NoveLight ™
The work at the Inspection Bureau starts as soon as the academy dispatch assignment ends.
Unfortunately, public servants don't get vacations. Just because it's winter doesn’t mean there’s suddenly a break. Not that I particularly dislike going to work. I don’t mind it, but…
*“Why am I bringing this out so early?”*
I stood in front of the Treasury building, looking up at the building in a daze, a case with a red ribbon held in one hand.
According to my original plan, this case shouldn’t see the light of day for another one or two weeks. The sequence was supposed to be that Section Chief 1 would come after Irina, and that I would give Irina her answer after the New Year’s ceremony.
But I’d forgotten for a moment that my plans always get shattered.
*“Of all things, only one ring is left.”*
This is giving me a headache. If I had two or three rings left, I wouldn’t be in this dilemma. With several still awaiting answers, I could at least pretend there was a primary group I was working through.
But only one ring remains. Just one person hasn’t received an answer yet. I can’t say anything if anyone accuses me of singling out Section Chief 1.
Of course, Section Chief 1 doesn’t know about Luise or Irina, but I know. If I keep delaying only Section Chief 1 while everyone else has their answer, I’ll feel bad.
*“The chain of rings.”*
A bitter chuckle escaped me. When I received the confessions, Margrave started it, and one after the other they followed. Now, I’ve ended up repeating that same chain of events.
But what can I do? Deliberately delaying an answer feels like toying with someone’s feelings. Even if I do have many “branches,” I never intended to manage a “fishing pond.”
*“So please, just one chance, just one…”*
Seeing Section Chief 1’s desperate pleas, there was no way I could leave her waiting.
And if I did ignore her out of a guilty conscience, what would she think if she realized she was the only one left? She’d think she never even had a chance, and it would break her.
*“It’s just my fate.”*
I let out a sigh and entered the Treasury building.
---
As I opened the office door, I saw the section chiefs, chewing on bread. Did they skip breakfast to get here?
“Oh, Director! You’re here?”
And, as fate would have it, I made eye contact with Section Chief 2.
Meeting him first thing in the morning? That can’t be a good sign.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
I nodded slightly and quickly scanned the office. Section Chief 3 was nodding with his mouth stuffed full of bread, and Section Chief 5 gave a respectful bow after swallowing his bite.
The Deputy Chief was probably buried in paperwork in her office, so I didn’t bother looking for her.
“Ah, Director!”
Finally, Section Chief 1 spotted me and jogged over with a cheerful smile.
She stood in front of me, bowing properly, her eyes bright and her smile calm—far removed from the usual hint of madness she sometimes exudes.
This doesn’t feel like the Section Chief 1 I know.
“Long time no see, Erzebet.”
Still, I knew the mindset she was in to act this way, so I accepted it casually, patting her shoulder and addressing her by name.
The effect was immediate. Erzebet widened her eyes in surprise and then smiled brightly. If I’d known it would work this well, I’d have done this two years ago.
“What’s this? Are we all getting name privileges now?” teased Section Chief 2 with a smirk.
It was clear he was taken aback when I used her name but quickly turned it into a joke. His situational awareness is always sharp… albeit in the worst possible direction.
“No. You suit ‘Section Chief 2’ better than ‘Lafayette.’”
“Oh, how cruel. Making me abandon my given name.”
Despite his words, he didn’t look particularly disappointed. Honestly, if I called him “Lafayette,” he’d probably cringe, ask what’s wrong, and have a fit.
“If the Director says so, then it’s decided. Today, Section Chief 2 is Baron Lafayette.”
“Absolutely splendid.”
At that, Section Chief 2 simply shrugged his shoulders, laughing.
“But that would be an issue. I’d have to order new business cards.”
“Well, then, there’s no choice…”
With a gentle pat on Erzebet’s head, I encouraged her, and she mumbled in a sleepy voice.
It’s strange. Section Chief 1, the same one who used to wreak havoc, was suddenly calm and loyal. The two years of torment she put me through almost feel like a distant nightmare.
The other chiefs shared a similar reaction. Section Chief 3 shook his head, and Section Chief 5 closed his eyes, a look of disbelief on his face.
“Erzebet.”
Seeing their horror-stricken reactions, I realized it was time to take her outside.
It was already embarrassing to give her a ring in front of everyone, and it probably felt like cosmic horror for them. Giving a ring to a subordinate is borderline workplace harassment.
“Want to go outside for a bit?”
“Yes!”
At my suggestion, Erzebet beamed and attached herself to my side.
Just as we were leaving, I heard Section Chief 5 mutter, “Why did I even bother…?” sounding extremely despondent, but I ignored it.
For Section Chief 5 to be sighing this deeply, something must’ve happened while I was away. Not that there’s much I can do to comfort him.
*Hang in there, Section Chief 5.*
---
The small garden attached to the Treasury building is rarely visited. It was created for officials to catch their breath when tired, but few have the luxury to take such breaks.
Of course, the Director is an exception. No one in the Treasury, save perhaps the Minister, can tell him what to do.
“The wind is cold. Come closer.”
As soon as we entered the garden, the Director pulled me closer, intertwining our arms.
The sudden gesture of affection made my lips curl up in satisfaction.
*“Hold it together.”*
There were so many things I wanted to say. *Did you miss me this much? How could you hold back from touching me all this time?* My lips itched with the desire to say them aloud.
