The Legend of the Reclusive Princess Zuicho of the Rikan Empire ~She Escapes From The Palace Everyday and Works as a Capable Government Official.~ - Chapter 19

“Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, I’m going to go have a little showdown with the Ministry of Works.”

“Okay, take care. Try to keep it civil—”

With that brief exchange, Saya left the office, leaving His Majesty behind as she stepped out, already turning over in her mind exactly which biting remarks she was going to unleash as she made her way down the corridor that led to the Ministry of Works.

(Honestly, what do they think approvals are for…? If they can’t manage within the allocated budget, then what’s the point…!)

Even if many of their projects required a large workforce, their calculations were far too sloppy.
She repeatedly told them to round numbers correctly so they wouldn’t always end up in the red. Yet there was no sign of improvement.

True to her nickname “The Ice Blossom of the Ministry of Civil Affairs,” Saya walked briskly, her official robes swishing with each step, radiating a silent but formidable pressure.

It was a common sight. People who happened to cross her path would instinctively shrink back and quietly make way.
“That stern aura is precisely what makes Lord Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs so cool…!” —so murmured by the court ladies who worked nearby.

Crossing the connecting corridor, Saya reached the office of the Ministry of Works.
She took a steadying breath, straightened her posture, and knocked on the door.

“Excuse me. I’m from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.”

The door opened at once. The official who greeted her was a familiar face by now. They had crossed paths many times.

She stepped inside without even needing to show her credentials, ignoring the subtle attention from those around her, and headed straight for one of the desks at the back.

“…Oh? Oh? It’s the Lord Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs.”

Noticing the shadow that fell across his desk, the man looked up and, recognizing Saya, gave her a lazy but charming smile.

As always, he had the kind of sweet, handsome features that women tended to favor. Even though his uniform was worn a little casually, there was a certain effortless elegance to it — a type Saya actually found a little difficult to deal with.
But she showed no sign of that, maintaining her professional composure as she bowed smoothly.

“Sorry to bother you during your busy hours, Deputy Minister of Works. Is the Minister available…?”

“Ah, he stepped out just now.”

“Do you know when he’ll return?”

“Who knows? I heard he’s been in meetings with the Secretariat since morning. He might be out all day.”

Bad timing.

Saya had come today intending to lodge her complaint directly with the head of the Ministry of Works, only to find that the ever-elusive deputy was the only one around.

She must have let her frustration slip onto her face.

“Which project is causing trouble this time? I’ll listen if you want.”

The man gestured her over with an easygoing smile that made Saya instinctively stiffen.

Judging from his long, loosely tied brown hair, it was clear that the Deputy Minister of Works came from an aristocratic lineage.
The relaxed way he glanced over the documents made him look like some detached noble indifferent to the world, but in reality, he was surprisingly competent at his job.

(Well, when it comes to his own tasks… anyway.)

He had a notorious policy of not meddling with his subordinates’ work — a hands-off approach that Saya found aggravating.
Sure, he always said, “If they ask, I’ll answer,” but that meant the officials under him, who couldn’t manage to get his attention, were partly to blame as well.

“No, there’s no issue with the projects you’re personally overseeing… Could you tell me who approved this particular document?”

“Let’s see… ah, that would be him.”

With that, the Deputy called out someone.

A young-looking man stood up from his desk and, wearing an anxious expression, hurried over toward them.