The Secretary of the Northern Grand Duchess Has Run Away

Chapter 61: The Black Swan (2)

"Understood. If you can make time, I’ll try to prepare a party at the hotel."

After securing a meeting with Director-General Robert,

I parted ways with Gehenna and returned to the Erian Hotel.

While seated in the hotel lounge, I briefly sank into thought during the afternoon's scheduled secretary gathering.

Nordique, the agency to which Director-General Robert belonged.

They connected famous entertainers to various upper-class events, so their network was quite extensive.

Of course, the Grand Duke of the North’s household was included in that network.

In order to continuously place their affiliated entertainers into numerous events, they had to maintain ongoing relationships with nobles.

Nordique had always catered to the whims of the nobility.

‘In that process, it was only natural for Gehenna, who was still a rookie, to be overworked.’

To be frank, from the Grand Duke of the North’s perspective, she wasn’t exactly a vital piece of the puzzle for the Luton Hall commemorative festival.

To the continent’s second-most powerful figure, a single dancer meant nothing.

Still, the fact that he asked me to persuade Gehenna anyway must have been a kind of test.

To see whether I could persuade someone he deemed valuable.

To see whether I could bring to him the person he wanted.

Now that the Empire was enjoying its golden age,

luxury and cultural sectors like entertainment would surely become booming sources of income in the near future.

And currently, that side of things belonged entirely to the eldest son Eric, whom Nordique bowed down to the most.

The Grand Duke of Luton was asking whether I could get Echina a seat at their table.

‘Of course I can.’

Since I was already placing her spoon there, I planned to add my fork too.

Now that I had secured Bennet Tolkien, I intended to expand the foundation significantly.

‘If I scale it up and retire, I could live comfortably just off the foundation shares I own.’

To do that, I needed to remove Robert, who was currently squeezing every bit out of entertainers like Gehenna.

This time, he was diverting ‘The Black Swan’ to perform for the Imperial side to secure lobbying money to present to Eric.

That was why he showed no reaction when the performance at Luton Hall was canceled.

‘I need to remove the closest aide of the eldest son, Eric.’

I pondered alone about what his weakness might be.

A man who usually showed the traits of a perfectionist, efficiently wringing results from the artists under him and producing solid performance.

I wondered if his one and only weakness had ever come to light in the future, and then I remembered—

A single line from a newspaper, three years from now.

Director-General Robert’s "female secretary molestation incident."

Among the upper class, there were often those who seemed perfect on the surface, yet harbored vile lust behind the scenes.

He might have held himself back with someone like Gehenna, one of his artists, but he likely had no such reservations with his subordinates like a secretary.

As I began to weave a plan to use this against him—

From the direction of the lobby, I heard the sound of two pairs of heels and lifted my head.

――――――.

The Grand Duke’s daughter Echina and Saint Istina.

The two of them, one with jet-black hair and the other with silver hair, were walking side by side.

“Oh my, Lady Echina. Shouldn’t you be at the academy at this hour?”

The saint addressed the Northern Grand Duke’s daughter simply as “lady.”

Granted, she was the second daughter, so it was generally appropriate to call her “lady.”

However, since she belonged to the Luton family, the second most powerful on the continent, everyone typically referred to Echina with elevated titles.

But Istina called her just as she would any other noblewoman.

“The academy food doesn’t quite suit my taste.”

Yet, Echina didn’t even blink.

Instead, she stared at the saint head-on with eyes sharp enough to fell countless enemies in one strike.

“And you, Saint, shouldn’t you be at the cathedral at this hour?”

The Grand Duke’s daughter’s sharp gaze quickly scanned Istina, who was dressed in outing attire.

“For someone so devout, enjoying a lavish hotel banquet doesn’t quite paint the most fitting picture.”

“Today just happens to be the ‘exact’ day for a special meal. Thank you so much for your concern.”

I stared at the two of them like a fox living in a high mountain region.

They looked like predators engaged in a silent snowball fight over their territory.

Both were beautiful, but the energy they radiated was anything but ordinary.

“Ah—. Of all places, you’re having that special meal at the Erian Hotel?”

“It’s a fine venue that also hosts charity parties. I even wrote the purchase recommendation myself.”

Istina gently pulled back the hood she was wearing and smiled with grace.

In response to that smile, Echina returned a proud smile of her own.

