Freedom in Prison (4)

One by one, fancy dishes began to arrive at the table. There seemed to be quite a lot. It made me wonder if this was all for the sake of hospitality or if the 1st Manager always preferred luxurious meals.

Well, given that the 1st Manager usually only brought a single piece of bread to work, it was probably the former.

Isnt this a bit much?

No, not at all. If I were to neglect our guests, my father would scold me.

Right, it was the former. It was somewhat surprising that she would be concerned about what others thought.

However, this was a good thing for the Marquis. The fact that the 1st Manager was concerned about displeasing him suggested a deep respect and consideration for him as a superior or family member.

Thats a relief.

Marquis Iones, the 1st Managers father. Aside from seeing him at last years and this years New Years Ball, I hadnt interacted much with him. However, he was one of the people I felt bad for.

To think that the 1st Manager was his daughter he mustve been through a lot of emotional stress. Legend had it that he had vehemently opposed when she joined the Prosecutors Office. The outcome, however, was as you saw.

Shes a bit headstrong and unpredictable, but shes thoughtful and kind-hearted. Please, take good care of her.

Ah, yes, I understand.

Maybe that was why Marquis Iones would grasp my hand with a pleading look every New Years Ball, earnestly asking no, more like begging me to take good care of his daughter.

In the midst of it all, the father saw nothing but beauty in his daughter, uttering incomprehensible words. Thoughtful? Kind-hearted?

The Marquiss eyes were so wistful that I didnt even bother to refute his words with facts.

Thank goodness

Was the 1st Manager aware of her fathers feelings and was hesitant to upset him? Marquis, are you watching? Your love was not misplaced.

Executive Manager, would you like an *aperitif?

Snapped out of my thoughts by the 1st Managers question, I realized I had zoned out at the dining table.

I turned to see her holding a bottle in each hand. One was red wine, while the other was white.

White, please.

Hmm, the white one?

I casually chose, but the 1st Managers smirk made me uneasy. Was there something in the wine?

Actually, just give me the red

Here you go!

Before I could change my mind, the glass filled with white wine was handed to me.

Drink it up and think its me!

I hadnt even taken a sip yet, so why did it sound like she had already gone through several bottles?

I looked at the 1st Managers hair. It was white.

Then, I looked back at the glass. Although it was called white wine, it wasnt exactly white.

Damn.

But after being told to think of it as her, the 1st Managers hair seemed to merge with it.

This brat had learned not only to torture people physically but also to attack mentally

White is pretty, isnt it?

Yes.

She was still smirking, so I just nodded. Reacting too strongly here would only invite more teasing. Itd be best not to take the bait and to just eat and leave as normal.

Youre so lucky to have a pretty white girl by your side, Executive Manager!

Her confidence was so overwhelming that I couldnt bring myself to react in any way.

***

The meal itself went smoothly save for the 1st Managers occasional odd remarks, which were normal enough for her. Itd actually be stranger if she made normal conversation.

Black matches well with red, but I think it also goes well with white, too.

I still couldnt decipher the meaning behind those words. Thinking of cola, seasoned chicken, and radish salad in response was hardly normal, either.

Nonetheless, the 1st Manager committed the atrocity of mixing red and white wine in the same glass.

Why would you mix them?!

It matches well!

What she meant was beyond me. Id probably never understand it.

As I sighed at the thought of this innovative half-and-half wine, the voice from the other end of the communication crystal spoke up.

Sir Carl must be a good superior to be so approachable.

I guess theres a fine line between being a good superior and an easygoing one.

Hearing this, the Invincible Duke burst into laughter. Well, it was fine as long as it made him happy

After that, the Invincible Duke regained his composure and continued.

I called because I was worried, but everything seems fine. Thats a relief.

If anything happens, Ill shamelessly contact you first.

Thats reassuring to hear.

Seeing the Invincible Duke smile again made me smile, too. It warmed my heart, which had become lonely due to the disciplinary action.

When I returned to my office after the meal, I was surprised by an incoming call on the communication crystal. It was the Invincible Duke.

Sir Carl, I dont believe you would do something without a reason. There must have been a situation.

I was taken aback by his first words after I answered the call. It sounded like a teacher gently reprimanding a mischievous student.

Of course, there was a reason. Since I had achieved the legendary feat of assaulting royalty and ended up in this situation, the news must have reached the Invincible Dukes ears.

But assaulting royalty wasnt just a mischievous act; it was almost treason. I was touched by his understanding that there mustve been circumstances.

Thats what happened.

So I explained in detail while holding back tears. Had he known the full story, he might not have used the word circumstances.

