64

Laws and systems can’t be perfect, so they must be continuously revised and improved. Surrounding circumstances and timing are also important.

The Noble Asset Registration System hit the timing fairly well and has raised expectations. But ultimately our duty is to create administration and laws that keep the empire running smoothly, so we shouldn’t cling too tightly to each individual thing.

‘Of course, failure would be disheartening.’

After watching the nobles’ movements, I returned to the Chancellery today instead of the Hidden Department. Lukan, who had been quiet for a while, seemed to have recovered quickly and spoke to me.

“Lukan, are you going to senior Lucius’s wedding?”

He nodded readily.

“Of course. I think everyone from our department is going.”

“But, I don’t really know, so…”

I moved a little closer to Lukan and whispered quietly.

“How much do people usually give as a wedding gift money?”

Right — I knew nothing about wedding culture in this world.

I had sneaked into the library, but it only covered the order of the ceremony, not monetary matters like gift money.

But this was a fairly important matter for someone with a job.

“Ah, gift money?”

Lukan tilted his head instead.

“Usually people give gifts rather than money, right? Oh, Cornelia, this is your first time attending a wedding?”

In moments like this, being a young person new to society was actually helpful.

“Right. So I don’t know what I should prepare to bring.”

Among colleagues, if you don’t attend it’s 50,000 won, if you attend it’s 100,000 won, and if you’re close it’s more than that. That’s the current trend of gift money amounts in Korea so far. It might go up from here, but it won’t go down.

With salaries not rising while prices go up, the costs of events are burdensome; I remember most people claiming personal reasons and not attending, paying only 50,000 won.

“Don’t worry. Our department decided to standardize the amount and pool it together. The assistant scribes don’t earn much, so there’s no need to make anyone feel awkward.”

I perked up at the surprisingly reasonable culture.

“Do other departments do this too?”

“No — Senior Lucius apparently asked senior Victor to do it this way before leaving. Actually, at Sir Dorian’s wedding there were grudges over the different gift amounts. He seemed displeased. After that, he made such a fuss that he said when he gets married it should be standardized.”

“Truly a wise senior.”

I mentally sent a heart to senior Lucius for solving my worry so neatly. Lukan continued his story.

“Since it’s your first time at a wedding, in general acquaintances and relatives usually give gifts. Especially for high-ranking nobles, the price of exchanged gifts is enormous. They sometimes give mines or castles.”

At that insurmountable scale I couldn’t help but shake my head.

“If senior Lucius hadn’t said anything… people would probably just give money for simplicity, or gifts if they’re closer. Senior Victor is close to senior Lucius, so he might have prepared a separate gift.”

“Oh, useful info, thanks.”

“Not at all. Thanks to you I’m enjoying leaving work on time lately. Oh, and just so you know, don’t wear an overly flashy dress or white to the wedding tomorrow.”

That seems to be universal regardless of the setting: it’s a courtesy to make the bride shine the most.

“Don’t worry. See you tomorrow.”

The next day, at Senior Lucius’s wedding venue.

True to his friendly nature, the venue was packed. Dressed in a neat light-yellow dress, I fluttered around like a butterfly, surveying the surroundings. In the modern world multiple couples might marry in one building giving a market-like feel, but here each ceremony was for a single couple, so the atmosphere was more relaxed. Besides, outdoor weddings were common.

“That must be it.”

Past the entrance, I saw a tall pile of gift boxes beside the virgin road. At the edge, a servant sat at a small table, recording who had given what.

There was no concept of meal tickets here — anyone with an invitation could eat. Lukan explained yesterday that hosts strongly appreciate people coming from far away.

“Cornelia.”

Senior Victor and Lukan, who had arrived earlier, waved to me. Both were neatly dressed in formal wear and looked very attractive.

“Hello, seniors, Lukan. You look great today.”

“Cornelia, you look great today too.”

“You look like a chick, Cornelia.”

Lukan stifled a snort at Victor senior’s remark. I rolled my eyes in response.

“That’s a compliment, right? I thought I looked like a butterfly.”

Unlike usual, Senior Victor shook his head firmly from side to side.

“More chick than butterfly. Chicks are cuter.”

“Then it’s a compliment.”

We chatted until the start time approached, then found and joined a table where people from the Chancellery were gathered. The venue was large and the tables were plentiful.

“May I?”

It was the Minister of Finance and the empire’s most eligible Duke. When the two tried to sit in the empty seats, those nearby stood up and greeted them. The Minister of Finance waved them off and gestured for them to sit.

