Chapter: 126
Today is my last day at work.
“Last.”
That’s an exhilarating word. The last day at work? My heart is racing so much!
Of course, it’s not my last workday ever; it’s just the last one before my vacation. If it were my final workday in life, I’d have the guts to crawl from my mansion to the Ministry of Finance on all fours.
So please, just let me retire. I’ll do everything you ask.
“I wonder if I can retire in my 40s too,” I mumbled, remembering Count Horfeld, but the Senior Manager next to me quietly averted his gaze. Yeah, I realize that isn’t happening.
Still, I couldn’t crush the Chief’s hope, so I remained silent. It’s nice, but sometimes a thoughtful gesture hurts more than a firm rejection.
“Well, I think the only way for you to retire in your 40s is to, you know, die.”
“Shut it.”
Compared to people I’m not thankful for, the Senior Manager is basically an angel.
Suddenly, the blunt remark from the 1st Manager ignited both frustration and agreement within me. Damn it, how can I refute that!
“You always say bad things to me! That’s so unfair!”
I instinctively reached for her lips as she pouted like a child.
Bad things? Me? Just grab anyone walking by and ask. Who was the one who threw the first punch?
“You should just hang out with subordinates like yourself.”
“I already have one like that.”
“Is the continent in ruins or what?”
The 3rd Manager added this casually, and I couldn’t help but sigh. As if the original 1st Manager wasn’t enough to deal with—now there’s a mini version too?
When I shot her a withering glare, the 1st Manager squirmed under my grip. Go on, keep talking.
“If I had more like me, the Prosecutor’s Office would be brighter! Transforming a dull department into a cute one deserves praise!”
With no hesitation, I clamped her lips again. Did she take the wrong medicine or forget the right one entirely?
“Brighter, my foot.”
If the “brightness” she refers to is made up of blood from tortures and my tears, then I’d rather stick to gloominess.
Finally, I let go of the 1st Manager’s lips when the Senior Manager handed me the last document. After signing this, I’ll be free from paperwork for months!
“Executive Manager, did you cut your finger?”
“My finger?”
Turning my gaze, I noticed my thumb was a shocking red.
What the heck is this—it doesn’t feel like a cut at all!
“Hiiing…”
At the sound of the 1st Manager’s watery voice, every eye in the office shifted to her.
Her pale face had strikingly red lips and a ring of redness around them.
“Hey, are you hurt?”
Please don’t tell me something went horribly wrong because I lost control of my strength! Did I turn her lips into a mess?
Rushing to her side, the 1st Manager clutched her lips, teary-eyed. Wait, is this for real?
“…Injuries from assault usually warrant a suspension, right?”
“Luckily, there are no more documents to sign. Feel free to take some time off.”
With the 3rd Manager and Senior Manager’s comments ringing in my ears, I nearly lost my mind. I could already see I was presumed guilty in my subordinates’ eyes.
What a predicament. I had never lost control of my strength before. If she’s teary-eyed, did I really hurt her that badly?
“All my makeup is ruined!”
Ah.
A wave of relief and emptiness hit me all at once. Why did she even bother to do something she never usually did?
“Wait, you wore makeup? I don’t see any difference.”
“I did wear it!”
The 1st Manager screeched in response to the 3rd Manager’s comment.
Sorry, honestly didn’t notice! If I had known, I would’ve grabbed somewhere else entirely!
*
After the Executive Manager left, I returned to my office. What’s the point of staying in the boss’s office when he’s not there?
“Hih…”
I absentmindedly touched my lips. The Executive Manager scolded me for wearing makeup to work, yet his tone had a strangely soft undertone. I guess showing some vulnerability softens the heart.
“You look odd. Just go about as usual.”
The Executive Manager grumbled while wiping away my smudged makeup. Is he saying I look pretty without makeup? How indirect can one be!
Feeling proud, I kept nodding, agreeing with him. After all, I did this makeup to impress him! If he prefers me au naturel, I’ll go with that.
“Penelia was right.”
The Executive Manager seems more relaxed and generous than before. His actions and words are more plentiful today.
— It looks like Master has made progress in his relationship with Lady Marghetta.
“Really? The Executive Manager?”
This was news shared by Penelia not long ago.
Lady Marghetta, the one hit hardest by the Executive Manager’s icy demeanor, had made some progress with him!
— Lady Marghetta now calls Master by his first name.
“Just stick with what’s comfortable. It’s only between us anyway.”
It was quite surprising that the Executive Manager allowed that, but what surprised me more was that Penelia still insists on calling him “Master.”
