The Director is Mine

Episode 6

“Please, return. The Director is currently absent.”

“I can sense activity within the Director’s office. What nonsense are you spouting?”

*Muscle-brains*. *So* irritating, Celine thought, her brow furrowing.

Francesca’s constant visits since that matchmaking incident were pushing her stress levels to their limit.

‘There’s a limit to brazenness. Why is she being so persistent, after being rejected by the Director?’

Before, Francesca only arrived when the Knights and the Intelligence Bureau experienced conflicts within their operational territories; now, she seemed to visit as if she were simply dropping by for a chat.

Celine, unwilling to disturb the already-burdened Director, wanted to send her away by force, but she couldn’t.

“I’ve told you before, I come with the Director’s permission. Feel free to verify it yourself if you’re so suspicious.”

Of course, she had already verified it. And, shockingly, Francesca’s words were true.

The Director’s actions were often beyond comprehension, but this time it was exceptionally perplexing.

‘Why is he letting a woman like this approach him?’

For Celine, Christina, and a few other staff members and agents, Francesca’s presence was exceedingly bothersome.

What was most irritating were her changed demeanor, gestures, speech, and attire.

Francesca, who had always been heavily armed in full armor, had recently been visiting in lighter clothing, and her words and actions were now relatively feminine, unlike in the past when she was indistinguishable from a man.

Furthermore, the subtle yet noticeable primping, detectable only by another woman, prompted the worst assumptions.

‘Could this woman possibly…’

Considering the Director’s earlier remark that the matchmaking itself was favorable, coupled with the look in Francesca’s eyes when she sought him out, the answer was, frankly, obvious.

“Well, I’ll head in then.”

“Ah, wait!”

As expected of the Knight Commander, Francesca, with swift agility, bypassed Celine and opened the Director’s office door, stepping inside.

“Hello, Director.”

—

After idly saying during that matchmaking event that she could come by anytime, Francesca was now actually visiting anytime, prompting me to set down the coffee cup I was drinking and ask,

“Did training end early today?”

“Aye. Until Prince Labor returns, the knight orders must rotate maintaining order in the capital each day. Training has been reduced to just enough to keep the body from stiffening up.”

Well, when a special envoy from another country arrives, they’d be extra careful to avoid disgraceful incidents occurring within the capital, since it could tarnish their prestige.

Thanks to that, even the Intelligence Department was focusing on monitoring the capital, save for only the most essential operations.

“You must be putting in hard work.”

“We’re all in the same boat. The Intelligence Department probably isn’t much different, is it?”

“That’s true enough.”

There wasn’t anything I could do, but that was always the case, so I let it slide.

“But there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Why is your secretary standing over there?”

Turning my head to where Francesca indicated, I saw Celine standing next to me, her face like a sheet of ice.

What? How long has she been standing there?

“I am the Minister’s secretary. It is only natural that I assist him.”

“We’re in the middle of a conversation between friends. Is there anything in particular that needs assisting?”

I wouldn’t particularly consider Francesca a friend, but I couldn’t help but agree with her words.

In the first place, Celine handles most of the Intelligence Department’s practical affairs, as I’ve mentioned before, so she’s incredibly busy.

Unless necessary, like during meetings, she doesn’t usually stay by my side.

So, I watched Celine with curiosity, wondering how she would respond to Francesca’s question, when she lowered her head and met my gaze.

“Minister. Do you need me, Minister?”

Need? Well, she’s my secretary, so of course, I need her.

“Please answer. Have I been unnecessary to you?”

What’s with this question?

I felt an uncharacteristic strangeness from Celine, along with a certain pressure, and succumbing to that momentum, I could only shake my head.

“No. I need you.”

“Did you hear that? I am needed by the Minister. So, it’s only natural that I stay by his side.”

“………”

The atmosphere was strange. For some reason, Francesca fell silent and glared at Celine, at her triumphant words.

Could they not get along?

Not that it was any of my business.

“Speaking of which, Francesca. I heard that among the gifts Prince Labor’s entourage brought, some were delivered to the Imperial Knight Order?”

“Hm? Ah, Aegis?”

Aegis was the name of an artifact, a shield in shape, that had been seized during the wars between the Empire and the Kingdom long ago.

I’d heard tell that Prince Siegfried had brought it over as a special envoy, returning it to the Empire, and that it was promptly displayed within the Knights Order building.

“Why? Do you perhaps wish to see it?”

“If it were possible.”

“Of course, it’s possible. You can come with me.”

Surely, it wouldn’t bode well for the Minister of Intelligence to suddenly appear at the Knights Order unannounced, but there shouldn’t be any issue if he were to go with the Commander of the Order.

“…Will your Secretary be accompanying us as well?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. Do as you please.”

And so, Celine and I followed Francesca toward the Knights Order.

—

She knew it was wrong, but Francesca couldn’t resist the surge of superiority welling up within the depths of her heart.

“The Minister of Intelligence?! Why at the Knights Order!?”

“He’s with Commander Chirner?”

