༺ A Civil Servant Has No Vacations (1) ༻
The Crown Prince, the next Sun of the Empire, had personally scolded the foolish royalties. I was moved because he’d said something I could not. However, nothing had dramatically changed.
It would have been fun if they returned after the day the Crown Prince gave a welcome speech. However, if these three brats were normal people, they wouldn’t have come to the Capital in the first place.
They were a new type of human beings that could temporarily detach their intelligence when it came to something related to Louise. What the Crown Prince said probably entered through one of their ears and went out from the other. Also, the Empire couldn’t expel them immediately after bragging about their generosity.
‘Anyway, they’re annoying bastards.’
No matter how annoying they were, the royal families of different countries tended to help each other without realizing it.
If a country neglected foreign royalty, there was a chance that the nobles would look down on royal family members. Right now, the Empire’s Imperial family might not be affected, but there was no saying what would happen in the future.
That’s why these three brats could enjoy a fun holiday in the Empire. What a bunch of bastards. Your status really is everything.
***
“Master, please don’t move.”
“Ah, okay.”
As I sighed, I heard a muffled voice coming from behind. When I stiffly raised my slightly bowed head, I felt a hand touching my hair.
There was no need to take care of my hair that much. It would soon get messed up after dealing with the managers anyway.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“No. If your hair looks strange, I will be scolded.”
‘But I’m fine.’
However, from this child’s point of view, the butler or other servants were probably more scary than the master who occasionally visited.
Besides, it would be rude to dismiss a child doing their best. There was some time before going to work, so it couldn’t be helped.
“Master, you don’t usually take care of your hair, do you?”
“Do I need to take care of my hair?”
“I asked something unnecessary.”
It seemed like my answer matched the kid’s sense of humor since she let out a small laugh. Young ones often laugh at trivial things, so it’s fine.
As I looked into the mirror before me, I saw that the maid touching my hair had brown hair. If she had brown hair, based on how young she was, she should either be Yuris or Sophia. Was she Sophia?
“Sophia.”
“Ah, the butler asked Sophia to do something else.”
So you’re Yuris. I’m sorry. You two look so much alike that I got confused.
Thankfully, she seemed to think that I was looking for Sophia, so I could easily move on from this. I almost became a wicked employer who declared ‘From now on, your name is Sophia.’
“But Master, what’s that?”
“That?”
As I remained silent, Yuris spoke first. I turned in the direction Yuris was looking. There, I saw a potted plant.
“A hawthorn. I received it as a gift.”
I brought it with me because I thought that it would end up dying if I left it in the clubroom during vacation. I didn’t want to leave it unattended, especially since Irina would stare at it every time she came to the clubroom.
Upon hearing the word ‘gift,’ Yuris, who had been looking at the plant, giggled.
“It’s pretty. Who did you get it from?”
“The blonde girl that came with me.”
“Ah, that person.”
Yuris nodded as if she understood who it was. Yuris, who’d finished doing my hair, stepped back. Then, she nodded while making a proud face. It seemed like she’d done a great job by her standards.
“You can get up now!”
“Okay, thanks.”
I patted Yuris on the shoulder as thanks, and she looked at me blankly. As I carefully moved my hand to her head, she finally smiled.
The other servants usually became rigid before me, but Yuris and Sophia were very bright, maybe because they were young. The first time I saw them, they were full of anger. I’m glad they’d grown up so well. I just hope they keep growing like this.
After stroking her head for a while, I finally managed to pull my hand away. When I tried to withdraw my hand, she looked at me with pleading eyes. How could I ignore that?
“Ah, Master.”
“I really have to go now.”
“There’s something I wanted to tell you.”
I was about to open the door when I turned around to face Yuris after hearing those unexpected words. She shouldn’t have something personal to say to me. Usually, it was the butler who would deliver any message.
Not understanding the situation made me feel more anxious. Did something troublesome happen that I wasn’t aware of?
“Do you know the flower language of the hawthorn?”
Ah, so it wasn’t anything that important.
“It means tolerance and forgiveness. Since someone gave it to you, I thought it would be good if you knew it.”
“Thanks for telling me.”
“You’re welcome.”
I let out a small laugh at the sight of Yuris bowing politely. Tolerance and forgiveness, huh?
‘It was an important gift.’
Considering that I was someone who almost wrongfully destroyed her family, it was a huge gift. Tolerance and forgiveness. So there was a reason why Irina had given me that gift.
If Yuris hadn’t told me, I would have never known. I should give Yuris a gift for that. She likes dessert, so the butler should get something good for her if I ask him to. And if I ask him to prepare something for Sophia too, I’m sure she will like it even more.
