The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 42

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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 42
“Hahahaha!”
The Tower Master laughed with unbridled delight.
Then he hooked his arm through the Minister of Justice’s, who wore a sullen expression, and hauled him to his feet.
“Come now, Minister of Justice—return to your duties at once! I’ve disrupted you enough, haven’t I? Eh? Ahahaha! I’ll escort you back to where you belong!”
Now that I thought about it, the Minister of Justice had only come this far because of the Tower Master’s unauthorized intrusion in the first place.
Everyone had simply forgotten that fact.
The Tower Master, brimming with enthusiasm, hoisted the Minister of Justice onto his shoulder. Truly, for an elderly man, his strength was formidable.
“I’ll just deliver this gentleman back and return! And Namia Loapi, I have additional business with the Scroll Department Director! Wait just a moment!”
Before the Minister of Justice could protest, the Tower Master swept him away and departed from the Empress’s Chamber.
Only we and the Aide remained.
“Phew.”
The Emperor exhaled softly, his hand clasped firmly with the Empress’s.
“It feels as though a tempest has just passed through.”
I could only agree with that sentiment. My mind was utterly scattered.
I nodded carefully, my gaze lingering on the Emperor and Empress’s intertwined hands.
For a middle-aged couple, their affection was remarkably evident.
From every angle, it appeared the Emperor harbored subtle jealousy over the high-five the Tower Master and Empress had exchanged.
‘The Marquis and his wife only ever quarrel over money.’
I had never witnessed my own parents share such warmth, so I found it rather fascinating.
Sensing my fixed gaze, the Emperor spoke with some embarrassment.
“Ah, well… dragons tend to be somewhat possessive of their mates, you see.”
Ah, I recalled similar dialogue from the original work.
The Emperor squeezed the Empress’s hand more tightly as he continued.
“For that reason, forgetting one’s first love is… truly not an easy matter for a dragon. I myself made considerable effort, but ultimately I failed.”
“Kehehehe, kyahahaha, kehihihihi!”
The Empress, embarrassed by the Emperor’s saccharine words, erupted into flustered laughter. The Aide’s workload had just increased.
“In that regard…”
Uncertain what to say, I merely rolled my eyes, when the Emperor continued with a gentle smile.
“Namia Loapi, your ministerial appointment will come soon… but before that.”
Before that?
Was there something else to be done?
The Emperor, unable to contain himself, shrugged his shoulders and turned his gaze toward Kiaros.
“Kiaros, there’s still something you haven’t said, isn’t there?”
Unlike the Emperor, who could barely conceal his excitement, Kiaros appeared utterly composed.
“Yes. There is. I shall speak now.”
Kiaros nodded with dignified poise.
“Namia Loapi.”
The Emperor and Empress tensed, their hands clasping each other tightly.
Meanwhile, Kiaros, betraying no emotion whatsoever, posed his question in the same flawless voice as always.
“Do you remember the price you demanded of me when I saved you all those years ago?”
* * *
Kiaros took a sip of tea amid the chaos.
Though quite a bit had happened in the interim, my business with Namia Loapi was far from concluded.
He had already anticipated her answer.
[I want to marry a man with an absolutely, absolutely, absolutely enormous fortune!]
Fifteen years ago, the young Namia Loapi had said precisely that.
[No matter how wealthy he is, I would never marry such an old man.]
The present Namia Loapi, too, had insisted she preferred someone her own age, regardless of wealth.
And when he’d asked a question born of the slightest, most fleeting curiosity, she’d given an answer exactly as he’d foreseen.
[Well, if it were the Crown Prince, I suppose I could marry him if my circumstances permitted it now….]
So really, the answer was already decided. Perhaps that was why he felt no tension whatsoever.
Everything would unfold rationally, precisely as he had predicted.
“Ugh, ahem.”
“Your Majesty, are you unwell?”
“No, Fron. Ahem. It’s just… I’m feeling rather anxious….”
