CH 39

Although I’m a government official now, I’m a newbie who has been an officer for only a few days. There’s no way an invitation would come to me. Did he call me to make sure I won’t get upset? As I was thinking about that, the Chancellor continued.

“I sent an invitation before I met you. I’d like you to join the party.”

I was at a loss for words by the sudden invitation. God, to think I, a fallen noble, would be invited to the home of the most powerful man in the country… But frankly, I’m too lazy to go. I’ll just have to get around to say no. That’s how I felt.

“But…”

“I’m inviting you in my name. You won’t need an invitation. There’s no need to refuse,” said the Chancellor.

No, no. I’m just too lazy to go. But the Chancellor seemed very determined to invite me to the party, so I had to nod, “It’s an honor, sir.”

The Chancellor, who looked pleased with my reluctant answer, then said as if he had just remembered something, “Oh, and you should at least dance five times on that day. It’s an order as your superior.”

Ugh. I didn’t expect him to know I was planning to spend my time at a terrace there. I sighed at the slick words of the Chancellor.

As I left the office exhausted, Count Clove, the Director of the Operations, approached me and asked, “So, are you going?”

As if nobody would know we’re superior and subordinate. I glared at him, who knew everything and sighed. Yeah, well. It’s my fault for being swayed.

“Yes,” I replied.

“You must be looking forward to it then, a party at the Chancellor’s mansion!”

‘You sly old man! Telling every detail about me to the Chancellor!’ 

I felt the urge to hit the face of the Count, who was smiling at me. But of course, I can’t do something that crazy! I suppressed myself with my excellent self-control, clenched my teeth, smiled and replied, “Yeah. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

“Oops, your pretty teeth might get damaged. Clenching your teeth is a bad habit. I’m telling you this because I have a daughter around your age, so you’re like my daughter.”

“Yes. Thank you so much for your concern.”

Damn sly old man. The thought of not being able to relieve my fatigue because of the party on such a precious weekend frustrated me. By the way, it’s the Chancellor’s party, so damn Elise, the daughter of Marquis Schuteiner, will come too. With only my mother’s family at the capital, it was going to be a very tiring party to attend, because it’ll be full of Elise’s followers.

Of course, I can go to parties, but I honestly wanted to focus on adjusting to work for at least three months. This was why I was frustrated by the nosiness of the Chancellor and Count Clove.

After being struck twice by the words of some sly old men, I returned to my seat and began laying out a proposal. I finished my assigned work, so I had plenty of time, but I wanted to blow my frustrations away.

After focusing on my work for a while, it was time to go home, so I got ready to leave.

“Goodbye, everyone,” I said.

I packed my bag and hurried out. There was a horse carriage from the Reclan family waiting for me outside. Getting off work on time is a vital part of work-life. As I was trying to get into the carriage with such a thought, someone pulled my wrist hard. I turned around at such unpleasant contact. It was Kyles again.

“Marina, please give me some time. Just one moment is fine.”

His desperate voice made me snort. What made him do this earlier and now? I can’t believe this. You ignored me when I had nothing, and now you want me to give you time?

At one time, I did wish for Kyles to cling to me. That thought, however, only appeared for a moment while I put everything into my studies. Look at him being so clingy now. All my feelings were gone, so it just gave me unpleasant feelings.

“I don’t know who you are, but it is disrespectful to call my name like this. I have no business with you, so please be on your way.”

“Marina, please.”

I struck his hand that tried to grab mine, glared coldly at Kyles, climbed into the wagon, and closed the door. The driver seemed to have checked the door closed as the carriage immediately began to move. I saw Kyles looking at me with a hollow look through the window. Damn a*sh*le, what’s wrong with him?

I let him go because he said he hated me, and I have spent a life of torture forgetting about him. Even when I dreamed of you coming back to me, you didn’t even reach out. So why after all this time? Thinking of that broke my heart. This is pathetic. You still treat me the same way as before, and I… can’t get over the wound you inflicted on me.

“Please, let’s forget about our pathetic past,” I spoke to myself with a throbbing head. I felt frustrated. I was no longer the person who used to cry for him. My cold heart that used to race at the thought of him had become so chilly, the anger that rose from within had lost its place to vent, and I only blamed myself for not being able to escape from the wounds of the past.