However, I, who was watching from the lounge bar, knew the truth.

The academy Echina attended was famous for its exceptional cuisine.

And Istina usually had most of her meals at the cathedral.

So then, why had they come all the way here for lunch?

While pondering that question—

The two women who had just entered the lounge made eye contact with me.

“Roger, you were inside after all.”

“My, it’s been a while, President Roger.”

At least when greeting me, they had withdrawn their hostility.

“Welcome. It seems you’ve come for lunch.”

“Indeed, Roger. If you haven’t eaten yet, join us.”

Echina, arms folded alone, offered the invitation in a noble tone.

“I’m fine, thank you. I already had lunch with Miss Gehenna this morning.”

At the mention of Gehenna, Saint Istina’s expression faltered for a brief moment.

“Gehenna—would that be the dancer known for The Black Swan?”

“Yes. She’s just as beautiful and striking as the rumors say. I now understand why His Grace insisted she perform at Luton Hall.”

I replied with proper courtesy.

Yet, for some reason, even though I had spoken as usual, the atmosphere between the saint and the Grand Duke’s daughter had become unusually tense.

“Oh, really? I didn’t think I’d ever hear President Roger say something like that.”

“You don’t usually speak that way… she must have been truly beautiful, Roger.”

‘……?’

Of course, it was true that Gehenna was a rare beauty.

However, having already seen countless noble ladies of the Empire in my past life, it wasn’t particularly remarkable to me.

Especially when the two women before me—on top of that, Helena—were considered some of the most beautiful on the continent.

“So, how was it? Do you think we can pull her to our side?”

Perhaps realizing she had teased too much, Echina returned to her usual composed expression.

Then she asked me about the meeting.

“As you know, the leadership of Nordique supports Archduke Eric. They have no reason to place Gehenna at Luton Hall if it would benefit her rival, Lady Freya.”

“Right. And even so, the reason Debier told you to try persuading Gehenna is because Father wants to test your ability to win people over.”

She had clearly grasped the intention behind it all.

I responded to Echina’s perceptiveness with a proud look.

“This test wasn’t given to only you. All the other secretary candidates are working on it too. Everyone has to win over one famous person.”

“Then, Tobang, who’s backed by Archduke Eric, will have the advantage.”

Despite pretending to be focused on her academy life, the Grand Duke’s daughter had already caught wind of how the trial was progressing.

As the conversation between us turned serious, Istina took a quiet sip of her tea.

“From what I hear, it’s some kind of family power struggle?”

“In a broad sense, yes. It’s also my formal secretary exam.”

I meant that I had a chance to be officially affiliated with the Grand Duke’s household.

Upon hearing that, the saint’s kind eyes narrowed faintly, her lids half-lowered.

“Then, from my point of view, it’d be better if you failed. That way, I could take care of the lamb who’s wandered beyond the fence.”

At those words, Echina’s usually blank gaze widened.

As if to say that such a thing would never happen.

“Well, from what I see, it’d actually be better for you too if this exam goes well.”

“For me?”

Istina tilted her head so far that the hood she wore shifted to the side.

She clearly had no idea that their internal power struggle might be connected to her in any way.

Even someone like her, who wielded significant influence in the national church, was completely unaware.

“Yes. I’m thinking of sending that lost little lamb your way.”

Blue eyes glimmered from within the hood.

She smiled with sharpness, like a wolf wearing the mask of a saint.

“Well, does she have golden fleece or something straight out of a myth?”

Her tone implied: when there’s already a delicious prey right in front of me, why would I bother with anything else?

Echina, who had the exact opposite image, stared at her with a sulky expression.

“Yes, she’s someone who will further solidify Your Grace’s influence in Nord.”

At the mention that this person could not only cross the Grand Duke’s household but also help bolster her own position, the silver-haired woman slightly parted her lips.

In doing so, a pair of hidden, sharp canines peeked out for a moment.

“My influence…?”

“Yes. And not only that—Lady Echina’s status as a knight commander will also rise significantly.”

Even Echina, who had remained beside us with a chilly, blank expression, widened her eyes.

“Mine too?”

“Yes. It’ll be a chance for you to capture a high-class criminal.”

I gazed at the two women steadily.

In a way, this was a situation where the Empire’s greatest sword and its greatest healer stood side by side.

“I’ll be meeting Nordique’s Director-General Robert within a few days.”

