The Knight Commander of the Second Male Lead [Novel] Chapter 52

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 52

Chapter Title: The Accountant's Offer

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"Dirty work?"

Nina's eyes widened into circles. Jin swallowed a chuckle that slipped out with a "pfft."

Even in that situation, without so much as blushing, Gerald spoke up.

"Even as a research worm holed up in the academy, I haven't missed the rumors."

Of course, he had come with the feeling of throwing himself into a den of evil, but that didn't mean he intended to blatantly use his skills for wicked purposes.

Nina replied with a calm expression.

"What I want is for you to take charge of the Rubaenu Ducal Family's accounting. If the ducal accountant were up to no good, that would be more of a threat to his own life."

As Nina thought, embezzlement or misappropriation, Gerald's cheeks flushed slightly at her words.

Pasha, standing behind him, bristled and snapped.

"Are you threatening us right now?"

"Does my words sound like nothing but a threat to you?"

At Nina's response, Pasha was momentarily speechless, then flushed red with frustration at being at a loss for words.

Full of wild energy like a mustang.

Jin, standing there, thought as much while looking at each of them in turn. An accountant— that was welcome news beyond measure for him.

Even now, he had to stick close to Nina, only to be dragged away sporadically for accounting duties.

Being both vice-captain and accountant left no day without fatigue.

So seeing Pasha full of that wild energy was a pleasure.

To work diligently, one needed stamina, after all.

Normally, he would eye an outsider with suspicion, but this was someone Nina had summoned.

Having passed the Duke's vetting, Jin had no reason to doubt.

"Pasha, sit down. Viscountess Del, forgive our rudeness."

Gerald bowed. Nina replied, "I accept your apology." Pasha, looking aggrieved, murmured, "Professor..." with a pouty face before hanging his head and sitting down.

Gerald said to Nina,

"I understand Viscountess Del's intent. May I take it as the will of Duke Rubaenu as well?"

"Yes. You may. And..."

Nina excitedly pulled a paper from her desk drawer. It was one of the many contract copies she had prepared just in case.

"It would probably be more convenient to review it in writing. Here's a copy of the contract. Take your time to look it over and decide. Just ensure it doesn't leave the premises."

As she handed over the prepared copy, Gerald looked at her in surprise. Nina added,

"The Rubaenu Ducal Family welcomes guests. Please stay the night."

Gerald, staring blankly at the copy, bowed his head.

"I gratefully accept your hospitality."

His travel funds for the day were already razor-thin.

Jin offered to guide them, and Nina readily agreed. She then headed straight for Adrian.

Adrian was in his study-cum-office, idly spinning the chessboard. The chess table, designed to rotate for solo play, turned steadily and smoothly.

"Duke, may I come in?"

Spotting the person who opened the door without knocking and poked only her voice through the gap, Adrian stopped the spinning board and said,

"Come in."

Nina slipped inside and asked,

"May I open all the shutters?"

Adrian nodded, and Nina flung every window wide open, saying,

"You've probably heard already, but Professor Gerald has arrived."

"I know."

"I showed him the employment contract too. Hopefully we succeed in hiring him this time. We really need talent in accounting."

"It'll work out."

"Really?"

Light and breeze flooded in through the windows.

The early summer air wafted pleasantly through the room. The light green trees had deepened to rich emerald. It was getting hot enough during the day to switch training uniforms to lighter versions.

For the past month, Randell and Kiril had produced nonstop results. The Rubaenu territory felt on the verge of becoming a holy land of pharmacology.

The One-Horned Horses were entering their breeding season too, so they were awaiting word from the Kota family.

With all the windows open, Nina scurried to the chess table and stood straight before it.

"Why do you think so?"

"Because he has nowhere else to go."

At Adrian's words, Nina squinted and said,

"Is the situation really that bad?"

"Yeah. Worse than the captain imagines."

"Perfect, then."

At Nina's straightforward words, Adrian looked up at her with a "Really?"

Nina grinned.

"Joining the Rubaenu Ducal Family? Best case scenario. If things weren't this dire, we'd have missed the chance."

Adrian chuckled softly.

"I invited him to stay the night. And the new recruits I'm training as escorts are quite promising. All three are adorable."

"Adorable?"

At Adrian's question, Nina nodded.

"Yes, I actually thought we'd pick elites from the existing Ebony Knight Order members, but surprisingly, it's coming from the newbies. The veterans need to step it up."

"Most of the strong ones died."

At Adrian's words, Nina's smile stiffened slightly. She let out a slow sigh.

"Right. That's true. Only a handful of elites survived."

She exhaled again with a "Hoo." She wanted to wipe out every last Heretic.

As Adrian took her hand, Nina smiled faintly. Gripping his hand in return, she said,

"I hear the ducal family has a notorious reputation outside. Professor Gerald seemed desperate, like he was throwing himself into the 'forces of evil.'"

He had acted like someone forced by circumstance to join the 'forces of evil.'

Adrian shrugged.

"Rumors spread that I killed my whole family to claim the dukedom."

Nina frowned.

"They all died of the plague."

"But apparently, I orchestrated it all."

"Who spreads that nonsense?"

"People who love gossip."

"No, what the—."

As Nina swore, Adrian smirked mockingly.

"That's fine."

"Not for me."

"A bad reputation is enough."

"Not for me."

"Bad reps are better. Than half-baked good stories. People are lenient with villains."

The masses praise a villain for saving a puppy as cool, but go wild criticizing a good person for littering.

"Why is the world easier for villains...?"

Nina pouted, then sighed and said,

"But I hate hearing that kind of talk about you, Adrian."

"Doesn't matter what outsiders say."

"It might not bother you, but it bothers me."

Nina grumbled. Adrian tugged her hand, pulling her into a light embrace.

"What are you saying? You don't care about that stuff."

At his casual tone, Nina looked down at him and grinned.

"True. But you do, don't you, Adrian?"

"I don't."

"You do."

"I don't."

"Really?"

"Really."

Nina stared at him intently, so Adrian met her gaze in turn.

Her fingertips brushed his eye corner, and he lowered his eyes slightly.

"Then, can I ask one favor?"

"Anything."

"Play the violin."

Adrian released his embrace and looked at her. Nina's face was serious.

"Haven't played in ages. Forgot it all."

"I'm not asking for a performance."

Adrian.

When she called his name like that, Adrian surrendered without resistance.

There was a clear line between Nina's 'Young Master' and 'Adrian,' and the choice was entirely hers.

To Adrian, Nina was always Nina, but to Nina, Adrian was either Young Master or Adrian.

It's always been that way.

From the very first day he noticed her. The day she climbed through the window and called, 'Adrian, let's go on a picnic!'

No one had called him Adrian back then.

Did Nina know how precious a 'person who calls your name' was?

Back when he felt like a faint shadow about to vanish, with no one to call him.

Yet the next day, she dropped all pretense and acted like a meek kitchen hand calling him 'Young Master.'

Even that was fine.

Nina knew he needed both sides and fulfilled them both.

So this boundary was gladly left to her.

Adrian sighed and retrieved the violin case. The violin inside gleamed pristine as always.

He didn't play, but he maintained it diligently. The act itself soothed his mind.

Tucking the violin between shoulder and chin, Adrian gripped the bow and drew a deep breath. As he slowly drew the bow, a familiar resonance pierced through him.