[S-she signed it . . .]
Raymond repeatedly blinked as Arabella made her list official.
’Sorry. I have to get these people by my side,’ she thought as she saw the disappointnt on Raymond’s face when his chance to poach so talents slipped away. He quickly recovered though.
[There’s no ti to feel down. This is a selection for Her Majesty’s assistants so whatever she decides is final. I’ll just get so of those who perford well.]
Raymond listed five nas and used his seal as well. He was not planning to get new assistants but when he saw the candidates were exceptionally capable, he decided to hire so of them.
Alwin replicated Arabella’s list into seven copies and gave one each to the five ministers, one for Raymond and one for Raymond’s assistants who would announce the results. He did the sa to Raymond’s list.
The ministers’ faces were filled with dread when they realized the best ones were, of course, already picked by Arabella and Raymond.
Still, all the candidates perford very well in all the tasks so it was rather a close fight.
The five ministers discussed among themselves to divide the remaining candidates among themselves based on who among them suited their departnts. Their discussion went on for a while until everyone was satisfied.
And so, the announcent ti finally ca.
"Greet Her Majesty, Empress Arabella Lobelius Valeria, and His Excellency Pri Minister Raymond Reginald," the courtier announced.
The curtains were drawn so candidates could finally see that Raymond and Arabella were there.
There were gasps here and there as they realized that the Pri Minister and Empress were both there right from the start.
[I thought there were knights guarding everywhere to prevent cheating. They were actually here to protect Her Majesty and His Excellency?!!]
[Did I behave properly all this ti?!]
[I have to make a good impression.]
[I was calm and collected the whole ti, right?!]
[I didn’t disgrace my family in any way, right?!]
[Her Majesty is so beautiful!]
[A goddess??!]
[Should I have dressed better today?!!]
Various thoughts flooded Arabella before the candidates recalled to bow and greet. They were pale and stiff as they nervously waited for the announcent.
"Her Majesty had chosen ten assistants. Everyone whose na shall be called, please rise and co forward."
The candidates felt hopeful and excited upon hearing she would get ten.
Arabella had asked that her list be announced in reverse order. The tenth person was announced first followed by the ninth and so on.
The candidates were mostly from noble houses. Only a minority were commoners. Thus, announcing Ivan first would crush the confidence and pride of the nobles and might cause them to hate Ivan and cause trouble for him later.
She had witnessed it several tis before in her previous life and tolerated it. But now, she didn’t want it to happen.
"Egbert Vertus," the courtier began announcing.
[?! That was right?] Egbert glanced at the people around him and when he realized everyone was looking at him, he realized it was truly his na that was announced first.
Egbert was shocked to be the first person to be called but he was elated to be hired.
[I will be working for Her Majesty! Everyone in Vertus would be proud, right? They would be so happy I got such an important job.]
Egbert calmly walked to the stage and bowed to Arabella before standing at the side. He contained his joy inside him.
"Felix Orville."
[I’m hired? I will be working for the Empress?!]
Felix was teary-eyed as he bead brightly and walk up the stage. He bowed his head to her in gratitude for getting picked.
[My brothers’ would believe in now, right?]
Felix was eager to share the news with his family.
"Norbert Fidelis."
[As expected. I did well in all the tasks. I was sure I would be hired.]
Norbert was not at all surprised and elegantly walked to the stage and bowed to her before standing beside Felix.
"Denzel Farrell."
[My na is announced before that girl? I had higher scores than her right?]
He was already sure he would get hired.
Denzel was much more worried about his score compared to Narcissa of Ryvaleh.
[I HAVE TO GET HIRED! I have to get hired.] Narcissa glared at Denzel.
[I’d rather die than lose to soone from Farrell. My family won’t forgive .]
’Was Clarisse’s family that strict?’ Arabella wondered as Narcissa kept panicking when her na was not called yet.
"Oscar Maximus."
[Mm. Grandfather would be proud of .]
