Chapter 18: Secretary - 1
—–CROW—–
*Click, clack!*
"..."
The clicking of heels echoed through the knights' quarters near the lord's castle. A woman with silver hair braided into a single plait, dressed in a knight's uniform, appeared in the long corridor.
"...Phew."
Chloe let out a small sigh of relief, trying to hide her anxiety as she looked around. Despite her small stature, Chloe was an adult and a knight.
There was nothing wrong with wearing a knight's uniform, even if it was a skirt. It seemed appropriate to show respect for the lord she served by dressing formally.
"...Haa."
There was nothing wrong with it. Nothing strange. She tried to maintain her composure, but the feeling of the cold air against her bare skin beneath her skirt made her blush. She instinctively smoothed down the fabric.
As she walked down the drafty hallway, a sudden gust of wind made her unconsciously clutch her skirt and close her legs.
It was an awkward and conspicuous gesture. This kind of behavior was more likely to draw attention.
Chloe knew this, but she couldn't help but fidget and look around nervously.
"Chloe!"
"S-Serin."
As she rounded a corner, she bumped into a fellow knight. She immediately straightened her back and forced a smile, trying to appear as she normally would. Of all times, why now?
Despite Chloe's inner turmoil, Serin approached with a bright smile.
"I heard you became the Second Young Master's knight! Congratulations!"
"No, I'm still a fledgling. It's only the beginning. I have to make sure I don't mess up."
"Oh, Chloe, you're always so serious. You should enjoy yourself, at least today! Oh, you're wearing a skirt? Are you going to be staying by the Young Master's side from now on?"
Chloe flinched and trembled slightly as Serin commented on her skirt. It's okay. She hadn't noticed. It wasn't a big deal. She repeated this to herself like a mantra.
"When do you finish today? You should have some free time for a while, right? Or are you already starting training?"
While escort knights didn't usually start working immediately, Chloe's situation was a bit special. She breathed a sigh of relief that Serin hadn't noticed her current state and forced a wry smile.
"I think I'll be attending him from today."
"Oh my! Already?"
"Yes. There's a lot I need to learn. From now on, I'll not only be his escort... no, Leoric-nim's escort, but also his aide."
"Oh my. You're completely his closest confidante. I'm so jealous. Don't forget about me, okay?"
Chloe gave a wry smile at Serin's words. While the circumstances were a little different, being a secretary was essentially the same as being an aide, so she wasn't wrong. She glanced around and heard the voices of other people approaching. If she stayed any longer, she wouldn't be able to maintain her composure.
"S-Serin? I only grabbed the essentials, so I have to go."
"Oh my. You really are busy. I'll see you later then."
"Yes. Thanks, Serin."
Chloe forced a smile at the disappointed Serin and carefully walked away. As she sensed people approaching, her face paled. She quickened her pace, trying to keep her skirt from flying up and maintain her balance, all while replaying the conversation from earlier in her mind.
"Well, you don't have to do it if you don't want to."
Leoric-nim had said with a gentle smile, as if it was truly no big deal. As if the shocking conversation they had just had was a trivial matter.
"You can earn my favor through meritorious service. Most people in the castle seem to know, but I have a stronger libido than most nobles, so I'll definitely grant you my favor if you earn enough merit. Even if you don't, if you stay by my side as my escort, such an opportunity might arise."
"...Then why are you offering this?"
Chloe had even wondered if he was taking advantage of her as a woman.
"Because it's interesting."
"Interesting..."
What was his intention? Chloe didn't consider herself smart enough to understand the thoughts of those in high positions, nor did she think she was particularly perceptive.
She opened her mouth, then closed it. She didn't know what to say.
"Like I said, you can refuse."
"...T-then, if I do this, what will happen?"
"What will happen?"
If she became his secretary under those conditions... Chloe looked down at the floor. If she accepted his offer...
"Will I cease to be a knight?"
If those were the kinds of things that would happen until she reached 100 points, if that was what he expected of her... Chloe felt a pang of pain in her chest and pressed her hand against it.
How much effort had she put into reaching this position? She had sworn to obey any command once she pledged her loyalty, but...
