Chapter 218: Tea and Trouble
"I’m more surprised that the prime minister would say something like that. I’m glad you were able to become friends."
"...I see."
As expected, he did not deny it.
He simply did not show it much, but he was actually quite honest.
"Well then, we will probably meet from time to time from now on, so I hopes you will take care of him. Since I already said I was the tutor, I can’t just leave it at that."
"That’s true. I was the one who said it on my own, after all."
"As expected of the prime minister. I didn’t think it would be accepted so easily."
That only showed how important and indispensable he was to this country.
When Qiong Xing said that in a praising tone, Sergei turned his face away.
"...I’ll let it slide because of those cookies you gave me today. From today on, you are also the prince’s tutor. If anything happens, report it to me."
"Thank you very much. Let’s have tea together again sometime."
"If it’s something you made."
It seemed he had successfully won him over with food.
Qiong Xing gave a wry smile, wondering if that was really enough, but decided to at least remember his preference.
"...So, he’s not a bad person. If anything, he’s on our side. He’s capable, likes sweets, and is a bit shy."
"...I see."
Qiong Xing had no idea that everyone was thinking, this guy is amazing.
For now, his once-a-week meetings with Brat would remain the same.
The only difference was that sometimes he would now come to the castle to give reports.
Though in reality, it was more like having tea with the prime minister under the name of "reporting."
"...Why do you always get yourself involved in troublesome situations?"
"They’re the ones who come to me on their own. I’m just wants to live a peaceful life."
Even though he insisted he was not at fault, everyone shook their heads clearly disagreeing.
...
"Is the queen actually that free with her time?"
"Pfft—!"
At Qiong Xing’s completely sincere question, the three who had been listening all spat out the tea they were drinking.
Sergei coughing asked what he meant.
"Every time I come to the castle, she somehow hears about it and shows up just to throw insults at me."
Almost every time, she would approach him with a manner far from elegant and complain and telling him to go home.
If he said it was on the prime minister’s orders, she would back off, but honestly, if that was the case, Qiong Xing felt she shouldn’t come in the first place.
"In a way, that’s true."
"What do you mean?"
"The queen doesn’t have the intelligence to properly handle the duties of a queen."
In other words, she was foolish.
Qiong Xing wondered how she had even managed to become queen.
When he glanced to the side, wondering if Brat would be okay with the way she was being talked about... Brat was happily eating cake.
He didn’t seem bothered at all.
Perhaps he had already completely come to terms with it.
"Then does that mean those responsibilities fall on you and the king? That must be difficult."
Though, Qiong Xing thought, it was probably mostly on the prime minister.
"You say that like it has nothing to do with you."
"Well, it really doesn’t. I’m just here to visit and relax."
"And yet, it seems you’ve become quite the topic of conversation among the soldiers?"
Who started that rumor?
"That was unavoidable. I’m just asked about things I was curious about."
"It seems you’ve been quite well liked. That Captain Narka rarely gets that excited, when he came to report, he was so loud it was unbearable."
What a way to describe him.
What did he think of his own captain?
"He was certainly a fun person. Though it surprised me when he laughed and slapped my back."
"That hit made you cough pretty hard."
Being struck on the back with the same strength used for trained soldiers, Qiong Xing who was just an ordinary person couldn’t handle it.
When he started coughing, all the soldiers became worried about him.
"He’s not a bad person, but he’s only interested in combat and physical training. Even when it comes to planning strategies, it’s usually the vice-captain who handles things."
"If it works, then isn’t that fine? Not everyone can do everything like you."
"How capable do you think I am?"
Sergei said that with a tone implying he couldn’t possibly do everything and Qiong Xing simply laughed it off as a joke.
People who were both strong and intelligent did exist, but they were rare.
The stronger someone was the less they needed to rely on strategy.
On the other hand, those who lacked strength would think carefully and fight with tactics.
Being able to do everything was an ideal, one that was nearly impossible.
In that case, it was better to work together with others who could make up for what one lacked.
"The vice-captain is an interesting person too. He looks very serious, but he can be quite moody."
One moment he would be scolding the captain and the next he would already be buried in paperwork as if he didn’t care anymore.
"At heart, he’s a serious man. But he complains that he has to handle paperwork in the captain’s place while also looking after the soldiers."
What exactly was the captain’s role, then?
"He sounds quite similar to you."
"Perhaps. I talk with him sometimes and there are moments when I understand exactly how he feels."
Seeing Sergei mutter that while gazing off into the distance, Qiong Xing thought that he must have quite a lot on his plate.
"Then, for such a hardworking prime minister, I have a charm to soothe your fatigue—"
"I’ll take it."
Before Qiong Xing could even finish speaking, Sergei held out his hand, which made him laugh.
"How much will you pay for it?"
"I’ll pay whatever you ask."