"So, what are your qualifications, Ryan? Why do you think I should make you, my secretary?" asked Caroline.
Ryan was a young man in his twenties. He had blue eyes and brown hair. His clothes were simple, and he looked quite cute, especially because of his glasses.
Straightening his back, Ryan replied, "Your Majesty, I know it very well that I qualified the examination along with five other candidates. But all of them are nobles, whereas... I am a commoner. If I were to become your secretary, I believe Your Majesty would highly benefit by it."
"I see. But if that's the only reason, then don't bother. I can just appoint a few commoners to be a part of the 'Welfare Department.' They won't disagree."
"Yes, Your Majesty. You are indeed correct. That's why I will point out some other points."
"Oh? Let's hear it then."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. You see, the other candidates are nobles... which meant they would try to use you for their personal affairs. They would gain personal favours for their respective clan." Ryan pushed up his glasses, hesitation was evident on his face. "There is also another point, Your Majesty."
Caroline raised her eyebrows at his words. She asked, "Tell me then."
Pointing at himself, Ryan said, "I... am better looking than them... I am cute. It would be good for your eyes to have a handsome man like me... around you." He closed his eyes after he finished his sentence. His face was red.
Trisa's eyelids twitched at his shamelessness. How could someone 'sell' himself to her master by relying on his looks?
"Hmmm... I am impressed. But I have to ask, are you flirting with me?" asked Caroline.
Trisa's eyes widened. Did her master really like beautiful faces?
Ryan blushed heavily. With a squeaky voice, he answered, "Yes... I mean, no! I was... j-just making... a-a p-point..."
"Is that so? Ryan, do you dislike me then? To be honest, I liked your 'sales' pitch."
"Eh? Really?" Ryan's eyes shined brightly like jewels. He wasn't a 'face-lover,' yet the moment he laid his eyes on the empress... his heartbeat quickened. Did he fall in love with the empress? On the very first meeting?
Caroline nodded, "Ryan, I do like your looks. Besides, you are talented. Being a commoner, you really outdid yourself. I like people who break their boundaries, to impose themselves on others. But I also like obedient people." She stood and walked towards him.
Ryan gulped as the empress's face appeared right in front of him.
She caressed his face with her hand and whispered into his ears.
"Are you obedient, Ryan? Are you willing to dirty your hands for me?"
Caroline's hot breath hit his ears, heating them up rapidly. It was making him feel very uncomfortable.
Trisa cleared her throat and asked, "Should I give you some space, Your Majesty?"
Caroline said, "You can go if you want to."
Trisa bowed and immediately left the room.
"You haven't answered me yet, Ryan. Do you want this job?" hissed Caroline.
He nodded frantically. This job was his dream job. Not only he could help his village with this job, but also, he could stay by the empress's side.
Mimi was looking at their interaction with shocked eyes. Last time, he had to seal himself in a 'dark' room, otherwise he would have been traumatized by its hosts antics.
Did that kid really fall in love with its host?
'Mimi, stop saying these things out loud.'
The white ball reddened and squeaked, "Sorry!"
'It's okay, Mimi. You are an idiotic white ball. It would be useless for me to scold you. What were thinking? Oh, I remember. You think Ryan fell in love with me?'
"Did he though?" Mimi was curious to know the answer.
'It's just a schoolboy crush. I have seen countless boys falling in love with just a single glance. Honestly, their oxytocin is really high. This boy... if he likes me, then why not use him? Loyalty wouldn't be a problem if he likes me.'
Why did its host always think about using someone for her personal gains? Couldn't she just be moved by his crush on her?
"Tell me, Ryan." Caroline urged. Her thumb pressed on his lips, parting them apart, adding her middle finger into his mouth.
"Host, should I go to my 'dark' room?! As a 'cute' system, it would be bad for me to see these adult contents. It might traumatize me permanently."
'Then, just go. It's really difficult for me to hear your constant yapping about everything. So, just go, will you?'
Mimi pouted and went inside its dark room, sealing itself off from the outside world.
Caroline pulled out her finger from his mouth, and observed his features closely. Unlike the men she had met since the moment she arrived into this world; Ryan was quite delicate. If he were to cross-dress, he would look like a cute girl. On top of that, his height was less than hers.
"I-I... w-w-will... Y-Your... M-Majesty... I-I..." Ryan stuttered. If this continued any longer, he would definitely faint.
"Great! I am glad that you made the right decision." Caroline straightened herself, patting his head as if he was a puppy. Then again, in her eyes... Ryan was a 'big' puppy.
She went back to her seat and pushed some papers towards Ryan. "Read them properly. Also, put your signature on the last page. I need these papers by tomorrow afternoon. Now, go."
"Is t-that all... Your Majesty?" asked Ryan.
Caroline smirked, "Should I give you a goodbye kiss?"
Ryan shook his head in denial. He could sense something dangerous hidden in her words.
"N-n-no... Your Majesty, I... thank you..."
"Hmmm... Ryan, I am expecting good things from you. So, take some rest and come tomorrow. Don't forget those papers. Now, off you go."
Ryan stood up awkwardly from his seat. Bowing, he practically bolted from the room.
Caroline's smirk widened at his actions. That boy was really cute, especially the bulge in his pants.