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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Wicked Boss
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'What's this little rascal up to?'
Kobishtain eyed Roena with wary suspicion as she offered him a gold ingot, her face beaming with what seemed like a kindly smile.
She probably thought she looked benevolent, but to him, it just came off as strange and downright frightening.
Her grinning lips evoked the image of a mischievous imp, making his heart pound.
'Just get mad at me instead!'
He might not have minded if he didn't know her, but handing him gold out of the blue like this? It was downright terrifying.
What kind of horrifying task could she possibly be planning to dump on him, enough to bribe him with gold?
He was shrinking inside, half-convinced she might be dragging him into some crime.
Truth be told, ever since she'd nearly drowned and fallen gravely ill, she hadn't summoned him once, and he'd been blissfully happy for it.
He'd hoped she'd just forget about him altogether. He'd only just started getting used to this peaceful routine when this unwelcome intruder showed up again.
Kobishtain's face fell at the thought of resuming his slave-like existence under Roena.
But contrary to his dire imaginings, Roena's voice was utterly serene.
"I've heard the flower festival's kept you working late a lot. Must've been tough, right?"
Tough? She wasn't asking if he was still clinging to life?
Wasn't she the type to pile on more work if he dared complain, accusing him of faking illness while he could still walk?
Yet here she was, responding so gently!
Kobishtain, unaccustomed to her encouragement, found himself blurting out a reflexive question.
"P-Pardon? What did you say?"
"I said you must've had it really rough. It's all because I went on about those seed lanterns, forcing you into overtime on short notice."
"Well, that's true, but..."
In truth, while the Grand Duchess had suddenly ordered seed lanterns made, the workload hadn't been overwhelming.
Compared to her usual demands, it was barely a scratch.
"I'm fine. This level of overtime is just routine."
"Good heavens, routine? Then when do you ever rest?"
"Hm, since coming here, I haven't had a full day off. The work never stops, year-round."
"So you're stuck in the annex every day?"
"Yes. His Highness the Grand Duke provides room and board, so I've been comfortable. I don't particularly enjoy going out for fun anyway."
Kobishtain adjusted his glasses and mumbled through his explanation.
He had no idea why he was reporting his work conditions to Roena, but since she asked, he answered.
Truth be told, compared to the countless workplaces he'd endured, Hadellus Castle was a cakewalk.
The only downsides were the endless overtime—like eating three meals a day—and earning good money without time to spend it.
Having long adapted to his shrewd corporate slave life, Kobishtain didn't even realize he was handling brutally intense workloads.
Roena, who had been quietly listening, suddenly slammed her tiny fist on the table.
"Father-in-law, I never pegged you for such a ruthless boss!"
"Pardon?"
Why was she suddenly like this?
Kobishtain stared at the fuming Roena in bewilderment. She growled at him.
"Kobishtain, you're saying you work seven days a week, right? Isn't that it?"
"I get one day off every other week, but yes, more or less."
"That's outrageous!"
Roena pulled a face like she'd heard the most heartless thing imaginable. Her reaction was so vehement, anyone would think she was the one slaving away daily.
Then she grabbed his hand tightly with her tiny one.
"You've had it so rough all this time, haven't you?"
"Pardon?"
"Look at these hands—pure white! How much time have you spent cooped up researching? Are you getting enough vitamin D? Do you go for walks? No matter how lazy you feel, you have to get some fresh air."
And with that, she launched into a gentle nagging session—half of which he didn't even understand.
Linking pale hands to walks was utterly baffling.
"I'm fine, really."
"Fine, my foot!"
Kobishtain's eyes went wide at Roena's stern rebuke. For a moment, he had the odd illusion that she was on his side—but he quickly shook it off.
'No way. You think I'm falling for that again?'
This was the Grand Duchess Heiress, after all. When she did something out of character, suspicion came before gratitude.
But as he steeled himself, mentally reviewing her past misdeeds, her next words melted his resolve in an instant.
"I'll ask Father-in-law to give you some vacation time. I'll make sure you get every single day you haven't taken—trust only me!"
