If You Are Suited for the Villain's Secretary - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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If the Villain’s Secretary Suits Me
Chapter 58
Where on earth?
Aden conducted remarkably little external activity for an organization of La Mar’s scale.
It stood in stark contrast to Kaileb Crimson, the rival company’s director, who frequented every conceivable party to flaunt his connections and curry favor.
Ezekiel too held no interest in social gatherings or lavish banquets, so they could not have crossed paths at such an event.
Then….
As Ezekiel traced through his memories, he ventured into the distant past—long before his appointment as a knight.
‘Surely not.’
It was but a fleeting moment.
A figure with a pallid face and soft voice calling his name flickered across his mind’s eye.
Ezekiel, who had stiffened momentarily, bit his lip and shook his head. What absurd notion was this?
‘…It cannot be. That child… is dead.’
‘Calix Arden Blight’.
The person who had surfaced in Ezekiel’s thoughts had died long ago in a maritime disaster. They had even held a funeral.
Moreover, the only commonality was a single trait: hair as black as pitch.
Ezekiel’s deceased friend,
“You are aware that during the establishment of Branch 11, there was conflict with the lord, Marquis Vito, over licensing matters. Yet you claim to harbor no personal grudge against him?”
“Had La Mar ultimately failed to obtain the license, perhaps I might have.”
“….”
“But it did not. Therefore, the one who would harbor anger and murderous intent is not I. Resentment is an emotion befitting the loser. In this case, that would be Marquis Vito, who attempted to obstruct La Mar by any means and failed, would it not?”
He spoke nothing like someone undergoing interrogation as La Mar’s director, with such cynicism.
Most decisively….
“Ezekiel, you’ve been spending time with that bastard lately, haven’t you?”
“…That child’s name is Calix Arden Blight. Do not speak of my friend in such a manner.”
“My goodness. Fine, fine. But your dream is to become a knight, isn’t it? If you wish to become a holy knight serving the Imperial Family, you should probably stop being so close with that child soon.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You don’t see it even when it’s right in front of you? Those eyes of his. That brilliant crimson color—the very shade possessed only by the Medior Royal Family! That’s why the rumors say his father is actually… Ugh! W-wait, Ezekiel?!”
“Before someone who dreams of becoming a knight, did you truly believe you could utter such blasphemous words and escape unscathed?”
For Calix Arden Blight’s eyes had burned with that brilliant crimson hue like sparks of fire.
***
Plibie County Estate.
Norbert bowed repeatedly to Odette Plibie, the Countess, his thoughts churning.
“Of course, Countess. I shall spare no effort! I will absolutely procure the jewel you desire, hehe.”
…Couldn’t such a request to fetch jewels have been conveyed by messenger?
‘I’m already swamped dealing with those La Mar bastards.’
Yet I couldn’t afford to show my irritation.
After all, Odette was the one who had saved my life and granted me the opportunity to regain Kaileb’s favor.
Though it was becoming tedious how she kept summoning me to the estate for such trivial requests.
‘Well, how would Crimson’s princess possibly understand the state of affairs at the Trading Company?’
Those cunning La Mar dogs had beaten us to the punch, purchasing newspaper coverage, so news of the investigation hadn’t yet spread.
Even setting that aside, Kaileb had deliberately hidden the true nature of the Trading Company from his own daughter.
A flawless, beloved daughter raised under a wealthy and tender father.
…And thus, the perfect commodity to pay for acquiring noble status. That was Odette’s purpose.
‘But lately she’s been acquiring an unusually extravagant collection of items. Even for an airheaded princess, this seems excessive.’
Following the dresses and pendants once worn by the imperial family came rare ornaments and jewels—Odette’s desires had grown remarkably abundant.
Well, she had lived in Kaileb Crimson’s palace-like mansion.
But coming to Plibie County Estate, burdened with debt due to the marriage, it was only natural that such humble surroundings would displease her.
Like Count Plivier himself, Odette showed no particular enthusiasm for this marriage.
‘…Perhaps the pregnancy is influencing her as well?’
They say that pregnancy can alter one’s tastes and temperament.
Having concluded his thoughts there, Norbert forced a smile and spoke.
“Ah, and I believe I can procure the garment that the great-great-grandfather Prince once wore. Shall I bring that as well?”
“…A garment?”
