Chapter 64
The Proper Wedding Gift in This World
Laws and systems can never be perfect; they have to be continually supplemented and refined. Circumstances and timing matter as well.
The Noble Asset Registration System had been introduced at a rather fortunate moment, so expectations were high. But in the end, our duty was to build the administrative backbone and laws that kept the empire functioning. We couldn’t allow ourselves to get hung up on every little thing.
Although… if it fails, it’ll be exhausting.
After quietly observing the nobles’ reactions, I returned to the Chancellor’s Office instead of the Concealment Department. Lukan, who had been uncharacteristically quiet these past days, seemed to have recovered and spoke first.
“Lukan, are you going to Senior Lucius’s wedding?”
He nodded without hesitation.
“Of course. I think everyone in our department is going.”
“I… actually don’t really know about this, but…”
I leaned in close and whispered.
“How much do people usually give as a wedding gift?”
Right. I knew absolutely nothing about wedding customs in this world.
I’d tried checking the library, but all they had were descriptions of the ceremony order—nothing about money, gifts, or etiquette.
But for working adults, this was extremely important.
“Oh, the wedding gift?”
Lukan tilted his head.
“We usually give a present rather than money. Ah, this must be your first time attending a wedding, Cornelia.”
At times like this, being young and new to society worked in my favor.
“Right. I don’t know what I’m supposed to bring.”
Back home, the unspoken standard had been: 50,000 won if you weren’t attending, 100,000 if you were, and more if you were close. And the price only ever went up—never down.
With wages stagnant and prices constantly rising, congratulatory money had become a burden, so most people ended up skipping events and just sending the minimum amount.
“Don’t worry. Our department decided to collect everything together and give a unified amount. The junior secretaries don’t earn much, so there’s no reason to create awkward comparisons.”
A surprisingly reasonable system. I perked up.
“Do other departments do that too?”
“No. Apparently Senior Lucius specifically asked Senior Victor to arrange it this way. There were grudges about gift sizes at Sir Dorian’s wedding. I guess it really rubbed him the wrong way. Since then he’s been adamant that when he gets married, we unify the gifts.”
“As expected of a wise senior.”
I sent a heart toward Senior Lucius in my mind for solving my dilemma so perfectly. Lukan continued.
“Since it’s your first wedding, I’ll explain the usual customs… Friends or relatives usually give gifts. Especially among high nobles—the value of those gifts is enormous. They exchange mines, estates… that sort of thing.”
The scale was ridiculous. I shook my head instinctively.
“If Lucius hadn’t said anything, we probably would’ve followed the usual rule—money for simple acquaintances, gifts for those closer. I think Senior Victor might’ve still prepared a separate gift since he’s close with Lucius.”
“Oho, good to know. Thanks.”
“No problem. I’m enjoying getting off work on time these days thanks to you. Ah, and one more thing—when you go to the wedding, don’t wear anything too flashy or anything white.”
A universal rule across worlds—it was courtesy to let the bride shine.
“Don’t worry. See you tomorrow.”
The next day, at Senior Lucius’s wedding.
The venue was crowded, fitting for a senior with such a good personality. Dressed in a neat pale-yellow dress, I fluttered around like a butterfly, taking in the surroundings. Back in the modern world, multiple couples would share one building, giving the whole place a marketplace vibe. Here, each wedding was for one couple, making everything feel more spacious and relaxed. Outdoor weddings were common, too.
“That must be it.”
Past the entrance, beside the white carpeted aisle, was a large pile of gift boxes. A servant sat by a small desk, recording who had brought what.
Since this world had no concept of meal tickets, anyone with an invitation could enjoy the banquet. Lukan had explained yesterday that this came from valuing and appreciating the effort of guests traveling long distances.
“Cornelia.”
Senior Victor and Lukan waved me over. Both looked striking in their formal attire.
“Good afternoon, Senior Victor, Lukan. You both look amazing today.”
“You look great too, Cornelia.”
“You look like a baby chick,” Lukan said, suppressing a laugh when Victor spoke.
I narrowed my eyes.
“That’s a compliment? I thought I looked like a butterfly.”
Victor shook his head firmly.
“A chick, not a butterfly. Chicks are cuter.”
“So it is a compliment.”
We chatted until it was time, then found the table where the Chancellor’s Office members were gathered. The venue was large, so there was plenty of seating.
