Chapter 107

“Haa, haa.”

After a long while, the lips that had met finally parted. A thin thread lingered, but he lazily swept away every last trace that clung to my lips.

My heart pounded wildly. I couldn’t tell if it was because I couldn’t breathe or because of the urgent kiss.

‘Why is he so good at this.’

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

His red eyes were still heated. He squeezed them shut and opened them once. When our eyes met, he raised a hand to cover his own eyes.

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

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

‘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 also tried to steady my racing heart and looked at him. The fatigue of a day piled with work vanished as our senses sharpened toward each other. The Duke slightly lowered the hand that had covered his face and peeked out, saying:

“…Could you call me by my name?”

I was momentarily at a loss for words, then a small smile crept to 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 suddenly pulled me into his arms. Sitting down, 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 I visited for the first time was the building right next to the Imperial Palace. I assumed it was placed close because these people were practically the Emperor’s right hand.

The reason he, who should always be beside the Emperor, was briefly absent was to present the title and fief that the Emperor himself had granted.

“Hello, Chamberlain.”

I had only seen him during banquets or audiences, so I was slightly nervous and bowed politely. He skillfully brewed tea himself and served it 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 come before age in this world.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

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

It 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 by one rank.

‘I’m not surprised anymore.’

It wasn’t even done after asking my opinion.

Having learned to expect this, I accepted it calmly. But the Chamberlain seemed to read it 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 only 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 twisted expression when he found out. I knew the Chamberlain had been present in 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 saying he understood but didn’t. I met his gaze without comment.

“The Libertas fief is here.”

The Chamberlain opened a map and pointed to a region. It was next to the Duchy of the Duke of Ariadne. If I had 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 is a coastal golden land. It was well known how much the Emperor favored his nephew; he had given that golden land upon his return from wartime achievements. The fief next to it wasn’t comparable in size to a duchy, but it was sufficient for the inhabitants to live off.

“That’s fine.”

Perhaps this was meant to placate me if I were to be pushed out of the Chancellorship. But I couldn’t accept it so meekly.

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

I curled one corner of my mouth slightly inwards.

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.”

Hearing that the Chamberlain was elderly, I awkwardly placed the tea gift set I had prepared. The 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.”

Resolving 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 came over to my house. Pinea had persistently interrogated me, saying my mood had changed lately. Surprisingly, neither of them reacted with shock or disbelief; they were just… normal. Oh, I see, that much?

“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 down things to reference. It would probably reach Miss Kiara’s ears. Nicola sat sipping 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.”

This was something you’d hear even in the modern world. Me dating a magnate? Everyone would be freaking out over the gap.

“I think you’re cute, though.”

“What?”

Pinea closed her notebook and sat back 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 on the table. There was an article that seemed to be about me.

‘Youngest female chancellor’s dresses: let’s examine her work outfits!’

She had drawn pictures of 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 ridiculous things were circulating. I blinked widely to confirm it was real. The article remained before my eyes.

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

Pinea’s orange-tinged brown eyes stared at me intently.

“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 I should put on another layer.

After that, we shared various 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 it worried her. After visiting Ophel, I had been thinking about something.

“How important health is. 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 in surprise. 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 flushed expression either.

“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 had 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 isn’t a day trip. I’d need several days off… travel alone with the Duke?

“Aren’t you moving too fast?”