Prologue

Seraphina Empire Chancellery. Business hours.

“Coco, you’re here again.”

Elysia called softly as if signaling. I, focused on the administrative regulation revisions underway, raised an eyebrow and looked up.

Again?

A tall man with cool, violet-tinged gray hair neatly swept to one side strode in with elegant, long steps.

“Secretary Cornelia, are you busy?”

I stood up and politely greeted the Duke of the Seraphina Empire, the next Archduke, and the head of the Ministry of Justice.

“Hello, Supreme Justice. Not at all. What is it?”

His gaze, with red eyes that seemed to drip coldness, fixed on me.

“Requesting cooperation. Come to the Ministry of Justice this evening.”

At that moment there were small sighs here and there. I looked at the calendar on my desk.

‘How many weeks has this been?’

My patience was slowly reaching its limit.

“Yes. Understood.”

But like a workplace veteran, I responded with a flawless smile. After he left, disgruntled voices erupted here and there.

“Seriously, does he think Chancellery staff are subordinates of the Ministry of Justice?”

“Exactly. Even if the acting chancellor, the Minister of Finance, allowed it, it’s too much—it’s not just one or two days.”

“Look at Secretary’s complexion. Who works overtime every day for weeks on end without a break? And for another team’s work!”

“It’s because Secretary is exceptional. There are so many cooperation requests from all over. These days the Supreme Justice practically monopolizes her.”

One of the assistant clerks sighed heavily and said gloomily.

“We can’t. How could we refuse the requests of the next Archduke and current Duke, the youngest Supreme Justice…”

Everyone’s mouths stuck out in complaint as if there was no good solution. But my thoughts were different.

“Why can’t you? Just do it.”

The Chancellery people’s eyes widened as if they’d pop out. When I flashed a clear, bright smile, someone pressed their hand to their forehead as if in pain, and a few assistant clerks who had only recently arrived blinked in confusion.

At first I judged there were parts I could help with, so I cooperated on the work. I was also curious about the work-handling ability of the Empire’s top “spec” man. If it hadn’t been for his direct designation, there would actually have been such a status gap that we couldn’t work face-to-face like this.

“Perfect. Good work, Secretary Cornelia.”

A fantastic smile lit his usually cold face. It was genuinely pleasing to see him satisfied with the work I had done. I also appreciated his sculpted features. But that was as far as it went. Looking at a celebrity face was enough.

‘I’m going to die from overwork now.’

The youngest Supreme Justice, unaware of this, picked up the thick stack of documents beside him.

“I think it would be good to discuss this work together tomorrow.”

Even roughly, it’s at least a week’s worth of overtime. I stared at him and spoke.

“I’m sorry, Supreme Justice, but I don’t think I’ll be able to help because I don’t have the time.”

He replied casually.

“Alright, then let’s do it the next day.”

“I think that’ll be difficult then too.”

“Then the day after.”

“I’m sorry, but that day will be difficult as well.”

For a moment he paused and asked again.

“Is that so? Then when do you think you’ll be available?”

I smiled lightly as if in ordinary conversation and answered.

“I think it’ll continue to be difficult from now on.”

“…What?”

His hand, which had been flipping through the documents, stopped right there. I neatly organized the papers on the desk and said.

“Is it normal for Chancellery staff to work overtime every day for the Ministry of Justice’s tasks? It’s interfering with my primary duties. At this rate I’ll end up with a desk at the Ministry of Justice.”

Somehow he looked frozen like a stone, but that couldn’t be. He simply hadn’t expected me to refuse so directly. His position was that much higher.

But since I’d helped without complaint until now, I had no intention of backing down.

“Instead of making staff from other teams work overtime like this, it might be better to bring a reliable subordinate into the Ministry of Justice. Unlike you, Duke, I value life after work too, you know.”

“……”

“I’ll help sometimes though. About once a month? That’s me making a big concession. See you tomorrow then.”

I packed my bag, bowed politely, and left the office.

I left the building and was walking quickly toward the main gate when I heard footsteps running up from behind. I turned and it was the next Archduke.

He kept his mouth tightly shut with a face that showed he couldn’t accept something. His usually confident, arrogant gaze flickered like a candle.

“…What are you going to do by leaving early?”

His voice sounded like he’d forced out words he’d been trying to swallow.

Things to do after work? Too many. It’s useless to look at me pitifully with that handsome face.

Still, through our collaborative projects we’d developed a fair share of fondness and annoyance. I grumbled the easiest excuse.

“I’m going on a date with my boyfriend.”

For some reason the Supreme Justice had no reply.

“…You have a lover?”

When he finally spoke after a long moment, his voice seemed to tremble.

‘Is it that shocking that I’m dating?’

Soon I corrected myself to prevent pointless office gossip.

“I’m trying to get one now. By leaving early.”

“Ha.”

The Empire’s top “spec” man let out a long sigh. For someone for whom everything, himself included, is top-tier, my wish may have seemed pathetic and trivial.

He slicked his hair back at a jaunty angle and then slowly approached me.

No matter what he said, I no longer intended to do overtime on work unrelated to the Chancellery. I was running out of energy.

His bold yet delicate features revealed in the moonlight were admirable, but I wasn’t shaken. After seeing him so much for two months, I had built up some immunity.

His hands gently took my shoulders as if to embrace them. I was slightly surprised but composed.

“I’ll gladly be that lover.”

“…What?”

My mind went blank for a moment.

“I’m saying I’ll be your lover.”

Before I knew it my perfect poker face crumbled and an unfiltered reply burst out.

“Are you crazy?”

Meanwhile, the handsome man in front of me smiled with satisfaction as if he’d completely regained his composure.