While the Emperor displayed an exaggerated reaction, Kiaros cast a sidelong glance at Namia Loapi.
‘She’s clearly intelligent and sharp—she would make an excellent addition to the Imperial Family.’
Kiaros and Namia Loapi would make a formidable pair. Even as Empress, she would likely govern the realm with remarkable competence.
Moreover… she appeared to harbor considerable ambition for power.
‘The way she’s shown interest in positions like Tower Master or Minister speaks volumes.’
So she would surely accept the Crown Princess position as well. Exactly as anticipated.
Kiaros regarded Namia Loapi’s characteristically composed expression and spoke with unhurried ease.
“You certainly promised to grant me everything I desired.”
“Yes, of course.”
“You said back then that you wanted to marry a man with an enormous fortune.”
Now Namia Loapi’s eyes had taken on a rather vacant quality.
It was quite different from the eager demeanor she’d displayed when the ministerial position was mentioned. But Kiaros chose not to misinterpret her.
Contrary to appearances, Kibon Altes had been a woman he’d cherished deeply in his heart.
“And among your contemporaries, I possess the greatest fortune.”
“Yes, of course.”
“I have been aware of this fact… and have thus remained unengaged all this time.”
Now the Emperor clutched the Empress’s hand tightly, breathing heavily.
“So, if Namia Loapi wishes it, I am able to marry you.”
Kiaros, entirely untroubled, took another elegant sip of tea and posed the question.
“What do you say—shall we marry?”
* * *
Hmm.
I blinked as I gazed at Kiaros, who seemed carved from stone.
There was not a single flaw in the logic of his words.
‘Come to think of it, I’d already heard that she grants everything I desire. And here I was, struggling desperately without even knowing that.’
But seeing the Empress brimming with vitality, I felt no regret for my efforts.
Saving an innocent person was rewarding in itself.
‘So that’s why she hasn’t been betrothed all this time….’
Back then, as a child, I had been obsessed with the Cinderella Operation.
The debt created by marriage could be repaid through marriage, or so the logic went.
When Father heard that, he scolded me severely. Marriage, he said, was something you did with someone you loved.
‘Ha, honestly… following Father’s advice hasn’t worked out well even once….’
I paused to consider.
After all, Father had ruined his own life by marrying for love.
Our Father, repeating choices filled with good intentions, only to fail every single time….
Should I really follow his final piece of advice?
‘If I married Kiaros now….’
Becoming Crown Princess would grant me tremendous authority, which seemed appealing.
Making the rounds as a distinguished guest everywhere also seemed to suit me. I’d eat delicious food and wear fine clothes every day.
But when I actually imagined married life….
[Your Highness, it seems we must produce an heir.]
[Of course. I shall do my utmost at your command.]
It felt like I’d be living with my superior all day long.
[Your Highness, we should produce another child.]
[Understood. If you would share what was lacking last time, I shall correct it to the best of my ability.]
A life with no end to the workday.
And most critically.
‘She even said she’d find Father, and that she’d spare him even if he were implicated in a crime….’
I no longer had any reason to curry favor with the Imperial Family.
‘Besides, fifteen years ago, I saved Kiaros. If he had any conscience, he’d spare Father no matter how grave his crimes. I saved him twice, after all.’
Of course, just thirty minutes ago, if offered the position of Crown Princess, I would have nodded eagerly.
I needed to maximize my opportunities to see Kiaros.
‘But I’m a Minister now, aren’t I? I can visit him whenever I have something to say? I’m no longer a subordinate?’
In other words, marriage to Kiaros was no longer truly necessary for me….
“Ah.”
Kiaros didn’t seem to have feelings for me either. He was merely bestowing the favor of marrying me.
It was only natural.
As a child, he’d never even seen my face, and as an adult, this was only the second time we’d had a proper conversation.
So I answered without the slightest hesitation.
“No, thank you.”
The Emperor, who had been holding his breath with soft gasps, suddenly dropped his teacup.
With a sharp crash, the cup shattered against the floor.

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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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