Chapter 60
The Pure Workaholic
“So you’re saying… you’ve never once worked overtime because you were worried about what other people might think—?”
“Why should I pretend to work when I have nothing to do? I’m not that idle.”
It seemed the conversation among the department staff had genuinely shocked him.
“Then does that mean my own subordinates only stay late because I don’t go home?”
“Surely not. They probably just had a lot of work.”
“Master Quokka.”
“Well… there might have been some times like that.”
“…Huuuh.”
Unlike usual, he looked unusually dispirited, so I tried to comfort him a little.
“That’s just how bosses are! They practically hold their subordinates’ lives and deaths in their hands. People get scared, and they want to stay on good terms.”
But he only frowned more deeply, still confused.
“Then why doesn’t that junior official—who irritated me by going home on time—try to stay on my good side?”
As one of the guilty parties, I answered honestly.
“Either they don’t care if they get fired, or they’re confident in their skills. Or maybe they just really, really hate pointless overtime. Even if it means getting on their boss’s bad side.”
“That all sounds accurate. However… I do not wish to be on bad terms with that person.”
Good. Now that the secret truth behind overtime was revealed, he seemed to have shaken off the discomfort. The man had genuinely believed everyone worked late because they had too much work.
I decided to go a little deeper.
“Because they’re good at their job?”
He nodded without hesitation.
“Most likely. I like the way they handle their work. Honestly, they may even be more capable than I am. This incident left an impression.”
I couldn’t see his expression behind the mask, but I could almost feel the corners of his mouth lift. So I urged him boldly:
“Be good to them. It’s rare to find someone that competent.”
“I will.”
“And don’t give them attitude for leaving on time.”
“I understand now. I won’t.”
“And listen when they make suggestions. In my experience, people like that are usually honest and trustworthy.”
“I’ll remember that.”
He nodded solemnly, completely unaware that I was basically giving endless protection to my future self—his soon-to-be subordinate in the Concealment Department.
Still… if their work is that good, why are they doing so much overtime?
After that little chaos, my first week in the Concealment Department came to an end.
Today, I planned to visit Lady Chiara to thank her for her help in the boulevard construction incident. I had even prepared a gift.
“It’s been a while, Cornelia.”
Butler Fenel welcomed me warmly. Pinea and Meloni also rushed out, and we enjoyed a happy reunion.
“Ever since that rat left, it’s been so peaceful.”
Meloni’s face had brightened so much. Truly, stress was the source of all illness. She seemed to get along well with Pinea, who replaced me.
“The lady is waiting for you.”
Guided by Pinea, I headed toward the young lady’s room in the marquisate—now oddly familiar. Only a few months had passed, but it felt like years.
Knock, knock.
“My lady, Miss Cornelia has arrived.”
“Come in.”
At the sound of her usual sharp voice, I opened the door with genuine joy.
“Lady Chiara.”
She was dressed to go out, so I assumed she had an appointment. I planned to greet her quickly and leave—
but she suddenly stood, headed to the door, and spoke.
“Let’s go.”
I blinked, confused.
“Go… where?”
“I’m not going to kidnap you. Just follow quietly.”
“Well… true. Okay.”
There was absolutely nothing she could gain from kidnapping me, so I dismissed the thought and followed. Being kidnapped would prevent me from working, which was a fatal drawback anyway.
The marquisate’s carriage carried us to a wealthy residential district near the palace. Pinea, who rode with us, led the way, her lips curving upward in subtle excitement.
Maybe she got a bonus.
Knowing the lady’s generosity, it wasn’t hard to imagine.
“We’ve arrived, my lady.”
“Wow…”
It was a house straight out of a fairy tale—a large, charming two-story home with a chimney. Even someone like me, with no eye for architecture, could tell it was built with expensive materials. There was a small garden, an adorable stream in the back, and an arched bridge above it. It felt like the perfect hideout for someone wanting peace.
“What do you think?”
Lady Chiara asked.
“My lady, it’s beautiful… I feel healed just standing here. If anything makes you angry, come here often! It would be such a waste to leave a house like this unused.”
The area was filled with well-tended flowers and trees. If office workers could come here for a workation, I’d recommend it instantly.
