༺ Freedom in Prison (5) ༻
After having lunch with the 1st Manager and wrapping up an unexpected call from the Invincible Duke, it was already time to return to the academy, where I was supposed to spend my probation.
Thinking about it again frustrated me. Who in their right mind would make a workplace the site of probation? I didn’t say it out loud, but the thought of being stuck at home for the duration of my probation had me somewhat excited.
‘That jerk must’ve lived as a jobless bum in his past life.’
If he hadn’t, then this wouldn’t make sense. Given his hatred for others taking a break, he must have spent at least three generations living as a bum. That kind of attitude only came from a long line of karma.
The problem was that I lacked a justifiable reason to shout at the crown prince, ‘Civil servants these days are all so uptight!’ Sadly, the higher the position, the more intense the workload was. Shockingly, this wretched exploitation included the imperial family as well.
The emperor who now delegated his duties to the crown prince due to his frailty was famous for being a workaholic since the old days. Since his appointment, the crown prince had been on a relentless work spree.
‘I don’t know what I should say.’
If I were to complain to the crown prince, I’d risk being accused of, ‘You’re complaining about working? Are you a traitor?’ Thus, escaping through retirement seemed like the only solution. But for some reason, retirement requests were never approved.
Honestly, I think I’d have to wait until I was old and on the verge of death before I’d be able to retire. And even then, it was just a possibility and not a certainty, which was just plain sad.
‘Damn it.’
Let’s stop thinking about it. The more I thought about it, the more depressing it became. It’d be foolish to hold onto hope in an empire that ground down its civil servants without mercy.
I should hurry back and report my probation. As insane as this probation was, it was still probation. I wasn’t even allowed to go out, let alone stay in the club room as usual.
I’d have to tell the Principal or Sir Villar to come to my lodging if they were looking for me, and I’d also have to tell Marghetta I might not be able to visit her for a while…
‘And take the new call.’
While I was organizing my thoughts, the communication crystal began emitting a brilliant light again.
This is driving me crazy. Who is it this time? If it was nothing important, then I’d just tell them to call back later and hang up.
“This is the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager.”
— Baby.
I hurriedly composed myself. Unfortunately, it was a call from someone who could easily belittle my existence.
— I heard you came to the capital.
“Yes, I was just about to head back.”
— Is that so?
Then, the Mage Duchess’s eyes narrowed as if she heard something displeasing.
What was the problem? Did I just say something weird?
— Aren’t you short on potions?
“…I was actually about to ask for more before heading back.”
When I answered after a moment’s thought, the Mage Duchess smiled slightly. It seemed that I had the correct answer.
I had received plenty of potions last time, so running out was impossible. The Mage Duchess, who provided them, knew this best.
It was unlikely for the potions to suddenly deplete when they were only consumed once a day.
So, having the Mage Duchess bring up the potions out of the blue meant that it was an implicit summon.
And when I was summoned, I had to go. Although I wasn’t sure why I was being summoned all of a sudden, who could refuse a duchess’s invitation?
— Good. I was just taking a break, so come to the tower immediately.
“Yes, Your Grace. Thank you for your consideration.”
I kept bowing until the call ended and only raised my head after it cut off. To think I’d be caught right before I could leave…
To be honest, I had to stop by the Mage Tower to hire a mage for my return to the academy anyway. So, it was just like being caught a bit earlier than expected.
‘I just wanted to go back.’
I wanted to return without any contact. Coming here to face disciplinary action wasn’t exactly something to brag about.
Greeting the Mage Duchess only to be asked why I came to the capital would leave me speechless. Telling the truth might just elicit a response like, ‘You’re still so energetic, baby.’
‘That’s already sad in its own way.’
Hearing that would make me feel like a foolish child filled with self-loathing.
Anyway, I should just quickly say hello and leave. If I delay any further, then I might miss club time.
But thinking about it, something seemed off.
I was about to be put on probation starting tomorrow, and yet here I was, saying goodbye to everyone.
It felt like how someone who would be arrested tomorrow was saying goodbye for the last time.
Damn it, these goodbyes were unnecessary.
***
Once again, my baby didn’t come to me first. If I hadn’t heard about his arrival, even belatedly, then he would’ve left without saying a word.
That was infuriating. Despite treating him with utmost care every time we met, this still happened.
Of course, I’ve kept my affection for my baby a closely guarded secret, so it was understandable if he hadn’t noticed. However, I’ve made every effort to show him special attention. Even if he was unaware of my affection, he should’ve at least realized how much I cared for him.
‘Is he avoiding me on purpose?’
I even started to think that. Given his travels back and forth between the academy and the capital, I understood if he couldn’t come in person. It was understandable if he was busy.
The issue was that he didn’t contact me at all, both while he was at the academy and when he was here in the capital. If he was doing it deliberately, I would never forgive him. I couldn’t just overlook that.
‘Things have changed.’
Yes, things were different now. My baby was now close to another woman.
‘Lady Marghetta.’
The youngest daughter of the Iron-blooded Duke. The child who was sincerely so in love with my baby to the extent that rumors of their engagement spread within the circles of society.
