The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success-Chapter 26

The distance was a bit far, but it was clear.

When Kiaros stared at her in surprise, the surrounding civil servants started exchanging glances.

Then they began whispering among themselves.

"Looks like it’s true, looks like it’s true. He keeps staring at Namia Roafi with a dazed look."

"My goodness, so a woman who drags her half-dead body around with no energy was really his type, huh."

What the hell were they talking about?

Kiaros furrowed his brow even deeper in disbelief.

It seemed like some ridiculous rumor had started just because they walked down the hallway together.

The civil servants' chatter continued.

"I heard there’s even talk of marriage?" "I heard too. From the Administrative Support Department — yesterday Namia switched her salary account. It used to be under her family’s name, but she changed it to her own."

"Oh my, then maybe the national wedding is coming soon?"

While Kiaros was inadvertently listening, the conversation took an even more serious turn.

"Well, by custom they’d have the wedding at the Imperial Palace ceremonial hall, but that place needs to be reserved at least a year in advance. His Highness the Crown Prince isn’t the type to kick out someone else’s wedding just to hold his own, right?"

"Exactly. That place hosts multiple weddings a day, after all."

Before he knew it, even marriage talks about himself — something he hadn't even considered — were spreading. It made him dizzy.

Just as he was about to order his aide to stop the rumors from spreading any further, a sudden thought made his eyes narrow slightly.

‘Wait.’

If Namia really was that girl from back then — and if she demanded marriage — he would have to grant it.

After all, he was still the wealthiest man of her age group in the empire.

‘Then... I guess it wouldn't exactly be a false rumor, would it?’

According to the personal investigation report, Namia had no lover.

In that case, from Namia’s point of view, there was no reason not to marry him, right?

‘She even said she wanted to protect me when the assassination attempt happened. At the very least, it means she doesn’t hate me.’

Reasoning it out, Kiaros gave a discreet signal to his aide.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The aide immediately approached, bowing his head as if ready to obey any order.

"What is your command?"

"About the Imperial Palace ceremonial hall."

The Imperial Palace ceremonial hall was splendid and beautiful.

It was very popular among civil servants and nobles working at the palace.

By tradition, even members of the royal family, to symbolize their leadership over the civil servants, got married there.

Naturally, as the civil servants’ gossip said, reservations were completely full.

"Find out: if we reserve now, what's the earliest possible date we could hold a ceremony."

"Understood."

The loyal aide promptly left.

Kiaros sat up straight and let out a breath.

‘Just in case, preparations should be made...’

He would need to wrap up the Empress issue somehow and have a proper conversation with Namia soon.

‘Somehow, it really does feel like she’s the girl. There's no way all these coincidences could just pile up.’

As Kiaros was lost in thought, the time for the trial approached. The Minister of Justice stood up.

"Then, let us begin the trial."

Everyone rose from their seats and bowed to the Minister of Justice.

Only Fron, who had been picking at her ear, got up belatedly, looking around.

"Huh, standing again? Why do we keep sitting and standing?"

Kiaros internally heaved a deep sigh.

There wasn’t a shred of tension visible in Fron.

Her face was the very picture of ‘kill me or not, whatever.’

‘Ha...’

He couldn’t say he didn’t understand Fron’s loyalty.

She had consistently refused the position of Empress, claiming she was not suited for it.

It had been the Emperor who begged her, saying it was fine for her to live as herself and still be his wife.

‘So no one has the right to criticize Fron for not fitting the role.’

Fron didn’t handle any of the Empress’s basic duties.

Of course, as royalty, she was supposed to look after the palace, but she had never shown any interest in such things.

And not only that, she didn’t participate in social events or politics either.

‘But it was fine because the Empress seat had been vacant for a long time anyway.’

If it weren’t for Fron, it would have remained vacant regardless.

Everything had continued to run smoothly even without an Empress doing anything.

‘And Fron acting like this is probably because...’

Kiaros’s gaze deepened.

Meanwhile, the trial began.

The nobles sitting as jurors wore smug expressions, ready to tear her apart.

‘In the end, I'm the only one who can somehow save Fron during this trial. There will be heavy backlash, but still...’

Even the Minister of Justice, who didn’t have a bad opinion of Fron, looked half resigned.

Unfortunately, a member of the Justice Department who had been part of the escort corps recently committed suicide.

The department was in disarray, making it harder to support Fron.

"Now, I will explain the case once again."

The Minister of Justice recounted the case overview for the audience, focusing on the events.

After that, Oson, the accuser, spoke.

"I have encountered Her Majesty the Empress several times in the back alleys. Then, the night before last, while talking with the shop owner about what Her Majesty had purchased, I found out."

The man, Oson, team leader of the Inventory Team of the Scroll Department, addressed the audience.

"It wasn’t easy for a mere commoner like me to report Her Majesty the Empress. I agonized endlessly over whether to pretend I hadn’t seen anything."

Oson put on a sanctimonious face and sighed painfully.

"But as a civil servant working for the Imperial Family, with a sense of duty, I ultimately reported it yesterday afternoon. The shop owner even informed me of the exact time Her Majesty would visit."

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The audience looked at Oson with expressions of deep admiration.

Tears welled in his eyes as he continued speaking.

"In fact, we know well that His Highness the Crown Prince is displeased with our Scroll Department. So through this, we also hoped to prove our department’s loyalty."

Kiaros clicked his tongue internally.

To say such things openly in front of everyone...

‘Once I overturn this, he'll get cursed out behind his back for sure.’

Of course, that didn’t mean Kiaros would go easy on the punishment.

Oson sobbed as he continued.

"The poison Her Majesty was purchasing, where it was intended to go..."

"Please stick to objective facts, accuser," the Minister of Justice immediately cut him off. Though everyone already guessed what would have come next.

"Y-yes. Anyway, when I asked the shop owner, it turns out Her Majesty was actively searching for poisons that the royal family had no immunity against... hic."

In the end, Oson broke down sobbing and couldn’t continue.

"Accuser, please return to your seat."

The Minister of Justice said with a nearly resigned face.

He then turned to Fron and asked,

"Is there any part you would like to correct?"

"Nope."

Fron scratched her cheek as she spoke.

"It’s all true."

"...I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but in the courtroom, even royalty must use formal speech toward me."

"Got it."

"Your Majesty?"

"I said I got it. I’ll... ah! From now on, I’m supposed to use formal speech... yes."

Kiaros internally thought it was all over.

Now the Empress was bound to become nothing but a laughingstock.

"Then, Your Majesty {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the Empress, could you honestly tell us why you were purchasing the poison?"

Both the Minister of Justice and Kiaros had already given up all hope.

They fully expected Fron to keep silent like she did all day yesterday, leading to the worst outcome.

But then—

"Yeah."

Huh?

At the unexpected development, Kiaros furrowed his brows.

He had been sure she would stay silent like yesterday.

"Ah, no. I’ll speak honestly."

Fron sat up proudly.

Suddenly, her brown eyes, which had been rolling around carelessly until now, locked onto somewhere among the audience.

Others might not have noticed, but Kiaros, who had seen her for a long time, did not miss her gaze.

The place where Fron’s eyes were fixed was...

‘Namia Roafi?’