“Yes! I caught a glimpse of it, and it’s truly splendid and beautiful. I can already imagine how adorable and lovely your baby will be when wearing it in half a year’s time….”
Norbert, who had been fawning endlessly over the unborn child, suddenly faltered.
‘Hmm?’
As he spoke of the baby, Odette’s hands were clenching the hem of her flowing dress.
As though she were enduring something unbearable.
What was this? Norbert tilted his head in confusion, but she immediately lifted her chin arrogantly as if nothing had happened.
“If the baby born is a daughter, why would you bring me a prince’s garment?”
“Ah… Ah! You’re quite right. How foolish of me. The Chairman mentioned wishing the grandchild would be a son, and that must have stuck with me, so without realizing it I’ve only been procuring the prince’s garments, haha.”
Odette’s complexion paled at the mention of Kaileb’s desire for a grandson, but Norbert failed to notice her reaction.
“I shall certainly endeavor to procure a princess’s garment as well! Then….”
“Never mind. I don’t need the garment. Rather, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
What now?
Just as Norbert forced his lips upward.
“Marquis Vito. He’s Father’s friend, isn’t he?”
“…Ah, yes. That’s correct?”
Odette had suddenly asked about Marquis Vito.
As the flustered Norbert fumbled for words, she added:
“It’s nothing much, really. The Marquis’s Residence sent over a few servants. As you know, the County Estate doesn’t have many staff at the moment.”
Odette had recently dismissed a large number of servants that Crimson had provided.
The reasons were trivial—a dress zipper fastened improperly, fruit sliced in a way that displeased her.
Rather than anger, Kaileb Crimson had seemed quite satisfied by the news.
He believed his daughter was finally conducting herself with proper aristocratic sensibilities. Yet he could not leave her side unattended, so it appeared he had asked Vito to send servants instead.
“But according to those children, the situation at the Marquis’s Residence isn’t particularly good either.”
“Ah, I see.”
“If the Marquis sent those servants as a favor to Father, I’d like to send them back. It troubles me to think we’ve taken people away from a place that’s already busy.”
It seemed Odette had learned of the attempted poisoning incident at Marquis Vito’s Residence through the servants.
“Honestly, doesn’t it feel rather ominous? I don’t want to keep people from a residence where such an incident occurred. At least not until the matter is resolved.”
The way she added such a remark instead of expressing concern or worry suggested she was indeed Kaileb’s daughter.
Norbert asked cautiously.
“Then shall I inform the Chairman again so we can hire new servants…?”
“Just keep it in mind. The temporary servants I’ve selected are sufficient, aren’t they?”
“But, well…”
“Norbert, do you truly believe I need Father’s permission to select a few maids? As the Countess of Plibie?”
Odette cut off his words sharply and gestured dismissively.
“Now go.”
“Yes, of course.”
Norbert, unceremoniously dismissed, glanced back.
‘Well, strictly speaking, she’s right….’
Though unusual, he hesitated to report this to Kaileb immediately.
Selecting servants was indeed the exclusive right of the County Estate’s mistress.
Moreover, if she wished to play the role of mistress and he reported it, causing Kaileb to interfere, the consequences would surely fall upon him.
Besides….
‘By now, the servants from Marquis Vito’s Residence have likely already completed their “mission.”‘
Norbert grumbled to himself.
‘Keeping the princess satisfied is truly exhausting.’
Odette would handle hiring a few maids on her own.
He decided not to report this matter and was about to board the carriage when his communication device beeped.
“Yes, this is Norbert. …What? You have information regarding Iliana Grecia?”
“Gather all information about Aden’s new secretary.”
Following Kaileb’s orders, Norbert had been collecting information about that woman.
But the source of this contact was entirely unexpected.
“Yes, Vargas.”
It was Vargas from the Southern Region, a loan shark belonging to Fang.
Though they had squandered Crimson’s slush funds, that had been Noel’s betrayal.
Kaileb Crimson maintained contact with even such a Noel, at least on the surface. He had not severed his relationship with Vargas, in case they might prove useful someday.
‘We’ve worked together on many matters thus far.’
“…Is that so? Her father, you say?”
Yet to think such momentous intelligence would come back to us!
“Yes, yes! I understand! I shall report this to the Chairman at once!”
Norbert, exultant, swiftly climbed into the carriage.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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