Oscar walked like a knight and bowed like a knight. The other candidates look terrified of his huge body but he was not bothered by it.
"Ronald Reginald."
[I’m glad I’ll work for the Empress instead of my brother. I don’t want to work as his assistant.]
Ronald glanced at Raymond before walking up the stage and bowing to Arabella.
"Narcissa Ryvaleh."
[Finally! I thought I was going to die from waiting!]
Narcissa sighed in relief and gave Denzel a glance before walking up the stage and bowing to Arabella.
When Narcissa stood beside Ronald she glanced and smiled at the candidates from noble households Ryvaleh had the closest ties with.
[All of them are from the most prestigious noble houses in the empire. I see. This is how it’s going to be. They shouldn’t have summoned here if they were not going to hire anyway even after I got a perfect score in all the tasks. Is it once again because I am a commoner and had no powerful background?]
Ivan was feeling bitter. He thought all the assistants Arabella hired were all from the most powerful houses.
[I, I would get hired, right? Please hire . Please hire . . .] Odette was also beginning to lose confidence when she realized that everyone was from prestigious houses so far.
Prudencia was a declining household and didn’t have much power anymore.
[I, I did my best. I’m just a Chief’s daughter. I am nothing compared to them. But I cannot go back to Safiro empty-handed. If the Empress will not hire , then anyone else from the Head Ministers will also do. Should I go and beg them for work once the announcent was over?]
Nadia was already shifting to another plan when she realized she might not get hired at all.
’Oh my. Now I’ve crushed their confidence. Should I show them my list later?’
Arabella didn’t intend to make them feel disappointed and left out.
"Odette Prudencia," the courtier announced and Odette, Nadia, and Ivan all looked up in shock.
[T-the gods heard my prayers!]
Odette thanked all the gods she knew as she walked to the stage.
[Thank you, Your Majesty. I will forever be grateful.] Odette bowed deeply.
[Prudencia household is powerless. Their dukedom is not in good condition as well. Why would Her Majesty hire her?] Ivan kept staring at Odette. The others could even mistake him to have fallen in love.
But to Ivan, Odette getting hired was a ray of hope. He got nervous once again as he thought he might still have a chance.
[I have t her before when my tribe was not yet conquered. Her family is not powerful in the empire. I heard the Prudencia Kingdom was not in good condition too. Does this an I also have a chance?]
Nadia also gazed at Odette as her ray of hope.
"Nadia Safiro."
[Did I just hear my na? It was my na right?] Nadia blinked repeatedly and gawked at the courtier. She gulped when no one else was walking to the stage and everyone was looking around. No one knew a re Chieftain’s daughter, they didn’t know her appearance.
"Nadia Safiro," the courtier repeated.
[Eh? It’s really ! I’M HIRED!!!]
Nadia was overjoyed. Tears of joy and relief escaped her eyes and she quickly dried them before walking to the stage.
[Thank you for this opportunity, Your Majesty. You have saved a lot of Safiro children from starving. I pray you live a long life and allow to work by your side as long as you live.]
Nadia bowed longer than the others before walking to Odette’s side.
’Saving children?’ Arabella gulped as she recalled Fermin. She knew what it was like to lose her precious child.
"Ivan yer," the courtier finally announced and Ivan heaved a deep sigh of relief.
[I’m hired! I knew I was going to get hired. What was I so nervous about?] He scolded himself as he walked to the stage.
[I hope Your Majesty will be a good superior.] Ivan thought as he bowed.
Everyone applauded the ten who succeeded to be chosen as Arabella’s assistants.
The copies of her list vanished after the announcent was made. Only the one in her hand remained.
All her assistants were ushered to a room where a al was prepared for them as a celebratory gift from her.
anwhile, Arabella remained seated since the courtier was not yet done with his announcents.
But thinking otherwise, the candidates sighed in defeat with various thoughts in their heads.
They thought they were going to go ho defeated.
Thus, they were elated when the announcents kept going and everyone actually got hired even if not by Arabella.
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