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Thinking about the two managers who each worried me for different reasons made my head spin. However, there was nothing I could do about it no matter how much I worried for them. After all, it was pretty shameful for a boss to pester their subordinate about when they would get married.

And that boss wasn’t even married themselves. From an outsider’s perspective, it would be a terribly ironic situation.

‘They’ll figure it out when the time is right.’

It wasn’t that they couldn’t get married, but that they chose not to. They might have unique personalities or tastes, but they were certainly capable individuals. A little uniqueness should be fine.

The 4th Manager bowed her head politely when I glanced at her. Even a vacation was enough for this valiant knight to transform into a perfect maid.

‘…It’ll be fine, right?’

I couldn’t quite picture the 4th Manager getting married. The same went for the 1st Manager.

It was a disheartening thought. Could it be that the Managers were choosing to stay single because I was? Maybe I was setting a bad example.

After a moment of silence, I pulled out a small pouch from my pocket. Despite my feelings, I needed to give this to her before I forgot.

“Here, take this. It’s a gift.”

“I’m honored.”

The 4th Manager took the pouch with both hands, bowing even deeper.

No, you don’t have to do that. It was just a small gift; I almost felt embarrassed for giving it.

The 4th Manager, who worked as a maid in the mansion, and the Masked Unit, who patrolled while trying to avoid drawing attention from the three countries, must’ve had a tough summer.

“I know you’ve all been busy and unable to take a break due to strange incidents. Here’s a little something for everyone to use together.”

That was why I gave them some silver coins for a team dinner. They weren’t exactly poor, but a dinner on someone else’s treat was special.

“It’s a shame that I couldn’t see the rest of the Masked Unit except for that incident with the Twilight Cult.”

“If you could grace us with your presence—”

“Don’t say such things.”

I quickly cut off the 4th Manager. Having a high-ranking official at a casual gathering would be more of a torture than an honor. It would be better to meet them some other time.

Despite feeling shaken by her disappointed expression at my firm refusal, I couldn’t tell her that I would go.

I once vowed never to dine with my subordinates at a dinner hosted by the emperor. I had to break that dreadful cycle. I couldn’t even sleep properly that night because of an upset stomach.

***

I would be returning to the Academy soon. Thinking back, I had spent most of the vacation at the Capital.

I had thought that I would spend it traveling to various cities and dealing with the governors, and just thinking about it was already enough to make me dizzy with worry.

Fortunately, it seemed that the club members were too lazy to travel. It was just as well; staying in the Capital was enough.

‘That’s a relief.’

I had even prepared to visit Louise’s territory in the worst-case scenario. Thankfully, I avoided the sight of the kind baron and his wife fainting on the spot.

‘Damn it.’

It was sad that I was even considering this a stroke of luck. I hope they return to their countries during the winter vacation.

“Fair enough.”

= Cut the crap, you jerk.

My voice over the communication crystal betrayed my real feelings, but I managed to keep my words diplomatic. It was all thanks to the last shred of my sanity.

The Crown Prince spoke with a look on his face that reminded me of Ainter if he were to turn to the dark side. Someday, I really want to knock some sense into him without regard for rank.

This could be interpreted as either a cautious statement or a hint that ‘you’re going to have a hard time this winter as well.’ Strangely, the latter seemed to hold more weight.

I managed to calm my mouth, which was itching to curse him, and finally spoke.

“I wish Your Highness a peaceful winter.”

= I’ll do my best to prevent them from coming during winter vacation so that won’t happen.

= So are you saying you intentionally let things happen this time? Don’t talk nonsense.

This bastard always left me speechless.

Failing to prevent the situation this time definitely left me crying inside. There was no guarantee that things would change during the winter vacation, either.

‘This can’t repeat during winter vacation.’

Having the pastry club come to the Capital during the winter vacation would be a total disaster, especially with the New Year’s ceremony. The result would be utter chaos.

The New Year’s ceremony was where nobles with titles gathered in one place. And with foreign royalty and a saint candidate in the capital during that time? The socialite nobles would be desperate to invite them.

The emperor would most likely invite those idiots as well. The prestige of the guests reflected the host’s prestige, after all.

‘It’s inevitable.’

