Flower of Steel

“I see,” I replied, pretending not to know anything.

Rave then eased his expression and grinned, “Anyway, Marina, you look more beautiful today. Has something changed?”

“Stop it, alright?”

He’s going at it again. Isn’t he tired of saying “beautiful” every time? Honestly, those kinds of compliments don’t mean anything to me.

“I’m telling the truth. You’re really beautiful. Shouldn’t you realize by now your own beauty? You, beautiful red flower-like lady?”

Those sly words and the way he compared me to a flower got on my nerves. I responded with my disgust using silence, but Rave continued to linger around me with a grin.

“So, do you want to go see a concert with me if you have time?”

“No, thank you,” I refused.

“How about a salon? Build a friendship between coworkers,” Rave asked again.

What’s up with him? I felt even more unpleasant because of Rave, who was unusually lingering more by my desk. I’m already tired.

“Sir, work hours will be starting soon.”

“We still have 10 minutes. My only happiness in this boring government official life is watching my assistant’s flower-like beautiful face!”

That angered me. I didn’t like how he was comparing me to nonsense and flirting like that. Besides, why was he comparing me to a flower? I’m not a flower, which is weak, fragile, and needs protection!

“No, thank you. Now, I need to start my work…”

“Huh? Who made you do all these piles of work? Who was it?”

Rave pointed it out as he exaggerated his reaction, and I realized that I did have more work on my desk than him. However, I was his subordinate, so it was understandable. It was natural for lower-ranked officials to have more things to look over. Besides, I had documents that were brought not only by my assistants but also from Rave, who was my superior, to look it over. It’s no wonder why there were so many.

“Well, it’s Monday. I guess work has piled up.”

Rave frowned at my casualness, then smiled, “Alrighty then. You go ahead. I won’t waste any more of your time.”

Huh? Is he giving up already? Well, he’s always like that, so I guess there’s no surprise in that.

“Secretary Harrant! Would you come here for a second?”

That’s when the Assistant Director Viscount Raymont called me over, and I walked over to him. He handed a report to me and said, “This is a document that needs approval from the Central Knights, as it is related to the protection of His Majesty. But the captain of the Central Knights is famous for being picky. I heard that Marquis Reclan is your uncle.”

Oh, so you mean I should ask my uncle for approval. But my uncle, the epitome of a stubborn knight, would never approve of it just because I was his niece. I also didn’t like the idea of this either.

As such, I spoke my honest thoughts to Viscount Raymont, “My uncle will not go easy on it even if his niece asks him. But can I take a look at the document for a second, Assistant Director?”

“Sure. Here it is.”

The document was about downsizing the number of knights within the palace to focus on the national defense. The military proposed this. However, this was absurd. It might seem useless because it was a time of peace, but the military force within the palace is needed to ensure the safety of the Emperor and is necessary. What did they intend by proposing such nonsense?

Of course, government officials of Internal Affairs might think this was the best way not to waste any manpower or budget, as we always think about efficiency. But this proposal was going to hurt the backbone of the empire.

“He will never approve this. You must reject this proposal.”

He always complained that they weren’t getting enough men at the Central Knights, so there’s no chance he would approve this. I also wouldn’t approve of this. What the heck were these people in the military thinking?