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Chapter 1
In a small village general store.
“Emilia, are you done cleaning up?”
“Cough, yes!”
A brown-haired young woman peeked her head out from the back of the storage room.
“I’m almost finished!”
“Then finish that and go home.”
Mrs. Anderson said as she looked through the account book.
“Really? Is that okay?”
Emilia’s face lit up. It was much earlier than her usual time to leave work.
“Yes. There aren’t many customers anyway. And…”
Mrs. Anderson spoke again with a slightly dissatisfied expression.
“Isn’t today the day Cedric’s exam results come out?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Emilia nodded brightly.
Seeing her reaction, Mrs. Anderson shook her head as if she couldn’t understand.
“I really don’t know what’s so special about that boy. All he does is make you suffer every single day.”
“Well, passing that exam isn’t easy.”
“Even so, he should pass soon for your sake. You’ve been supporting him for years now, haven’t you?”
At those words, Emilia let out an awkward smile.
“Anyway, if he fails again this time, just kick him in the butt and break up with him. Got it?”
“Mmm… I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t just think about it—actually do it! You’re such a smart girl, but only when it comes to him, you act as stubborn as a bear…”
“Yes, yes. Then I’ll turn my thoughts into action by going home now.”
Before Mrs. Anderson could continue scolding her, Emilia quickly took off her apron.
“Oh, honestly. Fine, hurry up and go.”
Mrs. Anderson waved her hand as if telling her to leave already.
Jingle.
After leaving the store, Emilia headed straight for the grocery shop.
But after a few steps, she stopped with a troubled expression.
Although she had joked around with Mrs. Anderson, she was actually very nervous inside.
What if he fails again?
To be honest, she felt lost.
Her fiancé, Cedric, had been taking the Grade 5 Administrative Officer Examination for several years.
Only people from families of junior baron rank or higher could take the exam, and those who passed earned the right to work at the Imperial Palace. Because of that, the competition was fierce, and the exam was extremely difficult.
Most applicants hired private tutors to prepare.
But Cedric came from a fallen noble family with little money and lived with his widowed mother.
Because of that, Emilia had been paying for both his education and his living expenses.
Of course, she was only a commoner living in a small village.
But she was able to do all of this because she remembered her previous life.
Well… the fact that this world is inside a novel is unusual too.
Still, someone like her, who lived in a small country village, had nothing to do with the story itself.
Right now, the only thing that mattered was whether Cedric had passed.
At least today, I’ll make a better dinner than usual.
As Emilia walked toward the grocery store again, she rubbed her sore shoulders.
* * *
“Mother, I’m home.”
“Come in.”
“Is Cedric still not back?”
As soon as she entered the house, Emilia looked around.
“If he were here, would I be sitting here like this?”
Mrs. Romans replied irritably without even looking at her.
“I guess you’re right. Sorry for asking.”
Emilia apologized with a gentle smile.
It seemed Mrs. Romans had been waiting for Cedric the whole time since he had left.
That meant Cedric was probably at the entrance of the village.
Waiting for the mail carrier, who came only once a week.
The letter he would receive today was the exam result sent from the Imperial Palace.
“Emilia.”
“Yes?”
“If Cedric failed, don’t you dare show that you’re disappointed. Do you understand?”
Mrs. Romans warned her with a stern look.
“Of course. I understand.”
Emilia calmly nodded.
Actually, the one who usually couldn’t stay calm was Mrs. Romans herself.
But Emilia chose not to point that out.
A little while later, hurried footsteps echoed outside before the front door burst open.
“Cedric?”
Emilia turned around and called his name.
But Cedric looked strangely absent-minded.
Her eyes fell to the crumpled letter in his hand.
Don’t tell me…
Emilia quickly hid her disappointment.
Then she forced a smile and reached out to touch his shoulder.
“Cedric, it’s okay. Even if it’s not this year, you can always try ag—”
Before her hand could reach him, Cedric suddenly raised his head.
“I did it…”
“Huh?”
“I did it! I, Cedric Romans, have become a Grade 5 official of the Imperial Palace!”
Mrs. Romans, who had been standing there anxiously, widened her eyes in disbelief.
“Really? Is that true?”
“If you don’t believe me, look for yourself!”
His voice trembled with excitement as he handed her the notice.
Mrs. Romans quickly grabbed it and read it.
“My goodness!”
Overcome with emotion, she threw her arms around Cedric.
“My son! My son! I knew you could do it! Well done! Well done! Now I can die without any regrets!”
“What are you saying? From now on, you’ll only have peaceful days ahead!”
Cedric shouted excitedly.
“Of course they had to choose someone as talented as me! I was only unlucky until now!”
“That’s right! That’s right!”
While Mrs. Romans happily agreed with him,
Emilia quietly picked up the notice that had fallen to the floor.
Cedric’s name was clearly written on it.
And beneath it were the words saying that he had passed.
He… really passed…
The strength left Emilia’s legs, and she slowly sank to the floor.
It didn’t feel real.
At the same time, all the hardships of the past few years flashed through her mind.
From morning until sunset, she worked at the store to earn money.
Then she spent the rest of her time helping Cedric.
She cooked dinner for both him and his mother.
She even studied administrative and law books herself, creating practice questions for him.
She had used every bit of knowledge from her previous life, where she had passed the civil service examination.
It would have been a lie to say she had never grown tired.
“Hey, why are you crying?”
Seeing Emilia’s shoulders trembling slightly, Cedric complained.
“That’s right. Today is a happy day. Why are you crying? You’re being silly.”
“I’m just… happy.”
Embarrassed, Emilia quickly wiped away her tears.
Then she smiled brightly at the two people who would soon become her family.
Not knowing what Cedric would say after returning from the capital following his appointment ceremony.
* * *
One month later.
Emilia stared worriedly at the calendar with a date circled on it.
“Why hasn’t he come back yet?”
The day Cedric was supposed to return had already passed.
Even if the appointment ceremony and other events had taken longer than expected…
This was far too late.
Did something happen?
The biggest problem was that Cedric hadn’t sent any news at all.
She didn’t even know where he was staying.
Unless he contacted her first, there was no way for her to know what was happening.
After staring at the calendar for a long time, Emilia suddenly stood up.
This won’t do. I’ll go ask Mrs. Romans.
* * *
Knock. Knock.
Standing in front of the house, Emilia waited for Mrs. Romans to answer.
But even after a long time, no one came.
Is nobody home?
She looked toward the window.
A bright light was shining from inside.
She could even hear voices.
Just as she was about to knock again, the door suddenly swung open.
“…Cedric?”
Emilia spoke in a dazed voice.
The person standing there was the one she had been waiting for all this time.
“Uh… uh?”
“What? If you’re back, you should have told me right away! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
She couldn’t help feeling hurt that Cedric had returned without telling her.
Even so, she carefully looked him over to make sure he wasn’t injured.
At least he doesn’t seem hurt.
If anything, living in the capital seemed to have made him look healthier than before.
Emilia decided to be relieved that nothing had happened to him.
But somehow…
Cedric was acting strangely.
He awkwardly avoided her eyes.
Then he slowly pulled his arm away from her hand.
What’s wrong with him?
Just then—
A young woman peeked out from behind Cedric’s back.
Emilia’s eyes naturally turned toward her.
“…Who?”
