I exchanged a long look with Carlex and smiled suggestively.
“The name of the duke’s master has appeared in the book of politics.”
When I remembered his name that I found in the book, a smile leaked out of me without knowing it.
“He contributed to the peace of the continent by eliminating the monsters that appeared on the borders, and he achieved remarkable achievements by expanding the scope of Ruberia to its outskirts.”
I don't know why I feel so proud and proud!
For his name to be recorded in the book of Ruberia politics while he was still in the prime of his youth, not yet thirty, I understood why Michael, my brother, respected him.
He looked at me for a moment with a stunned expression, then quickly looked away as if he was ashamed of something.
“Protecting the country is the duty of a knight.”
What a quiet and awkward style! He looks like a big boy being praised for the first time in his life, it's cute.
At the same time, I felt a twinge in the heart.
Why do I now see his young back fighting, ready to sacrifice his life for his country and his family on the border?
He is only big in body, but his heart is tender and full of wounds.
I raised my heels slightly and extended my hand toward his broad shoulders, then patted them gently.
I realized too late that my behavior was too spontaneous, and I was worried that he would find it rude.
I tried to quickly withdraw my hand from his shoulder, but his gaze settled calmly on my hand.
The corners of his mouth twitched.
As soon as he smiled for a moment, his appearance changed to look like the most affectionate man in the world. It's amazing.
Carlex quietly placed his hand on top of mine.
Warmth moved between us.
Just holding his big hand on mine made me feel strong and warm.
“Receiving praise from you makes me feel like going to the battlefield was the right decision. For the first time.”
Our gazes met, and then we heard a dry cough from the side.
And that was none other than the Crown Prince.
“Ah, I hope there are no emotional scenes in the Holy Council of Nobles.”
"W-Emotional scenes? It was an encouragement. An encouragement from a friend."
Although I was quick to make excuses, the Crown Prince was not listening to my words at all.
He rolled his eyes, amused.
“Hmm, won’t you encourage me too in my toil in serving the affairs of state? Preferably with a warm hug.”
The Crown Prince extended his arms wide and slowly approached me.
“I don't think this is appropriate.”
I thought seriously for a moment.
If I kick the Crown Prince's stomach right away, will I get advance permission for execution?
Just then, a dark shadow approached silently from behind the Crown Prince.
Shadow hugged the Crown Prince enthusiastically.
"How dare you! Who are you?!"
The Crown Prince turned in surprise, and his single-lens glasses gleamed.
He was the Marquis of Reichen, head of the House of Lords.
“I was encouraging His Highness the Crown Prince in his fatigue.”
Chief Reichen answered calmly.
Of course, without removing his hands from his waist.
Carlex, William, and I froze, watching the president's impudent white-backed embrace.
Even the busy employees stopped their work with faces full of astonishment.
It is understandable to be startled by a sudden embrace from a middle-aged minister, but the Crown Prince also did not have it easy.
He patted the president's arms gently and smiled sweetly.
“It seems like you're the only one thinking about me. Thanks for the warm encouragement.”
Oh, I have to think seriously about the genre of this book.
“It's no longer time for jokes, you two.”
William stepped forward, coughing dryly after he couldn't stand the scene anymore.
President Reichen adjusted his appearance as if nothing had happened and greeted His Highness the Crown Prince with respect.
“Thank you for coming, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
He looked at Principal William as if he were looking at his favorite student.
“Mr. William, seeing you is reassuring.”
Before William could return the greeting, the president tapped his finger.
As if he had been waiting, a young employee brought over a stack of credentials.
“These major items that were just discussed in the meeting, review them, add final comments and approve them by today until dawn, it doesn’t matter. I also intend to stay up late in the council.”
I clearly saw the corners of William's smiling mouth twitch.
Good luck, manager.
I hope you survive the hell of overtime.
I gave him a good fist, but Carlex, like a true friend, turned his head and smiled wryly.
You really enjoy your friend's suffering...
“By the way, that miss…”
President Reichen's cold, frosty gaze suddenly turned towards me.
The boss tapped his finger again, and a junior employee quickly brought over a pen and paper.
Everyone's eyes were focused on me and the president.
What? Did the sparks get to me too? Will I work here?
I was very nervous just looking at the paper and pen that the president held out.
“Are you Miss Erica Diehl?”
“Yes, but...”
“Can you sign here please?”
"What?"
Chief Reichen adjusted his glasses and spoke in a dry voice.
“My daughter likes Miss Erica so much, I ask you for one piece of paper for her.”
“That's how it is. Thank you.”
I signed the paper quickly as if I was being pushed.
Reichen's boss memorized my signature, quietly put it inside his coat and turned around.
“Okay, let's get into the cabinet meeting.”
The court assistant waiting outside the door of the meeting room called out in a loud voice:
“His Highness Prince Ludwig von Bismarck, Crown Prince of the Kingdom!”
The Crown Prince deftly put on his luxurious red cloak, fluttered it vigorously, and then took a firm step forward.
He loves dramatic effects, as expected of him.
“Okay, let's start the battle.”
The Crown Prince gave us a confident smile.
Of course, Carlex, William and I had expressionless faces as if we had given up on everything.
