The Former Empress Roughly Hides Her Abilities - Chapter 37

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

【Chapter 37】

 

Wilbrin, who had arrived at work early, widened her eyes when she saw that Torban’s desk was not only neatly organized, but his belongings were also packed away in boxes.

 

“Team Leader, don’t tell me you’re quitting?”

 

Til, who had been walking leisurely from behind, reacted the same way.

 

“What, who’s quitting?”

 

“That’s what happened.”

 

Torban lightly raised his hand and smiled.

 

“They’re telling Team Leader to leave because he colluded with the Minister of Finance? Everyone’s being too harsh.”

 

“I’m leaving on my own two feet.”

 

Where did these guys get the idea to spout such nonsense, such nonsense.

 

“I was going to quit anyway because caregivers are expensive.”

 

Torban wasn’t a good boss, but he was even less of a good son.

 

As a pathetic son who only contributed to medical expenses using work as an excuse and showed his face occasionally, it seemed like a good idea to put down one burden and focus on one side with this opportunity.

 

“Your mother will be happy.”

 

“I’ll definitely come visit her.”

 

“Don’t say things you don’t mean. Do you really want to see the face of your annoying boss’s parent too?”

 

“Annoying boss…”

 

“I know all about the gossip you guys spread behind my back, you know?”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah. You said I was a bastard who gets paid just by flapping his mouth while his fingers stay quiet.”

 

“If you knew everything, why did you act that way?”

 

Til said.

 

“You’re talking back because I’m leaving now, right?”

 

“When else would I get to talk back if not now?”

 

“That’s true too.”

 

The opportunity to joke around with a boss who was quitting didn’t come often in life.

 

“Since it’s come to this, please leave us with some parting words.”

 

“Honestly, the good teamwork in our department was all thanks to me.”

 

“Oh my, you really have no conscience.”

 

Til shook his head back and forth.

 

If you could call the subtle camaraderie everyone felt while badmouthing one common person ‘teamwork,’ then you could say Torban contributed to it, but…

 

‘Usually people don’t claim that as their own achievement, do they?’

 

That wasn’t an Achievement to be proud of, but rather a measure of one’s ability to be a nuisance.

 

Wilbrin grumbled.

 

“You showed us what ‘1 scolding per day’ meant before Rianel came.”

 

“If you guys would just do things properly, cleanly, and well like new employees should, why would I need to flap my mouth? Right?”

 

A scolding bombardment heard after such a long time.

 

Wilbrin’s face turned pale.

 

“Do I nitpick about things that don’t exist? Do you think I deliberately torment you guys? It’s because you submit this kind of garbage and then sit there giggling like you’ve finished everything. This is salary theft and tax embezzlement. The Ministry of Finance isn’t the only place with embezzlers. I really don’t know how you can swallow bread after submitting such kindling as a report. If it were me, I’d be too ashamed to face my colleagues and juniors, so I’d shave my head and go into the mountains.”

 

“Ugh…”

 

“Are you frowning right now? You’re wrinkling your brow because your boss gave you harsh words? Are you in your right mind? Can’t you manage your expression? Am I saying something unreasonable right now? Am I doing this for my own comfort? I’m doing this because I want you to do well. If you act like this, you’ll get cursed at when you go to other departments. They’ll ask what you learned at the Special Tax Bureau, and you’ll smear our department’s reputation and make me lose face too. Is that what you’re hoping for? Huh?”

 

At the nagging poured out without taking a breath, Til made an “ugh” sound and cringed, while Wilbrin’s lips jutted out.

 

Even though she knew she wasn’t really being scolded, the grievances built up over many years were about to burst out.

 

“Really… I really hate you.”

 

“Still, you’ll miss me.”

 

“Ah, please.”

 

Wilbrin was genuinely disgusted.

 

It was creepy because it seemed like that might actually happen.

 

Torban was hateful and annoying, but she had developed a grudging affection for him because of the long time they’d spent bickering together.

 

‘Part of it is probably because I realized this person isn’t so different from me.’

 

Once she learned he wasn’t just an annoying human being, but a person who breathed like her, ate meals, had joys and sorrows, and knew how to protect someone, she couldn’t truly hate him.

 

“Ah, I’ve packed everything.”

 

Torban, who had finally closed his desk drawer, held the box in his arms.

 

“It looks heavy.”

 

“Of course it is, it’s 11 years’ worth.”

