Chapter 68

It was gloomy.

Vespera, the empire’s most impressive man, was gloomy.

He was born bearing the obligations of nobility. So he believed that serving the Empire, the duty of the nobility, was the mission of those with noble blood, and he despised those who violated it. Holding the title of Next Archduke meant exactly that.

But as he lived, he realized not everyone lived as he did. They were not as clever, their will was weak, and their physical abilities were inferior. Some didn’t even know the duties of nobility. At first he was angry. But after many trials and errors he resigned himself and resolved to at least keep his own conduct.

Thus he had prospered until now.

It was hard, but he didn’t expect anyone to acknowledge it. But one cannot do everything alone. He needed colleagues of matching caliber.

“Hello.”

When he first saw that girl at the central ministry, he was honestly pleased inwardly. She had been sharp both when they met at the Daijo shop and at the Marquess’s residence party. When he heard she had created the most popular cosmetics brand in society, he thought, ‘Someone this capable would be a great help if she worked for the Empire.’ And she did not disappoint.

“You might think it’s useless now, but later there will surely be a time when this is decisively applied.”

She displayed knowledge of the law and persuasiveness that was hard to believe for someone her age. She showed no fear at all in conversing with me, the Supreme Justice. So much so that he almost, without realizing, tried to recruit her to the Ministry of Justice. If well nurtured, she would certainly become a great talent. Even without graduating from the academy she was this capable; after several years in the ministry it would be hard even for him to catch up with her.

“Supreme Justice, no Duke, how did you come here, Supreme Justice?”

He smiled at the image of her startled, rabbit-like eyes. Since it was clearly a matter tied to the Crown Prince’s faction, and he feared losing imperial talent, he heard the Minister of Finance’s plan and acted immediately.

But how far had she prepared—disguising herself like a company employee and even working the locking magic? Even that, which he had intended to deal with later, she handled excellently. Her performance made him ashamed of himself and served as an opportunity to steady his resolve again.

He was honestly glad when he saw her again at the Hidden Department for overseas assets. She felt much more reassuring than Illya beside him. It wasn’t easy, but he thought that if they worked as they had until now, they could solve it. With her it would be faster.

But things kept happening that defied expectations.

“What is she doing now?”

“Is there anything you might want me to do?”

Vespera could count on one hand the times he’d left work on time. He considered quitting time a formal rule. Work was something to continue as long as there was work left. A bureaucrat for the Empire should naturally do so.

She truly fulfilled her duties perfectly. So he could say nothing. And he was truly surprised to learn that many officials worked overtime simply due to fear of their superiors.

“I propose the Noble Asset Registration System.”

There was honestly a part of him thinking, ‘Let’s see what alternative she brings while she leaves on time every day.’

But unlike those who just lingered around, she brought an unprecedented, bold plan no one had thought of. It proved that working late doesn’t necessarily improve productivity. It was a method he himself hadn’t thought of. He wanted to see what was inside the head of a young lady who was only twenty-one this year. There was no reason not to implement her proposal.

“I see. I’ll introduce you sometime. Have them report and I’ll judge it.”

It irked him. The Emperor had tried to introduce someone like Lorence to a promising genius bureaucrat. He was already involved, but the thought that this girl might later be reduced to cleaning up after Lorence left him in a bad mood. It was undoubtedly a loss for the Empire. He felt the need to devise a way.

“Cornelia!”

When the next Magic Tower Master young brat tried to embrace her, his hand moved instinctively. He hadn’t moved so quickly since his military days. How dare he touch my subordinate…!

But she and young brat already knew each other. He even said he would accommodate the royal family’s request due to his acquaintance with her. He realized anew that there was a world of hers he hadn’t known. It was not a particularly pleasant experience. Still, watching her chew contentedly at a grilled fish shop on the way home strangely made that feeling disappear.

But unease soon reappeared before him.

“Secretary Cornelia’s opinion is delusional. She seems to be in a different world alone. You can’t do everything by valuing only efficiency. She doesn’t seem to fit well with royal officials.”