“Weren’t the rumors of their engagement false?”

“But…don’t they seem rather close?”

Such murmurs reached her ears at every turn as they traversed the Order’s grounds.

Her seniors, her juniors, her peers—all were staring, eyes wide, in her direction.

Wonder, fear, bewilderment, envy, awe—a whole spectrum of emotions radiated from their gazes.

It wasn’t as though Francesca had deliberately intended to make it appear as though the Minister was her powerful patron.

Even back in his office, when they were conversing, she had purely wanted to escort a Minister who had shown interest in the Aegis.

But now, arriving at the Knights Order and facing the glares of jealousy, she felt a euphoric sensation, as though she were floating.

*Thinking about it, the more people who believe the Minister and I share a special connection, the better.*

They said one must first breach the moat to conquer the castle.

With the expectation that, eventually, with the accumulation of this recognition, the Minister might open his heart to her, Francesca led him toward the Aegis, displayed upon the central wall of the Knights Order building.

“So, this is the famed artifact of defense, Aegis.”

The Minister examined the shield, seemingly fascinated, as he toyed with the ring on his thumb.

He stood for some time, admiring the shield, before declaring that it was sufficient. But Francesca did not want to end the tour there.

“Now that you’re here, how about taking a look around the Knights Order?”

“Even so, is that alright?”

“As I said before, I’m free until my turn comes around.”

The Minister accepted Francesca’s suggestion without much suspicion. She, of course, wanted to show as many people as possible how close she was to him.

Meanwhile, Celine, seeing right through her intentions, gritted her teeth from behind.

‘This woman… she’s after the Minister too.’

It was unpleasant.

So unpleasant it was almost unbearable.

‘The Minister is a god.’

It felt as if someone had tracked mud into her personal sanctuary.

‘The Minister is *my* god.’

Her faith was being defiled.

‘The Minister is only *my* god.’

She hated seeing the aloof Minister offering a faint smile at another woman’s words.

‘The Minister is only *mine*.’

She didn’t want to see him being friendly with other women in front of her.

‘The Minister is mine.’

Soon, the shell of her faith peeled away, revealing the true feelings hidden beneath.

‘The Minister *is mine*.’

Her own, only her own, a Minister meant for her.

That day, Celine declared Francesca her enemy.

—

Late at night.

Feeling a presence, I sat up in bed, nearly screaming.

A woman I’d never seen before was staring at me, where I lay.

A flurry of questions appeared and vanished in my mind, but I decided to ask the most pressing one first.

“My guards?”

“Impressive. You ask that before asking who *I* am?”

The woman chuckled softly, snapping her fingers. A candle on the bedside table ignited.

A mage, perhaps? She didn’t seem hostile, but it was probably best not to provoke her.

“Don’t worry about your guards. They wouldn’t even know I was here.”

“Is that so.”

I rose from the bed and sat at the table. Across from me, the woman sat.

“You’re going to ask me who I am now, aren’t you?”

“Will you answer if I ask?”

“Yes.”

“Who are you?”

“Asero Kerke.”

“I see you have no intention of answering seriously.”

Asero Kerke. It was the name of a legendary witch who existed in the distant, ancient times.

Maybe she’s some sorcerer like Jok I don’t know about, but it’s clear she’s not engaging in this conversation with any sincerity.

“It really is my real name, though?”

“You’re saying you share the same name?”

“No, I mean I’m the legendary Asero Kerke herself.”

If we’re talking ancient times, that’s roughly 1000 years ago.

Assuming this woman is being genuine, that leads to one conclusion.

“That’s harsh.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re looking at me with pity, like you’re looking at a madwoman.”

“Because that’s exactly what you are.”

I knew she wasn’t right in the head the moment she broke in, but I never imagined she’d be a lunatic identifying herself with a witch who died over 1000 years ago.

“Anyway, what business do you have with me?”

“Hmm…I figured you wouldn’t believe me, but your condition is worse than I thought, seeing it firsthand.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t trust anyone at all, do you?”

“?”

Why is this witch stating the obvious?

“I can tell you don’t trust any humans, or rather, any sentient beings. At this rate, you probably wouldn’t even trust other races, would you?”

“Are you trying to say you’re an elf or something?”

“That’s not it. I’m human, though I’m using some tricks to get by.”

The woman, spouting nonsensical stories and claiming to be Asero Kerke, let out a long sigh and stood up from her seat.

“I should be heading back. Sorry to have disturbed your slumber.”

“Hold on a moment. You barge in here, spout nonsense that makes no sense, and then just try to leave without so much as an explanation?”

Unable to hide my bewilderment, I questioned her, and she scratched her cheek, looking abashed.

“It wasn’t my intention either, but it doesn’t seem like I can ask for your help as you are now… Still, if the day comes when our understandings align, I’ll come again. I think you’d be willing to listen then.”

Spouting yet more incomprehensible words, she snapped her fingers once more, and the candle on the table went out.

I hastily relit it, but the witch had already vanished.

“…”

What on earth was that about?