Since responding to the Minister’s summons, I’ve been having a calm and uneventful end of the year. Dorgon’s whereabouts do nag at me, but it’s not like I can head to the northern regions in the middle of winter. Besides, as a member of the Ministry of Finance, it would be odd for me to head north in the first place.

Anyway, the annual work summary for the Inspection Department was completed diligently by the Deputy Chief acting in my stead, and I even wrote the Minister’s praise in the personnel evaluation. All tasks I needed to handle are done.

The only remaining issue I need to pay attention to is inspecting whether other departments used their annual budgets properly, but the Deputy Chief has already taken care of that in my absence.

"Having a competent subordinate really makes things easy."

After taking a sip of tea, I glanced through the documents submitted by the Deputy Chief. If it weren’t for him, the Inspection Department would have collapsed long ago. Promoting him from a simple team leader to Deputy Chief was the best decision of my civil servant career.

If I get promoted, I’ll make sure to bring him along as my secretary. I can’t live without him anymore.

Though, if both the Chief and Deputy positions are left vacant simultaneously, the question is how to fill them—

"They’ll manage somehow."

Honestly, it's not my problem. A true man doesn’t look back on the place he leaves.

Besides, isn’t the Crown Prince known for his signature “unexpected personnel appointments”? I trust they’ll handle it well. Worst case, they could promote either the Section 3 Chief or Section 5 Chief.

"...The Section 3 Chief as Chief..."

For a moment, I imagined the bulky, bald man sitting as Chief. With that look, anyone would believe he was running a mafia, not an inspection department. A future I couldn’t handle at all.

Come to think of it, definitely not Section 3 Chief. Even now, walking around with him feels like parading around with a mob boss and his enforcer. Can you imagine a Minister accompanied by a mafia boss?

"That would definitely look shady."

I let out a soft chuckle, unintentionally brushing my fingers near my eyes. If I had squinted eyes, I’d look like the perfect villain.

— Knock knock.

In the middle of those pointless thoughts, I heard a knock on the door and looked up.

"Chief. It’s the Deputy Chief."

"Deputy Chief?"

"Yes, Chief."

Hearing the Deputy Chief’s voice outside, I ended up asking again despite knowing who it was. How long had it been since he submitted the documents and left? Did he have more to hand in?

"Come in."

Of course, it would be odd to turn him away after he went out of his way to return, so I told him to enter. If he’s back, there must be a reason.

Once he received permission, he opened the door carefully and entered. He was empty-handed. So, no additional documents.

"His expression doesn’t look bad."

Seeing his calm face, I could tell it wasn’t an emergency.

Thank goodness. If it were, my communication crystal would’ve been flashing before he even reached my door.

"So, what’s the matter?"

Since it didn’t seem serious, I asked lightly. I should hear him out quickly and send him back. The Deputy Chief is probably busier than I am.

"You have a visitor."

"A visitor?"

I raised my eyebrows at the unexpected news. A visitor? At year’s end?

Anyone significant enough to visit me directly would typically attend the New Year’s greetings ceremony. Early, year-end visits are rare.

"Who is it?"

"The Section 4 Chief."

"Oh."

I nodded. Some welcome news to spice up a slow end of the year.

The fact that the Section 4 Chief came voluntarily means that the Mudang group’s efforts are finally paying off.

---

I hadn’t expected to understand Section 4’s unity like this. When one person disappears, another shows up; in the morning, a different person arrives than the one I saw the day before.

"Oh, Chief, you’re up?"

As soon as I stepped out of my room, the Team 2 Leader greeted me.

"Good morning. Ah, and what a fine day it is."

Despite the raging snowstorm, he was talking about fine weather.

I felt dizzy. Ever since the Deputy submitted his so-called “general consensus,” every team member I met has been acting like this. Simple greetings are expected among family, but—

"They say that these days, a cozy walk under a snowy sky is the latest trend for dates."

The fact that the greetings don’t end there is the problem.

How does a morning greeting turn into a suggestion for a date? Are they just throwing out random words without thinking about sentence structure, creating these bizarre conversations?

"...Quite an unusual trend."

"Haha, well, that’s what makes trends trends, right? Because they’re not ordinary."

I nodded, watching the Team 2 Leader grinning from ear to ear.

It wasn’t just him driving me crazy. Everyone seemed eager to chew me out. It’s not like he’s the only one I have to put up with.

"Right. Maybe you should try it too, Chief. There’s a perfect match right here."

When I didn’t respond, he exaggeratedly clapped his hands as he continued.

"......"

"Oh, come on! I even gave you advice!"

Naturally, I ignored him and walked away quickly. Even though I could hear him complaining loudly behind me, I didn’t respond.

They’re too obvious. Not long ago, they had a semblance of logic in their arguments, yet now they’re resorting to this nonsense whenever our eyes meet.

"The weather is chilly. Just seeing someone in love would warm me up."

"The stew is salty. Maybe watching a sweet moment would satisfy my taste buds?"

"I’ve barely spent my salary lately. If someone got married, I’d at least have a reason to give a wedding gift."

