The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 77

Victor was standing next to Anastasia’s desk, sipping coffee.

Anastasia was sweeping up spilled coffee grounds while organizing a book titled “If That’s a Gaze Toward a Superior, Then I Have None.”

The steam rising from the coffee suggested he hadn’t arrived long ago.

“It’s been a while, Namia.”

He smiled softly, hand outstretched with a casual gesture.

“Yes. It really has been a while.”

I grasped Victor’s hand and replied.

“I thought you wouldn’t be here until at least tomorrow.”

“Yeah, but I rushed over to see you.”

Victor raised an eyebrow playfully as he answered.

“Oh, of course I’m not starting work today. I just dropped by to say hello.”

“You came all this way even though it’s not your first day? Don’t tell me… Are you sick or something?”

“Come on, how could I sit still knowing you’re a minister now? If that’s an illness, it’s already terminal.”

He shook my hand with a bright laugh.

“I mean, who would’ve guessed the higher-ups would get swept out while I was gone? You’ve had a rough time, haven’t you? But… hmm.”

Victor’s tone was lighthearted as he chatted, but he suddenly paused and shifted his gaze behind me.

Keyvon was staring at our joined hands with unsettling intensity.

Victor awkwardly let go of my hand, clearly picking up on the tension, and asked,

“…Who’s this guy? Namia, do ministers go around with personal knights now? Did he get ordered to chop off the part of me that touched your hand?”

“Well, sure, he does have that kind of look in his eyes… but no, not quite.”

I glanced back at Keyvon and said,

“He’s an intern. Currently my secretary.”

“An intern? We’ve got interns now?”

Victor looked surprised as he sized Keyvon up, then grinned.

“Well, nice to meet you, intern. If our young minister here’s using you as her secretary, you must be younger than her, right? I’ll speak casually, that okay?”

“It is not okay.”

The room turned cold in an instant.

I nudged Keyvon in the ribs and whispered,

“Everyone in this department talks casually to you. What’s the problem?”

“I didn’t say they couldn’t.”

I let out a sigh and turned to Victor to explain.

“Sorry, senior. Keyvon’s a foreigner, so he’s a bit shaky with the Imperial language. He doesn’t read the room well and… let’s just say cultural differences.”

“Oh, I see. So he’s one of those needy types that require extra attention. Good thing I’m great with needy kids.”

“He’s not exactly needy, either… I mean, he always does whatever I ask. So, yeah, something like that.”

Victor rolled his eyes and slowly nodded.

“Got it. A weirdo, but at least he gets the job done.”

Keyvon looked ready to respond, so I clamped his mouth shut.
Silence was better than saying something that might cause a scene.
That approach had worked in the Empress’s chamber—just stand still and ride it out.

Though he was simply looking at me quietly…

‘Honestly, what kind of intern looks at their boss like that?’

I sighed inwardly.

Before, I’d been too focused on work to notice, but after going out together in a different setting, it became clear.

When the Empress said, “That guy’s hiding something from you,”—could she have meant… feelings?
You couldn’t dismiss the Empress’s instincts that easily.

A little fantasy played out in my mind.

[Pull yourself together, Keyvon. You’re an intern and I’m a minister.]
[Is there a law that says an intern can’t fall for a minister?]
[Of course not. Who would try to legislate personal emotions?]

Even in my imagination, Keyvon was as expressionless as ever—but he was still only looking at me.

Just like he always had since we first met.

While I was indulging in that daydream, Victor winked and grinned warmly.

“Anyway, Namia.”

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll officially call you ‘Minister,’ but today, let’s just be friendly seniors and juniors. I wanna hear the full story.”

His pale blue eyes curved playfully.

Unlike Keyvon, who had sharper features, Victor’s round, affable expression radiated harmlessness.

“I didn’t even ask Anastasia—I wanted to hear it straight from you. Been waiting the whole time.”

“Ah… so, it all started when…”

Just as I began to speak, noise erupted from outside the Scroll Department office.

“Hey, Victor! Heard you were back!”

“Victoooor! You punk! How could you come back without saying anything?!”

“You not gonna come pay your respects to your senior, huh?!”

A horde of civil servants burst in and quickly surrounded Victor.

“Hey, stop making a fuss. I just came quietly to make a good impression on the Minister, alright?”

Victor chuckled and waved his hand.

But his peers weren’t buying it.

“Look at this guy. Comes back from overseas and forgets all his friends.”

“You should’ve called us first thing! I’m offended.”

I rolled my eyes and kept quiet.

Yeah.

This sort of thing…

I’d been used to it since the academy.

Victor had always been popular with everyone.

He had top grades, was athletic, easygoing, and had a charming appearance.
It was no surprise he’d become student council president with an unprecedented number of votes.

“Hmm, Namia Roapia?”

Among countless students, I’d caught his eye for formal reasons.

“Your parents have never once come to a conference. Is there some sort of issue?”

As student council president, he had access to a list of students with potential concerns.

I was called to his office because not a single guardian had ever shown up on my behalf.

“Juan Roapia used to come every year… is there something the school can help with?”

Victor asked with eyes full of genuine concern.

I shook my head.

“No.”

“Hmmm.”

He made a serious face.

“Yeah, I get it. If someone suddenly calls you in and starts prying into your private life, even I’d hate that. Right?”

“Exactly.”

“Figured you’d say that.”

He gave me a wide grin.

“Looks like you placed first on the entrance exam?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Definitely something going on.”

He smiled gently.

I avoided his light sky-blue eyes, which looked like they held pieces of the sky.

“This won’t do. Namia, let’s get to know each other.”

“…Alright.”

“You’re not even gonna ask why?”

“We’re not going to get close anyway.”

“Ahaha… what a funny one, this junior of mine.”

Victor chuckled.

Then, locking eyes with me, he smiled again.

“I’ve decided.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll get close to you, and I’ll wait until you’re ready to tell me what’s going on.”

“…Alright.”

“And if I can help, I will. I’m the student council president—I’m responsible for every student’s welfare.”

Without waiting for a reply, Victor stood up.

He slung his jacket over his shoulder and said,

“Let’s grab lunch.”

“…Pardon?”

“Let’s eat together. Gotta get close somehow, right?”

“Um…”

“Maybe I won’t be able to solve your problems. But… I can listen. That might ease your burden, even a little.”

“…”

“Let’s get close. So let’s eat together today. And next time too.”

I reluctantly stood. It wasn’t like I could say no to a senior inviting me to lunch.
Still, as I watched his retreating back, I found myself thinking:

‘Ah, this person… he’s a kind person.’

As we walked down the corridor together, I swear—every single person we passed greeted Victor.

“Yo, Victor! Basketball later?”

“Victor-senpai? Could you take a look at this sometime?”

“Hey! Victor! You’ve been ignoring us lately, huh?”

Victor responded to each of them cheerfully and kindly.

Watching him, I couldn’t help but think again:

‘Ah, this person… he’s kind to everyone.’