The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 176

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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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Side Story 5
“What? That’s absurd. I’ve simply never encountered that type before, so it was mere curiosity…”
Kiaros denied it swiftly. Yet Jayden could clearly discern the flustered expression etched across his face.
‘I’m certain? I’ve never seen him make that expression before?’
The perceptive child Jayden rapidly sifted through his memories. There had definitely been a conversation on this very subject before.
[But older brother, when did you start liking Namia?]
When he had asked that at the Gaejo Faction Headquarters.
Kiaros had fallen into deep thought before responding.
[I’m not sure.]
What remained vivid in Jayden’s memory was how extraordinarily long Kiaros had remained lost in contemplation. The Kiaros that Jayden knew was someone who always answered every question with clarity and swiftness.
[I think I’ve liked her since the day we first met.]
[Really?!]
[Back then I didn’t even realize that fact, so I made many foolish mistakes.]
Jayden felt as though he had finally grasped the reality behind the rumor that had pervaded the Imperial Palace—that Kiaros had been rejected by Namia and was in seclusion. Kiaros had harbored affection for Namia far earlier than expected.
[Since it was my first time liking a woman, she kept coming to mind, yet I didn’t recognize it as affection. I simply thought it was curiosity born from an unusual and unexpected woman.]
The Kiaros of that moment had smiled gently as he spoke.
[So Jayden, when you grow up and encounter such a woman, I hope you recognize it before it’s too late.]
Jayden exhaled sharply in shock. ‘Curiosity’—wasn’t that merely the excuse the old Kiaros had fabricated to rationalize his own emotions when he hadn’t even recognized them?
‘Wait. I’m right, aren’t I? Older brother fell for Namia! In that brief moment when she recited the statute! I’m certain!’
And then he clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘His taste really is peculiar!’
That was when Kibon wagged his tail and barked toward the distance.
“Woof woof woof woof woof!”
At the end of Kibon’s gaze, Namia approached carrying documents. She smiled warmly and drew near to Jayden, Kiaros, and Kibon, settling beside them.
“Are you enjoying your time? Here is the report I mentioned.”
Kiaros accepted the stack of documents from Namia and the moment he turned the first page, he bit his lower lip firmly.
It seemed he was regretting his earlier remark about how the report format was somewhat intricate and not to make her work twice.
“Just to be safe, I’ve arranged for a three-day buffer. The Aide who is currently on leave should also return by the morning after tomorrow according to the schedule.”
While Kiaros remained buried in documents, repeating “Mm… yes… ah,” Namia spoke kindly to Jayden.
“So there is plenty of time. If the Young Prince wishes to spend more time with the Crown Prince from a year ago, you may do so freely.”
“Wait, Namia? Are you certain you’re alright?”
“Yes. Fortunately, there are no urgent matters requiring immediate attention at the moment, and reading this much of the report should be sufficient for you to grasp the general state of affairs. Besides, the Emperor is said to be arriving in two days.”
“Ah, no. That’s not what I meant…”
Jayden had been about to ask whether she didn’t feel the absence of emotional support rather than just the absence of work, but he held back. Somehow he was afraid to hear the answer. He was uncertain how to respond if she said she was fine.
“Well… never mind.”
In the end, Jayden could say nothing and rolled his eyes anxiously. The boy, who had been lost in thought for a moment, suddenly rose to his feet, cradling Kibon.
“…Young Prince? What are you doing?”
“I’m going out for a moment.”
“What? So suddenly? Where to?”
“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me. Understood?”
And then he dashed off without hesitation. Suddenly, the garden held only Namia, Kiaros, and mountains of documents.
* * *
Fron had just returned to the Imperial Palace in high spirits.
“That’s right! Work gives life its vitality!”
Her life at the Imperial Palace had been quite tedious before. Not because of her position as Empress, but because she couldn’t fulfill her role as a Palace Knight.
