HYCBV 31

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Chapter 31

What is this? The line is kind of forceful in a strange way.

‘So cool…!’

So this is what it’s like to have a boss who throws around envelopes of money so boldly—so reliable and impressive!

I stared up at Kaien in a daze.

Noticing my gaze, Kaien smirked as if he understood.

“You almost married a man you don’t even love over such a small amount of money. I’ve heard going against your heart is quite painful.”

It wasn’t that painful though…?

I was just a little anxious about whether I’d find a suitable contract marriage partner who matched my interests.

His words felt slightly off, but that wasn’t important.

What mattered was that the person in front of me trusted me enough to give me a 100,000 gold bonus!

Filled with genuine respect and loyalty, I shouted enthusiastically:

“Thanks to the bonus you gave me yesterday, my situation has improved so, so much! Thank you! Being able to work by your side is the greatest fortune of my life. From now on, I want to stay by your side forever and serve you for a long, long time!”

At the same time as expressing gratitude, I subtly slipped in my desire for lifelong employment.

But… was that too obvious?

For a moment, Kaien’s beautiful lips stiffened.

Then he suddenly turned his head away and coughed awkwardly.

“W-what… ahem. There’s no need to go that far. That amount is just pocket change to me.”

…Is he bragging about money all of a sudden?

It was random, but maybe this is what a 100,000 gold bonus does to your perception.

Even that side of him looks cool!

“Anyway. From now on. Focus even more. On your duties.”

Why does his voice and movement feel oddly stiff and broken?

Must be my imagination. I smiled brightly.

“Yes! I’ll work hard!”

While I was immersed in my morning work, Aaron called me from outside the office.

“For the afternoon tasks, just follow this order.”

“Yes, thank you, senior.”

“Oh, if you have any questions, ask now. I’ll be going out later and heading home directly.”

Then this is my only chance to talk to him today.

I quickly stopped him.

“Um, Senior Aaron.”

“Yes? Ask anything.”

“Well… actually, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Would you… perhaps attend the graduation ball with me?”

Crash!

Something fell inside the office.

✦ ✦ ✦

A moment later.

Aaron stood in front of the desk with his hands politely clasped, cold sweat dripping down.

Kaien, who had been looking out the window, slowly turned toward him.

“Aaron.”

“Yes, Master.”

“What kind of trick were you trying to pull on the newcomer?”

‘He heard it after all!’

Kaien’s hearing was extraordinary. Not just that—his entire body, awakened by overwhelming mana, made all five senses inhumanly sharp.

If he hadn’t heard it, there was no way the sound of something falling inside the office would’ve occurred the moment Aaron was asked to be a partner.

And a few seconds later, Kaien wouldn’t have called him in that icy voice.

‘Miss Violet is someone Master personally stopped from getting married because he values her. I absolutely cannot be misunderstood as trying to flirt with her!’

Aaron recalled the bald man who had been crushed by Kaien after trying something similar.

To avoid that fate, Aaron desperately explained:

“You heard what Miss Violet said, right? She said she didn’t have anyone suitable and asked me despite the rudeness. Sometimes a workplace senior escorts someone—it happens!”

A lady’s escort didn’t have to be a lover.

It could be a father, brother, relative, or even a superior.

“She just didn’t want to attend the graduation ball alone, since that would be embarrassing. That’s why she asked me.”

Aaron kept rambling nervously.

But Kaien wasn’t really listening.

‘She asked him because she couldn’t go alone… then why…’

Why didn’t she ask me?

The question suddenly surfaced and wouldn’t disappear.

‘Well… a senior and a superior aren’t the same.’

Maybe she didn’t dare ask her boss and instead chose the more approachable Aaron.

That made sense.

And besides, attending some meaningless academy ball with fresh graduates… ridiculous.

He hated pointless social events.

But still…

“Going alone to the graduation ball is embarrassing?”

“Huh? Ah—yes. It’s considered your debut into society, so people care about those formalities. The capital’s social scene is quite conservative.”

“How trivial.”

Kaien scoffed at such shallow traditions.

Still, he knew that if one wanted to function in society, those rules had to be followed.

So… for the sake of his capable secretary’s public image, just one day—

‘It’s not like I can’t make time.’

As her direct superior, providing that much “employee benefit” wasn’t unreasonable.

Having justified himself, Kaien turned to Aaron.

“When is the graduation ball?”

“The last day of this month.”

“My schedule that day?”

Aaron quickly pulled out his notebook.

“9 AM: budget meeting with the Minister of Finance.
11 AM: meeting with the ambassador of the Kingdom of Laflia.
3 PM: military report and strategy briefing.
6 PM: imperial state banquet.”

“Nothing important.”

“Excuse me?! Those are all critical—”

“Cancel them all.”

“W-what?! But… yes, sir!”

Under Kaien’s terrifying gaze, Aaron hurriedly nodded.

“That ball thing—does it last overnight? Then clear my schedule the next morning too.”

“M-Master… don’t tell me…”

Aaron hesitated, then asked cautiously:

“You’re not planning to attend as Miss Violet’s partner yourself, are you?”

“I am. Problem?”

Aaron’s eyes widened.

Yes. There’s a problem.