When I first arrived at the office, it had been bustling with activity, but now it was just me and the second division head left.

Everyone had their tasks, and with the end of the year approaching, the department heads were busy compiling documents. It was difficult for everyone to stay in one place. After all, it was strange for anyone to leave their own department's office and gather in the director's.

"Why are you here?"

At that moment, it became clear that the strangest person was the second division head.

"Well, I always take care of my tasks first and then rest," he replied casually.

"No, I mean why are you resting *here*?" I shot back.

Does he think this is a break room?

However, the second division head ignored my bluntness and just chuckled, taking a swig from his water bottle. In the process, I caught a faint scent of alcohol. It seemed like he had filled his bottle with some liquor.

Sure, just drink and pass out. It's better than staying awake and being annoying.

"Did you make the first division head cry again?" he asked.

Unfortunately, just as I finished my thoughts, he was being a nuisance, so I quietly raised my left hand. It’s always best to show rather than tell.

"Wow."

The second division head exclaimed as he looked at my left hand. It was an understandable reaction. My thumb, index, middle, ring, and little fingers all had half-rings on them.

"Cool, right?" I grinned.

"It’s cool, but I don’t think I want to copy it," he said.

"You're a bastard," I laughed at his response. I wasn’t doing this because I liked it, so I couldn't blame him for being uncomfortable.

If only the rings were in pairs, I could at least distribute them between both hands, but with five rings, it became a disaster. When it's an odd number, it’s difficult to decide which hand should wear more.

"By the way, that was pretty fast. I thought this would drag on until next year."

I shook my head at the second division head’s mutterings. He was someone who had heard my earlier words about the mass purchase of rings and my declaration about a joint marriage. He knew exactly who had confessed to me.

However, he didn’t expect me to answer them before the year ended.

"Have you ever seen our predictions come true?" I asked.

"True," he replied.

Of course, I didn’t know either. Life rarely goes according to plan.

"Anyway, congratulations. If you’re happy, that’s all that matters."

The second division head took another drink, but this time, he wore a warmer smile, quite different from his earlier chuckling.

"It happened a bit suddenly, but since the director also has feelings, you must have decided together. Even if there's a lack of affection now, you can build it moving forward, right?"

His words were warm, full of sincere congratulations and advice, and I smiled in return.

"Have you set a date?"

"...Yes."

I shot a look at him that immediately quieted his voice. That comment was clearly a calculated one. Now that his own marriage was imminent, he quickly threw in a request for a ceasefire. He was begging not to stir up any more trouble and to just live quietly.

It was obvious. After two years of fighting, did he really think I wouldn't recognize this?

"Well, congratulations," I said, accepting it, even though I was fully aware of his motives. If the fight dragged on, I’d have to go through five weddings, and that would be a disadvantage for me. It was better to end it here.

Then, a brief, odd silence filled the office.

**‘Marriage is the grave of life.’**

A place where someone is about to enter the grave and someone else is destined to go five times.

It was quiet, just as it should be.

---

Later, during my way home, it was a bit longer than usual. I had to go all the way to the Masallo family estate because the first division head insisted on leaving together.

At least it was in the right direction; if the mansion had been in the opposite direction, it would have been a real hassle. The area was pretty large, and walking around on foot would be impossible.

"Are we commuting together tomorrow?"

"Do you think so?"

"Hee-ing..."

I shut him down with my usual cold response, but it seemed like he wasn’t really expecting much, so he let it go.

At first, leaving together might seem feasible, but commuting is different. We could adjust the time for leaving, but we all had different working hours, so it wouldn’t work.

"By the way, Director, can't you split those rings between your hands? It looks a bit weird."

We were at the gate of the Masallo mansion, and the first division head, who had been walking with me, casually brought it up. He was referring to the five rings on my hand, which must have looked odd.

"Should I put just yours on my right hand?" I teased.

"You're such a bad man," he pouted, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

I explained why I had to wear all the rings on one hand.

"If I split them, they might think I’m showing favoritism. I’m already bothered that the rings won’t fit on my little finger."

At first, I thought all five half-rings might fit on my little finger, but it turned out it was impossible. I could put them on, but I couldn’t bend my finger. It wasn’t worth the effort.

"What if you end up with another ring?"

Without thinking, I grabbed the first division head’s lips and silenced him. But this wasn’t to tease him. It was a gentle form of affection or a way to scold a partner who had spoken wrongly.

"Don't say things like that," I spoke softly.

If another ring was added, it would be a problem. Five rings on one hand already felt like a lot; six would make it feel very different.

I remembered a time, long ago, when the Golden King had said something similar. When he was considering taking a wife, he pondered deeply, thinking about whether he could manage ten fingers. But once he passed that point, he said he had reached enlightenment.

Yet, he stopped at twelve.

"Ughhh!"

Fortunately, the first division head seemed to repent and quickly nodded as he tapped my hand.

He wasn’t dumb; he just liked to joke around. After giving him a proper scolding, I was sure he wouldn’t say something like that again.

"But you never know what will happen..."

