The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success-Chapter 75

"Hah... unbelievable."

The Minister of Education had just returned from being summoned by the Knights.

Liden had been arrested earlier that ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ morning, caught on-site.

"He started a fire and mishandled scrolls—we can pin him with treason against the royal family. Just ask Prince Jaden to cooperate."

So confident that he could bring down Namia.

And yet, the one who ended up brought down... was himself.

Naturally, the Minister of Education, his superior, was summoned as well. Did you know about this?—that sort of thing.

But with no solid evidence, he managed to slip away without trouble.

I never left anything behind anyway. Liden should know he can’t drag me down with him.

Even though he was released without charges, the mood left a sour taste. He submitted an early leave and now sat in a quiet bar that opened early in the day, chain-smoking.

“I mean... unbelievable. Hah, seriously.”

Word had it that the Empress and the Prince had hugged each other and cried for a long time.

This is why you can’t trust kids. Even if he’s Dragonblood, he’s still only eight—still clinging to his mother’s skirts.

If it had come to light later, things might have gotten worse, and reconciliation wouldn’t have happened so quickly.

But perhaps because the Empress had showered him with love since he was small, the two had grown close again.

Prince Jaden’s done for. He’ll grow up just like that uncultured woman.

Just thinking about it made his chest tighten.

He loathed nothing more than people who were out of their depth holding power above him.

Even if the department feels unstable right now, nothing's come back on me, so fine.

But what was really bothering him now... was the utterly ridiculous document sent by Namia Roafi.

"What? You want a report on what percentage of the education budget is spent on scrolls? You want me to investigate that? Has she lost her mind?"

Namia’s demand was obviously excessive—absurd for the Education Ministry.

Like she was saying, You’ve got something to hide, don’t you? What, going to refuse?

If I comply, it’s irritating. But if I don’t, the timing feels suspicious.

He was lighting another cigarette when a waiter came by, pretending to clear his ashtray, and dropped a small note.

...What’s this?

The Minister of Education swiftly opened the note.

I was disappointed you didn’t reply to our last message.

But we trust you share our vision.

Them.

They had contacted him again.

Too many titled people have emerged over the years.

Everyone and their dog thinks they can step up without knowing their place.

There’s only one solution.

We must separate the superior from the inferior.

The Minister inhaled deeply.

They were right. There were far too many people with titles.

Namia Roafi, a mere baron’s daughter... and she’s where now?

We trust you’ll stand with us. We await your answer.

He swallowed dryly.

His eyes drifted to the postscript.

P.S. We currently consider Minister Namia Roafi of the Scroll Department our top-priority removal target.

Of course.

The Scroll Management Department had been full of their people. Naturally, Namia’s sudden appointment as Minister would be a thorn in their side.

Minister, will you assist us?

The Minister of Education stared silently at the final line for a long while.

***

“Come on out already! I’m dying of curiosity!”

The Empress’s impatient voice echoed outside.

She sounded like she was practically bouncing on her heels.

The madam smiled confidently and led me out from behind the curtain.

“Hohoho, now don’t be too shocked.”

With an overly theatrical laugh, the madam guided me forward.

I stepped out, blushing shyly and laughing awkwardly.

“I’m sure she’ll look—stunning...”

The Empress had been giggling but trailed off mid-sentence.

Jaden dropped his lollipop with a soft clunk.

And then...

...What the hell.

Kibon’s expression was strange.

He wore a look I’d never seen before.

It was like... he was seeing me for the first time—even though we saw each other every single day.

What? Just say something already.

But Kibon’s mouth remained firmly shut.

Instead, his eyes scanned me—openly, brazenly—from head to toe, practically licking over every detail.

That stare made me instinctively flinch.

What kind of secretary makes that face?

He could at least pretend to be impressed and say something nice—play the part of a subordinate.

But of course, that wasn’t something Kibon was capable of.

Our eyes kept meeting in the heavy silence.

And then—

“...I’ve got one question. A really important one.”

Jaden didn’t even bother picking his candy up. He sat up straight and spoke clearly.

“Namia, who’s going to escort you?”

The Empress’s room fell silent.

Even the boutique staff, who’d been adjusting my collar, turned to me with expectant smiles.

“Ah... an escort...”

I blinked slowly and murmured.

Escort... It’s not like I hadn’t considered it.

“Um, well—”

Jaden straightened his posture, cleared his throat, and said in a grand voice:

“You know only a small number of people are invited to the St. Cairo Banquet, right? And sure, you can bring someone as an escort—but socially, it’s not usually done.”

I knew that.

I’d visited the banquet hall a few times to inspect the decorative scrolls.

“But Namia, you don’t have any close ties to the noble brats, right? So you haven’t chosen anyone as your escort yet, have you?”

“Ah... no, I haven’t decided yet.”

As soon as I answered, Jaden’s lips curled into a sly smile.

His thoughts were clear as day—and the Empress knew it too. She was breathing heavily, urging her son on with “Yes, yes! Good boy!”

I gave an awkward laugh and added,

“There’s not much time before the banquet, so asking someone to be my partner now feels a bit awkward...”

“Why would you ask someone?!”

Jaden clenched his fist and shouted.

“You’re supposed to receive the invitation!”

“Well... if that’s the case, then no, no one’s asked me yet, Your Highness.”

Jaden sighed like he was carrying the weight of the world.

He bit his lower lip and muttered something that sounded like, “Hyungnim, what are you even doing...”

I raised an eyebrow and continued.

“Honestly, I haven’t even had the time to think about who I’d go with.”

“Alright, then how about this. Let’s make it simple. Just go with the first guy who asks you.”

“...Excuse me?”

“You said you didn’t want to think about it, right?”

He quickly gestured to a servant.

The poor aide was shoved a hastily scrawled note that Jaden stuffed into his pocket, whispering, “To my brother. Fast!”

Next to him, the Empress whispered with excitement, “Yes! Yes! Our genius son! Tactical cupid!”

“Well...”

They were going this far, so I couldn’t exactly say no. I was just about to nod when—

“Perfect! Let’s do that! You’re the witness, alright? But no matter how I look at it, that guy...”

The Empress turned to Kibon and started to speak—when suddenly—

BOOOOM!

A deafening crash.

“Kyaaah!”

“Oh my!”

People around us screamed and crouched down.

I just blinked dumbly.

The Empress stood there, licking her lips, a warhammer in hand.

So that was the noise.

She had suddenly swung a warhammer, seemingly pulled out of thin air.

“Haah... This punk...”

The floor where Kibon had stood was utterly wrecked.

Wait—when did she grab that hammer off the wall? And when did she swing it?

It made no sense—she moved impossibly fast.

And yet, Kibon showed no reaction at all. He’d simply sidestepped the blow without changing expression.

“See that, Namia? You saw that with your own eyes, didn’t you?”

The Empress raised a brow.

“This sly fox is no weakling. Nosebleeds from a bit of overtime? Hah! Just a lazy bum trying to dodge work.”

Kibon didn’t even flinch.

He just calmly dusted the debris off his sleeve with a quiet tap, tap.

“Tch... look at this brat’s attitude. A guy who’s quiet and has a temper? That’s a recipe for irredeemable trash.”

The Empress clicked her tongue in distaste.

“I knew it from the start. Don’t keep that punk around, Namia.”

“Pardon? I mean, um...”

Even if she hated backtalk, how could she say this right in front of the person in question...?

While I was flustered and trying to figure out what to say—

“I can’t stand liars.”

The Empress continued, her eyes sharp and glittering.

“That guy’s lying to you. No doubt about it.”