173

When I suggested we talk about our dream married life or our thoughts on marriage, it turned into a situation where we just confessed so much to each other. So to put it simply, marriage is an indispensable thing possible only because of “each other.” Whether it’s money or values, while in the middle of a passionate romance, all that matters is the two of us.

‘If it were my usual self, I’d probably say “What nonsense is this?” But even I can only say this, so I can’t criticize.’

Values like trust, the kind that matter in maintaining a relationship, seem to have accumulated little by little as we spent time together. Ren steadily piled up the unwavering feelings he’d shown me. Perhaps that’s why I feel emotionally fulfilled.

“What if I said I don’t want to marry, just want to keep dating—what would you think?”

It was a question I’d been quietly curious about but never asked. It might sound very selfish. But he answered as if it were no big deal.

“Judging from your previous life, this place has a lot of formality and duty. I think that can be avoided. Whether we marry doesn’t determine my feelings for you. I’m only worried you’ll have a lot of flies buzzing around you. Aside from that, I’m not such a bad man as to marry someone who hates me, so you can relax.”

“There’s my father… and people watching me, though?”

“Because none of that brings me the kind of happiness I get when I’m with you. To me it’s obvious. You must accept that you can’t convince everyone.”

It was a firm yet mature reply.

“You came from another world, so we are very different. You were worried too. But we’re doing well like this. We’ll get through it together. I’m glad my feelings are not duty right now.”

He smiled so radiantly it felt like sunshine even at night. His happiness felt genuine and warmed my heart. I also felt embarrassingly playful.

“What if I get so angry I start cussing him out? That might cool the feelings I’ve had so far.”

He snorted as if amused and said.

“Try it.”

“……”

Sigh… I’m actually good at cursing.

How could I curse at such a cute pup?

After that, peaceful days continued.

Handling the work that piled up before me day by day, a year passed before I knew it. I was 22, which isn’t a long time, so not much changed. In fact, given the insane changes the previous year had brought, I felt like things had returned to normal.

I tightened my grip on the Chancellery and managed it so thoroughly that no one’s spy could dare enter. In a time like this, with no Crown Prince, since sejak (third son)s ran rampant more frequently.

In the meantime, Kiara and Marcella held their engagement ceremony. I was surprised at how well they looked standing side by side. I planned to pry into their romance later.

Ren and I were still seeing each other well. Though we’d been busy inside and out, we had time for leisurely meetings befitting lovers. His romantic dreams remained well preserved. Sometimes I wanted to tease him, but I cooperated, and if he seemed troubled I gave him space.

‘If only I could do something about that look, like a dog who lost its owner…’

Aside from feeling overly guilty, things were fine. Still, he never pressured me to marry. It was both of our first romances, so we enjoyed the period. We weren’t anxious because we were confident we’d be there for each other in the future. I visited the duke’s residence once and greeted the duchess and the maidens on the way back. I don’t know what Father had said, but everyone welcomed me, so my worries about in-law life eased. They said they’d finally found someone who could talk to them and would come visit the capital together next time.

But that year also served well to dilute the memories of a major incident.

Yes, maybe I too had let my guard down in this peace.

“Count! An urgent dispatch from the Imperial Palace!”

At the butler’s words I hurried down to the first floor and tore open the letter.

[Assassination attempt on Prince Raven — currently being treated]

Though I was the Chancellor, I dragged Olgard—who always slept over at my house—and rushed to the prince’s palace. Raven, his shoulders wrapped in bandages, was lying in bed and greeted us. Nicola, looking worried, carefully wiped his sweat at his side.

“Coco.”

“Nicola, how is the Prince?”

“I’m fine.”

Raven raised his hand as if to signal he was alive, but my gaze was fixed only on Nicola.

“There was a break-in last night. It’s a relief the attacker was skilled with a sword; he missed any fatal points. They said he’d be fine after a few weeks’ rest.”

“Excuse me, but may I take a look?”

Pulled in without even wearing his cleric robes, he carefully examined the wound area and then placed his hand on it. With a bright light, the wound healed in an instant. It felt strange to see him in everyday clothes using sacred power like us.

“You didn’t have to go this far. I was going to take a break from work and even didn’t send anyone to the temple on purpose, Chancellor.”

“Don’t say nonsense. Don’t you understand that a royal’s health is directly tied to power? And if Your Highness lets go, I’ll have to take care of it all. I don’t want that.”

“Are you truly Lemer’s envoy?”

