The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 49

 

Just as I was thinking I could really use an assistant—

Like a miracle, an internship reapplication from Keyvon Artes arrived.

‘No way.’

My hands trembled with excitement as I hurriedly read through the document.

Name: Keyvon Artes
Date of Birth: November 2, 524

‘Born in 524? He’s a year younger than me!’

At long last, an employee younger than I was would be joining.

I dug through past files and pulled up more detailed personnel information.

Nationality: Kingdom of Emot
Family: None

Ah… he had no family.

It looked like he was single, with no parents or siblings.

Just like me.

‘So he’s from the Kingdom of Emot…’

It took me a moment to realize that fact.

The Kingdom of Emot—

A faraway island nation, distant from the Empire and notoriously difficult to access.

‘Wait, isn’t that where the former Empress was from?’

That meant Kiaros’ birth mother was also from the Kingdom of Emot.

The Empire had only begun diplomatic relations with them thanks to the Emperor’s first marriage.

Which meant, not much was known about the country.

‘If their culture is that different, no wonder it took so long to establish relations.’

I’d heard that in Emot, the standard greeting was asking what someone thought about marrying the crown prince.

From my Empire-centric mindset, the whole thing just sounded bizarre.

‘Why would they sell someone else’s crown prince like that? Who checks in on others by asking something so random and specific…’

Still.

It was on the opposite side of the continent. It made sense that their culture would develop very differently.

‘But to be applying for another internship now…’

I stared at the form, deep in thought.

‘Maybe he didn’t want to leave the Empire just yet?’

He did say he wanted to learn a lot from me.

A quiet smile crept across my face.

‘Perfect. I’ll make him my assistant.’

Problem solved.

I’d felt weird about making a senior staffer my secretary, but with an intern, there was no pressure.

[‘I thought you returned to your homeland. What brings you back here…?’]

[‘I ran.’]

On top of that, Keyvon was a foreigner with limited Imperial language skills!

That proud, shameless face of his wasn’t something just anyone could pull off.

[‘This woman is my boss.’]

The way he had no clue what he’d said wrong!

Those eyes, mesmerized by his own coolness without understanding the language!

The awkward tone of someone who didn’t even know how to talk to a superior!

That wasn’t acting. No way.

‘No one would use a foreigner with poor language skills as a spy. There’s too much risk of miscommunication. Plus, he wouldn’t be good at picking up nuance.’

And in the original story, the Kingdom of Emot never got involved in the continent’s war.

Being a distant island nation, they just declared neutrality and stayed out of it.

So he had absolutely no stake in anything going on here.

‘No matter how I look at it, this is perfect.’

Keyvon Artes.

If I made this foreigner my secretary, I’d be set.

It would also be a great experience for an intern who said he wanted to learn.

That’s what he wanted, after all.

I’d make sure he got plenty of work.

 

Chapter 4 – Keyvon Artes’s Circumstances

The Scroll Management Division, formerly under joint jurisdiction of the Tower and the Imperial Court, had been disbanded. In its place, the new Scroll Department under the Imperial Court was founded.

And the head of this new department was… none other than Namia Roapia, who had only just turned twenty-three!

Naturally, all the departments were thrown into uproar.

“What the heck? She gets involved in a scandal with His Highness the Crown Prince and parachutes into a top seat?”

“Did you see her at the courtroom? I heard His Highness was sending her heart signs like crazy.”

“You mean when he made a hand heart with that solemn expression? I seriously thought I was hallucinating.”

As expected, such rumors spread like wildfire—and as expected, new rumors quickly followed.

“That’s not it. The department head said Namia actually rejected His Highness.”

“What the hell, where are Namia’s eyes even located? Her standards must be in a completely different dimension from the rest of us!”

In the grapevine version, Kiaros got rejected in the most spectacular way.

But at least it helped confirm that Namia hadn’t been appointed for personal reasons.

The rumor swept through the palace in no time.

“Wait, is that true? His Highness actually got rejected?”

Naturally, Kiaros—on his way to work, having altered his appearance as Keyvon Artes—heard the rumors himself.

As he passed through the garden, he spotted his aide surrounded by curious staff members.

“Is it true? That he was so thoroughly rejected, he locked himself away and stopped eating?”

“I can’t say anything,” the aide said, standing firm with a determined look. “Because I respect and serve His Highness with all my heart.”

He continued, with utmost solemnity.

“I will never speak of how thoroughly His Highness prepared things and how, when it all fell apart, I swiftly handled the aftermath with my keen judgment. Even if a knife were at my throat, I’d say nothing, so stop asking.”

This, of course, did not help Kiaros at all.

Instead, it left the others even more stunned and whispering.

“……He prepared something?”

“Oh my god, so that’s why he’s in seclusion.”

Even though his appearance was changed, Kiaros quickly hid behind a tree.

For the first time in his life, he was experiencing the emotion known as humiliation.

But he was a rational, emotionally stable dragonkin. So he kept his thoughts positive, and level-headed.

‘If anything, it’s good. My real reason for hiding is perfectly covered up. Yes, this is good. This is really good.’

Without emotion, the situation seemed quite tolerable.

‘Though, I still don’t understand why Namia rejected me so suddenly.’

That mystery remained unsolved.

He continued on toward the Scroll Department.

‘I have been quite busy lately. Now that His Majesty has returned, I should rest a little. Keeping watch over a few staffers isn’t even work…’

And so, when Kiaros clocked in for his second day at the Scroll Department—

The remaining few employees all looked dazed and bewildered.

No one even paid attention to the returning intern.

They were too shocked from the restructuring of the department.

“Welcome,” said Namia from her new seat as department head, beaming at him.

‘Hm?’

It was the first time Kiaros had ever seen her truly smile. It hit him like a blow to the head.

Had Namia’s smile always been that beautiful?

Her neatly tied silver hair, her well-fitted outfit, and most of all… her crescent-shaped eyes and warmly glowing gaze—

“You came back so, so, so, so well,” she said with genuine joy on her face.

“I can’t even begin to say how grateful I am that you returned.”

Kiaros felt something stir deep in his chest.

He thought of how, the last time, he had grumbled about not even being able to carry her things—despite how kind she had been to him.

Namia continued gently, “Keyvon, for now you’ll be working as my assistant.”

Kiaros stared at her blankly.

Was this woman a spy or a loyalist? A savior or a villain in disguise?

To become her assistant… meant staying right by her side?

‘If she’s an enemy, it’s the perfect chance to observe her. If she’s an ally, I can protect her.’

In many ways, it was ideal.

Kiaros nodded without hesitation.

Seeing that, Namia spoke softly, with concern in her voice.

“I promise you. The Scroll Department is going to be completely different from before. This time, please stay with us for a long time.”

She even took his hand and clasped it tightly.

“I was honestly so anxious you’d leave again after a single day…”

She looked so terribly fragile.

Had it hurt her that much when he said he’d quit?

Kiaros found himself nodding, moved despite himself.

“No matter what happens, I’ll complete the full term. I swear it.”

“Swear it? I love it.”

Suddenly, Namia’s smile deepened—oddly eerie, somehow—and her eyes sparkled in a strangely intense way as she added:

“Stake your life, honor, and homeland on it. You must keep your promise.”

W-Wait a second.

……Wasn’t that a bit much?