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“Chancellor… the more I learn about you, the more impressive you are.”

“If you look closer, it’s nothing special.”

Others might find it surprising, but to me Aidan mostly had the image of being my former boss’s younger brother. He may be wealthy… but seeing him often made it less striking.

Prince Raven was surprised by the Magic Tower Master’s and my connections, but fortunately he succeeded in persuading the Emperor without trouble.

Raven was able to depart on his journey as planned. The Emperor, who usually considered the prince weak, gladly permitted it saying he needed to endure a bit of hardship. It’s better than being holed up in the Imperial Palace. Aidan, the Magic Tower Master, likely had some influence as well.

‘It’s a vacation—what hardship are you talking about.’

Someone might think I was being told to go out and earn money.

Nowhere would treat him as lavishly as the Imperial Palace, but the Libertas territory was a pleasant place to live. I could send the prince off with some peace of mind, allowing him a short yet long two-week rest.

‘What am I looking at right now?’

I had definitely checked the house that the Imperial Household gave me. It felt like a classic, old building, so I thought we’d only repair what was necessary and live there. Rather than decorating it like a noble mansion, I planned to furnish it piece by piece as I liked.

Marcella, standing beside me, poked my side.

“Hey, you said it was an old, worn house.”

Rio and Julie, who were hanging on Marcella’s hands, chimed in as well.

“It looks like a brand-new house, sis!”

“Our house is amazing! Are we really going to live here from now on?”

I responded with a stiff nod, like a creaking robot.

‘This is way over the top compared to what I was told!’

It wasn’t that I hadn’t known at all.

Before the move, Ren kindly said he’d have people from the Duke’s residence inspect the house since I’ve been busy lately. When I last checked, I definitely understood that only parts of the interior would be repaired and a few decorations changed. They didn’t even show me the exterior.

But I didn’t expect this….

‘He left it out on purpose knowing I’d oppose it.’

I rubbed my throbbing temples.

“L-let’s just go inside first.”

The inside was even more of a sight.

“Hey, what is this?”

“Wah!”

“Woah….”

All that came out were exclamations.

‘They remodeled it.’

Only the structure remained the same; everything from the flooring to the wallpaper, curtains, and windows had been replaced with new ones. At this point it was as if I had bought the house rather than the Emperor granting it. On the way here I noticed the garden had been neatly groomed too….

Even if we were lovers, I couldn’t accept something like this so readily.

‘It’s my fault.’

I hadn’t checked thoroughly because of Prince Raven. I knew Vespera was a perfectionist, and yet I assumed he wouldn’t go so far.

On top of that, he was born and raised in a grand ducal house and lived surrounded by the finest things. There’s no way the state of the house I was given would please him.

“Do you like it?”

I was staring blankly at the house when Vespera entered elegantly, his eyes full of anticipation.

“Supreme Justice?”

Then Kiara and Pinea followed in. I blinked.

“How did you two come together?”

Kiara pressed and stretched my stunned cheek as she spoke.

“No wonder you’re surprised. Explaining how this house was completed would take a while. That Duke meddled in every little thing.”

She then whispered into my ear.

‘I’ve never seen the Duke like that. Looks like he’s head over heels for you.’

She smiled slyly as if she knew everything.

I coughed awkwardly and turned my head. Does that man even intend to hide his romance? Maybe he secretly wants to be found out.

“Miss Kiara said she knew your taste well, so I asked for her help. Miss Pinea also cooperated.”

Only then did I understand the whole story. So the three of them conspired to decorate this house without telling me.

“I appreciate the thought, but doing this much really makes me uncomfortable.”

I meant it. One should accept gifts in moderation. Especially since Kiara had already given me a room once—I’m not sure I could do this much for someone else.

“Oh my. Look at you. You’re practically renting out houses to your friends for next to nothing.”

“I… I do take money!”

Kiara shook her head.

“I didn’t do it for you. I did it because I’m bored lately. You know I change my room’s interior all the time. Besides, Black Dia is doing so well that high society is getting boring.”

Her room lavishly decorated in black and pink, which I saw on my first day at the Marquess’s residence, came to mind.

“And… wouldn’t you do this for a friend?”

“A fr… friend?”

Kiara opened the fan she was holding, turned her head sharply, and urged me anxiously.

