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I had been enjoying a peaceful and uneventful end of the year after responding to the Minister’s summons. Although Dorgon’s whereabouts still bothered me, heading north in the dead of winter was out of the question. Besides, it would be strange for someone from the Ministry of Finance like me to go up there in the first place.

Anyway, the Senior Manager diligently completed the annual review of the Prosecutors’ Office’s work and I had also written a glowing evaluation report for the Minister. I had already handled all the tasks that needed my attention.

The only thing left to worry about was whether the other departments used their annual budgets properly, but even that was taken care of by the Senior Manager while I was away.

Having a competent subordinate sure makes life easier.

I took a sip of tea and glanced over the documents the Senior Manager submitted. If it weren’t for him, the Prosecutors’ Office would have fallen apart long ago. Promoting him, who was just a Team Manager back then, to Senior Manager was the best decision of my civil service career.

I’d definitely take him with me as the Minister’s secretary if I get promoted. I couldn’t imagine working without him anymore.

The only concern was what to do if both the Executive Manager and Senior Manager positions became vacant at the same time—

Well, I’m sure it’ll work out.

Honestly, that wasn’t my problem anymore. A real man wouldn’t look back at what he’d already left behind.

Besides, wasn’t the Crown Prince notorious for his shocking personnel decisions? I trust he’d figure something out. If necessary, he could always promote the 3rd or 5th Managers.

…The 3rd Manager as the Executive Manager…

I suddenly pictured a large, bald man in the Executive Manager’s chair. The visual was more fitting for a mafia boss than an Executive Manager. That was a future I definitely couldn’t handle.

On second thought, promoting the 3rd Manager was out of the question. Even now, I felt like a mob boss with an enforcer by my side whenever I was with him. Could you imagine a Minister walking around with a mafia boss as his Executive Manager?

Anyone would think I’m the mastermind behind it all.

I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh and absentmindedly rubbed the corner of my eye. If I had narrow eyes, I’d be the perfect villain.

Knock, knock—

A knock on the door snapped me back to reality as I thought about such pointless things.

“Executive Manager, it’s the Senior Manager.”

“Senior Manager?”

“Yes, sir.”

I recognized the voice outside, but the unexpected visit made me ask back.

How long had it only been since he submitted the documents? Why was he back so soon? Did he have more papers to submit?

“Come in.”

Of course, I told him to enter since it would be strange to send him away after he made the effort to come back. If he had returned, then he must have a good reason.

As soon as I gave permission, the Senior Manager carefully opened the door and stepped in. He was empty-handed, so there were no additional documents to submit.

He doesn’t seem troubled.

His calm expression also assured me that there wasn’t an emergency.

That was a relief. If something serious had happened, my communication crystal would’ve been lighting up before he even arrived.

“So, what’s the matter?”

I asked lightly since it didn’t seem urgent. I needed to hear him out and send him back quickly—he was probably busier than I was.

“You have a visitor, Executive Manager.”

“A visitor?”

I tilted my head, puzzled by the unexpected news. A visitor at the end of the year?

If someone went out of their way to visit me now, then they must be important enough to attend the New Year’s Ball. It was rare for someone like that to make early contact during the end of the year when it would be easier to meet later.

“Who is it?”

“It’s the 4th Manager.”

“Oh.”

I nodded in understanding. This was welcome news during the slow year-end.

The 4th Manager came on her own. It seemed that the efforts of the Masked Unit had paid off.

***This wasn’t how I wanted to learn about the unity within the 4th Division. When one person disappeared, another showed up, and by morning, a different face arrived compared to the day before.

“Oh, Captain! You’re up?”

The moment I stepped out of my room, the 2nd Team Manager greeted me as if he had been waiting.

“Good morning! Ah, the weather is just perfect today.”

He was talking about how nice the weather was even though a blizzard was raging outside.

It was dizzying. Every soldier I meet behaved this way ever since the Vice Captain claimed to represent the group’s consensus. Simple greetings were natural among comrades, but—

“They say taking a cozy walk in the snow is the latest trend for couples.”

It was a problem when the greetings didn’t just end there but segued into something strange.

How did a morning greeting transition into a discussion about dating? I was starting to think that was the result when sentences were thrown together without regard for their connection.

“…That’s an unusual trend.”

“Haha, well, trends are like that. They’re called trends because they’re not ordinary, aren’t they?”

The 2nd Team Manager beamed, and I forced myself to nod.

He wasn’t the only one messing with my head. Everyone seemed desperate to get under my skin, so there was no point in snapping at him.

“Right. Maybe you should try enjoying the trend yourself, Captain. You’ve got a perfect partner, after all.”

The 2nd Team Manager clapped his hands theatrically and continued when I didn’t respond.

“…”

“Come on, Captain! I’m giving you some great advice here!”

Of course, I quickly walked away while ignoring his obvious ploy. I could hear him shouting behind me, but I didn’t react.

It was just too obvious. They were trying to persuade me with logic and reasoning just a few days ago, but now they were resorting to blatant nonsense as soon as they caught my eye.

“It’s freezing outside. Maybe watching someone fall in love would warm me up.”

“This stew is too salty. Won’t watching some sweet moments help balance it out?”

“I haven’t spent any of my salary lately; it’s just piling up. If someone got married, then I could at least give them a wedding gift.”

“Everyone here is hopeless at romance! I’m done with this unit!”

It felt like I was losing my mind. The people who once said that gestures should be sincere and not just for the sake of reciprocation—where had they gone?

The ones who used to suffocate me with unassailable logic were gone, leaving behind only these ridiculous creatures who insisted on their absurdities. Creatures so shameful that I’d be too embarrassed to lift my head if anyone saw them.

