SDD 04

Chapter 4.

 When I Become the Villain’s Secretary (4)

Feeling awkward, I asked, “Should I… help you with another problem?”
Indelis finally snapped out of it and shook his head.

“You—what are you, no… who are you? You… seriously, you… ah.”

His soft, maple-leaf-colored hand covered his face as he rubbed it in disbelief.

It was strangely cute, and for a moment I forgot he was a prince and just chuckled.

“So now that I solved it, will Your Highness forgive me?”

“Forgive? Ah… yes. Killing off such talent on the spot would be too wasteful. Where are you affiliated?”

Indelis—who had been ignoring me until a moment ago—now stared at me with sparkling eyes.

Hmm… how do I answer that?

I didn’t want to reveal that I was the Emperor’s secretary.

Their sibling relationship wasn’t exactly harmonious as it was. If he found out someone more capable than him was on the Emperor’s side, he’d become troublesome.

As I hesitated, Indelis narrowed his eyes.

“What, why aren’t you answering? Don’t tell me… are you actually an infiltrator in disguise?”

“No! Of course not! I’m—uh—well…”

Damn it, better to be a secretary than a spy.

“I am the personal secretary of His Imperial Majesty, Helwid, inheritor of the will of the great Sun.”

“Ohhh, I heard a new secretary was hired. So that was you… I mean, you.”

Huh. Much calmer than expected.

He even corrected himself from saying “you” informally to “you” formally.

“Then why hide it? You could’ve said so from the beginning.”

Indelis frowned.

“I—well…”

Like he ever gave me time to explain.

“I’ll be resigning soon. It felt weird to introduce myself as a secretary when I’m about to quit…”

Trying to look apologetic, I answered. Indelis seemed amused and raised a corner of his mouth.

“So the one who just became His Majesty’s secretary… that lady from Count Nostalgia’s family, right?”

“Yes, that’s me—Blein Nostalgia.”

“Strange. For a count’s daughter, your manner of speech is too casual. Are you truly a noblewoman?”

Wow. Just like his brother—sarcasm and twisting every sentence.

“I don’t care much about social circles, so my etiquette is lacking. If I’ve offended you, I apologize.”

Indelis studied my face carefully, as if confirming the rumors.

“You’re not even weird-looking. Actually, you’re quite beautiful. Why avoid society?”

Beautiful, he says. In other words: stunning enough to dominate the empire.

In the original novel <The Villain’s Secret Desire>—famous for its extravagant descriptions—the villainess Blein Nostalgia was breathtaking:

Mysterious hair like rose powder mixed into milk, soft lavender eyes unlike Indelis’s, translucent skin, cheeks like pink hydrangeas…

My beauty rivaled even the heroine’s.

I puffed my cheeks in mild annoyance, and Indelis suddenly burst into laughter.

His laughter was bright and clear—like bells ringing.

“They say you talk back to the Emperor without hesitation… and here you are showing that same insolent expression to a prince. You really are unique.”

“I see…”

“And for someone who ‘can’t do society,’ you seem quite capable of interacting with people.”

“Oh. That’s different.”

When I answered without backing down, Indelis laughed again—genuinely amused.

Seriously, what is with this family? Say anything and they lose their minds laughing.

“You said you’re quitting? Why? Being the Emperor’s secretary is an extremely honorable position.”

“It doesn’t suit me.”

“Then what does suit you?”

“Doing nothing and eating.”

“Do-… Pfft! AHAHAHAHA!”

He hit the desk as he laughed.

When I stared at him, wondering what was so funny, he wiped his eyes with chubby little fingers.

“Lady Blein.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Do you know how many sacrifice sleep and meals to become the Emperor’s secretary?”

“Well… I assume a lot? Even my predecessor was supposedly a genius.”

“Yes. Your seat grants wealth, honor, and proximity to the highest existence in the empire—the Emperor himself.”

Indelis leaned his cheek on his hand like a lazy kitten.

“So why throw that away?”

“As I said. Doesn’t suit me.”

“You’re not just sugarcoating it because I don’t get along with His Majesty?”

Oh? So that’s what he assumed.

