MLIIWTFL Chapter 231

231

Ariette's call came about five minutes later.

Pushing aside the cookie he had been eating, Ezkhiel wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, changed his expression to a professional one, and activated the communicator.

—I apologize for calling so late at night, Chief Aide. I'm Ariette Averil, contacting you through the recommendation of Lord Lenard Sharon!

"It's fine. I heard it was something urgent. What's the matter?"

—I'd like to ask His Highness the Crown Prince to cancel my promotion to the Cultural Affairs Minister's aide! I've already submitted my resignation, and it would be quite troubling for me to suddenly be promoted...

Ezkhiel picked up a pen and asked in a businesslike tone.

"So you have no intention whatsoever of continuing your post?"

—That's right! I've already made full plans for what I'll be doing after I quit. If I'm forced to stay, it'll be extremely difficult for me.

"His Highness personally appointed you for this promotion, which means he has that much faith in your capabilities. Even so, are you set on resigning?"

—Yes. I absolutely want to resign. Please convey that to His Highness.

Seeing how earnest Ariette looked, Ezkhiel gave up on trying to persuade her. When someone is that determined to quit, no amount of outside interference will stop them, they'll find a way to leave no matter what.

"Well, since that's your decision, I'll report it to His Highness. I hope it works out for the best."

—Thank you, Chief Aide. Have a good night!

After ending the call, Ezkhiel picked up his still-warm teacup and took a sip.

If Ariette had post-resignation plans, it was likely that business venture she'd mentioned with Letticia.

"…That's probably better for the officials in the Cultural Affairs Ministry, too. And for her."

If it were a department with real power, like the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, or Finance, it might be different. But in the case of Cultural Affairs, it's nearly impossible not to be conscious of the Duke Averil family, the Chancellor's aide, or the Knight Commander.

That's exactly how things ended up the way they are now, Ariette receiving every benefit imaginable, while her peers grew resentful and spread rumors about her.

Promoting her as the Crown Prince intended could be one solution. But if Ariette herself is so adamantly against it, perhaps letting her leave is the better resolution.

After all, holding on and enduring isn't the only choice.

***

"What did you just say?"

Upon hearing Ezkhiel's report the next morning, Matthias asked in an icy tone. The atmosphere felt at least ten degrees colder than usual, and Ezkhiel, startled, quickly explained.

"A petition came in from Lady Ariette Averil, requesting her promotion be canceled. She's already submitted her resignation and is firmly set on leaving."

"Ha!"

Matthias let out an incredulous laugh and slammed his pen down on the desk.

If she had asked for a promotion, that would be understandable, but requesting a cancellation? Even the emperor, who had 20 more years of political experience than Matthias, had probably never encountered something like this.

"Why on earth would she reject a promotion and insist on resigning? We're trying to appoint her to a position befitting her status."

"I don't know the reason, but if she has no intention of continuing her career as a civil servant, I believe there's no need to force her. If Your Highness decides to cancel the appointment, I'll begin preparing the paperwork right away."

"No need to force her, you say?"

Matthias's mouth twisted slightly. Had something Ezkhiel said displeased him? Despite trying to tread carefully, Ezkhiel continued with measured words.

"She's a junior official in the Ministry of Culture, not a senior figure in Finance or Foreign Affairs. No matter how good her performance reviews are, she's not someone the Imperial House needs to go out of its way to keep. Especially in Lady Averil's case, her influence comes more from her status and family connections than from her abilities. That might be useful in the Ministry of Agriculture, but the Ministry of Culture doesn't particularly benefit from ties to House Averil."

"Doesn't House Averil run several businesses in the capital?"

"Yes, but they're all food-related ventures using fruit from their estate. They have no involvement in cultural enterprises."

Ezkhiel responded fluidly, he had, after all, done quite a bit of background research on House Averil.

"Even if you're considering creating further links with House Averil, Alexander Averil already serves as Chancellor's Aide, and Achilles Averil is the Knight Commander. And frankly speaking, while those two are valuable assets, Lady Ariette Averil's resignation wouldn't cause any major disruption to national affairs."