Seeing the Invincible Duke struggle to contain his laughter was painful. Being openly mocked would have been easier than receiving such considerate pity.

Perhaps he knew how I felt because the Invincible Duke quickly changed the subject. We ended up discussing various matters, and that included my meal with the 1st Manager. This also led to me explaining the odd combination of red and white wine.

Talking about a subordinates eccentric behavior in front of the Invincible Duke was embarrassing, but it was preferable to receiving painful sympathy.

Is this really better?

I found myself confused.

She acts that way because she looks up to you, Sir Carl. Dont be too harsh on her.

Yes, I understand.

I nodded at the Invincible Dukes words that broke me free from my thoughts.

In fact, Ive come too far to be upset over the 1st Managers antics. Being surprised by her playful behavior with food was one thing, but it wasnt really that strange.

And even if I were truly upset, I couldnt show it in front of the Invincible Duke. Unfortunately, the Invincible Duke saw the 1st Manager almost as his daughters sister.

This is driving me insane.

The fact that the Crown Princess and the 1st Manager were close friends when they were in the Academy kept surprising me every time and that they were both connected with the Invincible Duke It was really dizzying.

***

A long conversation took place before I ended the communication with Sir Carl. I held onto what was meant to be a brief exchange for too long. I suppose talking more comes with age.

Still, it was a relief. When I heard from His Highness the Crown Prince that Carl had been disciplined for assaulting royalty, I wondered what had happened. That child wasnt thoughtless enough to cause such a major incident.

Upon hearing from the involved party, it turned out to be an injury during an academy event. Then, that meant that it wasnt assault but a regrettable accident. While it could forcibly be tied to assaulting royalty, there was no reason for His Highness to specifically target Carl.

It seems hes not destined for a quiet life.

I couldnt help but chuckle. Ever since he became the Prosecutors Offices Executive Manager, Carl had been at the center of disturbances. However, I hadnt expected him to get involved in such incidents even at the academy. Or would it be more correct to say that he caused them?

Chuckling a few times, I operated the communication crystal. Since I had checked on Carls well-being, it was time to attend to other matters.

Father?

Your Highness the Crown Princess.

I bowed my head immediately after Aria answered the call.

I told you to just call me Aria in private.

I couldnt help but laugh again at her pouting face. How had she not changed at all since her childhood?

How could I address the future mother of all our people in such a manner?

Im hanging up.

Sorry. Ive found out what you asked, so please forgive me.

Arias mood brightened. It was surprising how pleased she could be over matters that didnt concern her.

Sir Carl seems to think of her as just a subordinate.

I expected that.

Despite the somewhat unwelcome news, Aria remained calm. Maybe it was because that was within her expectations.

Thats typical of Eli. She probably just hovered around and provoked him. Its actually a relief if he doesnt dislike her.

She made a sharp assessment. Although Aria usually spoke softly, she was straightforward when it came to Lady Elizabeth.

Still, it was Lady Elizabeths request that led her to ask me to check on Carl. Harsh words aside, her feelings for Lady Elizabeth were genuine.

Well, at least he doesnt seem to dislike her. If Carl really disliked someone, hed ignore or avoid them.

For Carl, Lady Elizabeth was more of a subordinate than a romantic interest. However, there seemed to be a fondness due to their time spent together.

Carl would shudder and deny it if he heard, but it was accurate from a third partys perspective. Carl didnt keep people he truly disliked around. If anything, the fact that they often clashed yet remained close was evidence of affection.

Really? Eli would be happy to hear that.

Her words were blunt, but the slight smile on her lips couldnt be hidden.

Perhaps its because theyve been close since their academy days. I hadnt expected her to get involved in her friends love life, though.

Its going to be tough.

Carl was just beginning to open up to Lady Marghetta. Since Lady Marghetta had liked Carl for a long time, it wouldnt be long before they saw positive results.

And thats when Lady Elizabeth would make her move. Carl would likely be quite taken aback.

Its Carls issue to handle.

If Lady Elizabeth aimed for the position of Carls first wife, then I wouldnt have intervened even if Aria requested it. How could I, when I knew just how much the Iron-blooded Duke cherished Lady Marghetta?

But if she was aiming to be next in line, then there wasnt anything to worry about. While I didnt need to actively help, I also couldnt outrightly refuse Arias requests.

Thank you, Father.

The sight of Arias smiling face made me feel satisfied.

FOOTNOTES

* Aperitif

A small drink of alcoholic liquor that acts as an appetizer.

You can rate/review this series here.