I was busy drinking in every detail of the place when she spoke.
“And you’re really okay with that? Didn’t you say you wanted to keep work and personal life separate?”
Her voice trembled slightly, as if suppressing laughter. I didn’t understand.
“Sorry? What do you mean?”
Pinea handed me a rolled parchment, wearing the exact same expression as her lady.
What’s this?
I unrolled it, glanced—and froze. Then slowly lifted my head toward her.
“My lady…?”
She smirked lightly and tilted her head toward the house.
“Congratulations on your promotion to Second-Class Secretary.”
“…Wh—… WHAAAT??”
It was a deed. A literal property deed. With my name on it.
I stared at the paper, then at the house, then at the lady, back and forth, trying to process reality.
No matter how I tried, it made no sense.
“A house?? As a gift?? My lady, this—this is too much!”
I tried to push the deed back into her hands, but she folded her arms and refused to budge no matter how I struggled.
“My lady, this is way too excessive! Who gives their former subordinate a whole house?!”
“It’s not unheard of.”
Lady Chiara replied as if I were the strange one.
“Nobles often reward loyal retainers with houses. Like how the imperial family grants land and castles to those who perform distinguished service.”
The reward system here existed on an entirely different scale from the modern world.
“But I’m not even your retainer anymore…”
“You entered the Chancellor’s Office on my recommendation, and you’ve been doing exceptionally well. Honestly, better than I expected.”
“Still, a reward like this is just—”
Seeing me continue to reject it, Pinea finally stepped in.
“We picked the cheapest one because we knew you’d refuse. Originally, the lady wanted to give you the large mansion she bought with the Black Diamond profits.”
“That’s right. If you don’t accept this, I’ll give you the mansion instead. So take it.”
I had no choice.
And frankly… I liked this cozy house far more than a massive estate.
Trying to regain composure after being thoroughly blown away, I bowed deeply.
“Thank you so much, my lady. I’ll accept it gratefully.”
“Good. But don’t plan on living here for the rest of your life. You should do even better and buy a house like mine one day.”
She handed me a new quest with such ease that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Please visit often. Truly.”
“You’d better not take that back later.”
Somehow, it felt like we had taken a step into a new kind of relationship—no longer just boss and former subordinate.
The lady’s decisiveness was terrifying. The moment I accepted the deed, she sent people to move my belongings. I had to explain the whole situation to Marcella and my younger siblings.
“Coco, I don’t understand how anything in this capital works anymore.”
“Uh… me neither.”
Marcella muttered blankly as she watched servants carry in boxes. The kids ran around the yard in excitement. I couldn’t say anything either—I just watched with her.
“At least now each kid gets their own room. Good timing.”
Now everyone had their own room and we had a guest room. The size was incomparable to our previous place.
Taking advantage of the move, I laid down the rule:
“Anyway, since I’m the one who got us this house, you’re cleaning it. All of it.”
“…Fine.”
Once most of the luggage was inside, Marcella went in to arrange things. Seeing the old furniture the lady had sent over, she immediately made a face—and replaced everything. She said she couldn’t possibly visit as a guest and sit on that mattress or that sofa.
There was no stopping her.
“Nice house.”
A man’s voice sounded behind me.
“Lord Aidan?”
He hopped toward me with a bright smile.
“My sister told me. You moved? And that you were promoted? I came to congratulate you.”
It felt a little awkward that he came all the way here, but Aidan didn’t seem to mind at all.
“Did you use the scroll I made?”
Oh. I thanked the lady so much I forgot about him.
The scroll he made had been invaluable during the Linus investigation. I bowed slightly.
“Lord Aidan, thank you. Honestly, I practically got promoted thanks to you.”
“Really?”
“Of course! I’ll definitely repay you.”
“Actually, there is something I want!”
He replied instantly, eyes gleaming.
A strange feeling crept up my spine.
“If it’s something I can do, anything.”
“I want to come hang out here! Often!”
“…!”
Me—who values privacy more than oxygen.
He—who is not nearly close enough to be invited into my home.
But the scroll had been too important.
So I swallowed my soul and answered:
“Anytime…!”
This house might never be a place of peace again.