Alexander was more than capable as Chancellor's Aide, leveraging his family's influence and personal ability. Achilles, though still new as Knight Commander, was the only person suited to lead the purge of the entrenched corruption from House Wallace, which had plagued the Order for four generations.

"More importantly, she mentioned she already has plans in place for after she quits. That suggests her decision isn't impulsive. Her intent to resign seems firm, and even if we try to override it, she'll likely just resubmit her resignation shortly. In that case, I believe the wisest course is to respect her wishes and cancel the appointment."

"Plans for after she resigns…"

Matthias muttered the words to himself before turning his gaze back to Ezkhiel.

"When did she bring this petition to you? Was it this morning when she arrived?"

"It was last night."

"Last night? Did you meet her in person at that hour?"

Matthias's eyes turned sharp. Caught off guard, Ezkhiel quickly shook his head.

"She contacted me via my personal communicator after work."

"How does she know your personal communicator code?"

"She reached out to me through Count Sharon's family. I believe she used an informal channel to expedite things, since going through official routes would've taken too long."

"……"

Ezkhiel answered plainly, unsure why his superior was even asking such things. After listening to the explanation, Matthias fell silent, tapping his fingers on the desk as he sank into thought.

Still, Ezkhiel couldn't just wait around. The day's duties were already upon them, and he needed to move things along.

"Your Highness, in 30 minutes, you have a meeting scheduled with the Chancellor's office. Then in the afternoon, you're to receive the official responsible for enforcing hunting restrictions in the capital."

"…Do you have the documents related to today's meeting?"

When Ezkhiel reminded him of the tight schedule ahead, Matthias clicked his tongue lightly, picked up the reports stacked on his desk, and got to work. Seeing his superior return to his usual self, Ezkhiel let out a small sigh of relief.

But after all the day's duties were done and evening fell, Ezkhiel once again found himself witnessing one of his superior's eccentricities.

"Sir Bright, you said you contacted her through her personal communicator, which means you still have access to Ariette's code, right?"

Ezkhiel had been scanning petitions from nobles opposing hunting restrictions alongside environmental ministry reports detailing the decrease in wild animal populations. Caught off guard by the sudden question, he asked back.

"…I have the code recorded, yes. Do you need to get in touch with her for something?"

"The more I think about it, the more I realize I need to hear it from her directly. I just can't understand why she's so stubborn about resigning."

"…Understood."

Ezkhiel swallowed the question, Is that really necessary?, and silently retrieved the notebook where he had recorded her code, then keyed it into the communicator in the office.

Perhaps Matthias had picked up on something suspicious that Ezkhiel had completely missed.

After a few rings, Ariette's face appeared on the screen, looking flustered.

Just as Ezkhiel opened his mouth to greet her, the screen suddenly shook, and Alexander's face appeared in her place.

—How did you get my sister's contact code, Sir Bright?

"…Good evening, Sir Averil. I'm trying to speak with your sister, Lady Ariette Averil, on official business. Could you please let me speak with her?"

—Answer my question first. How did you get her personal communicator code, and at this hour, no less?

It wasn't even 8 PM yet, but apparently, that counted as "late" by House Averil's standards. Alexander's glare, as if Ezkhiel were some kind of stalker, made his head ache.

But with Matthias waiting behind him, Ezkhiel couldn't afford to let the situation drag on.

"She reached out to me first, through Count Sharon's family. I simply recorded the code at that time."

—She contacted you? Arie did?

"I believe she'll explain the details herself. I'm contacting her now under orders from His Highness the Crown Prince."

—His Highness? Why would His Highness have business with my sister?

This time it was Achilles's voice, also surprised. But Ezkhiel didn't have time to respond.

"Your curiosity is understandable, yet it cannot take precedence over His Highness's command. Kindly put me through to Lady Ariette Averil."

The image shimmered again, and finally Ariette's face returned to the screen.

—I'm so sorry, Chief Aide! I've taken back the communicator!

"Lady Averil, are you able to speak now? His Highness would like to ask about your petition."

—Yes! Brothers, I'm in a call, can you please step outside for a bit?!

Though her last words were quiet, they reached Matthias's ears too, evident from the faint chuckle behind Ezkhiel.

Without comment, Ezkhiel took a sip of the milk tea in his cup, waiting patiently for Ariette to get settled.

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