Chapter: 133
The vacation was over, and a new semester had begun. It was the second semester of the first year, a time when the autumn leaves and snow would be beautiful. Of course, I chose not to think about the fact that there were still four semesters left.
‘Two more years, huh?’
It made me want to let out a heavy sigh, but at least it’s a three-year program. Just imagine how dreadful it would be if it were a six-year program like in elementary school! I’d end up spending more time at the Academy than in my entire civil servant career. That would mean I’m not just an honorary student; I’d be a bona fide one!
So, thank goodness for that. I decided to think that way and just hang in there.
“I’m graduating next year.”
When I turned towards the lifeless voice, I saw Marghetta resting her chin on her hand and looking at me.
Definitely a regrettable circumstance. Sometimes I forget, but Marghetta is one year ahead in the pastry club. Even after she graduates, I’d still have to stay at the Academy for another year.
Speaking of which, once Marghetta graduates, I won’t be able to rely on the Vice President’s office like I do now. Who on earth am I supposed to lean on then?
“Is repeating a year not an option?”
If Marghetta flunked a year, it would benefit both of us! Of course, it was just a joke.
“My grades have been too good until now. I don’t think they’d let me off the hook that easily.”
But her glum tone surprised me. She looked genuinely disappointed. Wait, was she seriously considering it?
If Marghetta actually repeated a year, that would be problematic indeed. If the news spread that the cute and precious youngest daughter of the Iron-blooded Duke was held back, he might just have a meltdown! And if I showed up while he was on that investigation? Shivers
‘It’d be bad if the Iron-blooded Duke holds a grudge against me.’
He had already made it clear that if I wanted to marry Marghetta, I’d have to come crawling on my knees! Yikes! Provoking him any further would likely end badly for me.
With my limited imaginative capacity, I can hardly envision what happens after kneeling. He’s been through his fair share of battlefields; who knows what unconventional punishment he could conjure?
“Are you sad that I’m graduating first?”
While I was lost in my thoughts, Marghetta smiled and asked, bringing me a giggle.
“Are you asking me that when you already know the answer?”
“I wanted to hear it from your own mouth.”
Her confidence made me chuckle even more. How on earth had she managed to keep it together until now?
“I wish you wouldn’t leave first and would stay right beside me.”
At that, she nodded, looking quite satisfied.
‘That’s astonishing.’
What was interesting wasn’t Marghetta—it was that she had already declared her intention to be more proactive and honest.
What amazed me was just how easy it was to talk to her. I felt lighter than I expected!
Even though I had opened my heart to her, getting closer felt like a different challenge altogether.
But it was surprisingly peaceful. I found myself having friendly chats with Marghetta. It was like a dam that burst open inside me!
‘How in the world did I manage to hold it all in for so long?’
Just as soon as I got the chance, I exploded after two long years of pent-up feelings!
*
It was commonplace for the Chief of the Vigilance Bureau to pay us visits. Weren’t they practically residing here before the vacation at the invitation of the Duke’s daughter?
Even though the Student Council room was forbidden to anyone who wasn’t a senior member, that seemed trivial. How could anyone impose the Academy’s rules on a capable and dedicated servant of the Empire?
Yet, there was one tiny little problem—
‘When should I go in already?’
The dessert in my hands had nowhere to go. I was planning to treat the Chief to something nice to mark the start of the second semester, but after overhearing their conversation from the Vice President’s office, I couldn’t muster the courage to step in.
It was painfully obvious that the Lady had a crush on the Chief. I’d seen them together for months; if I didn’t take note of that, I might as well gouge out my own eyes!
However, wasn’t the Chief usually not this warm? What madness transpired during the vacation?
‘Ah, whatever.’
I gave up on entering. I could give him the dessert another time or, you know, whenever.
If the Chief was happy, that was all that mattered! He was my lifelong benefactor, after all—he deserves all the happiness in the world!
As I contemplated the good luck of the Chief, a particular business card popped into my mind.
Hold on—this wasn’t just any business card. It might have started as one, but since it fell into the Chief’s hands, it had transformed into a priceless treasure.
“That’s amazing! Truly amazing! You won’t have to worry about anything from now on!”
The business card, now granted the power of a highly influential letter of recommendation, had brought immense joy to my father when he laid eyes on it during the vacation.
Of course! I was just a mere viscount’s son, not some high-ranking noble, and certainly not the eldest son destined to inherit a title!
My future was hardly bright, to say the least. I wouldn’t live a life of poverty, but neither could I expect wealth or recognition.
However, a letter of recommendation from the Chief of the Vigilance Bureau, a pivotal figure in the Crown Prince’s faction? That shining letter illuminated my future, laying down a path adorned with flowers. My personal triumph was practically guaranteed, and depending on how things played out, even the Connor family’s prestige could flourish!
