The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 45

The Emperor shook his head, massaging his temple.

“So what you’re saying is… you want to use that as an excuse to stick right next to Miss Namia after she clearly rejected you? I distinctly recall saying not to make things uncomfortable by clinging to her now that she’s turned you down…”

The Emperor’s slow, deliberate words continued.

“Sure, stick around her—she’s bound to open up to you then, huh…”

“Of course not,”

Kiaros replied immediately.

He wasn’t a fool. As the Crown Prince, hovering near her would only stir up nasty rumors, and he was well aware of that.

“That… I’ll take care of. All I ask is that Your Majesty cover for my absence during official duties for a while.”

“Well… I was going to do that anyway, since you’re in your dark period…”

The Emperor replied begrudgingly.

That was enough for Kiaros, who resumed sipping his tea with elegant composure.

‘I’ll just return to the Scroll Department. Or rather… the newly renamed Scroll Division.’

Fortunately, he could still use his special ability even during a dark period.

With that, he could slip back in under the guise of an intern. Spending time in the same department might lead him to discover something.

[“If Your Highness finds me suspicious and investigates, I’ll gladly cooperate. I believe it’s in service of the Empire’s peace.”]

Namia had said so herself.

If she seemed suspicious, he should investigate.

‘Even if Namia’s innocent, it’s true the Scroll Department is still fishy.’

Just like the Tower Master had said—it was hard to believe Osone was the only infiltrator.

There had to be others. Ones who’d kept their heads down and avoided getting fired, unlike Osone.

‘I might be able to find them myself.’

That’s why he would personally carry out an undercover investigation.

Besides, with the Emperor stepping in for now, he’d have plenty of time to spend at the Scroll Division.

‘Didn’t seem like there was much to do there anyway.’

He had no fear of going back as an intern.

Namia had even said—

[“If that intern I once mentored ever came back… I’d do everything I could to clear the air and make things comfortable for him.”]

If he went back, she’d surely make things easy for him.

And that meant he’d have ample opportunity to observe and protect her while investigating.

‘And… if Namia’s innocent, I might be able to save her.’

If infiltrators were still hiding in the Scroll Division, they might try to harm Namia—who had repeatedly defended the royal family and disrupted their plans.

That alone was reason enough for him to stay close and protect her.

‘The royal family must protect its civil servants.’

Kiaros thought rationally.

‘I’m simply trying to protect a public servant who once protected me.’

Absolutely, definitely, certainly—this wasn’t about personal feelings.

He was only using his special ability for the Empire’s sake.

“Kiaros, I trust in your sound judgment. If you say she’s suspicious, then of course you must investigate. Do as you see fit.”

The Emperor said gently.

“But just one thing—you must not cling to someone who said no. Don’t make her uncomfortable by hovering with your power or status. Understand? Even if your long-awaited first love didn’t work out.”

Just then, the Empress, who’d been quietly watching the mood, chimed in cautiously.

“I think differently, Your Majesty! If there’s something you want, you should fight for it—struggle, seize it! With your face and your body, if you go all in, I believe you can definitely seduce her!”

Kiaros let out an internal sigh.

It seemed neither of them truly understood his pure devotion to the Empire.

‘Doesn’t matter.’

Kiaros ignored the sympathetic looks from the Emperor and Empress.

‘I’m acting only for the good of the Empire.’

For the Empire, he would become Keyvon Artes starting tomorrow.

He would stay right by Namia’s side and keep watch over the Scroll Division.

And as an intern, no one would expect much from him—perfect cover.

***

At that moment…

I was heading toward the Scroll Department office with the Tower Master.

“Hah!”

It was past 7 PM.

Naturally, all the staff had gone home.

Seeing piles of unsecured Klassified documents strewn across desks, the Tower Master clicked his tongue.

“Truly insane… No wonder the Crown Prince is so eager to dismantle the place. With the department in this state, it’s no wonder spies crawled in like roaches.”

“Yes. To be honest, this place was basically a spy’s paradise and a dream job.”

I agreed without hesitation.

The Tower Master glanced at a roll of scroll parchment and let out a short laugh.

“They sure lived it up. Claimed they used S-grade parchment, but this is clearly B-grade. I bet they colluded with suppliers, thinking regular people can’t tell the difference.”

He circled the office, and the same thing happened repeatedly.

“Ha, what’s this layout? They clearly don’t even understand the incantation formula. And what is this—expired ink? Scrolls won’t even activate with this crap!”

There was no end to the faults he could point out.

Looking visibly pained by it all, he finally snapped at me.

“You’re cursing me in your head, aren’t you? Wondering why I let it get this bad?”

“Yes, pretty much.”

The Tower Master sighed deeply at my blunt reply.

He tapped the now-dismissed Minister’s nameplate off the desk with a grunt.

“I know, I know. I shouldn’t have let it come to this. The Crown Prince is right to treat this department like a thorn in his side.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“But I couldn’t help it. I’ve got serious problems with my daughter. I haven’t had the bandwidth to care about this place.”

“……”

“You’re probably thinking I’m pathetic—neglecting work because of family.”

“Yes, also correct.”

The Tower Master pressed a hand to his forehead.

I watched him in silence before quietly adding,

“…But still, I think sometimes you really can’t help it.”

And I meant it.

“…Even if you know you’re being pathetic… sometimes, you still can’t help it…”

Some people would call me pathetic, too.

Like Luka once did—asking why I lived the way I did.

‘But I had to. Because he was my dad…’

When there are memories of love and being loved—how do you just let that go?

Honestly, I had no real hopes or attachments to the world.

This Scroll Department office had been a den of constant misfortune. I’d even had the occasional fleeting thought: “Let the world burn.”

But still, I tried to stop a war—as a lowly civil servant.

Because…

‘I miss you, Dad. I want to see you again.’

If not for that one hope—if not for that wish…

‘…being alone is just too lonely.’

I really didn’t want to admit it, but that was my truth.

When the Baron and Baroness had dinner with Juan without me…

When no one came to my school events as a child…

When I passed the royal civil servant exam with no one to celebrate with…

Every time, I swallowed my loneliness by thinking of Dad. That was the only way I could endure.

‘I may be an adult now, but deep down…’

The last time I felt truly loved had stopped at age eight.

I held back tears like a little girl.

‘I still need a family…’

When I’d seen the Emperor’s affectionate look toward Kiaros—

Even then, a pang of longing stirred in my chest.

Seeing the royal family trust and rely on each other made me feel suddenly, painfully isolated. Like I was the only outsider.

“…I understand that kind of pathetic life. I really do… because I have a missing family member, too…”

I muttered, choking back my tears.

The Tower Master looked at me for a moment, then sighed again.

He perched himself on the trashed Minister’s desk and finally spoke.

“I have a daughter.”