"Everyone here is romance-deprived! I’m done with Mudang!"

My head was about to explode. The people who used to tell me that true gratitude is not about self-satisfaction, but for others, were gone. Only these absurd creatures were left, creatures who would make anyone hide their face in shame.

I know why they’re acting this way. They’re frustrated because I’m still sitting on the fence. Reason isn’t working, so they’re resorting to emotions—or even madness.

"...It’s not like I want things to be like this either."

A pang of bitterness hit me. What leader would stand idly by, watching their subordinates lose their sanity? Who would ignore the wishes of those they consider family?

I’m just too scared to take action. My subordinates have shown me the path, but I’m hesitating, unable to take a single step.

"What pride do I have left now?"

I’d already missed my chance. When my master asked if I had anything to say or when they hugged me so gently—that was the moment to say everything.

Instead of this twisted devotion I’ve kept to myself, I should have voiced my honest loyalty and affection. I should have said I wanted to spend my life with my master, not as a distant protector, but in their presence, basking in their attention.

But I deceived myself. I drew a line between us. I, who was supposed to follow my master’s will, pushed aside my own feelings for them like Erzebet had done.

So, I have no right. Even if my subordinates urge me forward, I can’t bring myself to step forward. A person with pride wouldn’t dare.

...Or so I thought.

“Pride has no place in love.”

“What?”

Until Erzebet’s explosive declaration shattered that notion.

When Erzebet reached out with a casual greeting, I thought it was a good opportunity. Having established her bond with the Chief, maybe she could offer me some valuable advice.

So, I cautiously asked her what she thought I should do.

“I cried and clung to the Chief with all I had. If I’d worried about pride, I’d never have been able to do it.”

At her expression, calm yet filled with enlightenment, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. Erzebet, crying and clinging? What had she gone through in the northern regions?

"Listen carefully, Penellia. Pride fades quickly, but love lasts forever."

Despite her calmness, her voice carried a firm conviction, an unyielding determination.

"So, don’t regret it—go for it. Would you rather be embarrassed for a moment, or live with regret forever?"

“But... do I really have the right—”

"Enough with the qualifications! Were you even listening to me?"

As her voice grew frustrated, I lowered my gaze in silence.

"Besides, embarrassment should be brief."

Seeing my reaction, her voice softened.

With her next words, my hands began to tremble.

"Then the embarrassment will pass, and the Chief will take care of the rest."

“E-Erzebet!”

My voice unintentionally rose. It seemed effective, but still—wasn’t that a bit much?

No, if things went wrong, I’d only end up looking foolish in front of my master. Just imagining it made me want to disappear.

"Then do it all on your own."

And with that, I had no response.

Fine, I’ll think positively. Erzebet, who’s already taken this step, is giving me advice.

A moment of shame... a lifetime of love... just one moment of embarrassment, and the Chief will...

Alright. Let’s do it.

---

I told the Deputy Chief to send the Section 4 Chief to the Chief’s office.

To me, the Section 4 Chief is still part of the Inspection Department. Meeting in the Chief’s office rather than the

 reception room feels more appropriate.

"Come on in, Penellia."

“Th-Thank you, C-Chief.”

I also called her here because I didn’t want anyone else to see her flustered state.

Since she’d come of her own accord, I knew she wouldn’t run off again like last time, but there’s no hiding her trembling as she stands there, like a phone on vibrate mode.

"It’s pretty cold outside, right? Would you like some tea?"

"Yes... thank you."

When I offered, she nodded eagerly, wrapped in her scarf.

This was a bit of a surprise. The Section 4 Chief, who usually shrugged off both heat and cold, had shown up in an adorable little scarf.

As I headed to the shelf, a small smile crossed my lips. Considering she had only recently returned from the unearthly cold of the northern regions, it made sense that she’d still feel its lingering chill.

"Yurise has been quite eager to see you."

I said casually, back turned to her.

After all, she’d used Yurise’s name as her excuse last time she escaped my embrace, only for Yurise to say she hadn’t seen her. A bit of a disappointment.

"I-I'm sorry. Something... urgent came up..."

"Seemed that way."

Hearing that, the Section 4 Chief fell silent, her previous stammering fading away.

A shame. I might have enjoyed watching her fidget, had I seen her in time. Perhaps I should set the tea service on the table instead of the shelf next time.

"Maybe next time—"

When I turned back with the tea set, I found myself speechless.

What?

I blinked in disbelief at the sight before me, struggling to process it.

Somehow, her scarf was off, but something else was around her neck. Something black and leather. At first glance, it might look like a choker.

But it wasn’t. A choker wouldn’t have a strap attached to it.

"...A collar?"

What the hell is this? Am I dreaming?

Or is this her way of saying we’ll never be more than Master and servant?

"M-Master."

She trembled as she held out the collar’s leash handle to me.

What.

What’s happening.

Why is she giving this to me?

Looking into her eyes with utter confusion, I watched as she took a deep breath and spoke.

"I entrust everything to you, Master."

Stop being serious all of a sudden.

Why is she doing this now?