TMLAM 12

Chapter 12

“Ah, Mr. Jaiman? My goodness—that Mr. Jaiman?”

Roella jumped to her feet, blinking in surprise. Her reaction was so sudden that even Jaiman flinched.

“Yes… that’s correct. Do you know me?”

“Of course! You’re the one who’ll be helping His Grace the Grand Duke and doing great things! Wow, so you’ve finally arrived.”

He wasn’t sure what she meant by her muttered words at the end, but the first part struck him squarely in the chest.

Jaiman swallowed.

“Someone who’ll… do great things? Me?”

“Yes, Mr. Jaiman! Wow, I look forward to working with you!”

“…I look forward to it as well.”

It seemed Jaiman had held some narrow-minded prejudice about Roella. She was surprisingly good at recognizing people. Feeling oddly puffed up, he spoke with a hint of pride.

“My reputation must have reached this far. I was considered an ace even in the Imperial Palace. I was about to be promoted—the youngest ever.”

“That makes perfect sense! Please, have a seat here. But what brings you here today? Is there something you need…?”

“Ah, His Grace asked that you review this proposal.”

“Yes! This is exactly my specialty. Please wait just a moment, Mr. Jaiman.”

With a lighter heart, Jaiman watched Roella. She didn’t seem like a bad person at all.

Seeing her smile brightly while reviewing the documents lifted his mood without him even realizing it.

‘We might become good colleagues.’

That thought didn’t last long.

* * *

Meeting Jaiman was a little surprising.

Aidan and Kristan were always inseparable, so that was expected—but Jaiman was different.

In the original story, Jaiman appeared around the time the main plot began. He had worked in the capital before returning home due to family matters, if I remembered correctly.

Regardless of the details, the fact that Jaiman had appeared now meant the female lead would soon make her entrance.

But that wasn’t the only reason I welcomed him.

Jaiman was someone who assisted Kristan in identifying the cycles at which monsters gathered, contributing greatly to ecological research. Thanks to him, they were able to defend against monsters far more effectively.

How could I not welcome someone like that? In a world full of monsters, you could die at any moment.

Monsters were mutated animals corrupted by demonic energy—and uncovering that truth and solving the root cause was the achievement of the female lead and Kristan.

“Hehehe. Jaiman will become one of the rising powers within the Grand Ducal House.”

Eventually, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with Aidan. There was absolutely no downside to getting on his good side. He might even write me a recommendation letter someday. After all, he had connections from working in the Imperial Palace.

Maybe my dream of working there was getting closer.

I reviewed his documents with utmost sincerity. There were a few points that needed correction, but overall, they were excellent for this era.

Judging by how cheerfully Jaiman left after our discussion, I’d clearly laid a solid foundation.

‘Wow, Mr. Jaiman! As expected of the Imperial Palace’s ace—your documents are so neat!’

‘Haha. You really have a good eye, Miss Roella. But you’re impressive yourself.’

‘You flatter me. I can only do what I’ve picked up by watching others.’

I stayed modest while praising him generously. Praise could make even a whale dance, after all.

‘How could I compare to someone like you who went through the academy’s elite course? I look forward to working with you, Mr. Jaiman. We’re colleagues serving the Grand Ducal House now, after all.’

‘The pleasure is mine.’

This was what workplace social skills looked like. Honestly, wasn’t I doing too well at my job?

I was riding high on my confidence—until the mistake I made last night surfaced in my mind like it was mocking me.

I had fallen asleep in the Grand Duke’s bed.

“Ugh…”

I buried my face in my hands as the memory resurfaced. Thankfully, the office was empty.

I had only lain down briefly. Kristan seemed like he’d be late, and the bed had tempted me.

I thought I could just rest for a moment and get up before anyone noticed.

But it was… different. I already knew his bed was high-quality, but that blanket and mattress—like they were molded to my body!

It was pure bliss. The chairman’s chair I loved felt inferior by comparison. Now I understood why the wealthy spent tens of millions on beds. I’d woken up feeling completely refreshed.

For the first time, I truly believed doctors when they talked about the importance of sleep.

My body felt amazing.

That was the problem.

“I should’ve just lain down for a moment! Am I crazy?! What good is comfort if that bed could turn into my coffin?!”

This was serious enough to get me fired. Lady Rosette had been very clear: never sleep in the Grand Duke’s bed.

One moment of comfort could cost me a lifetime of stability. I imagined myself kicked out, curled up on the streets.

Kristan wasn’t there when I fell asleep—and he wasn’t there when I woke up.

Did he never enter the bedroom?

Or did he come in… and say nothing?

I’d been nervous all morning, then forgot about it while working—only for it to suddenly resurface.

I’d forget all day, then panic again like this.

“…Ah, I let my guard down.”

Maybe it was because I’d rested too well over the weekend. The Grand Ducal House had excellent benefits—they encouraged proper rest on weekends.

Kristan, however, was busy even then. I barely saw him.

So the weekend had been entirely mine. I read the books we’d bought together, took walks in the garden.

That comfort must have made me reckless.

“Ughhh, just say something, at least…”

Should I bring it up first? But if he hadn’t even come in, wouldn’t that just stir trouble? What if I got fired?

What a cursed Monday.

* * *

That night.

It was an exhausting Monday. Using the new proposal Jaiman had brought, a Northern Council meeting was held. Heated discussions went on all day, leaving little time even for dinner.

Fatigue mixed with symptoms of mana poisoning weighed heavily on Kristan’s body. It felt as though he were being dragged into a bottomless abyss.

“Tch.”

Rubbing his pale face, Kristan clicked his tongue softly. His mental exhaustion matched his physical one.

Even if they worked for the North, they were still nobles—creatures who could never abandon their own interests. Every one of them insisted on personal gain.

They eyed the confirmed quarry like foxes in a vineyard, waiting for scraps.

Balancing everyone’s interests dragged what should have been a short meeting into a long one.

Kristan sank deeply into the bathtub.

Still, it had been meaningful.

A wind that began with Roella’s small note was finally starting to blow across the North.