I know why they were doing this. They were frustrated because I was still standing my ground, unmoved. Logic hadn’t worked, so they were appealing to my emotions—or maybe they were trying to drive me mad.

…It’s not like I want to be in this position.

A bitter feeling welled up inside me. What kind of captain would ignore the fact that her subordinates were losing their minds? What kind of person would pretend not to notice their family’s earnest wishes?

It was just that I was too scared to take the first step. Though their relentless pressure had shown me the way, I couldn’t bring myself to move forward. I was just hesitating and stuck in place.

How could I be this shameless, even after all this time?

I already missed my chance. I should have said everything when Master gently held me and asked if I had anything to say.

I should have spoken of my genuine feelings and loyalty, not the twisted devotion I kept hidden. I should have told Master that I wanted to stay by his side for the rest of my life and not just protect him from afar, but to be close within his gaze and touch.

But I deceived myself. I dared to draw a line between us despite knowing I should follow Master’s will. I, who secretly wanted to express my affection for Master like Elizabeth, turned my back.

So, I wasn’t worthy. No matter how much the others pushed me, I couldn’t move forward. Anyone with a shred of decency wouldn’t dare to do that.

…Or so I thought.

— Love doesn’t care about decency or saving face.

“What does that even mean?”

Until Elizabeth dropped her bombshell.

When she contacted me under the pretense of a friendly greeting, I thought it might actually be a good thing. Given her relationship with the Executive Manager, I figured she could offer some useful advice.

So, I casually asked her what she thought I should do.

— I cried and begged the Executive Manager. If I’d worried about pride, I never would have done it.

Hearing her say this with a strangely enlightened look in her eyes left me speechless. Elizabeth, crying and pleading? What on earth had happened while I was in the North?

— Penelia, listen closely. Pride is fleeting, but love is forever.

Despite her calm demeanor, I could see an unwavering conviction in her eyes—a belief she was absolutely unwilling to compromise.

— So don’t hesitate—just go for it. Would you rather be embarrassed for a moment or live a lifetime of regret?

“But, what right do I have—“

— That’s exactly what I’m saying—stop worrying about whether you have the right or not. Did you even hear what I said?

Her voice grew louder in frustration, and I lowered my gaze quietly.

— …But it’s still better if the embarrassment is only for a short time.

Her anger seemed to soften after seeing my reaction, and she spoke in a gentler tone.

Then, my hands began to tremble as she continued her advice.

— Then the embarrassment will only last a moment, and the Executive Manager will take care of the rest.

“E-Elizabeth!”

My voice involuntarily rose. While it seemed like it could be effective, wasn’t that going too far?

No, if things went wrong, I might end up looking like a fool in front of Master. Just imagining that scenario made me want to disappear.

— Well, then, do it all on your own if you don’t like my suggestion.

But with that, she left me speechless again.

…Alright, I should try to think positively. This was advice from Elizabeth, who had been in my shoes before.

A moment of embarrassment… a lifetime of love… Just one moment of shame, and the rest would be up to the Executive Manager…

Okay. Let’s do it.

***I asked the Senior Manager to send the 4th Manager to my office.

In my mind, the 4th Manager was still a part of the Prosecutors’ Office, so meeting in the Executive Manager’s office would feel more comfortable than an impersonal reception room.

“Come in, Penelia.”

“Uh, y-yes, Executive Manager. It’s an honor to see you.”

Another reason I called her here was to ensure that no one else would see how flustered she was.

I doubt she’d run away like last time providing that she came here voluntarily, but suppressing those nervous tremors was another matter entirely. Even the Mage Duchess couldn’t achieve that feat.

“It’s pretty cold outside, isn’t it? Would you like some tea?”

“Thank you… I’d appreciate that.”

I offered and she nodded repeatedly, her scarf still wrapped around her.

It was a bit surprising. Normally, the 4th Manager never seemed bothered by the heat or cold. I never expected to see her wearing such a cute, cozy accessory.

Amused by the unexpected sight, I turned toward the shelf with a smile. Then again, she had just come back from the brutal cold up North, so maybe the effects were still lingering.

“Yuris was asking when you were coming back.”

I casually mentioned this as I turned my back to her.

The 4th Manager used Yuris as an excuse when she ran away from me last time, but the sad truth was that Yuris never actually saw her. How pitiful.

“S-Sorry, something urgent… came up…”

“It did seem urgent.”

As I said that, the 4th Manager, who had been stammering, suddenly fell silent.

What a shame. If Yuris had seen her now, then she would’ve witnessed just how nervous she was. Maybe I should leave the tea set on the table instead of the shelf next time.

“Well, maybe next time we can… meet…”

I found myself at a loss for words as I gathered the tea set and turned around.

What on earth…?

I couldn’t believe my eyes, and it took a moment for my brain to catch up with what I was seeing.

At some point, the 4th Manager had removed her scarf. However, there was still something around her neck—something made of black leather. If I wanted to be optimistic, I might think it was a choker, but…

It wasn’t a choker. Chokers didn’t come with attached leashes.

A… collar?

What the hell was this? Was I dreaming?

Or was this some kind of protest, a declaration that she’d never be my partner?

“Ma-Master.”

And then, with trembling hands, the 4th Manager handed me the leash’s handle.

What…

Why the fuck…?

Why was she giving this to me?

I looked at her in utter confusion, and she took a deep breath before speaking slowly.

“I’m entrusting everything I have to you, Master.”

Please don’t say something so serious all of a sudden.

And why, of all times, was she doing this now?