The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success - Chapter 76

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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 76
I answered hastily.
“Deceive you, Your Majesty? No, Kibon simply has poor adaptability—his character isn’t bad at all.”
“Look at that composed face of his. You’re telling me his character isn’t actually terrible?”
Kibon simply stood at attention without uttering a word in response.
No matter how much the Empress ranted and raved without warning, he didn’t seem particularly startled.
It was quite a talent to appear both so courteous and so insolent at once.
“It’s simply that his Imperial tongue is clumsy and he’s unfamiliar with Imperial culture. I’m teaching him quite a lot.”
“Really?”
“Yes. At first, I too mistook him for an insufferable brute I didn’t want to associate with.”
At my words, Kibon looked at me with an expression of disbelief. I was more startled by the raw betrayal evident in his gaze.
‘After behaving like that initially, did he really think I would have viewed him favorably?’
Meanwhile, the Empress continued to regard Kibon with a displeased expression. She looked as though her instincts were telling her something was amiss.
Yet she tilted her head, uncertain whether that “instinct” even applied to foreigners.
“Still, he’s currently my closest aide who knows me best. He’s someone I trust that much.”
“Fine, I understand.”
The Empress smacked her lips and muttered under her breath.
“But my body’s itching for action. Look at him. This is no joke. Why don’t we have a sparring match?”
“Your Majesty…”
In the end, I found myself gazing at her with a pleading expression.
The Empress heaved a deep sigh and shook her head firmly.
“When you look at me like that, Namia… sigh.”
She blew her bangs up with a huff and finally hung her mace back on the wall.
I waited for the right moment before bowing respectfully to the Empress.
“In any case, thank you for this precious opportunity, Your Majesty.”
I needed to hurry and take Kibon out of this chamber.
After all, “thank you” in workplace parlance means “I’m leaving now.”
“This is my first time wearing clothes from the Dressmaking Shop. I’m grateful for such generous treatment.”
In truth, I had always bought ready-made clothing until now. The accessories I wore were all imitation jewels.
At that, Jayden tilted his head and asked.
“Why is it your first time? Isn’t a civil servant’s salary substantial?”
“Well… my adoptive parents, who are worse than beasts, have been taking my salary from me.”
“You make scrolls well, don’t you? Why didn’t you make luminescent scrolls as a side business and sell them on the Black Market? You might not have made a fortune, but you could have at least afforded cheap Dressmaking Shop clothes.”
“Ah.”
I answered respectfully.
“According to Article 2, Section 3 of the Imperial Palace Civil Service Law, civil servants are prohibited from holding concurrent positions.”
“Huh? Who follows that? Everyone does it secretly. Riedan was selling his own teaching materials at the Bookstore all the time.”
“I follow it.”
Jayden’s mouth fell open in surprise.
The Empress let out a hearty laugh and waved her hand dismissively.
“How very Namia of you. That’s exactly the kind of answer Namia would give. Maybe that’s why I took a liking to you at first sight.”
The Empress spoke in a husky voice, her gaze settling on me with profound intensity.
I noticed her eyes gleamed with satisfaction—perhaps a touch too brightly.
She then issued a command to the Wardrobe Department staff, who were still trembling.
“Anyway, let’s try the next outfit. You brought plenty, didn’t you? Try something else.”
The Empress sat with her legs spread wide and let out a low chuckle.
Then, with an expression more magnificent than anyone else in the world could muster, she spoke softly.
“I’ll buy everything here for you.”
I clasped my hands respectfully and replied.
“No, Your Majesty. Given Madam’s excellent taste, I believe the dress she first recommended will suit me best.”
“Oh, Namia! I can buy a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand of these cheap clothes! Don’t refuse—try on more right now!”
The Empress hurled the catalog aside with a flourish and shouted, while I responded with proper courtesy.
“According to Article 3, Section 1 of the Senior Civil Service Law, a Minister cannot accept gifts or bribes from the Imperial Family or those with whom she conducts official business.”
“…What?”
“I will purchase this dress and these accessories with my own salary. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet such a renowned dressmaker.”
Madam had said, “It seems like she’ll buy it for you!” but I had never intended to accept a dress from the Empress in the first place.
The reason I remained silent was simply that a Minister’s salary was high enough for me to afford this myself.
