The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 66

Even with how busy he was, the Emperor’s concern for his family was truly admirable.

He sighed softly and muttered,

“You have to know when to step in and when not to.”

Meanwhile, Ridden was being thoroughly beaten to a pulp.

“Ugh—ghk! Gack! Guh!”

One thing was clear: the Empress still knew how to throw a punch.

Not long after, Luka came rushing over in a panic from the distance.

“Minister! I—I’ve arrived!”

“Yes. That Education Ministry officer looks like he’s about to die, so heal him and then have him locked up.”

At this rate, the Empress might have actually killed Ridden.

That would have been troublesome. If he died, only the Education Minister—his enabler—would be sleeping soundly.

‘The Minister has probably already found a way to wash his hands of this… but still, if Ridden’s in custody, he’ll feel the pressure.’

That’s why I had instructed Luka in advance to arrive after a certain amount of time had passed.

Moving Luka was easy.

“You just need to help a patient you happen to find along the way.”

“I’m with the Ministry of Health and Medical Welfare. I’m not obligated to obey a Scroll Department Minister.”

“It’s not a command—it’s a request from a rival of equal rank.”

“In that case, I’ll go. I may have lost in promotion speed for now, but I’ll uphold fair competition to the end!”

The Health Ministry’s culture made it easy to mobilize them.

Their style was “treat first, report later,” not the other way around.

“Make sure he doesn’t die. He still needs to be interrogated.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Finally, the Emperor slowly stepped forward and gently caught the Empress’s arm.

“Leave the rest to me, Fron.”

He said softly.

“I’ve heard what that man did to our son, too.”

As Luka dragged Ridden away, the man cried out, blood gushing from his mouth.

“I—I’m innocent! I—I acted only out of true loyalty and devotion to the honor of the dragonblood—kghk!”

“It would be best for you to keep that mouth shut.”

The Emperor smiled gently at Ridden and said,

“I’m only barely restraining myself from unleashing my wrath, because I know you’d die if I did.”

A most merciful gesture indeed.

The Empress, seemingly regaining her senses, collapsed to the floor. Her gaze turned to Jaden, who stood frozen.

She looked at him and began to stammer.

“I… I’m sorry. I… I must’ve disappointed you again, showing such vulgar behavior in front of your mother… I… what have I done…”

This was a woman who had shown no fear in courtrooms or prisons.

And yet, now, she fidgeted helplessly in front of her eight-year-old son.

I silently watched her.

‘In the original story… Jaden only learns years later, after he’s grown up, that he’d been manipulated by the Education Ministry and that his mother had always loved him.’

Now, Jaden’s expression was filled with confusion.

Glancing around, I saw that the Emperor and Kiaros were also struggling to keep their fury in check.

If they lost control here, even the servants—and myself—would be knocked unconscious instantly.

‘…Looks like I have to step in.’

And in moments like this, a third party’s words mattered more than family.

I slowly approached Jaden.

“I greet Your Highness the Prince.”

Jaden’s wide eyes turned up toward me.

He took a breath and asked,

“And who are you supposed to be?”

Then, noticing the Emperor and Kiaros behind me, he quickly changed his tone.

“Ahem, we haven’t met, have we? What is your name?”

“My name is Namia Roapia.”

At my introduction, Jaden’s eyes widened.

Then, almost unconsciously, he repeated something Ridden had said:

“The… treasonous woman who shamelessly spurned the dragonblood?”

“I am not, Your Highness. I was simply a Scroll Minister who recognized my place and received the dragonblood’s affection in my heart alone.”

I knelt to meet Jaden at eye level.

Now, all eyes turned to us.

I began to speak gently.

“Everything that Education Ministry officer named Ridden has taught you—outside of academic knowledge—is a lie. I’m sure he taught well in other areas, but…”

Then I said what Jaden had always longed to hear.

“Her Majesty the Empress truly loves you, Your Highness.”

It was the one truth that the young Jaden in the original story had always yearned for.

“She cherishes you more than anything in the world.”

“…That’s a lie.”

The prince took a sharp breath and whispered,

“What would you know?”

“I know Her Majesty.”

I smiled softly.

“She’s always so bold and hearty. But when it comes to you, she’s never like herself. She hesitates, agonizes, loses confidence, and even loses control… That’s how much you mean to her.”

“…What does that even…”

“Everything that officer told you was a lie. His Majesty and Her Majesty love each other deeply. And you, the result of that love, are their most precious treasure.”

Finally regaining some composure, the Empress drew a trembling breath and joined in.

“Of course a mother loves her child! How could you not know that? Huh?”

“…”

“Even lowly beasts value their offspring above all else… How could you believe such absurd lies?”

Tears welled up in the Empress’s eyes. I leaned in and whispered to Jaden.

“You heard her, didn’t you, Your Highness? There’s a great misunderstanding between you and Her Majesty. And that’s something best resolved between the two of you.”

“Haaah…”

The Empress trembled and sighed.

The Emperor, gently placing a hand on her shoulder, nodded.

“The Scroll Minister speaks wisely. If we understand the situation now, we must clear up the misunderstanding ourselves. I suspect I’m tangled up in it too—so I’ll help soothe it with you both.”

I felt relieved. If the Emperor took the lead, things would go smoothly. He loved the Empress deeply and was always rational.

“To think I supposedly forced Fron into becoming Empress. Ridiculous.”

“I—is that really not true?”

“Even a dragonblood with burning passion cannot force someone to love them. Just look at your brother, who fell to pieces after rejection, and Miss Namia, thriving in her career as Minister.”

I gave a big nod and smiled brightly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Look at us—don’t we seem like a perfectly harmonious pair?”

Kiaros, standing beside me, muttered under his breath,

“That’s something only actual couples say.”

He had been actively involved in planning this from the beginning. The Empress wasn’t the type to make plans, and the Emperor had only just arrived.

But once the incident unfolded, Kiaros had remained silent.

The Emperor gently patted Jaden’s head and offered kindly,

“Jaden, shall we talk together? About how much we love you?”

“Your Majesty…”

“Your mother treasures you more than anything. But you were caught in the middle of a ridiculous misunderstanding, caused by an immature child and a wicked adult.”

Tears brimmed in Jaden’s eyes as well.

Then the Emperor looked at me and winked.

“Remember this—our family owes Miss Namia a great debt.”

“S-sniff.”

“So don’t let anyone call her a traitor for rejecting the dragonblood’s proposal. If that were treason, your mother should’ve been torn limb from limb and executed ages ago.”

I smiled gently at the scene.

The Empress’s eyes were red. Even with blood on her fists, she looked heartbreakingly fragile.

‘Looks like my job here is done.’

I slowly stood up. Then I bowed deeply to the Empress, the Emperor, and Jaden gathered together.

“Then, I shall take my leave now.”

Turning slightly, I bowed respectfully once more to Kiaros, who stood a little apart from the rest of the royal family.

Then I quietly slipped away from the detached palace alone.