Chapter 78

The Duke did not appear at the TWCR for some time after that.

I, who was secretly curious about his love life, probed Mr. Bull a little, but he seemed to know nothing. In truth, I couldn’t even take proper appointments because of overtime, so there was no way to find out more.

For reference, imperial officials are on a fixed-salary system. No matter how much overtime they do, there is no extra pay.

‘Things like this were definitely better at the Marquis’s residence.’

It felt like I was eating dinners more expensive than any overtime pay, but that was not enough to deter my will to leave work.

So his romantic affairs aside, I needed to solve this problem first.

Seraphina Empire Chancellery. Business hours.

“Coco, you’re here again.”

Elysia, who had started to get a bit friendly, called out in a small voice using my pet name as if signaling me. I, who had been concentrating on the administrative regulation reform underway, raised an eyebrow and looked up.

Again?

A tall man with cool violet-gray hair neatly swept to one side strode in elegantly.

“Secretary Cornelia,, are you busy?”

I stood and respectfully greeted the Duke of the Seraphina Empire, the Next Archduke, and head of the Ministry of Justice.

“Hello, Supreme Justice. No, I’m not. What is it?”

His red eyes, as if coldness would drip from them, fixed on me.

“Requesting cooperation. Come to the Ministry of Justice this evening.”

Small sighs were heard here and there at once. I looked at the calendar on my desk.

‘How many weeks has this been? No, has it been months?’

My patience was beginning to wear thin.

“Yes. Understood.”

But like a veteran of office life, I replied with a flawless smile. This level of response was almost an instinctive reflex. After he left, dissatisfied voices burst out here and there.

“What, do they think Chancellery staff are subordinates of the Ministry of Justice?”

Lucius, usually mild-tempered, sighed as if incredulous.

“Exactly. Even if the acting Chancellor, the Minister of Finance, permitted it, it’s not just for a day or two—this is too much.”

Lukan chimed in as if he’d been waiting for that.

“Look at the secretary’s complexion. Who works overtime every day for weeks on end without a break?”

“It’s been over two months… that’s crossing the line.”

Elysia pushed up her horn-rimmed glasses and flashed a sharp look.

“And it’s for another team’s work!”

“It’s all because the secretary is exceptional. So many cooperation requests come in. These days the Supreme Justice almost monopolizes them, though.”

One of the assistant clerks sighed deeply and said gloomily.

“We can’t refuse. How can we reject the requests of the Next Archduke, the Duke, the youngest Supreme Justice…”

Everyone’s mouths protruded in dissatisfaction, as if they had no sharp solution. But I thought differently.

“Why can’t we? Just do it.”

The people in the Chancellery stared as if their eyes would pop out. When I gave a bright smile with a clear look, Lucan and Lucius held their foreheads as if in pain, and Elysia’s eyes sparkled. A few assistant clerks who had not been here long just blinked without understanding.

At first I judged there were areas I could reasonably help with, so I cooperated on the work. I was also curious about the work capability of the empire’s top catch. Had it not been for his direct appointment, there would have been such a gap in rank that we couldn’t have worked face to face like this.

“Perfect. Good work, Secretary Cornelia.”

A fantastic smile crossed his normally icy face. It was pleasing to see him satisfied with the work I had done. I also enjoyed admiring his statue-like looks. But that was as far as it went. I had seen enough of a celebrity’s face.

‘I’m about to die of overwork, after all.’

The youngest Supreme Justice, unaware of this, picked up a thick stack of documents beside him.

“I think it would be good to discuss this work together tomorrow.”

It was at least a week’s worth of overtime, by rough estimate. And what I had been wondering was whether someone from the Chancellery — me — was truly necessary to this extent. Judging by the content, most of it seemed manageable by Ministry of Justice staff alone. The Chancellery would only need to do a bit of final confirmation?

I stared at him for a moment, then spoke.

“I’m sorry, Supreme Justice, but I don’t think I can help — I don’t have the time.”

He calmly replied.

“Alright, then let’s do it the next day.”

“I think it’ll be difficult then, too.”

“Then the day after that.”