But I couldn’t. I’d promised him that I’d behave, that I wouldn’t act up. I have to keep my word. After all, this is a hard-earned chance.
“Just be yourself.”
“Huh?”
“Act as you usually would. Don’t hold back.”
His soft smile as he spoke threw me off.
Why? Isn’t it better to be modest and composed? Wouldn’t it be better to play the proper lady? That’s what Senior Aria always said.
“I want to be with Erzebet, not some cautious doll.”
The way he said that, so plainly, made my heart race.
*How sly,* I thought. For a younger man, he could sure say some sweet things. And he said it so bluntly that he liked me just the way I am.
“Hehe, so you like it when I keep you entertained?”
I tried to hide my excitement, feeling that showing any sign of embarrassment would just give him more control.
“I just end up comforting my crying older sister.”
That shut me up.
*So unfair… how am I supposed to respond to that?*
“You cry so often, I’ll probably have to comfort you for the rest of my life.”
But as he patted my head, all my irritation melted away.
I’m not usually an easy woman, but I make an exception for the Director. Any other man wouldn’t even have dared touch me.
“Then I’ll just have to cry every day. You’ll comfort me every day, right?”
“Shouldn’t have said that.”
---
Seeing him smiling and treating me like this, it made me happy. Like we weren’t just superior and subordinate, but something more. Two years of working together, and yet I’d never felt this way until now.
There wasn’t any specific reason that made me fall for him. It was just his steady presence, his resilience, his decisiveness, and the way he took responsibility and led the way. It made me interested, and eventually, I grew to like him.
Honestly, with a younger man who’s so handsome and capable, how could I not be interested?
*“The only problem is that it’s one-sided.”*
Unfortunately, I’d never had the courage to express my feelings. Knowing the Director’s situation, how could I possibly confess? I’d never be able to replace Hecate.
*But I’m happy now.*
And that’s enough. Thanks to Margrita, the shadow that once clouded him has lightened, and now I can be honest about my feelings. Thankfully, he’s taken it well.
He hasn’t given me an answer to my confession yet, but this is practically an acknowledgment, isn’t it? The Director isn’t the type to go on dates with a woman he plans to push away. He’s not Section Chief 2, after all.
"Seems I'll be meeting with Marquis Iones soon as well."
As we walked arm in arm in that warm, intimate way, the Director mentioned my father.
"Every time I see him, he can’t stop worrying about you."
"I’m a grown woman now; his meddling is a bit much."
I couldn’t help but pout slightly at the Director’s words.
Father really is too much sometimes. I’m well over twenty; doesn’t he trust me to take care of myself?
"Well, that’s why he’s so concerned. You’re twenty-five, and he’s still not seeing any plans for marriage."
“Could you at least appreciate that I kept my heart untouched until I turned twenty-five?”
“You were already over twenty before you met me, weren’t you?”
It was low to throw that fact back at me.
Feeling a bit sulky, I cast my gaze downward, but hearing the Director’s quiet chuckle, I looked up.
What a mischievous younger man. Someday, I’ll need to assert some authority as his elder.
“This should keep your father from saying much more.”
At that, I raised my head slightly.
Just hearing that he wouldn’t complain was good news, but if he was going silent on the marriage issue, the reason had to be obvious.
Sure enough, as I looked up, I saw a small case in the Director’s hand.
“I actually thought about giving you this with some grand declaration, but… you don’t really need all that, do you?”
“No,” I answered firmly.
Some romantic speech? What use was that? All that mattered was whether or not there was a ring in my hand.
That night when I’d cried my heart out in front of the Director, I’d let go of everything. There was no need to chase after romance or atmosphere at this point; efficiency was all that mattered.
“I figured you’d say that.”
Smiling again, he untied the red ribbon on the case. I already loved the color. Red is, after all, the most beautiful color.
As the ribbon slid off and he carefully opened the case, the ring was revealed inside.
I was happy. So happy. Truly, incredibly happy. But…
“Um, Director.”
“Yes?”
“Why is it… only half?”
I couldn’t help but voice the nagging question.
Sure, I’d heard that Lady Marghetta had received a similar half-ring. I’d expected the same for myself, but anticipation and understanding are two different things. Why give half a perfectly good ring?
“A ring that becomes whole when shared?”
I could see how it sounded romantic in theory. If I’d heard it from someone else, I might have found it poetic.
But I’ve known the Director too long. He’s not someone to dream up gestures like this on his own. He’d just pick something up from a nearby shop.
“Unique, right?”
And yet… did he seem almost pleased that I’d noticed the half?
Why...?
My sister hasn’t abandoned me.
And my lord hasn’t forgotten her either!
“Sister!”
After my lord left for work, the butler came to call me. There was a message for me.
And as soon as I heard it, I had a hunch. If someone was reaching out from outside, there could only be one person—my sister, Fenelia.
“Why didn’t you contact me sooner?!”
The moment I saw her face through the comm, a wave of resentment and relief washed over me.
Do you have any idea how worried I was? Watching others pass her by in the race had been torture! I worried something terrible might have happened to her!
Though her voice was as calm as ever, I couldn’t help noticing the fatigue in her expression.
‘...It’s real, isn’t it?’
Fenelia’s face was as impassive as always, but her eyes… They’re windows to the soul.
And those eyes were brimming with exhaustion. For my sister, a woman of steel, to show her fatigue this openly…
What on earth had she been through?