107

“Haa, haa.”

After a long while, our lips finally parted. A thin thread lingered, and he lazily swept away every last trace clinging to my mouth.

My heart pounded wildly. I couldn’t tell if it was from the lack of air or the urgency of the kiss.

‘Why is he so good at this?’

He had a skill that made me doubt his lifelong singleness. Do high nobles get lessons for this too?

His red eyes were still heated. He squeezed them shut, then opened them again. When our gazes met, he raised a hand to cover his face.

“Sorry. I should’ve been gentler… I couldn’t restrain myself.”

His ear, his neck, even the hand over his eyes were flushed.

‘After doing it all so thoroughly, suddenly acting shy.’

I felt embarrassed for no reason.

“Duke.”

“…”

“Duke.”

“…”

He seemed to need time to calm down. I forced my racing heart to steady and looked at him. The fatigue of a long day faded as our senses sharpened toward each other. The Duke lowered the hand covering his face a little and peered out.

“…Could you call me by my name?”

I was momentarily at a loss, then a small smile crept across my lips.

Ah, seriously. Isn’t he just too cute?

“Then, shall we talk later about what we’ll call each other?”

When our eyes met again, the Duke moved closer and pulled me into his arms. As we sat, I felt his firm abs more than his chest.

“Mm.”

‘If this is what overtime is like, it might be worth it.’

“Have you come, Chancellor?”

The head chamberlain of the Imperial Household escorted me to the sofa after I finished a second consultation with Prince Raven.

The Imperial Household, the building right next to the Imperial Palace, was clearly placed close because its members were the Emperor’s right hand. The chamberlain, who should always be beside the Emperor, had been briefly absent to present the title and fief the Emperor himself had granted me.

“Hello, Chamberlain.”

I had only seen him at banquets or audiences, so I bowed politely. He brewed tea with practiced hands and handed a cup to me.

“You should use different titles according to your rank now. I know you’re not used to it yet, but just call me Chamberlain.”

“But my title is Viscount. And there’s a big age gap, so it’s not easy.”

“If it were a private meeting, following titles would be appropriate, but here in the Imperial Palace there’s no one who can address the Chancellor by a lower title. Keep that in mind.”

If respecting elders was considered weak in this world, that needed correcting. Rank and title came before age here.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Also, there’s been a slight change to your title.”

That was news to me.

“His Majesty said the Viscount title is insufficient for the Chancellor and has elevated you to Count.”

“…”

Within just a few months, my title had been raised a rank.

‘I’m not surprised anymore.’

It wasn’t even done after asking my opinion. Having learned to expect this, I accepted it calmly. The Chamberlain, however, seemed to read my composure differently.

“Indeed, judging by age alone would be foolish—your capacity is great. I was foolish to think you’d be happy.”

I didn’t bother to correct him. I had one question.

“Did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also agree to this?”

The Chamberlain’s face hardened.

“This is what the Emperor, the ruler of the Empire, decides—what does the Crown Prince’s opinion have to do with it?”

So the Crown Prince didn’t know. I inwardly smirked imagining his expression when he found out. The Chamberlain had been present at the Emperor’s private meeting via the Minister of Finance, so there was no point hiding it.

“I’ve heard the Crown Prince had a large influence in me becoming Chancellor. If I want to survive, I need to know how things are moving around me. I was suddenly made a chess piece without warning.”

My mouth tasted bitter as I spoke.

“…”

The Chamberlain no longer showed displeasure. The wrinkled old man’s eyes were ambiguous, as if he understood but withheld comment. I met his gaze without adding anything.

“The Libertas fief is here.”

He opened a map and pointed to a region next to the Duchy of the Duke of Ariadne. If I’d known there was a male romance involved, they would never have given me that fief.

‘At least it’s certain the Emperor doesn’t dislike me.’

The Duchy of the Duke of Ariadne was a coastal golden land, well known as the Emperor’s favored nephew’s domain—gifted after wartime achievements. The fief beside it wasn’t a duchy in size, but it was enough for its inhabitants to live comfortably.

“That’s fine.”

Perhaps it was meant to placate me in case I was pushed out of the Chancellorship. I wouldn’t accept it meekly.

‘I’ll repay them with loyalty for the empire’s people.’

I curled one corner of my mouth inward.

The Chamberlain confirmed the schedule for transferring the title—about a month from now.

