Chapter 25: The Foremost Sycophant

Chapter 25

Evening, though tense, did not avert Erich’s gaze. A distinct gulp sounded as she swallowed, moistening her parched throat.

“And…?”

She was certain she hadn’t erred, but Erich’s expression was unsettling.

Evening felt assured that she had made no misstep.

Given that she hadn’t even received a proper handover and had been forced to hastily take charge of the situation, she believed her report was commendably thorough.

Having completed an internship at a public enterprise and served as a civil servant, Evening understood precisely what information high-ranking officials in state institutions desired.

They demanded meticulous answers to every question that sprang to their minds.

If any details remained unknown, she knew she had to preemptively issue directives for an investigation.

And so, she had.

After all, Evening was a diligent and astute civil servant.

‘My father always said: ‘Even flattery only works if you’re competent at your job.”

The workplace was unforgiving and ruthless; no matter how diligently one tried to curry favor, opportunities were never granted to the incompetent.

Even if she couldn’t become an expert, she had to perform well enough to never be subjected to scorn.

‘In that regard, bureaucracy is quite easy.’

While major corporations demanded tangible results for recognition, in the realm of civil service, mere diligence was often enough.

Anyone could be recognized as a top performer simply by understanding the operational structure, being perceptive and efficient in their work, and possessing a proactive disposition.

The report she had submitted to Erich was, by all accounts, a fundamental requirement.

For a civil servant, when an incident occurred, they were expected to ascertain the time and genesis of the event, the claims of all parties involved, provide a comprehensive account of the proceedings, propose follow-up actions and resolutions, and meticulously document findings and secure necessary endorsements throughout.

Yet, despite her familiarity with such a life, a creeping anxiety began to stir within Evening.

She had accomplished everything possible within three hours, but in a world devoid of mobile phones, computers, or cars, the pace of work was inherently slow.

Having merely organized the sequence of events and uncovered no truly new information, she worried that Erich, having just returned from the brink of death, might find her efforts lacking. Perhaps the retainers in a monarchy were far more devoted than she could ever be.

Just as Evening’s patience began to wear thin, Erich finally spoke.

“You worked hard. Well done.”

After a considerable pause, he offered Evening his praise, his tone gruff and unadorned.

“It’s refreshing not to have to ask multiple times. You’ve truly outdone yourself.”

The praise, delivered so casually, resonated all the more profoundly within her.

Had he praised her with effusive declarations of her greatness, she might have found it amusing, but it certainly wouldn’t have been stirring.

Indeed, such grudging praise, offered with palpable sincerity despite his wounded pride, was the pinnacle of commendation Erich, her adversary, could bestow.

“Erich…!”

Overcome with emotion, Evening clutched the bundle of papers tightly.

To be acknowledged by such a miserly individual filled her with a joy akin to a cautious cat finally settling onto one’s lap.

“You flatter me, my Lord. This is merely standard procedure.”

“I wish that were the norm. But the ministers, those rascals, all despise my questions.”

Erich, recoiling in exasperation as he revisited his memories, clicked his tongue.

He recalled the ministers who viewed his minutely detailed inquiries as an infringement upon their prerogatives.

Considering the political landscape of the past, this was hardly surprising. Both the late emperor and the monarchs before him had, upon appointing ministers, fully entrusted those domains to them.

Yet, these ministers were often not experts in their respective fields, as high positions were almost invariably reserved for nobles of prominent lineage.

Each would then seek out subordinates to delegate to, who, in turn, would hire their own, creating a chain that extended downwards until the actual practitioners of the work were reached.

The true labor was often handled by three layers of subcontracting, while the managers who initially oversaw them remained largely ignorant of the actual work—a familiar, flawed structure.

They were typical bureaucrats, but with one crucial distinction: they lacked procedural manuals, motivation, and accountability.

Their ignorance of the actual tasks meant they were disinclined to receive reports, and even when they did, they quickly forgot the contents. In such circumstances, Erich’s persistently probing questions were, of course, met with profound displeasure.

“They all lack any proper system! It seems they find it awkward to report diligently because of your youth, Erich. They shouldn’t, it truly is a shame.”

Evening, utilizing her entire body and a flurry of expressive gestures, articulated the indignation Erich might have felt. Amusingly, he found himself pleased when she championed his cause as if it were her own.

“That’s precisely why I wished to make you empress. Your father and the Grand Vizier claimed you were a meager daughter incapable of meeting my expectations, but my discernment was not mistaken.”

Erich brought his rigid countenance closer to Evening. He then pressed a kiss to Evening’s hair, a gesture one might typically reserve for family or a child.

Evening, having received a kiss upon her hair rather than her forehead, subtly raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not a child.”

Perhaps a little embarrassed, her flawless cheeks flushed with a soft, delicate hue, like a spoonful of jam swirled into milk.