Anyway, this is good news! The Executive Manager being kinder to Lady Marghetta means he’s starting to let go of the past.
Of course, there won’t be any immediate shifts. But the most crucial part is that he’s working on it.
“Now he’s on the market.”
The Executive Manager had been unable to forget Hecate, pushing everyone away because of it.
But now he’s started to stop shoving people away? This means he’s ready to move on.
What used to be unattainable suddenly feels within reach. If I simply bid wisely, I can remain at his side!
“Finally.”
A moment I’ve long awaited has arrived. The wall that seemed impossible to breach is crumbling.
For a long time, I wouldn’t even dare approach him. Knowing how the Executive Manager cherished the Six Swords, and especially Hecate, held me back.
Lady Marghetta might not even know about his first love. But I do—so I had to tread carefully to avoid invoking his wrath by carelessly approaching him!
If I ruin our precious close boss-subordinate relationship by rushing in, that’s a disaster! This relationship is invaluable.
“Thank you, Lady.”
Although I was afraid of losing what I had, the situation has entirely changed now—with Lady Marghetta at the forefront. Honestly, the color red just makes everything better; I liked her from the start.
So I can easily allow her to have the first spot. I have enough generosity for that. Second place is more than enough for me.
“It’s a shame he has to return to the Academy.”
Though news of his departure comes quickly after this delightful revelation, it’s fine. After all, Lady Marghetta is my only competition at the academy.
I can’t stop her from being first anyway, so being at the academy won’t be an issue. If he was still here, he might end up charming someone else!
So let’s wait for the winter break! I don’t know if he’ll come back, but if not, I’ll prepare myself to head to the Academy.
I stand a fair chance! After all, I’m his closest subordinate! I’ve been closer to him than anyone else since Penelia went to the Special Service Agency!
“The Prosecutor’s Office isn’t easy work. We should at least keep it comfortable amongst ourselves.”
I remember that first day when I met the Executive Manager and transitioned from Manager to Executive Manager. I was nervous the whole day after being promoted alongside the other Managers.
But the words from the Executive Manager warmly embraced my heart. At first, I thought, “Why is the youngest boss so soft?” but given the unexpectedly tough purge duties we had to tackle, his words were so needed.
“Is the Prosecutor’s Office just for show? Did we create this department just to gather and play poker? If you can’t handle it alone, just speak up!”
“If it’s urgent, just do what you can. I’ll write the report later.”
“Who dares to mess with my team?!”
The Executive Manager wasn’t just kind—he led us and kept us motivated on the front lines of the Prosecutor’s Office.
And so, I resolved to be the subordinate he desired, making things comfortable!
“Damn it, I should’ve been stricter with you guys!”
Even though he sometimes says such things, it’s clear the Executive Manager has always thought of us fondly.
He often spouts things like, “I wish you all would just vanish!” or, “Why do I only get these kinds of subordinates?” —but he’s there for us whenever we really need help!
I’ve known the Executive Manager long enough that if he truly disliked us, he would have fired us ages ago.
So yes, the Executive Manager and I maintain a comfortable, close relationship!
“Now we need to grow even closer.”
The warmth from the Executive Manager, paired with his firmness. The coolness mixed with soft gentleness…
For two years, I’ve been silently pining after him. While Penelia, who shared similar feelings, was simply satisfied being near him.
“What a relief.”
I worried I might end up single even past thirty.
“It’s simply perfect.”
I lightly ran my tongue over my lips that he had touched just moments ago.
Well, he was a bit rough, but who really cares? As long as he’s happy, that’s what counts!
*
When I got home from work, the 4th Manager was waiting for me.
“Great job, Master!”
“Oh, thanks.”
I told her this wasn’t necessary, but she insisted on doing her duties—she’s persistent, if nothing else.
“I can’t just slack off!”
Suddenly, I recalled how lively the 1st Manager had been today. She’s usually energetic, but she seemed even more hyper this time!
“How did they become friends?”
They are so different! The vibrant ball of enthusiasm that is the 1st Manager and the softly spoken, serious 4th Manager? Apart from being human, they have nothing in common!
Yet they somehow managed to grow close.
“If only they were a mix of both.”
I wished the 1st Manager was a bit less vivacious and the 4th Manager a bit less serious!
I worried too much! Both have such strong personalities—could a normal marriage even be possible?
“I hope they find good partners!”
I want nothing more for the 4th Manager, who was practically raised by me. I feel the same for the 1st Manager, I sincerely hope she meets someone good.
But alas, there seem to be no signs of romance on the horizon. I just wish someone would show up for both of them!
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