Chapter: 127
Thinking about the two managers who worried me for different reasons makes my head spin. But no matter how much I fret, there’s nothing I can do about it. Honestly, it’s pretty cringeworthy for a boss to pester their subordinate about when they’ll get married.
And to top it off, even that boss isn’t married. From a third-party perspective, it’s an utterly terrible sight.
‘They’ll figure it out when the time is right.’
It’s not that they can’t get married, but that they simply choose not to. They might show a few quirks in personality or taste, but they’re perfectly fine individuals. A little quirkiness is totally acceptable.
As I casually glanced at the 4th Manager, she bowed her head demurely. Honestly, even a vacation was enough to turn this valiant knight into a perfect maid!
‘…It’ll be fine, right?’
I can’t even picture the 4th Manager getting married. The same goes for the 1st Manager.
It’s such a disheartening thought. Could it be that since the Executive Manager is single, the managers also prefer to remain single? My karma runs deep.
After a moment of silence, I closed my mouth and pulled a little pouch out of my pocket. Regardless of my gloomy mood, I should give this to her before I forget.
“Here, take this. It’s a gift.”
“I’m honored.”
The 4th Manager accepted the pouch with both hands, lowering her head even deeper.
No, you really don’t need to do that. It’s just a small gift; I felt awkward giving it.
The 4th Manager, once working as an unremarkable maid at the mansion, must have had a hard time all summer, lurking around so as not to catch the scrutiny of the three kingdoms.
“I know you must all be busy and unable to take breaks due to strange occurrences. Here’s a little something for everyone to use together.”
That’s why I handed over a few silver coins for an office gathering. Frankly, they’re not exactly broke, but treating them to dinner with someone else’s money feels special.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t see the rest of the Masked Unit aside from that incident with the Twilight Cult.”
“If you could grace us with your presence—”
“Don’t say such things.”
I quickly cut off the 4th Manager. Having a high-ranking official join a casual dinner wouldn’t be honoring; it would be torture instead. It’s much better to meet up another time.
As I noticed her looking disappointed at my firm refusal, I felt a twinge of guilt, but I couldn’t tell her I would join.
“This is all thanks to the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager. The Krasius family is truly a blessing to the empire.”
“You honor me, Your Majesty.”
I had vowed never to dine with my subordinates when invited by the emperor. I was determined to break that dreadful chain… I couldn’t even sleep properly that night because I was so anxious!
*
Soon, I would return to the Academy. Think about it: I spent almost the entire vacation at the Imperial Capital.
When the vacation began, I thought I would travel around the empire’s major cities, awkwardly bowing to all the governors. Just imagining that made my head spin with anxiety.
It seems that they found the prospect of actively traveling quite bothersome. Well, staying at the Capital was more than sufficient.
‘Phew.’
In the worst-case scenario, I was even prepared to visit Louise’s territory. Thankfully, I avoided the sight of the good baron and his wife fainting on the spot!
‘Damn.’
It’s tragic that I’m relieved by this. I truly hope they manage to return to their countries during the winter break!
— There’s no law stating that what happened once can’t occur again!
“Fair enough.”
= Cut the crap, you jerk.
My tone over the communication crystal couldn’t keep my feelings from spilling out. Yet, wrapping my words with just the right amount of diplomacy was my last shred of sanity.
Looking at the Crown Prince, I could imagine him turning dark, reminiscent of Ainter. Honestly, someday I just want to smack him upside the head, rank be damned!
— I should prepare for your visit this winter as well. This mad scramble toward hasty arrangements is exhausting!
This could come across as a cautious statement or a hint that ‘you might have a hard time this winter too.’ Strangely enough, the latter sounds much more believable!
I managed to keep my tongue from lashing at him and finally said,
“I hope Your Highness has a peaceful winter.”
= I’ll do my utmost to keep them from showing up during the winter vacation, so that won’t happen.
— I appreciate the Executive Manager’s concern, but isn’t the unpredictable future just a gift from Enen to us?
= So you’re saying you intentionally let things happen like they did? Don’t talk nonsense!
This guy has a knack for leaving me speechless.
It’s clear that I failed to handle this situation again, leaving me to shed tears deep down—what a miserable reality! There’s no guarantee things will change during winter break, either.
‘No, it won’t just repeat during winter break!’
If the pastry club shows up in the Capital during winter break, it would be pure chaos, especially alongside the New Year’s ceremony!
At that time, the gathering of nobles with titles and the foreign royalty along with the saint candidate? The socialite nobles would be frantic to invite them all!
I mean, there’s a high chance the emperor would invite those inept fools too, right? The prestige of the guest reflects the host’s dignity, after all.
‘Ugh, it’s inevitable.’
