“As you know, our organization is quite closed.”
“Why does that matter?”
“The members are strongly opposed to the need for an acting director, causing a lot of resistance.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It seems like it won’t be easy to control the organization.”
“Tsk.”
Eric furrowed his brow.
The place Kieve stopped at looked like a two-story house.
“Is this the headquarters?”
“Yes. The appearance might be a bit off, but the inside is fine.”
Following Kieve, Eric entered.
Fortunately, the interior was clean and well-organized, and the interior design didn’t look worn out like the exterior.
Going up to the second floor and opening a double door, a large conference room appeared.
Noah, among those sitting inside, was the first to stand up.
“Welcome, Director.”
“It’s been a while, Noah.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
Eric glanced at the others.
Most of them had expressions, as Kieve had mentioned, that seemed indifferent or displeased.
Eric walked confidently towards the head of the conference table and took a seat.
“I’m Eric Russell Gloucester. You probably know, but I am the acting director.”
As no one spoke, Kieve and Noah exchanged awkward glances with Eric.
However, Eric continued speaking as if unaffected.
“It seems like there’s a lot of dissatisfaction with me acting as the director.”
Still, no one opened their mouths.
“As long as it doesn’t hinder the mission, I don’t mind. Since there probably won’t be any questions, let’s leave it at that.”
After speaking plainly, Eric stood up.
At that moment, the people who had been sitting there, looking confused, began to exchange glances with each other or stared blankly at Eric.
“Uh, um, Acting Director.”
One of them called out to Eric, avoiding the term ‘director’ as if it were something to avoid dying.
“What is it?”
“How long will you be acting as the director?”
“Until the original director returns.”
“When is that?”
“I don’t know. It seems he’s not in a condition to return yet.”
Another person raised their hand.
“Yes?”
“What? Handling the Second Knights and this at the same time? What if something happens to that division [dash]?”
“You don’t need to worry about that. Instead, wouldn’t it be better for you to hope that there’s a problem with the Zero Knights? It’ll be an excuse to blame me.”
Kieve covered his mouth, trying to suppress laughter.
These guys, who had gathered before Eric arrived to figure out how to straighten out the acting director, seemed to be trying to intervene right from the start.
This time, a large man spoke up.
“This situation is different from the Second Knights.”
“I know. But you guys’ director recommended me. Perhaps he thought I would do something. Doesn’t the person who is supposed to be your director have that much insight? You guys, the so-called director.”
“Dash.”
The big man was about to snap but held his tongue.
“Well then, the first order. Focus on tracking the missing mage.”
“Yes, sir.”
“As you’ve said, this is different from my side. But I understand. However, you guys are not to go alone. Keep in mind that you could also become targets.”
“Understood.”
“Then, wait for the results.”
With a smirk, Eric stood up and left the conference room.
Kieve hastily followed him.
“Director.”
“Why?”
“Is this type of order also part of the operation? To control the kids?”
“No. Just busy.”
“Huh?”
Looking at Kieve’s surprised expression, Eric smiled slyly.
He didn’t expect to be able to straighten out these guys, who had high loyalty to the director, all at once.
Since it was just an interim position, loyalty was not necessary, and it was enough to make them follow orders.
And the fastest way for that is to subdue him with skill, but Eric, who lacks experience on this side compared to the Zero Knights, needed some time to get used to it.
And these days, he was really busy.
Being the head of two knight divisions and preparing for the grand ceremony.
“Anyway, let’s just watch. I’ll go first.”
“Oh, yes. Director. See you later.”
“Good work.”
Eric walked briskly out of the Zero Knights headquarters.
“······.”
“Why? Is something strange?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“I’m just not used to this kind of thing after such a long time.”
Looking at Alicia, who was touching the hem of her dress with a reminiscing face, Eric couldn’t speak for a while.
The already radiant woman seemed even brighter.
“Bright.”
There are ordinary words like pretty or beautiful, but they were still embarrassing words for Eric to say.
“Shall we go?”
When Alicia laid her hand on his offered hand, Eric pulled her, kissing the back of her hand.
Although Eric’s subtle gaze and Alicia’s slow, captivating smile seemed a bit shaky, Alicia raised her head confidently as if nothing had happened.
“We’re late, so let’s go quickly.”
Seeing Eric off, Alicia blushed and smiled, Eric took Alicia to the carriage.
“Your parents are going straight to the ceremony venue, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Ah.”
“We probably don’t need to meet separately. Unless we happen to run into each other.”
“Right.”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