“I run errands semi-regularly.”

“Se…mi?”

“Think of it as doing an errand once or twice.”

“Anyway… thank you for rushing here. Chancellor, I’m truly grateful you hurried over despite being busy. I’m fine now, so sit and have some refreshments.”

“Thank you.”

Raven, still spent, remained lying down while we gathered around on chairs and a small table beside him.

“We were negligent.”

It was clear who attempted it. Lorence, no doubt.

While he was secluded, Raven had grown by leaps and bounds. He succeeded in important projects and impressed upon the empire that there was an alternative to Lorence. Even the Emperor seemed pleased with his handling of affairs. He had solidified his position as a genuine Crown Prince candidate.

“Was this a declaration of war against me? Or did they really intend to kill me?”

“Probably both. A reminder not to forget how confident they are, and at the same time a message that they’d be fine if I died. Lorence is that kind of man.”

A quiet nightmare was surfacing again.

“I never thought he would step down quietly. It’s not a position one gives up easily. He hasn’t been idle either. We’ve defended ourselves in our own ways, but behind him remain Duke Seref and Marcus the Marquess. There’s also Gerard, who somehow survived that chaos. Looking at it that way, the Emperor spared many of his people by stripping him of the Crown Prince title. I should have swept them all away…”

“Still, isn’t the head of the War Ministry Girion now? With the 2nd Knight Division reverting to the 1st, there has been progress.”

“They must have judged that they can’t let the Prince keep advancing any further.”

“You should be glad you earned your brother’s recognition.”

“You must not step back anymore. Will you be all right?”

He’d overcome the things eating away at his spirit and come this far. Once he declared he would be Emperor, he couldn’t run away. He and Lorence couldn’t both thrive simultaneously.

Raven nodded with a hardened face. His gaze was firmer than before.

“A man who avoids the first shot isn’t a man, after all.”

My mind snapped awake. The relaxed feeling that had taken hold of me tightened in an instant.

‘To use such a bold move… his return is imminent.’

There’s no doubt the Emperor’s heart has softened. The rumor that he pitied Lorence for living quietly until now was true. If they tried to bring him back even a bit faster, my father-in-law would jump in to stop it, but even he was nearing his limit. After all, the master of this empire is the Emperor, not the Duke.

‘Has His Majesty been holding back all this time?’

Like a sly snake, he never once asked me my opinion about Lawrence’s return. Perhaps because the answer was obvious so there was no need. Even without an official declaration, I met frequently with Prince Raven and actively assisted his work. That was more powerful than me declaring I wouldn’t support Lorence.

‘What will Lawrence do this time?’

Raven’s administrative abilities are overwhelmingly superior. But Lawrence has powerful families to back him—those who’ve tasted the fruits of corruption. It’s hard to predict his next move.

‘At times like this, stop fretting needlessly and do what you can, one by one.’

There is no unimportant task at the Chancellery. Elysia’s hand-washing campaign and hygiene product distribution project went smoothly—she successfully produced soap and is in trial sales. Using her experience working in the merchant guild/house, she promoted it well, and sales have skyrocketed from nobles to commoners. Satisfied with her report, I approved it and went to Eldo’s desk to request necessary materials for another agenda.

“Eldo Secretary, this document… Secretary?”

“Yes? Ah, Chancellor.”

“Why are you hiding your face with your hair?”

“It’s a hairstyle that’s fashionable these days…”

“…When did you get close with Tom?”

Surprisingly, Reyra and Tom had been seeing each other well. I expected them to break up at the first hitch, so it was astonishing. I remembered colleagues from other departments who’d bet a set amount on how long their relationship would last—anyone who guessed right would’ve made a tidy profit. Anyway, after dating Reyra, Tom almost become a grooming type, and I hadn’t expected a connection with the straight-laced Eldo.

Did Eldo have an interest in this sort of styling? Well, it’s possible.

“It suits you. Secretary, could you turn your head this way? There’s something I want to request… Secretary?”

But he remained still without saying a word. For the first time in a while, I felt a chilling sensation creep up.

“Secretary, turn your head and look at me.”

“……”

“Hurry. Before I have to grab your face and turn it.”

Then Eldo’s face slowly turned toward me.

“……!”

I was momentarily speechless from the shock. Sensing the strange atmosphere, Lucan came to where I was.

“Chancellor, what’s happening? Gasp.”

My voice unintentionally dropped low.

“Who did this?”

One of Eldo’s eyes was bruised a deep blue.