“Very well, we’ll proceed like this. Beforehand, visiting the fief once would help with management. A residence in the capital for you will also be allocated soon. If there’s anything else you need, please say so at any time. I will assist.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Learning the Chamberlain was elderly, I awkwardly presented the tea gift set I’d prepared. Talk of titles and ranks made things feel strange.

“I was taught not to visit elders empty-handed. Please accept it as a token of respect.”

Resolved to be proudly arrogant from now on, as Count of Libertas, I thought I’d boast to Miss Kiara.

“So, you’re saying you’re dating the Duke?”

My office romance was exposed to Pinea and Nicola, who had come over to my house. Pinea had been pestering me, saying my mood had changed lately. Surprisingly, neither reacted with shock—just a casual curiosity.

“Isn’t he the boss who made you want to quit so much?”

“You… did you get some divine revelation?”

“What are you talking about. He’s easy to read if you know how.”

Even Nicola chimed in from the side.

“You went to a banquet together, right? He escorted you. Marcella told me everything. They say his gaze was no joke.”

When on earth did he tell them that?

“But… you’re so calm about it?”

Pinea rifled through the dresses in my wardrobe and jotted notes. It would probably reach Miss Kiara. Nicola sipped tea, lost in thought.

“Did you think we’d make a fuss because there’s a status gap between you and the Duke?”

“Well… that’s true.”

That was something you’d hear even in the modern world: me dating a magnate would be a scandal.

“I think you’re cute, though.”

“What?”

Pinea closed her notebook and settled at the tea table.

“Hey, even if it’s just empty words, there’s a difference.”

“Of course there’s a difference in birth status. But do you know what I felt while at the Marquess’s residence?”

She spread out her beloved gossip papers. One article seemed to be about me: ‘Youngest female chancellor’s dresses: let’s examine her work outfits!’ They’d sketched the looks I’d worn. Since leaving the Marquess’s residence, I hadn’t followed society or gossip at all, so I had no idea such things were circulating. I blinked to make sure it was real.

“It’s not easy to overcome that with ability alone. There aren’t many who try. Look at this—what you’ve done so far.”

Pinea’s orange-tinged brown eyes fixed on me.

“So what if? You earned your title and position on your own. Whatever the higher-ups’ dark motives, that’s a fact. Whether you date the Duke or not doesn’t change that. To me, that’s more impressive.”

“Hey…”

“You weren’t aiming for social climbing, were you? Just date for fun.”

Nicola nodded beside her.

“Right. Meet him, and if you don’t like him, break up.”

“I… okay.”

I started to doubt whether I was truly in a medieval fantasy world. My friends were so chill I felt like adding another layer of formality.

After that, we exchanged updates. Nicola said his father refused to come to Resera because he didn’t want to burden his son.

“Even though we said we could cover the medical costs, he still refused. I think he doesn’t like the idea of leaving Ophel and living alone in Resera.”

“It must be hard for him to work in that condition…”

Pinea said she worried. After visiting Ophel, I’d been thinking about how important health was.

“Don’t Nicola’s family consider living in Resera? How about getting treatment and finding work here afterward?”

Nicola shook his head.

“It’s not that we haven’t thought about it, but it’s impossible right now. The house I live in isn’t big enough for the whole family.”

“Then how about staying at my house for a while?”

“What?”

Nicola’s eyes widened.

“There are plenty of guest rooms. After I receive the fief, a residence in the capital will be assigned. Usually high nobles buy a new mansion they like, but I don’t want to go that far. This house will be vacated, so if you’re okay with it, I want Pinea and Nicola’s family to stay here.”

“Me, too?”

Pinea jumped. I smiled and nodded.

“You want to live with your father and brother too, don’t you?”

“Coco… still.”

I spoke firmly.

“I’m not giving the house away for free. It’s definitely in my name. I’m just going to… make the rent cheaper.”

“…Thank you, Coco. I’ll tell my father right away.”

“Me too!”

Nicola’s face warmed. Pinea couldn’t hide her blush.

“Anyway, I think I should go see the place that will become my fief soon. Until then, take good care of our siblings.”

Pinea, who’d been staring at the map, suddenly said:

“It’s next to the Duke’s domain. How about asking the Duke to go with you?”

“What?”

Inspecting a fief wasn’t a day trip. I’d need several days off… travel alone with the Duke?

“Aren’t you moving too fast?”