Villianess? Esteemed Daughter (2)

For a moment, I wondered if it was either the weekend or the clubs hours. It should be class hours right now, so why was a student here? Is the Student Councils Vice President allowed to skip classes?

As I looked at her with dubious eyes, Marghetta tilted her head.

Sir Carl, are you going to keep your visitor here? Youve become quite rude in the time we havent seen each other.

Although her words seemed to be blaming me, she couldnt hide the smile from her eyes. Marghettas eyes had bent like a crescent moon. I almost laughed in disbelief at the sudden visit and prank, but she was indeed a visitor.

Of course not. Here, have a seat. Ill bring some tea.

No, theres no need. I have to go back soon.

Really?

Thats good news.

I nodded at those words, and Marghetta settled down in front of me. Thankfully, she said that she had to go back soon, so it seems like she was going to cut to the chase.

I wasnt sure why Marghetta came at this hour, but I was planning to go and meet her anyway. Although it was a bit surprising, that wasnt bad.

I looked at Marghettas face. Although she was smiling, she still hadnt said anything.

Hey, if youve come here, shouldnt you say why youve come?

I didnt expect to see Lady Marghetta at this hour. Did something happen?

Do we have to meet each other only when something happens?

Its been a year since we havent seen each other, so that doesnt sound like a close relationship to me.

Weve talked about getting married, so it isnt a normal relationship either.

I flinched at the sudden attack, but Marghetta just laughed while saying it was a joke. Maybe the esteemed daughter of the Duke had thrown that rock as a prank, but a poor Civil Servant could die from being hit by that stone. I wish she understood that.

As I let out a faint sigh, I heard a snickering laughter. When I first met her, she wasnt like this, but at some point, she started teasing and playing jokes. However, I couldnt just ignore or counter it since shes the Dukes daughter.

Marghetta probably didnt know how I felt while rejecting the marriage proposal. I feared that Marghetta would shout at me while saying, How dare someone like you reject me!

I even dreamt of the Iron-blooded Duke torturing me. It was horrible. Fortunately, nothing happened so far.

I came here because I need to ask you something.

Yes.

You know that the club fair will be held soon, right?

I knew. Although it was just on paper, Im still the clubs advisor, so I knew at least that much.

Apart from that, Louise had been talking a lot about preparing things for the club fair, so theres no way I wouldnt know about it. Even now, Louises voice still echoed in my ears. As I nodded, Marghetta kept talking.

The club fair isnt a simple Academy event. Its a social gathering where nobles who have already graduated make contact with noble students currently attending the Academy.

I dont get it.

However, I couldnt help but agree with Marghetta. Everyone would meet each other a lot because of the social events, so was there a need to come to the club? I understand the intention of strengthening factions and early talent discovery, but still.

Thats why the student council struggles a lot each year while preparing the exhibition. The amount of money spent isnt low, and theres no way for us to know if were doing it well or not.

I apologize for that.

Thats why I think itd be great if you could help us.

Pardon?

I couldnt help but ask back in confusion at Marghettas proposal. Help? Me?

Are you talking about me?

Yes. I did it last year too. From my experience, checking out if the budget was distributed correctly takes the most time, and thats why I think it would be great to have Sir Carls support.

Im not connected to the student council.

But youre the Academys Prosecutor, right?

I couldnt help but laugh in disbelief at Marghettas words. She was asking me to check if the budget was distributed properly because Im the Academys Prosecutor?

Its the first time Ive ever had someone ask to be audited.

It was a proposal I had never imagined. Everyone tries to avoid inspections by any means necessary, but I didnt expect someone to come and make the request first.

Despite my bewildered gaze, Marghetta maintained her smile.

It isnt like we did something shady, so is there a need to be afraid? I just want to have the budget checked properly by an experts eyes. Would that be possible, Prosecutors Executive Manager?

It was too bad for Marghetta, but I hadnt reached my position because I had the talent she wanted. I, or the Minister, didnt reach our positions because of our abilities. We ascended by special means, so we were far from the average Minister of Finance or the Prosecutors Executive Manager.

Because of that, right after becoming the Executive Manager, I was busy dealing with the ones that supported the 2nd Prince and, on the inside, the faction that was already in the Prosecutors office. Even now, thinking about that time makes my mind go blank.

