SDD 07

Chapter 7.

1.Becoming the Villain’s Secretary (7)

The news that I had been kidnapped spread like wildfire.
Well, how could it not?

“Her body is unwell after upholding her loyalty—how could I possibly make her walk?”

That was what Helwid said, after carrying me in princess style all the way around the imperial palace to his office.

Yes. The Emperor carried me, his secretary, in a princess carry.

At first, I wondered if this was okay, but he said he’d take a route with no people, so I thought it’d be fine.

I was clueless. There are eyes even floating in the air of the palace…

I mean, when else would I get to see the Emperor’s crown of his head?
So I obediently let myself be carried—and that decision… came back to destroy me.

“Are you sure you’re okay? They said you were branded with a hot iron and His Majesty carried you here!”

“A hot iron? I heard she had a concussion, so His Majesty carried her!”

I held my forehead as I watched Indellis and my father make a scene, insisting we rush to the temple immediately.

God. I’m losing brain cells.

After I said I was fine for the 300th time, Helwid spoke up with a friendly smile from behind them.

“I understand your concern for my secretary and your daughter. However—this is my office.”

Indellis shot back sharply:

“Your Majesty, bringing someone who was just freed from kidnapping to your office instead of the temple is excessive.”

Indellis—who barely reached my waist—stood protectively in front of me.
Helwid looked at him like he was an amusing little creature.

“But she said she’s fine.”

“Her lip is split.”

“But she wasn’t branded.”

“There’s a red mark on her wrist.”

“That doesn’t mean she has a concussion. It seems Your Highness is easily swayed by rumors.”

He was basically criticizing the royal prince, who was supposed to always speak the truth, for being influenced by gossip.

Crackle. Sparks flew.

Oh no—why are you two fighting?

Wait… right. You two already hate each other.

Realizing this too late, I stood up to intervene—but my father pushed me back into my seat.

“You’re injured. Stop trying to stand up.”

He looked distressed.

It already upset him that his precious daughter took a job because of money.
Now she got promoted to imperial secretary only to be tossed around? He clearly felt guilty.

My father glanced at the suit I was wearing—expression saying:
“I used to dress her in frilly gowns… what happened to my baby girl…”

He squeezed my hand firmly.

“Just trust me. I will never allow you to be put in danger.”

Warm hand. Worried voice. My heart clenched.
He may not be my real father, but he’s Blain’s—and I’ve grown attached to him.

Then my father walked forward and stood beside Indellis, confronting the Emperor.

“As a Count granted authority by Your Majesty, may I speak?”

“You may.”

“The lady you have taken as your secretary—Blain Nostalgia—is my daughter.”

“I am aware.”

“As a subject of this empire and as her father, I must say: she lacks the ability to assist Your Majesty.”

“That is not true. Lady Blain Nostalgia possesses exceptional talent and is working with me for the empire’s great cause. Even as her father, do not belittle her. I only take the best.”

Wow. Since when do you praise me so easily?

I stared at him, surprised. Helwid caught my gaze and smiled.
But my father refused to back down.

“No. My daughter is still young. She’s immature and unprepared.”

“You are contradicting my judgment.”

Helwid’s expression cooled.

“I do not dare oppose Your Majesty. I only speak the one petition I was granted.”

My father had never been strong-willed. If anything, he was soft-hearted.
Yet here he was, standing firm—against the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I request that my daughter Blain Nostalgia be dismissed from her role as Imperial Secretary.”

The office temperature dropped by 3 degrees.

“Dismissed…?”

Helwid smiled—not pleasantly.

Was this the “villain hidden behind the mask” moment?

I tried sneaking between them, but Indellis grabbed my hand—his grip surprisingly strong for an eight-year-old.

“What permission do you have to demand this so boldly?” Helwid asked.

In noble petitions, you needed multiple nobles’ approval.

But my father… had no noble friends.

Yet with perfect calm, Father spoke:

“His Highness the Prince has already agreed.”

…Sorry, WHAT?

Helwid slowly turned toward Indellis.

Indellis stepped forward confidently. Which dragged me forward too.

“The Count speaks truth. I have signed with my seal.”

With no Empress or Empress Dowager, the Prince ranked directly below the Emperor.

Prince approval = the petition was almost undeniable.

“Prince Indellis Glays. I formally request the dismissal of Blain Nostalgia, Imperial Secretary.”

“And her reassignment as my private tutor.”

WHAT KIND OF CHAOTIC TEAM-UP IS THIS.

Helwid looked at me, eyes asking: Are you with them?

I panicked silently.

He exhaled, regained composure, and smiled again.

“What if I refuse?”

“What—!”

“Your Majesty!”

Ignoring them, Helwid walked over and pulled my hand out of Indellis’s grip.

“I said no.”

Then he pulled me to his side.

“I’m very fond of my secretary. I need someone who’s just bratty enough to tell me what I don’t want to hear.”

Bratty??

“My secretary is not for you to steal. I will not let her go.”

He held my hand tighter.

He looked like a child afraid someone would steal his favorite balloon.

“So stop trying to take what’s mine.”

“However—”

“Count Nostalgia, I apologize. It was my failure that put your daughter in danger. It won’t happen again.”

His hand trembled slightly.

“I promise.”

My father fell silent.

Indellis looked shocked.

“My secretary has talent. She would excel as your tutor, Prince. But the empire’s future matters more than one person’s education.”

Indellis glared. Helwid smiled sweetly.

“If you need a tutor—find another.”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Helwid declared the discussion over.

Despite protests, he ordered them both to leave.

Even after they were gone, he continued holding my hand.

Eventually, he let go with a sigh.

“Troublesome. My capable secretary is too popular.”

He grinned down at me.

I couldn’t look away.

“Hmm? Why are you staring at me like that?”

He leaned in. I forgot to push him away.

“…It seems my secretary is still in shock from the kidnapping.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“You may go home for today.”

“…Huh?”

“You reacted to the word ‘go home.’ So this was part of your plan?”

He smirked like I’d lost a chess match.

I hadn’t—but whatever.
If it gets me off work early, who cares?

“See you tomorrow!”

“You’re leaving so cheerfully. Meanwhile, I’m stuck finishing the work my secretary abandoned.”

“Oh please. Who told you to just watch while I got kidnapped?”

A crack appeared in his smiling mask.

Uh oh. Here comes villain-eyes.