Chapter 97

“Come on, come on, I’ll hand out number tickets, so please line up slowly.”

I’m breaking out in a cold sweat at the sight unfolding before me.

Everything was about timing. After my successful confession, feeling so good, I mindlessly accepted Lukan’s suggestion that took advantage of my slip.

I had even forgotten about it, but suddenly they said everything was ready and forcibly dragged me off with Elysia.

He grinned mischievously and sat me in the prepared spot. He’d turned a foreign delegation hall into what looked like a perfectly ordinary counseling booth.

“If only you’d shown this kind of drive at work…”

“Ah, work and fun are different things, Coco!”

A booth with a waiting area and soundproof spacing was suddenly set up. Aidan, Simon, and Reyra had also joined in, looking amused. I didn’t know whose help it was, but a foreign envoy wouldn’t be able to prepare something like this in such a short time.

‘He probably asked that Marcell or whoever.’

Thinking of those curious, sparkling eyes made me certain.

‘Ugh.’

I couldn’t believe I was wasting energy on this when it was already hard enough to arrange a date.

I wondered what the Duke would think if he saw me. Lukan, who couldn’t possibly know my feelings, was hawking people at the entrance like a fish in water.

“Come on, come on, Seraphina Empire’s ultra-fast promoted 1st-rank secretary! Non-Academy graduate! Started as an assistant clerk and in less than a year was recognized by His Majesty the Emperor and promoted to 1st-rank secretary—Cornelia Libertas’s one-day workplace counseling! We’re heading back to the Empire tomorrow, so total secrecy guaranteed! Don’t hesitate, join us-!”

He was so earnest it seemed like sales was his calling. What was truly ridiculous was that his hawking worked and people lined up enough to take number tickets.

“If you like the consultation, you can put as much money as you want into this box. The money will be used for our counselor Cornelia’s welfare.”

I sighed as I looked at the empty box that I guessed was meant for the party fund.

Yes, I should blame myself for agreeing—he wasn’t at fault.

I weakly greeted the first customer, who said they’d been waiting in line since the open run.

“Hello, Miss Cornelia.”

It was Marcell, who had unintentionally saved me from an almost-awkward moment.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for today. There was something I really wanted to see you about and ask.”

He smiled shyly and his eyes shone. I roughly guessed what his problem was.

“Is it a coworker problem?”

“Huh, how did you know?!”

He widened his eyes in surprise and covered his mouth with both hands.

‘I saw that happen—how could I not know.’

I smiled quietly. Then Marcell, a 2nd-rank financial officer, slowly began to tell his story.

This was the tale he poured out: Marcell had been promoted to 2nd-rank financial officer faster than his peers, and since then pranks like tampering with documents, like last time, had become frequent.

“I even eat lunch alone. It’s not like they told me to, but it feels like I’m being excluded…”

I had a rough sense of the atmosphere. But the level of what they were doing seemed worse.

Looking at his face, he seemed too innocent to take revenge on anyone…

“What do you want, Marcell? Do you want to get along again, or do you just want to stop those pranks?”

But the answer that came back was unexpected.

“I want to replace them.”

“…Pardon…?”

“Aren’t we here to work? I’m stressed and irritated by this. It’s to the point where the foreign delegation would know—I’ve had enough patience. Isn’t there a way to get them all fired?”

“I quite like you.”

This was actually easier. You really can’t judge a person by their face. If he’d asked how to get along again, I would have said there was no way—guys like that never think they owe anyone, and they don’t plan to change.

“If Marcell is determined, there is a way. For now, set aside your conscience. Think about what kind of mistake would hit them hardest in work terms. It’s even better if it can end at their level without reporting up the chain. That way you avoid responsibility. Something like, ‘You’ve worked here how long and make a mistake like this?’ is ideal.”

“I understand what you mean. I’ll try it!”

To the man who clenched his fist, I added that since he’d been promoted to a superior, his responsibilities were different and it was important to draw clear lines with colleagues. It was a one-day counseling, so I couldn’t coach him in detail like Those Who Can’t Resign, but I felt he’d manage.

“Next customer!”

Customers kept requesting consultations after Marcell. The topics varied. But I realized workplace troubles were similar regardless of country.

“I overheard coworkers I thought I was close with gossiping about me in the bathroom. What should I do?”

