631 – Ministers and Department Heads – 3

The time of transition from winter to spring. A time when colorful flowers bloom in pure white meadows.

It was quite enjoyable to walk through the grasslands during that beautiful time. The meadows had a beauty that could not be found in artificially created gardens or gardens.

– Purr!

And it wasn’t just me who was moved by nature’s gift, but also the black horse who lent me its back.

I felt sorry that I was forcing a child who was eating carrots at home to come out, but when I took the reins, he started wagging his tail at the speed of light. As if waiting for the day to get out of the stability.

It was an unexpected reaction. It’s not for nothing that they say that you don’t even touch a dog while eating. Even from the point of view of that dark horse, I am an outsider who I have never seen before. It wasn’t strange when he kicked me with his back foot and told me to get out of here.

‘I guess he was bored too.’

A black horse that threw away the carrot it was eating and willingly picked up an outsider it had never seen.

It’s just a personal guess, but I think he was bored staying in the stable during the winter. So when I got the chance to go out, I was immediately excited.

“Slow down a little.”

– Purung…

Still, this outing was for a leisurely horseback riding date with Fine. I appreciate the black horse’s active cooperation, but if you move too quickly, you won’t be able to enjoy the freshness of the date.

Fortunately, the black horse, which was very excited, seemed to understand my thoughts and slowly slowed down.

‘Good horses.’

When we get back to the castle, I’ll tell Count Judgher that the black guy was particularly intelligent. Then you will meet delicious food and pretty females.

“It’s been a while since we rode the same horse together, right?”

After gently stroking the black horse’s mane, I hugged the waist of Fine, who was sitting in front of me.

Thanks to this guy’s large size, he could easily seat two people. Basically, a horseback riding date is best when the two of you sit on the same horse.

“I don’t know how many years it’s been like this.”

Anyway, perhaps it was because it had been a while since I rode Fine in front of him, so old memories were summoned.

Immediately after the Great Punishment War ended and I became the Chief of the Inspection Department. Even though I was busy, I wandered around outside the system quite a bit. To take care of the bereaved families of the 4 divisions who died during the Great Punishment War, and to inspect the northern border area that suffered extensive damage.

Among them, Fine was a war orphan who was discovered while inspecting the border area. He was a poor child who lost his hometown, family, friends, and neighbors due to the plunder of nomads.

Although he is older than me to be considered a child, Fine at the time was much smaller than he is now.

‘Because I couldn’t eat properly.’

Fine’s growth was slow because he was a commoner in the border area who had a hard time making a living. In such a situation, his nutritional intake was further reduced during the war, so he had no choice but to have an appearance that was unusual for someone his his age his his. If I were to exaggerate a bit, it was on a similar level to Juris and Sophia.

So, with a sad heart, I put Fine on my horse and returned together.

“…Are you a soldier by any chance?”

“He almost became a soldier. He failed to escape and stayed in the inspection department.”

“Then can I become an inspector like you?”

I had no idea that the poor child would turn into a willing slave.

A face dirty with dirt and dust, a body scruffy from not being washed properly, a skinny body with no trace of fat.

It was a truly vicious body, but the eyes that looked up at me shined so clearly. From the moment it was given to me, from the moment I found out I was a civil servant of the empire.

To be precise, from the moment I realized that I was suffering from a lack of manpower.

‘From then on, I was in repayment mode.’

If you think about it, Fine has shown tremendous mental strength since then. Among the other orphans I picked up from other places and the bereaved families who pledged to commit themselves to the inspection department, saying they wanted to carry on the wishes of their fallen family members, the fastest achievement was achieved.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the orphan I picked up, I would have thought he was from a noble family. Fine’s growth was not at the rate seen by a commoner who suffered from malnutrition.

“I am as good as dead already. It is natural to be loyal to the manager who gave me new life and life.”

It was even more surprising that it was an awakening to repay me.

It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t happy about Fine’s words his. In a situation where half of his subordinates were incompetent, a capable person with maximum respect and liking for me is brought in? It’s not for nothing that I’ve been sucking on Fine since I was the head of Section 4.

That’s how the relationship started. The war orphan I carried in front of me with a pitiful heart. After several years, that orphan is riding the same horse as me as my lover.

“I, I, I, too, am happy to ride the same horse as you, Minister…”

What interrupted the flashback was Fine’s plaintive voice

“Thank you for saying that.”

It was a satisfying answer, so I placed my chin on Fine’s shoulder.

Even though it was just the two of us, he called me “Excellent Minister” Instead of “Master.” I used the expression ‘happy’ rather than ‘honoured’. In this way, little by little, I have to learn how to express myself in a way that focuses on Fine rather than on myself. In that sense, the previous answer can be seen as a great start.

From now on, let’s try to use the title “Honey” Or “Karl” Instead of “Mr. Minister.”

The horseback riding date lasted longer than expected.

There is no particular reason. The black horse that picked us up twisted our route and delayed our return time as much as possible.

