Chapter: 274
No matter how many times you experience your child getting married, you never quite get used to it. Even if that child isn’t biologically yours but holds a special place in your heart.
My niece, with her dark blue hair like my wife’s, isn’t my flesh and blood. I don’t know much about her, and we haven’t spent much time together. Still, because of that, she comes across as so polite and demure that it makes her even cuter.
Unfortunately, unlike my kids who inherited my gene for charm—meaning, they have none at all—this girl resembles my wife in her younger days. It’d be a lie to say she doesn’t weigh on my mind, and if I didn’t want to take care of her, then I’d be lacking in heart.
“Uncle! Look! There’s a dragonfly!”
“Yeah, it’s pretty big.”
She’s always greeted me with warmth, never frightened of my somewhat intimidating looks. Whenever I visit the Airaas County, I’d carry her on my shoulders and take her for a spin around the territory.
Now, that little girl has grown into a shy young lady, but the bond we formed back then has stuck. She feels less like a mere niece and more like a daughter to me.
‘Time really flies.’
That little girl, the one who used to grin with her missing front teeth, is now on the brink of her wedding. It’s never been so evident how fast time goes by.
I can’t say I’m not a bit upset over how things turned out.
‘…Niece’s husband.’
I subtly glanced at the Executive Manager, the second manager of the Information Department, now my niece’s husband.
Christina’s choice of partner was someone I never expected. I’m used to seeing him in the Ministry of Finance, but I’d never anticipated he’d turn up in a private context.
Honestly? I wasn’t thrilled about it at all. In fact, I wanted to oppose it right from the start. After all, I know very well how colorful and complicated his romantic history is. I was anxious he’d just brush past my niece, leaving her heartbroken in the chaos.
– Uncle, I’ve heard Mr. Lafayette is one of your subordinates. Is that right?
When Christina first contacted me via the communication hub, I tried my best to encourage her to break it off.
Of course, I aimed to crush the second manager after that. I mean, he went on a work assignment and ended up flirting with some innocent girl, flaunting his real name instead of a pseudonym? Clearly, he’s lost his mind. There’s a saying: under a crazy boss, you find a crazier subordinate, and that’s exactly the case with the Information Department!
Unfortunately, I failed. Instead of breaking them apart, their bond became even stronger, officially.
‘They say a child can outsmart their parents.’
Though not her biological father, I had my parental love for her, which was my downfall. With her earnest face, how could I oppose a sweet girl who had turned from a hyperactive child into such a shy and selfless young lady?
The daughter of the Count’s household, niece to the Minister of Finance, and even a supplementary teacher, she had her first true love in this guy. Forcing them apart could leave her scarred and unable to open her heart again.
Looking back, it drives me mad. Why of all people did it have to be the second manager?
“Alright, here you go. This is the item you requested.”
Shoving those negative thoughts aside, I pulled out the ring box from my pocket.
What’s done is done. No use regretting now; I just had to accept it.
“Th-thank you so much!”
Seeing Christina’s eyes sparkle as she took the ring case, the lingering discomfort quickly melted away.
Right, before my marriage, I wasn’t too shabby myself as a husband. Just like how I changed after meeting my wife, that second manager could change too.
Anyway, when Christina opened the case with an excited expression, revealing the split ring inside, her smile couldn’t brighten up any more.
‘What’s so special about that?’
I truly don’t get the younger generation’s tastes. A girl who was once so humble now practically begs for it. But hey, if it makes her happy, who am I to judge?
Still, regardless of my understanding, that bizarre ring is going to set the trend. After all, it’s the ring worn by someone in the spotlight—the one who has captured everyone’s attention, including the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, Duke, and even ladies of nobility. It’s a trend that cannot be ignored. Not hopping onto that bandwagon means becoming an outdated noble.
—I completely forgot to buy a couple’s ring. They were thrilled when I hurriedly split it.
“If you don’t want a divorce, better live in hiding for the rest of your life.”
And I instinctively thought that ignorance is bliss. If I hadn’t known the backstory of this ring, I might’ve just let it slide, thinking, “Wow, that’s trendy.”
But that kid is showing signs of forgetfulness already. What kind of guy forgets to buy a couple’s ring for his girlfriend?
