“It’s been decided that I’ll attend the party again this year as his representative.”
I see. I’m starting to see why she went out of her way to visit me.
“And I need a partner for the party... I’m sure you’re aware, but I’m unfortunately a military woman. I don’t have many choices in the way of men who might accompany me, so I’m in a predicament.”
Hmm. I thought so. At a formal soiree, it was etiquette for men and women to attend as a pair. Only children were exceptions. If a grown adult attended the event by themself, they’d be looked down upon as someone who wasn’t a proper adult—someone who was like a child. Zen personally felt that coming to that conclusion arbitrarily was silly, but customs from old times were normally illogical. Cummel was a bachelor, so last year, he’d probably selected his niece Mina as both his companion and his guard.
While it was all well and good to have Mina stepping in as a representative this year, he could’ve also chosen a companion for her too. There were probably plenty of contenders among his subordinates, like other guards or civil officials who were versed in public relations.
“And uncle said that this time, I should find one by myself...”
She now called him “uncle.” That meant that, as her family member, Cummel wanted to see his niece’s growth and independence. He was saying that she shouldn’t only concern herself with discipline and her duties related to her job as a guard—she should focus more on networking too. Did that mean marriage as well? But that was likely difficult for Mina.
“Could you please help me, Sir Zen?” she entreated him, looking troubled. “Um, please don’t laugh when I say this... No, actually, it’s okay if you do. Despite how I look, I’m popular among men.”
“Oh, I won’t laugh. If anything, I figured.” Zen nodded with full earnestness.
He’d seen plenty of her intelligence and good character when they’d been together in the monster subjugation party. Indeed, she wasn’t a sheltered girl, but her behavior was refined, and she wasn’t as militaristic as she declared. Even her looks could be called beautiful in an androgynous way (though her masculine side could be considered slightly more prominent, so people’s opinions might vary). On top of that, her uncle was the prefectural governor, which meant she had the strongest supporter in Nazalf behind her.
If someone like her wasn’t popular, then who would be? Zen would’ve smiled if she hadn’t been self-aware.
Zen didn’t voice these thoughts aloud, but he probably did convey that he completely agreed with her assessment. As Mina shyly scratched her cheek, she muttered, “Anyway, so that’s how things are. If I invite someone from the prefectural government office even while telling them it’s strictly for business, I fear they’ll still get their hopes up for some reason.”
“Indeed, I do think a lot of people would misunderstand,” Zen agreed. Boys were stupid and simple creatures. They’d immediately get excited the day a pretty girl approached them. It was like how Zen had been back when he was taking private lessons from Aness during the Advanced Civil Service Exam.
“I’m grateful for your understanding.” She bowed her head lightly, looking relieved.
A lady would usually be laughed at as being conceited for saying those things. This possible misunderstanding was a valid worry for Mina, but even so, it probably had taken courage to personally confide in someone.
“Regarding this matter, I thought I could be at ease if it was you who accompanied me, Sir Zen, so I came to visit you.”
It’s true that I won’t misunderstand the situation... However, he’d only met her once three months ago. He hadn’t felt like they’d established a connection that would be enough to foster such a strong belief in him for Mina.
“To be honest, I sensed that your personality is similar to my uncle’s,” she admitted. “You’re rational and sensible, just like how you immediately understood what I’m saying. You’re someone I can trust to have my back as we accomplish our duties together.”
Well, Cummel and I are both former central bureaucrats and are rare people to find in the countryside, so we may seem the same in the eyes of the folks here. Zen didn’t mean to act self-important; he was just thinking about it objectively.
Oh, I see now. I’m a workaholic, so that means it’s okay to trust me since I won’t mix up my personal and business affairs. He felt it was funny that he’d understood that point, even though he was talking about himself.
“How about it, Sir Zen? It’s a little far, but won’t you accompany me to Alona City? Of course, it’ll be considered official business that has been ordered by His Excellency Cummel, so the prefectural government office will pay for all travel and living expenses. I will detail this all to Tomon to allow you to have some days off from your work at the town hall.”
“How wonderful, Sir Zen! You should go!” Tomon cried, suddenly opening the door to the parlor. Even if he’d personally come to serve the tea, his timing was way too perfect.
It seems he was keenly listening in on us, then... Zen half closed his eyes. He wasn’t a bad boss, but these weakling-like actions of his were some of his small faults.
“May we receive your permission, Sir Tomon?” Mina asked.
“Of course, Lord Mina! If it’s a matter that’ll help His Excellency Cummel, it’s only natural that I, Tomon, and everyone in the town hall cooperate. As such, please let His Excellency know.” This was how a small fry would act. It was almost refreshing how blatant it was.
“Ha ha ha... I will certainly do so.” Mina laughed dryly.