“You’ve come.”

Senior Victor greeted the Minister of Finance and started a conversation.

“Well, if a subordinate has a happy event you should attend even if busy. The venue is very beautiful. Oh, Secretary Cornelia is here too. Like a chick?”

“…A butterfly.”

I muttered a small objection, but the Minister of Finance seemed too busy chatting with others to hear. Why had they come and sat here instead of where the high officials gathered? The Duke sitting beside him was an unexpected attendee as well.

“Duke, are you also close with senior Lucius?”

He somehow looked pleased.

“Lucius has served in the Chancellery for a long time. When I entered the Ministry of Justice he was very helpful whenever we asked the Chancellery for collaboration. He’s quite capable.”

He seemed to like him both personally and professionally. Indeed, aside from his first impression at the Chancellery, Lucius always tried to resolve disputes. He had confessed that he briefly wandered after the Marcus Chancellor incident when he thought he might be fired.

“It’s starting.”

Against white tables and an arch lavishly decorated with flowers, the groom appeared to music down the white virgin road. The senior in a white tuxedo looked good with his long hair neatly tied back. Then the bride in a white wedding dress appeared.

“Wow, I’ve never seen senior’s face like that.”

Lukan mumbled beside me, unable to take his eyes off the groom’s face. Looking closely, I too saw him gazing at the bride with an expression as if honey could drip from his eyes — utterly enamored.

‘Wow…’

They were truly a beautiful pair. Somehow the sight felt unusually unfamiliar.

‘Maybe it’s because I’ve never thought about marriage.’

Having lost my family and made a living, and in the midst of trying, failing, and giving up on dreams, I never had time to think about romance or marriage.

‘Then is it okay now?’

I quickly shook my head. For someone like me who fell into this world and might not know when I’ll return, that kind of thing doesn’t suit me. The uncertainty always left that thought nagging in my mind.

It wasn’t exactly disappointing — I just thought romance was tiring.

After the ceremony ended and the reception began, the Minister of Finance casually probed with a question.

“Come to think of it, Secretary Cornelia is of marriageable age. Is there anyone you’re seeing?”

All eyes at the table turned to me. The looks from the people on either side felt peculiarly piercing.

“I’m not seeing anyone yet. I have no plans to marry at the moment.”

At those words the Minister of Finance widened his eyes and fidgeted. Was he really that meddlesome?

“No, why not. If you don’t, I was going to introduce someone to you.”

I hesitated for a moment. If I said I wasn’t interested, he’d probably push to make me meet people, so I replied the other way around.

“If you introduce someone, I’d be grateful to meet them. But don’t get your hopes up — I have very high standards. So I probably won’t date or marry.”

“What kind of person do you want then?”

I smiled and answered the question.

“A handsome person with a nice voice, in great shape, tall, capable, wealthy, athletic, faithful, affectionate, healthy, and family-oriented.”

“…”

For a moment silence fell over our table. The Minister of Finance turned his head sharply in a sulky voice.

“Eh, you’re rejecting so clearly. Where would such a person exist?”

“So I said I have no intention~.”

“If you toy with me like this, this old man will properly go out and find one for you.”

“I’d be grateful then. I’ll look forward to it, Minister of Finance.”

The noisy atmosphere returned. Everyone joked about having high standards. I laughed and took it as a joke.

But the Duke beside me sat quietly, appearing lost in deep thought.

As usual, I was busy at the Hidden Department monitoring the pilot operation of the Noble Asset Registration System.

As expected, registration numbers were still low. But I was patiently waiting — for the day this law would be announced, spread across the empire, and everyone would know. And for Marcus’s retainer to be caught. The story would begin after that.

Today I was going back to the Chancellery after a long time. I hadn’t been able to go to the Chancellery for about a month because of the legislation. The wedding was over and senior Lucius would have gone on his honeymoon.

Thinking I should greet him after a long time, I opened the door.

“Hello.”

But someone I hadn’t seen before was sitting at a desk. A new hire, perhaps.

“Oh, Cornelia, you’re here?”

“Se-senior Lucius?!”

Surprisingly, his expression was far from that of a man enjoying a happy honeymoon. He looked nervous and his brow was furrowed harshly. As I was about to ask why, an unfamiliar sound I hadn’t heard in the office before reached my ears.

Click. Click. Click.

Curious, I turned my head and couldn’t believe my eyes at the sight.

‘Is he clipping his nails in the office right now?’