I Became The Villain's Secretary

Chapter 13

'Ah, finally my first day of work begins!' Renar was so excited since yesterday that he had trouble sleeping.

But that didn't stop him from heading to work right on time.

'I wonder if they have already searched inside Count Cortez's residence, knowing them I would say yes—?'

Renar was suddenly grabbed from behind. "Good morning Lord Renar, there has been a change of location today. We need to head to the meeting hall immediately." It was Claude, who looked tired from running.

Renar turned to him. "I understand, thank you for warning me, Lord Claude."

The man nodded and ran inside the office.

'Damn, this is definitely about Count Cortez, don't tell me Devland already killed him!?'

Renar began running down the hall, and not a single maid turned to him, but they all had pitying looks on their faces for what Renar might witness on his first day on the job as a secretary.

And as he was turning down the corridor, Renar saw a middle-aged man, one he had never seen, walking around.

"Uh, excuse me Lord, who are you?"

The man flinched, turning instantly while trembling. "Who are you?"

Renar sighed internally, already sensing his identity. "My name is Renar Borgia. I am the personal secretary of His Grace the Grand Duke."

The man's gaze lit up and he rubbed his sweaty hands. "Oh goodness...! Allow me to introduce myself, I am Count Philip Cortez."

'Hah, so he's the man who paved the way for me with his madness.'

Renar smiled. "I see. Are you heading to the meeting hall, Lord Cortez?"

The Count nodded nervously. "Yes yes..."

"Well, then I—"

The man suddenly knelt down, looking at Renar in despair. "Lord Renar, please save me!"

'Woah, I was going to give him heads up but...!'

Renar looked around. "Lord Cortez, please stand up—"

The Count was breathing heavily. "Please tell me that His Grace doesn't want to kill me!" He almost whispered.

He sighed heavily. "Lord Cortez, please stand up. And also, don't worry, I already have a solution that will ensure your life."

'Better not say anything about it, he seems too scared.' Renar had planned this plan the day before, but he didn't think he had to worry about it just the day after.

"Really? Really?! Thank goodness, oh Lord, thank you!"

'Well, I didn't think it was difficult to find out everything in one night, looking at how cowardly this one is. But oh well, who wouldn't be anxious in this situation anyway. I kind of understand it myself.'

Renar simply continued walking. "Follow me, the meeting hall is just ahead."

The Count awkwardly rose from the ground and followed Renar without saying a word.

Renar knocked on the door. "Your Grace, this is Renar knocking."

"Come in."

'Holy moly, I hope this all goes well, because his voice sounds irritated from here.'

Renar entered with Count Cortez behind him. "Greetings, Your Grace." He said, bowing, while the other man didn't dare to open his mouth, but just bowed deeply.

"Ren, come here." Devland ordered, not considering the Count.

He didn't hesitate and walked to him, where Adam and Jett were also waiting. "Your Grace, Lord Claude is coming with the necessary documents."

And right on cue, Claude knocked on the door and walked in, with a stack of documents in hand.

Renar silently took them, then passed them into Devland's hand.

"Philip Cortez." The room became cold within a second. “I see you enjoyed using the money I invested for your own stuff.”

The Count knelt down without even hesitating, already crying. "Please spare me—"

"Giving such a large sum to Roths...do you even have any idea of how much trouble you caused?"

Roths. A very famous organization that sells many illegal products from other empires, such as weapons, artifacts and poisonous stuff.

But obviously, dealing with Roths brings only negative consequences, including countless debts that can even reach billions of Verus.

Not to mention the legal consequences, because Roths is not a small and unknown organization, it has been around for a long time and has grown a lot over the years. Even the Imperial family has been working hard for years to stop them.

'Well, the Roths organization was never specified in the novel so I don't think I should worry about them too much, but still, I've been here for years now and I know all about it, the fact that a Count would get into such trouble...is a bit surprising.'

Devland nodded to Adam.

"Now, by His Grace's permission." He announced, reading the documents. "I will read the crimes committed by Count Cortez, which are the following: fraud, embezzlement, collusion with an illegal organization and corruption, possession of slaves and material not permitted within the official borders of the Diell Empire."

Devland didn't bother to say a word and was already getting up.

"Your Grace." Renar whispered. "If you allow me, what kind of consequences do you want the Count to suffer?"

Devland stopped, slowly turned his head toward him and raised an eyebrow. "Death?"

Renar was about to facepalm, but stopped right in time. 'Damn, he didn't even hesitate, and to think I have to make this man normal.'

"I don't think it's worth it, Your Grace." Renar remarks, sighing.

'Let's pull this card, it should be enough to convince him...I think.'

Devland looked at him curiously. "Why?"

"Well, death would be too heavy, don't you think, Your Grace? Besides, there are more suitable punishments in these situations."

He raised an eyebrow. "Like?"

“The best solution would be to seize all property and assets at his disposal…and then throw him in jail for some time.” Renar says with a smile, the Count flinched at that.

Devland stared at him for some time, everyone was a little anxious, who even dared to question his decision?

"Mh, no, I don't want to." He said, blank faced, but his narrowed eyes made it obvious that he was enjoying himself, because at the end of the day, he doesn't care about the Count's life one bit, so why not using it as a mean to see Renar's reactions?

Renar was disappointed. "Yet this might be more favorable for Your Grace. Why don't you try?"

It was almost as if he was offering broccoli to a naughty child.

Devland took a good look at the disappointed face, and felt annoyed. "All right." He said, staring at Renar. "I will do as you advised then."

Adam almost gasped at the hilarious situation, since when does the capricious Grand Duke try to please someone?

“Very good, and what about the sentence, Your Grace?” Claude slowly asked, still weirded out by the whole situation.

Everyone gulped.

"Mhh, I'd say he can stay there for life." Devland said with a smile.

While Renar was about to facepalm again, but resisted the strong urge like before. 'Well, this is a start...?'