Chapter 119

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

Even looking again, it was clear his height and frame had grown. He even seemed to exude an aura that was untouchable.

“You brought the brooch I gave you?”

He suddenly pointed at the red brooch pinned to my chest. My danger-sensing skill being rather poor, I had just 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 hopped up and down on 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?”

They said wizards have first, second, and third mana awakenings. The more mana one has, the more awakenings occur, and Magic Tower Masters are said to progress to the third awakening. In that process, some aspects of appearance can change.

The Magic Tower Master, who had been eagerly awaiting his retirement day, apparently handed over his post the moment Aidan reached his third awakening.

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

“I’ve 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 seemed a lot had happened.

“I wondered if something had happened.”

“Coco, were you worrying about me?”

He grabbed both my hands, spread them apart and brought them together, shaking them about.

“That’s enough.”

Vespera, having failed to stop the hug, pulled her hands away from Aidan as if at her limit. Aidan then grabbed her hand and shook it similarly. 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, then released the hand he was holding and moved toward me.

“I don’t mind if Coco has a lover.”

“…What?”

He bent down 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 was gone, and in his place was only 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 had been under the impression I was living a salaryman’s life, but 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, 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 quieted down. I could feel the Duke’s low temper beside me on my skin. He’s not the sort to show feelings like this.

‘I know full well you won’t let it go.’

I judged that if I left the two of them together, they’d only provide fodder for gossip, so it would be better to leave. I had 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 large, 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 without giving an inch.

“He’s serious.”

“Aidan is serious about me?”

I thought over my memories with Aidan: trailing behind me, coming to my house all the time, comforting me when I was frustrated and struggling, fetching me after every overtime…

Is that because he had feelings for me? …It’s not impossible.

‘Come to think of it, some of those could only be explained by more-than-friend feelings…?’

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

“Are you worried I might cheat on you?”

I wrapped one arm around him and gently rested my head against his chest. I could feel his tense body slowly relax.

“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 already seen at banquets that many graceful women like him. I have to fend off countless women, and he’s upset over one man?”

He suddenly stopped in his tracks, 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 what he was thinking.

“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 grabbed his face and stretched his cheek.

“Jealousy is cute, but I’d like you to use it to like 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.”

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

“What is this! Put me down!”

As I squirmed, he hugged me even tighter. His steps were light as if I weighed nothing. He smirked down at me. Looking up, his expression was 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 and walked all the way to the gate for thirty minutes. 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 brought many changes 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?”

The two left different impressions. With Dominic, the source of sabotage, gone, the Chancellery began to regain stability. Eldo changed his mind and his work performance improved noticeably. When superiors hinted to fill 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.”

‘Monthly meeting.’

It’s a meeting 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 directions for development. For the record, I’ve been Chancellor for nearly six months but hadn’t been approved to attend due to internal adjustments.

‘It’s just turf-protection.’

It means a Chancellor without backing and young in age couldn’t be included. Perhaps they thought I’d be cowed by now, so they granted permission.

‘I’m tired of meeting people already.’

With my rank changing often, there were so many new people I had to meet.

I’m not in sales—what is this! My social energy has long been spent. At least the heads of each department are attending, so that’s a relief.

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

After setting an ultra-efficient goal, I attended the monthly meeting. There were surprisingly familiar faces: Aurelius the Marquess and that… Duke Seref whom I had seen from afar. Older unfamiliar gentlemen were seated 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 up 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, my loyalty and ability for the Empire are outstanding, so please give her much support.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The nobles responded in unison. Being 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 a truly exceptional case.

They were in the midst of discussing 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.”

He was an old noble I hadn’t seen before. Other nobles added their 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 quite 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 were pleased, praising the Crown Prince’s filial devotion. The meeting concluded on that warm note.

I couldn’t shake off a nagging unease.

‘Prince Raven—there’s something off about him.’

Now it wasn’t a guess but a conviction.