~TMPM 05~

Chapter 05

“Please don’t come out, Aide.”

The knight assigned by Cassian spoke in a low voice from outside the carriage.

Of course, I had no intention of going out anyway.

After all, these were knights assigned by that Cassian, and imperial knights wouldn’t lose to just anyone.

‘More importantly, I should think about how to trip up the Director of Ceremonies.’

To think he underestimated me and pulled something this ridiculous. Thank you very much—I’ll make good use of this, Director.

As expected, your life experience really shows!

“Please try to capture them alive if possible.”

After giving the knights that instruction through the carriage door—

Tap.

I took out the work I always carried with me.

‘Might as well do some overtime.’

If I get something done while they’re subduing them, I can ask Cassian for extra pay without feeling guilty.

“Ugh—! Ack!”

Outside, the sloppy kidnappers were being subdued by the imperial guards, their cries echoing.

Scratch, scratch.

Inside the carriage, as if erasing those sounds, only the neat scratching of my pen continued.

*

Thanks to the kidnapping attempt,

it took only one day for the Director of Ceremonies to lose his position—along with all the other crimes he had committed.

Well, the Director had shouted,

“This is absurd! How can such a prestigious position be taken away so easily!!”

He vented empty complaints, but they didn’t work on Cassian at all.

Through the seized documents, many members of the ceremonial office were dismissed one after another.

As a result, the office was noisy for a week with all kinds of protests, but we had done audits before, so it wasn’t anything new.

Both Cassian and I ignored what needed to be ignored and endured that stormy week.

And before we knew it, it was the last day of the year.

Today again, I was scheduled to be stuck working until six.

‘But I’m still happy…!’

If I just endured today, three days of holiday—including the weekend—were waiting for me.

I planned to leave work on time and spend all three days rolling around at home doing nothing.

On Saturday, I’d stop by a bookstore, buy a pile of novels, read them all weekend, and maybe buy every kind of pie I hadn’t eaten in a while and eat them instead of meals.

I’d turn off my alarm, close the thickest curtains, and sleep in as long as I wanted.

Just imagining it made me so happy that I hurried to finish the remaining documents.

The corners of my mouth twitched with happiness.

But then—

“Rose.”

A foreboding voice called out.

*

“Hmm…”

How did I end up like this?

When I looked down at myself below my shoulders, a small laugh escaped me.

It felt so strange and awkward to be dressed so properly in a formal evening gown.

Was this karma for always wearing only clothes convenient for working?

But honestly, wearing pretty clothes to work would just be depressing anyway.

So for that reason, I was a bit sad right now.

Because I had to work overtime wearing a dress from a famous boutique in the capital.

The soft lavender fabric, decorated modestly with lace around the shoulders and neckline, was so beautiful.

Current time: 7:28 PM.

Just a couple of hours ago, I had been happily thinking about going home and relaxing. Now I had become a slave to overtime pay again.

Because Cassian Artez had said—

“Attend the imperial ball.”

Out of nowhere.

And on top of that—

“Of course, overtime will be paid triple, not double.”

He added a condition I could never refuse.

That confident, annoying face of his!

I really wanted to say, No, I’m not going, just to see that face twist in irritation…

I really did…

But then—

“We’ll prepare what you wear. Everything you wear tonight will be yours.”

My infuriating boss was a genius at getting a yes out of me.

Well…

‘It wasn’t just because of the money, actually.’

The moment Cassian said it, I thought I might finally escape the ghost of the debutante ball.

It wasn’t common, but nobles who missed their debutante ball sometimes made their first appearance at this event instead.

Of course—

‘Only high-ranking noble children qualified to attend the year-end imperial ball.’

Still, what did it matter? If this meant I could finally get rid of those people constantly nagging me about the debutante ball.

Better to leave just the “baron’s daughter” comments behind.

I straightened my dress and stood up.

7:30 PM—the time Cassian said he’d arrive.

I couldn’t keep my boss waiting.

As I opened the door thinking that, Cassian—who was already standing nearby—let out a quiet laugh.

