Chapter 258
Ever since I responded to the Judicial Minister’s summons, I’ve been enjoying a peaceful and uneventful end to the year. To be honest, Dorgon’s whereabouts are a bit troubling, but going to the Northern Region in the middle of winter? That’d be nuts. Besides, it’s already strange enough that I, as an employee of the Ministry of Finance, would venture up there in the first place.
Anyway, the Senior Manager has already wrapped up the annual work report for the Inspection Department, and I’ve filled out the personnel evaluation for the Minister as well. At this point, I’ve taken care of everything I needed to do.
If there’s anything left to keep an eye on, it would be checking whether the budgets for other departments were actually used properly. But even that was handled by the Senior Manager while I was away.
‘Having a good subordinate makes life so easy.’
I took a sip of my tea and glanced through the papers submitted by the Senior Manager. If it weren’t for him, the Inspection Department would have been doomed ages ago. My best decision in my public servant career was promoting that lowly Team Leader to Senior Manager.
If I get promoted, I’m definitely taking him along as the Minister’s secretary. I’ve become someone who can’t live without the Senior Manager now.
But the real question is what to do if both the Executive Managers and the Senior Manager are vacant at the same time—
‘They’ll figure it out themselves.’
Honestly, why should I care? A real man doesn’t look back at a seat that’s been vacated.
Plus, isn’t it the Crown Prince—the master of absurd and radical personnel reshuffles—who’s in charge? I trust he’ll handle things well. If push comes to shove, he might even promote the Third or Fifth Managers.
‘…What if the Third Manager becomes the Executive Manager?’
In that moment, I pictured a bald giant sitting in the Executive Manager’s chair. I’d believe it if someone said I was looking at a mafia boss instead of an Executive Manager. That’s a future I can’t handle.
On second thought, I really can’t let the Third Manager take over. Even now, walking around with him feels like being with a gang leader. An Executive Manager who’s practically a mafia boss?
‘It’s obvious he’s running the strings from behind the scenes.’
I let out a hollow laugh and absentmindedly rubbed my eyes. If only I had squinty eyes, I’d be the perfect villain.
– Knock, knock
While I was lost in thought, a knock at the door jolted me back to reality.
“Executive Manager. It’s the Senior Manager.”
“The Senior Manager?”
“Yes, Executive Manager.”
I didn’t actually expect him to be the one knocking. Usually, after submitting the paperwork, he’d be out the door in a flash. Did he have more documents to submit?
“Come in.”
Of course, it’d be weird to send the Senior Manager off after he came all this way, so I invited him in. If the Senior Manager returned, it must be for a good reason.
As soon as he got the go-ahead, he cautiously opened the door and stepped inside—empty-handed. There weren’t any extra documents to submit.
‘His expression doesn’t seem too bad.’
Seeing his calm face reassured me that there wasn’t a crisis at hand.
Thank goodness for that. If something urgent popped up, my comms would have been flashing before he even knocked.
“Okay, what’s up?”
Since he didn’t seem to be saying anything serious, I casually asked. I wanted to hear him out and send him back quickly. The Senior Manager must be busier than I am.
“A guest has arrived.”
“A guest?”
That threw me off a bit. A year-end guest?
After all, whoever was coming to see me would have to be someone of a certain standing, likely to attend the New Year’s Ball. It’s unusual for someone to make early contact at the end of the year like this.
“Who is it?”
“It’s the Fourth Manager.”
“Oh.”
I nodded at that. This was a welcome update amidst the laid-back year-end mood. The Fourth Manager showing up on his own is a sign of success for Mukgwangdae’s efforts.
*
I didn’t really want to know this about the Fourth Division’s cohesion. When one disappears, another appears, and by morning, it’s someone completely different from yesterday.
“Oh, Captain! You’re up!”
As soon as I stepped out of my room, 2nd Squad Leader greeted me as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
“Good morning! Wow, the weather’s nice today.”
Even though the blizzards were raging outside, he was going on about nice weather.
This is dizzying. Ever since the Vice Captain declared a shared goal, every team member I meet is acting like this. A simple greeting among family is natural, but—
“I hear these days, walking through the snow is all the rage for cozy dates.”
What’s troubling is that he isn’t stopping at just a greeting; he keeps adding on weirdly.
How does a morning greeting segue into dating advice? Is this what happens when you blurt things without a shred of coherence?
“…That’s a peculiar trend.”
“Haha, that’s how trends go. They’re called trends because they aren’t ordinary.”
With him beaming and nodding enthusiastically, I forced a nod in response.
It’s not just the 2nd Squad Leader; everyone seems fixated on me like they’re starving, so I don’t have to react to the 2nd Squad Leader’s antics.
“Right? How about you join in on the trend? And hey, there’s a good partner for you out there.”
Not noticing my lack of interest, the 2nd Squad Leader exaggeratedly clapped his hands and continued.
“……”
“Ah, come on! I just gave you some advice!”
I ignored him and quickened my pace since I knew he was just fishing for compliments. I could hear him commiserating behind me, but I didn’t react.
This is just too much. Just a few days ago, they were providing logical and reasonable persuasion, and now they’re throwing tantrums when they catch my eye.
“It’s cold out. Someone should be dating to warm things up.”
“The stew’s salty. Seeing some sweet moments might at least give me vicarious satisfaction, right?”
“I can’t even spend my salary! If someone gets married, at least I’ll throw in some wedding cash.”
“Hey! It’s just folks like us who can’t get dates! I’m not doing Mukgwangdae anymore!”
