about it.
And as a bonus, other ducal houses had grown subtly displeased in the process.
'If I accept, the First Empress will certainly try to torment us...!'
But she does that anyway!
Thinking of that woman's plans being turned upside down, as Cassian had suggested, made the gains feel overwhelmingly greater than any losses.
A fierce battle raged in my mind between rationality—that I shouldn't drag an innocent lamb into hell—and desire tangled with calculation.
But Ashwood, apparently misunderstanding something, opened his mouth with an urgency mixed into his tone.
"I have completed all the tasks that Advisor Salice entrusted to me, so there is no need for concern."
"...Tasks you were entrusted with?"
By me?
You're not even under my supervision.
At my bewilderment, Ashwood lowered his gaze slightly, as if embarrassed, before speaking.
His silver eyelashes caught the morning sunlight streaming opportunely into the office, glimmering softly.
"The Summer Palace Administration will not postpone work like they did during the last settlement. Should such a situation arise, I intend to step forward and refuse."
Slowly, Ashwood lifted his gaze to meet mine once more.
His crimson eyes gazed at me with desperate earnestness, as if pleading for trust.
Why does he look so desperate...?
"Based on what Advisor Salice taught me, I have received thorough education in every detail. Now the Summer Palace Administration will do its part, however inadequately."
To be honest, it was an excessively favorable proposal.
It felt as though the heavens, taking pity on this harsh Winter Palace office, had lowered a lifeline.
'A shield against the Summer Palace Administration, and a solution to our staffing shortage....'
And on top of everything, overturning the First Empress's schemes....
Because of this, I had no choice but to become even more cautious.
If he came in as an advisor exhausted from overwork and then submitted his resignation, the Administrative Officials would be down five people...!
"Ashwood, I'd like to ask you something honestly. From what I can see, there's no real reason for you to come to the Winter Palace. Do you have another intention?"
It's not as if you have a large family debt like I do that you need to repay.
"I came to understand it while assisting with Roselita's work—that everything I've done until now was merely scratching the surface."
...My conscience pricked slightly.
Wasn't what I taught him back then also just scratching the surface?
"I am someone who has failed to prove my abilities, to the point where First Prince Charlie mocked me as the Prospective Duke."
A faint sadness settled across his otherwise impassive face.
"I think I'm beginning to understand why my grandfather has so harshly criticized me all this time, saying I lack substance. That's why I wish to work here where Roselita is."
He truly seemed like a different person.
He had been that arrogant noble who said he couldn't even meet my gaze because of his busy schedule, and he'd ask my forgiveness for his rudeness.
His work sense was quite good, and at this level, his character was more than sufficient for the Winter Palace.
But as a matter of human decency, and with my honest heart that didn't want to give and then have taken away, I asked him without reservation.
"Once you start working, you'll realize that three days a week, morning shifts only, will be difficult at the Winter Palace. We do leave on time once the work is finished, but...."
The problem is that the work never actually finishes....
The moment we look even slightly less busy, the Sun Palace and Rose Palace send work our way in pairs.
"I can't tell you everything about our palace's internal affairs, but the Winter Palace has an excessive amount of work. Are you sure you're comfortable with that?"
Now is the only time to escape.
I squeezed out my very last bit of conscience and spoke to him as professionally as possible.
If my desperation showed through, he might get frightened and run away.
"I've made my resolve. I've even stayed and eaten at the Summer Palace for a week."
So he's saying all this....
Truly, I had no choice but to reluctantly welcome such an excellent worker to the Winter Palace.
"I understand. Then would you be able to start next Monday?"
"I can start tomorrow."
Wasn't he only working three days a week because of family matters?
I was a bit puzzled, but since he was saying he'd work of his own accord....
"Then come in tomorrow, and I'm planning to set up your office in the empty room next to where the Administrative Officials currently stay. Do you have any questions?"
I had shared Cassian's office from the beginning, but the original rule was that advisors could have their own personal offices.
Ashwood seemed to hesitate for a moment, but soon nodded.
"Then, unless His Highness specifically forbids it, I'll see you tomorrow, Advisor Ashwood."
"Yes, thank you."
At my words, he left the office with a relieved expression.
Not long after, the Administrative Officials poured into the office.
"Is that true, Advisor Roselita?"
"We can—"
"Hire a new person now?!"
The joy of our Administrative Officials, who had been suffering from chronic understaffing, was pouring out earnestly.
"As long as His Highness doesn't forbid it."
"You will, won't you!"
"Cassian Artez is so magnanimous!"
"The kindest demon in all the world!"
The Administrative Officials were already chanting "Long live Cassian Artez!" and hastily emptied the office, eager to finish today's work.
And I, left alone, fell into a deeply serious expression and muttered to myself.
"I need to make the first move...."
If things continued like this, they would surely dump the training of all new administrative officials and advisors entering the Palace onto us.
The Emperor and First Empress were precisely the type to do such things and still have more to ask.
'Especially the First Empress—she would never leave us alone.'
And so I decided on Ashwood's first assignment.
Creating a new employee training manual for external distribution.
*
When Cassian Artez returned in the afternoon and learned of the plan, his face brightened considerably.
"Of course we should accept it."
My superior was indeed someone who enjoyed fighting fire with fire just as much as I did.
If our house burns, we might as well set theirs ablaze too—such was the way of the world.
Naturally, Ashwood's entry into the Winter Palace caused quite a stir within the Imperial Palace.
The advisors and administrative officials of the Summer Palace Administration were—
'Will you accept work from the Winter Palace again? We spent time together, surely you can show us that much consideration?'
'We're not asking you to take everything. Just a little help, surely that's not too much?'
'The Winter Palace will have more people now anyway.'
They continued spouting nonsense, still unable to come to their senses.
But Francis Ashwood was truly a man of his word.
'We have no reason to help you. If you truly require cooperation, please submit a formal request.'
Having received such a blunt refusal, the Summer Palace Administration's underlings began cursing Ashwood behind his back relentlessly.
Calling him a traitor to the Winter Palace and other such names.
But the man himself seemed entirely unaffected.
Rather....
'It is an honor. It seems that acquiring such notorious titles as demon or witch upon joining the Winter Palace is itself proof of one's competence.'
I was accepting it oddly positively.
If he's happy, that's what matters.
And as for our First Empress...
"Nervous, Roselita?"
"...Of course."
Contrary to expectations, she was spending her days remarkably peacefully without even breaking teacups.
Which made my steps all the heavier as I prepared for the weekly breakfast gathering.
The Emperor hadn't seen my face in ages, and with additional advisors now stationed at the Winter Palace, he'd explicitly ordered me brought along—there was no avoiding it.
"Don't worry. No matter what the First Empress does, I won't let go of your hand."
I studied Cassian quietly.
I seemed to recall a similar line in the original work, spoken to Roselita.
But unlike the original heroine who'd only half-believed such words,
"Of course, Your Highness. Even if you let go, I'll cling to your back like a leech."
I answered him without a shred of doubt.
At my response, Cassian smiled softly and brought his lips to my knuckles.
"You won't leave me alone? Such tender words from the morning."
This was who Cassian Artez was in this world.
*
The First Empress wore a smile even more affectionate than usual today.
"Welcome, Salice—or rather, Roselita. Since we'll be family someday, I may call you that, yes?"
Whatever she'd misunderstood, the First Empress opened her mouth with an almost excessive warmth.
"Your Majesty, I hear new administrative officials and advisors will be joining the Imperial Palace soon?"
I launched my opening move with the expected words.
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