Chapter: 285
I’m sorry for the 1st Senior Manager throwing a fit in front of me, but whining won’t change anything. I also didn’t know that the Duke was going to the Academy. Wait, how did they know before I did? Are they in touch with the Duke or something?
“She bragged about it earlier! The dispatch plan got finalized, so they’re going to the Academy!”
Wow, they really are in contact. Talk about social skills.
Anyway, while the 1st Senior Manager’s complaint is valid, they’re directing it at the wrong target. If they feel wronged, shouldn’t they be pleading with the Duke to take them along instead of throwing a tantrum at me?
Though, throwing a fit in front of the Duke would be problematic.
“I can’t help you here. You don’t have a valid reason to go to the Academy.”
To calm the panicked 1st Senior Manager, I tried to explain. If someone walks in on us now, it would be awkward all around.
But the 1st Senior Manager, who had already collapsed onto the floor with their outburst, couldn’t care less. With tear-filled eyes, they glared at me, as if they wouldn’t budge until they got the answer they wanted.
“If my sister also goes to the Academy, it’ll be four to two in our favor!”
There was a sense of urgency in the 1st Senior Manager’s voice. It was almost as if they believed that if the balance of residents at the Academy was disrupted, the sky would fall. Their desperate cries were so pitiful they almost made me feel sorry for them.
At the same time, I could understand their feelings to some extent. If everyone splits evenly, it’s disappointing but manageable; however, becoming part of the minority can feel pretty unsettling. Yeah, I get it. I completely get it.
“I’m already the fifth in line due to being stuck in the system. What if I end up forgotten by the Executive Manager?”
Hearing that, I could hardly respond.
The first time I met Louise and Irina was after the 1st Senior Manager. Yet, due to being in the system and the sin of not being able to stay at the Academy together, their confession order had been pushed back to fifth place. While they pretend not to care on the outside, a sliver of resentment and unease linger in the 1st Senior Manager’s heart.
In the current situation, only the fifth and sixth in line remain in the system. They must be worried that not only their confession order is lagging but their affection for me is also lagging behind.
“No! I don’t want to be forgotten! I don’t want to be the one that nobody remembers by the end!”
Whoa now, why that metaphor? Did you get a glimpse into the future or something?
But thinking about the 1st Senior Manager’s extreme anxiety, I just couldn’t bring myself to tell them to tone it down. No matter how anxious they are, they can’t vent that on someone else. Plus, the 4th Senior Manager isn’t exactly the type to be sensitive to this kind of thing. They’ve been silently burning inside, or maybe this display is just a way to get some frustration out rather than find a solution.
I even remembered that the 1st Senior Manager had previously shown weakness in front of me, so now they were crying genuinely and flailing about. Having hit rock bottom, crying doesn’t seem embarrassing anymore, huh? Brave, yet misguided.
“I’ll call you every day from the Academy—”
“But you can’t hold hands or hug over the communication line!”
True enough.
“Maybe ask the Duke for teleports every weekend—”
“Then you’d just have a three-way date with my sister!”
That too makes sense.
‘What should I do?’
This is maddening. The situation really feels hopeless.
Am I supposed to bring the 1st Senior Manager to the Academy? No matter how I think about it, that would give them no justification, and if the 1st Senior Manager stays at the Academy, the 4th Senior Manager will be left all alone. That’s just not fair to the 4th Senior Manager.
Or, should I ask the Duke to reconsider their dispatch to the Academy? After hearing the 1st Senior Manager’s tales, wouldn’t it just lead to me seeing the Duke in tears? Not to mention, from what the 1st Senior Manager said, the reason for their dispatch was to take care of their sole disciple Louise. I don’t exactly have a beef to stop them. Besides, they already got the Emperor’s final approval, so me, a lowly manager, stepping in is a bit much.
“I’ll stick around until school starts as much as I can…”
“Alright!”
Huh?
“I’m really bummed, but I’ll just deal with it if you stay with me during the break.”
The 1st Senior Manager, who had been desperately flailing around as if trying to wipe dust off the floor with their clothes, suddenly stood up as if nothing had happened, approaching me now innocently.
“Since I’m parting with my cute partner, I need you to show me some love for now!”
“…Okay.”
Only after witnessing that did I realize—wow, they totally played me.
I mean, while that outburst reeked more of authenticity than acting, they just wanted to tug on my heartstrings to get what they wanted since they couldn’t turn the situation overwhelmingly in their favor.
‘Gotta graduate soon.’
Holding back a sigh that felt like it’d explode, I gave the 1st Senior Manager a pat on the head. Their scheme worked to perfection, relying on my guilt. I’m not particularly fond of this situation either.
If I were to part ways with all my lovers, fine, but if I’m separating from some while keeping others close, it’d look like favoritism. If the 1st and 4th Senior Managers were civilians, I’d find a way to make it work, but being civil servants complicates that.
So what can I do? I’ll have to endure the complaints and grievances from those left behind for the next two years.
‘Can’t forget the 4th Senior Manager either.’
