IARV 25

chapter 25

It was the long-awaited last day of work at the imperial palace.

For so long, I had wondered if the end would ever come. The future had looked so uncertain. Yet, now that the day was actually here—parting with the team members I had worked alongside—I felt an unexpected pang of regret.

“We should hug each person one by one before saying goodbye.”

All that remained was the unfinished cleanup from yesterday and my final report to Claude.

I had tossed and turned all night, caught up in countless thoughts, but at last, I had made my decision. Since the future is unknowable, I just have to live it out with all I’ve got.

Just because the attitudes and ranks of the main characters had shifted didn’t mean I needed to waver.

I was going to live my own life.

“I’ll be back, Jane.”

“My lady, wouldn’t it be better to rest today?”

Jane, worried after seeing me calm down last night, gently held my fingertips.

I gave her a bright smile, patting her shoulder to reassure her I was back to normal.

“A real ending only comes when you finish things properly.”

“But you’ve got dark circles under your eyes…”

“It’s fine. I won’t be long. When I get back, I’ll tell you about the chaos yesterday—so make lots of dessert and wait for me.”

Cheerfully waving, I climbed into the carriage.

Jane kept waving until the carriage was out of sight, still worrying about me.

The carriage arrived at the palace. Since it was my last day, I mustered my energy to make sure the final wrap-up went well, then headed to where the team was gathered.

“Everyone, you worked so hard yesterday. The party’s over, but cleanup is still part of the job. Let’s stay strong to the end!”

“Captain, we told you not to come today.”

“Yeah, we can handle the cleanup on our own.”

“No way! I want to be here to the end so I can brag that I did everything myself!”

“Haha, you say that, but you never brag.”

Rolling up my sleeves, I got to work alongside them. The others bustled about after me.

Since the party had taken so long to prepare, cleaning up was no quick task. Even working nonstop, half the day was gone and we were only halfway done.

“I’ll carry this one.”

“Captain! I’ll take care of it.”

“No, I can handle this much.”

“Please, Captain. You should just give us orders and rest.”

They all knew I had worked the hardest during the event. They wanted me to relax. After all, what noble lady stuck around to help even with the cleanup?

Every time I picked up something, someone would pop out of nowhere and snatch it away.

Frustrated, I sneaked around, picking off small items to tidy up before anyone could stop me.

By the time most of the work was done, Pell was the first to approach me.

“Captain, you really worked hard. Thank you.”

The others chimed in:

“Thank you so much for helping us.”

“This was the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had in the palace. Thank you for giving me such good memories.”

“That’s right! And if you ever work at the palace again, please call us. Promise!”

Their warm words made my eyes sting with emotion.

Just like at the beginning, I climbed a small platform so everyone could hear me for the final dismissal.

But unlike the first day, this time everyone looked up at me with shining eyes.

“You all did so well. Even if we worked behind the scenes, the event wouldn’t have been possible without us. So give yourselves a pat on the back.”

I demonstrated by patting my own head and shoulder. Everyone laughed, following my silly gesture, patting themselves or the person next to them.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, someone’s eyes went wide looking past me. Then another, and another, until all of them were staring.

Was there a UFO behind me? I spun around—still patting my head.

“Am I too early?”

Brigitte was standing there, smiling faintly at me.

‘Tomorrow at 4 p.m., here.’

She had whispered it before the party ended, and now she had arrived right on time.

I had completely forgotten in all the chaos.

“If the work isn’t finished, I’ll lend a hand.”

“Oh, no! We’re almost done!”

Imagine making the envoy commander clean—if anyone heard, it would be disastrous.

“Just a little bit more, so please wait.”

“Captain, let us handle the rest.”

Pell gave me a little push.

“Huh? But I haven’t finished my farewell speech. I memorized fifty goodbye lines, and I’ve only used one!”

“It’s fine. If you call us, we’ll gather again anytime.”

“That’s right—we’ll come running.”

“Oh no, stop being so sweet—I’ll cry for real.”