Erich slowly stroked Evening’s wrist and the back of her hand, before cupping her small hand in his.

Each time her petite hand nestled within his palm, he experienced a peculiar sensation.

While holding the hand of someone he wasn’t close to would typically feel uncomfortable, Evening’s hand felt soft and comforting, like cradling a plump, docile hamster.

He gently lifted Evening’s hand, bringing it to rest against his cheek.

With his thumb, he gently caressed her soft palm, then pressed a kiss to it.

“It’s truly admirable that you work for me, Eve.”

Having reined in his indignant emotions and uttered the words of appreciation, the deep-seated knot in his chest slowly began to unravel.

The sense of injustice that his ideal retainer happened to be his adversary quickly dissipated.

That she was competent was a fact he had long known, and any ambition to govern the country effectively had long since faded from him.

He continued to press damp kisses into her palm, speaking words he didn’t truly mean.

His blunt tongue licked Evening’s palm, as if deeply kissing her with his tongue.

Evening, perhaps tickled by the intense kisses, continuously wiggled her heels.

“Just leave it to me. Since I’ve been given such excessive expectations, I’ll work myself to the bone.”

“You’re diligent. Just as the Archduke said, you are truly a model for all nobles.”

“Erich, my Lord, you just need to lie here comfortably and prepare to hear praises like, ‘You chose your wife so well,’ and ‘Having grown up surrounded by only the best, your discernment is excellent.'”

Evening continued, her voice strong, without rejecting his kisses.

“My Lord Erich’s reputation is at stake, so I will accomplish this even if it kills me. I will strive to ensure that you are never harmed again.”

Evening’s words were imbued with fierce determination.

It was a spirited and fierce resolve, much like when his rough Imperial Guards risked their lives.

Come to think of it, when did this woman start calling him by an affectionate nickname like ‘My Lord Erich’?

He had missed the timing to correct her, and now the address ‘Erich’ had become firmly established.

His own father had called him Erich, and his mother had consistently called him ‘Your Majesty’ ever since his ascension to the throne.

Of course, Erich himself had been calling Evening by the familiar short name ‘Eve,’ but Evening addressing him so intimately was a different matter entirely.

He couldn’t even recall when she had started calling him ‘My Lord Erich.’ She used it so naturally that it felt awkward to point it out now.

“Cherish your life and live. You can’t come back to life again, you know.”

When he brusquely deflected the topic, having no other choice, Evening pouted her lips.

“How kind of you. Just trust me. I’ll catch and thoroughly deal with those who harmed you, My Lord Erich.”

Evening twisted the hand Erich held, using it to cup his face. A hint of regret flickered in her eyes.

The drawback of a communication style that excessively praises the other person is that one’s true feelings are not easily conveyed in critical moments.

Right now, Evening was pouring her heart into every single word, but Erich’s expression remained somewhat awkward.

“I am on your side, My Lord Erich.”

“You are?”

“I told you I’m Your Majesty’s lackey.”

Erich recalled when he hadn’t scolded her, unsure of what ‘lackey’ meant. The resolve she had expressed then felt as fresh as yesterday.

“To be honest, back then, I decided I would become your foremost sycophant.”

“A sycophant? I’ve heard people pledge loyalty, but never to become a sycophant.”

That would indeed be the case in a rigid society with actual emperors and sycophants. However, Evening was a resident of a more lenient world where the word ‘sycophant’ could be used jokingly.

“What I mean is, I decided to be someone who offers unconditional support and affection, keeping a distance from objective criticism or harsh reprimands.”

Historically, countless examples exist of flattery ruining monarchs or affection spoiling children.

Someone who only offered pleasant words, regardless of others’ fates, could rightly be called a sycophant, even if they didn’t take bribes.

If such a person, offering unconditional support and affection, was called a sycophant, then Evening was willing to become a sycophant who sang a chorus of ‘You’re wonderful, you’re amazing, you’re magnificent, you’re excellent.’ After all, her own future was more important than the fate of the nation or Erich’s character.

“But now, things are different.”

“Are you going to strictly whip me as empress now?”

Erich folded his arms and sneered, without letting go of Evening’s hand.

Perhaps because he now knew Evening’s affectionate demeanor was a deliberate act of flattery, a chill as sharp as ice emanated from him.

“No. Back then, I had to make that decision, but now, I don’t need to make that decision anymore.”

Evening slowly pulled her hand from Erich’s cheek, a shy smile gracing her lips.

“Because I’ve already become biased towards you, My Lord Erich. Anytime, anywhere, I’m unconditionally on your side. There might be minor disagreements sometimes, but broadly speaking, I won’t ruin your success and happiness.”

“…”

“Between you and me, My Lord Erich, there will only be infinite support and blatant favoritism from now on.”

Evening’s words far exceeded Erich’s shallow expectations.