119

When an unexpected event erupted at what should have been a peaceful succession ceremony, people watched with excited eyes. I tapped Aidan on the back a few times and then stepped away. Fortunately, he withdrew without protest.

Even at a glance, his height and frame had increased. He seemed to radiate an untouchable aura.

“You brought the brooch I gave you?”

He pointed at the red brooch pinned to my chest. My danger-sensing skill being rather poor, I’d left it in a drawer, but given the occasion it finally saw the light of day. I smiled faintly and offered my congratulations.

“Aidan. Congratulations on becoming the Magic Tower Master.”

“Thanks, Coco.”

“You seem to have gotten even more handsome since I last saw you.”

“Really?”

He bounced in his seat to show his joy. Seeing him like that was just the same as before.

“I’ve had a third awakening of mana in the meantime.”

“A third mana awakening?”

Wizards had first, second, and third awakenings. The more mana one possessed, the more awakenings occurred, and Magic Tower Masters were said to reach the third. In that process, some features could change.

The former Magic Tower Master, eager for retirement, apparently relinquished his post the moment Aidan reached his third awakening.

The magical world never ceased to amaze me. You could even sense the tower master’s delighted resignation.

“I had a lot on my mind… I didn’t expect the awakening to happen right then.”

His gaze lingered somewhere distant. I didn’t know what it was, but it felt like a lot had happened.

“I wondered if something had happened.”

“Coco, were you worrying about me?”

He grabbed both my hands, spread them apart, then brought them together and shook them.

“That’s enough.”

Vespera, having failed to stop the hug, pulled her hands away from Aidan as if she’d reached her limit. Aidan then grabbed her hand and shook it the same way. Vespera’s pupils trembled.

“You came to celebrate today, so I’ll let it slide—Duke.”

“No, I’m the one making an exception, Magic Tower Master.”

Aidan stared at Vespera intently, released the hand he’d been holding, and turned back to me.

“I don’t mind if Coco has a lover.”

“…What?”

He bent close and whispered in my ear.

“Second time’s fine too, so if that bastard makes you angry, come to me.”

Thud!

It happened in an instant. The Aidan who had been right in front of me vanished, replaced by a cracked, transparent barrier. Opposite me, Vespera stood with a clenched fist, radiating a fierce aura.

“To think he’d bash it with bare hands like a fool.”

“W-what is this?”

I’d been living the quiet life of a salaryman—or so I thought—when suddenly a blockbuster action scene unfolded.

“You know full well you were the one who crossed the line first.”

“From my perspective, the Duke was the one who crossed first.”

If this continued, the headlines would scream that a brawl broke out at the Magic Tower Master’s succession ceremony. I had to stop it.

“Stop it. Both of you!”

When I snapped, both fell silent. I felt the Duke’s low temper like heat against my skin. He wasn’t the type to display emotion like this.

I judged that leaving them together would only fuel gossip, so it was better to leave. I’d seen enough of the ceremony anyway. I handed Aidan the gift I’d prepared.

“A congratulatory gift for becoming Magic Tower Master. It’s nothing grand, but it’s a token of my thanks.”

“Wow, thanks, Coco! I’ll open it when I’m alone!”

He reacted like a giant, delighted cat.

“Next time we meet, no childish fighting, okay?”

“Yeah! If Coco says so!”

Feeling Vespera’s blazing gaze beside me, I hurriedly bowed and left.

“Why are you so angry? It was obviously a joke.”

He interlaced his fingers with mine and gripped tightly, refusing to give an inch.

“He’s serious.”

“Aidan is serious about me?”

I replayed memories: him trailing behind me, coming to my house all the time, comforting me when I was frustrated, picking me up after every overtime…

Could he have feelings for me? It wasn’t impossible.

Come to think of it, some actions could only be explained by more-than-friend feelings.

I’d never considered it rationally, so I was dazed. Seeing my expression, his face hardened further. I needed to tell him his worries were unfounded before he dug himself a deeper hole.

“Are you worried I might cheat on you?”

I wrapped one arm around him and rested my head against his chest. His tense body slowly relaxed.

“Shouldn’t I be the one worried about that, actually?”

“You? Why would you be?”

“Are you really asking because you don’t know? He’s Vespera Ariadne Fortuna, the Empire’s top groom material. I’ve seen at banquets how many graceful women fawn over him. I have to fend off countless suitors, and you’re upset over one man?”

He suddenly stopped, turned, wrapped his arms around mine, and met my eyes.

“Ria.”

“Yes.”

“Instead of wasting time on such needless worries, I wish you’d speak to me one more time.”