I should meet with the 4th Senior Manager soon, after all. Unlike the 1st Senior Manager, who is perpetually stuck in the system, the 4th Senior Manager could be dispatched on a whim.
After finally giving the 1st Senior Manager some heartfelt pats and passing my “qualifying exam,” I decided to confront the Duke, who had bombarded me with all this. They really bombed our quiet lives without a care.
“What’s going on? I didn’t know anything about this.”
“Ah, that’s—”
“Am I supposed to hear about how my sweetheart is being dispatched from others? That’s just rude!”
As soon as I stormed into the Duke’s office, I launched an emotional attack, leaving the Duke at a loss for words, unable to respond.
I’m sure they had a rebuttal ready, considering the situation. They probably had a neat excuse lined up about taking care of Louise, the development of the Empire’s magic realm, the shortage of personnel in the Magic Tower, and so on. There were likely plenty of ways to dodge my anger.
But it seems they didn’t anticipate a plea that appeals to emotions rather than logic. Especially not when I echo their own words back to them.
“It hurts me most to hear about the things concerning you through the Information Department. Do you understand?”
Last year, when the Duke I knew hadn’t even realized their feelings for me, that simple moment of frustration felt like a heavy warning from my point of view. It resonated deep within me and stuck with me all this time, which is why I never expected them to use it against me.
“If you were coming, why not at least give me a heads-up? Did you think I would oppose it?”
Bingo. If the Duke had consulted me before, I would’ve definitely objected.
But that ship has sailed, and I can’t nullify the Duke coming to the Academy either. So I’ll have to show a facade of disappointment to curb any further spontaneous decisions. I can accept the past, but going forward, unexpected things happening without my knowledge is a strict no.
I might look like a total jerk playing with their heartstrings, but what can I do when the other party is the Duke? Even a lion stretching will send nearby rabbits into a panic, and the Duke, having reigned for a century, will cause chaos and shock among the smaller fry. At the very least, as a future fiancé, I need to shield against such chaos.
“I’m sorry. I should have consulted you first.”
Fortunately, it seems my feelings reached the Duke, as they apologized with a slightly sullen demeanor.
I couldn’t tell if they were lacking words to counter my concerns or if they simply planned a surprise. Regardless, if this resolves the matter without further conflict, then it’s a smooth wrap-up. An apology and taking precautions should suffice.
“From now on, let’s not hide anything from each other. If anything comes up, I’ll let you know right away.”
As I said that with a gentle smile, I caught the Duke flinch. It was just a moment, but it was enough to signal they were rattled.
Wait, what is it? Did they do something else without me knowing?
“…Beatrix?”
“That’s, well, it is something I kept hidden, but it’s something you would be happy about.”
And what followed was indeed quite the happy revelation.
In pondering what gift would suit my birthday, I took Erich’s advice on suggesting a vacation, and it turned out that the royal family wrote up a formal request for it, mentioning that since the Information Department is already suspicious of me, they opted to encompass the entire Empire’s bureaucracy instead. This was a surprise gift kept under wraps until now.
‘…Was it really free?’
Mind-boggling. While they called it an “unconditional vacation,” I thought it was a poisoned chalice, yet it turns out it was a chalice filled with wine instead. I never knew the Duke would go this far behind the scenes.
“Was this a pointless move?”
“No.”
When the Duke tentatively asked, I vehemently shook my head. Nothing about this was pointless.
“Thank you. This is the best gift ever.”
Unable to contain my emotions, I pulled the Duke into an embrace. The Duke’s unexpected actions? Saying they might cause trouble suddenly at the Academy? Nonsense. Their location is technically the Magic Tower—this is merely a rightful station.
‘What a fool I’ve been.’
I felt a wave of self-reproach wash over me. How could I have even entertained the notion of being upset with the Duke for such incredible favor? I will certainly reflect on this…
“I’m glad you’re satisfied.”
The Duke, momentarily startled by my sudden embrace, soon reciprocated with a gentle hold.
Once again, I found myself consumed by feelings of self-reproach.
*
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Worrying about unavoidable circumstances is pointless.
“Ainter.”
As I opened the door, the Crown Prince seated at the head gazed at me with a calm voice, free of joy, anger, hospitality, or hatred.
Rather, the lack of emotion caused me to feel relieved. Not only was the Crown Prince in attendance, but so was the Crown Princess. If they planned to deal with me, the Crown Princess wouldn’t be present.
“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
At my greeting, he nodded and gestured for me to sit, clearly saying, “If you’ve come, take a seat.”
“It’s been a while since the New Year’s Ball.”
“Yes, Your Highness. It has.”
As soon as I sat, I was hit with a question. I quickly bowed my head. Since the New Year, I haven’t had any contact with His Highness. He has been busy with official duties, and I’ve thoroughly avoided public appearances.
That’s why I was even more anxious. Why did His Highness decide to call upon me a whole month after the New Year’s Ball? What on earth could this be—
“It’s unfortunate that we don’t get to talk with family very often.”
Fa—family?
I froze at the unexpected statement.
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