114

Has the break been broken?

I didn’t know much about the marriage culture here. Most of the people I knew were still unmarried. Lucius was married, but he didn’t seem like the right person to ask about in-laws. Still, years of living as a K-office worker had left me with a vague anxiety about a partner’s parents.

“And they’re a Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, right? That’s intense.”

Seeing his wolfish face—like a hopeful, worried puppy waiting for my answer—I found myself curious about his family.

“He said his family was relatively harmonious.”

His upright values and diligence felt like things that must have been nurtured at home. Would others judge him by the same standards? I worried that, since Cornelia’s parents were deceased, I might be looked down upon.

“Don’t feel pressured; I’m not saying we have to go see them right now. It’s just that they’ve never met anyone I’ve dated, so if they find out they might frantically try to learn everything.”

My boyfriend. The Empire’s top elite with perfect specs. Any family close to him would certainly know he was single from birth.

Which meant…

“They’ll be incredibly curious.”

I thought for a moment and decided that avoiding them would only create needless worry. If they were going to judge me, I could judge them in return. No hasty assumptions.

“We haven’t been officially together for long, but as time goes on and our relationship deepens, of course we should greet them. It’s difficult, but they’re the people who gave you life, so I’m curious.”

He nodded as if he understood.

“I know this could be a heavy burden for you. But I don’t want us to keep meeting like we’re hiding forever. When the time comes, I’ll be by your side, so don’t worry.”

It wasn’t an easy topic, but seeing him in front of me eased my mind. No need to worry unnecessarily. Besides, this world and the one I originally lived in are clearly different.

After touring the Libertas territory, we headed back to the beach attached to the castle.

“Are you sure this is okay?”

“I begged the steward to guard it. No one will come in.”

“Sigh, what a fuss about shorts.”

He knew I liked swimming and offered a compromise: knee-length shorts and a casual women’s short-sleeve shirt. I accepted since he seemed to be giving in as much as possible, but commanding the servants to control even that felt excessive. He didn’t seem to think so.

But someday, definitely…!

They say people want what they’re told not to do. I vowed quietly to myself for the future. I slowly dipped my feet into the sea and then plunged in, soaking my whole body. Having learned to swim as a child, I moved through the water like a fish and played as if it were my home.

“Are you having too much fun by yourself?”

Splash! Ren dove in. His shirt was completely unbuttoned, revealing a chest and abs so hardened they looked sculpted. I couldn’t stop staring; he lifted one corner of his mouth and whispered in my ear.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. I like it very much.”

What was the point of denying it? My expression had already given it away. Thinking I might be the only one enjoying the view, I reached to unbutton a few buttons of my shirt, but he hurriedly stopped me.

“I have a pretty good idea what you’re thinking, but it’s fine—just stay as you are.”

I enjoyed teasing him in secret. But a promise is a promise, so I withdrew my hand and splashed him. He swept his wet hair back with one hand and smiled, amused.

“You’ll regret that.”

When I pouted and turned to run, he slipped under the water and lifted me up.

“Kyaa!”

“You can’t run away from me.”

I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck and met his eyes. His pupils trembled slightly, a little uneasy. Maybe it reminded him of the time I had been avoiding him so much.

I’m greatly at fault.

I kissed his cheek, met his gaze, and said, “Don’t worry. I won’t let go anymore.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let you go.”

He bent his head and claimed my lips, and our short two-night, three-day trip came to an end.

Aren’t we becoming quite a proper couple now?

I took the gate back to Resera and slept like the dead until it was time to go to work the next day. Two nights and three days away for a working person—I’d definitely need a day to recover. I’m not especially fit and I prefer being at home to going out, so all the more reason.

“You worked hard. Eat something hearty.”

My brother, thinking I’d gone to the Libertas territory with an Imperial Palace official, didn’t know the truth and offered a meat-filled stew to help me regain my energy. I felt a pang of conscience, but ignorance is bliss.

After a hearty breakfast I went to the Chancellery. Only two nights and three days had passed, but it felt like I’d taken a month off—the holiday had been eventful.

“I wonder if they managed without me.”

I had left them with a ton of tasks, so they probably didn’t dare slack off. Still, there’s nothing more welcome in an office than the boss being away, so I’d bet everyone came in without stress and left on time.

“Cornelia!”

On my way to the Chancellery, I saw Lucius and Victor walking toward me from the opposite direction. They carried bags, so they were on their way to work too.

“I heard you went to see the territory. Did you have a good trip?”

Lucan probably relayed the news a hundred times.

“Yes. It’s next to the Duke of Ariadne’s domain, so it seemed like a pleasant place for the locals to live.”

Being next to a noble house was a good sign. When I casually mentioned the quiet count title promotion the steward had told me about, the two of them brightened as if it were their own.

“Actually, the title felt a bit lacking compared to the Chancellery post. If someone lacks ability, people always find something to criticize.”

It seemed the Emperor’s concerns weren’t unfounded. His stance on whether to back the Crown Prince remained ambiguous.

“Only burdensome things seem to happen to me, but since you seniors say it’s a good thing, I’ll consider it that way. How are you two doing?”

Lucius and Victor exchanged a look and let out a heavy sigh tinged with a wry smile.

“I’m not gifted in foreign languages,” Victor said, sounding downcast.

“It’s not easy fitting in among those cold-blooded people.”

Thinking of Reyra the finance officer, I understood why. I’d heard the foreign ministry had a relatively free atmosphere, but perceptions vary by person. As we used to say in K-office life: every team is different, every department is different, every person is different.

“Can you complain about how hard it is in front of me? You seniors need to stand firm against this.”

“Right.”

Lucius and Victor said it was nice to at least exchange greetings after a while, left the typical vague promise of grabbing a meal sometime, and parted ways.

“Hello.”

The office after a vacation felt tedious, but I liked its quietly calm atmosphere. I set down my bag, mentally checked the tasks to review, and scanned the room. Some seats were conspicuously empty.

“Why are those seats empty when the workday has already started?”

Even the two assistant scribe seats that were supposed to start today were vacant.

“Did the new hires get told a different start time?”

Everyone glanced at one another in silence.

I had a hunch. They knew but were too shy to speak up. Lukan, who never cared about anyone’s gaze, approached.

“Dominic and Eldo, the secretaries, said they had something to tell the new assistant scribes and took them out.”

Ha!

A burst of laughter escaped me five minutes into my pleasantly returned day at the office. I could guess what would happen. It would be exactly the same lecture that pompous fellow dragged me up to the roof to give.

Don’t stand out, don’t get on their nerves, just do as I tell you.

I left the office at once. Lukan and Elysia followed.

“Where do you think they went?”

“Either the roof or behind the central department building.”

Those were places I’d used before. Elysia and I went behind the central department building, while Lucan headed for the farther roof.

“They act like you’ve only just started and already put you through everything.”

“They basically isolate you in a solitary room.”

Elysia shook her head as if annoyed. Thinking about being subjected to such treatment on your first day made me feel pity for the new hires, and I quickened my pace.

“Not even basic behavior on your first day of work!”

When we arrived behind the building, a familiar voice reached my ears. In the corner stood a familiar silhouette. Two people were at attention with their heads bowed deeply—probably the new assistant scribes. Opposite them, Dominic and Eldo stood with their chins raised, looking down arrogantly. My face soured at the absurd scene.

What on earth is this crazy spectacle? Am I watching a workplace bully drill people into line right now?