The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me

Chapter 41

41 – Part 2: Exaggeration

Nothing special happened after Ria confessed her identity. The confrontation fizzled out, and they picked up a meteorite that had fallen nearby on their way to Debr and sold it for a huge profit. They even decided to publicize the site where the meteorite fell and turn it into a tourist attraction.

“…”

Ria came to work.

It seemed awkward.

It felt like having a pointless, complicated family history confession after getting drunk the night before, only to regret it in the morning and realizing there was no need for it, and then facing the other person sober.

“Please, have a seat, Your Highness.”

Ascal stood up from his seat and politely gestured towards the senior chair he usually sat in with both hands.

“…”

Ria didn’t say a word.

“Would peppermint tea be alright for you, Your Highness? The leaves just came in today, so they’re fresher.”

“…”

Noticing her red ears, Ascal thought it best not to tease her further, or he might get himself into trouble.

Ascal was about to sit back down but hesitated and reverted to his original position.

Is it okay for me to sit here?

Because this seat is the highest.

Although he didn’t realize it earlier, now that Ria had entered, a fifth grade official like Ascal couldn’t sit there anymore, unless the princess gave her permission directly.

“…”

And the princess who would grant permission remained frozen in place as if she was broken.

In the end, Ascal, who lost his seat in an instant, remained standing while flipping through documents. Ria also instinctively began organizing the papers.

It was a moment when the standing office that crossed thousands of years of time was realized, while they both worked standing up.

Thump.

“Why is everyone standing? Wow, I’ve always wanted to sit in this seat! I’ll just use it for a little while!”

Sushia, who had apparently entered the office at some point, sat down naturally in the senior chair.

“Wow, this chair is so soft. I can’t believe the director is the only one who got to use such a nice chair. It’s almost a crime.”

As if she was the rightful owner of the chair, Sia leaned back and comfortably merged with it.

“Lia, could you make me some black tea? And grab some cookies too.”

Stretching her legs, Sia placed her feet on the desk with a big smile.

Aascal silently watched her and then buried his head into the carpet he had laid out beforehand.

“Director, why did you suddenly put your head down? Director?”

＜There’s a high possibility you’ll be promoted to the minister position at the upcoming national conference. Congratulations in advance.＞

After enduring a long period of silence, Aascal, who miraculously received permission to act as an aide during his commute to the evaluation department, lay his body back into the middle-ranking officer’s chair.

Next to him, Sia sat on her knees, holding a makeshift sign saying, “I am a dumb one who doesn’t know the main topic.”

“My knees hurt… Director.”

“There are still ten minutes left.”

Ignoring Sia’s whining, Aascal sank deep in thought.

The information the Crown Prince handed to Aascal this time was quite a critical issue for him. The reason Aascal had remained in the evaluation department as its director so far was because, in fact, the department was a quasi-organization, similar to an errand center that did everything.

However, Aascal’s achievements were so extraordinary that even the opposition faction had suggested promoting Aascal directly to the minister position in the country.

It was a very dangerous public opinion.

‘Becoming a minister is a crucial state job where I won’t be able to manage it properly. This can’t happen.’

Aascal had already expressed his refusal to the Crown Prince multiple times, but the Prince merely shook his shoulders, saying that being too humble could be poisonous.

The national conference would take place next month.

In the end, he needed to prove his worth through his work. Only by sabotaging the evaluations of the evaluation department with overwhelming incompetence could he avoid becoming a minister.

“When is the upcoming evaluation department’s new recruit interview? Lia.”

From No ble mt L dot c om

“Aascal.”

“Yes.”

Lia whispered in Aascal’s ear.

-Do as you have always done.

Aascal coughed awkwardly.

“When is the new recruit interview, Lia?”

“It’s tomorrow afternoon. Would you like the detailed list with all the information?”

“Please.”

Aascal’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the list handed over by Lia.

Following the external evaluation of the evaluation department and the widespread rumors of its exceptional benefits, numerous talents began applying to the department.

But what kind of place is the Evaluation Department?

It’s the second most enviable workplace in the Empire, boasting the highest stock prices recently.

All those talented people have been eliminated by the documents alone.

In the end, all that’s left are questionable people with a screw loose somewhere.

‘Only this level of talent can be considered suitable for the Evaluation Department.’

Ascal nodded his head in satisfaction.

“Uh, this name is my friend, right?”

“You have a friend among these… what, these candidates?”

“Yes. Here, Arin Ashet. She’s my friend.”

Susia pointed to the list with her chin while her knees were bent.

Arin Ashet… It seemed like a familiar name.

Ascal desperately tried to recall someone named Arin.

But he failed.

Not long ago, on the blind date at Debrue Castle.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’ll pay for the dress… I don’t have money right now, but I’ll work to repay it!”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. It’s a disposable dress anyway.”

