The Secretary of the Northern Grand Duchess Has Run Away

Chapter 32:  The Birth of a Nouveau Riche (7)

The Grand Duke of the North's question had one clear objective—me.

He had let it go, thinking I bought the hotel on Echina’s orders.

Instead, he was testing whether I was worthy to stand by her side.

“Ha ha… Your Highness, what would secretary candidates know?”

“Indeed. They’re just newcomers to the estate…”

Count Dilman and Baron Obi forced smiles, trying to smooth over the situation.

If things went wrong here and now—

The children of the acquaintances they’d planted would end up being marked by their lord.

[Debier, what do you think?]

“I believe they’re more than qualified to answer. If they’re to be a secretary in the Grand Duke’s house, they must give precise advice for their lord’s sake.”

The Chief Secretary adjusted his monocle as he replied.

His characteristically sharp, hawk-like eyes gleamed more menacingly than usual today.

“If you say so, then…”

Neither the baron nor the count could dismiss the Grand Duke’s test.

Thus, they had no choice but to quietly observe the children of their chosen acquaintances.

All they could do was silently pray that they would produce exemplary answers.

“Well then, speak comfortably.”

“Yes, don’t be nervous.”

Dilman and Obi each looked at Tobang and Windsor with strained smiles.

The aides supporting Lucun and Brook were no different.

All of their patrons had now become beggars, forced to rely on the candidates.

[…]

There was no one behind me watching over me.

However—

The Grand Duke of the North, who had always been indifferent to everyone, was now silently watching me.

With the eyes of a powerful man who once contended for the Empire’s supremacy.

‘He’s aged quite a bit.’

Even though it had been ten years, his complexion didn’t look good.

He might emit such an overwhelming presence now, but those who carried too much eventually wore themselves down.

While everyone tensed in this pressure-filled moment, I could only look at the Grand Duke with a sense of pity.

“I’ll answer first.”

Dilman nodded at Tobang, who stepped forward confidently.

“Before I begin, allow me to introduce myself. I am Tobang Arman, an official secretary candidate of the Luton family.”

A modest introduction.

Followed by his answer.

“I believe it is inappropriate for a secretary to express an opinion on an operation when there is no solid evidence.”

Between Tobang’s golden hair, his green eyes sparkled.

Having learned countless manners and social formalities, he continued in a clear, precise voice.

“Before offering an opinion, one must first complete a thorough investigation.”

The scion of a prestigious family gazed steadily at the Grand Duke of the North.

He maintained a calm, expressionless face and replied uprightly.

“Only after that can one properly advise their lord to make the right decision.”

His expression was flawless, his posture upright.

He truly embodied the classic image of a noble secretary.

“Indeed… A humble and proper answer.”

Count Dilman seemed so proud of Tobang that a smile naturally crept onto his lips.

Then, glancing up at the Grand Duke of the North, he asked politely,

"With such a model answer, wouldn’t the next person have quite a hard time, Your Highness?"

「……」

The Grand Duke nodded with his usual cold, emotionless expression.

On the surface, it looked like a very curt reaction.

However, for a mere candidate to draw even that level of response from the exacting Grand Duke was already a significant achievement.

Any mistake could lead to immediate expulsion from the Grand Duke’s household.

Still, a model answer alone wasn’t enough to satisfy the Grand Duke.

He was someone who had always demanded only the very best within his grasp.

That was likely why, for so many years, only Debier had remained by Luton’s side.

"What about the opinions of the other candidates?"

Debier, well aware of this, asked again, directing his question toward the secretary candidates.

And especially toward me.

Both the Chief Secretary and the Grand Duke—

They now wanted to hear my answer.

Whether I was truly capable of managing the Erian Hotel.

And whether I had the ‘qualifications’ to stand as Echina’s aide.

‘I need to answer this well.’

Capable, yet humble enough not to offend superiors.

This was the most difficult, yet essential, moment as a secretary.

"Julius Roger."

I stepped forward.

The sound of my polished shoes echoed over the well-kept hardwood floor.

"If you’ll allow me, I’d also like to give an answer."

For now, I still needed the support of the Grand Duke’s household.

Being someone trained by their official secretaries would serve as a guarantee in any transaction.

"Speak, then."

The Chief Secretary, as if he had been waiting for this moment, gave his permission with a solemn gaze.

Thanks to that, every influential figure in the northern part of the Empire turned their eyes on me.

And in that moment—

"Twenty times."

I held up two fingers as I spoke boldly.

With the same dull eyes I had in my days as a secretary.

"Twenty times…?!"

At the mention of such an outrageous figure, the aides all furrowed their brows.

A completely opposite approach compared to Tobang, who had humbly held back his answer.

