CPSMBD Chapter 02

CHAPTER 2

Persistent Violetta

"Who is this mystery man you're meeting for the blind date?"

The Crown Prince's voice carried an unusual edge that I couldn't quite place.

"I'm not entirely sure..."

"You mean to tell me you agreed to meet someone without knowing who they are?"

"Well, yes, but he's a professional with a wonderful personality, so surely he must be a decent match?"

The Crown Prince's lips curved into a sardonic smile.

"A profession and pleasant demeanor make for a decent man? Chief Aide, I find myself seriously questioning your judgment in potential suitors."

"I'll discover the details when we meet," I replied, trying to maintain my composure.

"Please don't worry! I assure you I'm not someone who meets just anyone."

The Crown Prince's piercing gaze narrowed as he studied me, ocean blue eyes holding mine with an intensity that made me want to squirm.

"So then. Where exactly is this meeting taking place?"

When I hesitated, he deigned to elaborate, each word deliberately measured.

"The location of your blind date."

Today, the Crown Prince's questions bordered on bizarre.

Throughout my years of service - excluding my naive early days - I had never failed to grasp the underlying intent behind His Highness's inquiries.

Yet here I was, completely lost.

I found myself shifting my gaze before reluctantly answering.

"The Beaufort Restaurant, Your Highness."

"At least the venue choice isn't entirely objectionable."

I nodded in agreement, grateful for this small mercy.

The Beaufort Restaurant, nestled against the Imperial Palace's outer walls, had recently earned its place among the "Top 10 Must-Visit Places in the Empire." Its reputation for exquisite cuisine was matched only by its enchanting ambiance and sophisticated design, making it a haven for couples seeking romance.

My mysterious suitor had selected the location himself - another point in his favor.

​Not only was he accomplished and well-mannered, but he apparently possessed impeccable taste.

"The time?" The Crown Prince's tone remained deceptively casual.

"Six in the evening, Your Highness."

Having seemingly satisfied his peculiar curiosity about my personal affairs, the Crown Prince finally gestured toward the documents clutched in my hands, his mood shifting to something more familiar.

"What are you waiting for? Begin your report."

At last - a comprehensible command I could follow.

I handed over the meticulously prepared report, trying to redirect his attention to matters of state.

"There was an explosion at the eastern annex of the Imperial Palace yesterday, Your Highness. While we were fortunate to avoid casualties, a section of the annex wall has collapsed. We're currently collaborating with the Civil Engineering Department to identify suitable contractors for the repairs."

The Crown Prince barely glanced at my carefully compiled documents, his fingers carelessly flicking through pages that had taken hours to prepare.

"Timeline for completion?"

"We estimate a minimum of two months, Your Highness." I hesitated before adding the complicated part. "Unfortunately, the collapsed section contains the devil summoning counter-array, requiring us to obtain explicit permission from the Atrium Holy Nation before proceeding with repairs..."

"The Emperor's 20th Anniversary Coronation Ceremony is mere weeks away," he cut in, his voice carrying a dangerous undertone, "and the palace is in complete disarray."

"The research wing isn't included in the public tour during His Majesty's ceremony," I hastened to explain. "I can assure you the celebrations won't be affected in the slightest."

His eyes glittered dangerously. "So you suggest that if something isn't visible, such... incidents are acceptable?"

The sarcasm in his tone could have cut glass.

"That wasn't my intention at all, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince tossed my report onto his desk with deliberate carelessness. Then came the command that felt like a thunderbolt from clear skies.

"All Advisory Office personnel will remain on standby today. Until I specifically order otherwise."

"Pardon?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. "Until when should we-"

"Since when," he interrupted, each word precisely measured, "do I provide time limits when ordering standby?"

"Never, Your Highness, but... there's no pressing need for overtime standby today."

"Chief Aide Violetta."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"You're unusually talkative today." His voice took on a dangerous silkiness. "Even questioning my direct orders. I wonder why? Perhaps you're eager to rush home? Or..."

The Crown Prince leaned forward, one hand braced against his massive desk. His imposing frame drew closer, radiating an overwhelming pressure that made it difficult to breathe.

"Could it be you're worried about missing your... little appointment?"

His smile reached his eyes, stopping mere inches from my face, but there was nothing warm about it. Warning bells screamed in my head, their urgent rhythm matching my racing pulse.

This was definitely Code Red territory. The one absolute rule during Code Red: never, under any circumstances, talk back.

But the unfairness of it all made indignation surge through me. Overtime with no actual work to do? On today of all days? The urge to protest was almost overwhelming.

"But Your Highness," I ventured carefully, "all preparations for His Majesty's 20th Anniversary Coronation Ceremony are complete down to the finest detail. We need only conduct the final inspection before the event."

