HOWSH~12

~Chapter 12~ 

“Meichel… Did His Majesty just ask me something?”

“He asked if you agreed.”

“Which means… what?”

“What do you mean what? Obviously the meeting.”

“A meeting?”

Ah. He meant whether I agreed with the results of the meeting.

“Oh, yes. Of course,” I replied quickly, shaking off the tense silence and looking at Carlos. How could I not agree? In a democracy, following the majority is the principle, after all.

The brief fluster and anxiety I’d felt faded, and my expression gradually brightened. Even Carlos, whose brow had been subtly furrowed, seemed to lighten up.

“Is that so?”

He leaned against the board, having set down his report, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his eyes.

“Yes. No need to ask further. I fully approve anyway. You don’t need to be this polite next time.”

Who actually likes being asked to approve a meeting result? My answer was simple and straightforward.

But his reaction was… unusual.

“…Are you really that pleased?”

“Pleased?”

The meeting result… pleased me?

I mulled it over and reluctantly nodded. After all, saving and treating people in dangerous situations couldn’t be a bad thing.

“…Right?”

“Good enough. It’s unanimous, so we’ll start adjusting the schedule today.”

Carlos smiled faintly and turned back to write on the large board. Neat letters appeared.

“29th – Royal Security Bureau: Regular Branch Meetings Attendance List”

It was then I realized something had gone terribly wrong.

“Team Leader: Carlos – Team Member: Rose Lutiens”

W-what…? Please, save me.

The Royal Security Bureau’s regular branch meetings.

Every month-end, representatives from each local security team would gather to discuss plans for the next month—a tedious, cumbersome ordeal.

Usually, not everyone could attend due to space limitations, so two members from each branch were chosen: the team leader and the deputy.

My branch, Belos, was no exception. Normally, since the team leader position had been vacant, Deputy Dice had attended alongside Isid.

But suddenly, for March, the list had changed.

“What…?”

I’d only ever fainted twice in my life.

The first was when I, as a mere background character, had been reincarnated into this world, wanting a sweet, carefree life, only to be dragged into a royal institution because of my healing powers.

The second… was now.

Going on an assignment with our infamously ruthless male lead, Carlos, alone!

“We have little time, so we’ll move quickly.”

“…”

“Everyone, back to your stations. Dismissed.”

I glanced helplessly between Carlos and the whiteboard. He’d finished selecting the attendees for the regular meeting and called it a day.

‘Who gave you the right…!’

I raised my hand desperately but let it fall immediately.

“All right! Let’s give it our best today! You’re coming too, Isid.”

“Certainly. And since the cultural department has provided some tea, would you care for a cup of hibiscus before work?”

“Oh! Isid, I’ll join too. I’m curious about the aroma, hohoho.”

The quick-witted team members had grabbed their documents and practically bounced out the door. There was no chance, nor would it have been right, to call them back. I didn’t dare summon Dice, the pale Isid, or Meichel, who looked like he might vomit.

I didn’t need to imagine how flustered everyone must have been to face a sudden new face—the infamous first prince, no less.

And so, I was left behind, shouldering the burden alone.

But that alone was disastrous enough.

“Hahaha… hahaha…”

The world was cruel and small.

And now, here I was, entangled with the very male lead who might very well be the death of me. A coincidence unlike anything in my twenty years of life.

The small, cramped meeting room emptied almost instantly, leaving only Carlos and me.

“Uh… um…”

I shifted my gaze toward the one source of my least discomfort—Carlos’ legs. The distance between the board he leaned on and my seat wasn’t far. Five steps? Seven?

While measuring the space, our conversation resumed.

He spoke first.

“Why… were you looking at me just now?”

“Me?”

Only then did my eyes, which had been fixed on the floor, meet his. His expression seemed neutral, but warmth subtly lingered. A touch of curiosity flitted across his handsome features.

“You kept staring.”

“…”

“I was just wondering if you had some dust on you.”

His broad arms slowly uncrossed as he leaned on the table. The table vibrated slightly, enough for me to notice.

“Ah…”

I quickly withdrew my gaze and clasped my hands together. My shoulders trembled slightly. The violet of his eyes shone dangerously, and I felt fear creep in again.

Of course. That’s right.

A memory I almost forgot struck me like a bolt: instinctive fear, a sudden shock.

I was afraid of Carlos.

“Team Leader.”

“Yes.”

“But why me?”

Even so, despite my fear, I had to speak. I straightened my back and rose from my seat. I had questions.

The reason why the original attendees had been replaced with just Carlos and me.

Carlos, the new team leader and head… that made sense. But why me?

I had some guesses but decided to postpone them. It would be easier to hear it from him directly.

I swallowed dryly.

“Please… tell me. Why me?”

The chair creaked in the silence as he answered.

“What do you mean, why?”

His voice was gentle but carried an underlying firmness. I noticed briefly that his smile had broken and reformed.

I clenched my fists.

Facing the troublesome male lead alone was frightening, yes. And if Elchevita got involved too, we might end up triggering the story’s events ourselves—utterly hopeless.

But even so, I knew one thing: I was scared, yes, but not incapable.

“I’m not the deputy.”

“Yes. True.”

“Not even the team leader representing the security team.”

Carlos nodded, agreeing silently.

“I’m just a team member. I haven’t achieved anything noteworthy, and today is the first time I’m speaking with you—a trivial, insignificant member.”

His perfectly sculpted eyebrows twitched slightly. His closed lips relaxed. His voice was less gentle than before.

“You’re asking why you’re accompanying me?”

“Yes. I’m curious.”

“Nothing special. The seats for the meeting were empty, no one volunteered, and when I asked, Miss Lutiens said yes.”

“No, I didn’t realize that was the agreement!”

I slammed my hand on the table, realizing my mistake. Unlike me, Carlos’ expression remained calm. My embarrassment stiffened me instantly.

I couldn’t laugh it off. The misunderstanding was obvious now.

“…I’m sorry. I wasn’t focused on the meeting.”

“That’s fine. I heard about your grace period on the way here. That could explain your distracted mind.”

“Yes…”

“In the end, it worked out.”

His low murmur drew my attention as he approached. One step. His navy tie loosened slightly. Two steps. His black hair fell forward, then was swept back by his hand. Three steps.

“By the way… if you’re curious, I have a few questions for you too.”

He stopped before me. And in that instant, the truth between us—the dark, inescapable truth—was exposed.