“That’s what I want to tell Ren.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. This is…”

Vespera’s gaze dimmed for a moment. I couldn’t read his thoughts.

“I have a personality that can’t stand anything that infringes on what’s mine.”

His jealousy…was imperial in scale. Fearing he’d spin needless fantasies, I pinched his cheek.

“Jealousy is cute, but use it to love me more.”

“You don’t know how much I’m restraining myself.”

He poked my cheek with his index finger.

“It’s nice that there aren’t many people around the Magic Tower. I’ll carry you to the gate.”

In an instant, he swept me up in a princess carry.

“What is this! Put me down!”

As I squirmed, he hugged me tighter. His steps were light, as if I weighed nothing. He smirked down at me, his expression nothing if not arrogant.

“If you have energy to be jealous, spend it on me. I’m a well-behaved lover.”

He didn’t take a carriage; he walked the entire thirty minutes to the gate. It’s a secret that my heart fluttered seeing how unfazed he was.

The peac…peaceful Chancellery office. Dominic’s resignation and Eldo’s change of heart had brought many shifts to the Chancellery. Eldo’s situation was shared with Lucan and Elysia; since we’d be working together going forward, the old antagonism was no longer necessary.

“Well, he hasn’t caused any major incidents yet, so we’ll accept him, I guess.”

“Are we finally freed from his petty nitpicking?”

They left different impressions. With Dominic—the source of sabotage—gone, the Chancellery began to regain stability. Eldo had improved noticeably. When superiors hinted at filling the first-grade secretary post, it became easier to promote him while feigning reluctance. It was a case of achieving both principle and profit.

“Chancellor, someone from the Court Ministry is here!”

Miss Penguin Selena announced the visitor. A page handed over a tightly rolled letter.

‘Attend the Chancellor Cornelia Libertas’s monthly meeting.’

Date: Imperial Year 0, Month 0, Day, 9:00 AM

Location: Imperial Palace Grand Conference Hall

“Approval has finally been granted.”

A monthly meeting is presided over by the Emperor, where high nobles and heads of departments regularly gather. Besides reports on the empire, it’s a place to discuss urgent matters and set direction. For the record, I’d been Chancellor for nearly six months but hadn’t been approved to attend due to internal adjustments.

It’s just turf-protection. A Chancellor without backing and new in rank couldn’t be included. Perhaps they thought I’d be cowed by now, so they finally granted permission.

I’m tired of meeting people already. With my rank changing so often, there were so many new faces to meet. I’m not in sales—what is this? My social energy was already spent. At least the heads of each department would attend, so that was a relief.

Anyway, they’d be busy looking out for themselves, so accept things minimally. If they tried to pass work onto the Chancellery, toss it back quickly.

After setting that ultra-efficient goal, I attended the monthly meeting. There were surprisingly familiar faces: Aurelius the Marquess and Duke Seref, whom I’d seen from afar. Older, unfamiliar gentlemen sat here and there. Only after the Emperor and the Crown Prince entered did the meeting begin in earnest.

“Well, we have a new face today.”

When the Emperor opened the floor, I stood and introduced myself.

“Greetings. I am Count Cornelia Libertas, newly appointed Chancellor.”

As soon as I added my title of Count, a faint crease appeared between the Crown Prince’s brows. Heh.

“Though young in years, her loyalty and ability for the Empire are outstanding, so please give her much support.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The nobles replied in unison. For my first meeting, I chose to observe the atmosphere rather than take center stage. As I’ve often said, one should avoid showing off early unless it’s truly exceptional.

They discussed the progress of construction on the main avenue.

“Oh, looking at the blueprints reminds me of the plaza clock tower project promoted by Prince Raven.”

An old noble I hadn’t seen before spoke. Others added remarks.

“You’ve had a hard time, haven’t you? Sleepless nights and all. Thanks to you, Resera now has a landmark tourist spot.”

Prince Raven? It seemed the prince’s talents had been notable. Aurelius the Marquess shook his head.

“Such wasted ability. He was so brilliant, I didn’t expect him to change like that… Ah, forgive me, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor waved his hand.

“No. I’m saddened too… It’s frustrating that one by one they suddenly stopped and locked themselves in the palace.”

The Crown Prince Lawrence comforted him.

“He’s probably just going through a short wandering. I’ll do better, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, having you is truly reassuring.”

The courtiers praised the Crown Prince’s filial devotion. The meeting concluded on that warm note.

I couldn’t shake a nagging unease.

Prince Raven—there’s something off about him.

Now it wasn’t a guess but a conviction.