"Oh?" His voice dripped with false interest. "And?"

"While yesterday's explosion was undoubtedly unfortunate, I can personally guarantee it won't cast even the slightest shadow over the ceremony."

"Is that so?" Each word carried a glacial edge. "And?"

"If I were to list my current possible duties, it would only be preparing documentation for the wall repairs." I swallowed hard. "But this isn't something I can handle independently."

His Highness's face grew increasingly cold, like a winter frost creeping across glass. My lips grew dry, words becoming harder to form, but something stubborn inside me refused to yield.

"We require close coordination with both Foreign Affairs and Security to establish contact with the Atrium Holy Nation," I pressed on, my voice growing smaller but determined. "The cooperation request has already been submitted. We're simply awaiting their response."

"Indeed?" That dangerous silk again. "And?"

"What I mean to say is... there's nothing for the Advisory Office to do until then."

"How fascinating." His voice could have frozen flame. "And?"

"So, perhaps... if you could reconsider the standby order for today..."

"..."

His Highness's silent stare bore into me like a physical weight.

"...I apologize. Please forget I spoke."

My will to resist finally crumbled. When the Crown Prince adopted this particular stance - this terrifying calm - no amount of reasoning or pleading could sway his decision.

"The Emperor's 20th Anniversary Coronation Ceremony approaches," he stated, each word precisely measured. "This is a crucial imperial event. We cannot afford any more... disruptions like yesterday's incident. Shouldn't we dedicate every resource to preventing such unfortunate occurrences?"

"Yes! Yes, of course!" My enthusiastic nodding betrayed my contorted expression. "Your Highness's wisdom is absolutely correct."

The Crown Prince seemed utterly unmoved by my obvious distress. "Then I trust you understand about the standby order. You may leave."

"Yes... Your Highness..."

Cursed be this wretched hierarchy, I thought as I left his office, each step heavy with resignation. While the Crown Prince's difficult personality was legendary, he had never before delayed our departure or kept us back without clear purpose.

'Why today of all days?' I seethed internally. 'This is beyond unreasonable!'

As I entered the Advisory Office, General Chief Aide Kuan's concerned face turned toward me, reading the storm clouds in my expression.

"The report? Did His Highness have any particular... reactions?" Kuan's careful phrasing betrayed his concern.

I shook my head and whispered with the gravity of someone announcing impending doom, "Code Red. Code Red activated."

Brahe's head emerged from behind his fortress of paperwork like a cautious prairie dog. "But why? His mood was practically radiant this morning."

"Do I look like I possess the ability to read His Highness's inscrutable mind?"

"Senior, you didn't accidentally push one of his buttons again, did you?"

"I did absolutely nothing," I protested, indignation coloring my voice. "All I did was deliver my report about yesterday's incident. That's it."

General Chief Aide Kuan rolled his small, shrewd eyes thoughtfully. "Then what could have triggered such a mood shift in His Highness?"

"I wish I knew," I sighed, slumping into my chair. "It seems connected to the research wing collapse yesterday... He's ordered everyone to remain on standby until further notice."

"Since when did His Highness develop such attachment to the research wing?" Kuan mused quietly. "He's never shown particular interest in it before."

Brahe's voice rose in a plaintive whine. "What? But why today? There's nothing on the evening schedule! Even if we stay, we'll just be staring at walls. There's literally nothing we can do!"

"Exactly my point."

"Just when I finally had a chance at a normal departure time," Brahe moaned, dramatically slumping across his desk. "I had plans with Lily today. This is it - she's definitely going to dump me."

Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, he jerked upright. "Wait a minute! Senior! Isn't today your blind date?"

"Indeed it is."

"You'll have to cancel, right?"

"Absolutely not." Steel entered my voice. The more obstacles appeared, the more determined I became.

I would go on this blind date. I would meet this man. And if fate was kind, I would marry him and escape this overtime hell once and for all.

"But His Highness explicitly ordered standby," Brahe protested, eyes wide. "How could you possibly..."

"Where there's a will," I smiled mysteriously, "there's always a way."

The corner of my mouth lifted in what my colleagues had learned to recognize as my 'checkmate' smile.

The clock struck six, its chimes echoing through the paper-filled office like a call to freedom.

Brahe stretched languidly, emerging once more from his document labyrinth. "Senior, what's your plan for dinner?"

"Eat without me. I have an appointment to keep."

"What? Senior, you can't possibly mean..."

Brahe's face transformed into a mask of shock.

Yes, his suspicion was entirely correct.

The dinner hour - that sacred, legally mandated sixty minute - was the one time that even His Highness couldn't touch.

And I intended to use every precious minute of it for my blind date.