169

‘Exactly which part do you find appealing…?’

I didn’t know what to do as I watched the Duke wipe his tears with a handkerchief. I was even more puzzled because I hadn’t proposed serving as a first-class secretary for a day specifically to win the Duke’s favor.

“It’s late, so I’ll be going. If it’s all right, may I come to work again tomorrow?”

“Yes…?”

“I’m glad you’re so readily permitted. Get up.”

The Duke stood, said he’d wait in the carriage, and left the room. It was true that I had hoped the efficient Duke would help the Chancellery a bit more, but I hadn’t expected it to happen like this.

“How on earth… did this happen…?”

From then on, the Duke began coming to the Chancellery to work every day. Not as an observer, but to do real work.

Damian finished work and returned to the Duke’s residence again today. The rumor that he had started working at the Chancellery while staying in Rusera had spread widely among the central ministries. The Chancellor-to-be even went to the Emperor to inform him and obtain approval before any unnecessary problems arose.

‘If it’s just one day it’s within my discretion, but if someone of high rank like the Duke continues to work, you must get approval from the employer. There’s also the issue of confidential matters.’

In fact, he had intended to go to the Emperor himself, but everything had already been taken care of before the second day of work. It was an impressively swift handling. Of course, the Emperor called him in and asked separately.

“Are you in your right mind?”

Since he was at the center of the Emperor’s faction, there was no reason to refuse.

Even the Minister of Finance looked at him as if he were a strange person.

“Who is this for…?”

Many couldn’t understand, but the Chancellor-to-be simply smiled harmlessly.

“The truth is, the department’s workload has been overwhelming lately. I’m so grateful for the help…”

Having seen many people, I knew she was sincere. The staff didn’t seem to dislike it either, because the work really had piled up. Still, out of consideration, he didn’t make her work overtime.

‘Given how much the senior helped, it would be shameless to make them work late. Thank you again for today. Take care on your way home!’

He wanted to help more, but….

Faced with such a blunt refusal, he couldn’t say more and had come to the Duke’s residence. Having a bureaucrat’s regular life again after a long time, the feeling of coming home after work was fresh and not unpleasant.

“Father.”

Except for his son standing there with a displeased look.

After quietly dining together and moving to the study, the two finally began to speak in earnest.

“How is work?”

“Well, work is work. You know that.”

Vespera let out a small breath. There was one reason she didn’t scold her father Damian: Ria’s request. She had sincerely said that Damian was helpful and that it was fine. After carefully observing her expression, there was, incredulously, no lie.

‘I’m grateful he said he liked me. And I like the Duke too. A tsundere? Maybe.’

‘Tsun… what?’

‘It means he’s cute!’

Vespera found even that explanation utterly incomprehensible.

“Even if my visit was late, isn’t this a bit much? If it had been an arranged engagement, you wouldn’t have behaved like this.”

This was the point that annoyed Vespera. It seemed he would have told any other noble lady to just show face and have the wedding, but he was particularly strict and exacting with Ria.

“We’re fine with it, so why are you making a fuss?”

“Is this why you came to Rusera?”

Damian clicked his tongue at his son and sipped his tea.

“Even to you, does it look like I’m trying to trouble her?”

“At first, yes. Even now, a little.”

“Fool. You’re like me. It’s rare to find something you truly like in life. But once you do, you never let go, even if it ruins your life.”

“…”

“That’s why I put effort into your upbringing. So you wouldn’t fall for pointless things. If you fell for the wrong person, it would be uncontrollable. If you’d had an arranged marriage, you’d have lived a bland but stable life. You’re the kind who keeps promises and duties. Even if you divorced, you wouldn’t be especially regretful.”

“Father.”

“I won’t just sit by and not check when you’re doing something you normally wouldn’t. You went to see the pitiable person yourself… It wasn’t she who bit you, you were the one enchanted.”

The remark hit the nail on the head, and Vespera had nothing to retort.

