126

Even after visiting the temple, the uneasy feeling didn’t go away.

‘I feel like I wasted money on something useless.’

How did I not notice? It reeks of a cult.

At least Lemer is real; I met him in person, and he experienced that bizarre prophecy-related phenomenon.

After the consultation, I stared at the idol in the prayer room for a long time.

It looked exactly like the small idol Olgard showed me in Yuno—sometimes feminine, sometimes a beautiful man. In the dream it took the form of a bird… maybe no one knows its true form.

‘Still, they’re acquaintances, so they’d care.’

They’d have to pay attention—after all, they’d been called here, suffered, and even donated money to make a plea. Watching those clergy preach devotion while handling cash made me sick. They said they’d contact us soon, so I hoped it would be better than relying on pills like I do now.

“Count, Nicola has arrived.”

A middle-aged butler personally chosen by Kiara announced the visitor. I had to admit she had good judgment—she’d respected me for proposing such radical terms. She argued that, since we weren’t used to aristocratic life, we needed an experienced butler, and pressured me—someone who didn’t want servants—into accepting.

‘At least listen to me on this one.’ I couldn’t help but yield to the charisma of my former superior I hadn’t seen in a while. Thanks to her, a seasoned butler and a few maids and servants peacefully took care of the count’s manor.

Actually, I had been strongly opposed to aristocratic household servants since they live and eat there. Knowing this, the young lady allowed one or two of my closest attendants to live in the main house and provided separate quarters for the others, satisfying both sides. Marcella, Juliana, and Rio wanted to help with housework, but the butler firmly refused, saying having them serve as household staff would be humiliating for their status.

Playing the aristocrat, which kept getting more difficult, felt burdensome, but I liked being able to devote my remaining time to study and hobbies. I decided to reward their efforts with a high salary.

“Nicola, you’re here?”

“Wow, Coco, your house is really nice.”

He wore a neatly buttoned shirt and trousers and a checked beret. I blinked at his unusually formal attire.

“Where are you headed?”

He shook his head.

“Still, it’s a visit to the Imperial Chancellor’s residence; you should at least show some respect.”

His sudden boundary-setting made me frown instinctively.

“What are you talking about? I didn’t take the title to put you out, you know?”

The corners of Nicola’s eyes curved prettily.

“Just kidding. I just felt like dressing up today.”

Come to think of it… the appointment time was almost up. I straightened from my slouched posture and sat up.

“You’ve decided?”

“Yeah.”

There were dark marks under his eyes, but his gaze sparkled more than ever. He took off the beret with both hands.

“I…”

Whatever he chose, I’d support Nicola.

“Please take care of this, Nicola.”

Prince Raven offered a bright smile and a handshake. Nicola politely grasped his hand and bowed his head.

“Thank you for looking kindly on me, Your Highness.”

I stood next to Aidan, who’d come to the palace to visit, watching the scene with mixed feelings.

“Sigh.”

“Are you worried?”

Aidan looked down at me with wide, innocent green eyes.

“It’s a risky place, after all.”

Of course, I wanted a loyal subordinate who would give his life for Prince Raven. It was premature, but another card to pull down the Crown Prince and raise him up. For such a person, each subordinate truly mattered.

‘But what if that person is his closest friend…’

That wouldn’t be something I could accept happily.

How fickle human feelings are.

“Don’t worry. I’ll watch over you so Coco doesn’t have to.” He patted my shoulder as if to encourage me. Even if it was just words, I was grateful and the corner of my mouth lifted slightly.

“Where would the Magic Tower Master find the time for that? He has to guard the Mage Tower.”

“I like those two too. Strangely, I like everyone who’s close to Coco. Except one person.”

“One person?”

He flashed his teeth in a bright smile. I opened my mouth to respond but shook my head.

Let’s say Ren dislikes Aidan too, so we’re even.

Aidan, seemingly no longer intent on dwelling, returned to the original topic. Something he’d wanted to ask since last time came to mind.

“The Palace Office surprisingly processed the request to re-invite the interviewee quickly. I thought they’d surely refuse or delay it. Did Your Highness intervene?”

“Me?”

Prince Raven, who’d been exchanging friendly greetings with Nicola, pointed to himself with his index finger as if hearing that for the first time.

“I did request it, but I didn’t do anything special about it.”

When I turned to Aidan, he shrugged.

“There’s no one I know in the Palace Office.”

“Really?”

Hmm… did they process it quickly because it was a royal request? As I folded my arms and pondered, Aidan messed up my hair a bit to interrupt.

