FERH 23

Chapter 23

The Special Taxation Bureau building was bustling with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

There were several reasons for it.

First, those annoying bastards from the Ministry of Finance had finally disappeared, making the view pleasantly clear.

And since there was no urgent workload, everyone was feeling relaxed…

“His Majesty’s birthday ball is coming up!”

The fact that they would be attending a ball hosted by the Imperial Family had everyone excited.

“It’s basically an extension of work, though. We can’t even skip it, and we’ll just have to listen to a bunch of pointless chatter.”

“Still, we get three days off afterward.”

“That’s the only consolation.”

Til grumbled.

For an introvert like him, there was no place more torturous than a social party.

“Honestly, isn’t this the real disrespect? It’s the birthday of His Majesty, the master of all things in the Empire, yet we get only four days off before returning to work? We should get at least two weeks so His Majesty’s majesty can fully spread throughout the Empire.”

“Why don’t you file a petition to the higher-ups, then?”

“I don’t have that much devotion.”

Some people rambled nonsense like that, but most were focused on the ball itself.

“Oh, right, they’re serving Romanée-Conti that day, aren’t they?”

“You mean that legendary wine? The one where a single sip costs our monthly salary?”

Wilbrin’s voice rose.

“I also thought it was a rumor, but apparently it’s true. My friend works in the administration and saw it being taken out of the wine cellar.”

“Let it be known that I will drown myself in the liquor vat that day.”

Half the people were absorbed in the thought of the rare food they’d get to eat.

And the other half were worried about what to wear.

“Have you decided what you’ll wear?”

“I’m planning to alter the dress I wore last year. What about you, senior?”

“I’m renting again this year.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just buy one instead of renting all the time?”

“Do alteration fees fall from the sky? And dresses like that get ruined fast if they’re not maintained properly.”

“That’s… true.”

People at the Special Taxation Bureau didn’t have enough money to casually buy formal wear.

“Right, what about the newbie?”

One of the chatting employees looked at Lianel.

There was a hint of expectation, as if expecting a different sort of answer from someone like her.

“I’ll have mine altered.”

“What? Why wou— ow!”

The coworker, about to ask “Can’t a duke’s daughter just get a custom dress?” got smacked on the back by Wilbrin and scolded by Til for being tactless.

It was an open secret that Lianel didn’t get along with her father.

‘Every time the newbie comes back after talking to the Minister of State, her face is completely stiff!’

It was actually her normal expression, but Wilbrin applied his own interpretation.

Lianel, on the other hand, had no particular thoughts.

“Having a new dress made for every ball is wasteful. Once the ball is over, the ‘new’ dress becomes second-hand. It is more rational to make use of existing resources.”

Above all, she didn’t want to spend money on her ex-husband’s birthday party. Nothing could be more wasteful.

“W-Well, that’s true! Saves money too, yeah?”

Wilbrin laughed awkwardly and agreed.

Everyone fell silent afterward, and she thought the conversation had ended.

But 30 minutes later—

Lianel was summoned to the director’s office.

“Regarding the attire you will wear to the ball… may I have a dress made for you?”

‘I’ve never been inside here before.’

As Lianel stepped in and sat down, she discreetly surveyed the director’s office.

From her usual seat she couldn’t see the inside, and since the door was nearly always closed, she had always been curious.

‘It’s… more ordinary than I expected.’

The desk and chairs were the same office supplies she used. Other than having a private room, there didn’t seem to be anything special.

One thing caught her attention, though.

‘He’s still using that.’

Between the documents was the fountain pen she had given him as a graduation gift back when she was a professor.

The fact that it was still kept close to his hand after all these years drew her eyes.

Because of that, she reacted a beat late.

“What did you call me for?”

“The dress you will wear to the ball…”

“Director, there is no reason for you to spend money on such a thing.”

To speak honestly—she felt it was a waste.

“I am aware you already have plans. I overheard by accident. However…”

As Lianel said, there was no reason he needed to inspect or provide her attire.

He wasn’t the type to fuss over his partner’s clothing.

However, when he heard that the famously luxury-loving Lianel had chosen alterations this year due to financial issues, it bothered him enough that he couldn’t ignore it.

‘Especially because she already reminds me of my mentor in many ways…’

But that was Aseel’s personal issue.

He struggled over how to communicate his intention without hurting her pride.

“You are attending as my partner, yes?”

“Of course.”

“That is the problem.”

Aseel mixed in a formal tone, maintaining a businesslike expression to make it seem official.

“I am the chief of the Special Taxation Bureau. If someone in my position were to appear in shabby attire, it would disgrace the entire department.”

In other words—

“The same applies to you, who will stand as my partner.”

He was saying that her wearing an altered dress would reflect poorly on him.

‘Did some new custom start while I wasn’t paying attention?’

Even back when she was Empress, she reused and altered her old dresses. None of this made sense to her.

“In that case, the dress is a uniform I wear while performing official duties.”

“…You could say that.”

Afraid she might refuse, Aseel quickly agreed.

“Then I will have it washed and returned immediately after the event.”

Aseel’s eyes drifted aimlessly.

Trapped by his own logic, he hesitated for a long moment before admitting the truth.

“…Actually, that was a lie. I’m offering it for personal reasons.”

He wasn’t expecting anything in return.

“I just…”

“…?”

“…I just want to give it to you.”

The expression was clumsy, but the sincerity was unmistakable.

“…Then I will accept.”

She couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“Please don’t feel burdened. This is something I am giving purely out of personal desire.”

Only then did Aseel’s expression brighten.

Now that his business was done, it was her turn.

“In that case, may I also ask a personal favor, unrelated to official duties?”

“Of course.”

He nodded neatly.

Lianel immediately took out a measuring tape.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to measure the width of your shoulders.”

Ever since the Duke of Vinsenhym had bragged about shoulders, her curiosity had been piqued.

‘I really do want to know who’s broader.’

She even prepared a notebook and tape measure—determined to record the exact numbers.

Aseel’s eyebrows twitched.

After hearing the explanation, Aseel straightened in his seat at once.

With his shoulders squared and back straight, he radiated a strange sort of pride.

“Of course mine are broader.”

As if doing that would somehow make them wider.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. If you measure them, you’ll see there’s no comparison between me and the Minister of State.”

In truth, his upper body was so broad that the chair looked small beneath him.

The last time Lianel had seen him, he had just reached adulthood.

He was clearly taller and more solidly built now.

That much was fine.

But—

‘I didn’t know he had shoulder pride.’

Seeing him earnestly boasting about his shoulders like someone defending a complex made her feel a little embarrassed and a little sorry.

‘If I’d known he’d grow into this kind of adult, I should have praised not just his intellect but also how strong and sturdy he was.’

As his professor—and practically his guardian—Lianel reflected deeply.