“May we take these seats?”
The Minister of Finance and the empire’s most eligible bachelor—the Duke—approached. When the two men moved to sit, everyone shot to their feet to greet them. The Minister waved them down.
“You’re here,” Senior Victor said to the Minister.
“Of course. Even when busy, one must attend a subordinate’s wedding. And the venue is beautiful. Oh—Secretary Cornelia, you’re here too. Still looking like a chick, I see.”
“…I’m a butterfly.”
He didn’t hear me—or pretended not to—and continued chatting loudly. Why sit here instead of with other high officials? And the Duke being here was unexpected too.
“Your Grace, are you close with Senior Lucius?”
The Duke looked unusually pleased.
“Lucius has been a long-serving official in the Chancellor’s Office. When I joined the Ministry of Justice, he helped me with interdepartmental cooperation. He’s quite capable.”
He seemed to like Lucius both professionally and personally. And honestly, that wasn’t surprising. Aside from his intimidating first impression, Senior Lucius was always someone who tried to resolve conflicts and support others. He’d once confided that he’d feared being dismissed over the Marcus scandal and had lost his way for a while.
“It’s starting.”
To soft music, the groom stepped onto the white aisle. He wore a pure-white tuxedo, his long hair tied neatly back. Then the bride entered in a white gown.
“Wow, I’ve never seen Senior make that face before.”
Lukan couldn’t look away. When I focused, I noticed it too—the groom’s eyes shone with the sweetest affection imaginable as he gazed at his bride.
Wow…
They were truly a beautiful pair. Somehow, the sight felt strangely foreign to me.
Maybe because I’ve never imagined getting married.
Losing my family, surviving alone, chasing dreams, failing and giving up—there had been no room for romance or marriage.
So… am I okay with that now?
I shook the thought away. I had fallen into another world. I had no idea if I’d ever return. Anything like that felt… uncertain. A part of me always clung to that doubt.
Not that I felt disappointed. Romance seemed exhausting anyway.
When the ceremony ended and the banquet began, the Minister of Finance suddenly threw a probing question my way.
“Now that I think about it—Secretary Cornelia, you’re of marriageable age. Are you seeing anyone?”
Every eye at the table turned to me. The gazes from both sides felt strangely sharp.
“No, I’m not seeing anyone. And I have no thoughts of marriage at the moment.”
The Minister jolted as if scandalized. Was he always this dramatic?
“What? No? Then I should introduce someone to you!”
I hesitated. If I said I wasn’t interested, he would absolutely force blind dates on me. So instead, I reversed the approach.
“I’d be grateful for an introduction. But don’t expect much. I have very high standards. I doubt I’ll ever date or marry.”
“What kind of person are you looking for, then?”
I smiled sweetly.
“Handsome, deep voice, good physique, tall, capable, wealthy, athletic, faithful, gentle, healthy, and domestic.”
“…”
Silence fell over the table. The Minister snapped his head away with a sulky huff.
“You’re turning me down in the most roundabout way possible. Where would you even find someone like that?”
“Which is why I’m not expecting anything~.”
“Keep teasing me like that and this old man will put serious effort into finding someone who fits every criterion.”
“Then I’d be very grateful. I look forward to it, Minister.”
Laughter returned to the table. Everyone teased me about my ‘impossibly high standards.’ I laughed it off.
Only the Duke beside me remained quiet, lost in deep thought.
As always, I spent my days in the Concealment Department, monitoring the pilot implementation of the Noble Asset Registration System.
As expected, the number of registrations remained low. But I was patient. The day would come when the law was officially announced, spread across the empire, and became common knowledge. And when Marcus’s retainer was finally caught.
Everything would begin from there.
Today, I was finally returning to the Chancellor’s Office. I hadn’t come for about a month because of the legislation work. Senior Lucius must’ve returned from his honeymoon by now.
Thinking I should greet him properly, I opened the door.
“Good morning.”
A person I’d never seen before sat at a desk. A new hire?
“Oh, Cornelia, you’re here.”
“Senior Lucius?!”
He looked nothing like a man enjoying newlywed bliss. His forehead was furrowed in deep annoyance.
I was about to ask why—when I heard an unfamiliar noise in the office.
Click.
Click.
Click.
I turned my head—and froze at the sight.
Is… someone clipping their nails in the office?!
