To be honest, the Accounting Department didn’t used to be important, even though it operated inside the palace. I barely even thought about my job, once upon a time. Ours was famously called the Funnel Department and it really only existed for appearance’s sake. So of course I never got a sense of purpose from it, and nobody expected anything of me, either. I never really thought of myself as having a role to play.
I didn’t feel good about monitoring Sei when he first came. But when he kept pulling one surprise after another, I realized how fun it was to hang out with him. It was exhilarating, watching him spark a revolution. I didn’t think the word “revolution” existed in my vocabulary.
Sei gave me this abacus thing and work to do. Somewhere along the way, I started thinking, “Hey, maybe I should do what he does?” and I took up a job teaching at the private school in the church. It’s been fun learning to do things I couldn’t do before, and I want the kids to experience that as well.
Activity Report No. 36
The members of the Egorovan delegation made a sudden visit to the church’s private school. The relief house was only made aware of this shortly before they arrived, which resulted in a great deal of internal chaos. I happened to be on teaching duty that day and was quite flustered myself. This was not because of the delegation, but because of Sei.
Predictably, Sei gave me the harsh score of sixty-five points after he saw me at work. Nevertheless, his advice encouraged me to redouble my efforts.
I also gave my regards to Prince Lars that day. He appeared to know about me.
Although the Egorovans are staying for seven days, they have one rest day. Staying on one’s feet for seven days straight would tire anyone out, I imagine. Plus, I bet they want at least a day where they can explore Romany on their own. Today is that day for them.
I thought Sei would come to the Accounting Department, but he never showed up. Apparently, he had a status report with the Prime Minister and a meeting with the guide from the Sorcery Department. Man, I wish he’d just take a break, but I get how important it is to keep track of things and plan for contingencies.
I figure he’ll pull through, though. Commander Indolark is really thorough about managing Sei’s health, and the Egorovans will only be sticking around for another three days. I was optimistic. So imagine my surprise when I heard the story from Vice Commander Rhoda.
“Commander Indolark went back to his family home?!”
“Keep your voice down!”
“But how? Since when? When?!”
“Oh, the day before yesterday.”
So wait, he left Sei to the dogs for three whole days?! Last time the commander went away on a long trip, Sei buried himself in work and almost died! Okay, to be fair, the reason he almost died was because a heretic at the church was stirring up trouble, but his sickliness sure didn’t help.
But the point is—why would Commander Indolark choose this busy time to leave Sei alone?! I got the answer later that day, when I read my adoptive father’s letter.
Excuse me, Commander Indolark got a marriage offer from the Egorovan royal family?!
It makes no sense to me. The guy has such a one-track mind when it comes to Sei—I bet other people just look like rocks to him or something. So how would he get engaged to someone else? Besides, I thought he already declared to the world that he and Sei were getting married (even if it was one-sided on his part).
Father’s letter went on to say that Egorova’s fourth princess was the prospective partner. From what I imagine, she is in a precarious position. Maybe she is being married off to a different country because staying in Egorova is dangerous for her? It makes me wonder why they don’t just adopt her into a retainer’s family like they did with me, but I guess things aren’t so simple for them.
Gee, I wish the royals could keep their family drama to themselves. Why do they have to throw their dirty laundry onto other nations?
Activity Report No. 37
Sei has actively continued working even when he has time off. I worry for his health.
It is my opinion that the state should offer him more support. He is involved in numerous important tasks related to our country, even while suffering from health problems due to his incompatibility with this world’s atmosphere.
I asked Vice Commander Rhoda about Sei, and he said he has only glimpsed the guy from afar, though he did look tired. The kingdom really ought to be more considerate and give Sei regular health check-ups at the Medical Bureau. I can only hope that Commander Indolark will come home soon…
I prayed. I really did. But I never asked him to wake me up with a messenger bird at my dorm window at the crack of dawn.
“What took you so long?” the bird says in a deep voice when I drowsily open the window. Judging by the irritation in its tone, I can tell that it isn’t a recording; the commander is speaking to me in real time.
I have to hand it to the guy who led the magically gifted Third Royal Order. I wonder if this is a waste of his abilities.
“Seiichirou ran away from home. Help me find him.”
“Say what?!” What the heck is Sei doing?!
But wait, this tells me that Commander Indolark is back home now.
“Hey, shouldn’t you be the one going after him?”
There is a long pause.
“He might run if I give chase, so I’m asking you.”
“So, uh, did you guys have a fight?”
“……” No response.
What the heck? A lovers’ quarrel, really? What a thing to wake someone up for so darn early in the morning. And hey, isn’t that all the more reason for Commander Indolark to go after Sei himself? When I say as much aloud, the messenger bird gives this really skillful impression of a sulky frown.