I Became The Villain's Secretary

Chapter 18

'Phew, I've finally been given permission to walk around, plus the dances are finally over.'

Of course, the sweet music was still flowing, waiting for other people to dance in the center of the big hall, since they're not formally over, but the important dances are usually the first six and the last of the night.

Furthermore, this is the most important occasion that takes place at the Imperial palace, many nobles gather here, ready to establish their businesses, find future partners or finally propose to their spouses.

'Let's go and hunt my allies!' Renar walked confidently inside the spacious hall, many stared at him with curiosity, others whispered shameful words or tried to approach him.

'Gosh how come I'm more stared than His Grace?' He wonders, sighing internally. 'And why are so many minors approaching me? Dancing with Lady Delilah has had an effect on a worrying level, I feel like I've underestimated this specific part of the culture even though it's been years since I came here.'

The reason is simply that he has very rarely been to ceremonies, besides Renar never had a relationship neither in this nor in his past life.

He could say he didn't have the time for something so deep when he was still in his original world, but here that simply doesn't apply because he was generally free to do whatever he wanted before becoming Devland's secretary...so to be honest Renar simply didn't have any interest in it.

'There she is." Renar managed to spot the first indispensable Lady for his plan, standing drinking a glass of water, she seemed impenetrable.

Eloise Stuyvesant. The Dowager Countess.

'It's just as I thought, no woman or man would want to approach her, even though I never met her I can tell that her personality is cold.'

Despite this, the woman was respected, but strangely enough she was never specified in the novel, so Renar was in a certain sense calmer, at least he didn't have unnecessary prejudices, to put it bluntly.

But why her as the first ally? Very simple, Renar wanted to be cautious.

Earldoms are part of the high nobility, but according to the hierarchy it is lower on a lower position than the others, therefore it has fewer connections with the Imperial family, just as Devland likes it.

So if Renar approaches people with potential, not strongly connected to the Imperial family, who nevertheless can become greater, then everything will be easier for the Grand Duke, who is quite diffident.

Adam tried to do the same thing with Count Cortez, not with the same intent in mind obviously, but either way he failed, because he was revealed to be in contact with Roths. Renar paid way more attention though.

He was sure this Countess wasn't one to joke around with illegal stuff, and was actually quite cautious. So, who would refuse help from the second most influential man in the Empire, especially if you need it? Surely her. Besides Renar knew how to be convincing.

It should also be said that Devland is different from both the novel and the rumors, so Renar isn't that worried about their interactions either.

'When I presented my plan to Devland, he seemed quite pleased too, so this will most likely go smoothly.'

Furthermore, the fact that there is a profit for both parties is a huge advantage.

Renar approached the corner where Eloise Stuyvesant stood. She didn't look directly at him, instead her gaze was fixed on the moving crowd. However, the slight tightening of her grip on the glass told him that she had noticed his approach.

'Perfect.' He stopped a few feet away and bowed slightly, his tone calm and respectful as he spoke. "Greetings, Lady Stuyvesant. I hope the evening finds you well."

Her sharp eyes flickered towards him. She tilted her head, the faintest gesture of recognition, before responding in a measured tone. "Lord Renar."

'Woah, just that? So awkward...'

Renar offered a small, polite smile, keeping his hands at his sides to convey openness. "It is not every day that I have the opportunity to speak with someone of your insight and reputation. I must admit, I have admired you for a very long time."

Her gaze narrowed slightly, as though testing the sincerity of his words. "Flattery often masks intentions, Lord Renar."

'Hah, she quite literally went straight to the point.'

Still, Renar maintained a smooth tone, he already knew, since he grew up with three sisters, Ladies are far more perceptive than any man. “Certainly not, Lady Stuyvesant, I am simply of the opinion that there is much opportunity.”

She opened her fan, placing it in front of the first half of her own face. "Opportunity you say? For whom?"

The real question she was asking was, 'Am I the one you need or dare you say I need you?'

But Renar was hardly a shameless Lord. "For everyone, of course."

Lady Stuyvesant stared at Renar for a few seconds. "I think it's the right time for a change of scenery, what do you think?" She proposed, closing her fan.

Renar bowed slightly and approached the Lady politely, placing his arm in front of her as support for her.

Lady Stuyvesant accepted the gesture, and the two began walking towards one of the exits that led to the gardens.

'This will be the first time I see an Imperial garden, I'm curious.'

He turned his head towards Lady Stuyvesant as the guards opened the doors for them, "My Lady, I am not very familiar with the layout of the gardens unfortunately, I hope you don't mind if we sit on one of the benches—"

Renar was blinded, and stopped midsentence to see the absolute beauty of the garden before him.

'Beautiful.' Maybe it's because the flowers that existed in his previous life didn't exist here, but even if it were, Renar doesn't think he's ever seen anything so beautiful. 'Estelle was passionate about gardening, if she had had these flowers to plant, she would have gone crazy...' He almost chuckled at the thought.

Meanwhile Lady Stuyvesant was watching him, it was rare to see a young man so fascinated by such a thing.

'Ah, it seems this old woman has forgotten the beauty of flowers.' There was a small but genuine smile as she turned to admire the garden with Renar.