170

Pinea seemed to recall the boyfriends she’d dated in her head.

“I want a thoroughly planned marriage. I want to keep working even after I marry. Assistant salaries are really high too. Honestly, my family wasn’t wealthy. So I started working early. I’m not complaining—everyone lives like that. Still, I want my children to live without lacking anything; if they wish, I could even send them to the academy like Julie or Rio. I hope to find someone whose views match mine in that regard.”

It was a very K-office-worker kind of view on marriage.

“What about Nicola?”

“As for me… I think it’s love. Nothing can start without love. Right now I’m busy serving the prince as his page, but if the person I love wished it, I’d gladly give up my position. If you can’t see someone precious, money becomes useless in the end.”

If Raven knew, he’d be in trouble. He ought to be advised to improve welfare before he quits because of marriage. For reference, in this Seraphina Empire pages, ladies-in-waiting, maids, and servants can all marry. But their duties are demanding, so their choice of spouses is somewhat limited.

“Hmm… I see.”

It was strange that their views on marriage were so extremely different.

‘I thought since they took care of each other well, living together might lead to affection or at least a flirtation. Guess I was mistaken.’

“My mother said her view on marriage was to marry a handsome man.”

“Isn’t that just an ideal type?”

“It’s about values and ideas about marriage, so it’s not wrong.”

“Though she didn’t get to marry according to her ideas.”

Pinea snorted softly. Though she’d passed away, from her expression it seemed she had lived happily.

“How about listening to someone from a close couple?”

Nicola suggested it. She meant that it might be more helpful to ask someone who actually has a partner than to ask herself or Pinea, who weren’t seeing anyone yet.

“A close couple? Who?”

“You know. That…”

A few days later, I went to the Aurelius Marquess’s residence.

“You came all the way to my house to ask that?”

Kiara looked incredulous.

“You always came to our house, so today I thought I’d greet the steward as well.”

“My father and mother will be pleased. Stay for dinner tonight.”

“Is this really the first time we all eat together?”

“Proof that you’ve kept your promise to me.”

I brought the topic back before the conversation drifted elsewhere.

“I’m curious about your thoughts on marriage. Also, what is it about my brother that you like?”

Kiara set the fan she was holding on the table and rested her chin on the back of her hand. Her red lips formed a small smile.

“Nobles are obvious. Matches arranged by families, politically advantageous marriages that benefit the house. So I’ve rarely thought about what kind of marriage I personally want. It’s only painful. I simply worked hard with the goal of dominating the social scene.”

I suppose that’s how nobles think.

“But the situation is different now. I’ve been named the heir.”

“How is that different? Many house heads marry based on interests.”

“But I can choose more proactively. If I lead the Marquess’s house well and fully take control of the family, I think I can marry whoever I want. Of course extreme differences in status wouldn’t be acceptable. In that regard, I’m grateful to you, Coco.”

She was referring to how I restored the noble title and rose to count through my achievements.

“Don’t misunderstand. I began to like Marcella after you restored the noble title. It was easier once he rose to count, though.”

“Really? I don’t misunderstand.”

“I’ve stepped away from the life of an ordinary noble daughter. My view on marriage is less about producing an heir and more about meeting someone compatible and relying on each other for life. You asked why I like Marcella? He’s big but warm and considerate. Being with him feels warm. Is it hard to find people like that in a cold noble society? Lastly, I like the household people you have, Coco. They have this… lovely feeling.”

“…I know.”

From how Kiara and Aidan had shown me kindness for no reason, I couldn’t be unaware. When I once asked why, she said she was smitten from the first time she saw me. Maybe her tastes made life a bit easier for her.

“I thought it was a casual romance, but you were serious.”

“I may have been the talk of the social scene, but you mean I never had any issues with men?”

Indeed, as a gossip-laden young lady I appeared more as someone who set social trends than someone involved in a fling with Yeong-sik.

“Does Marcella know about your thoughts like this?”

“Marcella’s character wouldn’t allow a lighthearted affair; he wouldn’t have started. Besides, I’m your close friend.”

Right. My brother could never casually date my friend. It reassured me that Kiara knew his character and was doing well with him.

“Please take good care of my brother.”

Kiara gently took my hand.

“Thank you for allowing such a precious family.”

Only after finishing dinner with Aurelius the Marquess and the Marquess’s wife could I leave. It was a productive evening where I even heard their views on marriage. The gist was this.

‘Views on marriage aside, you must secure a Duke. That’s how the family will thrive.’

‘It might be fun just to live looking at his face.’

