The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success-Chapter 60

Kibon didn’t seem to have come out of the men’s restroom yet.

I waited outside, falling into thought about what lay ahead.

‘As for the original plot... there won’t be any major events for a while.’

Honestly, I’d twisted the original story way too much.

‘Kiaros is probably doing a good job tracking down the mastermind. Aside from keeping an eye on the Scroll Department staff, there’s really not much more I can do...’

That meant it was time for me to step up again.

My eyes, lost in thought, narrowed with purpose.

‘Maybe it’s about time I rescued the original protagonist.’

The Crown Prince’s half-brother and the Empress Fron’s son.

Currently an eight-year-old child who’s widely known as a “brat with no manners.”

‘Yeah... Jaden Polariwood.’

Jaden’s special ability hadn’t manifested yet.

Right now, not even he knew what kind of power he had.

‘Once His Highness’s special power awakens, it’ll be a huge help in the current situation.’

If I didn’t intervene, it would probably awaken on its own in a few years, just like in the original.

‘But it’s an amazing power—it’d be a waste to leave it dormant.’

And also...

‘If a child with that much potential is being abused, and I just stand by? That’s not what a proper adult does.’

I knew what kind of hardships the protagonist endured during childhood. But until now, I couldn’t interfere.

The circumstances had changed, though.

‘I can actually make contact with the royal family now.’

When I thought of Jaden, the face of the Empress also came to mind.

An endlessly lonely, anxious expression...

I wanted to clear up the misunderstandings between them, too.

‘In the original, the Empress died before those misunderstandings could be resolved. But now, she’s still alive.’

Piecing together the story carefully, it felt like now was the perfect time to act on this plan.

***

The nosebleed stopped quickly. Kiaros stared at his reflection in the mirror.

A pale young man with black hair. The intern—Kibon.

He was pretty used to this face by now.

‘Human bodies really are ridiculously fragile.’

The blackout period was still something he just couldn’t adjust to.

He used to pull all-nighters for an entire month and be totally fine, and now, just a few nights of poor sleep had brought on a nosebleed.

‘I guess I have been pushing myself lately. Yeah... it’s been a bit rough.’

Namia always made sure he left work by 10 sharp. But his day didn’t end there.

Until the next morning, he had to fulfill his duties as Crown Prince.

Even if the Emperor was officially managing everything, tracking the mastermind was still Kiaros’s job.

‘But...’

He dabbed under his nose and thought absently.

‘...Today was kind of fun.’

And the moment he realized he’d had that thought, it startled him.

He found that hell enjoyable?

...Honestly, while working late, he had felt stifled and in pain.

But the thrill he got from finally wringing that “seven times” answer out of the Finance Minister was something else entirely.

‘I’ve always been the one orchestrating everything—this is the first time I’ve helped run someone else’s operation...’

Kiaros blinked. Then slapped himself lightly on one cheek.

‘Focus. Must be losing it from overwork.’

He splashed water on his face.

‘Things should calm down now.’

Namia’s battle to secure the department’s first budget was over.

She’d said herself that things wouldn’t be as hectic anymore.

[“Victor-sunbae is coming soon. Once he arrives, the workload should drop. Just hang in there a little longer.”]

For some reason, that wasn’t exactly welcome news...

Either way, with more free time, he had other matters to attend to.

‘Time to visit the detached palace.’

That was where Prince Jaden lived.

His much-younger brother, Jaden.

To Kiaros, Jaden had always been polite, well-mannered, and the model child.

‘So why does everyone call him a brat with no manners...?’

The Emperor cared about Jaden. But because of his illness, he couldn’t dote on him like he used to with Kiaros.

And the Empress—his birth mother—had a very distant relationship with him.

‘In the end, I’m the only one who can really pay attention to that kid.’

To Kiaros, Jaden seemed like a very mature boy. The reports from his tutors were all positive.

He just didn’t have any friends his age.

But then again, being a Dragonblood, that wasn’t all that surprising to Kiaros.

‘I’ll stop by after work today.’

That was when he stepped out of the restroom.

And saw Namia rushing toward him from the hallway, clearly agitated.

“Kibon! Are you okay?”

Kiaros flinched in surprise.

He blinked and asked, confused, “Minister? Were you... waiting here?”

“Yeah. I was worried. Couldn’t go in—it’s the men’s room.”

Namia cautiously checked his complexion.

“You sure you’re okay? You still look kinda pale.”

Then she stepped a little closer. Her blue eyes, filled with concern, were right in front of him.

That was when—

Thump. His heart skipped a beat.

“Sorry. I thought leaving at 10 would be enough.”

“Ah... mm.”

“I didn’t realize you were pushing yourself. If you’re a bit delicate, you should’ve just told me. I would’ve taken better care of you.”

Kiaros found himself at a loss for words, because—honestly—it was hard to breathe.

This was someone he saw every day. Just a moment ago, he’d been mentally calling her a demon.

And now, just standing this close to her made his body stiffen.

He instinctively took a step back.

“I’m not... delicate.”

“Don’t worry, delicate one. I don’t bite. I’ll handle you with care.”

Namia raised her hands as if to say I understand, seeing him recoil.

“If you’re really sick, take the afternoon off. Or just go rest for a few days. I won’t pile on more work—go home and relax.”

Kiaros forced himself to look composed, though his heart was thudding uncontrollably.

“Is there really nothing I can help {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} with? You’re always busy.”

“Nothing urgent. I already did a lot of prep work, so I’ve got some breathing room too. Just something personal I want to look into.”

Namia gave him a gentle smile as she explained.

“So really, it’s fine. Rest up, okay?”

“Something... personal?”

Kiaros narrowed his eyes slightly.

Something not official, but personal...

‘What is it? Is it suspicious? Is she hiding something from me?’

Even if he was now crawling under her wing, he hadn’t forgotten his original goal.

He was monitoring the Scroll Department—and Namia was target number one.

“Would you mind telling me what it is?”

Suddenly, he tensed.

If she refused to tell him, then—

“Oh, it’s nothing big. I used to be the Inventory Team rookie, right? The scroll inventory at Prince Jaden’s detached palace... it’s been off for a while now.”

Kiaros’s body stiffened slightly.

“I’ve been meaning to check it out, but no one ever cared when I brought it up to my old supervisors. I figured now’s the time.”

***

Kibon was still a rookie when it came to office politics. Asking for more tasks from a superior?

‘Rookie mistake. Could’ve just played dumb and run for it when I offered him the out...’

Then again, despite his cold first impression, Kibon was the type who didn’t slack off and was annoyingly earnest. That was part of his charm.

In any case, it wasn’t something I had to keep secret, so I told him the truth.

“It’s really okay. Just trying to clear up a personal question with a noble purpose. No need for someone like you to help.”

I gave Kibon a reassuring smile.

That’s when—

“No.”

He looked down at me and said,

“I’ll help.”

“...Huh?”

“Could you explain it to me in more detail?”

“Uhh...?”

Did this guy lose his mind?

He just had a nosebleed and I was giving him the day off, and this is what he says?

I stared at him, completely incredulous.

When I didn’t respond, Kibon said firmly,

“I want to help. I don’t want to rest.”

“Uhhh?”

“I want to work.”

“Uhhhhhh?”

Good grief. I was trembling as I exhaled sharply.

I’ve finally met a true, living legend of a workaholic...

“Kibon...”

Overwhelmed by emotion, I suddenly grabbed his hand.

“Let’s go right now. I’ll tell you what you need to do.”