“You’re a high-ranking noble now. You have a fief. Being the head of a count’s house suits my standards. I’m giving this to commemorate our friendship.”

She hadn’t forgotten the promise we made long ago.

“Miss…”

“Call me Kiara. Don’t use honorifics.”

Saying “Miss” with her name in my mouth felt unfamiliar. When I hesitated, she urged me.

“Come on.”

It was my first time casually calling a former workplace superior by their name.

‘But I’m from the modern world. This is nothing.’

True to someone from a liberal democratic country, I decided not to hesitate any longer.

“Kiara.”

Kiara clutched her cheek, her face flushed.

“I really like it…”

Pinea whispered to me from beside her.

‘She hasn’t had friends until now.’

‘Right. That’s true.’

If she had lived in my world, she’d surely have been popular as a girl-crush type; she was born in the wrong era. No—she was born into a chaebol family, so she should be content with her diamond spoon!

“Alright, Coco. Let’s go shopping together next time!”

“Yes… no, okay!”

Kiara, who had everything and had now gained a friend, bounced around in delight.

“Are you going to stand there the whole time?”

Vespera, who had been watching us blankly, couldn’t stand it and took charge of the situation. Along with Kiara, he showed us around the house, explaining the purpose of each room and why it was decorated that way. He felt almost like the owner.

“I was in charge of the interior, and the Duke took care of the building’s exterior, the garden, and overall repairs. I’m wealthy too, but he insisted on paying for everything, so I let him.”

They each took responsibility for their assigned parts.

I had nothing more to say. I intended to address this with Vespera later, but Juliana asked with a curious face.

“Why is the Duke paying to fix our house?”

A fundamental question that everyone except Kiara, Pinea, and I wanted answered had suddenly appeared.

“He’s paying?”

Rio joined in as well. Vespera was unusually flustered.

“…It’s a gift for having a competent subordinate promoted to Chancellor. I haven’t found anyone among the officials who works as satisfactorily as your sister. Chancellor, I hope you will continue to work hard for the Empire.”

It was an unexpected directive (?), but I responded politely and swiftly.

“Yes, Supreme Justice.”

I felt Pinea’s and Kiara’s half-moon glances from behind, but I gritted my teeth and pretended not to see.

“Cough, cough”

At that moment, Rio suddenly started coughing. I picked him up and patted his back. He’s only ten, so why is he so heavy? I need to exercise. Seeing me struggle, Marcella reached out to take Rio.

“No. I want to stay with sister! Cough, cough!”

He continued to cough repeatedly.

I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had much time to play with him—has he been taking his medicine properly? When I signaled Marcella, he gave a light smile as if to say not to worry.

“He’s been coughing more often these days, but the physician/clinic says there’s nothing serious. It should subside soon.”

“Really…?”

He’s usually busy running around outside, so seeing him wheeze dampened my spirits.

‘Even if the physician/clinic said so, it’s better to prepare in advance.’

It was time to act on one of the reasons I had become a high-ranking noble.

A week later, the Imperial Household sent a shortlist of candidates for Prince Raven’s page, maids, and servants. Aidan, who was with the traveling prince, tossed the papers to me as soon as he received them.

“Hmm….”

In a world without photographs, we had to select interviewees based solely on the information written on their documents. From their resumes, there was nothing problematic about their experience.

Pages in particular were often drawn from the children of lower-ranking nobility, much like central government offices.

To be honest, they all looked the same. That’s why interviews are important.

‘How am I supposed to narrow this down….’

There wasn’t enough time to interview everyone who had been recommended. And I didn’t have connections in the Imperial Household… wait, the Imperial Household? A thought flashed through my mind like lightning. I acted on it immediately.

A short while later,

A man quietly opened the door and entered the Chancellor’s office.

“Welcome, Tom.”

Tom was tense, perhaps because I had never personally called him before. After the group Scribe issue was resolved, I had mostly stopped paying attention. He did his work well enough without making waves. Not being conspicuous can be evidence of no problems in one’s duties.

“Have a seat.”

I gestured to the chair opposite my desk, and he hesitated before sitting.

“What is it that you need…?”

I smiled gently and placed the stack of resumes on the desk.

“Tom, I need you to help me.”

Repay the debt of having become a couple with Lady Reyra!