Perhaps baffled by my confidence, the Empire’s nobles let out scoffing laughs.

But I wasn’t the least bit bothered.

A model secretary was supposed to behave like Tobang.

However, a competent secretary, like Debier—

Had to already know the answer to their lord’s question.

"……"

Unlike the agitated aides, Debier’s expression remained calm.

He slowly closed his eyes, seemingly pleased with my answer, and waited for his lord’s reaction.

"Twenty times… Why would you think that?"

"Did he just throw out a bigger number since everyone else was going high?"

Dilman and Obi exchanged looks and chuckled through their noses.

They seemed to think my answer was nothing more than the bravado of a young man, and subtly asked the Grand Duke to overlook it.

"Your Highness, I believe this young man simply wanted to stand out and made a mistake."

"Please, we ask for your leniency."

The Duke of Luton showed no reaction to their words.

Standing upright with his arms crossed, he looked straight at me and asked again,

[Why do you think so?]

As if, in this vast conference hall, only the Grand Duke and I existed.

[State your reason, Roger.]

The gravity of his inquiry silenced even the forced smiles of his aides.

Now was truly a moment where I had to answer well.

All they could do was watch me in tense silence, holding their breath.

"The reason is very simple."

I was well aware of the weight of this situation.

And I also knew how to break through it.

"Because everyone here has already detailed the upward trend of Old Luton."

I bowed respectfully to the Empire’s influential figures gathered here.

Then, gracefully extending one hand, I praised them.

"Those of you with the keenest eyes in the North have already predicted that the value would rise tenfold."

[Yes, but why would it rise even further to twentyfold?]

I naturally attributed the foundation of my answer to them all.

But the Grand Duke, true to his merchant instincts, demanded only the conclusion.

In response, I pointed toward the grand window made of tall glass panels.

"Because of the ‘Founding Festival’ taking place next week."

The Founding Festival.

It was the Empire’s largest event, as Lize had mentioned a few weeks ago.

As it commemorated the day the Empire was established, countless banquets were held throughout the city.

And tourists would arrive not only from the capital but from all over the provinces.

"Nord, traditionally, sees more than double its usual number of visitors during the Founding Festival."

[I know that. But that doesn’t give anyone a reason to go into outdated Old Luton.]

The Grand Duke’s gaze turned sharp as he shot back with the force of a lion.

I responded calmly, in a soft tone.

"That’s right. Most tourists would naturally head toward famous spots like the Istina Cathedral."

Right now, Old Luton was still full of workshop workers and students.

Even if the Grand Dukes had acquired the shopping district, it would be difficult to establish a clear commercial area within just a week.

"But what if His Highness the Prince were to visit the city?"

[The Prince…?]

At the mention of the prince, the Grand Duke furrowed his thick brows like a lion, and the aides followed suit, stunned.

Amidst that tense atmosphere, I continued to speak upright and firmly.

"Old Luton was once restricted by the Imperial family to keep the Grand Duke’s house in check."

[That’s right. That’s why even our side gave up on developing it.]

The Duke of Luton answered indifferently, still standing with his arms crossed.

His reply made not only the aides, but even the secretary candidates swallow hard.

Surely I wasn’t trying to provoke the Grand Duke’s temper—was I?

"However, this time, not only Lady Echina, but even Grand Duke’s daughter Helena purchased a significant number of shops in a short period. That movement must have also been reported to the Imperial family."

I turned my gaze toward the portrait of the Emperor hanging in the center of the conference hall wall.

And with jet-black eyes, I spoke humbly but firmly.

"That’s why the prince who’ll be visiting during this Founding Festival will likely include Old Luton in his inspection route."

In the northern region of the Empire, seeing a royal happens only once a year.

Crowds would flock to every place he visited, and Old Luton would naturally become livelier.

That was exactly why I had encouraged the two Grand Dukes’ daughters in the first place.

[An interesting idea.]

The Grand Duke of the North removed his monocle.

And with both eyes now clear and focused, he looked directly at me.

"Indeed, His Highness the Prince usually inspects the major cities of Nord."

"If he visits, the public will likely interpret it as the Imperial family backing Old Luton again."

As Debier added that, Freya followed up with a remark.

[What do the rest of you think? Do you really believe, as this boy says, the prince will come to Old Luton?]

"……."

Count Dilman and Baron Obi were unable to answer immediately.

Even they could see there was a strong chance the prince would visit Old Luton, given the suspicious surge in value.

But if they agreed too quickly, it would push the candidates they supported out of the spotlight.

For them, who planned to make their protégés into official secretaries and place them beside their children, this was awkward.

"There is a high probability."