If he didn't see her as a knight, if he expected her to act like a maid or a commoner, or even a slave, and if that was her fate... tears welled up in her eyes.
"Hmm? ...Oh! Ah! No, no, not like that."
"Yes? I-is that so?"
She looked up at her lord, who was slowly approaching. Due to their height difference, Chloe had to look up at him.
"Sorry, was my tone too harsh?"
He gently wiped away her tears with a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. His gesture made her heart pound in a different way than before. Leoric-nim continued, watching as Chloe's face slowly regained its color and a blush crept up her cheeks.
"This is... just a little wager."
"A wager..."
"Of course, if you're caught, it could be quite embarrassing. But on the other hand, wouldn't it show that you have my favor?"
"I-is that so?"
Was that how it worked? It was! Chloe had a revelation.
"Besides, as you've heard, I have a high libido."
Chloe knew that as well. Information about Leoric's recent activities had begun to spread discreetly. The rumors of his strong libido were particularly prevalent among the female knights. The only thing she hadn't anticipated was that her first command as his knight would be to remove her panties.
"So, what do you think? Interested?"
Chloe considered Leoric-nim's kind offer. She sincerely believed she could earn his favor through meritorious service, but she couldn't say when that would be. She would need a significant event to prove herself.
So... this was for her family's lineage. It was what her new lord, Leoric-nim, desired. And as a knight, refusing his offer...
"I-I'll do it."
Chloe steeled her resolve and closed her eyes. Yes, from now on, she would serve as the escort of the glorious Second Young Master of the Franz family. There was nothing to worry about. She just had to trust Leoric-nim and devote herself to him!
"Then shall we try on the skirt?"
She didn't want to hear those words from Leoric-nim.
* * *
"The important thing is, when we're alone, you'll call me 'Boss.'"
"Boss?"
Chloe tilted her head, puzzled. The term made sense, since there were businesses with bosses. She didn't understand why he wanted to be called "Boss," but it was fine. If she was his secretary, then he was naturally her boss or chairman. However, "Chairman" reminded her of her father, so "Boss" it was.
"And for now, you'll wear your knight uniform. I'll have some other clothes prepared for you later."
"Oh, clothes?"
Of course, a miniskirt. A tight-fitting one. I was already preparing stockings with slits that would completely expose her thighs. Of course, it wouldn't deviate too much from the knight's uniform, just a slight modification of the original style. I looked forward to that time, but for now...
"And one more thing. Charlotte."
"Yes!"
Charlotte, who had been waiting outside the office, entered at my call. She carefully placed a small box on my desk.
"This is..."
"A gift."
Chloe glanced at me, then carefully picked up the box. It was light, so she couldn't guess the contents. She opened it.
"...This is."
"Mm."
"Glasses?"
Yes, glasses. A secretary needed glasses. I liked glasses.
"B-but, my vision as a knight is perfect...!"
Chloe seemed flustered and immediately started explaining her perfect vision, but the glasses had no prescription.
"It's the frames that are important."
"The frames?"
Chloe carefully examined the glasses and gasped.
"No way!"
"Mm-hmm. Magic stones."
And not just any magic stones. I had infused them with my own magic, sealing it within the frames. Whenever Chloe willed it, the magic within the stones would manifest in any form she desired, for attack or defense.
"It will be your trump card in times of danger."
"Infused with Leoric-nim's magic... Th-thank you!"
"No, you should call me Boss."
Her grateful expression faltered at my words. She seemed to regret her earlier enthusiasm. Well, it was fine. As her escort knight, I also had to be prepared for any situation, and this would be a useful trump card.
I smiled at Chloe, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and decided to get down to business.
"Then, your first task."
"Yes!"
"Wear your knight uniform. With a skirt, of course."
"Th-then, as you said earlier, I have to... r-remove my p-panties?"
Chloe seemed flustered by my command, her face quickly turning red.
"Like I said, my commands aren't mandatory. It's your choice whether you want to earn 100 points for my favor. I don't want to force you."
"Y-yes..."
Chloe looked conflicted for a moment, then nodded.
"Then I'll be going!"
She bowed slightly and left the office.
Now then... what choice would she make?
—–CROW—–
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