No Affection (lol)

Episode 2

Barely an hour into the workday, a serious problem arose.

“I want to go home…”

The image of a Minister is that of someone incredibly busy, but in reality, it’s disgustingly uneventful.

Come to work, stamp the documents brought by the intelligence staff, and the entire day is done.

On days without meetings, to be frank, there was nothing to do to the point of boredom.

Not that meetings were any better, mind you.

“Maybe I should take up a hobby or something.”

I wish there was a hobby I could do secretly while sitting here.

Perhaps try drawing? I don’t have any artistic talent, but I remember the illustrations from the fairy tales I read as a child, at least somewhat.

With that lighthearted thought, I tried drawing this and that on a blank sheet, but the result was nothing more than something you could call abstract art.

This is… how to put it. If I were to get caught, it wouldn’t just be my personal embarrassment, but something that would be known as a disgrace to the family.

Alright, let’s burn it.

As I was lighting a match to incinerate the documents for perfect evidence obliteration, the Minister’s office door suddenly swung open, and someone entered.

“Hahaha! Long time no see, Minister! I heard you were so busy, so I came myself!”

“Wait, Your Excellency the Prime Minister! You can’t just barge in like that…!”

Entering was the Imperial Prime Minister, Daniel Erickson. Unlike me, he was a remarkable man who had risen to the position of Prime Minister through tremendous ability and accomplishments.

And then Celine followed, stepping inside with a hardened expression.

I know, I know. That letting someone like me converse with the Chancellor is bad for the Intelligence Bureau’s image.

But still, isn’t it a bit rude to step in front of me like that, positioning herself between me and my guest?

Though I lack the courage to say it.

“Please return, Chancellor. The Minister is terribly busy.”

Her words, radiating a fierce determination to prevent any conversation between us, did little to deter Erickson.

“Is that any way to treat a guest who came all this way? Hmm? I, too, am in a rather busy position, you know.”

“As I’ve stated numerous times, after formally requesting a meeting…”

“I came because my requests were repeatedly denied!”

“I’m sure you were told that our Minister is simply too occupied!”

Wow, amazing, Celine. Standing your ground against the Imperial Chancellor without budging an inch.

Her spirit was truly commendable, but I hardly believed someone who had already barged into the room would meekly turn back. I was forced to intervene.

“Celine. Stand down.”

“Kuh…!”

Perhaps because of the Chancellor’s presence, Celine, unable to outright disregard a superior’s command as she usually would, stepped aside with a barely concealed look of resentment.

No, I wanted *you* to leave. However close-knit our nation may be, I don’t want my utter humiliation on display for anyone.

Haah. Guess there’s no helping it.

“Forgive the discourtesy, Chancellor. Please, have a seat over here.”

“Oho, thank you! The Minister is a reasonable man, I see!”

Rising from my desk, I sat across from Chancellor Erickson on the sofa in the center of the room.

As Celine brought in the tea, the real torment began.

“So, Minister. I noticed you burning something as I entered. What was that?”

Ah, he’s asking about that right away, huh.

“Chancellor…!”

Ever loyal, Celine was about to snap back at the Chancellor’s goading, trying to defend me.

I honestly feel like crying from gratitude, but I might as well answer honestly here.

I already burned it, so there’s no need to show it to him. It’ll be fine.

If he asks me to draw it again, I’ll break his fingers.

Needless to say, I’ll be breaking *my own* fingers.

“I was drawing a picture.”

“Ho… a drawing? What sort of drawing was it?”

“Nothing much. Just trying to imitate an illustration from a children’s storybook I used to read.”

For the record, I was trying to draw a wolf. What actually came out looked like Monster X, an unidentifiable something.

“Ho… a storybook…”

“Hm? Do you like storybooks?”

Unexpected. He has a surprisingly innocent hobby for his age.

“Well… I suppose I like stories with a moral, yes.”

“Stories with a moral, huh? So you favor tales of rewarding good and punishing evil?”

Traditionally, fairy tales were all about that. It’s always satisfying to see the bad guys get their just desserts.

“…Does the Minister enjoy tales of rewarding good and punishing evil?”

“Yes. Because in stories, good and evil are clearly defined.”

The good ones do good deeds and are rewarded, and the bad ones do bad deeds and are punished.

As simple as I am, I’ve always preferred straightforward stories.

“…I see. So in stories, good and evil are clearly defined. Then which side does the Minister favor? Good? Or evil?”

What kind of question is that?

Isn’t the answer obvious?

“Good, of course.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. I like stories where evil gets a good thrashing.”

“…Is that so. I understand your answer perfectly. Forgive my intrusion.”

Huh? Is he leaving already?

Was he *not* here to harass me, the son of the head of a rival noble faction, in place of my father?

He just came by out of sheer boredom?

Thinking about it that way, I suddenly felt bad.

“Are you leaving already? I had many more stories I wished to hear.”

“I just remembered I had pressing business to attend to. We shall have tea again another time.”

I was hoping to keep him occupied, thinking that just chatting was a good way to kill time. But Minister Erickson wore an emotionless face, a stark contrast to when he first arrived, and walked out.

Did I say something wrong? Now I’m concerned.

I wasn’t sure what I had done, but I thought it would be best to apologize if I had offended him, so I spoke to Celine, who was standing behind me.