“Mr. Lafayette! Look at this. Isn’t it pretty?”
“…Yes, it’s very pretty. A lifelong treasure.”
With a beaming smile, when Christina showed the ring to her newly minted husband, he hesitated briefly before responding.
I get it. He’s aware of the ring’s secrets too. After all, he’s the one who had scoffed at it, and now, it’s being slipped onto his own finger.
And this ring was crafted not by me, but the original maker. During the New Year’s address, I asked him directly for a favor.
“Split it.”
“No way, am I going to create this hideous thing myself?”
As I casually handed over the ring, he freaked out and refused—
“What you tore a paper from is this ring!”
“I wish for you both a hundred years of happiness.”
That single phrase made him split it.
Even though he successfully switched to another topic right after failing—still, the fact remains that his previous paper got dashed. If he had any conscience left, he simply couldn’t refuse.
“I’ll put it on for you myself.”
“Th-thank you.”
Watching the result of that conscience slip onto Christina and the second manager’s hands, I quietly closed my eyes.
Though the process was a tad strange, as long as my precious niece is happy, I’m good.
*
The New Year’s address is a legal holiday for civil servants. In other words, this means you must return to work right after the address ends.
After enjoying the lavish banquet, sampling exquisite dishes, and taking the occasional nap in a separate chamber, I now had to go back to that dull office. What a descent into despair!
“…What’s going on?”
But the moment I clocked in, I felt it.
Today doesn’t signify a dreadful fall; it’s a happy ascend. Instead of a valley of despair, we are climbing the huge joyful mountain.
“It’s a congratulatory party for the second manager’s wedding!”
In my daze, the first manager cheerfully responded, brandishing a magnificent banner.
[ Congratulations! The Second Manager is Off the Market! ]
‘Whoa.’
Instinctively, a flash of last year’s incident crossed my mind—the colorful tea bagging I experienced right after being sent to the Academy. The memories of tearing that banner that shattered my heart just popped back up.
Now that nostalgia has risen again, but this time, it’s to celebrate the second manager, who has fallen from master to subject.
“Whose idea was this?”
“Mine!”
“Well done.”
Good on you.
I sincerely ruffled the first manager’s hair. He deserved it. I mean, it’s only fair to celebrate when a colleague gets married. To toast for the last single guy deserves to create a unique holiday, right?
Looking around, other executives were already gathering. The senior manager was pouring drinks for the second manager, while the third manager rifled through boxes, perhaps selecting a drink that suited his taste.
‘So harmonious.’
Watching everyone ready to celebrate their colleague’s wedding warmed my heart. Never have I been so happy about drinking during work hours.
“Oh, Manager! Would you like to have a drink too?”
As the third manager bowed his head, the second manager also offered him a drink.
“I’m fine. Just enjoy yourselves.”
I politely turned him down. After all, I wanted to fully enjoy this joy and pleasure with my own senses.
If any intoxication stole the pleasure away, I wouldn’t be able to bear it. This feeling belongs solely to me…
“Well, if you insist…”
The third manager must have decided to share the joy of intoxication, for he abruptly guzzled from the bottle the moment I declined.
Drink up, drink up. Today, you’re allowed to overindulge without guilt.
“Has the second manager not arrived yet?”
Nodding at the fifth manager, who greeted me, I turned my attention back to the first manager.
While enjoying the congratulatory party is all well and good, it wouldn’t be nearly as lively without the main attraction himself. A party celebrating the second manager’s wedding without him? Now that would just be grim.
Of course, these people had thrown me a congrats party when I was absent, so it’s nothing to be surprised about now.
“He’ll probably arrive as late as possible. I think he’s caught on.”
The first manager’s comment made me chuckle. The second manager surely knows better, having poked me countless times.
He’d likely suspected the retribution coming his way today.
“What can he do if he knows?”
“True that.”
But from the second manager’s viewpoint, the unfortunate reality is that knowing doesn’t result in anything good.
Refuse to clock in? Then we’d just drag him along. Request a day off? If I refuse, it means nothing. The wheels of fate are turning toward him, and they won’t stop.
My heart is racing. To experience such an event on the very first day back to work in the new year—my luck is at its peak!
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