The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 102

Kiaros gave a casual shrug, resting his chin on one hand as he slowly continued.

“I still remember that night in the South when we were attacked. His Majesty had taken out all the enemies but injured his leg and had it bandaged. They said he lost a lot of blood. I was terrified—I’d never seen him like that before…”

“Ah…”

“Even in such a grim situation, His Majesty said there’s always something good that comes out of it.”

I blinked. This was the first time Kiaros had talked this long about himself.

Were we even close enough for this? But saying something like that would probably hurt his feelings.

“Fifteen years without seeing you is a pretty bad situation, but in the end, it’s a good thing you didn’t enter the Mage Tower.”

He looked at me and smiled.

When that chiseled face turned toward me and smiled, I instinctively lost my breath.

I had to admit it—though I wasn’t someone who judged others solely by their looks, Kiaros’s appearance was just… exceptional.

“Now that I think about it, you and I have been entangled with the Reformists since back then. It’s been a long road.”

Kiaros chuckled and adjusted his posture elegantly. Then he added in a low voice,

“The truth is, I’m not in a position to fully trust anyone right now. But if you say you want to use your abilities, it’s a superior’s virtue to allow it.”

I blinked, looking at him.

“Just like I’ve done so far.”

He was still somewhat suspicious of me, but he also trusted in my abilities. The two feelings could clearly coexist.

A warmth welled up in my chest.

Even at the banquet, he had told me to show the world my light.

It was different from Victor, who’d said he wished I didn’t even recognize my own light.

“But I have one condition.”

“Yes.”

I nodded, looking at Kiaros.

Whatever condition he laid out, I was ready to accept it.

“Even the palace has its dangers. I’d like you to have an escort with you.”

An escort—though really, it also meant surveillance.

But what he said next surprised me.

“What do you think about taking your secretary with you?”

“…Excuse me?”

“He’s probably more skilled than most of the Ravens.”

“Uh…”

I asked, completely confused.

“If you mean Keyvon… he was one of the suspects I told you about.”

“Y-Yeah, about that, he’s not it.”

Kiaros replied, a little flustered.

“Um… well, not him. There’s some circumstances…”

There was no doubt about it—something existed between Keyvon and Kiaros.

So he really might be an illegitimate child of the Imort royal family, secretly related to Kiaros…

Or maybe he was one of the undercover Ravens on assignment.

“Oh? Then… I can trust Keyvon?”

It was good news either way. I wouldn’t have to suspect him anymore!

“So can I narrow it down to either Anastasia or Victor being the mole?”

Kiaros stared at me for a moment, then nodded once.

I let out a breath of relief without realizing it. I was so happy that I didn’t have to doubt Keyvon.

“Ha… That puts me at ease. I’ve been so stressed out wondering if Keyvon might be the traitor…”

With eyes sparkling, I added brightly,

“So you’re saying he’s not hiding anything from me? That I can trust him completely?”

“Uh… yeah?”

“That everything he shows me is sincere and genuine?”

“Uh… um…”

Kiaros looked utterly flustered, his eyes darting.

“Y-Yeah, but… um, maybe… don’t trust him too much…”

“Got it.”

I exhaled through my nose.

“But if he is hiding something from me… I won’t let it slide.”

“U-Um?”

My emotions were on a wild roller coaster because of Keyvon alone.

I couldn’t forget how he ran with me on his back when I was coughing up blood.

Even while burning with fever himself, and while his house was literally falling apart, he hadn’t hesitated to take care of me.

I was overjoyed that I didn’t have to question his sincerity, but if it turned out that he’d betrayed me…

“If Keyvon Artes dared to deceive me, make a fool of me, trick me, and turned out to be a bastard who should be beaten to death…”

As I muttered, Kiaros took a deep breath, visibly tense.

“So… wait, does that mean…”

He hesitated, then asked cautiously.

“You’d… never want to see that bastard again?”

I answered right away.

“Huh? Of course not.”

“Right? I mean, you two did spend time together…”

“I’m not so forgiving toward people who betray me.”

What do you mean, just not see him again? That’s ridiculous.

My eyes gleamed as I spoke.

“I’ll never forgive him. I won’t let him off the hook.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ll cling to him for life and exact revenge until the very end.”

“Um…”

“I’ll chase him to hell and make him pay for his sins for eternity. I’ll make him suffer, crying out my name until the day he dies…”

As Kiaros flinched and leaned back ever so slightly—

Knock, knock. The door opened with a bang, and in burst the Empress and Jayden.

“Your Highness! Congratulations! I heard you finally managed to confine Namia!”

“Brother! Congrats! I heard you’re living with Namia now!”

Kiaros wore a face that said, one mountain after another.

“It’s neither of those things—she’s just staying in the palace as a guest…”

“Kyaaaaaah! Kyahaha! Kekekek! Kyakyakyak!”

“A palace guest eventually becomes a life partner, and a life partner becomes a lifelong companion, brother!”

While the two royals caused a ruckus, the aide who had come in with them quietly stepped beside me.

“I’ll show you to your room.”

“…Alright.”

I nodded to the aide and left the crown prince’s office, which had turned into a riot of screams and cheers.

***

And so began my life in the imperial palace.

I took a ten-day medical leave.

There wasn’t anything urgent, but I left instructions for Anastasia and Victor as their team leader.

“Remote work is great.”

The Empress even sent me a pile of clothes.

Apparently, at the same atelier that made my outfit for the banquet, she had pointed and said, ‘From here to here, I’ll take it all!’

“She clearly didn’t check properly. There’s absolutely no consistency—every existing fashion style is gathered here.”

Of course, I insisted I couldn’t accept such gifts as a high-ranking official. But the answer that came back was:

“They’re not yours. They’re simply kept in the guest room.”

Meanwhile, a palace attendant delivered a letter from Kiaros.

The Ravens have begun investigating Anastasia and Victor. I’ll share the results when they’re ready.
I’ll be sending Keyvon Artes your way soon. Be prepared.

And just as it said, Keyvon showed up at my room that afternoon.

Wearing his usual impassive expression, he spoke as if nothing had happened.

“When you want to go out, please pull the hanging cord. It’s connected to my room, and I’ll come immediately.”

“Got it.”

“How is your health?”

“I’m fine. What about you?”

“I’ve fully recovered.”

I studied Keyvon’s expression. He looked a little tired, but not sick like the day before.

It felt strange seeing him again here in the palace.

I stared at him and finally brought it up.

“Keyvon.”

“Yes.”

Now that we’d be doing ‘different work’ together in the palace instead of the Scroll Department, there was one thing I needed to make clear.

“What exactly is your relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince?”