“Dis…Disposed? Can you give it to me if you’re going to throw it away?”

Serena looked incredulously at the young lady named Arin, who stared back with tears welling up in her eyes.

“Fine. You can have it.”

“Thank you! Thank you! I will never forget your kindness!”

Serena chuckled.

Rather, dealing only with vain nobles, it felt refreshing to see a young lady like this after a long time.

It was like looking at a capybara or maybe a hamster.

“Hey. Try this too.”

Serena picked up a cookie with two fingers.

Arin took the cookie directly with her mouth and chewed it.

“Pfft.”

Where can I put this girl to use…

She’s clumsy and full of mistakes, foolish.

As Serena habitually pondered, she came up with a good idea.

“Yulia, didn’t you say that child works in the Evaluation Department?”

If I could just throw this fool into the Evaluation Department, would I be able to see Yulia’s flustered face?

Of course, the chance of success is low. But I’ll deal with that when the time comes and make him pass with some behind-the-scenes manipulation.

“Hey, have you ever thought about working? I heard it’s the best place in the empire these days. They pay well, too.”

“Wh-where is that?”

“Yeah, it’s called the Evaluation Department.”

Serena wore a malicious smile. It was the smile she had when scheming.

Evaluation Department interview room.

The head officials of the Evaluation Department were all gathered, solemnly evaluating the interviewees.

Department 1 Head, Cain.

Department 2 Head, none.

Department 3 Head, Devon.

Department 4 Head, Herban.

And encompassing them all was the empire’s hidden dragon, the Evaluation Department’s Director, Ascal Dever.

Considering every aspect of the interviewees from head to toe, they were ready to select suitable candidates for the Evaluation Department.

“… No one is coming, though.”

Thirty minutes had passed since the interview time.

Herban broke the silence.

Indeed.

No matter how outstanding the judges’ abilities were, it was of no use if the interviewees did not come.

Ascal sighed as he realized this simple truth.

‘I can’t believe no one is coming. Were they all such unworthy talents that even the Evaluation Department couldn’t hold them?’

That’s when someone hurriedly ran into the interview room.

“Oh!”

It wasn’t an interviewee, but a messenger.

“Master Cyril asks if parents can accompany during the interview!”

“They can. They can see the terrible sight. Tell them not to come, please.”

Even for Ascal, dealing with accompanying parents was difficult.

And another thirty minutes passed.

“…Hmm. Director, I think we failed.”

“I can’t believe none of the four showed up.”

“I didn’t even expect this situation.”

A group no-show.

As Ascal was about to get up from his seat with a feeling of despair, a candidate finally appeared. It was an hour after the scheduled interview time.

“Um, is this where the evaluation department interviews are held?”

She was someone Ascal knew.

The girl who had struck aqua splash from all directions on the day they met.

“My name is Arin Asht. I’m here for the interview.”

“Do you find the administration of the empire amusing? You’re an hour late, an hour. Turn back…”

“Proceed with the interview.”

Ascal tapped the table lightly.

He then read aloud the document containing the girl’s information.

Arin Asht, 18 years old. From the Asht Baron family. The Asht Baron family, where she is from, is practically nobility in title only, very poor. Has a past experience as a maid at the Senestia Duke’s house.

‘She must be friends with that Sisia…’

She was an unusual talent.

Ascal lowered his voice.

“Show me the prepared item you brought.”

There was a tradition in the evaluation department interview.

First, they give 1 silver and, within that 1 silver limit, have the candidate buy something at the auction house. The higher the value of the item, the more bonus points they receive in the interview.

By the way, no one has broken Ascal’s record in interviews so far. The item Ascal bought was forcibly donated to the imperial museum.

“Uh, I definitely brought it. Where did it go?”

Debani squinted.

“You mean you lost it? What a ridiculous girl. With such incompetence…”

“There seems to be something stuck to your back?”

Ascal pointed to Arin’s back with his finger.

As he said, there was something like a small person doll attached to Arin’s back.

“Oh. It was here.”

Arin removed the doll.

The doll with red button eyes sewn on looked sinister at first glance.

“Well, I guess we’ll have to evaluate its worth first.”

There happened to be a dispatched expert appraiser from the empire for the day of the interview. A precise appraisal would take time, but a rough estimate of the value could be made on the spot.

The appraiser took out his magic tool and began appraising the doll.

“……!”

The appraiser’s complexion changed.

“Why are you doing that? Is it perhaps a relic-class doll?”

“No, it’s a cursed doll. We need to get rid of it quickly. Otherwise, something terrible will happen!”

The appraiser hurriedly took out a tool and set fire to the doll.

Whoosh.

The doll burned to ashes and disappeared.

“……”

Silence ensued.

Clap clap clap clap clap.

Ascal clapped.