“I’m sorry, but that day is difficult, too.”

He hesitated for a moment and asked again.

“Is that so? Then when do you think you’ll be available?”

I smiled as if in casual conversation and answered.

“I think it’ll continue to be difficult from now on.”

“…What?”

The hand that had been flipping through the documents froze in place. I began tidying the papers on the desk in neat stacks and said,

“Isn’t it abnormal for a Chancellery staff member to work overtime every day on the Ministry of Justice’s tasks? It’s interfering with my primary duties. At this rate I’ll have my own desk at the Ministry of Justice.”

For some reason he seemed frozen like a rock, but that couldn’t be the case. He simply hadn’t expected such a direct refusal. Such was the difference in rank.

But since I had helped without complaint until now, I had no intention of backing down.

“Rather than making another team’s staff work overtime like this, it might be better to bring a reliable subordinate into the Ministry of Justice. Unlike the Supreme Justice, you know I value life after work, right?”

“….”

“I’ll still help sometimes. About once a month? That’s me really being generous. See you tomorrow then.”

I gathered my bag, bowed politely, and left the office. I felt relieved after saying what I’d kept inside.

Exiting the building and heading quickly toward the main gate, I heard footsteps running up behind me. When I turned, it was the empire’s sole Next Archduke.

“Supreme Justice?”

He kept his lips tightly shut with an expression that showed he couldn’t comprehend something. His usually confident and arrogant gaze flickered like a candle.

“…What will you do after leaving work early?”

His voice sounded as if he’d forced out a phrase he had been swallowing.

What will I do after leaving work? Too many things. No matter how sadly he looked at me with his handsome face, it wouldn’t help.

Still, we’d grown a fair amount of affection through our collaboration projects. I grumbled lightly with the easiest excuse.

“I’m going on a date with my boyfriend.”

For some reason the Supreme Justice had no reply. His face seemed to have gone pale.

“…You had a lover? Could it possibly be that guy?”

When his voice finally came after a long pause, it trembled.

‘Is it that shocking that I’m dating someone? Who is “that guy”? Could it be Deputy Commander Girion?’

He has someone he likes himself, so why does he react to me like that?

But he soon corrected himself to stop needless workplace gossip. He didn’t want to cause trouble for someone who had been polite.

“I’m about to make one. I’ll leave early to do it.”

“Ha.”

The empire’s top catch let out a long sigh. To him, who considered everything including himself the best, my wish might seem pathetic and trivial.

He kept sweeping his hair back in a crooked posture. Then he slowly approached me. No matter what he said, I had no intention of doing overtime for work unrelated to the Chancellery anymore. My stamina was running out.

Though the moonlight highlighted his bold yet delicate features and drew admiration, I was not swayed. Having seen him enough over two months, I was somewhat immune. He gently placed both hands on my shoulders as if embracing. I was slightly surprised but stayed calm.

“I’ll gladly be that lover.”

“…Sorry?”

My mind went blank for a moment.

“I’m saying I’ll be your lover.”

Without meaning to, my perfect poker face collapsed and an unfiltered answer burst out.

“Are you crazy?”

Meanwhile the Next Archduke seemed to have fully regained his composure and wore a satisfied smile.

“You said you wanted someone handsome, with a good voice, a great body, tall, capable, wealthy, athletic, faithful, affectionate, healthy, and family-oriented. I don’t think anyone is more suitable than me.”

Those obnoxious words flew out one after another and my head was a chaos stew. Can he really say things like that just because he’s handsome?

“The Supreme Justice definitely…! Gasp.”

The troubles I’d heard about him at the TWCR began to click together like puzzle pieces.

‘So that meant… me?’

Heat and shame washed over my whole body. Even so, I couldn’t believe it.

‘Why me?’

I ended up reaching the absurd thought that his response to being denied overtime was to launch a confession attack.

“Even if you say that, I won’t do overtime. I won’t!”

Unlike my flustered state, his confusion vanished and his gaze looked as if the fog had cleared. He tilted his head back slightly and let out a refreshing sigh.

“You don’t have to do overtime anymore. Now I know.”

He smiled.

“I like you.”