Chapter 10
“Then, like an adult, what are you planning to do from now on?”
At some point, Irein had started carrying everything on her own.
As if it were easier that way.
So Sierra thought the best thing she could do was play along with Irein’s nonchalance like this—and usually let things slide.
“I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“…What?”
“Come on, it’s not like anything’s going to happen immediately. The title conferment ceremony hasn’t even happened yet, so I can’t start working as an aide right away.”
Is she trying to raise my blood pressure and kill me today?
Sierra’s face flushed red with frustration.
“That’s it. I refuse to be the only one dying of high blood pressure. You’re coming down with me.”
Grabbing the back of her neck dramatically, Sierra lunged at Irein.
“Everyone’s here. Sorry I’m late.”
At that moment, the door opened and a clear voice stopped the commotion.
“Oh, Mikael.”
“Mikael?”
Noel greeted him warmly.
Irein blinked in surprise at how much he had grown—so different from the small, cute child she faintly remembered.
Though he resembled Noel, his impression was different.
Noel had orange-tinted blond hair and light brown eyes, giving off a gentle look—but his features were bold and masculine.
Mikael, with the same light brown eyes and golden hair like threads of silk, had delicately refined features.
“Long time no see, Sister Irein. Is your health better now?”
With the gentle smile of a priest, Mikael greeted her.
“You’ve grown a lot, Mikael. You were handsome even as a kid, but now with that holy aura? It’s unreal.”
“You’ve never praised me like that.”
As compliments poured out, Noel looked dumbfounded.
“Thank you. You haven’t changed either, Sister.”
“No wonder you’re the top candidate for High Priest. You’re kindness itself.”
Irein had already heard that Mikael was the most likely next High Priest.
Not just for his looks—but for his speech, demeanor, and conduct.
“All that makes sense now,” she thought.
“That’s too much. The current High Priest is still well, and I still have a long way to go.”
“Wow, humble too.”
“Please, stop.”
Even Noel, who adored his brother, couldn’t handle the excessive praise.
Still, thanks to Mikael, the atmosphere brightened again.
“Sierra, that little kid you used to bully has grown this much.”
“Congratulations on your engagement, Sister Sierra.”
Irein nudged Sierra, who had gone oddly quiet since Mikael entered.
Mikael hesitated slightly before greeting her.
There was an unusual awkwardness on his otherwise calm face.
“I couldn’t attend the banquet yesterday due to temple matters. I’m sorry for congratulating you so late.”
“…Ah, thanks.”
Sierra’s stiff response made Irein notice the strange tension.
She glanced at Noel—but he just shook his head, equally confused.
“Uh… right. Sierra, are you completely done with that heir from House Werd?”
Trying to ease the tension, Noel changed the topic.
“That ended ages ago. He was the one who kept asking to meet—I never promised him anything.”
Sierra replied flatly.
The heir of House Werd had briefly dated her before her engagement.
He had even started planning marriage on his own—and kept clinging to her even after being rejected.
In truth, Sierra never stayed with one man for long.
With her background, height, and refined beauty, she always attracted attention.
She didn’t push men away—but never seriously considered marriage either.
Like Irein, she took pride in her family and wanted a partner worthy of it.
“Well, that’s settled then. You two must have met a few times at least. Sierra comes to the temple often.”
Uh oh.
Trying to help Noel, Irein pointed between Mikael and Sierra—
Only to feel the atmosphere instantly turn cold again.
“…Guess not. Then this must be your first time meeting.”
“Irein. Just stay quiet.”
“Okay.”
At least she wasn’t told to shut up outright.
But Sierra’s expression now rivaled Veronica’s when she was angry.
“Sister Irein, you should come to the temple more often. Seeing you brings back memories.”
Mikael smiled gently, dissolving the tension.
No wonder attendance had increased since he became a senior priest.
“Mikael, pray for me a lot, okay? I feel like God listens to you.”
Irein pleaded sincerely.
Irein stared at the endless stacks of documents and books, unable to close her mouth.
Only four days after returning from the imperial palace, she had been summoned again.
This time, it was not Leoni—but Administrative Officer Roderick Welling who greeted her.
Despite it being their first meeting, he welcomed her enthusiastically.
Then he immediately brought her to what would be her office—and began piling things onto her desk.
“This contains everything you must know to assist His Majesty. I stayed up for two nights to prepare it specially for you, so please study it carefully.”
The stack looked like an entire history book.
Roderick’s face was visibly bright.
To him, this was the best day of his career.
Finally—he could focus solely on administrative work.
Meanwhile, Irein’s face darkened.
She briefly wondered if he was subtly dumping his work onto her.
…But no. This was just the beginning.
“Are you a ghost? Did you die and come back just to hand this work over to me?”
“Thanks to you accepting the position, I’m still alive.”
He answered cheerfully.
Half joking—half serious.
If she hadn’t accepted, he might have truly worked himself to death.
“Did you hear? After the title ceremony next week, you’ll officially be appointed.”
“…This is my first time hearing that.”
At this point, Irein wasn’t even surprised anymore.
She had reached the “whatever happens, happens” stage.
“It will likely be announced at the ceremony. You’ll begin immediately after.”
“…I can still go back to my estate, right?”
Roderick simply smiled.
That answer said everything.
Irein silently screamed.
“You should consider handing estate management to your butler or head maid—or hiring an administrator.”
It was advice from experience.
His sympathetic tone and pat on her shoulder felt very real.
“…How long have you been at the palace?”
His once-beautiful blond hair looked dry and unkempt.
“Tomorrow marks one month.”
“…I think I’ll decline the position.”
“Marquis.”
As she moved to leave, his voice stopped her.
“There are only two ways for someone appointed by His Majesty… to leave the palace.”
His expression turned somber.
“Either you die of overwork… or your head gets cut off.”
Even he shuddered as he said it.
“I’ll probably die of overwork…”
He had already accepted his fate.
“Sounds like a terrible employer.”
“What?”
Roderick panicked and looked around.
“My lady, if someone hears that—before you’re even appointed, your head—”
He gestured cutting his throat.
Either way—death.
Why is everything about losing your head?
Irein shook her head.
Killian was undeniably capable.
He had led the empire to victory in wars, compensated the people, and gained their support.
But to nobles and subordinates—
He was ruthless.
A tyrant, in their eyes.
“My barely recovered health is already deteriorating from stress. I’ll probably die before overwork gets me.”
Trying to look pitiful, Irein collapsed onto the desk.
“No. Please stay healthy—and alive.”
“That sounds more like concern for yourself.”
“For both of us.”
They locked eyes briefly.
Click.
The door opened.
And the one person Irein least wanted to see walked in.
“I found you.”
