Chapter: 748
My kids had all the fun they needed right at home.
There was no need to leave the mansion for the eight siblings to play loudly and raucously. They were joined by the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince, who were their childhood friends. Not to mention Titi and eleven other sacred beings—along with several spirits to keep the games going—so really, why would they want to step outside?
However, this perfect self-sufficient lifestyle had a minor drawback: seeing only familiar faces all the time.
“Hey, sis!”
“Yeah! Hi!”
Meeting Helen helped overcome that downside.
In a way, Helen was like the first real friend to my children. The Crown Princess was my goddaughter, so there was a sibling-like vibe, and the Crown Prince was her little brother, making them sort of a family too. But having an unrelated third-party friend? This was their first time.
“Did you say Helen is five years old?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. She’s a treasure of a child who came to us when we were blessed by you.”
Luciano’s words made me smile involuntarily. Given that she’s five this year, she must have come to Luciano’s side when I handed him the recommendation letter, and then she was born the following year. Truly a miraculous coincidence.
“So, our Pedi is four, so that means Helen is his big sister.”
“Uh, how…humbly spoken—”
“Is there even such a thing as humility among kids? As a father, I just want my kids to have a good friendship with Helen.”
I gave Luciano a gentle pat as he tried to bow.
There may be hierarchies among parents, but that shouldn’t exist among children. Even if they develop a hierarchy someday, that should only occur once they become adults—based on rank, not bloodlines.
Thus, for now, Helen is both a friend and an older sister to my kids. Even after becoming adults, they would share a precious bond from their childhood friendship that lasted over ten years.
“Over there, Maria, Cecilia, and Catlea are three years old, and Friedrich next to them is also three.”
“Lady Maria is to be the next Duke of Servette, right?”
“Exactly. Maria is the first among those children who carry the blood of Katoan.”
Hearing about the next Duke of Servette made me somewhat bittersweet. That small, innocent child would have the burden of being a duke someday—likely for decades, over a hundred years, like Trixie.
“…Alina and Ferentz are two years old. They can’t crawl yet, so Mary, who’s just one, is staying in the mansion. Once Mary is able to move, we’ll bring her over too.”
I tried to push my bitterness aside and continued my cheerful explanation.
This was a joyful occasion where little kids became friends. It was unacceptable to sulk due to adult circumstances.
“Right now, I brought the kids since I’m on leave, but once the holiday is over, the attendants will join the children. I hope you can regard them like your nephews and treat them with affection.”
“Of course, Your Excellency. If Helen’s friends are involved, they must be precious children to me too! Even if I’m not here, my wife and the attendants will take good care of them.”
“Great. I appreciate it.”
That being said, I watched the kids greet Helen.
They must have been fascinated by a peer they had never seen before, as they all rushed eagerly towards Helen. Luckily, Helen smiled and greeted her seven younger siblings with cheerful giggles.
It was a heartwarming sight. I hoped this encounter would lead to my children having many new friends.
‘This dad had no friends.’
In the world I came from—as well as this one—I was friendless. The few friends I managed to make had already left for heaven, eager to grab their spots.
You children must not live like this dad… It’s manageable to live without friends, but it seems better to have them around…
– Woof!
Amid all this, a familiar bark caught my ear, and I turned to see Titi circling near Jenny with sparkling eyes.
– Woof.
And Jenny, in turn, shot Titi a short bark, casting a disinterested glance.
Her reaction was a tad more brusque compared to Titi, but even then, Titi joyfully responded to that short bark. Yesterday, Jenny didn’t even give him a second glance.
Cheer up, our Titi. Even though you didn’t get a look yesterday, at least today, you exchanged barks. Who knows, tomorrow could lead to an even closer relationship.
“Ah, that must be Jenny!”
“Yeah! That’s Jenny!”
“Can we touch her?”
“Yeah!”
Soon, the kids’ attention shifted to Titi’s lady, their new animal friend, Jenny.
Suddenly surrounded by eight children, Jenny hesitated for a moment, but it seemed the gentle nature of a Golden Retriever managed to shine through. Before long, she accepted the children’s enthusiastic handling with grace.
“Jenny seems pretty gentle too. I wish we could see that side of her with Titi.”
“It’s Jenny’s first time mingling with another dog, so once she gets used to it, she’ll show her cheerful side.”
I nodded along to Luciano’s words, even though I had no concrete proof.
If she gets used to it and shows her bright side, then eventually, Titi’s passionate visits will bear fruit.
‘Hang in there.’
For now, let’s leave the kids’ entertainment to the sacred beings. While Titi can play with the kids, keeping an eye on Jenny is crucial; I can’t let this opportunity with Titi slip away.
*
Three days of blissful leave came to an end.
It was a bit sad, but I didn’t feel too nostalgic. I had completed all my urgent tasks during ten consecutive night shifts, so I could now look forward to days of working the usual hours. That was more than bearable.
Besides, unlike the past, when I worked out of obligation, I now return to work with enjoyment and a sense of duty. I managed to overcome the walls of social status through my efforts.
‘Having become a knight from a commoner, there’s no reason I can’t become a baron next.’
Of course, it’s miraculous that I, a mere commoner, became a knight. Nonetheless, I’m still young. With ten, twenty years of effort, or even longer, I could potentially rise to head of the department, and from there, to a barony.