“Seems there’s at least one sane person there. Stop worrying and watch how things go, Coco. I’ll handle what’s behind the scenes.”

I fell silent at his soft voice and nodded. I also planned to do my best to keep Nicola out of harm’s way.

‘The men’s politics here are hardcore—lives are on the line.’

Prince Raven’s palace began functioning normally for the first time in three years.

It was truly nonstop.

Between Chancellery work, power struggles with department heads, political meetings, reorganizing Prince Raven’s palace, and even running Those Who Can’t Resign after work, I felt ten bodies wouldn’t be enough. Hearing that my past life died of overwork made me strangely anxious.

“Coco, are you okay these days?”

Lukan even pulled me aside to ask. The Minister of Finance sent rare herbs, saying I didn’t look well.

“You must take care of yourself while you’re young. Don’t overestimate your age—eat properly. Think of the dependents attached to you.”

Wasn’t he piling on the pressure?

“Chancellor, which bastard are we going to mess with this time?”

Reyra, the finance officer, also used odd formal speech to rein me in. I was a bit tired but otherwise healthy. However, when I met a VIP client at Those Who Can’t Resign, I sensed something was seriously off.

“My lover… is too busy, and I’m worried.”

“…!”

I had to admit I was taken aback. It was true I hadn’t been taking care of Len.

“I’m busy too, but she’s even busier.”

He sounded more serious than I’d ever heard. Though hidden behind the Little Lamb mask, his drooping voice and occasional sighs gave it away. Watching him made me feel sorry.

He had chosen to stay to be with this person, but…

“It won’t be busy forever. I think that lover of yours must be thinking about you too—she said she couldn’t accept your feelings for fear you’d be in danger.”

Ren sighed deeply once more.

“That’s why I’m more worried.”

“Huh?”

“She handles a schedule tougher than mine with that frail body and has never complained. I’m worried she might end up harming her health.”

Huh? That wasn’t the direction I was expecting.

“Isn’t the complaint that she has no time to date?”

He asked as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’

“She doesn’t love the work itself. I’m worried that so much work will break her down.”

Ren knew me better than I thought. I don’t work out of some grand duty to the Empire—I’m in it for the title and the benefits tied to the position.

“I can go see her in person, but even that hasn’t been easy lately, so it’d be a lie to say I have no complaints.”

“…Why not talk to her honestly?”

I didn’t see his worries as childish petulance. But the Little Lamb-masked man just shook his head.

“This is an important time for her. She knows it well. She has to prove her abilities. If I step in unnecessarily, I’ll likely do her harm. I don’t want my existence to overshadow what she’s built.”

I hadn’t expected him to think that deeply. If it weren’t for Those Who Can’t Resign, I’d never have known these inner thoughts. I began to understand why couples need to talk.

“Telling me won’t solve anything. I think you should convey your thoughts as much as you trust your lover.”

“Is that so? Master Quokka’s advice is never wrong.”

Honestly, as her… girlfriend, I couldn’t claim I’d always give the perfect answer.

“I’m jealous you have such a wonderful lover. I hope it works out. Anything else?”

“…”

Then suddenly his speech cut off and he fell into silence.

There’s definitely something going on.

“This is the main point, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not.”

He denied it immediately, but I suppressed a smile and pressed him.

“What is it? If your lover’s busy, you wouldn’t have time to look elsewhere.”

“There is.”

“What?”

He clasped his head beneath the Little Lamb mask with both hands.

“There are too many hyenas approaching during the times I can’t go see her. Restraining myself, knowing that, is harder than I imagined.”

Eh? Were there suitors I didn’t even know about?

“W-who are they?”

He ground his teeth and murmured in a low voice.

“Coworkers, knights, a prince, and even the Magic Tower Master. They all cling to her and have no intention of leaving.”

Does that mean he hates every man who works with me?

I was dumbfounded.

“Isn’t there a misunderstanding?”

“There’s nothing wrong with her behavior. There’s clearly a difference in how she treats me as her lover.”

“Th-then?”

He straightened his back as if relieved and stared at me.

“I just hate it. She sees me as a good noble, but I’m not. I never knew I had this strong possessiveness. I hate anyone touching what’s mine. She’s so precious that I wouldn’t know what to do even if she stood before me, and imagining anything beyond that is… disgusting.”

He suddenly buried his face in his hands. His emotions had been volatile today.

“Huh? What is…?”

Weren’t you supposed to be the Empire’s best husband material?

A cold sweat ran down my back at how jealous this man was.