‘I’ve gone without buying things like this for so long—let me splurge a little with my own money!’
The Empress blinked slowly, taken aback.
Then she shot to her feet as if bewildered.
“What are you talking about! Namia, you’re our family’s savior! You saved me, you saved the Crown Prince, you saved Jayden—and you won’t even accept a few dresses? What?”
“Yes.”
I spoke with an unwavering expression.
“I cannot accept gifts or bribes.”
“…Then, what about jewelry…?”
“No.”
“Just one pair of earrings!”
“I’m sorry. No.”
I refused with dignity, adding with resolute conviction.
“I will not lose this position as Minister under any circumstances.”
Absolutely no disciplinary action for me!
I’m going to be an impeccably upright Minister, no matter what!
“Good heavens.”
Jayden let out a pained groan.
“Even if we tried to shower my brother with gifts, it wouldn’t work…”
“Right. I’ve received all sorts of things from His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Really?”
“Swords, double-headed axes, shields, helmets… Nothing expresses emotion as directly and intuitively as a gift offensive.”
The Empress stood in confusion, at a loss, then suddenly turned around to look at Kibon.
“You’re the aide who knows Namia best, right? Then tell me—is there any way to give Namia a gift?”
“No, there isn’t.”
Kibon spoke without a flicker of emotion crossing his face.
“The Minister of Education may be blinded by power, but he is incorruptible.”
Jayden heaved a deep sigh and clicked his tongue. Like a child who had finally given up trying to buy me with money, he spoke with desperate urgency.
“Don’t forget, Namia. You’re partnering with a man who’s requesting an escort for the first time. Do you understand?”
“Ah, well.”
I nodded readily.
“Yes, I understand.”
* * *
In the end, Kibon managed to leave the Empress’s Chamber without having to spar with her. I was truly relieved.
[Good heavens, just because the Crown Prince likes a civil servant, I can’t even give gifts? What? Does that make any sense? What?]
When I refused to accept the money, Jayden suffered such profound psychological shock that he forgot all about Kibon.
“Phew, I’m really glad about that. You should avoid the Empress for a while.”
As I walked with quick steps, Kibon hesitated for a moment before asking quietly.
“…Does the Crown Prince displease you so much?”
“No, I don’t dislike him. We’re just not that close.”
“Then why did you look reluctant when the Young Prince mentioned the escort?”
“Ah…”
I thought I’d hidden it well, but apparently it showed.
I scratched my cheek as I answered.
“The truth is, I personally want to make my entrance alone.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s no rule that says you must have a partner.”
Crown Prince Kiaros had always entered alone until now. Besides, there were often people who came without partners.
Jayden clearly seemed to want to be Kiaros’s partner, but my true feelings were…
“I want to be the center of attention.”
My reflection in the mirror was truly, absolutely beautiful.
“I want to hear them announce ‘The Minister of Scrolls is entering’…”
This banquet was my first official event since my appointment as Minister.
But if I entered with Kiaros, I would be completely overshadowed by the Crown Prince’s radiance.
“I want to savor being a Minister in my own right.”
I spoke with burning eyes.
“I want all eyes on me at once, with everyone wondering how on earth I rose so far!”
As I shouted, Kibon’s mouth fell open with a gasp. Then he murmured as if bewildered.
“Truly… the Minister really does say things I could never imagine.”
“Well, you’re a bit like that too.”
“I’m not.”
“Really? Usually when someone surprises people, they say ‘Ack!'”
“Did you just… you, of all people, just tell me that most people say that when surprised?”
That was when we arrived at the office side by side.
“…Ah.”
My footsteps, which had been carefully navigating around the shattered remains of the door the Empress had destroyed, came to an abrupt halt upon spotting someone.
Kibon, who had been following behind me, also furrowed his brow and stopped in his tracks.
“Namia?”
An unexpected visitor stood inside the office.
“No, wait—I suppose I should be calling you Minister of Education now. Ah, but before that….”
Wavy, pale chestnut hair, eyes the color of faded sky blue. Sun-darkened skin, a massive frame.
Eyes that curved like a crescent moon and lips that formed a graceful arc.
“Congratulations on the sudden promotion, junior.”
It was Victor Awin, whom I had expected to arrive no sooner than tomorrow.

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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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