The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success Chapter 81

Before anyone noticed, ink had begun dripping down Victor’s report.

That was because Keyvon had suddenly slapped something down onto the report earlier, breaking Victor’s pen in the process.

Keyvon spoke with an expression that showed not the slightest trace of concern.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t quite understand.”

Hey.

That’s not the kind of phrase you use right now.

“I’ll compensate you multiple times over.”

“Ah… That pen was a gift from little Namia when she joined the department!”

“Then the young me will now buy you 100 of the same pen as a return gift. That should make us even.”

“No, intern friend? The person’s different, the number’s different, and the timing’s different. How is that even remotely the same?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t quite understand.”

Hey.

I said that’s not the kind of phrase you use right now.

One thing was for sure:

Keyvon had a nasty, petty personality. Some refinement in character seemed necessary.

“Well, anyway.”

Victor retrieved his broken pen with a light smile.

“It’s hard to have personal conversations in the office, huh? Let’s save our chatting for the St. Cairo Banquet. I’m making a reservation in advance, so the second dance of the Minister will be mine.”

He glanced at Keyvon while scratching the back of his head, then slowly walked out murmuring,

“To think I’m second to Namia… That kind of stings a bit.”

And just then—

With a loud bang, the Scroll Division office door burst open.

“Haah…”

The one who entered was none other than the Minister of Education.

As soon as he opened the door, he locked eyes with me, sitting in the minister’s office, and said,

“I’d like a word with the Scroll Minister.”

An utterly furious expression. Lips trembling with rage.

I greeted him with a serene smile, still seated in the minister’s chair without bothering to stand.

“Yes, Minister.”

And even then, I had to suppress the smile bubbling up from within.

‘Hook, line, and sinker.’

At last, it was time to spring the trap I had so confidently boasted about to Kiaros yesterday.

[Would it be alright if I… used Your Highness’s name a little?]

I had already gotten permission. All for this very moment!

As I beamed triumphantly, Keyvon, who had been inside the office, flinched at the sight of my expression.

That’s when it happened.

From one corner of the office, the Empress—who had been practicing scroll activation with Anastasia—waved her hand wildly.

“Oh-ho, Minister of Education?”

The Empress blinked innocently and shouted.

“My son’s tutor turned out to be an absolute scumbag. You didn’t know, right? If you did know and covered it up at your level, then your corpse’ll end up buried at mine!”

“Haha. Your Majesty, I’ve already proven my innocence before the Knight Order.”

The Minister replied swiftly, bowing with impeccable formality.

“I greet Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Prince. But… what brings you to the Scroll Division office?”

“Oh, just practicing for the St. Cairo Banquet. Had to learn how to use scrolls, and it’s best to learn from an actual staff member.”

The Empress replied as she waved the scroll.

The Minister of Education furrowed his brow.

“…In that case, naturally you should summon the public servant to your detached palace or residence. For royalty to personally come to an office…”

“Oh, but there was this punk I just really wanted to hassle, so I came myself. Calling an intern over just to give them a hard time seemed a bit much.”

The Empress glanced at Keyvon as she answered.

Granted, she did give him a hard time, but at least she didn’t summon him just to do it—so it wasn’t entirely out of line. Even Prince Jayden nodded in agreement.

“And once we started practicing here, the thought of heading back to the detached palace felt like a chore.”

The Minister bit his lip in clear disapproval.

It looked like he considered their presence inappropriate for the dignity of the royal family.

“Anyway, finish your business and leave. Honestly, I don’t have a great feeling about you. You’re still suspicious in my eyes. Remember that.”

The Empress glared at him, issuing a sharp warning. Then she resumed practicing with the scrolls alongside Jayden.

Left with no choice, the Minister of Education clicked his tongue and stepped into the minister’s office to sit.

He glared at me and spoke in a low voice.

“I saw the cooperation document you sent this morning. But didn’t I summon you to the Ministry of Education?”

I shrugged.

Then activated a soundproof scroll, right in front of him.