Before I could speak, he smiled like melting snow.

“Then allow me to assist you with your resignation.”

“Really?!”

“Yes. And once you resign, come to me.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Someone as brilliant as you shouldn’t waste your talent as a secretary. Become my private tutor.”

…What? What was that?

“You may not be suited to secretarial work, but judging from how you solved the problem, you’d make an excellent teacher.”

He smiled with expectation.

“What if I refuse?”

“Then… I will give you mercy and let you choose between public execution or dismemberment.”

…Right. Of course. Things were going too smoothly.

I sighed.

“Please process my resignation with His Majesty first…”

“So?”

Helwid smiled down at me gently.

But knowing his true nature, that gentle smile looked more like a snake eyeing prey.

Trapped like a mouse in a coil of a snake, I swallowed.

“I—I might become the prince’s private tutor. If not, then—”

“So you fear a prince’s threat more than the decree of the Emperor?”

He spoke kindly, urging me to continue.

Just scold me already. The smiling is scarier.

I wilted.

“No… of course not… I’ll handle it myself…”

“Good. Then it’s settled.”

He flipped through papers again, making it clear he didn’t want trivial matters brought to him.

I trudged back to my desk, wondering how to report this to the prince.

“My secretary is very capable. Getting a job offer in such a short time.”

Helwid teased me, smiling innocently when I glared. I wanted to smack his forehead ten times.

“You just imagined hitting me ten times, didn’t you.”

What—he reads minds now?!

He twirled his pen, smiling smugly.

“That reaction tells me I’m right.”

“Hit—?! Of course not. I may lack formality but I’m not violent—ha ha…”

“Yes, yes. My secretary may lack manners, but violence is not one of their faults.”

“Right, absolutely. Ha… ha ha…”

I should ask permission to breathe at this point.

While reviewing documents related to palace security enhancements, I found a report about last night’s unidentified intruder.

“There really was an intruder?”

“My secretary must not listen when I speak.”

“No, I—”

“No?”

“I have committed a grave sin…”

I answered in defeat.

Helwid turned another page.

“They reached my office, yet no wounds and nothing stolen. Not a simple thief.”

“What about confidential documents?”

“All untouched.”

“Then why sneak in?”

“That is the mystery. If someone can get into the imperial palace and reach the Emperor’s office, they’re highly skilled…”

Helwid stroked his chin, then looked at me suddenly.

Why that look? Why do I feel nervous?

“My secretary, do you have time?”

“No. I’m extremely busy.”

I pretended to be engrossed in work.

But this was Helwid.

He stood, walked over, and sat on my desk.

“Are you not busy, Your Majesty?”

“Not too busy to speak with my secretary.”

Damn it.

“…sigh. What is it. You’re not suggesting I catch the intruder, right?”

He smiled brightly.

Oh, hell no.

“No. Impossible. I’m weak. I can’t use magic, I can’t fight. The only thing I can do is—”

“Run your mouth?”

“Run— Your Majesty, where did you learn that expression?”

He pointed at me like obviously, from you.

…Right. Who else would speak like that in the Emperor’s office.

I buried my face in my hands.

“I leave it to you.”

“Why?!”

“Because it is my decree.”

AUGH—!!

His laughter rose proportionate to my despair.

“I can’t live like this.”

Three days since the Emperor ordered me to catch the intruder, I was withering.

Helwid demanded hourly reports. Indelis kept pressuring me to resign and be his tutor. My father submitted resignation petitions daily—and I had to read them aloud.

Truly, a shrimp crushed between fighting whales.

Helwid, after a walk, was napping on the sofa inside a canopy.

Meanwhile, I was stuck doing secretary work and searching for an intruder.

He looked like a sleeping angel.

He became Emperor young and suffered countless assassination attempts.

In the novel, he could only sleep when the heroine was near due to severe insomnia.

“Maybe having a secretary who only speaks about work makes you feel safe enough to sleep.”

He smiled when I asked how he could sleep with someone working beside him.

Fine. Whatever. If he can sleep, good for him. Must be horrible to close your eyes and expect a blade at your throat.