The moment I thought of the emperor, I resigned myself to a future filled with dread. Maybe an invitation from the emperor would arrive, even if the pastry club had no intention of coming!
I can see it now: me being tossed around like a rag doll at the New Year’s ceremony.
— By the way, Executive Manager. Did something happen between you and your father-in-law?
In the midst of feeling sorry for my not-so-bright future, the Crown Prince lightly broached that topic. Oh, has he really been listening?
“I just wanted to express my gratitude to His Grace the Invincible Duke for his advice.”
— Interesting!
After letting Marghetta into my thoughts, I went to thank the Invincible Duke, lugging around some hefty gifts. The carried problem was the even heftier return gifts I received! Is this what they mean by tribute trading?
The moment I finished speaking, the Crown Prince lightly nodded, immediately losing interest. At least he’s not one to pry into others’ personal affairs!
— Oh, and the Crown Princess asked me to thank you for being a good chat partner to her lonely father.
“That’s too kind of her.”
— And send her regards to Dame Elizaveta as well.
In front of his wife, the Crown Prince was merely a messenger. Something about that struck me as quite hilarious.
“Yes, I’ll pass on the message.”
And with that, the Crown Prince decided to sever the connection. Was today’s call merely for a casual check-in? He always seems so busy, yet he manages to have just enough time left over.
By the way, I’m supposed to send regards to the 1st Manager.
‘I’m still amazed.’
It’s hard to believe that the elegant Crown Princess and the wildly unpredictable 1st Manager were close friends during their school days. What kind of place was the Academy?
‘Although, considering their families, it’s not so strange.’
The 1st Manager being the daughter of a marquis isn’t too odd given the Crown Princess came from a duke’s lineage. It’s not unusual.
But… No, I shouldn’t dwell on it. The 1st Manager must have been normal during her academy years. Let’s think of it that way.
‘Normal 1st Manager…’
So, it implies that it was the Prosecutors’ Office that ruined a perfectly fine lady. Our department’s sins run deep.
*
This is just too much! Seriously, it’s way too much!
“Yuris, are you okay?”
Sophia was beside me trying to comfort me, but my tears just wouldn’t stop.
How could this happen? I was rooting for Penelia unnie!
“Sigh…!”
Unnie is such a fool. If she can’t do things herself, she should at least accept help from others! If she can’t get ahead, then at least don’t lag behind!
“I’m content just being by his side.”
Penelia unnie’s words came rushing back to me. What? She’s satisfied just by being at his side?
‘That’s a lie.’
Would someone who stares at their master so longingly say such a thing? Even Sophia wouldn’t buy that flimsy lie.
But then again, maybe Penelia unnie might actually believe that. She could be so clueless about her feelings.
Feeling even more distressed, I lowered my head, and I could sense Sophia flustering more.
‘I was really rooting for her…’
Master was about to return to the Academy. It was nearly over for unnie’s time with him.
With Master seemingly contemplating marriage, now was Penelia unnie’s golden chance to approach him! There’s no way I could block the red-haired lady in the lead, but unnie had to try to catch up.
“I will be by his side—”
I shook my head, letting slip some foolish words. Anyone would think they’re already a romantic pair.
“Unnie! There’s already someone else after Master!”
“The Lady? I know her.”
“You fool! If it’s the Lady, that’s not even the real problem!”
Finally fed up, I mentioned the blonde-haired sister. She’s that noble lady who gifted the Master a hawthorn plant, boldly professing her love.
With a rival like that, what on earth is Penelia unnie doing!? That’s why I tried to provoke her, but she interpreted it all wrong.
“You hid it from Master?”
She blew her top once she found out I’d lied about the meaning of the hawthorn plant. Why was she reacting like that?
Afterward, she scolded me for quite a while. “You should be honest with him! You can’t hide anything! And thwarting someone’s love is a terrible thing!”
“Then why are you doing this, unnie?!”
I bit my tongue for everything else, but I couldn’t hold back that final remark. It’s absurd for the most notorious lover to say such things!
I yelled at her and ran away! I’m done! If the blonde-haired unnie at the Academy becomes Master’s second wife, that’s totally on Penelia unnie, not me!
‘She’s such a fool.’
I won’t ever bring up that hawthorn plant again! To be honest, even without my interference, I could totally see that golden-haired unnie winning the race just because of how passive Penelia unnie is!
After biting my lip several times, I lifted my head up. This is truly, truly the last time!
‘Winter break.’
If Master comes to the Capital during winter break, and no progress has been made between him and Penelia unnie…
‘I’ll have to tell him.’
I’ll spill everything!
Penelia unnie’s love for Master, and also the golden-haired unnie’s feelings too.
Both are going to get a fair shot!
“…Yuris?”
I heard Sophia’s hesitant voice beside me, but I ignored it.
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