That meant our conversation wouldn’t leak outside the minister’s office.

Once the scrolls were all activated, I answered slowly.

“Oh, did you? Must’ve missed it. I’ve been so busy.”

This morning, I had sent another utterly impudent cooperation document to the Ministry of Education.

It was the second—following the first, which I sent just to irritate them the day Reeden was caught.

Twice in a row? Naturally, the Minister sent word for me to “come immediately.”

I ignored it.

If I ignore him, then… well, he has no choice but to come himself, right?

“Though you’re a fellow Minister, you’re far younger than me, and the Scroll Division is far smaller in scale than the Ministry of Education. Forcing me to come here personally—don’t you think that’s rather discourteous?”

“True, true.”

I answered while pretending to file my nails.

“It was a bit rude. Buuut, if you’d waited a bit longer, maybe I would’ve gone to you~.”

At the sudden shift in my tone, Keyvon’s eyebrow twitched.

The Minister grew more incensed.

“Coming in person, only to see the Scroll Minister just sitting here doing nothing, not even attending to the royal family? That’s—hah.”

“Hmm~? And why’s that a problem~?”

“Forcing royalty to come to an office like this is unthinkable. It undermines the dignity of the Draconic race—ah…”

He seemed to realize something mid-sentence and shook his head.

“Well, I suppose if it’s Her Majesty, it’s possible. She’s never had proper etiquette training, after all.”

He wasn’t wrong. It was indeed rare for royalty to visit offices themselves.

As for Prince Jayden, it was obvious he came because the Empress had asked him to.

Remembering that fact, the Minister let out a deep sigh and glared at me.

“Fine. Let’s say it’s excusable for Prince Jayden. But you, as a Minister, should know better. Shouldn’t you behave with more decorum?”

“Oh~? Is that considered improper? I didn’t know~. There’s no such regulation.”

I tilted my head as I gently blew on my nail.

Without even looking at him, I murmured.

“Personally, I just find it more comfortable to treat royalty casually…”

“What? Are you mad?”

The Minister blinked in disbelief, face reddening as if his blood pressure were rising.

‘Just as planned.’

I had sent that insolent cooperation document fully expecting he’d storm in.

And I already knew the Empress and Jayden would show up that morning because of Keyvon.

Everything was a setup to lure him in.

[You’re going to use my name? How exactly?]

[I’m thinking of using the rumors to my advantage. Maybe make it sound like His Highness has some affection for me. Would that be alright?]

[Didn’t the whole palace already hear I got rejected by Miss Namia? Do what you want.]

That conversation from yesterday was like armor.

With Kiaros himself fair game, what was there to fear?

I looked up and crossed my legs elegantly.

“His Highness the Crown Prince personally told me not to be intimidated just because he’s royalty, and to please feel free to be comfortable around him~.”

“……What?”

“He said, ‘My cute, adorable, lovely lil’ Mia-Mia-Namia, do whatever you want. Dragon oppa will protect you. Just marry me. Actually, I’ve already secretly planned the wedding~.’”

He said to use his name freely—so I really did.

Behind me, Keyvon let out a strangled cough.

I continued, nonchalantly.

“So I’m not afraid of anything~?”

“You, you’re really…”

“That’s why I hope the Ministry of Education will kindly cooperate with the upcoming event~.”

“What nonsense is that…”

“If not, I’ll tattle to Dragon Oppa~. He’s gone completely gaga over cute lil’ me, so he won’t sit still~.”

How is it? Didn’t that just tank your impression of me? Totally rude, right? Infuriating?

Doesn’t it make you think the Crown Prince has lost his mind over some strange girl?

Aren’t you now deeply concerned for the future of this country?

I grinned, then dropped my expression and tone all at once.

“But Minister, what’s with that face?”

“What?”

“I was just trying to lighten the awkward mood with a little joke. Isn’t it better if we, as fellow civil servants, get along well? I made the first move to be friendly, but now I’m hurt because you’re not responding.”

The sudden change made the Minister flinch.