But I had no idea about the meaning of the flower. I don’t even know what it’s called, so how could I have known what it meant? Irina overestimated my knowledge.
* * *
I straightened up after hearing Master open the door and leave. I guess this is what they mean when they say great expectations lead to great disappointments.
‘I thought it was unnie’s.’
At first, I thought it was Penelia unnie who’d given him the hawthorn. Considering how Penelia unnie normally acted, there’s no way it would be her. But right now, she followed Master around while calling him ‘Master’ and wearing a maid outfit, and that’s why I harbored some hope.
However, it was just my own delusion. Yes, there’s no way Penelia unnie would have done something that bold.
‘You dummy.’
Unnie had been holding onto her emotions for more than two years. Everyone except Master had probably noticed, but she continued keeping it a secret. She’s someone really cool, awesome, and reliable… except at this.
On the other hand, that noblewoman unnie, who hadn’t known Master for even half a year, had made an aggressive move. To think she’d express her feelings with the language of flowers. Considering that someone hadn’t been able to express it for two years, it was a surprising speed.
‘My only love.’
My face blushed for some reason. Saying it that way was probably less embarrassing for her than to say it directly.
That’s why I thought of telling Master that meaning since I want to support such a brave love. I was confident that Master wouldn’t have noticed such a careful and shy confession and indeed, he hadn’t noticed it.
But the only reason why I ended up giving the other flower language was that I was concerned about Penelia unnie.
‘I’m sorry.’
I inwardly mumbled an apology that probably wouldn’t reach the beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed noblewoman unnie. My wish is for my unnie and Master to be together.
Given that the daughter of the Valenti Duchy had already fallen for Master, it would be impossible for my unnie to become the first wife. It didn’t matter who met him first. The difference between their status was too extreme.
Considering Master’s personality, he would make unnie his first wife if they got together before the Duke’s daughter. The situation was already complicated, but in such a situation, another noble lady appeared. How far would my unnie be pushed back?
‘I’m really sorry.’
But not yet. If Master realizes it himself, it can’t be helped. However, I cannot increase the number of unnie’s competitors with my own mouth. Once my unnie reaches her goal, I don’t care if any other competitor appears.
I couldn’t shake off the growing guilt. No, this isn’t my fault. In the first place, who would gift a flower with such an ambiguous meaning? If it had only one meaning, I wouldn’t have been able to choose what meaning to tell him.
This happened because she gave him a flower that had two meanings. Also, Master didn’t even know the flower’s language before I told him. Yes, this isn’t my fault. It’s the Master’s fault.
Trying to clear away the guilt, I wandered down the hallway. Sophia, who was helping the chef in the kitchen, came over with a handful of snacks.
“Master said we can eat these!”
Now that I think about it, it’s not Master’s fault.
* * *
The Crown Prince said I didn’t need to go to the Prosecutor’s Office every day and that I should only show up occasionally. But yesterday, I toured the square and other places, so I should clear up some of the accumulated work today and leave.
If my work keeps accumulating, it might negatively affect me in the future.
“Congrats on your vacation!”
‘Fuck.’
Should I just go back?
As soon as I opened the door, I saw the 1st Manager holding a cake. Why are you congratulating me? Civil Servants don’t have vacations.
“Your first! Vacation! Congratulations!”
I laughed in disbelief after hearing the 2nd Manager emphasizing certain words. At the consecutive blows of the 1st and 2nd Manager, my intention of clearing up the work as fast as possible was quickly shaken.
I dropped my gaze to the cake. I saw six candles, but only one was lit. What’s this? Because it was a nonsensical congratulations, the candles also made no sense.
Noticing my gaze, the 2nd Manager opened his mouth while giggling.
“Isn’t this your first vacation? We plan to light one more candle for each vacation.”
Is this bastard teasing me?
“You’re going to graduate once all six candles are lit!”
“Hey, the Executive Manager didn’t go there to study.”
“Oops!”
While I was clenching and unclenching my fist to calm myself down, I noticed the 3rd Manager, who was avoiding my gaze while cowering in the corner. It seemed like this was too much, even in the eyes of one of the crazy trio.
The Senior Manager and the 5th Manager weren’t in the office. If trying to stop them failed, running away was always effective.
“3rd Manager, you may leave.”
“Th-thank you…”
As the 3rd Manager left with a bow, I grabbed the cake the 1st Manager was holding.
That day, I discovered that the frosting on the cake was a similar color to the 1st Manager’s hair, while the bread was similar to the 2nd Manager’s blonde hair.
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