"But since nothing is confirmed yet, we can’t make any hasty assumptions."

'No. The Second Prince will absolutely come.'

He was the strategist who would soon manipulate Prince Eric after the Duke of Luton passed away from illness.

There was no way he’d overlook such a subtle shift.

A city long neglected under Imperial pressure suddenly skyrocketing in price—

And even the Western Grand Duke’s house stepping in to buy property.

There was no way he’d let that slide.

「……」

The Grand Duke of the North finally curved the corner of his lips, as if he’d heard the answer he was waiting for.

Then, staring directly at me, he uttered a single line.

The exact words I had in mind.

[No, the prince will come for certain.]

His golden eyes, like a beast ruling the continent as the second most powerful man, gleamed.

With the sun—the one who governed all—behind him, he flashed a fierce smile.

[Make sure the reception is handled with great care.]

At that overwhelming aura, the tea on the table seemed to freeze in place.

Startled by the chill down their spines, the candidates shivered involuntarily.

"Y-yes, Your Highness…!!"

[That will be all for today’s meeting.]

The Duke of Luton unfolded his arms and clasped them behind his back.

Then, leaving his aides behind, he headed alone toward the window and gave his orders.

[Submit the rest of the report in writing.]

"Understood!!"

The aides stood in order of rank, starting with Dilman, and bowed their heads toward the Grand Duke’s back.

Then, one by one, the Empire’s nobles filed out of the conference room.

They glanced briefly at me, then looked at the candidates they had recommended and let out a deep sigh.

If their protégés had done anything foolish, they might have scolded them.

But perhaps because a response they themselves hadn’t even considered had come forth—

They simply shot me a brief glare and left in silence.

――――――.

Once the nobles were gone, it was now the secretary candidates’ turn to leave.

With Debier leading the way and holding the door, the candidates exited one after another.

[…]

After everyone had left,

Only Debier, Freya, the Grand Duke of the North, and I remained in the conference room.

The Grand Duke’s eldest daughter still sat at the table, savoring her now-cold tea.

But I could instinctively tell.

Though she pretended to enjoy the aroma, she was watching me closely.

[Julius Roger, come closer.]

The Duke of Luton, still facing the window, called for me.

When I approached the window as summoned, he spoke in a grave tone.

[I asked you to stay because I have one question.]

"I’ll answer anything honestly."

The radiant sunlight lit up his face brightly.

[Why twenty times?]

At his short and direct question, I stayed silent for a moment.

Then the Grand Duke glanced at me with sharp eyes and added,

[It’s one thing to predict a rise. But why did you say exactly twenty times?]

"……."

It was already clear that I had the qualities to remain by Echina’s side.

And yet, he was asking this because of one simple reason—

He wanted to know whether I was someone with ambitions beyond just serving Echina as a secretary.

"Be honest. I’m not trying to corner you."

Freya offered her encouragement in a soft voice.

Debier, too, seemed skeptical.

They were both wondering if I, a mere secretary candidate, might be something far more exceptional.

I let out a deep breath.

Then, scratching the back of my head, I began to speak with a sheepish smile.

"Well… since everyone was going up by twofold, I just said twentyfold too."

I narrowed my eyes like a sly fox, half-lidded.

"When it rose from around three to five times, and then five to ten—well, you get the idea."

Then I turned to the Grand Duke and lifted the corner of my lips into a wide smile.

The noon sunlight enveloped my face, making it glow.

At that moment—

[…]

The room fell absurdly silent.

So quiet, I could hear the bustling footsteps of maids preparing lunch outside.

"Wait, are you really saying you said twenty times just because of that?"

For the first time, Freya, who always maintained a graceful expression, looked completely dumbfounded.

"Yes, that’s right—"

I gave the beautiful lady a smile as innocent as could be.

Then, after a brief silence, the Duke of Luton burst into hearty laughter.

[So that’s it…!!]

Perhaps regretting how he had interrogated a young man barely in his twenties, he shook his head.

Afterward, he let out a dry chuckle and waved his hand.

[Must be the morning—guess I was being too sensitive. Chief Secretary, take the candidate with you.]

"Yes, Your Highness."

Debier gestured for me to come his way.

I responded by walking alongside him toward the entrance of the conference room.

[Assign that boy as Echina’s personal secretary for the Founding Festival banquet.]

"Understood."

Debier bowed respectfully to the Grand Duke, faithfully receiving his order.

I, too, bowed in acceptance, hiding my face.

Unlike just a moment ago, I now wore a very different smile—a cruel one, concealed beneath my expression.

But just as I was about to exit the conference room, I happened to glance back for a moment.

And then I realized—

The Grand Duke of the North, Duke Luton, was smiling the very same way I was.