# Chapter 30
“Campbell, what's going on here?”
When I met Campbell's eyes, he whispered in a low voice: “I don't know exactly, but there seems to be a problem with the guards' residence.”
While I was talking quietly to Campbell, I heard Edmund's voice, muffled with anger.
“So…”
His voice was calm but full of sharp anger.
“The guards who were supposed to live in Umfa suddenly refused to move in?”
I was surprised by his words. The work was almost complete, and all that remained was for the guards to move in. So what happened?
“Explain!”
Edmund shouted and slammed his desk, sending the stacked papers swinging.
How did you not fall? This is an art in itself.
Eclat was bent over, looking at the ground with stiff shoulders.
“I… I just thought of a more effective security method!”
"effectiveness?"
Edmund's eyebrows twitched.
“I… I thought it would be better to form a militia of the original foreigners in Umfa!”
Icla took out a piece of paper that looked like she had written it herself.
“This is a militia idea I came up with. This way, we can improve Umpha's security at a lower cost!”
Edmund sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I admit, the militia idea is a good one. But you should have gotten my permission first, I'm your boss!”
“But Your Highness has granted me full authority over Umpha...”
Ecla's eyes began to fill with tears.
“I'm sorry.”
“Heh, it's okay.”
Edmund waved his hand, signaling her to leave.
“Your Highness...”
I walked towards him, and his gaze stopped for a moment on my bandaged ankle before returning to the papers.
“The militia idea sounds good.”
I didn't want to help Ecla, but the idea is really good. No wonder she is the heroine Edmund loved in the novel with her clever ideas.
"I know."
Edmund replied coldly.
"Can I take care of her? I became close to the people of Umfa during the redevelopment!"
Because I went back and forth there, I made good connections.
“Huh.”
But Edmund gave him a sharp look.
“Why do you think the guards refuse to move because of the militia?”
“Um… I don’t know?”
“Forming a militia means admitting that there is a gap in security.”
Dante interjected quietly from the side.
"They don't want to admit it. They move to Umfa for security. Creating a militia means they are not reliable, they think."
I understand now thanks to Dante's explanation.
“Originally, Your Highness thought of the militia, but he abandoned it because your idea made more sense.”
Edmund thought about the militia? So, the hero and the lover in the novel think the same way.
Ekla didn't mention the militia in the original novel, so I didn't think about it.
In moments like this, I feel like they are destined for each other, and I am just dust between them.
"Okay, I'll try to convince the guards who were going to move to Umba! I'll say that the militia won't be formed!"
“Where are you going with this leg?!”
Edmund shouted angrily, and I closed my mouth. His personality is really bad!
I covered my ears from his loud voice, then slowly removed my hand.
“They said it was just a minor ligament injury!”
“Didn't you say that if you sprain your ankle once, it will happen again?”
He used my words against me to prevent me from joining the project.
“But I help you!”
“Since when does the assistant oppose the director's orders?”
I frowned and sat in my seat after his harsh words.
Well, do what you want!
***
At lunchtime, while I was eating my bread irritably, Natasha offered me a glass of juice with a smile.
“Olivia, are you still angry?”
I was thirsty, so I thanked her with my eyes and drank the juice in one go.
"Heh, no! But he's so annoying!"
“Didn't you love him?”
Natasha laughed as she held up her fork. Oh, right, I must confess my love for him.
“Um.”
I slowly put the bread down, as I suddenly lost my appetite.
“It seems like he's starting to open his heart.”
"truly?"
I was surprised by her words and looked at Natasha with wide eyes.
“Honestly, with his personality, a woman confessing to him every day would have bored her out of her mind.”
“True, but he brought Olivia back and made her his assistant!”
“There's even a rumor in the palace that you two are dating.”
I heard that rumor when Blackwood kidnapped me, but...
“Everyone knows it's not true.”
They laughed embarrassedly as they looked at each other.
“But we have known His Highness for a long time.”
“Isn't it?”
“He definitely cares about you.”
Margot nodded in confirmation of Becky's words.
I know I have weak ears. So I felt suddenly excited.
Did my daily confessions work?
“Okay, I decided!”
“Oh, you're going to ignite your fighting spirit again?”
"Yes! I should push the redevelopment of Umfa myself!"
Natasha dropped her fork, and Margot spat out her juice.
What filth!
I laughed as I offered tissues.
“The militia idea is really good. I want to push both projects!”
I organized my thoughts and gathered my food tray.
“Wait, Olivia!”
“I'll go first!”
“Finish your lunch!”
I wanted to finish baking, but I wanted to quickly get back to writing the report.
***
“Olivia, why do you insist on checking her safety yourself? Can’t I?”
Edmund looked out of the carriage at Felix's words.
“I'm just interested in the health insurance system you talked about.”
Where do these exciting ideas come from? She's an amazing little guy.
Brave, she looks at me boldly and then quickly backs down. She's nice.
Nice? Fearing he would notice, Edmund fiddled with his ear.
“So you waited since dawn in front of the academy? After you harshly rejected her in the corridor?”
Edmund did not answer, but rested his chin in his hand. His large hand could not hide his reddened cheeks.
“Heh, she's running late.”
“Isn't it?”
Usually, Olivia would arrive with Edmund before sunrise, shuffling through papers in the office. Today, her return after a week.
With her usual precision, she should have left long ago.
“Did something happen at the temple?”
“Impossible. Our guards surrounded the temple, and there were no night attacks.”
“I know, but...”
He was worried.
What if something happened after she left the palace? What if someone attacks her because of rumors?
"Maybe she enjoyed being out of the palace. At her age, she can stay late with friends."
Felix groaned as he thought of his daughter, and Edmund frowned.
“Right, I went with Gallerhead yesterday.”
He felt suddenly disturbed. Remembering their laugh together made his mouth bitter.
Did they spend the night together? Have they evolved? He clenched his hand and gritted his teeth.
“I'm out!”
At Felix's words, Edmund looked up and saw Olivia running. She was late, holding her bangs up with a pin. She looked so cute, he smiled unintentionally.
Make sure it's safe, that's enough.
Edmund continued to watch her from the carriage. Her side face in the sunlight was so beautiful, he almost couldn't take his eyes off.
It was a fun morning until she hurt her leg.
It bothered him that she had gone with Galerhead yesterday, and now to the emergency room? His mood became bad.
This mood was exacerbated by what Ecla did today.
By the time he left, his mood was at its worst.