Prologue 01

Prologue 01

Seraphina Empire, Chancellor’s Office. Working hours.

“Coco, he’s here again.”

Elicia’s low voice called out a warning. I lifted my head from the pile of administrative reform documents I’d been reviewing and raised an eyebrow.

Again?

A tall man with sleek, gray hair that shimmered faintly with a violet hue walked toward us with graceful, confident strides.

“Secretary Cornelia, are you busy?”

I immediately stood and greeted the Duke of the Seraphina Empire—the next Grand Duke and head of the Ministry of Justice—with proper formality.

“Good afternoon, Your Excellency the Supreme Judge. No, not at all. What can I do for you?”

His crimson eyes—so cold they seemed to bleed frost—locked onto mine.

“I need your cooperation. Come to the Ministry of Justice this evening.”

A chorus of soft sighs echoed throughout the office. I glanced down at the calendar on my desk.

How many weeks has it been now?

My patience was beginning to fray.

“Yes, understood.”

Still, as a veteran office worker, I answered with a flawless smile.

Once he was gone, complaints immediately burst out from every corner.

“Does he think you’re one of his subordinates from the Ministry of Justice?”

“Exactly! Even if the acting Chancellor approved his requests, this is getting ridiculous. It’s been weeks!”

“Just look at Secretary Cornelia’s face. Who could endure so many nights of overtime? And for another department’s work, no less!”

“This is all because you’re too capable, Secretary. Everyone wants your help. Though lately, His Excellency has been hogging you entirely.”

One of the junior clerks sighed heavily, his tone gloomy.

“Well, what can anyone do? He’s the next Grand Duke, the youngest Supreme Judge in history. Who dares say no to him…?”

The whole department looked frustrated, but my thoughts were different.

“Why can’t I say no? Of course I can.”

Every head turned toward me, eyes wide in disbelief. When I smiled innocently, a few groaned and rubbed their temples, while the new assistants just blinked, clueless.

At first, I agreed to help because I thought it was manageable. I was also curious to see how the Empire’s most perfect man handled his work. Without his direct request, I’d never even have had the chance to work alongside someone of his rank.

“Perfect. Excellent work, Secretary Cornelia.”

That rare smile—the one that could melt statues—appeared on his usually expressionless face.

It was satisfying to see him pleased with my work, I won’t lie. Admiring his sculpture-like beauty was a pleasant bonus.

But that was as far as it went.

Because at this rate, I’m going to die from overwork.

The youngest Supreme Judge, unaware of this, picked up a thick stack of documents beside him.

“I’d like to review this project with you tomorrow.”

That was easily a week’s worth of overtime. I looked at him silently, then said,

“I’m sorry, Your Excellency, but I don’t think I’ll have time to assist.”

He replied without hesitation.

“Then the day after.”

“I’ll still be busy that day.”

“The day after that?”

“I’m afraid I’ll still be unavailable.”

He finally stopped, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly.

“I see. Then when will you be available?”

With the same calm tone one might use for small talk, I smiled.

“I don’t think I’ll be available anytime soon.”

“…What?”

His hand froze mid-turn of a page. I neatly stacked the documents on my desk and said,

“Isn’t it a bit strange for a member of the Chancellor’s Office to stay up late every night doing the Ministry of Justice’s work? It’s starting to interfere with my actual duties. At this rate, I might as well have my own desk at your department.”

He seemed momentarily petrified—but no, it wasn’t that. He simply hadn’t expected such a direct refusal. Someone of his stature probably wasn’t used to hearing the word no.

But after all the weeks I’d endured without complaint, I wasn’t backing down now.

“Rather than keeping someone from another team working late, perhaps it’d be wiser to hire a reliable assistant at the Ministry. Unlike you, Your Grace, I value my life after work.”

“……”

“Still, I’ll help from time to time—maybe once a month? That’s me being extremely generous. Now then, I’ll be heading off.”

I packed my things, bowed politely, and left the office.

Outside the building, I walked briskly toward the front gate when I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

It was him—the Duke, the next Grand Duke.

He caught up to me, lips pressed tight, as though struggling with something he couldn’t quite say. His usually composed, imperious eyes flickered uncertainly, like candlelight in the wind.

“…What will you do, leaving work early?”

His voice sounded forced, like words dragged reluctantly out of his throat.

What will I do after work? So many things. Even that perfect face looking at me so earnestly wasn’t going to change my mind.

Still, since we’d spent enough time working together to at least develop a hint of familiarity, I answered with the most convenient excuse I could think of.

“I’m going on a date with my boyfriend.”

He said nothing.

“…You have a lover?”

His voice, when it finally came, trembled faintly.

Was it really that shocking? That I might have a personal life?

I quickly corrected myself to prevent any ridiculous workplace rumors.

“I’m planning to get one. That’s why I’m leaving early.”

“Ha.”

The Empire’s most perfect man let out a long sigh. To someone like him—surrounded by the best of everything—my simple wish probably sounded pitifully small.

He raked a hand through his hair in frustration, then slowly stepped closer.

I steeled myself. No matter what he said, I wasn’t going to agree to another night of unpaid overtime. My stamina had limits.

Under the moonlight, his refined features looked both strong and impossibly delicate. It was breathtaking—but I’d grown immune after two months of seeing that face daily.

Then his hands came up, gently resting on my shoulders. I froze, startled but calm.

“That lover you’re looking for—I’ll be him.”

“…What?”

For a moment, my mind went completely blank.

“I said, I’ll be your lover.”

My flawless poker face shattered. Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out, completely unfiltered.

“Are you insane?”

The man in front of me only smiled, fully in control now, utterly satisfied with himself.