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Linking my arm with Ren’s and entering the hall, everyone’s gaze fixed on us.

‘I experienced this last time too, but it’s no joke, really.’

The hall was filled with the murmurs of nobles whispering, but Ren and I strode in unbothered and confident.

“Oh my, the Duke has brought the same partner as last time? Could there be something between them?”

A noblewoman pointed at us and said that. I waited for the expected follow-up. A noble beside her answered.

“Back then she was a secretary, and now she’s Cornelia Libertas, the Chancellor Countess. The situation is different. It’s more than enough to repay a favor and save the Duke’s face.”

“So, not lovers…?”

“Isn’t it about repaying the debt of being the partner last time? Especially since the Duke was repeatedly criticized by His Majesty for not having partners.”

‘Huh? What’s this about?’

At that moment, another lady interrupted the conversation.

“I think so too. I heard a rumor that the Chancellor has another lover?”

“What?”

The nobles around instantly turned their attention to her. She seemed to enjoy the attention, lifting her chin and teasingly covering her mouth with a fan.

“I heard the Chancellor was ill in the epidemic zone… and that a lover came then. Maybe their status was low, so they couldn’t come here together.”

“Oh my…”

“I heard many young men tried so hard to be the Chancellor’s partner, but it turns out there was a lover. Then it makes sense she entered with the Supreme Justice.”

“Strictly a professional relationship, then.”

“Actually, the two of them are famous for their outstanding abilities. It’s truly fortunate they’re on good terms.”

The nobles nodded, saying how professional they were.

Huh… surprised by an entirely different reaction than expected, I slowly turned my head to the side. Nothing competition-wise seemed to change at first glance, but I could tell: Ren’s mouth was trembling. He had come out intending to announce a public relationship, and this was the response.

“Ren, are you okay?”

When I whispered softly, he smiled faintly and nodded.

“Of course. I’m rather glad they aren’t saying bad things about you.”

‘That doesn’t seem okay at all.’

The nobles’ murmurs oddly drilled into my ears.

“They say the Duke dotes on the Chancellor. It’s awkward to say given the Chancellor’s looks, but isn’t she just adorable? I would take care of her too. Like a chirping chick, or a squirrel stuffing its cheeks with food.”

“That appearance as the Chancellor of the Seraphina Empire… it’s still hard to believe.”

“Oh dear, no. I must hurry and show some charm to my son. I also want a cute daughter-in-law.”

“I’ll have to scold my elder brother a bit.”

Slightly.

“Ren?”

“…Why can’t they imagine that you and I could be lovers?”

He genuinely seemed annoyed.

‘Well, even young ladies famous for their beauty were treated with icy indifference. And there were more than a few officials who saw the Duke and me arguing in the central ministries. On top of that, he made me work overtime for almost two months straight….’

Of course, no one would know that the overtime was a show of affection disguised as jealousy. Who argues with and forces their lover to work overtime like that? So the rumor spread that he was simply mentoring a competent junior.

‘Honestly, they might not even imagine it because of the difference in status.’

Although I’ve become a count, isn’t he of the royal family and bearing the tremendous status of Next Archduke? Old noble families probably proposed political marriages, and he dismissed them bluntly, which probably reinforced that belief.

“If we keep attending as partners, they’ll understand eventually.”

I gently tapped his arm to soothe him, and his tension eased a bit. Wait, so does that make me a wretch who abandoned a lowborn lover for ambition and chose the Duke? Ha, having such absurd thoughts, we walked on and were greeted by Prince Raven, resplendent in formal attire befitting the banquet’s host.

“Oh, Chancellor, you look splendid today. In the end, the partner was claimed by the Duke.”

“I’m surprised the reaction was different from what I expected.”

Raven flashed a teasing smile toward Ren.

“Isn’t that all the karmic result of what the Duke has accumulated over time?”

“….”

When Ren responded with a cold air, he quickly changed the subject.

“Aidan would have enjoyed being here today, but sadly he absolutely hates gatherings like this.”

I had fully anticipated that. Perhaps he already knew I would come partnered with Ren.

“Today is an event for His Majesty the Emperor and Prince Raven. I thought they’d enter together; I didn’t expect you to arrive so early.”