From now on, he'd call her not a rascal, but an angel.
I waited for the Grand Duke of Hadellus to return home, my resolve as firm as could be.
With the ducal couple out on official business until evening, I'd spread a mat on the lobby stairs in a one-woman protest.
It was my way of showing defiance against the wicked boss's tyranny.
Passing servants glanced my way, but I deliberately ignored them.
I pictured Kobishtain's grateful face from a few hours ago.
'Th-Thank you! M-Milady Grand Duchess Heiress!'
Even thinking back, it made my nose tingle.
He'd teared up at the mere mention of vacation, insisting he was fine all the while. Clearly, he missed his days off.
I'd first sought him out for personal reasons, but now I felt a duty to fix this poor vassal's dire situation.
'Poor Kobis. Silly Kobis.'
It hit a little too close to my past-life everyman struggles, drawing me deep into his perspective.
The difference? Back then, I was the underdog. Now, I held the power.
'Time to show 'em what a real top dog looks like.'
As I steeled my determination...
"I told you I'd relay the message when he arrives. You'll catch a cold sitting in the draft."
Hanna draped a blanket over me snugly, nagging away. I grinned and said,
"Thanks for the blanket. I told you not to fuss—why do you keep bringing stuff? Might as well set up house right here on the stairs."
"It's just been days since you recovered. I'm worried."
"Go do your job. Wrap one more layer on me, and folks'll mistake me for a snowman."
I nodded at the blankets swaddling me, and Hanna let out a dramatic sigh.
"Who could break your stubborn streak, little madam?"
"Bye, Hanna."
I shooed her off with a wave, and she glanced back doubtfully over and over before heading to work.
Finally alone, I hugged my knees, rested my chin on them, and stared at the door. How much time passed?
"Roena?"
A welcome voice rang out. I looked up to see Akid just back from sword training, entering the castle.
Our eyes met, and his widened before he asked softly,
"Why are you out in the cold?"
"Oh, well..."
I was just about to tattle on the Grand Duke's misdeeds in a torrent...
"Your face is freezing."
Akid strode right up and touched my cheek, his voice laced with concern.
My heart skipped at the sudden closeness.
His pale gray eyes gazed at me worriedly.
Fresh from training, he wore a white training uniform that suited him perfectly, making me swallow hard.
"It's been no time since you left your sickbed. What are you doing out here? If you catch a cold..."
"..."
"Were you waiting for me, by any chance?"
"...Yes. Exactly."
I lied without batting an eye.
Well, not entirely—I'd completely forgotten about the Grand Duke in my daze.
I hadn't been waiting for him, but seeing him now made it feel worthwhile.
'Good things are good, right?'
As I rationalized it, Akid gently scolded me.
"No need to wait like this without a word."
"What do you mean? You're my husband."
I beamed, cupping my hands like a flower bud, and Akid flinched, trembling slightly.
Were his cheeks red from the outside chill or something warmer indoors?
Feeling all my poor baby, I started to offer him a blanket, but he bundled me up tighter instead.
"Next time, just call for me. Don't wait out here indefinitely."
"Hehe. Okay."
How could he be so sweet?
I smiled involuntarily, loving how he fussed over me.
Tempted to play up the cuteness, I grinned wider when the butler approached.
"Little madam, His Highness the Grand Duke says he can't return to the castle tonight."
"Oh, really?"
Not that I cared anymore.
Having already feasted my eyes on Akid in his pristine training garb, my earlier fighting spirit had fizzled out long ago.
'Kob's vacation can wait till tomorrow's showdown.'
A thought that might've hurt Kobishtain's feelings, but I grinned anyway.
With Akid right here, what else mattered?
That's when Akid asked the butler,
"Did something come up?"
"Well... There was an issue on the way."
"An issue?"
Akid sounded shocked, snapping me out of my trance. My eyes went wide too.
As we both stared at Asil, he explained awkwardly,
"A volcano erupted on Frozen Mountain while he was traveling by carriage. The area's unstable right now, so he'll stay at a hotel there tonight."