Their kindness moved me to tears. Brigitte chuckled and asked,

“Then perhaps you can spare a little time for me?”

Since everyone was waving me off, I couldn’t resist any longer. I nodded.

“Next time, I’ll invite everyone to our estate! Wait for it!”

After bidding farewell, I left with Brigitte through the west hall.

“You must have grown fond of your team while preparing for the party.”

Brigitte noticed my bittersweet expression.

“When you work together toward a goal, you naturally get close. Unity just comes easier.”

“And that goal was me, wasn’t it?”

I froze at the blunt question. But since the party was over, I no longer needed to hide.

“Yes. You were quite a difficult opponent.”

“Really? But I said I was satisfied—it was a different style of party, after all.”

“You didn’t smile much, so I worried. And there were unexpected incidents too. I should’ve handled them more smoothly, but I panicked.”

“It’s not easy to take responsibility for things that aren’t even your fault. That’s impressive.”

He smiled warmly, as if liking me even more.

“It’s not that impressive.”

“No, I believe it is.”

He stopped walking. I did too.

“When people make mistakes or reveal weaknesses, most try to hide them. Everyone wants to appear perfect.”

He looked at me with those striking dual-colored eyes.

“But you even accept situations beyond your control. I admire that mindset.”

“Really? You don’t seem like someone who ever makes mistakes.”

“Of course I do. I’m human.”

“You seem more like a robot.”

“Ro…bot? What’s that?”

“Haha, just a joke from Vegen Again.”

I laughed, walking ahead, and he matched my pace.

“And leading so many people while earning their trust is no small feat either.”

“Haha, you keep flattering me—it’s embarrassing.”

“I mean it. As an envoy, I’ve seen how trying to win people with money never lasts. But you do something so difficult with ease.”

Tossing my hair back, I grinned with confidence.

“I’m good at everything. There’s nothing I can’t do—just things I haven’t tried yet.”

He chuckled, nodding.

“Yes, it does seem that way.”

“You’ve got sharp eyes.”

“Iba.”

“Yes?”

“When I return to Fene, I intend to report everything about the Vegen Again Empire in a positive light to His Majesty.”

I blinked, startled. My eyes darted around.

That wasn’t something he should be telling me. Information between nations was confidential.

“Is it… okay to tell me that? This is… a matter between states.”

“Of course it’s not.”

For a moment, his confidence was so firm that I thought he had said yes.

“Then why tell me?”

Wait. Was he not an envoy, but an assassin? Instinctively, I covered the back of my neck.

“I shouldn’t say this to a lady of another empire. But… if you were to become part of Fene, then it would be fine.”

“…Excuse me? What do you mean? I’m not a citizen of Fene.”

“I’m inviting you to come to Fene.”

“To Fene…?”

“Our envoy needs someone like you. Someone with a different perspective.”

Wait—was I being scouted right now?

Blinking, I finally grasped his meaning.

“In Fene, men and women alike are judged only by ability. I believe it would suit you well.”

“B-but I was planning to move to the countryside.”

“The countryside…?”

The word didn’t fit a noble lady, and Brigitte looked a little thrown off.

“I heard farmland is scarce here. Fene has many professional farmers.”

He tried to adjust his offer to match my wishes.

“If it’s winter herb farming, Fene would be an excellent place.”

Now that he mentioned it, it was a good idea.

If I wanted to cut ties with the suffocating main characters, leaving for another empire might be my chance.

And with the envoy commander’s support, I might even receive some backing.

“Does Fene welcome foreigners? Immigration isn’t that easy, right?”

“There are procedures, of course. But since you’re already a count’s daughter, and if you agree to work for Fene, it would be much simpler.”

“I see.”

“But there’s an even easier way.”

“An easier way?”

Brigitte held out his hand.

I thought he wanted a handshake, so I took it. But instead, he gently turned my hand over, palm down.

Then—

Chuu.

He kissed the ring finger of my left hand and whispered against it:

“If you marry me, that would solve everything.”