Chapter 202
Rumors about dukes rarely make their way into high society. Anyone who dares to speak carelessly about a duke risks unpleasant repercussions—perhaps even losing their head.
However, exceptions always exist. If an incident is so outrageous that it simply can’t be kept quiet, or if the duke involved secretly wishes for it to spread, you can bet the whispers will fly faster than wildfire.
Just look around; it’s happening right now.
– Mr. Carl Catoban, how have you been lately?
“Shut it.”
I was alone in the club room, trying to collect my thoughts when a call interrupted the solitude.
I almost ignored it, but it could be important, so I picked up—only to be assaulted with ridiculous taunts right away.
Catoban? As in the sly Duke’s name?
You’ve got to be kidding! Who’d think of me as a suitable son-in-law?
– Why not? Not like the Mage Duchess could just take Krasius as her last name!
“Shut your mouth!”
Seeing the 2nd Manager snickering at my response made my blood boil even more.
How dare this punk mock his superior’s misfortune?
This is the end times!
I couldn’t believe it. What kind of wicked soul treats their boss like a toy?
It’s disgraceful. How could we consider this a proper civil service system when the hierarchy is so twisted? Isn’t the virtue of civil servants strict obedience and respect for their superiors?
An overwhelming sense of desperation surged through me, and I felt an urgent desire to demote the 2nd Manager on the spot.
It’s all out there!
If this clown is joking about it, then the incident with the Mage Duchess must have already spread like crazy.
The 2nd Manager excels at gathering information, but it’s hard to believe he could grasp what went down at the Crown Princess’s birthday bash so quickly.
Someone must have been yammering into the wind; I just can’t figure out who has such a loose tongue.
It’s only been two days!
Wait, is it already? Thinking about it, two days is definitely long enough for gossip.
Just think of all the bigwigs at the event: the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, dukes, the Chair of the Imperial Council, and many more influential figures. If just one of them decides to spill, the news will spread like pancakes on a Sunday morning.
“Who told you?”
– The Magic Tower folks. At first, I thought they’d lost their marbles!
I shut my eyes tightly as the 2nd Manager rambled on.
He’s saying he heard this from those Magic Tower mages? Those folks barely talk unless it’s work-related!
It was the Mage Duchess!
I stumbled into a truth I wished I hadn’t. The one acting as the loudspeaker was none other than the Mage Duchess herself.
She probably told the mages to spread the word. Naturally, they would obey the command from the Mage Duchess sitting atop their hierarchy.
I’m doomed!
If the entire Magic Tower is working as both a loudspeaker and a news agency, then there’s no hope. With their teleportation magic, they’re flitting about to every nook and cranny, likely spreading rumors everywhere they go. At this point, the entire empire must already know.
She really meant it.
I felt cold sweat trickling down my forehead. The Mage Duchess is genuinely scheming something.
“Well then, as His Highness said, there’s the New Year’s Ball. I guess I’ll just have to wait for that day.”
That last remark from the Mage Duchess popped into my mind uninvited.
I finally got it; she mentioned waiting for the New Year’s Ball but never said she’d stay quiet.
I naively figured the Mage Duchess would keep to herself, thinking someone who dropped such a massive bomb wouldn’t just sit quietly.
…Should I just skip it?
Honestly, I began to consider this seriously.
If I attend the New Year’s Ball, I’ll undoubtedly be the main event. Should I just accumulate one stack of “the Emperor’s Grudge” and bail? That seems way better for my peace of mind!
– But isn’t it true that nobody can touch whoever becomes Her Grace’s partner?
The 2nd Manager finally seemed to regain his senses upon seeing me fall silent. He cautiously offered me some… advice?
It didn’t feel like comfort at all; based on his standards, it was an attempt. What a jerk!
“Are you suggesting a marriage of convenience?”
My head was spinning, and a sharp retort came out before I even thought. Honestly, given what the 2nd Manager just said, this reaction was the least he deserved.
That’s true. That person would be untouchable.
Sure, becoming the Mage Duchess’s husband could ease my life. Even the other dukes bow down before her, and even the Emperor respects her. And the Crown Prince? Not even worth talking about.
Being in an untouchable position—that’s what being the Mage Duchess’s husband means.
So what?
But what does that matter? I don’t want to marry someone just to snag a few advantages.
And, for reasons I really can’t figure out—seriously, I don’t know—doesn’t the Mage Duchess seem to like me? Exploiting those feelings for my gain feels downright scummy.
– It’s not odd to benefit from your spouse, though…
“Is it marrying for benefits, or are you benefiting from it because you’re married?”
– But why are you more upset than a commoner?
The 2nd Manager let out a sarcastic laugh at my outburst, which was a total contradiction to the idea of a marriage of convenience.