Thinking of the emperor, I resigned myself to the bitter future. Maybe an invitation from the emperor would still arrive even if the pastry club had no intention of coming to the capital.

I could almost see it now—being pulled in all directions at the New Year’s ceremony.

While I was lamenting the future I saw, the Crown Prince casually brought up that topic. Ah, it seemed that he had already heard.

“I was just expressing my gratitude to His Grace the Invincible Duke for his advice.”

After confiding in Marghetta, I had gone to thank the Invincible Duke, heavily laden with gifts. The problem was the equally heavy return gifts I received. Was this what they called a tribute trade?

After hearing my response, the Crown Prince simply nodded and then seemed to lose interest. At least he wasn’t one to pry into personal matters.

“That’s very kind of her.”

Even in front of his wife, the Crown Prince was just a messenger. That was somewhat amusing.

“Yes, I’ll pass on the message.”

And with that, the Crown Prince ended the communication. Was today’s call just a casual check-in? He seemed busy, and yet he somehow always had time to spare.

Now, I had to send the Crown Princess’ regards to the 1st Manager.

‘I’m still surprised.’

It was unbelievable that the elegant Crown Princess and the unpredictable 1st Manager were close friends during their school days. What kind of place was the Academy?

‘Although it’s not that strange, considering their families…’

Being the daughter of a Marquis, it wasn’t strange for the 1st Manager to be close friends with the Crown Princess, who was from a ducal family. It wasn’t unusual, but…

No, I shouldn’t dwell on it. The 1st Manager must have been a normal person during her academy days. Let’s think about it that way.

‘A normal 1st Manager…’

That meant that it was the Prosecutors’ Office that ruined a perfectly good lady. The sins of our department ran deep.

***

This is just too much, really too much.

“Yuris, are you okay?”

Sophia was trying to comfort me, but I couldn’t stop crying.

How could this happen? I was rooting for Penelia unnie.

“Sigh…”

Penelia unnie was such a fool. If she couldn’t do anything by herself, she should at least accept help from others. If she couldn’t lead the competition, then she should at least not fall behind.

Penelia unnie’s words kept coming back to me. What? She was satisfied just by being at his side?

‘That’s a lie.’

Would someone who looked at their master with such longing eyes say that? Even Sophia wouldn’t fall for such a lie.

Maybe Penelia unnie really thought that way. If so, she was a fool who didn’t even know her own heart.

Feeling even more upset, I lowered my head, and Sophia became even more flustered.

‘I was really cheering for her…’

Master would soon return to the Academy. Penelia unnie’s time with him was coming to an end.

It seemed the Master was considering marriage, so the opportunity for Penelia unnie to approach him was ripe. She wouldn’t be able to stop the red-haired lady from taking the lead, but Penelia unnie should at least try to catch up.

I shook my head, casting off the foolish words. Anyone would think they were already in a romantic relationship.

I couldn’t hold back anymore and brought up the blonde-haired sister. She was the noble lady who gifted the Master a hawthorn plant, confessing her love boldly.

What would Penelia unnie do with such a rival in play? That was the reason why I tried to provoke her, but she took it the wrong way.

Penelia unnie got angry when she learned that I lied to Master about the meaning of the hawthorn plant. Why was she reacting like that?

After that, she scolded me for a long time, saying that we should be honest to Master, that hiding anything was wrong, and that interfering with someone’s love was bad.

I held back everything else, but I couldn’t contain those last words. It was absurd for someone who was sabotaging their own love to say such things.

I yelled those words to Penelia unnie and ran away. Now, it wasn’t my problem anymore. Even if the blonde-haired unnie at the academy became Master’s second wife, it would be Penelia unnie’s fault, not mine.

‘She’s such a fool.’

I’ll never speak of the hawthorn plant no matter what. Honestly, the blonde-haired unnie might beat her to it even if I did nothing, especially considering how passive Penelia unnie was.

After biting my lip several times, I lifted my head. This was really, really the last time.

‘This winter vacation.’

If Master came to the capital during the winter vacation and there was no progress between him and Penelia unnie…

‘I will tell him.’

I’ll tell him everything.

Everything about Penelia’s love for Master, and about the blonde-haired unnie’s love for him, too.

They both deserved a fair start.

“…Yuris?”

I heard Sophia’s hesitant voice beside me, but I chose to ignore it.