The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 168

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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 168
Kiaros held a report in one hand while wrapping his arm around my waist, his gaze settling gently upon my eyes.
“You look a bit down. Is it because of Aran?”
“Ah, well, that’s unavoidable. It’s not just about my mother, but…”
I rolled my eyes as I spoke.
“With my pathetic magical abilities, I can’t even get into the Magic Tower.”
“That’s true.”
“And if I go to another department, they’ll all find me burdensome as a former Minister of Education.”
“That’s true.”
“My life suddenly has far fewer options than before.”
“Then there’s nothing to be done about it.”
Kiaros wrapped his arm around my shoulder and chuckled softly.
“You should do something you’re better at than magic. For example… what about that position you’re eyeing?”
“Eyeing? I’m simply making an objective assessment that the possibility is high. In that sense, please review the report quickly.”
Kiaros held me close while meticulously examining the report.
I already knew everything about the work done in the Scroll Department. Therefore, I could plan with sufficient detail to ensure no gaps in operations.
“All current personnel in the Scroll Department should be able to transfer if they apply. There’s only Anastasia Kayen at the team leader level, and the rest don’t have much seniority…”
Even Anastasia wasn’t the type to excel at work.
That said, she wasn’t incompetent either—the sort of standard civil servant who would manage adequately anywhere she went.
“In fact, regarding the Saint Cairo Banquet that others took notice of the Scroll Department for, that was an achievement I accomplished alone.”
“I know that better than anyone.”
Kiaros nodded slowly. I continued with composure.
“It’s true that the Magic Tower has maintained an isolated and closed environment. It’s enjoyed the authority granted by the Empire while neglecting its duties under the pretense that no one could replace it.”
“That’s something no one dared say openly, but hearing it from the Tower Master’s granddaughter is quite refreshing.”
“Yes. The Magic Tower has received many privileges from the Empire under the guise of specialization, so now is the time to use that knowledge for the Empire’s benefit.”
This meant my grandfather, who had only thrown tantrums and neglected his duties at the Magic Tower, should finally get to work.
“If I establish a system now by leveraging my grandfather’s sense of guilt, the framework will be maintained for future generations and beyond. In every way, this marriage with me is very beneficial for the Imperial Family and the Crown Prince.”
“Well, about that…”
Kiaros answered with a reluctant expression.
“You’re acting like you came to propose a contractual marriage… aren’t we lovers? That’s not something you should be saying while nestled in my arms, is it?”
“Ah, yes.”
When I answered respectfully, Kiaros finally laughed aloud, set down the report, and held me tightly as he spoke.
“I also had something to say about Aran Sertiz.”
I had no intention of making things difficult for Kiaros by pleading for leniency merely because she was my mother. It seemed Kiaros understood my feelings well enough.
“Aran Sertiz’s case will be handled according to imperial law and proper procedure.”
“Ah, yes.”
I nodded.
I had already anticipated roughly what would happen to my mother. I had even discussed it with the Emperor.
[If she didn’t directly commit murder or anything of that nature, she would serve a prison sentence and perform labor for the Empire.]
[That’s right. And if she accomplishes other merits during that time, there could be some consideration for mitigation…]
My mother hadn’t committed murder directly, but she was nonetheless an executive of a criminal organization. It was obvious she would spend her life imprisoned, laboring for the Empire.
“However, after the council’s deliberation, we determined that Aran Sertiz’s ‘experiment’ resulted in Namia learning about the future, which saved my life. Considering the outcome, regardless of intent, some mitigating circumstances are warranted.”
Kiaros continued speaking matter-of-factly.
“Looking at this report, I can see the rough scope of those mitigating circumstances. According to Namia’s report, to fill the operational gap in the Scroll Department, the Magic Tower will have quite a bit of miscellaneous work and labor. I think it would be appropriate to assign this labor to Aran Sertiz.”
I blinked. My mother, who had been the princess of the Magic Tower, would now labor there?
“What if we confine her to the Magic Tower 1st Floor? After all, it’s a space familiar to Aran Sertiz, and the Tower Master can oversee her. However, she must never leave the 1st Floor for the rest of her life. I’m planning to assign a couple of reliable supervisors so the Tower Master won’t be tempted to let her shirk her duties.”
I’d heard that in the Magic Tower, higher ranks occupied higher floors.
People on the 1st Floor typically did menial work organizing and producing materials needed for scrolls.
My mother, who once commanded mages at her fingertips, would now labor for those same mages.
‘Grandfather would be pleased, but Mother might genuinely think a prison cell would be better.’
Still, as Kiaros said, even if confined, it wasn’t a prison, so objectively it was a reasonable show of leniency.
“Wrapping things up that way should work fine. I think the Tower Master will be reasonably satisfied as well.”
My mother had suffered significant psychological trauma earlier when she’d thrown a tantrum about erasing her memories, and having her serve the Empire as just punishment seemed like a fitting conclusion.
“As for the rest, everyone else can be punished according to protocol. There are no ambiguous cases like Aran Sertiz.”
Kiaros spoke slowly.
“Including Victor Awin.”
I couldn’t help but laugh softly. It was endearing how Kiaros was still conscious of Victor.
He gazed at me quietly, then spoke.
“It seems we’ve finished all our reports to each other now.”
His crimson eyes were filled entirely with me.
I nodded. Kiaros’s eyes brimmed with a peculiar anticipation.
[He always tells me to treat him comfortably, yet I only seem to do so excessively in specific places or situations. I command and direct him strictly everywhere else…]
This wasn’t intentional on my part, yet somehow it had become this way.
“Oh, that’s right.”
I spoke haughtily, as if questioning when I’d ever reported so formally.
“Anyway, since I want to become the Crown Prince’s consort, remember that. You know I check all departmental documents every morning, right? Even if my family is a bit unusual, I’m quite capable, so it should be fine.”
At that, Kiaros pulled me into an embrace and laughed playfully.
“You know that, Namia?”
Then he whispered softly against my ear.
“I’ve always dreamed of a family like this. One where loving and being loved is natural, where we don’t worry anxiously about misunderstandings, and where we confidently make requests others might find strange.”
Apparently the request was indeed strange.
“Then hurry…”
So I cupped his cheek and said,
“…from the moment I came here, do everything you want. We’ve pretty much said all we need to say anyway.”
And that night, he fulfilled my command very faithfully.
* * *
Once the situation at the scene was roughly settled, we all headed toward the Imperial Palace.
Since I could no longer use teleportation scrolls, I had to ride in the carriage with everyone else.
Throughout it all, Kiaros said he needed to oversee the transport of the prisoners and rode separately on horseback.
“I’ll need to move a bit faster. Come comfortably by carriage.”
“Yes, I understand.”
I smiled softly and nodded.
“Oh my, Namia.”
The Empress laughed heartily at the sight of me.
“You see, I’m just a knight who came from the mercenary ranks, scraping by at the bottom. There’s no need for lovers to be so formal with each other, is there?”
“Oh, no… that’s not it.”
The moment I dared to use casual speech, Kiaros’s eyes would darken and he’d start searching for some secluded corner, so I could never admit—not even under threat of death—that I’d been forced to maintain an unnecessarily strict boundary between public and private.
[So during the day I treat you as the Crown Prince, and at night as Kibon… something like that is possible, right?]
In a way, my proposal had only been half-realized.
Because during the day I treated him as I would the Crown Prince, and at night I treated him as I would Kibon.
‘I can absolutely never tell anyone about this situation…’
No matter how I thought about it, this was a secret I’d take to my grave. Before I knew it, I had become an overly meticulous Crown Princess-to-be when it came to propriety.

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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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