‘Good horses.’

As expected, the horses of the North are the best. It produces the best results even without the rider having to give commands. I think I understand why the nomads’ cavalry is so ferocious.

“I wish there were more kids like you in Wiridia.”

– Phew.

At those words, the black horse licked my cheek and leisurely entered the stable. As if I had enough fun and have no more regrets.

I covered it. Should I ask Count Judge if he can sell that guy? Honestly, if it was a horse I really cared about, I wouldn’t have put it in a small stable in sponsorship. If the price is right, I will sell it as much as I want.

“…Mr. Minister.”

“Huh?”

As I was staring blankly at the black horse, Fine came up to me and tugged on my sleeve.

“You said it was a date, so please look at me now, not me.”

‘Wow.’

For a moment, I couldn’t believe my ears. Because I heard words that I couldn’t believe came from Fine’s mouth

“Of course.”

She smiled as she held Fine, whose face was bright red.

Fine asked me to look after him. He asked me to do what he wanted me to do. It was not an ordinary request, but a request steeped in jealousy.

It’s a bit unfortunate that the object of jealousy is a horse, but it’s important that Fine is honest about his feelings about her.

‘I didn’t expect results to come out in just one day.’

He is proud. Is this perhaps the effect of the two riding the same horse? Or is it the effect of having people call you “Excellent Minister” Instead of “Master”? Otherwise, it may have had the effect of allowing him to speak honestly about his feelings, rather than a self-deprecating remark about glory.

Actually, it doesn’t matter either way. What I need to focus on is the result, not the cause.

‘It will get better tomorrow.’

If Fine expresses jealousy in just one day, it is correct to say that the emotions he had been suppressing for so long have burst out. Then, tomorrow’s Fine, the day after tomorrow’s Fine, will be more honest than the day before.

Blood changes every day. Just imagining it makes my heart flutter.

***

My face feels hot. My lips were so trembling that I couldn’t even get out a few words.

It’s crazy. No matter how much I think about it, I think I’m crazy. No, it must be crazy.

‘I dare the master.’

I bit my lip without realizing it. It’s a shame not to call the master “Master,” But there’s a perfect reason for that: to comply with the master’s request.

But what about what you just said and did? How dare you pull on your master’s sleeve and ask him to look at me? Was that also the master’s request?

Not like that. That action was done out of my own will. Not satisfied with being with the master or being his lover, he became greedy.

This is presumptuous. You ask your master first. I, who was given a new life by my master, cannot do that.

Obviously, obviously, but…

“Of course.”

I couldn’t even say sorry in time for the soft voice and warm hug.

After asking my master to look after me, I couldn’t even run away due to the strange feeling that filled his chest.

Weird. Strange. My heart has always been pounding when I see my master, but the pounding I feel now is different from usual.

“It’s fine.”

“Yes, yes…”

“Now let’s go in and rest. It’s a little cold, maybe because the sun is about to go down.”

With those words, the owner held my hand and smiled.

I have to say sorry even now. I have to ask my master for forgiveness for saying something presumptuous and receive compensation.

But why?

“Yes, Mr. Minister.”

Instead of an apology, something else was said. Instead of kneeling, he walked side by side with his master.

I wanted to feel this pounding more, so I got greedy.

***

In the evening, Count Judge returned without a word. I still wonder why he acts like a gourmet when it’s his last name.

Anyway, I accepted Count Judher’s offer to have dinner together,

“Dark horse? Are you talking about that kid in the back yard?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I attempted to purchase a black horse right on the spot.

“Huh.”

However, Count Yudher’s reaction was unusual.

It’s an unexpected situation. I thought he would sell it simply because he had a long quote stuck in the corner?

“That guy, even in the north, boasts quite an outstanding pedigree. He even has the same ancestors as the horse that Yeok Cheonja rode.”

“…Yes?”

No shit. Why did you put such words into sponsorship? Was it a sign that he would be kept nearby since he was precious?

“However, he seems to know that he is precious, and his personality is so damned—no, he is violent. Of course, all the warriors under my command tried to get on his back, but we were rejected every time, so we ended up in a pit of shame.”

He quietly kept his mouth shut due to Count Yudher’s lament.

Fine and I were riding just a little while ago…?

“So, he was sold to another tribe leader, and that damned guy escaped from where he was sold and returned to his tribe’s territory. He means that he will decide where he will stay.”

“Well, he is a Chungma who loves his master.”

“Even if it dies, it won’t burn its owner.”

The sight of Count Judhe laughing as if he had lost his mind made me feel solemn.

“So I’ll give it to the Count. I don’t need any money.”

“No. No matter what, you are buying the count’s horse…”

“Haha, honestly, I can’t say that he is my horse. He is just a customer living under my support.”

Instead, I replied at her earnest eyes that she seemed to be asking me to please take her.

The amount of manufactured goods supplied to the Yudhe County should be increased from 20% to 30%.