***
When we entered the vast hall, dozens of nobles rose at once and greeted the Crown Prince with respect.
The Crown Prince sat in the main seat, President Reichen sat to his right, and to his left was Karlex, then William, then I, in order.
Hmm, that's pretty close to the main seat.
Is it because it is a temporary presence?
On the roof, I sat quietly in my seat, but frankly I was nervous and wanted to run away.
The glances of the nobles who glanced at me were not friendly.
Their looks said that they did not know why an ordinary librarian was sitting in this place.
I don't know why I'm here either, so how about you?
But among the sharp glances, there were nobles sending friendly glances.
Of course, President Reichen looked at me with a proud and happy expression whenever we made eye contact, which embarrassed me.
The royal nobles seemed to know about me, sending friendly glances or eye gestures.
Is this the result of Ludving's campaign to promote me as the Warlord?
I don't know whether I should be happy or bitter.
My goal was to live quietly as an anonymous librarian, but it seems I'm on the exact opposite path.
All this because of that crown prince!
I stared at Bludfing with angry eyes.
He met my gaze and smiled softly.
He's a really strong opponent.
I quickly averted my gaze, pretending not to notice.
When the Crown Prince sat down, the nobles also sat down.
Only then could I see the faces of the nobles present at the cabinet meeting.
I had checked the attendance list while I was coming in the carriage.
It was a huge meeting that brought together representatives of the king's administrative apparatus, the nobles, and the commanders of the central knights who represented the palace knights.
The number of attendees reached about thirty people.
And there was, as expected, someone who caught my eye first.
Prince Franz.
When I turned to him inadvertently, Franz smiled at me mischievously like a sated cat.
Better not to deal with beautiful crazy people.
I quickly avoided his gaze.
All the nobles present had tense and stiff faces.
When the door of the meeting hall was closed, the palace knights armed with spears stood in front of them.
The atmosphere was so tense that no one could come out until the meeting was over.
This means that this cabinet meeting will be strictly confidential.
Crown Prince Ludfeng folded his hands and smiled mysteriously.
“Ah, dear nobles, administrative staff and knight heroes, thank you for attending this meeting. Let’s begin the Cabinet meeting in earnest.”
When the Crown Prince declared the meeting open, Director William took to the podium carrying a report.
“I will begin with a report on the circumstances of the incident where monsters appeared in the equestrian arena. Fifteen werewolf-type monsters appeared in the arena, thirty people were injured, and no deaths occurred. The amount of damage to the arena is still being counted, and the reason for the monsters’ appearance is currently under analysis. In addition...”
William paused for a moment and looked at the Crown Prince.
Ludving nodded encouragingly.
“At the time of the incident, the Ignis Book that was kept in the sub-mansion storeroom was stolen. The perpetrator killed the storeroom guard after luring him out, forcibly destroyed the magic tracking device, and then took the magic book. We are currently analyzing the remaining magic energy in the tracking device.”
After explaining the details, William got off the stage.
Once the full report was over, the nobles had dazed expressions on their faces as they pounded the table or raised their voices in a race.
“The appearance of monsters in the capital is horrific, and the theft of a magic book as well. Why are these strange events occurring?”
"What exactly do wizards do? Is the dimensional barrier managed properly?"
“Another theft! How negligent were the management of the Royal Library and Director William!”
“The news of monsters appearing in other countries has already spread, and there are even rumors that our kingdom does not have the ability to manage the Five Great Magic Books! Who will bear this responsibility?”
The nobles descended in chaos as if they heard that Ruberia was about to collapse, and all of them screamed.
There were even nobles who held their heads.
The only calm noble in the chaotic meeting hall was Prince Franz.
He watched the Crown Prince comfortably as he crossed his legs, like someone waiting for an opportunity to catch the king in a game of chess.
The meeting room turned into a chaotic battlefield, filled with shouts and heated arguments.
Ludving was watching the scene with a bored expression, his chin on his hands.
Knock! The Crown Prince hit the table violently and stood up forcefully.
He walked up to the podium with confidence, like a wild beast starting to hunt without any gaps.
“Since you are in such a mess, I will arrange it myself.”
As soon as the Crown Prince spoke, the meeting room quieted down as if there had been an agreement.
“First: The monsters were wiped out by Duke Reinhardt here and the brave knights. Remember, if it were not for their presence that night, you would not be alive here at least now. Wouldn’t it be better to express our respect to the knights who shed their blood that night before demanding responsibility?”
Ludving looked at the nobles with a threatening look.
“Second: The dimensional barrier has become stable through the efforts of the magicians. Now is not the time to tremble in fear and terror, but rather the time to sincerely commit to our respective roles. Do not forget that we have a duty as those who support Ruberia.”
The Crown Prince's speech continued confidently and without stopping.
His expression was full of firm confidence, and the movements of his hands showed the prestige of the royal family.
His red hair sparkled under the lights of the conference room like a crown.
The nobles looked at him with touching expressions as the future young leader.
“Third: The Stolen Book of Ignis...”
The Crown Prince paused for a moment and smiled suggestively.
“...It's fake.”
“To be continued in the next chapter”
Loving translation