It had been a few months since I received the letter, yet my spirit swelled with pride every time I thought about it! Long live the Chief! When I step into a governmental post, he’ll be looking to me as his subordinate, so being loyal beforehand can’t hurt, right?
“Demian? What on earth are you doing there?”
Just as I was swearing my loyalty to the Chief, someone had the audacity to interrupt this holy moment!
I suppressed my discomfort and turned to see the Treasurer staring at me blankly. Ah, the one who wasn’t chosen, huh?
“It’s nothing serious. Just focus on prepping for the civil service exams. You must be busy too.”
And right as I said that, the pen that the Treasurer was holding flew at my neck! If I hadn’t ducked, it would’ve hit the target!
“I was planning to ensure you never spoke again.”
Her audacity caught me off guard, yet I swiftly returned to tranquility. Winners always stay cool. Why should I react to every tantrum thrown by a loser?
“A jealous little brat is just sad, isn’t it?”
“You little…!”
Seeing her run her fingers through her hair anxiously made me zip my lips for a moment. I’ll tease her later. If I do it now, I’ll end up in a headlock!
The second semester of the third year marks a sensitive period for Student Council officers. This was the final semester of the Academy, meaning the civil service exams are right around the corner once this term wraps up.
If I hadn’t received the letter of recommendation, I’d have been stuck in a whirlwind of anxiety and nerves! Doubts about becoming a civil servant, thoughts of how to live if I failed… it was all overwhelming!
‘We are fortunate, no doubt.’
I’m not the only one—indeed, all of us are fortunate!
“President, I have a question.”
“I’ll answer everything I know.”
Those were the words the Chief casually mentioned before stepping into the Vice President’s office today.
“How about the other officers?”
I sensed a captivating opportunity—a chance for my treasure to become our treasure!
“All of them are sincere and exceptional, regardless of my friendship bias.”
“That’s wonderful news!”
With a light nod, the Chief stepped into the Vice President’s office, visibly pleased.
No doubt about it! After three years in the Student Council, I could quickly pick up on people’s expressions. It’s a skill one picks up when dealing with high-ranking noble students.
“Of course, they’ll all pass the exam anyway.”
“If I recommend you, wouldn’t that increase your chances of passing?”
That was how I could boldly throw out such provocations. They would eventually get their own recommendations, after all!
If I threw caution to the wind and provoked them without knowing about their letters of recommendation, that’d be completely heartless! Did I spend an entire semester playing nice and working on Student Council matters for nothing?
But since I had exclusive intelligence about the recommendation letters, this was my moment!
‘Darn it all!’
When the Lady was nominally beneath me as Vice President, how much did she tease me, being supposedly superior on paper?
It was finally time to repay that embarrassment and shame! Thanks to the Chief’s favor.
Long live the Chief!
*
Outside, I started hearing various voices. It had been serene just moments ago—did someone arrive?
“It sounds like the President and the Treasurer.”
“That’s a surprise. They both seemed rather quiet.”
There was the President, with Marghetta as his subordinate (well, not exactly a subordinate), and the Treasurer, the de facto second-in-command of the Student Council (with a lot of responsibilities).
Considering the tough environment, they generally maintained quiet temperaments. Of course, that could apply to other officers too, apart from Marghetta.
As I eavesdropped on the faint conversation, I caught the President delivering some sassy remarks to the Treasurer. Now that was impressive!
By the way, I had mentioned earlier that I was thinking about kidnapping, uh, I mean recommending other officers.
“They seem close.”
If the President was playing that game while knowing full well, it felt like he was simply teasing her!
“I heard there have been long-standing interactions between their noble families.”
“Well, that can happen.”
I found it fascinating since I had never personally experienced anything like that. The Krasius family did have interactions with other noble families, but I hadn’t been that close with anyone.
Maybe I just lack social skills? Perhaps even Erich had forged friendships unbeknownst to me.
“They’re a special case. Regardless of noble family interactions, it ultimately comes down to the familial relationships between the rulers. It doesn’t weigh heavily on the younger generation.”
Marghetta’s words put me at ease. Thank goodness—I’m not the weird one here!
“If they have a good rapport, it’d probably be a good idea to place them in the same department.”
With that, I pulled out a business card from my pocket, prompting a soft chuckle from Marghetta.
“Hehe, that’s true. They’ll definitely be thrilled.”
I thought the same! Skipping the headaches of an exam and becoming civil servants right off the bat? What a cause for celebration!
But now, where to recommend them? The military might be better than the administration, right?
Invincible Duke, I’m sending one your way now…
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.