In other words, how I perform will change our Helen’s status. Her future is at stake, and this father has no time to slack off.
However, today, that heartbeat and passion almost wavered.
“Manager, you’ve returned!”
“Welcome back, Manager!”
“Oh, um, yeah.”
As soon as I opened the door to my office, the team leaders greeted me with booming voices. Usually, they lethargically greeted me while drowning in work, but I guess my time off gave them a jolt of energy.
It was perplexing. Why were they acting this way all of a sudden?
“Did Deputy Manager Lee come back?”
“Deputy Manager Jo?”
As I pondered if something catastrophic happened in my absence, the voice of Deputy Manager Jo reached my ears from behind me.
“Ah, the second team is full of energy. Then again, with a diligent and capable manager, it’s no wonder the subordinates are impacted.”
“You flatter me.”
“Flattery? That was just a factual observation.”
With exaggerated laughter, Deputy Manager Jo patted my shoulder and vanished down the corridor.
I felt even more confused. Deputy Manager Jo has typically been openly resentful of me since I was appointed as manager. He couldn’t hide his discomfort seeing someone younger than him climb the ladders so swiftly, especially after receiving the Judicial Minister’s recommendation letter.
Since my youth automatically made me a contender for the leading manager role, Deputy Manager Jo, being the oldest and a powerful candidate for that position, had every reason to feel both discomfort and annoyance. If it hadn’t been for the Minister’s recommendation, it would have likely felt like a personal attack.
…
‘Ah.’
Remembering the Judicial Minister made this situation clearer.
While I was resting at the mansion, the Minister must have personally visited, going beyond just handing me a recommendation letter to directly discussing matters.
This honor lasted a full three days. Meeting in my mansion for three days instead of some remote area? Especially alongside the Minister’s children? It would be more surprising if word didn’t spread!
‘Acknowledge your defeat…’
As I gazed in the direction Deputy Manager Jo had gone, I rubbed my chin. It seemed the talks of my bond with the Minister were spreading beyond mere recommendation letters.
Thus, the enthusiasm of the team leaders had intensified, and even Deputy Manager Jo, dislikeful of me, had turned amicable. If the Minister stood behind me, Deputy Manager Jo’s abilities wouldn’t even come close.
‘No smiling now.’
I barely managed to suppress the rising grin.
Honestly, it felt exhilarating. Seeing someone who always tried to stir trouble and sneer at me put his tail between his legs was indeed satisfying. It’s only natural; anyone would have feelings about a sight like that.
Yet, prolonging this situation would be awkward. Regardless of my private relationship with Deputy Manager Jo, his experience, abilities, and connections stand out even within the administration. It would be unwise to unnecessarily bruise his ego.
‘Let him be the next manager.’
Since Deputy Manager Jo is much older than me, I can aim for the vice manager position.
So, while accepting Deputy Manager Jo’s acknowledgment of defeat, I should also show a friendly response. Supporting him mildly for his advancement could sway the officers who previously disliked me into warm allies.
‘Long live the Minister!’
I began my habitual internal praise for the Minister.
All this advancement and ease in my bureaucratic life? All thanks to him—what’s not to be grateful for—
‘Hmm?’
Suddenly, a vibration from the communicator I had been holding caught my attention, and I checked the notification.
[ Lunch in three days, meeting with the Minister and Managers. All managers must attend unless engaged in Level 1 tasks. ]
As soon as I read the Minister’s assistant’s directive, I couldn’t help but smile.
The moment news of my connection with the Correctional Services Minister spread, this order came swiftly down. It was pretty obvious who it targeted, considering they couldn’t just single me out.
‘The Correctional Minister was ranked 10th in the administration hierarchy.’
While the Minister of Corrections was 7th.
Of course, the true authority of the Minister derived not solely from his title. Still, even among his many powers, he surpassed the head of our Correctional Services. It was only natural for our Chief to act quickly.
‘Baron Helen.’
Ultimately, the smile I had been trying to suppress stretched across my face.
Now, timing is crucial; it’s certain I’ll become a department head.
‘Long live the Minister!’
Whether I lose my head or not, I am now the Minister’s loyal servant.
*
Reports came in that the Minister had absorbed personnel from the Correctional Services.
‘A department manager?’
What’s more, not a minister or even a deputy, but a mere department manager.
It’s a peculiar circumstance. It’s surprising that a Minister, who usually avoids interest in expanding influence, would directly bring someone into the fold, and that this someone would be a department manager of all things.
“…Hah.”
I briefly speculated whether he had gone wild from having too much free time during his holiday, but checking the details about the department manager they absorbed revealed the amusing truth.
This manager had been one of the guards when the Minister was detained.
“Hahaha!”
It was truly a bizarre and innovative bonding experience that made me laugh involuntarily.
He’s taken in the very person who witnessed his humiliating moment. The Minister is always full of surprises.
Of course, it was I who orchestrated that humiliating situation, but hey, who told him to pile up those written confessions?
‘Better prepare a fief ahead of time.’
In any case, if a department manager has the Minister’s support and interest, he can easily rise to head of department. The next step may be challenging due to age and experience, but afterward, it will be completely feasible.
It’s time to think about which fief to grant as a barony.
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