The aftereffects from the poison incident were too severe for her to serve as an elite Palace Knight. Of course, she had never once regretted saving Kiaros. Protecting the young boy with her life, without a moment’s hesitation, was the most glorious achievement of her knight’s career.
“This is wonderful! Such a productive day!”
Recently, though, Fron had grown quite fond of her new duties. Specifically, commuting to the Magic Tower to supervise Aran.
There was always the possibility that Aran might grow comfortable at the Magic Tower and abuse her position, so Fron kept a watchful eye on her labor. Though Aran couldn’t use magic, she was sturdy and clever, accomplishing the work of several people.
With Namia’s mediation, the Magic Tower began actively cooperating with the Imperial Palace, which increased the Tower’s miscellaneous tasks, and the labor supporting it was ultimately work for the Imperial Palace.
Thus, Fron finally began to feel pride in “working for the Imperial Family as Empress.”
She disliked riding in carriages and preferred to ride her horse to and from work, and this newly established commute was more delightful than she could express.
“And it even suits my temperament!”
Fron had never actually nagged anyone before. She had always thought herself too lacking for that.
But whenever she saw Aran, the nagging flowed out naturally. By Fron’s standards, Aran was inadequate as a mother, and there was much to say about it. Sometimes, when Aran seemed particularly pathetic, Fron would even strike her back a few times.
‘Of course, each time that tall stubborn fool lectures me for hours about how violence isn’t right….’
Anyway, aside from that one thing, each day was quite enjoyable. Was this what they called… a sense of accomplishment?
‘Wait, where did I even learn such a difficult word?’
Fron pondered seriously and found the answer. It seemed she had learned it from that “tall stubborn fool’s” words.
He stuck to Aran’s side all day, droning on endlessly about the correct way to live, and in the process, Fron had picked up a few words.
‘That guy really is strange.’
It was a secret from Namia, but Fron thought Cedric was a lunatic.
‘I don’t understand why someone so frail has such a strange weakness for Aran, and why he sticks by her side saying he likes her yet never cuts her any slack. It’s all incomprehensible.’
Fron at least got to leave work, but Cedric stayed glued to Aran’s side from dawn until late night, talking incessantly… honestly, Fron thought that was an even more terrible punishment.
If she were in Aran’s position, she would have knelt before the Emperor and begged to be moved to the Imperial Palace Prison instead of the Magic Tower. No matter how much of a criminal one was, empathizing with Aran’s situation was horrifying.
She had carefully mentioned this to Namia once, and Namia had answered like this.
[It’s fine. It’s not your concern, Empress.]
That was true. In any case, just as Fron was cheerfully entering the Imperial Palace grounds.
“Empress!”
Jayden came running from far away, carrying Kibon in dog form. Fron was startled and jumped down from her horse. It had been a very long time since she’d seen such an urgent expression on Jayden’s face.
“Empress!”
“Jayden! What’s happened?”
“Something incredible has occurred!”
Jayden bounced excitedly and clung to Fron. She looked down at her son in surprise, but when she saw a cunning gleam flash in his eyes, she widened her gaze.
This was clearly… something very entertaining had happened.
“Empress, if you come with me right now!”
“Woof woof!”
Kibon in dog form, cradled in Jayden’s arms, barked with the same excited expression.
“You can watch the Crown Prince making a clumsy attempt to impress Namia!”
Fron blinked in bewilderment. In the meantime, Jayden eagerly explained the situation. Everything from Kiaros’s memory loss to the interest he was currently showing in Namia.
After hearing the entire explanation, Fron pressed her forehead and let out an exasperated cry.
“Are you serious, Jayden? Have you lost your mind? Really?”
Jayden flinched at Fron’s sharp rebuke.
“If something this entertaining is happening, you should’ve told me while we were running! Come on, let’s go! Now! We can’t miss a single moment of this!”
Fron scooped Jayden up and bolted toward where Namia and Kiaros were.

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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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