All were practical, hard-nosed pieces of advice. Kiara sitting beside me looked slightly embarrassed. After the Marquess’s wife’s request, I chose a few dresses, then greeted the steward I was friendly with, Melody, and left.

“I told you to stay the night. Can’t you take a day off tomorrow?”

“That’s a bit difficult.”

“Will things not run there for even a day without you?”

“Well… Your Grace will be my subordinate for a while.”

“…I forgot what you’re like. You’re not ordinary either.”

“No! Truly, the Duke and I are purely professional!”

“That’s the problem. Usually, people don’t think of delegating work to a Duke.”

“He agreed readily…”

“Usually, they don’t even bring it up.”

“It’s getting too late. I’m leaving first!”

Giving up persuasion and running toward the carriage, Kiara waved and shouted.

“If you get fired, tell me! I’ll hire another assistant!”

I was already thinking it was time to wrap up this surprise event.

Damian, enjoying a rare day off, invited his son and Coco home. With their busy days lately, he told the steward to prepare a hearty restorative meal.

‘The more I think about it, the more impressive it is.’

The more time he spent at the Chancellery, the more incredible his daughter-in-law the Chancellor’s abilities seemed. Honestly, when Nathan said the Chancellor handled the changed formats, he didn’t believe it. He thought she only put her name on it and others did the work. But that wasn’t the case.

‘The Chancellery’s work system has completely changed.’

He didn’t know about other departments, but compared to when he was there, it had changed 180 degrees. Damian felt in his bones that all the changes came from the Chancellor’s ability to give orders without hesitation. There was no need to boast that she did it herself; the gap in understanding was obvious.

‘At first I wondered what she was doing, but I was a fool.’

He didn’t understand why she asked subordinates’ opinions so many times and tried to assign tasks they wanted to do. He thought it would be more efficient to do more work if there was time to spare. Her method was surprising, but it didn’t erase Damian’s deeply rooted beliefs.

‘Elysia Langford.’

The hygiene product business she took on voluntarily.

Despite being busy, she produced a convincing plan in only a week. She stayed late without being asked and consulted the temple, the Magic Tower, and the physician/clinic. The Chancellor only set the direction.

Strangely, the Chancellor focused only on business planning and strategy, checked progress, and left most of the practical work to her subordinates. Yet the department ran smoothly.

She also didn’t withhold praise for a job well done.

“This looks good. If this business proceeds without issues, there will be appropriate rewards. Let’s request an additional bonus from the Ministry of Finance.”

They were odd bureaucrats—not beaten down and lifeless-eyed despite their hard work. It contrasted with his own subordinates, who were terrified and stiff with tension.

“How did you…”

“Your Grace, the two have arrived.”

The steward’s entrance cut off his thoughts. He didn’t know where such a person had come from, but she was a talent to be held onto for the empire, not Vespera. Suddenly the former Crown Prince came to mind and anger welled up again. How dare someone like Lorence… with my son and daughter-in-law.

“Go.”

Calming his anger, Damian went downstairs to greet his son and daughter-in-law.

“Dinner was delicious, Your Grace. There were many dishes I’ve never seen before—thank you for your consideration.”

It was truly a feast. The steward explained the dishes were good for restoring strength, as if considering how worn out Vespera and I had been from work. The Duke paused his solemn knife work for a moment.

“You’ve even had an engagement, but aren’t you a bit too stiff, Your Grace?”

I liked him, but there was no separate word saying he approved of our relationship, so I kept calling him Your Grace. I was afraid to call him ‘father’ and be scolded for crossing a line.

“Then… may I call you Father?”

“Ahem! Th-That would be fine.”

My eyes met Ren’s, who was wide-eyed. For some reason, even he seemed surprised.

“Yes, Father!”

I cheered brightly and enjoyed the meal, which tasted even better than before.

“Come down to the duchy sometime. I’d like to introduce you to my wife and daughter.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Ahem.”

Since it’s close to the Libertas territory, it would be nice to visit with family as a sort of holiday. I was imagining several scenes when the Duke asked another question.

“So then, when do you plan to hold the wedding?”

Before I could be flustered, Ren answered.

“Don’t worry. We’ll arrange it without making it too late. As you know, things are busy these days and we’re overwhelmed.”

“I know. Still, securing a date in advance would put my mind at ease. Discuss it between yourselves.”

“Yes.”

Ren was fully defending to ensure I didn’t feel pressured about the wedding.

‘But here weddings only go as far as kissing… are they going to do that?’