Sorry, but I’m probably more of a commoner than you are.
*
The conversation with the Executive Manager wrapped up quickly. It felt like if we kept talking longer, he’d snap and go bonkers.
“Then take care, Executive Manager. Just remember: if you collapse, the Mage Duchess will probably come running!”
– You little brat!
Calling his subordinate “brat” must’ve been a huge compliment—quite the compliment indeed. Today was another rewarding day.
The Executive Manager grit his teeth as the communication crystal blinked off.
Incredible.
A chuckle escaped me. I knew the Executive Manager was a hot commodity on the marriage market, but who would have thought the Mage Duchess had her sights set on him too?
It’s downright astonishing. While progressing toward a relationship with the Iron-Blood Duke’s youngest daughter was already impressive, now he’s aiming for the Duke himself?
I’ve hitched my wagon to a star!
Watching my boss dart toward the pinnacle of power brings satisfaction. Yes, my decision two years ago was spot on.
The Executive Manager is young enough to be called inexperienced, yet among others who laid flat, I immediately attached myself to him.
Isn’t that just common sense? It’s clear the Crown Prince is backing him; fighting against that would be foolishness incarnate.
Idiots!
I still can’t understand it. Why resist? The Executive Manager was already a big shot before the war.
He’s the heir to one of the imperial families, and on his mother’s side, he’s got…
“How did it go?”
A soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
Chills ran down my spine. What was I thinking? Right now, family ties of the Executive Manager aren’t what’s important!
“There’s no need to worry. It seemed the Executive Manager was caught off guard too.”
I tried to project calmness in my voice. Showing panic would only lead me to a barrage of questions—
“Are you sure?”
“…He must have been surprised.”
My words stumbled out as I met those frosty red eyes. What could I say when asked if I was sure?
In response to my statement, the red-eyed—no, the 1st Manager frowned slightly.
How tragic.
What a harsh reaction! I tried to fish for insights about the Executive Manager for her sake, and this was the kind of look I get in return?
But I wasn’t going to argue. I knew the 1st Manager had feelings for the Executive Manager; naturally, she’d react that way when a duke showed up as a potential rival. I totally get where she’s coming from as a colleague.
It’s definitely not because I saw the chilling scene of the 1st Manager talking to herself the moment I walked into the office.
“Well, the Executive Manager wouldn’t just like any woman.”
The 1st Manager eventually spoke after some silence, attempting to sound bright and unfazed by this whole affair.
It’s true; the Executive Manager has been living in Lady Hecate’s shadow for the past two years. He’s finally stepping out of it now; it’s hard to imagine him recklessly falling for another woman just like that.
But…
You’re just another woman too!
That’s the biggest issue the 1st Manager seems blind to.
However, I wisely kept quiet. I don’t particularly want to end up thrown into the basement with her.
*
Finally, sensing the 1st Manager calming down, I quietly slipped outside.
Maybe I should just head off on a business trip for a while.
The thought crossed my mind carelessly. For now, the 1st Manager seemed fine, but who knows when she might explode again?
If the 1st Manager gets twisted up in romantic issues, it’ll only wear me down. Sadly, I’m the only one aware of her crush on the Executive Manager.
If only I didn’t know.
A wave of regret washed over me. I shouldn’t have acknowledged it back then. Even if I noticed, I should’ve gritted my teeth and played dumb.
Those who obtain forbidden knowledge often find themselves in pain. Damn it!
“What’s the big deal with marriage?”
A lament filled with despair and resentment slipped out of my mouth as I directed my complaints towards the very institution of marriage.
This is why marriage is problematic. It’s no surprise that chaos arises when you try to tie free-spirited humans together in the name of marriage.
Just take the Executive Manager—he was fine until marriage reared its ugly head, and now he’s suffering.
That’s why people should steer clear of marriage. They ought to enjoy love freely and live their lives uninhibitedly.
Everyone seems blissfully unaware of this.
Those poor souls dance unto their own restraining coils like moths fluttering to flames. It’s truly painful to observe.
Well, it’s a tragedy, but what can be done? Their choices, after all.
It’s too late now.
The Executive Manager can’t turn back now. From the moment his relationship with Lady Marghetta progressed, he’s only got a straight path ahead.
With a heart weighed down by sorrow, I gently nodded toward the academy’s direction. I’ll pray for you, Executive Manager!
Just as I was about to return to my office, my communication crystal flickered to life.
– Mr. Lafayette?
A woman with navy blue hair appeared as I activated it.
“Miss Christina.”
A smile instinctively crept across my face.
Finding happiness isn’t so difficult even without tying the knot. I truly don’t understand.
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