“Send Minister Erickson a gift.”

“A gift… you say?”

“Yes. Something appropriate.”

“Understood.”

If I leave it to Celine, she’ll take care of it.

She’s bound to send something far better than anything I could come up with, lacking any sort of taste as I do.

—

The morning after Grand Chancellor Erickson visited the Minister of Intelligence.

“aaah!”

“What, what is it?!”

Daniel Erickson, jolted awake by the sudden scream, asked in alarm as his wife pointed to the head of the bed they had just been sleeping in.

A dagger was embedded there. Positioned precisely between where their heads had been.

“W-what is this, darling?! W-who would do such a thing…!”

“…Calm yourself. I will handle everything.”

Reassuring his shaken wife, Grand Chancellor Erickson roared towards the outside.

A moment later, the estate’s guards rushed in, their faces paling drastically at the sight of the dagger lodged above the master and mistress’s bed.

“How could something like this happen with security like this!”

“W-we are deeply sorr…”

“Is apologizing going to fix anything now!”

He was outwardly furious, but Grand Chancellor Erickson’s mind remained icily calm.

He was the Grand Chancellor of the Empire. Naturally, his security detail was composed of only the most renowned individuals within the Empire.

Yet, he knew of only one entity within the Empire capable of accomplishing such a feat.

‘The Owls. He used those owls to demonstrate that yesterday’s warning was no mere threat…!’

The day before, Grand Chancellor Erickson had visited the Minister of Intelligence.

He had sought to probe how much the Intelligence Division had uncovered regarding the Fairytale matter, but the Minister refused to cooperate.

He simply stated, bluntly.

Keep meddling, and you will meet your end.

A direct death threat aimed at the Grand Chancellor of the Archerus Empire.

And the dagger embedded there was proof that his words were no jest.

‘But the fact that it was merely a warning suggests that he lacks definitive evidence.’

His opponent was that ‘Ironblood’, devoid of all pity. If he possessed solid evidence, he would have severed my head on the spot.

Thus, it was a battle of who could achieve their aim first.

Whether the anti-aristocratic faction could topple the nobles,

or if the Intelligence Bureau, the core force of the aristocratic faction, would take Minister Ericsson’s head first.

‘Good. Let’s see what you’ve got, Minister. I’ll show you the strength of experience…!’

Before that, though, he’d have to reinforce security.

—

To Celine Vlassia, the Minister was a god.

Specifically, it had been that way ever since he personally rescued her from the human trafficking ring that had been rampant ten years prior.

It goes without saying that the Minister doesn’t usually go out to the field himself.

Even then, it was after the situation had already been resolved, and even then, he wasn’t there specifically for Celine, but rather to check on the numerous victims.

Of course, such circumstances had no effect on Celine’s faith.

When the Minister, telling her it was alright, took off his coat and draped it over her as she trembled, paralyzed by fear, Celine’s faith was solidified.

However, she was a commoner, and one from the lowest stratum at that. She was born too far away to approach a god.

Therefore, she strived.

Not with the resolution to die.

But with the mindset that she’d be content to die having only ever strived.

Her will at the time could be fairly likened to that of a martyr.

In any case, Celine’s efforts were rewarded.

She entered the esteemed Academy, where it was said that admission was nearly impossible for non-nobles, based purely on her merit, and graduated after holding the top student position for years.

She was sought after everywhere. Some offered astronomical salaries, but Celine didn’t even glance their way.

There was only one position she desired.

Next to her god.

Celine proudly took that position with her own abilities.

Luck played a part too. Thanks to a ‘certain reason,’ the original secretary had conveniently disappeared.

Thus, the emotion Celine harbored for Ervin was undoubtedly faith.

There was no affection in that heart. Celine intended to remain pure and assist her god ‘for life,’ by his side, and die with him when he passed.

That was the plan, anyway.

“Um, Celine, about the Minister’s next escort, could I possibly do it…?”

Even if you have no such thoughts, pests will inevitably appear.

She knew it was unavoidable. Bugs are bound to be drawn to something sweet.

It would be his task as well, to swat away that bug.

“This won’t do, Christina. Didn’t you have a mission to begin with?”

“I’m saying it ’cause I’ve finished. And weren’t you aware? I got vacation time from the Minister.”

“Then enjoy your vacation. Don’t bother the Minister unnecessarily.”

“I’m not trying to bother him! I just want to be on guard duty!”

Even at Celine’s words that it was indeed bothersome, Christina didn’t back down.

She even went so far as to attack her.

“Come to think of it, it’s odd! You arrange all the Minister’s guard schedules, but it’s strange that not a single day is assigned to a female agent?!”

“………There’s nothing strange about it. Only the strong can protect the Minister.”

“Then I’ll do it! Or what? Are you trying to say I’m weak?”

Celine, speechless, clamped her mouth shut.

She was rapidly racking her brain to somehow refute and send her away when,

The door to the Minister’s office opened and the Minister emerged.

“What’s all this ruckus in the hallway since a while ago?”

“Ah, Minister! Can I guard you?”

“What about your vacation?”

“I’ll return it!”

“Then do as you please.”

“Yes!”

A sound of grinding teeth escaped Celine’s lips, and the documents she held were mercilessly crumpled.