I feel like I’m going insane. The people who preached about repayment for repayment being pointless have vanished, leaving behind these monsters. Monsters too ashamed to look up at others.
Honestly, I know why they’re acting like this. They’re frustrated because I’m still stuck in place. Since rationality isn’t working, they resort to emotion, or pure madness.
‘…I don’t want to be this way either.’
A bitter feeling washed over me. What captain would want to watch his subordinates lose their minds? Who would just ignore their family’s wishes?
I’m simply too scared to make a move. Even though I’ve come up with a plan in my head against the merciless onslaughts from my team, I’m still hesitating to step forward.
‘Now what would I have for self-respect.’
I’ve already wasted my chance. When my Master asked if I had anything to say, when he embraced me gently, that was the moment to pour everything out.
Instead of hoarding twisted admiration, I should have spoken the truth about the proper repayment and loyalty I wanted. I should have said I wanted to be with my Master for life, not just standing back watching from afar but to feel his gaze and touch.
But I deceived myself. I dared to draw a line between me and him. A me who should follow my Master’s wishes ended up turning my back to the desire to express affection, just like Erziebe.
Because of that, I don’t deserve it. No matter how much my team pushes me from behind, I can’t move forward. A person with dignity wouldn’t dare to do that.
…I thought that way.
– In love, dignity and honor are useless.
“What do you mean?”
That was before Erziebe dropped her bombshell declaration.
When Erziebe reached out to me, saying it was a simple greeting, I thought it was perfect. With her connection to my Master, surely she could offer useful advice.
So I hesitantly asked. What exactly should I do?
– I cried and clung to my Master. If I were worried about honor, I wouldn’t have done that.
Just hearing Erziebe’s words, I couldn’t say anything in response. That lady, crying and clinging? What on earth happened while I was in the Northern Region?
– Penelia. Listen closely. Shame is fleeting, but love lasts forever.
Yet, even through that detached demeanor, I could see her unwavering conviction. A steadfast belief that she wouldn’t compromise.
– So, regret nothing and go for it. Is it worth the momentary embarrassment, or do you want to live with regret for a lifetime?
“But what right do I have—”
– I’m saying don’t worry about rights and wrongs. Did you hear my advice or not?
As her voice grew impatient, I quietly looked down.
– …Still, the shorter the shame, the better.
Seeing my demeanor, her voice softened a little.
Then, as Erziebe continued with her advice, my hands began to tremble.
– So then, the shame will be brief, and the rest is up to your Master.
“E-Ersie!”
My voice naturally rose higher, shocked. I can see this being effective, but isn’t that pushing it too far?
No way. I could easily end up being recognized as a weirdo by my Master if I’m not careful. Just imagining it sends shivers down my spine.
– If you don’t want that, then do it all by yourself.
But with that said, I had no more retorts left.
…Okay, let’s think positively. This is advice from Erziebe, who’s ahead of me.
A brief moment of embarrassment… a lifetime of love… if I’m embarrassed just once, the rest is up to my Master…
Alright. Let’s do it.
*
I asked the Senior Manager to send the Fourth Manager to the Executive Manager’s office.
The Fourth Manager is still a member of my heart in the Inspection Department. Meeting in the reception room feels slightly detached; seeing him in the Executive Manager’s office puts me more at ease.
“Welcome, Penelia.”
“Y-Yes, I’m here to see you, Executive Manager.”
One of the reasons I called him over was that I didn’t want anyone else to see the nervousness of the Fourth Manager.
Seeing that he came in directly means he wouldn’t run away like last time, but that jittery vibe would be hard to suppress. That’s a feat even Marcilio couldn’t pull off.
“It’s quite chilly outside. Would you like some tea?”
“Thank you, I’d love some…”
As I offered to the Fourth Manager, who had come in with a scarf, he nodded repeatedly.
This surprised me a bit. The Fourth Manager usually shows no reaction to cold or heat. I didn’t expect him to wear something so cute as a scarf.
With a smile creeping across my face at this unexpected sight, I headed to the shelf. After all, he had just returned from experiencing the extreme cold of the Northern Region. The effects might still be lingering.
“I heard Yuris has been asking when you’re coming back.”
As I turned my back, I casually mentioned it.
The Fourth Manager had used Yuris’s name when escaping from my clutches, but now that Yuris hasn’t seen him, that’s a sad situation.
“S-Sorry! Something urgent c-came up…”
“It seemed urgent, yeah.”
As I said that, he froze up and stopped stuttering.
It’s a shame; if I had seen the Fourth Manager now, I would’ve loved to see him squirm. Maybe I should place the tea on the table instead of the shelf.
“Well, maybe next time…”
Just as I was putting the tea together and turning around, my mouth suddenly clamped shut.
‘What the hell.’
I doubted my eyes. I had a delay in processing the scene in front of me.
Somehow, the Fourth Manager had taken off his scarf. Still, something hangs around his neck. Something black and leather-like. If I had to think positively, it could look like a choker.
But it’s not a choker. Chokers don’t have any strings hanging off of them.
‘…A collar?’
What the hell? Is this a dream?
Or is this some kind of protest against ever becoming lovers?
“M-Master.”
While I was in a daze, the Fourth Manager offered me the handle of the collar with trembling hands.
What.
What is this?
Why are you giving that to me?
As I looked at the Fourth Manager with confusion, he took a deep breath and slowly opened his mouth.
“I entrust everything to you, Master.”
Don’t say something so serious all of a sudden!
What’s up with that timing?
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