But Marghetta knows this as well, right? The Ministry of Finance was such a mess at that time and it was so well-known that if you are a member of a ducal family, you will hear the news even if you dont want to hear it. She knows that and still wants my help?

It seemed like too many negative emotions showed on my face. Marghetta put her fan on her cheeks and tilted her head.

Is it too much to ask?

If my name appears, it will hinder the student councils achievements.

Thats too bad.

Marghetta sighed. It seemed like she was about to give up. How unexpected. Oh well, she said that shed done it last year, so she probably doesnt need help.

Well, we cant be sure how long it will take. Im also not sure how much time it will take me.

If its you, Mar, youll do well. You managed it last year too, didnt you?

Still, Its troublesome doing it ourselves. Sometimes, I go out claiming to take a break from the Student Council but end up wandering around for a long time. If Sir Carl is there, I can focus solely on the work.

I closed my eyes at Marghettas words.

So this is her condition?

Although it sounded like working is too hard, help me. Sob, sob, it was easy to see her true intentions.

= Im sure you dont want me to visit Louise. If you help me, I wont bother her.

She was saying that if I cooperated with her, she wouldnt go after Louise to bother her and shed stay quietly in the student councils room, working. What a crude deal. Its amazing.

Its very effective.

I couldnt help but think that maybe the reason why Marghetta went to see Louise yesterday was a build-up for this moment. By showing herself as a threat to Louise and the club, she could make sure that Id help her when she wanted.

Although it was easy to see what she really wanted, her next attack would be harder than the build-up. That could be troublesome.

After organizing my thoughts, I opened my eyes and smiled.

I cant just stand still when I hear that Mar is having a hard time. If its okay with you, I will help.

Thank you, Sir Carl. I knew that I could believe in you.

Hahaha.

The result of the fight was decided from the beginning.

Although I said Id help her, I didnt expect her to take me to the Student Councils room immediately.

The Student Council members are currently reunited in preparations for the fair, so I came out for a bit to bring you.

I see. Well, theres no choice then.

After all, there were sometimes things that were more important than going to classes.

Feeling like a slave being dragged, I followed Marghetta to the Student Councils room. Yes, Id rather finish this as fast as possible. Theres no reason to stay in the club room unless its club time anyway.

After reaching the Student Councils room, Marghetta knocked a few times but then opened the door before anyone replied. If she was going to do that, was there a point to knocking, then?

Anyway, I glanced inside the student council room and saw that there were already six people gathered. The student council consists of seven people, including Marghetta. I hadnt paid much attention because I had no interest in it, but I didnt expect to meet all of them like this. This is quite awkward.

Vice President, whos that person outside?

The male student sitting at the front seat, probably the Student Councils President, looked in my direction with a hint of awkwardness.

Whats this? How come that the people that asked for my help react like this? Marghetta went to get me, so it should be obvious who I am.

Its the pastry clubs Advisor, Sir Carl Krasius. I brought him to ask him for advice regarding the budget of the club fair.

As soon as those words were spoken, my eyes met with the President, who was seated at the front. Only then did he seem to notice my face, and his eyes trembled uncontrollably. Looking around, the reactions of the other five members were similar.

Hey, dont tell me

Mar, wasnt it agreed upon by the Student Council to listen to my advice?

No.

Her response seemed to imply, Why do I need anyones agreement on something Ive decided?

Ah, yes, she is someone like that.

I had forgotten about Duke Valentis daughter had my way-type personality.

At Marghettas clueless reaction, I looked towards the Student Councils President.

His face had turned pale and his body hardened. For the Student Councils President, this was probably an unexpected struggle. The Dukes daughter, whom he was already struggling with, had brought the Prosecutors Executive Manager. That action could be interpreted as I brought him because I dont like you.

However, it was a misunderstanding. I stayed locked in the clubroom because I felt my presence would put too much pressure on the students. Id lived a low-profile life, and I havent met anyone besides the club members. If I knew this was something solely done by Marghetta, I wouldnt have come with such a light feeling

Feeling apologetic, I gave a slight nod, and the President tightly closed his eyes.

Hey, what are you thinking? Thats not it.

I barely managed not to sigh. I thought that if I sighed in this situation, the President would stick his head to the ground.