The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 28

[“But why aren’t you doubting me?”]

[“Osone is my superior. I know that person better than anyone. That’s why I find this situation truly suspicious. I want to prevent any harm from coming to the Crown Prince.”]

The Empress wasn’t particularly sharp, but she wasn’t foolish either.

[“You’re right, there’s no solid proof, but you’re saying this person is suspicious, and now I have to take time off for it.”]

[“Yes.”]

[“There’s nothing I can do to resolve this. If I could, I’d investigate it myself. But I don’t even know who this is. A civil servant who’s never passed an exam? Someone who’s never taken a public test, not even once?”]

[“That’s right.”]

I handed her the tablet scroll again and continued.

[“But no one knows the future. If we wait a bit, there might be a miracle—a chance.”]

[“Yes?”]

[“There are people who’d be harmed. Families who’d be hurt no matter how the investigation is conducted. Families who love the Crown Prince.”]

The word “family” stirred something in me.
There was only one person I could even think of calling family who would risk harm for me.
I wanted to protect that family more than anything.
The Empress’s eyes met mine.

[“You’re saying the person who loves their family couldn’t be the criminal, right?”]

[“Honestly, it’s more fear than suspicion. If I hold out just a little longer, what if the Crown Prince’s enemies attempt to frame him? Is the Crown Prince the type to do something like this?”]

I didn’t answer. The Empress chuckled.
Then said, “Let’s give it one more go,” and accepted the scroll.

[“If you’re right and Osone is indeed suspicious—though I don’t think he used an alias—it makes sense for you to be concerned, since the internal investigation is being obstructed.”]

[“Yes. I don’t think my team leader has any reason to harm the Crown Prince. But I still think someone around him is involved. Either way, an investigation is needed.”]

And so, we became a team.

‘Even when it seems hopeless, time can bring clarity. Just like now.’

Of course, I never thought we could create a perfect alibi.
What had happened was already done, and there was no way to undo it.
Still, I hoped that as time passed, the things that had become unclear would come into focus.

‘His Highness will come to prove his innocence.’

He might return from the capital at any moment.
Because shortly after the words “Kiaros has died” were spoken—

‘The Emperor appeared at the palace.’

‘People were stunned.’

That was because, although Kiaros had been declared dead, the very next day, the Emperor stood in the palace.

‘Frankly, only the Emperor could pull something like that off…’

No one knew that the Emperor possessed such a power—not even the warriors of Yongin.
‘The Emperor’s special ability is teleportation.’

With that power, he could go anywhere within a day.
He had hidden it until now, but Kiaros’s death revealed the truth.

‘He returned to the capital, ruled for about a year, and then passed away.’

Just before his death, Kiaros must have informed the Emperor of the Empress’s situation.
A man who loved the Empress would not have stayed silent.

‘Still… the Emperor must have known everything…’

‘He’ll use this opportunity to uncover who the real traitors are.’

The Emperor didn’t only care about the Empress.
He would not have ignored an investigation that had been so poorly handled.
And once he knew the truth, he would have protected her.

‘Not because he wanted to—but because he had to.’

That was why we had to be cautious not to act too soon.
Once a verdict was finalized, even the Emperor could not overturn it.

‘But someone who cherishes their family—just that much would be enough. He would reveal even a power unknown to his own children if necessary.’

So the Emperor’s ability became public knowledge in the capital as well.
And since the main character was the Emperor, his power was often mentioned…

‘And that’s how Kiaros’s ability became known, too.’

Though Kiaros never revealed it himself,
once the protagonist showed his hand, Kiaros’s secret was exposed as well.

‘Teleportation, huh? That’s an absurdly powerful ability, isn’t it?’

I turned my gaze toward Kiaros, seated quietly in the defendant’s box.

‘The Crown Prince is innocent…’

Even as he calmly spoke with the guards, he remained composed.
It was difficult to tell whether he was a noble or a criminal.

‘He seems like someone who would be good at conversation. Someone who’d show gratitude with sincerity.’

He’d likely place a meal tray down carefully and thank you properly.

But the emotional gap felt enormous.

So vast that I couldn’t even form a sentence.

‘He’s hard to approach.’

I stared at Kiaros.

The flow of people through the court was sparse.
I quietly stepped into the public restroom inside the building.
After exiting, I lingered near the door, catching my breath.

‘Should I sneak in?’

I glanced toward the courtroom.

Kiaros seemed to be heading to the restroom as well.
Even if I went inside now, I’d just end up waiting again.

‘Should I just walk around for a bit?’

As I stood near the elevator by the main entrance, a man approached me.

“Excuse me, are you Lady Namia?”

Someone suddenly grabbed my hand tightly from behind.
I flinched at the unfamiliar voice.

“Excuse me?”

Startled, I turned around instinctively.

The person who had grabbed my wrist was a man I had never seen before.
He didn’t seem like a government official or court staff—he looked more like an aristocrat who had come to watch the trial.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had a conversation like this. Haha.”

Without letting go of my wrist, he spoke as if he hadn’t even considered how I’d react.

“My name is Howard Olten.”

“What?”

“Ah, I mentioned this to Lord Roapia, but I’m guessing you didn’t get the message?”

“…What?”

He said he spoke to Lord Roapia?
My head spun quickly.

‘So he’s the head of Olten Trading… You’re the one who really caught their eye, huh.’

I began to grasp who he was.

If this was the man Juan’s father wanted me to marry, the man he thought would be a good match for me—was it this older gentleman?

As I blinked in shock, he gave a slight bow and smiled.

“I’ve met miss Roapia a few times. Those serious eyes and calm demeanor—definitely my type.”

“My goodness.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You just said she’s a bright and flashy woman, like someone who stands out in the sunlight—and that she’s your type…”

As I gently pulled my wrist away from his grip, I tried to regain my composure.

“You didn’t even hear what Lord Roapia had to say? He told me you were very picky.”

After introducing himself as Howard Olten, the man seemed to disregard my reactions entirely.

Rather than reading the mood, he continued to smile, as if this entire interaction amused him.

“Then were you just standing there watching my father get convicted? Just watching that whole time?”

He grinned and said, “I was just watching because it was interesting. You were completely immersed.”

When I replied coldly, he stroked his chin.

“Then let me just say it outright. I still like you. Lady Namia.”

“Please… calm yourself. If you’d remove your hand, I think it would help me better understand the situation.”

“Haha, fine. I bought this suit just for today. It was expensive, you know. I have a lot of money. You’d probably be impressed, right?”

“…It feels like I just stepped in something awful this morning…”

It was revolting and cringeworthy. And at that moment, the imperial knights passed by not far from us.

“All government personnel must be thoroughly investigated in relation to this case… Related adjustments will follow…”

One of the knights shouted orders nearby.

Then, I heard a calm male voice behind me.

“Let her go.”