“It’s been such a long time since one of these. I came to exchange greetings with the nobles in advance.”

He would be much freer moving about than if he were with the Emperor.

“Well done. It’s not easy to assess one’s own shortcomings; you’re very prepared.”

“What a surprise, the Chancellor is praising me.”

“I’m merely stating the truth.”

As such a cordial conversation was underway, it happened.

“Prince Raven, it’s been a long time.”

The Marquess Aurelius and Foreign Minister Yudora bowed politely to him. Raven, instead of being stiff and aloof as before, actively received the two nobles.

“Nice to see you. Have you been well?”

“We’re always the same, aren’t we? Seeing Your Highness in good health makes me very proud.”

“We’ve heard about your exploits in the epidemic region. You remind me of your former self, so we’re looking forward to this return.”

Flattery prefaced with probing skills was rampant here and there.

‘The Marquess is gauging whether he can stand against the Crown Prince, and the Foreign Minister is doing the same. The way he phrased it as whether he can perform like before is fitting for the head of the foreign ministry.’

Raven smoothly deflected and steered the conversation to include me and the Duke.

“Isn’t this all thanks to the Chancellor and the Duke? The Chancellor helped me in the epidemic region without caring for her own health, and the Duke worked hard in the capital so her absence wouldn’t be felt. How could I claim all those deeds as mine alone? It would have been difficult without you.”

‘What is this rhetoric? Has he been hiding this all along?’

Since returning from the epidemic zone, Raven had been growing by the day. I saw the Marquess and the Foreign Minister exchange glances and nod slightly. He passed.

Now the topic naturally shifted to Ren.

“So the Duke was the hidden helper. In fact, I heard that after the Chancellor was dispatched to the relief team, he worked more overtime tending to the central ministries. And seeing you two attend as partners like this shows how much the Duke cherishes the Chancellor.”

Ren clenched his fist tight. I wonder if the Foreign Minister realized he’d unintentionally angered him.

“Oh my, even if you’re young, take care of your health, Duke. Just because you’re single doesn’t mean you should be careless. If you start a family…”

“Marquess, thank you for your concern. But I’ll be fine.”

“Come to think of it, Duke, have you not considered marriage yet?”

As the conversation moved into increasingly awkward territory, I pointed anywhere to try to change the subject.

“Being stuck in the central ministry, it seems I’m unfamiliar with many nobles. If it’s not rude, could you introduce who those people are?”

“Ah……”

The light atmosphere stiffened a bit. Following the direction I pointed, I caught sight of the nobles and realized with a jolt.

“Marcus the Marquess and Duke Seref.”

They were nobles of the Crown Prince faction. The Marquess and the Foreign Minister didn’t seem to hold warm feelings toward them. Yet Marcus the Marquess and Duke Seref were chatting, smiling without a wrinkle in their expressions.

They could be like this despite what had happened?

‘I’d never manage that, even if beaten to death.’

Their separation of business and personal life was so stark it gave me goosebumps. Between them strode their nemesis, Count Gerard Cassius, and that braggart Dorian, forming a group. Just as my failed attempt to change the subject left me stuck, someone reached out a saving hand.

“Excuse me, may I have a word with Chancellor Cornelia?”

It was Kiara. The Marquess Aurelius immediately brightened and turned into a doting father.

“Of course, of course. You must have much to say to your friend. Your Highness, may I?”

Prince Raven quickly gave his consent.

“By all means. Then the Duke and I shall have a chat among ourselves. It would be nice if the Minister of Finance over there could join.”

“Thank you.”

I gave Ren, who looked like a forsaken puppy, an apologetic look, took Kiara’s hand, and we slipped away.

“Am I the only one?”

“You really saved me.”

“You were wandering around like a lost lamb, rolling your eyes.”

She must have been quite flustered.

Come to think of it, Kiara had come from the direction past the Crown Prince faction nobles.

“Did you happen to hear what those nobles were talking about? They’re somewhat regrettable sorts.”

Kiara nodded as if she knew.

“I heard it.”

Oh, I perked up my ears.

“What were they saying?”

But Kiara wore a nonchalant expression.

“They were badmouthing the Crown Prince.”

…It seems workplace life is similar everywhere.