IGMDSML 18

Chapter 18

[Territorial dispute resolved. Bloe region, unidentified corpse discovered. Investigation requested.]

Two months ago, a dispute had broken out in the remote Hegenda territory, and Morgan had dispatched the Third Knight Order under the leadership of Captain Ronan.

Ronan was a man who pursued fairness based on objective facts and logic, making him the perfect person to resolve territorial conflicts.

The fact that Ronan—who carefully examined every detail before drawing conclusions—had urgently sent a message requesting further investigation meant the matter was quite serious.

Morgan fell into deep thought.

“It seems you’ll have to go yourself. Reno.”

“Hmm… I think so too. Ronan isn’t the type to send word without reason. I’ll take just a few knights with me. Ronan’s group is already in Bloe, so there’s no need for many.”

“Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”

Reno said he would prepare to depart within three days.

On the third day, Reno set out for the northern frontier region of Bloe, accompanied by Dominique, the vice-captain of the Second Knight Order, and seven subordinates.

After seeing them off, Morgan remained still for a moment, lost in thought.

“An unheard-of manner of death…”

Recently, Morgan had been observing the movements of neighboring countries, sensing that their activities were no longer as peaceful as before.

The discovery of such a peculiar corpse at this exact time unsettled him.

The Bloe region bordered multiple nations. A dispute had just occurred in nearby Hegenda territory, and even Zelkova—quiet for some time—was beginning to show signs of movement. It was all a headache.

There was so much to worry about, yet one thing alone soothed his heart like a boat gliding with a tailwind—

Fleur’s condition.

Thanks to Maricel’s attentive care, the heir of the Grand Duke’s house had stabilized.

During Reno’s absence, Morgan had permitted the picnic on the condition that Maricel assist him with work for one week.

So long as it did not interfere with caring for Fleur.

Truthfully, even without conditions, he would have granted any wish of Fleur’s.

But he hadn’t wanted to.

It was difficult to define—perhaps simple spite.

In any case, Morgan lifted the corners of his lips in faint amusement as he imagined Maricel soon arriving to assist him.

“Young Master, as I mentioned, starting today I’ll be assisting His Highness during your nap time and at night when you’re asleep. So if you need anything, pull this bell rope to call someone, alright?”

“Okay.”

Fleur smiled brightly, assuring her not to worry.

“Sleep well, our young master…”

Maricel gently stroked his forehead.

Tucked under the blanket up to his chin, Fleur blinked his heavy eyes and parted his lips like a small bird.

“Maricel. If you spend time with Uncle, you’ll get closer, right?”

“Hmm… Do you want me to become close with Uncle?”

“Yes. Because he’s someone I like. I want Uncle and you to be very close.”

With a faint smile lingering on his lips, Fleur succumbed to sleep.

“Sweet dreams, our little young master.”

The child, smiling in his sleep, looked like an angel.

Maricel kissed his forehead softly and headed toward Morgan’s office.

“Your Highness. It’s Maricel.”

“Come in. Sit in Reno’s seat for now.”

Morgan spoke without looking at her, eyes fixed on documents.

“Yes.”

But instead of following his instruction, Maricel headed straight for the tea table.

Earlier, Porl had handed her a light luncheon prepared outside the office.

At lunchtime, Porl had personally visited Fleur’s room to ask Maricel for a favor—

Please make sure His Highness eats.

When Reno was present, he would at least ensure Morgan had a simple meal, but now he was gone, and Porl was worried.

Maricel had readily agreed, promising to take care of Morgan’s meals until Reno returned.

If Morgan refused to eat, Porl would leave food outside the office.

As Maricel set the meal on the tea table, Morgan did not move, eyes glued to the documents.

Watching him, Maricel fell into thought.

With that level of focus, even if I tell him to come eat, he’ll just say “alright” and not move.

How does one get a child who won’t eat… to eat?

Maricel began thinking.

For today, she would simply ask him. If that failed, she’d try a different approach tomorrow.

“Your Highness.”

“…Speak.”

“……”

“……”

When the silence stretched, Morgan finally lifted his gaze.

“You’ll have to explain how I should assist you so I can begin working. So… while you explain, perhaps you might have a little of this meal here?”

Maricel smiled sweetly as she invited him to eat.

Morgan stared at her.

He had no leisure to sit and eat peacefully.

When working with Reno, he could at least manage a quick bite. Without him, even that time had to be minimized.

He could appoint another aide, but that wasn’t easy.

Some couldn’t endure the workload and quit. Some tried to sell internal information. Some were simply afraid of him.

In the end, only his friend Reno remained as his sole aide.

Reno hadn’t wanted the position either, but he couldn’t let his friend drown in paperwork.

Then why did I call Maricel?

The answer came easily.

She seemed intimidated by him, yet she spoke her mind.

And being around her felt like a refreshing spring breeze.

Morgan gave her a faint smile.

“Very well.”

He sat at the table and began explaining how she could assist him while eating bite-sized sandwiches.

The task was simple—classification.

At this rate, it’ll be done quickly. I won’t even need to come at night.

“Y-Your Highness? If I finish the classification during the day… would I not need to come at night?”

Morgan doubted his ears.

She thought she could finish that mountain of documents in an hour?

He scoffed.

“Try it first.”

Maricel pouted inwardly. So he plans to assign something else.

“Yes…”

After finishing his meal, Morgan moved the documents to Reno’s desk himself.

Oh? I thought he’d make me move them.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I could have done it…”

He glanced at her and replied dryly,

“Then you should’ve moved faster before I did.”

Ah, there it is. People don’t change that easily.

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll move faster next time.”

Her tone unintentionally turned slightly curt.

Oh no. That might’ve sounded rude.

Realizing it, she quickly forced an awkward smile.

“What is that irreverent smile?”

Irreverent? Did I look irreverent?

“Th-that wasn’t a smile. I was… scolding myself for not being quick enough. Yes. That’s what it was.”

He eyed her suspiciously.

“I’ll accept that.”

Whew… surviving is truly difficult.

She sat down and began sorting in earnest.

Documents were categorized by territory, facility, commerce, economy, and more, based on the source noted at the top.

Many didn’t fit neatly into categories.

As Morgan had said, even simple classification took considerable time.

Looks like I’ll have to come at night too.

Now she understood why he lived buried in work.

And she realized living with such a person would be exhausting.

Gabriella is kind of pitiful.

She suddenly felt sorry for the original heroine, Gabriella.

What was the point of marriage? She’d lose her husband to paperwork, and she too would end up buried in work.

So… he’s married to his job?

Maricel shook her head inwardly.

How exhausting.

The original novel ended at the wedding with a happy ending, so no one knew what happened after—but it was easy to imagine.

Well… maybe not.

In fiction, his workaholic nature had been part of his charm.

But reality was different.

Instead of charming, he looked pitiful.

Was a life spent skipping meals for work truly happy?

Work was supposed to be for the sake of living, after all.

A surge of sympathy rose within her.

Alright, male lead. At least I’ll make sure you eat.