Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 186

Chapter 186: My Prison Chronicles (1)

Prison wasn’t too bad. Saying this might make me sound like a criminal who had given up on everything, but it was surprisingly bearable.

The term ‘prison’ might conjure images of a cold and damp place. However, the space I had to stay in for five days was like any ordinary room except for the bars where a door should be. The furniture even felt newly replaced, so it was nice.

If you could forget that it was a prison, then it was quite livable. Yes, let’s just forget that part.

"Number 2781. Your meal has arrived."

Unfortunately, the person in front of me made that impossible. I couldn’t look away no matter how hard I tried.

"Why are you here again?"

"My valued subordinate is in this cold prison, so eating alone just doesn't feel right."

Bullshit. I could vividly imagine him using my imprisonment as an excuse to down bottles of liquor.

The Minister presented me with a box, his face brighter than ever. Damn it, how long have I been locked up for him to already be sending in food?

I wanted to yell at him to take that monstrous thing away, but causing a fuss in prison could extend my sentence for misconduct. The thought of extending my already tear-inducing five-day sentence was unbearable.

'He knows that all too well.'

And from what I knew, the Minister knew that as well. That was probably the reason why he visited with such enthusiasm.

"Aren’t you touched?"

I bit my lip at his words.

“It’s touching, isn’t it?”

The past me was clearly and thoroughly insane. Right now, I was left dealing with the aftermath of those actions.

Yeah. Thinking about it, sending in the meal on the first day was crossing the line. I should have waited until the last day.

"Damned civil service..."

God definitely existed here; this seemed like a world where karma was a bitch.

***

I’ve never felt this satisfied since becoming the Minister. I now feel confident that I can go to work without any complaints for the next five years.

'So this is what it felt like.'

Seeing the prisoner grinding his teeth in front of me filled me with a deep sense of satisfaction.

The barrier of the prison bars, the inferior status of the convict, and the one-sided teasing opportunity—all of these were things I hadn’t experienced before.

Now I understand why that bastard rushed over with a written report when I was imprisoned.

'I thought he was insane.'

I thought he was crazy for writing a report just to mock me. I also thought that he must have lost his mind from being burdened with heavy responsibilities at such a young age.

But he was right. If one could enjoy this situation, then a written report was a small price to pay. It was worth the decision, even at the risk of a probation.

"Just take it. It's food you won't be able to eat for a while."

I slipped the box through the gap. It wouldn't have fit had it been a bit larger, but I was a former inmate myself. I wouldn’t have made that mistake.

"No, I’m here just for five days!"

"It's long enough."

Carl, who received the box through the gap, shouted with frustration, but I lightly retorted.

What did it matter if he got out after five days? The important thing was being stuck here and now, wasn’t it?

"It’s getting colder, so take care. I’d be sad if you caught a cold in prison."

This was sincere advice, but the ungrateful bastard just shivered.

Well, it didn’t matter. My mockery was as sincere as my advice, and that was exactly the reaction I wanted.

"Then, I'll be off. Take care, number 2781."

I deliberately mentioned his prisoner number as I turned away. Even if it was just a show for five days, a prisoner was still a prisoner by name.

"Thank you."

I nodded to the guard, who spoke with a hint of nervous sweat. It seemed like refusing would only add to his burden.

Even my mere presence was a nuisance to him.

'I'm sorry...'

I should send him a gift once I was released.

***

The first thing I saw upon waking up on the second day of my prison life was the guard as he came to greet me.

Anyone would’ve thought that I was in a mansion and not a prison.

"The punishment is excessive compared to the Executive Manager’s mistake, but what can we do? There are no exceptions in the law. Still, I'll make sure your stay is comfortable."

Seeing the bowing guard reminded me of what the Crown Prince had said in his office. What on earth did that bastard tell them for the guard to act like a butler?

Such a pitiful victim of the crown prince's actions. The thought made me feel a pang of sympathy. I should definitely send him a gift.

'Maybe transferring him to another department would be a good gift.'

Apart from the frequent visits from the guard, nothing else happened.

I’ve heard that vigorous inmates in prison braced themselves for extended sentences to engage in fierce brawls, but I had no chance of witnessing such spectacular fights since I was in a single cell.

I wasn’t even sure if such things really did happen. Who in their right mind would jeopardize their future just to enjoy the present?

'Me.'

Surprisingly, that mad person was me. I wouldn’t have ended up in imprisonment if I hadn’t gone so far as to tease the Minister, which led to a written report.

The prisoners in jail and I were not so different, after all. I came to realize something I'd rather not know.

"Executive Manager?"

"I’m fine."

While I was coming to terms with my own identity, the guard approached again.

I said that I would call him if I needed anything, and yet here he was again. It must not be deliberate negligence on his part. If so, was it because of the crown prince?

What did he say that made them so dedicated? This was almost frightening.

"It’s not that. A visitor request has come in."

"Oh."

I almost closed my eyes, resigning myself to the inevitable.

It wouldn’t be the Minister. He barged in yesterday without my consent, claiming 'It’s business about the Ministry of Finance!' so there was no law saying he that couldn’t do it again today.

But if it wasn’t the Minister...

'Who could it be?'

There were quite a few possibilities. Just counting the Senior Manager and the Managers alone, there were about five; if we were to include the 4th Manager, that made six.

Ah, maybe they came as a group. That would indeed be more convenient for them.

"It’s still morning; that was quick. Who is it?"

"That is—"

The guard just shifted his eyes, unable to answer my casual question.

...That was when I instinctively realized. It was definitely not someone from the Prosecutors’ Office.

"Her Grace, the Mage Duchess."

Ah.

I almost spat out the words 'Can you tell her that I’m not here?'

Where else would a prisoner be if not in prison, you /genesisforsaken