Chapter 90: A Message from the Prime Minister

Just because the funeral was over didn’t mean I could immediately head home. Naturally, there was probably a dispute over who would leave first, so while thinking that I would eventually be able to go home, I was waiting in the waiting room for my carriage to be called. Then, a priest carrying a message from the Prime Minister arrived.

As far as I was concerned, since I had only just met the Prime Minister for the first time earlier, I shouldn’t have any particular business with him. But Mother — I don’t know what she was expecting — became incredibly hyped up.

"Robbie, open it quickly! We need to reply right away!"

She was bursting with excitement.

It was a sealed letter, so when I opened it, the message was extremely simple:

"I would like to meet with you once to talk. Please let me know a convenient date and time for you."

Since I was free pretty much all year round, and the Prime Minister was obviously the busy one — someone whose schedule was probably booked down to the minute — I wrote back:

"I will adjust to His Excellency the Prime Minister’s convenience. Please designate a date and time."

I handed it to the priest. As a tip for his trouble, I gave him one silver coin. Mother, trying to show off, said,

"Hey, wouldn’t a gold coin be better?"

But turning a silver coin into a gold one wouldn’t bring any special benefit, and the priest would be happy enough with the silver. There was no need to burden Mother’s wallet. Still, just hearing that the Prime Minister had summoned me made her tension skyrocket. She pressed herself against me and asked,

"Hey Robbie, what could it be? Why do you think he called for you? Do you think he’ll give you some kind of official duty? What part of you caught the eye of His Excellency Richelieu? Hey, what do you think?"

She sat right next to me, pressing her chest against my arm. As she rubbed against me, her breasts changed shape. I could see right down her cleavage! Thankfully, her nipples were still just barely hidden. Even though it was mourning attire, the openness around her chest felt about 20% more revealing than usual. There’s a rule that mourning clothes make women look 20% more beautiful, so the destructive power of Mother’s breasts made me want to reach into that valley! I wanted to put my hand on her shoulder and pull her dress down! The way she was rubbing against me made it seem like her nipples might pop out any second!?

Even Cass came over smiling, but it was the same for her! In her case, I could see the breasts themselves, so the destructive power was even stronger. Mother’s garden was still unseen, which had its own charm... ehehe. I really wish she would stop with this unintentional exposure.

Anyway,

"I have no idea. I didn’t ask for anything. His Excellency invited me himself!"

I declared firmly and ended the conversation. Mother and Cass reluctantly moved away from me, though they kept muttering complaints.

"Robbie’s actually happy but he’s acting all tough."

Mother was grumbling to Cass, but that wasn’t it at all. I’m worried I might cross a line with you one day! It’s scary! In novels it might be an interesting development, and it’s common in erotic manga and novels, but a real mother and son getting involved — doesn’t that always raise ethical issues no matter what world you’re in!? To me, I have zero awareness of Mother as "my mother." I just see her as an extremely attractive woman! That’s why it’s even scarier!!

Even inside the carriage on the way home, Mother and Cass kept chatting excitedly. Being spoken to by the Prime Minister must be a really big deal. Still, it was just that short exchange — how do they have so much to talk about? Whenever the conversation turned to "when you were little," or "just the other day," or my stupid antics, my mood dropped again.

Personally, I absolutely did not want to be noticed by the Prime Minister, dragged upward, and pulled into the struggle for the throne. I just wanted to live quietly in a corner of this world and die in peace. I let out a small sigh so the two of them wouldn’t hear.

I arrived at the Accounting Bureau a little late in the afternoon. Christine was off again today, so Anise was once again my partner. It seemed the office wasn’t closed just because it was the Crown Prince’s funeral. I learned today that while a King’s funeral becomes a state funeral, a Crown Prince’s funeral does not. The fact that I’m calling him "Crown Prince" probably already means it isn’t treated as a full state funeral. Maybe something political happened.

The King, Queen, and the Crown Prince’s family returned to the cathedral after lunch for various ceremonies, but since everyone thought I was an idiot who might cause trouble again if I stayed, they basically left me to my own devices.

"Is Christine off again today?" I asked casually.

"Yes, she seems to be feeling a bit unwell," Anise replied, frowning slightly. Was this a question I shouldn’t have asked? Could it count as sexual harassment? I don’t really understand how periods are handled in this world. Whatever the case, it’s clearly a delicate topic here, so I’d better not mention it again.

We continued checking the calculation results that the two of us could handle. I’m not skilled enough to calculate while chatting, so I only talk during breaks.

Back in my previous life when I visited a factory, one of the "10 Prohibited Acts" was "No talking to workers during operations." It was posted at the entrance and on every process line, yet the foremen would always go over to the cute young girls and talk to them while they were working. They never glanced at the older ladies, but they’d always approach the pretty young ones with a grin. Seeing that, I thought, "No wonder defects never disappear." The conversations were always things the guy found interesting but the girls had zero interest in. The bosses didn’t realize they were being avoided and disliked, and just kept talking. Maybe they were trying to show off to me — "Look, I’m close enough with this cute girl to have casual conversations every day" — but I felt sorry for the girls. After all, if a defect happened because of the distraction, it would be the girl’s fault, while the boss took zero responsibility.

That’s why I never speak to Anise while she’s working.

Anise is completely serious and focused during work, but the moment the break bell rang, she relaxed her whole body, leaned back in her chair, and stretched with a long "Haaaaaaa~~~~~." Watching her chest push forward was a delightful sight.

"Lord Robbie, you were a little late today. Was it because you attended the Crown Prince’s funeral?" Anise asked.

"Yes, I went. It was a very large funeral, so I was surprised," I gave a safe reply. As usual, the older ladies around us were listening intently. If they were rabbit beastfolk, even if their faces were turned away, both ears would be pointed straight at us.

"There must have been many important people at the Crown Prince’s funeral. Of course His Majesty the King attended as well. It must have been tough."

Was Anise sympathizing with me? It really was quite a lot to deal with.

"I’m only the 11th Prince, so I was just attending the funeral. Nothing difficult for me. But I did meet Prime Minister Richelieu. I was surprised when His Excellency spoke to me directly. He even knew my name. On top of that, he knew I was working here. I wonder how something like that reached the Prime Minister’s ears? It’s not like someone like me working here is a big deal."

I laughed as I said it, but the air around me froze. In the distance, there was a loud clatter. When I looked, the Director of the Accounting Bureau was standing there, staring in my direction.

Did I say something wrong? Even the Director was listening to my story?