Chapter 114

‘Has the brake 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 instilled 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 that looked like a puppy, waiting for my answer with a mix of hope and worry, I suddenly grew a little curious about his family.

‘He said his family was relatively harmonious.’

His upright values and diligence were things that would be hard to develop without family support. Would others judge him by the same standards? I also felt anxious 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 means….

‘They’ll be incredibly curious.’

I thought for a moment and decided that not meeting them would only lead to needless worry. Just as they would judge me, I could assess them. 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 to say 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’s not 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 suggested a compromise.

He refused my swimwear, and we agreed on 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 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 into the water. His shirt was completely unbuttoned, revealing a chest and abs so hardened they could be called sculpted. When I couldn’t stop glancing, 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 already gave it away. Thinking I might be the only one enjoying the view, I reached to unbutton my shirt a few buttons, 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 was secretly enjoying teasing him. 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 as if amused.

“You’ll regret that.”

When I poutingly turned and ran, he slipped under the water in an instant and lifted me up.

“Kyaa!”

“You can’t run away from me.”

I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck and met his eyes. I could see his pupils tremble slightly and uneasily. 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 eyes, 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—meaning the holiday had been eventful.

“I wonder if they managed without me.”

I 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 had bags in their hands, 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 100%.

“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 not a bad sign. When I casually mentioned the quiet count title promotion the steward had told me about, the two of them were happy 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 was 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 looked at each other and let out a heavy sigh tinged with a wry smile.

“I’m not gifted in foreign languages.”

Victor said in a downcast voice.

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

Thinking of Reyra the finance officer, it wasn’t hard to guess why. I’d heard the foreign ministry had a relatively free atmosphere, so I thought it’d be fine, 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 sparsely 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 empty.

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

Everyone glanced at each other in silence.

I had a hunch. They knew but were too shy to speak up. Lukan, who didn’t care 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 took me 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.”

They’re places I, too, have 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 think of a penguin, and I quickened my pace.

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

When we arrived behind the building, I heard a familiar voice. In the corner at the edge of the building stood a familiar silhouette. Two people stood at attention with their heads bowed deeply—probably the new assistant scribes. Opposite them, Dominic and Eldo stood with their heads raised, looking down arrogantly. My face automatically soured at this absurd scene.

‘What on earth is this crazy spectacle?’

Am I watching a workplace bully drill people into line right now?