Chapter 6
“Ah, hello, Senior Luphex.”
“Mhm, good afternoon, Lowell.”
“Um… how much of that… did you hear?”
The male lead awkwardly looked away and muttered quietly,
“You’re good at comforting people.”
“……”
Ah. I’m doomed. He heard everything.
‘He definitely heard me insulting Allison too.’
Maybe he noticed my expression, because he nodded.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about today.”
“Ah…”
“Not even Team Leader Capress.”
“Gasp, thank you very much!”
“Ahem. Anyway, there isn’t much time left, so just endure a little longer. You won’t be permanently assigned to this team, so don’t worry.”
“Pardon?”
He seemed to be trying to reassure me.
But the nuance felt a bit strange, so I tilted my head.
“You mean… no one gets assigned to the Protocol Team at all?”
“It already has a very bad reputation.”
“Oh… haha. I see.”
So even higher-ups knew how bad this place was.
‘Come to think of it, there were barely any team members around while we worked…’
They must’ve all escaped because of how awful it was.
And the only one left behind was probably taking out their accumulated stress on rookies.
Then the male lead looked down at my face.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Huh?”
“You’re smiling strangely.”
I touched the corners of my mouth.
“No, I’m not smil—”
But as he said, my lips were slightly twisted.
From trying not to laugh at how absurd everything was.
Calm down, me. This is still the imperial palace—but it’s just a company.
I’m just a rookie at the very bottom of the pyramid.
I really need to keep my expressions in check…
“If you have something to say, say it, Lowell.”
“I don’t.”
“You look like you do.”
He’s really persistent.
He didn’t even comfort the heroine—why is he interrogating someone who’s leaving for another department?
“I’m curious about your thoughts.”
Why is he using his handsome face like it’s an interrogation tool?
I had never encountered handsome people at work before, so I didn’t know.
At that level of attractiveness, even experienced professionals lose their defenses.
“If we’re not being assigned permanently, then why…?”
“Why?”
“Why allow new employees to go through unfair treatment like this?”
“I know the Protocol Team is unpopular. But it’s useful as a place for new officials to experience hardship when starting their careers.”
“……”
“If they can’t even endure this, what can they do elsewhere?”
I didn’t want to admit it, but it was true.
What Allison did was, honestly, pretty normal by real-world standards.
But…
I muttered, holding back irritation.
“Hardship doesn’t make people stronger.”
“…Hm?”
“It just makes people mentally unstable…”
Especially when the hardship comes from someone with higher status—it can send people straight to psychiatry.
“Lowell…”
“Ah, sorry. I need to get back to work, so I’ll excuse myself.”
And just like that, the improperly polite trainee turned away, leaving the male lead behind.
‘Haa… in the novel he was cool, dependable…’
But in reality, he’s just a burnt-out corporate slave.
‘Whatever. I’ll just do well in the next department.’
The next place, as far as I remember…
‘A land flowing with milk and honey!’
The Magic Medicinal Research Lab run by the gentle nerd sub-male lead, Marquis Theodore Wordsworth, was waiting for me!
In the story, the heroine mostly stayed in the Black Underpaid Department.
But even the kind-hearted heroine sometimes suffered from the horrors of black magic.
‘So she probably went to the lab to recover, right?’
The brown-haired, glasses-wearing gentle sub-male lead Theodore always comforted her warmly.
【“Miss Crosswell. If things are hard… you can always come see me.”
“N-no, I can’t impose like that…”
“It’s not an imposition.”
Theodore quietly brewed fragrant tea.
“I just want to ease your heart. Even if that’s all I can do…”
“…Ah.”
Yuliana quietly lowered her head at those warm words.
Just being here felt like her tangled thoughts were slowly unraveling.
Theodore’s space was always peaceful, like a paradise without a single shadow.】
After recalling the novel scene, I looked around the office.
Just like the description, my heart already felt calmer.
‘With all this phytoncide-level peace, it makes sense.’
The employees here also looked gentle and relaxed.
‘Probably because Theodore himself leaves work early, so nobody feels pressured!’
So maybe this was just a temporary honeymoon period?
‘Hehe, no! Of course I already checked that!’
I bribed someone who had worked here a long time with coffee and casually investigated.
[We don’t really have busy seasons.]
[Really?]
[Yep! The director secures the budget well, never scolds anyone. It’s a great place.]
Perfect.
My golden future flashed through my mind, strengthening my resolve.
I had to stay here no matter what.
And on the last day of observation in this department…
Given the palace’s size, there were many cafés for officials scattered around.
They usually filled at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 8 p.m., like zombies gathering.
But today, Theodore and I were enjoying a peaceful break at 3 p.m.
“Miss Lowell, are you getting used to the palace?”
“Of course! Thanks to you, Director!”
I forced back the cheerful energy I once had after becoming a deputy.
“Honestly, I already want to stay here permanently. The next department might be fine too, but I’m really sad the trainee period is ending.”
“Huh? Hahaha! Really?”
“Yes. I’m serious. I’ve realized again how medicinal magic contributes to the health of the empire’s citizens. Although I lack expertise, I want to help however I can and contribute to the empire.”
“Haha, breathe, Miss Lowell…”
Theodore looked overwhelmed by my speech.
But this kind of enthusiasm only suits rookies anyway.
More importantly, Theodore seemed pleased.
“I also think it would be wonderful if you joined us.”
“Oh my… really?”
“Yes. Everyone in our lab likes you.”
“Aww, thank you so much!”
“Then just endure the remaining schedule well.”
Director Theodore whispered, his eyes sparkling behind his glasses.
“After the trainee period ends, let’s do well together.”
Gasp.
Wow, isn’t this basically done?
‘Director Theodore! I love you!’
As expected, my exemplary work attitude and rookie enthusiasm must have overshadowed Layla’s original performance!
Now I’ll live peacefully as a salary-thieving civil servant in a calm department!
My steps felt light as if I could fly.
So much so that even on my way home, Purple Head flinched when he saw me.
“Why do you look so happy…?”
“Oh, the weather is just so nice today.”
“It looks like it’s about to rain though.”
“It’s great that I won’t get sunburned!”
Purple Head stared at me like I was insane.
A bit annoying, but…
‘Hmm. He even buttoned up properly.’
I’ll forgive him since he took my advice.
My mood was generous now that I was basically confirmed for the research lab.
‘Ah, but… it bothers me that the first male lead flag is gone.’
I had hoped for a nice romance between the heroine and him.
Even if he was just a burnt-out corporate slave, I still wanted them to be happy…
‘Well, whatever. I’m going somewhere easy.’
I sent a small, tired-world-worn blessing toward the heroine.
“By the way, Finley, where’s Yuliana?”
We were supposed to leave together—did she go ahead?
Maybe she was waiting outside?
But as I headed toward the plaza, I froze.
Because Allison and Yuliana were standing face-to-face.