“Rose, you’re really punctual. Usually people make others wait in situations like this.”

That made me confused instead.

Why was he here early and not knocking?

*

“It suits you well.”

On the way to the ballroom, Cassian said casually.

“Your Highness looks very handsome today as well.”

I replied in return, but for some reason Cassian laughed again.

Was he stressed from overwork? He seemed unusually cheerful today.

“I’m not saying that out of politeness. It really suits you, Rose.”

…That felt a little unfair.

I hadn’t been giving a polite lie either.

Cassian Artez—regardless of his personality—had an undeniably excellent appearance.

And today he was wearing a full ceremonial uniform.

The same uniform he had mocked several times for being impractical.

But in contrast, its aesthetic value was extremely high, and it made his already intimidatingly handsome appearance stand out even more.

While I stared at him, still feeling slightly dumbfounded, he raised his arm.

“Overtime work, remember.”

“Yes… but are you sure I just have to attend as your partner?”

I asked again what I had asked him two hours earlier.

Since I became his aide, he rarely attended social events.

Even when he had to attend, he would show up briefly alone and leave.

Cassian Artez was not someone who spent time without purpose.

But—

“Yes. It’s rare for you to ask me the same question twice.”

He gave the same answer as before.

Well, then.

“His Highness Prince Cassian Artez and Lady Roselita Salice are entering!”

I would just have to gather any information useful for future work myself.

Feeling slightly awkward, I entered the ballroom with Cassian.

*

The ballroom I saw for the first time was splendid and beautiful.

And…

The stares were sharp.

“Oh my, isn’t that Lady Salice?”

“Salice? Is she of a status that allows her to be here? I thought anyone below a count spent the year-end at home.”

“She must have begged His Highness without knowing her place.”

“Exactly. To try to make her debut at the year-end imperial ball, and with the prince no less!”

I had to tense my face to keep from laughing.

Instead—

“Your Highness, could you look over there for a moment?”

“…Why?”

“I think your image would improve if you acknowledge the people who like you.”

Cassian smirked and stared straight at the group speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Their voices immediately went silent.

“You’re very efficient.”

“I learned from you, Your Highness.”

He smiled quietly and skillfully escorted me toward the Emperor and his consort.

The reason this year-end imperial ball could replace a debutante ball was because the Emperor and Empress always attended.

Traditionally, when noble children entered society, men greeted the Emperor, and women greeted the Empress or a royal woman of equivalent rank.

So if I greeted the Imperial Consort instead of the absent Empress today, I could finally be free from all the debutante nagging.

“Cassian, you’ve come. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen you at an event like this.”

“I’ve been busy handling the tasks Your Majesty assigned to me, so I had no time.”

“Are you complaining that I give you too much work?”

The Emperor’s eyebrow twitched at Cassian’s reply.

“Of course not. Unlike my elder brother, my abilities are lacking, so I must work harder.”

As he said that with a smile, Cassian briefly made eye contact with the Imperial Consort.

Her expression wavered slightly.

She wasn’t stupid enough not to understand that what he meant was:

“Unlike the First Prince who lounges around all day, I’m drowning in work.”

And indeed, the First Prince had arrived, greeted the Emperor, and was now surrounded by noble ladies chatting happily.

The Imperial Consort quickly spoke, worried the conversation might turn against her son.

“Your Majesty, more importantly, we shouldn’t keep the lady standing like this. Prince Cassian, you too—if the conversation goes on too long, your partner might feel uncomfortable.”

Although a faint look of disapproval crossed her face, it was quickly hidden behind a smile.

I was just beginning to feel slightly grateful to Cassian for saying what he said earlier—

But then—

“Your Majesty, may I request permission for her to greet you? She is my aide, Lady Roselita of the Baron Salice family.”

My insane boss boldly presented me to the Emperor instead of letting me greet the Imperial Consort!

The Imperial Consort’s elegant, composed smile cracked slightly.

Was this your goal?!

The male lead had just used me as an excuse to openly put the Imperial Consort in her place.