The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 102
Kiaros shrugged once, then continued speaking slowly with his chin resting in his hand.
“I still remember that night when we were attacked in the Southern Region. His Majesty the Emperor swept them all away, but he sustained injuries to his leg and was wrapped in bandages. They said he lost a lot of blood. I was frightened seeing him in such a state for the first time, but….”
“Ah….”
“His Majesty said that even in bad situations, there’s always something good to be found.”
I blinked. This was the first time Kiaros had spoken about himself at such length.
Were we ever this close? But saying something like that would hurt him.
“Fifteen years without meeting is certainly a bad situation, but at least it’s good that Namia didn’t enter the Magic Tower.”
He gazed directly at me and smiled faintly.
When that sculptural face smiled toward me, my breath caught instinctively.
I had to admit this. I wasn’t someone who judged everything by appearance alone, but Kiaros’s looks were truly breathtaking….
“Now that I think about it, from that point on, Namia and I have been entangled with the Gaejo Faction. Our history runs deep.”
Kiaros chuckled softly, then repositioned himself with elegant grace. Then he spoke in a low voice.
“Truth be told, I’m not in a position to completely trust anyone right now. But if Namia wishes to demonstrate her abilities, then permitting that would be a superior’s virtue.”
I blinked and looked at him.
“Just as I always have.”
He harbored some suspicion of me, yet he trusted my abilities. Those two things could certainly coexist.
Warmth suddenly welled up in my chest.
Even at the Banquet, he had said to ‘show Namia’s light to others.’
That was different from Victor, who said ‘I hope you yourself never knew your light.’
“However, there is one condition.”
“Yes.”
I nodded while looking at Kiaros.
I was prepared to accept whatever condition he might propose.
“Even within the Imperial Palace, there are always dangers, so I’d like you to bring an escort with you.”
The word was escort, but it also meant surveillance.
But what came next was unexpected.
“What if you brought your Tower Master’s Secretary with you?”
“…Pardon?”
“His abilities are probably equal to or better than the Ravens.”
“Um….”
I asked in confusion.
“If it’s Kibon… he was one of the names on the list I mentioned as a spy?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Kiaros said, looking slightly flustered.
“Well… no, it’s not. There are some circumstances, but….”
There was definitely some kind of relationship between Kibon and Kiaros.
Was he perhaps a hidden illegitimate child of the Imoet royal family, sharing blood with Kiaros….
Or he could be one of the Ravens currently on a mission.
“Wait, then… can I trust Kibon?”
In any case, it was good news. I didn’t have to suspect Kibon!
“Then, does that mean we can narrow it down to either Anastasia or Victor being the spy?”
Kiaros studied me quietly, then nodded once.
I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. I was so glad I didn’t have to suspect Kibon.
“Ah… still, it’s such a relief. I’ve been so anxious all this time, worried that Kibon might be the spy…”
I spoke with bright, sparkling eyes, barely containing my joy.
“So I can trust that Kibon has never deceived me, right? That everything he shows me is genuine?”
“Uh, what?”
“Can I believe that everything he shows before me is the truth?”
“Um… well…”
Kiaros’s eyes darted about, clearly flustered.
“W-well, that is… um, d-don’t trust him too much…”
“I see.”
I exhaled sharply through my nose as I spoke.
“But if that boy is hiding something from me, I really won’t let it slide.”
“Uh, what?”
Because of Kibon alone, my emotions had swung wildly in such a short time.
Honestly, I couldn’t forget the image of him carrying me in his arms as I coughed up blood.
Even though he was burning with fever, even as his home was crumbling around him, he didn’t hesitate—he only cared for me.
I was so happy I didn’t have to doubt that sincerity, but if I were to be betrayed now…
“If Kibon Altes dared to deceive me, make a fool of me, betray me—if that bastard was really that despicable…”
As I muttered, Kiaros took a sharp breath, his expression tense.
“Then… surely you don’t mean…”
He hesitated before adding his question.
“You won’t see that despicable bastard ever again?”
I answered immediately.
“What? Of course not.”
“Right? After all, you’ve spent time together…”
“I’m not so merciful to those who betray me.”
Simply not seeing him again? That was absurd.
My eyes gleamed as I continued.
“I will never forgive him. I won’t let him rest easy for a single moment.”
“…What?”
“I’ll cling to him for life and take my revenge.”
“Um…”
“I’ll chase him even to hell itself and make him pay for his sins eternally. I’ll make him suffer, screaming my name until the day he dies…”
Kiaros flinched and leaned back slightly.
Knock, knock. At that moment, the door burst open with a bang, and the Empress and Jayden rushed in.
“Your Highness, congratulations! I heard you’ve finally succeeded in confining Namia!”
“Brother! Congratulations! So you’ll be living with Namia after all!”
Kiaros wore an expression of mounting complications.
“It’s neither. I’m simply receiving Namia as a guest of the Imperial Palace.”
“Kyaaaaaah! Kihyahyahyak! Kack kack! Kyak kyak kyaaak!”
“A guest of the Imperial Palace eventually becomes a guest of one’s life, and a guest of one’s life becomes a companion of one’s life, brother!”
While the two members of the Imperial Family caused an uproar, the Aide who had entered with them quietly took his place beside me.
“I shall guide you to the room where you will be staying.”
“Yes.”
I nodded to the Aide and left the Crown Prince’s Office, which was filled with screams and cheers.
Thus began my life in the Imperial Palace.
* * *
I took ten days of sick leave.
There was nothing urgent to handle, but I gave work instructions to Victor, my Team Leader, and Anastasia.
“Remote work is nice.”
The Empress even sent me a mountain of clothes.
It seemed that at the last banquet, the Dressmaking Shop that had made my outfit had apparently shouted “from here to here” in their enthusiasm.
‘They clearly didn’t look at the clothes properly and just demanded everything. Every conceivable style of clothing is gathered here without the slightest sense of unity.’
Of course, I conveyed that a high-ranking civil servant could not accept such things. But the response came back: “They are not yours, but are always kept in the Guest Quarters.”
In the meantime, an Attendant delivered a letter from Kiaros.
The Ravens have begun investigating Anastasia and Victor, and I should share the results as they come in.
Kibon Altes will be sent there soon, so keep that in mind.
True to his word, Kibon came to my room that afternoon. And he spoke with his characteristic expressionless face as if nothing had happened.
“When you go out, please pull the bell cord. It connects to my room, so I will come at once.”
“Understood.”
“How is your body feeling?”
“I’m fine, but… how about you?”
“I’m fine. I’ve recovered completely.”
I examined Kibon’s complexion. He did look slightly tired, but he didn’t seem to be in pain like he was yesterday.
Meeting him again in a room of the Imperial Palace felt different. I stared at him intently and spoke.
“Kibon.”
“Yes.”
Before we worked together on “different matters” here in the Imperial Palace rather than in the Scroll Department Office, there was something I needed to address clearly.
“What is your relationship with the Crown Prince?”

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