✪ Chapter 9 ✪
‘He rejected it so fiercely.’
Love really was stubborn and relentless.
This was the first time I had ever seen someone jump into hellfire just because he didn’t want to meet his fiancée.
It was currently eight in the morning.
Documents sent from the Management Department were being carried one cart after another into the Security Department.
Just looking at the endless mountain of paperwork made it feel like dark circles were already forming under my eyes.
“Will I even be able to go home…?”
Even if I somehow got off work, I still had to change my clothes and get ready, so I barely had any time.
Unless a miracle happened, I didn’t think I could make it on time.
Everything was going exactly as the Crown Prince had planned.
I seriously thought about it again.
“Maybe I should just go like this without changing.”
“What? Absolutely not!”
Elline immediately shook her head in horror, stopping in the middle of checking the reports.
Since she had decided to support my marriage with Lucas, she insisted that I leave my outfit and makeup for the blind date entirely to her.
If it came down to it, she even said she would take over my work.
She smiled faintly as she added,
“At least Sir Carlo came in early today and already finished more than half of his work.”
“So there’s still that much left?”
I looked at the stack of papers still covering the table with a tired expression.
And besides…
There was no way that moth-like Team Leader would actually help you.
Elline smiled and told me everything would be fine.
But I didn’t believe her.
That sad smile wasn’t a real smile.
I looked over at Sir Carlo, who was sending approved documents through the magic transfer channel.
Then I picked up another large stack of papers.
My work speed wasn’t slow either.
“Looks like we’ve already finished the Magic Tower security section, so I’ll take care of the design part. Elline, can you make a list of all the magic that needs to be updated from two years ago until the beginning of this year?”
“Oh my goodness. Rosé, are you seriously planning to leave work before noon?”
“We just have to finish before noon.”
“We can do it.”
No.
I was going to make it possible.
I casually took off my coat and threw it aside.
Then I pulled a hair tie from my bag and tightly tied my hair back.
After exchanging a small nod with Sir Carlo, I released my magic.
A stream of water rose into the air before me.
Sir Carlo immediately moved my magic to the experiment table.
“…Are you going to use multiple spells at once?”
“Yes.”
“It’s been a while, but if we want to finish quickly, this is the only way.”
“I’ll support your magic so you don’t run out.”
“This method makes it easy to collapse from exhaustion.”
His tone wasn’t worried.
It sounded more like a warning.
Using multiple spells at the same time was a rare technique.
Only water mages could continuously supply water magic to several spells at once and keep them running.
It was perfect for producing experiment results one after another like a factory machine.
But if something went wrong…
Your magic could be completely drained, leaving you sick in bed for several days.
‘Getting sick wouldn’t be so bad.’
‘At least I wouldn’t have to work.’
Even if today’s schedule was interrupted, it wouldn’t matter.
Lucas might want to cancel the blind date…
But he couldn’t avoid meeting me.
Today’s meeting had to happen.
Only then would he run away at the wedding…
And officially propose to Elline.
In the end…
The experiment was a success.
Sir Carlo quietly raised my dropping body temperature with his fire magic.
Then he calmly blinked.
“It looks like leaving before noon won’t be difficult.”
“Thank you for helping me.”
“Thanks to you, Sir Carlo, I won’t end up with a fever either.”
We had finished supplying all the magic needed for the project.
I finally got off work at around one thirty.
“Your magic really is the best, Rosé!”
“You finished even earlier than I did.”
Elline happily hugged me tightly.
Since everyone was able to leave work earlier than expected, it was no surprise that everyone’s spirits had returned.
We compressed the completed report with magic and sent it through the direct passage to the Management Department in the shape of a butterfly.
After saying goodbye to everyone who still had overtime left…
I picked up my coat and left.
I wanted to say goodbye to Sir Carlo too.
But for some reason…
He wasn’t at his desk.
On the way to the mages’ residence to get ready, Elline suddenly smiled as if she had just remembered something.
“You know, Sir Carlo must have really hated the idea of working overtime today.”
“He probably had something important to do too.”
“Come on. Calling Sir Carlo ‘he’ like that sounds so cold.”
“A bride-to-be doesn’t need to be close to another man.”
Besides…
It would have been stranger if there had been something between us.
Elline suddenly laughed so hard that she held her stomach.
“I guess you’re right.”
Somehow…
She was trying too hard to act cheerful.
It made my heart ache.
“…You’re really trying your best.”
Both you…
Who kept smiling instead of crying…
And me…
Who had to pretend not to know even though I knew everything.
I just hoped this period would pass as quickly as possible.
I sat down in front of the mirror.
Elline gently brushed my hair.
A jewelry box from the mansion had somehow already been placed on the dressing table.
“How is it?”
“Love at first sight, right?”
“Yes.”
She braided my hair to one side and sprinkled tiny jewel powder over it.
It was dazzling.
Personally…
I preferred casual clothes.
Being dressed like a noble lady made it uncomfortable to even move.
‘I’ve worn nothing but research robes for so long.’
‘Dressing up properly is exhausting.’
I had just put on the jacket over the blouse and skirt Elline picked out for me the night before.
As I was about to return to the dressing room…
I suddenly noticed Elline sitting with her back toward the door.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
She looked like she was crying.
“…”
Instead of going inside…
I quietly leaned against the wall beside the door.
Even if I tried not to think about it…
I couldn’t ignore it.
Taking away the man my best friend loved…
Wasn’t something I felt happy about either.
‘If only…’
Without realizing it…
I remembered what had happened with Sir Carlo at the experiment table earlier.
And I smiled bitterly.
We were so busy all morning that none of us had time to eat lunch.
Every now and then…
Sir Carlo gently held my wrist and used his magic to restore my slowing pulse whenever the cold weakened me.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
“It isn’t pleasant to watch.”
“You’re overworking yourself too.”
“Exactly.”
“So why do you think I’m working this hard?”
“Oh?”
“Are you speaking casually now?”
“…My apologies.”
“It slipped out.”
I was just about to answer him casually too.
But he immediately corrected himself.
When we were completely exhausted from writing the report…
The Special Management Department finally sent us lunch.
At least they still had a little conscience.
After asking for my permission…
Sir Carlo even fed me a few pieces of fruit.
“I can feed myself.”
“You don’t have any free hands, Miss Rosé.”
“Well… that’s true.”
“But only because they’re occupied.”
One of my hands was on the experiment table.
The other…
Was being held by him.
So he wasn’t wrong.
Finally…
After enough experiments had been completed…
Our work was almost finished.
I quietly looked at Sir Carlo.
A small smile had appeared on his face.
“So even if you look at me like that…”
“I don’t mind.”
“…”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It looks like leaving before noon won’t be difficult.”
He let go of my hand.
Then he quietly walked back to his desk.
A faint fragrance lingered as he passed by me.
Without thinking…
I turned to look at Sir Carlo.
‘If it had been that man…’
‘Would my heart have been different now?’