I sighed as I let go of his lips, only for him to start speaking again. It was sad. Hurting my future fiancée was painful for me as well.

Reluctantly, I reached out, but the first division head quickly shut his mouth.

‘...He has reason to worry.’

In fact, his concern wasn’t unfounded. I was already wearing five rings. It wouldn’t be strange if one more appeared overnight.

"If it happens, I’ll just split them. What else can I do?"

I patted his head with the hand I had extended earlier.

Of course, I wasn’t actually expecting more rings.

The chain of confessions had already exploded. Surely, there wouldn’t be more left.

---

The director patted my head a few times and then turned to leave. Even though I was older than him, did he think I would enjoy being patted like that?

Of course, I liked it. I’d enjoy it even if he patted my chin.

But it wasn’t the time for such simple pleasures.

‘If it gets any later, this will be a problem.’

Judging by the director's reaction, it seemed like I was the last to confess. There were four before me, but no one after.

The four ahead of me included Marghetta, the marquis, and two students from the Academy. Although the director had met them later than me, it stung that they confessed before me. But that wasn’t the real issue.

‘Fenelia is missing.’

This shouldn’t be happening. Fenelia has to be here. She definitely likes the director.

But where the hell is she? Why hasn’t she contacted me? She must be stuck somewhere up north, unable to reach out. Meanwhile, everyone else is confessing to the director, but Fenelia hasn’t made a move.

And the director seems to be solidifying his position with five wives. If all the confessions are over and it’s already passed into the new year...

‘No way.’

It only becomes more difficult now. The burden of going from five to six, the burden of moving from this year to next year. I can’t ignore it.

So I tried casually testing the director by asking if one more ring would be okay—

"If it happens, I’ll just split them. What else can I do?"

...I guess I’ve avoided the worst answer of "that will never happen!" but the director’s indifferent expression was clearly visible.

‘What the hell is going on?’

I tried to hold back my sigh, but it was impossible. Now, instead of worrying about Fenelia, I was resenting the Special Affairs Ministry, Enen. Why the hell did she have to go on a mission at such a critical time?

With a heavy heart, I quietly pulled out my communication device. I knew she probably wouldn’t respond today, but I had to check in at least once. So I sent a message and waited for a reply—

- “This is Commander Mukgwang.”

?

I had expected no response, but to my surprise, Fenelia’s face appeared on the

 screen.

My mind went blank at the unexpected situation, but I quickly gathered my thoughts.

"Hey! Why did you take so long to respond?"

At least I was relieved that she answered before the year ended.

But when I saw her face, it seemed like she was slightly upset.

- "I already got scolded by Yurise. You can stop now."

I don’t know who Yurise is, but it seems like there’s someone else who’s also frustrated by all this.

---

As I approached the mansion, something unexpected caught my attention.

‘Who is that?’

A young girl with brown hair chatting with the guards. There were only two girls with brown hair around my mansion who could talk so familiarly with the serious-looking guards.

"Ah, Master!" 

As I walked closer, the girl saw me and bowed. The voice was unmistakably Yurise.

I nodded at the guards as they greeted me and patted Yurise's head.

"Did you finish your tasks and come outside?"

"Hehe, of course!" she replied cheerfully.

"Still, it’s cold. Go inside and play."

I nudged Yurise toward the mansion. It was too risky for a little kid to be outside on a cold day. Even a simple fall could lead to serious injury in this season.

"Master, you should come inside too."

"Right."

Of course, I couldn’t argue. We both made our way to the mansion, and I patted Yurise's head again.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Her head jolted slightly, and I could feel her hesitation. She was a smart girl, but her age made it obvious when she was unsure.

‘She didn’t come outside just to play...’

Yurise didn’t dislike the cold. She wouldn’t have come out if it was just to play. If she truly wanted to play, Sophia would have been with her.

She must have been waiting for me for something important.

"Master..." she began.

"Yeah, speak freely."

What did a young girl like Yurise want to say? Based on my experiences, she wasn’t the type to ask for anything big.

Maybe she just wanted a treat? Or perhaps a bonus for the new year? Or maybe a party to celebrate the end of the year?

"How do you feel about Fenelia?"

Her unexpected question made me tilt my head.

‘Why is she asking about the 4th division head?’

"She’s a good person. She’s great both as an official and as a person. You don’t easily find someone like her, you know?"

The answer came quickly. Fenelia was like a ray of light when I was being hassled by the hopeless trio in the 4th division. Thanks to the line-up of the deputy, 4th, and 5th division heads, I was able to survive.

Moreover, she led the 4th division excellently, always showing good manners and delivering solid results. 

I couldn’t even think of any weaknesses.

"How about as a woman?"

That question made me stop mid-sentence as I was patting her head. 

No, she can’t mean what I’m thinking.

"Fenelia is a great woman too."

But Yurise cut off my thoughts, pressing her point.

At this timing, a question like this... As a veteran of sudden confessions, I knew exactly what she meant.

‘...Sixth one?’

My words faltered. I thought it was over, but there was more?

"Then what if one more ring is added?" I recalled the words of the first division head.

Was this a prophecy...?