I, too, had a sword and shield ready.

A perfect opportunity to take down Eric’s close associate.

“And I intend to gather evidence that he molested his secretary.”

At the mention of evidence against a criminal, both women’s eyes immediately turned sharp and calculating.

Among them, it was Echina—the knight—who spoke first.

“You’re saying you’ll let me be the one to catch him first?”

“That’s right. You’ll handle the arrest, and the saint will protect the witness.”

The two of them exchanged looks, then turned back to me with reluctant expressions.

It was as if, at least in this moment, I seemed more like an older advisor than a secretary candidate.

“But are you certain Director-General Robert really laid a hand on his secretary?”

“He’s right. Even suspicion needs some grounds to be valid.”

Perhaps because of the high positions they both held, they calmly assessed the situation.

“I plan to host a party in two days. I’ll use the occasion to observe him.”

I meant that I would determine his lustful nature just by meeting him at the party.

At that, Saint Istina furrowed her snowy-white brows as if incredulous.

“You can find clues just by meeting him?”

“Yes. I can tell just by looking.”

As I spoke like a genie from a lamp, Istina rested her chin on the back of her hand.

Meanwhile, Echina quietly nodded, as if saying she trusted me.

“Fine. But don’t overdo it. He’s close to Eric, so he’ll be extremely cautious.”

“Of course. I won’t let this turn into a mess.”

Istina remained silent for a moment, observing how naturally Echina and I interacted.

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself and go prepare for the party.”

I rose from my seat first.

Then I gestured toward Manager Yuria, who was approaching from the lobby entrance, and asked the two of them for their understanding.

“Go ahead. You’ve got to attend the secretary gathering later too, don’t you?”

“That’s right. If I’m late, the chief secretary will get angry.”

I bowed politely in farewell.

Then I leisurely stepped out into the hotel lobby.

From behind, the saint and the Grand Duke’s daughter watched me go with unhurried expressions.

Then Istina gently pulled back her hood and murmured softly.

"How amusing."

Echina turned her head slightly to glance at the snow-white hair that contrasted so starkly with her own.

If she symbolized beauty as dark as the night, then Istina embodied noble purity.

“What is?”

But—

Looks didn’t always represent what was inside.

“It’s just… Seeing a man like that rushing off to something like a secretary gathering. It’s amusing.”

She had mysterious blue eyes like a wolf.

And just like that look, she was someone who desired what belonged to others.

“Not quite the kind of remark I’d expect from a saint.”

“Who knows? I think it’s only right for a capable person to be treated accordingly.”

Istina responded calmly to Echina’s biting remark.

Then, with her long fingers, she pointed toward the sharp slant of Echina’s eyes.

“And the most you could offer him is to make him a formal secretary—at best, chief secretary, isn’t it?”

Echina didn’t answer right away.

Instead, she took a sip of the tea in front of her.

“You must have realized by now. That boy—he’s not someone who’d settle for a position like that.”

The saint raised her eyes to the high ceiling of the hotel with the intellect of someone who led countless followers.

“If he were the type to be content, he wouldn’t be running a hotel like this while still just a secretary candidate. No doubt he’s using this place as a stepping stone for something greater.”

Echina crossed her legs.

Then, folding her arms, she shot back at Istina.

“And the best position you can offer him is something like cathedral administrator, isn’t it?”

That was a position the man they both desired had already declined.

Because of that, Echina knew that Istina no longer had any more cards to offer Roger.

That’s why she could hold her head high and maintain her bewitching, unreadable expression.

“Well… If I ascend to Archbishop, the story might change.”

Archbishop.

One of the highest positions in the national church, beyond the title of Saint.

“Once I’m there, it won’t matter what I do.”

Personal property ownership, a personal guard corps, and even…

Romance and marriage.

“So I’d recommend you prepare yourself thoroughly.”

Knowing this well, Echina bit her fruit-red lips lightly.

The predator, who had started to openly covet the fox she thought lay safely within her fence, was showing her teeth.

“Thank you for your concern, Istina.”

But—

She wasn’t someone who would be stolen from so easily.

“Just don’t worry too much. I plan to rise to a position worthy of that ambition myself.”

Echina elegantly swept her bangs aside.

Then, with those lifeless, chilling eyes inherited from her father, she added:

“And after that, I’ll make sure you’ll never lay a finger on anyone inside our fence again.”