The Corrupt Guildmaster, Loved by His Secretary
One month had passed since the day Zilkein-sama overturned his fate.
~Emidia Callway~
My superior, Zilkein-sama, has seemed… like a completely different person since the day he slipped down the stairs and struck his head.
No, that’s not quite it. It’s more like… he has returned to the man he was back when he first became Guildmaster—the man who took me in and spoke of his ideals. “A guild for adventurers,” he said.
When Aron-san was about to be expelled for an unreasonable cause, Zilkein-sama stood up for him before everyone, declared he would personally guide him, and even accepted Bash-san’s duel.
At that time, everyone looked at Zilkein-sama with suspicion. “Has the Guildmaster lost his mind?” they whispered.
But he proved his insight beyond doubt and awakened Aron-san’s hidden talent.
And that was not all.
As for Bash-san, who had tried to expel Aron-san—Zilkein-sama believed in his future and sent him off on a journey of training. When I saw him encouraging both Aron-san and Bash-san to stand together as the twin pillars of the guild, something hot welled up in my chest.
I knew it then. Ever since that moment when Zilkein-sama protected Aron-san, the feelings I’d thought long extinguished had begun to burn again. The affection that had smoldered quietly throughout his long, fallen days… had found new flame.
Zilkein-sama.
You can surely become the true Guildmaster—the one everyone dreams of. I believe it with all my heart. The Zilkein-sama who has risen again will surely see it through.
Ah… Zilkein-sama.
Please, I beg you—keep me by your side forever. I am but a fallen noble with nothing left to lose.
I shall devote everything I am to supporting your dream. Let us walk forward together. Like a fresh breeze sweeping through this rotten guild system, your future will surely… become one that brings joy to all.
…
The Luminage Guild was quiet. In the secretary’s office next to the Guildmaster’s chamber, I sat writing in my diary. My precious little book, which I always carried with me. After the uproar of the expulsion incident, I finally had the time to pour out my feelings—and let out a sigh of relief.
“Emidia?”
“Hyau!?”
A firm, commanding voice suddenly sounded behind me, making me jump. I turned around, clutching my diary to my chest. There stood Zilkein-sama, freshly returned from his meeting with the city lord.
“Z-Zilkein-sama…! I thought you were going straight home tonight…”
“I came to check that you weren’t staying too late.”
“M-me…?”
Zilkein-sama cleared his throat lightly, then held up two fingers before me.
“Two hours.”
“Eh?”
“That’s how long you work overtime every day. Your pay is by the day, isn’t it? Anything that can wait until tomorrow—leave it for tomorrow.”
Saying that, Zilkein-sama sat down at the desk in the back and crossed his legs.
“What are you doing, sir…?”
“Watching you until you leave.”
“Ehh!? I-I’ll get ready to go home right away!”
Flustered, I quickly tidied my desk and began to pack up for the day.
…
By the time we stepped outside, the streets were already dark. Zilkein-sama had me ride with him in his carriage to see me home—saying it was too dangerous for a lady to walk alone at night, even within the city.
As I gave my report on today’s duties, Zilkein-sama gazed out the window and murmured softly,
“Emidia.”
“Y-yes…!”
“Take care of yourself above all else. I would be troubled if you weren’t here.”
He… would be troubled if I were gone? He had never said such a thing to me before.
My heart pounded so loudly it almost hurt, and I could no longer look at anything but his face. Zilkein-sama’s expression was faintly lonely as his eyes rested on the dim streets outside.
A warm feeling swelled deep in my chest. How I wished I could tell him what that warmth meant. But I could not.
For I am his secretary—Emidia.
My feelings must walk alongside his dream. Instead of speaking them aloud, I will become his hands and feet.
Still, just this once… allow me to whisper it silently in my heart.
Zilkein-sama, I love you. When you rose again that day, my heart, too, began to burn anew.
That day reminded me of when you first took me in. You were so noble then—like a prince coming to rescue me.
Watching you lose your dream and sink into ruin… those were painful days for me. Seeing someone precious to me change so completely… it hurt more than I can say.
But now it’s different. You told me you would no longer waver. Nothing could make me happier than hearing those words.
Just remembering it brings tears to my eyes again, and I quickly lower my head so he won’t see.
“We’ve arrived.”
Zilkein-sama’s voice brought me back to myself. The carriage had stopped in front of my home. He stepped down first, and before I could react—
He took my hand and helped me down.
“Wh-what!? Zilkein-sama, what are you—!?”
“You might hurt yourself otherwise.”
My heart beat wildly in my chest again. At the same time, I remembered how I had clung to him after the duel—and my face grew hot all over.
“Th-thank you very much…”
How kind you are, Zilkein-sama… You’ve never done anything like this before, no matter how much I longed for it. Am I really not going to die of happiness tomorrow?
While I was lost in that foolish thought, Zilkein-sama returned to the carriage. As I stood there, reluctant to look away, he looked back at me and said:
“Well then, Emidia. I’ll be counting on you again tomorrow.”
Tomorrow, too.
… Those words filled me with joy. They felt like proof that he trusted me.
“Yes! I’ll do my best!”
I put every ounce of my heart into that reply.
Peaceful days, fulfilling days.
But at that time, I wasn’t thinking about it at all—that with how wonderful Zilkein-sama had become, it would only be natural for other women to fall for him too.
What do you think about this chapter?
