The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success-Chapter 45

Fortunately, even during a blackout, he could still use his special ability.

Using that, he could re-enter as an intern, and if he stayed close, maybe he could uncover something.

[If Your Highness finds something suspicious and investigates, I’ll cooperate fully. I believe it’s for the peace of the empire.]

Namia had said so herself.

If something was suspicious, investigate it.

‘Even if Namia’s innocent, it’s true the Scroll Management Department is shady.’

Like the Tower Master said, it was hard to believe Oson was the only infiltrator.

There had to be more. Ones who were cautious and hadn’t been caught yet.

‘I might be able to find them myself.’

That’s why he would personally launch an undercover investigation.

The Emperor had stepped in and lessened his workload, so spending time in the Scroll Department would be no problem.

‘Besides, it didn’t look like there was much work there anyway.’

He wasn’t the least bit afraid to go back as an intern.

Namia had said this once:

[If that first intern I ever had comes back somehow...... I’ll make sure to clear up the misunderstanding and help them feel completely at ease.]

Even if he returned, she’d help him feel at ease.

That meant he could enter the department and calmly root out the infiltrators.

‘And... if Namia is innocent, I might even be able to protect her.’

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

If a traitor still lurked inside, they would definitely try to harm Namia for interfering and protecting the royals.

Thinking that way, he needed to stick close to her to keep her safe.

‘It’s the duty of royalty to protect civil servants.’

Kiaros thought logically.

‘I’m simply trying to protect the civil servant who protected me.’

It was absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not out of personal feelings.

This was him using his special ability for the sake of the empire.

“Kiaros, I trust in your excellence. If my son suspects something, of course he should investigate. Do as you wish.”

The Emperor spoke gently.

“But one thing: don’t cling to a woman who said no. Don’t make her uncomfortable by pushing with your authority or status. Understand? Even if your long first love didn’t work out.”

That’s when the Empress, who had been quietly reading the room, cautiously interjected and shouted.

“I disagree, Your Majesty! If there’s something you want, seize it! Struggle and take it, no matter what! If you actively use that face and body without holding back, I believe you can seduce her!”

Kiaros sighed deeply inside.

It seemed neither of them understood his pure intention for the empire.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

Kiaros ignored the Emperor and Empress, who now wore pitying expressions.

‘I’m simply acting for the sake of the empire.’

For the empire’s sake, he would become Kibon Altess again starting tomorrow.

And stick close to Namia to monitor the Scroll Department.

Interns wouldn’t be assigned serious work, so the conditions were perfect.

***

At that time.

The Tower Master and I were heading to the Scroll Management Department office.

“Hmph!”

It was past 7 PM.

Obviously, all the staff had gone home.

When he saw confidential documents scattered all over the desks, the Tower Master clicked his tongue.

“They’re seriously insane...... No wonder the Crown Prince grinds his teeth and wants to shut this place down. With the department in this state, of course spies would crawl in.”

“Yes. Honestly, this place was a spy paradise and a god-tier civil service job.”

I agreed immediately.

The Tower Master picked up a sheet of scroll parchment and sneered again.

“They sure feasted on this. Said it was S-grade, but even at a glance this is B-grade. Clearly, they assumed regular folks wouldn’t know how to read scrolls, and cut shady deals with the vendor.”

As the Tower Master circled the office, similar incidents kept happening.

“Hah, what’s with this template? They don’t even know the spell properly. What is this, expired ink? Scroll won’t even activate with this stuff.”

There was no end to what he could point out.

Frustrated by his own disbelief, he finally turned and shouted at me.

“You’re internally cursing me right now, asking why I let this place rot, aren’t you?!”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The Tower Master sighed deeply at my answer.

Then he swatted the nameplate of the now-dismissed minister off the desk and grumbled.

“I know. I know the Tower Master shouldn’t have let it get like this. The Crown Prince is right to see this place as a thorn in his side.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“But I couldn’t help it. I’ve got serious problems with my daughter. I didn’t have the mental space to worry about this place.”

“......”

“You think I’m pathetic, can’t even do my job right because of family stuff, don’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The Tower Master pressed his forehead.

I quietly watched him, then softly added.

“But... I still think it can’t be helped.”

That was my honest feeling.

“......Even if you know you’re pathetic, sometimes you just... still can’t help it......”

Some people would definitely think I was pathetic.

Luka had said that once — why are you living like this?

‘But I couldn’t help it. It’s family......’

How can you let go of someone when you’re full of memories of loving and being loved?

Honestly, I didn’t have many hopes or regrets left in this world.

So many awful things had happened in this Scroll Management Office. There were days I’d thought, just let the whole world fall apart.

But even as a lowly worker, I tried everything I could to stop a war......

‘I miss you, Dad. I want to see you again.’

If not for that wish, that single hope—

‘......Being alone is too lonely.’

I didn’t want to admit it, but that was my true feeling.

When the Baron and his wife had dinner with just Juan.

When no one came to see me during Academy parent visit day.

When I passed the Imperial Palace civil service exam and had no one to share the news with.

Every time, I swallowed the loneliness by thinking of my dad. It was the only way to survive.

‘I’m an adult now, but still......’

All my memories of being loved stopped at age eight.

Like an eight-year-old, I swallowed back my tears.

‘I still need my family......’

When I saw the Emperor affectionately caring for Kiaros earlier—

Even then, something in me ached.

Seeing the royal family believe in and lean on each other made me suddenly feel so alone. Like I was the only outsider.

“......I can understand living that pathetic kind of life. Honestly, I have a missing family member too......”

I murmured, holding back my tears.

The Tower Master looked at me intently, then sighed once more.

Then he perched on the messy former minister’s desk and finally spoke.

“I have a daughter.”