Chapter 138

It was a great thing for Rodella to return to the Administration Bureau and prepare to become the Chancellor.

It meant a smooth path was laid out for her dream to come true.

However, it also meant that Rodella, who had been working at the Azure Knights’ headquarters, would be somewhat physically separated from Aivert.

Aivert was naturally not pleased with this fact.

When Aivert slightly raised his eyebrow, the Emperor spoke as if he had read his mind.

“Of course, you may continue to handle Azure Knights’ work concurrently. If you’re concerned.”

The Emperor added with a gentle smile, “But I don’t want to overwork the next Chancellor.”

That was true, so Aivert quickly smoothed out his expression.

Right, he could just visit often.

Now Rodella would happily welcome him.

Their eyes met.

Aivert and Rodella smiled happily, neither one starting before the other.

***

The Empire quickly returned to normal.

Duke Benerix and the aristocratic faction nobles who followed him had their execution dates set.

And Rodella’s twenty-fifth birthday party was belatedly held.

“I’ll finish work up to this point and head off today. Contact the Royden Estate if anything urgent comes up.”

Rodella worked faster than usual because of this, but her condition was better than ever.

It was a party with only her and her acquaintances, which for Rodella was no different from her real birthday party.

“Rodella.”

When she finished work and stepped out of the Administration Bureau building, she saw the Royden family’s carriage.

Aivert, who was waiting beside it, quickly approached her.

“Did you wait long?” Rodella asked softly.

Aivert answered without looking at his watch, “Not really.”

Denet, the coachman, who knew he had waited about an hour and a half, skillfully kept his expression neutral.

“I should have left earlier if I knew you’d wait. No, I came out as early as I could, but there was so much work—”

“I told you, I didn’t wait long.”

Rodella had no way of knowing.

The Royden carriage was intentionally in a blind spot invisible from the Administration Bureau window, and Aivert had asked the people entering the building to keep his presence a secret.

It was Aivert’s wish not to interrupt her.

“Shall we go then?”

It was when Aivert was about to carefully escort her.

“Wait up!”

A hurried voice was heard.

Running from the direction of another department in the Imperial Palace was none other than their friend, Cecilia Elvamont.

“Cecil?”

Rodella was happy to see her, while Cecilia, whose gaze met Aivert’s narrowed eyes, cleared her throat.

“Let’s go together. If I wait for my slow carriage, I’ll arrive much later.”

Since she was also invited to Rodella’s birthday party, there was no reason to refuse.

But Aivert raised an eyebrow in displeasure.

It was supposed to be time for just the two of them.

Cecilia couldn’t have missed his mood, but she smiled calmly.

“I have something to tell both of you.”

“Something to tell?”

While Rodella blinked, Cecilia gestured.

“Hurry, let’s go. I’ll talk once we’re inside.”

Since the birthday party was being held at the Royden Estate, being late might mean keeping the adults, including Lady Royden, waiting.

“Alright.”

Rodella got into the carriage first, escorted by Aivert.

Next, Aivert sat beside her, and Cecilia sat across from them.

—Thud!

As soon as the carriage door closed, Aivert knocked on the wall.

It was a signal to start.

A moment later, the carriage slowly began to move.

“What did you want to say? Is it urgent?” Rodella asked.

Urgent matters were scattered everywhere.

From Cecilia’s perspective, she was busy securing the trade routes that the aristocratic faction used to occupy, and since the Azure Knights’ size had more than doubled, she also had to set new terms for trade.

It was something that the Azure Knights hadn’t been able to handle because other matters took precedence, but it would be urgent for Cecilia.

Is that what she’s going to talk about?

“If it’s about the trading company…” Rodella started to speak.

Cecilia waved her hand.

“Do you think I’m like you, only talking about work? I’m going to talk about something more interesting. But…”

Cecilia suddenly lowered her voice.

“I thought you two might be embarrassed if I told you in front of everyone.”

“Something embarrassing?” Rodella blinked and looked at Aivert.

While Aivert shrugged, Cecilia said, “Phew, well, let’s put everything else aside and talk about this first.”

She cleared her throat and said, “Congratulations!”

“Oh, um? For my birthday?” Rodella scratched her cheek.

“Thank… you, but that’s…”

Is that what you had to say? Since asking that rudely wasn’t polite, Rodella was about to stammer when…

“I’m congratulating you on your birthday, but we’ll do that at the party. You two are officially dating now, aren’t you?” She beamed.

“…” Rodella’s face flushed crimson.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Obvious? It’s more than obvious.”

Since Cecilia was the one person who knew their engagement was a contract, Rodella had intended to tell her eventually.

But she hadn’t expected Cecilia to notice and bring it up first.

Just as Rodella was about to say something, Cecilia pointed at Aivert.

“I knew this guy liked you ever since the academy.”

“Whaaaat?” Rodella’s mouth dropped open.

Aivert’s gentle hand pressed down on her as she instinctively tried to jump up from her seat.

“Why didn’t you tell me!?”

If she had told her, this, this… she wouldn’t have gone through all that emotional turmoil until now…!

Just as Rodella was about to explode in anger, Aivert quietly spoke.

“Wouldn’t you have run away?”

“…”

A moment of silence fell in the carriage.

Is that so? Probably. She was sick of the political marriage proposals back then.

“Still, if it was you…” Rodella mumbled, “It would have been okay… wouldn’t it?”

“I’m impressed you managed to hide it from your parents, though,” Cecilia chuckled, watching the two of them. She looked relieved as she pointed at Aivert.

“He’s been in a one-sided love for almost 10 years, hasn’t he? I thought he was going to become a clergyman instead of a knight.”

Rodella had no retort to that, so she quietly looked up at the ceiling.

She was almost resentful of how well Denet managed to drive the carriage without a single shake.

“I thought I was going to die from frustration in the middle, but I kept my mouth shut,” Aivert said, which was rare for him.

“Thank you.”

But Cecilia wasn’t done talking.

“Nah, you should be thanking me for something else.”

Then Cecilia adjusted her seat and said, “Rodella was so oblivious to her own feelings that I helped set things up a bit.”

“You…!”

She’s going to talk about that conversation, isn’t she!

Rodella, horrified, tried to cover Cecilia’s mouth.

But…

—Rumble!

Just then, the carriage, which had been still until now, shook, and Rodella almost lost her balance.

Leave it to Aivert’s personal attendant to have perfect timing!

Meanwhile, Aivert held her steady and asked with a very interested look, “How did you set things up?”

“I subtly hinted that I wished you and Rodella could have a different relationship,” Cecilia held up her hand.

“Didn’t she start to change a little bit after a certain point?” Cecilia pointed at Rodella.

Rodella waved her hand.

“I don’t think so?”

She hadn’t made it that obvious… had she?

“She definitely did.”

Was it that obvious??

“And do you know what she asked me when she was consulting me for the second time?”

Cecilia’s words flowed out continuously while Rodella was being mentally battered (?).

“What did she say?” Interest and mischief simultaneously appeared on Aivert’s face.

Cecilia grinned and opened her mouth.

“I, by any chance, am I—”

…am I in love with Aivert? She’s going to say that!

“Stop right there!” Rodella desperately reached for Cecilia.