“My proposal is intended to avoid wasting unnecessary energy. It’s not that she doesn’t fit; it’s that the central ministry’s administrative procedures are clogged.”

He thought it an absurd remark, but had no intention whatsoever to argue.

“Is writing another report that hard? Are you just trying to leave early?”

He couldn’t believe he’d said such petty words.

“I’ve never abandoned my work to leave. If a task is understandable, I’ll work overtime even if not ordered. Having a warm meal with family is sometimes more valuable than doing the same work repeatedly.”

He had to admit it. He might have assumed she was like him, smart and excellent at work. He had presumptuously assumed she would think like him.

She was different from him. He felt it more the longer they were together.

‘Raising my voice at a young bureaucrat—how shameful.’

He remembered her eyes, sharp as they rose when she glared. He sighed. He couldn’t focus on work well. He didn’t even want to go home, so like other officials he aimlessly worked overtime. He sat until midnight looking at reports that didn’t even appear before his eyes.

Still, thinking he couldn’t remain like this as an adult, he resolved to talk with her.

At that moment, a report came in that Marcus’s retainer who had fled overseas had been captured. To establish the Noble Asset Registration System, Marcus’s assets had to be quickly registered to a retainer who could be trusted.

He immediately went to see His Majesty the Emperor. Observing the approval process, he was able to vividly perceive the problems Cornelia had pointed out. First of all, meeting His Majesty the Emperor was not easy. It was only because he had connections among the imperial family that it could be handled so quickly.

“Supreme Justice, thank you for handling this promptly.”

Seeing her smile brightly and greet him as if their quarrel were forgotten, he found it hard to define his feelings. Admiration for her ability to clearly separate work and emotion coexisted with a tinge of disappointment—wasn’t this a big concern for her? He could say nothing.

Afterwards, nobles rushed in like a tide to register their assets. It was because he had instilled fear that their property might be seized by the wrong people. Those who already had assets were greedier.

“Supreme Justice, may I come in for a moment?”

It was Reyra, the finance officer. It was a day when everyone reported to their departments, but because of asset registration finance officers often visited the Ministry of Justice. True to the Ministry of Finance, it was a report document organized with surgical precision, not a single number out of place.

“How does His Majesty feel?”

“Of course, he is pleased. He might even hold a banquet.”

“Wow, that’s sincere. Supreme Justice, you’ve worked hard.”

“You all did well too. There will be much work in management going forward. Don’t become complacent.”

“Of course. We’ve crossed the biggest mountain, so there should be no problem. But didn’t you give separate commendation to Secretary Cornelia, who played the largest role in this success?”

When Reyra looked at him steadily, Vespera was uncharacteristically flustered.

“Ahem. I will.”

“You two still haven’t reconciled?”

“You must have a lot of time on your hands.”

He had thought finance officials cared only about money, but that notion was revoked as of today.

“She pretends it’s fine so her work isn’t hindered, but it’s pitiful in a way. Simon said he can’t bear to see it. You, Supreme Justice, must think Secretary Cornelia’s proposal is actually necessary, right? You who’ve handled everything from operations to management can’t possibly not know.”

“……”

“Do you know what the secretary said? She said you’re among those who wish to avoid such unnecessary time wasting, and that she knows you always do your best at work. She said she doesn’t want to make you waste time and energy.”

“……Is that true?”

“What would I gain by lying? It’s not like money is coming out of it.”

Reyra snorted and took the signed documents.

“She brought it to the surface, didn’t she? Superiors must respond appropriately.”

Then she left with a warning.

“If she were my subordinate I’d find her very endearing. Don’t make her cry. Crying people aren’t cute.”

After Reyra left, Vespera buried his face deep in both hands.

Just from hearing a few updates he felt his head float as if untethered.

It felt as if his past worries and pains were washed away in an instant. His chest throbbed.

“What… on earth is this?”