 

“Shall I carry it for you?”

 

When Wilbrin extended her hand, Torban straightened his face and pulled his body back.

 

“I told you not to say things you don’t mean.”

 

“Hehe.”

 

As they were exchanging such small talk, work hours approached.

 

Perhaps because it was the last time, Torban checked the face of each person coming in and accepted their greetings.

 

“Well then, live well.”

 

“Oh wait, hold on. The new employee hasn’t come yet.”

 

Til stopped Torban.

 

Since he was saying farewell anyway, wouldn’t it be better to meet everyone inside the Tax Bureau before leaving?

 

“Still not here?”

 

Wilbrin, who finally sensed something was wrong, also looked at the clock.

 

Rianel was someone who arrived close to the official start time, but she had never been late.

 

But she hadn’t appeared until this time.

 

‘Did something happen?’

 

“Ah, you guys don’t know?”

 

Torban casually revealed the whole story they didn’t know.

 

“A transfer?!”

 

The screams of the Tax Bureau people echoed immediately.

 

* * *

 

At the same time.

 

“Are you saying you’ll appoint me as Minister of Finance?”

 

Rianel, who had been summoned by the Empress Dowager, stiffened upon hearing the unexpected proposal.

 

It was shocking enough to make her, who rarely showed emotional changes, unusually agitated, but the Empress Dowager only nodded leisurely.

 

“That’s right.”

 

“I am a low-ranking civil servant, and I also have a history of receiving disciplinary action. I have no experience to take on such an important responsibility, and my reputation is also not good. I believe it would be proper for you to find a more suitable candidate than me.”

 

“You say that even after producing such results?”

 

“It’s not an achievement I made alone.”

 

Rianel carefully explained why she shouldn’t become minister, but the Empress Dowager didn’t even budge.

 

“Do you know something?”

 

The Empress Dowager lifted her teacup.

 

The rich aroma of black tea rose from inside the cup, and steam reflecting the early winter chill was condensed on the windows.

 

The room was warm because the firewood stacked in the fireplace was burning and heating the room.

 

But the strangely uncomfortable and awkward feeling was unavoidable, so Rianel straightened her back.

 

“Among those who have entered this room, you are the second person who didn’t try to curry favor with me.”

 

The first was Former Empress Ensilen.

 

And the second was Rianel.

 

Rianel, who knew those two people were the same person, had nothing to say, so she grasped her teacup with both hands. The heat of the cup warmed her coldly cooling hands.

 

The Empress Dowager also didn’t seem to expect any reaction to her words, as she took a sip of her portion of tea.

 

“Of course, that bastard Royhum wasn’t like that.”

 

A bitter smile briefly crossed her face.

 

It wasn’t just Royhum’s problem alone.

 

People who had expectations from others generally showed similar behavioral patterns.

 

They tried hard to curry favor with those in power, while their minds were busy frantically calculating gains.

 

On the other hand, Rianel, who wanted absolutely nothing from the Empress Dowager, sat upright and looked directly at her.

 

She liked that transparent and resolute gaze.

 

“I have met someone like you before.”

 

The Empress Dowager’s eyes shone gently.

 

“Someone who coveted heavenly things and paid no attention to earthly gains.”

 

Wanting advancement and personal glory weren’t the only forms of greed.

 

The will to move the world in the direction one believed to be right was also a kind of desire.

 

“The Minister of Finance is a high position, but it’s not a position that can change the world.”

 

Those words could only be spoken by someone who knew the futility of power.

 

“However.”

 

The Empress Dowager gently set down her cup and added.

 

“It could become the starting point for changing the world.”

 

Her reason for choosing Rianel wasn’t simply because of her abilities.

 

‘This child resembles my daughter-in-law.’

 

Former Empress Ensilen, who had faced the world’s cold shoulder and died confined in a lonely palace.

 

Fearing that stepping forward rashly would only add to her infamy, she had scolded and reprimanded instead of showing affection.

 

‘Because I believed that would be more helpful.’

 

That precious star had grown weak and disappeared without leaving a trace.

 

That trajectory remained as a scar deep in the Empress Dowager’s heart.

 

‘This time must be different.’

 

She wanted to properly protect this child who resembled that one, and support her so her will wouldn’t be broken.

 

The Empress Dowager asked quietly.

 

“What do you think?”

 

Rianel took a moment to catch her breath before answering.

 

“I am…”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————