When I first heard about Lady Marghetta, I wasn’t very concerned. After all, it would take around 40 years for my baby to gain the same lifespan that I had, and I didn’t think it was my place to interfere with who he chose to associate with during that time.
After all, I could overlook that much since my baby and I would spend hundreds of years together. The position beside Carl that Lady Marghetta aimed for? I was confident that I’d easily have it if I truly stepped forward.
“It seems like a great celebration is coming to the empire soon. The Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager appears to have found a partner.”
But when I heard the Invincible Duke’s words not long ago, my heart sank.
I couldn’t turn a blind eye. My composure vanished. Although I thought 40 years would be manageable, the thought of someone else being by my baby’s side made me shudder.
No, that’s wrong. It wasn’t the presence of someone else that bothered me. It was precisely the fact that I couldn’t be there alongside him.
‘I can’t wait.’
So, my thoughts changed. There was no room for a 40-year grace period. If my baby was to be with another woman, then he must choose me first.
That was why I couldn’t tolerate having my baby deliberately avoid me. If I saw another woman by his side while he pushed me away—I couldn’t guarantee how I’d react.
Knock, knock—
“Your Grace. It’s the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager.”
“Come in.”
I braced myself after hearing my baby’s voice. Securing this moment correctly was crucial for our happiness in the centuries to come.
But my fiery resolve began to fade after seeing my baby’s subdued face.
‘…Should I let it go?’
We were going to be together for hundreds of years. Getting immediately upset over something so trivial would be problematic. This issue was but a speck compared to the long future we were about to paint together.
Yes, he must have been busy. There must have been some circumstances that prevented him from contacting me. He seemed so downcast, so I should at least be understanding.
‘Let’s move past this.’
After much deliberation, I decided to let go of my grievances.
Mother used to say that the one who fell in love first lost. Now, I understood what she meant.
***
The Mage Duchess greeted me with a smile.
“Welcome. Would you like some tea?”
“Ah, I’ll make it.”
“It’s okay. It’s enough for a guest to simply sit.”
With those gentle yet firm words, I carefully took my seat. I was indeed a guest, though I was invited unilaterally.
I thought about it several times on the ride to the Mage Tower, but I couldn’t find any specific reason for being summoned. It wasn’t like before when I was caught doing something strange, and there was nothing I owed or was due from the Mage Duchess.
‘What could it be?’
The atmosphere didn’t seem to suggest bad news. Could it be that she just wanted to see my face, just like how the Invincible Duke did?
It was a plausible hypothesis. After all, if the Invincible Duke could do it, then there was no law against the Mage Duchess doing the same. Considering that the Mage Duchess even took care of providing me with potions, she probably harbored a motherly concern for me.
“I should have asked earlier. What brings you to the capital?”
The Mage Duchess’s casual question caught me off guard. I wanted to avoid this question, which was why I was trying to return quickly.
“Well, I came here to face disciplinary action.”
The Mage Duchess, who was preparing tea, quickly turned her gaze towards me. This was more humiliating than I thought it would be.
“Disciplinary action?”
“Yes, that’s what happened.”
Her gaze demanded a detailed explanation, so I elaborated.
The instructor scheduled for the four-person event had to leave due to being summoned by the tower, and I somehow ended up filling in for him. I tried to control my strength, but Prince Rutis was knocked out with a single hit. Because of that, I was given a disciplinary action.
Even as I spoke, the ridiculousness and embarrassment of my situation was palpable. The Mage Duchess had a complicated expression on her face upon hearing this. In a way, the starting point was the tower’s summoning. Without that snowball effect, none of this would have happened.
After a moment of silence, the Mage Duchess gently patted my head.
“It must have been hard on you. I’m sure you had a lot of trouble while dealing with royalty.”
I almost nodded absentmindedly. Any resentment I had towards the Mage Tower quickly dissipated.
The Mage Duchess had a different kind of warmth compared to the Invincible Duke’s concern. Was this, perhaps, the feeling of a motherly embrace?
“Still, it saddens me that you only spoke of it after I asked.”
The Mage Duchess’s ears drooped slightly as she continued to pet my head.
“I didn’t want to worry you with trivial matters.”
At that, her ears perked up again.
“Tell me immediately if something happens next time. I’ll help you with whatever I can.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
The Mage Duchess seemed pleased with my quick response. With the Mage Duchess’s help, counting the impossibilities would be quicker than the possibilities.
“Since it ended with just a written report, His Highness the Crown Prince must think that it wasn’t your fault. Don’t keep it too close to your heart.”
“What?”
“You said you were returning to the academy. If it were probation or imprisonment, you wouldn’t be able to return… right?”
Her utterly logical statement left me speechless. Yes, that was correct. If I were under probation, staying in the capital rather than returning to my workplace would’ve been the norm. Anyone could see that it ended with just a written report if the disciplined person was returning to their duty station.
But surprise, surprise. It was probation. The Crown Prince really was such a clever asshole.
“It’s probation.”
The Mage Duchess tilted her head.
“I’ve been given a probation order at the academy.”
“Probation… at the academy?”
It was the Mage Duchess’s turn to be speechless.
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