The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success-Chapter 115

The atmosphere was... rather complicated.

But what even surprised me—was that in this very moment, our bodies so close together...

I don’t hate this. No... I’m actually thrilled.

I suddenly remembered all those antacids I left at home in a rush, and the cold night air from that time he carried me on his back in a frenzy.

That night, when the icy wind blew—Kibon’s fevered back was unbearably hot.

Even back then, I thought I’d never be able to forget that night.

Ah...

My heart pounded wildly.

I’d been pretending not to know, using work as an excuse to bury these feelings, but just this once, I couldn’t look away.

The truth is, I’d known for a long time how I felt.

I... like this. I like him.

This moment, and Kibon too.

I wonder what Kibon’s feeling right now?

He’s seemed like he’s liked me for a while now...

But the more certain I became, the more I knew I needed to get a grip.

It’s one thing to imagine things in my head. But if I acted on them... it could turn into a real problem.

Just imagine it.

Because I was still his boss. Power dynamics mattered. That imbalance always had to stay in mind.

If this were me and Oson, instead...

Ugh. Absolutely revolting. Just the thought of it made my skin crawl.

And all because of some errand Oson sent me on...

Now that I think about it, Oson probably also mistakenly believed I didn’t dislike him. Maybe even thought we weren’t on bad terms.

That’s exactly why I can’t let a subordinate think I like them.

I quickly came to my senses and opened my mouth first.

“...Sorry.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m sorry. For dragging you into this dangerous mess... and getting you caught up in all this.”

“Haa...”

“I’m really, really sorry. I don’t even have an excuse. I’m the one in charge, and I put my subordinate into an unpredictable situation and made things awkward for you... That’s not right.”

“That sounded like a sigh of guilt. And those words apply to His Highness the Crown Prince as well, don’t they?”

“That’s true.”

This whole mess started because Kiaros gave me an absurdly overpowered bomb.

I responded quickly.

“Then let’s just... blame everything on His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“It’s not just blaming. It actually is his fault.”

“Wow, look at you—pinning the blame on someone who’s not even here. You’re starting to get the hang of organizational life.”

I chuckled. Then awkwardly added,

“Still, sorry. This situation could’ve been uncomfortable for you...”

“I’m not uncomfortable.”

He answered immediately.

“Are you uncomfortable, Minister?”

“Huh?”

Those pitch-black eyes quietly watched me. Under the faint moonlight, my reflection shimmered in his gaze.

My heart thumped hard.

Between us, a line clearly existed—simply because we worked in the same department.

Whether that line would blur or become even more defined... depended on how I answered right now.

I looked into his eyes and whispered,

“...No.”

And right then—CRASH!

The warehouse completely collapsed.

“Mmmp!”

Kibon quickly slapped a hand over my mouth, muffling my scream. At the same time, he grabbed me tightly and rolled to the side.

Even while tumbling, he held me close and shielded me with his back, so I didn’t get hurt at all.

After a few rolls, he finally managed to sit up. The warehouse was now completely in ruins.

“I-I’m sorry!”

Even though it wasn’t even his fault, Kibon kept apologizing.

“I was just surprised when you said you’d marry me...”

“Hey, snap out of it. I said ‘no.’ And why are you apologizing for the warehouse collapse?”

Now that I was no longer pressed against his burning-hot body, I could finally breathe.

Kibon sighed deeply with the moon behind his back.

“I think... they’re all gone now. Let’s head back.”

I was about to get up to follow him when—

“Urk!”

My legs gave out and I plopped back down again. Kibon, startled, caught my shoulders.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, nothing like that. I guess I was too tense... my legs gave out...”

Kibon looked at me, then let out a soft chuckle. He began brushing off the dirt clinging to my clothes.

Funny—he had dirt all over his clothes too.

Feeling guilty, I mumbled,

“Here... this side has more on it...”

If he was going to brush something off anyway, might as well do the dirtier spot, right?

He smiled again and diligently dusted it all off.

Then, without a word, he turned around and offered his back.

The meaning was clear.

“Huh?”

I blinked, pretending not to understand. He calmly said,

“This isn’t your first time getting a piggyback ride. Why the hesitation?”

“Right. Why am I hesitating?”

I brushed the dirt off his back, then promptly climbed on.

The sound of his slow footsteps mixed with the night air. With my legs hanging freely, it felt like I was floating—like flying.

He carried me like this the night I coughed up blood too, but back then, he’d been sprinting like mad. It didn’t feel this gentle.

“...This is nice.”

The Imperial Palace garden, silent in the middle of the night, was peaceful and still.

To my small whisper, Kibon responded immediately.

“It is nice.”

Our overlapping shadows stretched long under the moonlight.

I hugged his neck tighter and said,

“Let’s come back here again sometime.”

“Here?”

“Yeah. I like this path.”

“There’s nothing around—it’s kind of remote.”

“Is that so?”

I «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» looked around, trying to find something—anything—when I spotted a bench nearby.

It was quite old and worn. No one must sit there anymore—vines had grown up all over the backrest.

“Oh, that bench is cute. So natural-looking. Before we leave the palace, let’s make sure we sit there together at least once.”

Saying something like that while being carried on someone’s back—yeah, I was definitely guilty. Even if he confessed to me, I’d deserve to pay for it.

“That’s the ugliest bench I’ve seen in this whole palace...”

Kibon let out a short laugh and murmured low,

“Still, let’s definitely come back.”

His voice brushed my ears like a lullaby—warm and gentle.

“Because after that day, it might just become my favorite bench in the whole palace.”

One thing was certain. If I was a criminal tonight, then Kibon... was definitely my accomplice.

***

In one of the palace rooms, the High Priest assigned temporary quarters ground his teeth in frustration.

He had planned to lure the Crown Prince to the temple on the final day—and bury him there. Even had a special drink prepared to cloud his mind just long enough so he couldn’t react in time.

I even planned to sacrifice a few priests to make it look like an unexpected accident on our side...

But now, with all those construction office workers going in and out, the plan had been blown to pieces.

Then it hit him.

Wait a minute.

The High Priest’s eyes snapped open.

He suddenly recalled something Namia had said earlier—something he’d brushed off at the time.

“If you listen to me well, I’ll invite you when I’m alone with His Highness. That’ll be your chance to casually slip in your requests—I'll help steer the conversation too.”

Namia and Kiaros. Alone together. If he could get access to that...

He could get close to Kiaros without risking suspicion or any major sacrifices.

Namia Roafi is just a powerless, ordinary woman anyway. And knowing Kiaros, he probably hasn’t told her about his blackout period—he’s too paranoid for that.

Which meant... no guards. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

No one would expect a Dragonblood to bring guards just to meet a woman he was courting.

Not that Namia Roafi wasn’t annoying enough on her own...

Once I kill Kiaros, I’ll pin the blame on Namia Roafi. That way I can get rid of both of them at once.

The High Priest grinned darkly.

Even if Kiaros was a Dragonblood, in his blackout period, he wouldn’t be hard to kill—especially since the priest’s recent experiments had made him much stronger.

Yes. Now that I’ve come this far, I have to see this through.

He’d just have to suck it up and butter Namia up until he gained her trust. That humiliation could be endured for the greater cause.

And then—just as morning came—

A letter arrived for the High Priest, sent from Namia.

I heard the temple collapsed last night? My goodness, even the gods must be absent-minded sometimes.

The very first sentence was enough to make his stomach churn.