“My—no, my boss keeps asking what I did on the weekend, if I’m seeing someone, where I’m going today—he asks way too many personal questions. It’s infuriating.”

“Regardless of ability, big projects always go to a particular official. I heard they’re long-time acquaintances with the boss, the discrimination is awful.”

“A new hire keeps being late as if it’s nothing. When I tell them not to be late, they ask if it’s their fault that the carriage didn’t arrive. I’m about to lose it.”

There were countless stories—from interpersonal issues to office politics—that made you want to quit on the spot. Honestly, many were hard to advise on beyond listening, because one consultation couldn’t solve them.

Still, I tried to give concrete answers where possible. I avoided saying things like, ‘You’re not the only one having it tough.’ I especially advised a firm approach for attendance issues.

“Coco, the collection for the party fund is piling up like crazy. They must have liked your counseling!”

Lukan cried out in happy delight. Diplomat Simon added his words.

“I overheard a bit and at your age how do you have that kind of insight… you sound like someone who’s worked ten years in an office! I’m impressed!”

“Haha… really?”

Feeling cold sweat down my back, I called the next customer.

“Hmm? Raven Seraphina… the prince?”

He was someone I hadn’t expected at all. Maybe his aide had stood in line because of the attention; he suddenly appeared beside me. His flashy blond hair and golden eyes drew my gaze.

“How did the prince end up here…?”

He hesitated, sat down, and cleared his throat.

“It looked interesting, so I was curious.”

“Ah…”

The talks had wrapped up and the prince seemed bored. I thought this was a chance to learn what kind of person he was and put on a business smile. I had been regretting our lack of contact anyway.

“Prince, what concerns do you have? I’ll be the only one who knows, so feel free to speak.”

Simon and Lukan, who had been leaning in to listen, smacked their lips at my look and moved back a little. The prince opened his mouth cautiously.

“…I want to know how not to be self-conscious.”

“Pardon?”

He was already taciturn, and his voice was like a mosquito’s—hard to hear.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I can’t hear you well. Could you speak a bit louder?”

Prince Raven cleared his throat a few more times, leaned slightly toward me, and whispered.

“I want to know how not to read the room.”

Wait, a royal worrying about a few people he feels he has to be cautious around? But he clearly had his own worries.

“I’ve heard you were a fallen noble who worked as an employee in a small shop. It’s rare for a female noble to do manual work. I also heard you were the aide to Aurelius the Marquess’s young lady and successfully founded a famous cosmetics brand. On the Minister of Finance’s recommendation you entered the Chancellery and were recognized by His Majesty, rising to 1st-rank secretary.”

“Embarrassingly, that’s true.”

“You are, for a female noble, not exactly young, but as a bureaucrat you’re clearly young. You’re even the only one in a central department who’s not an Academy graduate. Still, from what I see, you’ve handled tasks that are hard to progress. I hear you hardly ever do overtime and confidently leave on time.”

If it reached the prince’s ears, rumors about me must be rampant within the Imperial Palace. That on-time leaving seemed to have caused quite a stir.

“Yet you standing before me are confident. You didn’t even shrink back in front of my father at the banquet. I’m curious about the secret.”

There’s no real secret. It’s the resolve forged by a tumultuous life in my previous brief existence—and the vow not to repeat that life.

I suspected there was a deeper abyss to the prince’s concern.

“Your concern differs from my situation, so it’s hard to give immediate advice. If it’s all right, could we talk when I return to the Empire? When you have time, contact me through the communication artifact and I’ll come at once.”

“Very well.”

Prince Raven readily agreed and left with his aide. Perhaps this was connected to how the prince had become who he was. I decided to think about it after returning to the Empire and called the next customer. A tall man with deep gray hair tinged with purple swept into the seat gracefully.

“…Supreme Justice?”

His face gleamed so dazzlingly it hurt the eyes. He must have been busy preparing to return home.

“What brings you here?”

He smiled softly and said quietly.

“I came because I have a concern.”

“The Supreme Justice?”

Wait, leaving Those Who Can’t Resign aside?

“I’m afraid you’re too busy for a date.”

“…!”

When I widened my eyes, the Duke rubbed his neck with slightly flushed cheeks.

“So finish up quickly and spend time with me—will you accept?”

Who could possibly say no to that face?