“She’s not a child who does as you wish. Even if you put a leash on her, she wouldn’t use it, so of course you’d be more restless. I find watching you flustered quite entertaining.”

This was part of the fun Damian took in going to work.

“She’s a good person. Someone I love.”

“Who doesn’t know? Everyone at the Imperial Palace will know by the look in your eyes.”

Picking her up and bringing her back, buying snacks and gifts. The son’s eyes always followed that person. He was so devoted that it reminded Damian of when he courted his wife. It was almost worrying whether he was doing his job properly.

“I was upset that you got engaged without an introduction, not opposed to the engagement itself. The Chancellor’s competence is known even in the duchy, and I had done enough basic background checks. I just wanted to see the person who would become part of our family for myself. She’s bold, smart, and warm.”

“Charming.”

Vespera felt that her supposedly rational father had thoroughly fallen for Ria. Ria insisted she was only doing her work, but before long… It seemed necessary to strengthen various precautions.

Having confirmed each other’s intentions, the two comfortably began to chat about Coco.

“That fellow Lukan seems interested in our daughter-in-law-to-be, so be careful. He works well and is a decent fellow.”

“I know.”

“Fortunately, our daughter-in-law-to-be doesn’t give any openings. Men often mistake kindness for affection.”

Vespera recalled Ria’s face when she was frustrated about having made a bad first impression.

“When Ria met your father at Lorence’s court, she was worried she hadn’t made a good impression. She said she was threatening Lorence a lot. It seems there’s a misunderstanding, so I’ll explain.”

“Misunderstanding? After hearing the story I had quite a row with the Emperor. I told him to discipline his child properly! I couldn’t exactly hit the Emperor.”

“Father.”

“You’ve upheld your duties to the state until now, but we serve the Emperor, not the Crown Prince. I know you’ve endured and tolerated much for my sake. But Lorence has crossed a line, even with the daughter-in-law-to-be. There’s no need to endure it further. Do as you wish.”

“I wouldn’t need to be told—I’m planning to do that. But you saw Ria threatening Prince Lawrence?”

It seemed his head was filled only with his own lover. My kneeling was outside his concern.

“You mean that harmless face asking, ‘Will you kneel?’ and that being called a threat? I thought it was a light tap. And seeing Lawrence trembling over it! Sigh, do you think that would properly intimidate someone?”

Vespera nodded and stifled a laugh. Her father had liked her for a long time. Even she almost couldn’t help finding Ria adorable when she re-enacted the declaration of war against Lawrence.

“You’re something else… amazing.”

Pinea said this as she picked up a dried sweet potato and put it in her mouth.

“They say the Duke is really all right…?”

Nicola looked full of worry. The three of us, gathered at Pinea and Nicola’s home after a long time, had finished dinner with our families and were now having our own chat time.

“Thanks to the Duke lending a hand, I was even able to have dinner with you all today.”

For some reason the two fell silent. After putting a few sweet potato sticks in my mouth, Pinea spoke.

“A daughter-in-law who makes her father-in-law work… And yet he says he likes you—one can hardly understand the thinking of the noble class.”

“Maybe because I usually hang around Prince Raven and Aidan? I think I can understand a little. There really are all kinds of people.”

“Well… still, he said he likes that you occupy most of his day, so is that fortunate? No, ordinary people behave differently at work and at home.”

“The Duke isn’t my lover, so he doesn’t really need to know that much, right? I don’t particularly want to know about the Duke’s private life either.”

Still, people’s character tends to show at work. That much was enough.

“So since you’ve been acknowledged by the Duke, you’re an officially recognized couple. Phew, marriage should be no problem!”

Pinea smoothed her chest as if it were her own matter. The sight was so cute it warmed my heart.

“We should probably go greet the Duchess and the Duke’s daughter too. Marriage… it feels chaotic and then suddenly it’s right upon you.”

I had never considered someone other than Len, but somehow the huge mountain of marriage suddenly seemed to loom before me. Am I ready for marriage? I needed advice.

“Do you all have ideas about married life or views on marriage?”