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Chapter 22
The Male Lead’s Devoted Maid Is Too Competent
I had just been dragged into a Northern council meeting after being treated like a walking idea bank by Aidan, and had only just managed to get out.
Count Throil and the other nobles who attended the meeting didn’t seem to dislike me as much as they used to. At the very least, they weren’t throwing completely absurd objections anymore.
Of course, they were still acting like stubborn old men.
“Hrm. I don’t see why we need to spend money on something like that!”
“That’s right. There are already plenty of places money needs to go—why should we put effort into cleaning up trash?”
“It’s a waste of time!”
“If we’re going to spend money, wouldn’t it be far better to build new tourist facilities? Or even a casino!”
But what the North needed right now wasn’t more tourist attractions. It already had plenty.
If they wanted to attract even more visitors, the first thing they should be fixing was the streets people actually walked on.
Kristan shot me a look.
I cleared my throat and opened my mouth.
“The most obvious benefit is that we can improve the city’s environment. The streets will become clean. That alone will leave a good impression on tourists. I’ve heard that the North’s tourism industry is already doing quite well—clean city scenery will only help it further.”
“It’s already doing well, so why bother spending money? I say we invest more into what’s already successful—!”
“First of all, second—sanitation. Trash attracts cockroaches, rats, fleas, and the like. And those spread diseases. I’ve heard that some of the epidemics that once swept through the Empire were spread by rats. Many people died. If we clean up the trash and keep the streets sanitary, the rat population will noticeably decrease.”
“Hmph! Is that an academically proven statement?”
If they don’t have anything else to say, they always nitpick like that.
Which is why I came prepared.
“Yes. I thought you might say that, so I looked into it beforehand. I’ve organized the materials and placed them in front of you—please take a look. May I continue?”
The noble flipped through the documents once, then coughed and turned his head away.
“Ahem.”
“Third. If we can recycle metals like iron and steel, it will actually benefit the local economy. Scrap metal can be melted down and turned into new products.”
I went on to list countless other reasons why trash needed to be managed.
I was just explaining knowledge that any ordinary Korean would know—but everyone was staring at me with astonished expressions.
Becoming a ‘capable person’ like this?
Not bad.
Actually, pretty great.
I could feel the way people looked at me gradually changing.
Because my goal here was to become someone indispensable.
“I find Miss Roella’s proposal quite appealing. What do the rest of you think?”
“Then what about the budget—?”
“I believe increased production at the quarry has left us with surplus funds. Is that not sufficient?”
“No, Your Grace.”
At last, all the nobles backed down.
So we’d finally get to see clean, pleasant streets.
Everything sounded great—though I did regret that lingering smell. Trash piles always stink, after all.
Many other topics were discussed as well.
Among them, the location for the Northern knights’ training expedition was decided.
From the list Aidan had prepared, the council selected a snow-covered mountain range inhabited by relatively weak monsters.
Because the weather there was so cold, the snow never melted. Monsters suitable for training lived there in clusters. Apparently, snow wolves lived there as well—and those were considered the strongest monsters in the area.
Still, it was said to be suitable enough for training.
It looked like the snack I’d promised to have with Hutnen would have to be postponed. Training usually lasted about a month.
“Ahem, and now for the final agenda item.”
A sickly-looking man raised his trembling hand. The fact that he’d stayed silent until now meant his family held very little influence. Everyone’s gaze turned toward him.
“Oh—earlier this morning, an official document arrived from the imperial communications bureau. Since there was a meeting today, I intended to report it then. Please forgive my silence until now, Your Grace.”
Kristan frowned and straightened up.
“What is it this time? Are they still pressing me to marry? Or demanding that I produce a child? If you didn’t rush to report it, then it can’t be that urgent. Speak.”
It had been like this in the original novel too.
Strangely enough, the Emperor in this story wasn’t a bad person.
He was just worried about the succession of the North. Kristan kept women at arm’s length, and children even farther, so the concern was understandable.
That was why he’d tried to force Kristan into marriage—but that was something that would resolve itself once the female lead appeared. In the side stories, they even had children.
Some people had speculated that the male lead might be infertile—but I could guarantee that wasn’t the case.
Though by then, I wouldn’t be here anymore anyway.
“N-No. Today’s matter is different.”
“Go on.”
“……Prince Chase will soon be visiting the North. The imperial decree states that the lord of the North is to welcome the Prince with joy.”
“Is that all?”
Kristan said coldly.
I swallowed and read the room.
At this point in time… if Prince Chase was coming, there was only one explanation.
That nuisance was coming.
And by nuisance, I meant Rentro Acrasia—Kristan’s cousin. The son of his uncle. I remembered him as incompetent, lecherous, and shamelessly persistent about having his son adopted.
In short, it looked like Rentro would be stirring up trouble in the North for a while.
No—wait.
If that was the case, then wasn’t it about time for the female lead to arrive too…?
Is she really coming?
Of course she is. What am I saying, Roella? The female lead still has so much to do.
She had higher compatibility than Roella. She would completely cure Kristan.
Still… it felt a bit disappointing.
About what? Late-night snacks?
What am I even thinking?
“…Is he coming alone?”
While I was lost in thought, Kristan asked in a cold voice. The atmosphere in the council chamber dropped instantly. The nobles who had been chatting so loudly all fell silent, glancing at one another.
“He will be accompanied by Rentro Acrasia and his son.”
“My goodness.”
“How shameless.”
Sighs erupted from all around.
And understandably so.
Rentro Acrasia’s father—Kristan’s uncle—had been expelled for dealing drugs despite being of Acrasia blood. He had been completely banished from the North.
As if drug trafficking wasn’t enough, before being expelled he’d even been caught poisoning the former Grand Duke’s food.
I’d heard the former Grand Duke lost one of his eyes because of that.
And because he could no longer see properly, he died in battle against monsters.
Everyone was furious—but the angriest person here was undoubtedly—
“He’s lost his mind. Is the imperial family actually going to support that man?”
“I-I’m not sure about that either…”
“Damn it.”
The nobles barely dared to breathe.
And who could blame them?
The son of the man who ruined their lord’s parent was coming.
I held my breath as well.
Unfortunately, there was nothing Kristan could do in this situation.
The imperial capital was an entity of absolute authority—and Kristan had no legitimate grounds to stop them from coming.
