Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 198

Chapter 198: Hide, Executive Manager (3)

Parties were always exhausting.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Mage Duchess!"

I hadn't even entered the mansion yet, and I was already feeling drained.

When did it start? Crowded places had become off-putting, and I couldn't help but question why I came whenever I saw someone trembling in front of me.

I was feeling that even now. A mix of weariness and pity filled my heart after seeing the stiffly saluting guard.

I wouldn't have come at all if it weren't for baby.

But what could I do? I had to overcome these minor issues for baby’s sake.

"Just a moment, please! I'll open it right away!"

I looked up without thinking as the guards hurriedly opened the main gate, sensing a familiar aura of mana.

Far off, on the balcony at the front of the mansion, stood a man and a woman.

Baby.

It was definitely my baby. I would never mistake his mana for another’s.

I used magic to enhance my vision, confirming that it was indeed baby. He seemed a bit surprised to see me, too.

It was worth coming, after all.

A smile naturally formed on my face. Seeing baby as soon as I arrived at the venue almost felt like he was waiting for me.

However, my satisfaction faded slightly when I saw the person next to him.

Lady Marghetta.

She was the woman sticking close to my baby. There was another woman beside him and not me.

I had expected it. I knew that baby and Lady Marghetta were close.

...Still, I found it irritating.

"There’s no need to open it. I'll enter on my own, so stop."

I spoke briefly to the busy guards and then used teleportation.Rêạd new chapters on no/v/e/lbin(.)com

I had tried to brace myself, but seeing baby with another woman in person felt different than just knowing about it. It sparked an indescribable surge of emotion within me.

No, I knew exactly what it was. Jealousy. It was embarrassing, but I felt jealous of a much younger person.

It doesn't matter.

It was alright to feel embarrassed. It was okay even if I was feeling jealous.

That just proved how deep my love for my baby was.

"Baby."

The distance between baby and me closed in an instant.

He’s still the same.

Seeing baby's outfit nearly made me laugh. Wearing such attire at a formal occasion was so typical of him.

Meanwhile, the lady next to him wore a red dress.

It doesn't match.

Black and red? What an awkward match. If baby was wearing black, then shouldn’t he be enveloped in warm white instead?

"To see my baby as soon as I arrive? How lucky of me."

The bright red stood out too much and didn’t match baby at all.

"Were you waiting for me?"

After all, black went best with white.

"Fufu, I'd be pleased if you were."

Just like me.

***

I instinctively tensed up when someone grabbed me from behind, even though I knew that it was the Mage Duchess.

Magic really does have its perks.

Whenever I saw people traveling effortlessly by teleportation, I always felt tempted to become a mage swordsman instead.

Of course, magic was a matter of talent, and teleportation was a high-level spell, so it wouldn’t be easy.

Nevertheless, I casually responded to the Mage Duchess, who had initiated the conversation.

"I stepped out for some fresh air when Your Grace arrived."

"Is that so?"

The Mage Duchess’s ears perked up, a faint smile on her face. It seemed that she was in a good mood, judging by her truth-revealing ears.

"I’m also glad to see you both looking well."

The Mage Duchess also responded with utmost formality. After all, addressing the two dukes informally here would be tantamount to declaring herself the ultimate elder.

...I pretended not to notice the dukes bowing even lower every time the Mage Duchess spoke.

"Isn’t this a rare sight? Perhaps this is the true charm of a party."

I threw a light joke to Marghetta, who had been looking serious since earlier. It seemed that she was in a bad mood, so I wanted to lighten up the atmosphere a bit.

"..."

The problem was the lack of any response.

"...Mar?"

I called her cautiously, but there was still no response.

It seemed that she had shut off not just her mouth, but her ears as well.

I couldn’t understand why. I would’ve apologized if she was angry with me, but that didn’t seem to be the issue since she was still holding my hand.

Why?

It was scarier when someone who didn’t normally behave this way started acting like this.

***

No.

No, no, no, absolutely not.

He’s mine.

My grip tightened on Carl’s hand, and I found myself biting my lip.

He has to be mine.

This couldn't be happening. How could such a disaster strike so suddenly?

I felt like crying from the injustice, but I held them back. I shouldn’t show weakness in front of my enemy.

I was first.

I steadied my heart with this mantra.

Don't get flustered.

I love Carl more than anyone, and Carl loves me.

It didn’t matter if the opponent was... a Duke...

What should I do...?

Thinking of the Mage Duchess’s status made my heart waver again.

I knew the power of a duke well. How could I not after living as part of a ducal family? Dukes knew the extent of their power better than anyone.

And that was why I knew that this was a terrible calamity.

Why does it have to be her?

It was an unforeseen disaster. I had entertained the possibility, but I never truly believed that it would happen.

Why does she like Carl?

But that possibility had become a reality.

I realized it on the balcony. The way she looked at Carl and her tone and gestures toward him. And then, how she looked at me.

It was clear. There was no way I wouldn’t see the emotions she so obviously showed.

Even now.

She was sneaking glances at Carl even as she exchanged greetings with the dukes. The affection in those glances was undeniable.

I bit my lip again. I had thought that this party would be a joyful occasion and a chance for the nobility to witness our relationship.

If I had known that this would happen, then I wouldn’t have come—

...No.

I shouldn’t harbor such weak thoughts. It was actually better this way. At least I discovered an unknown enemy.

Rather, this was a good thing. I could prepare now that I knew who my enemy was.

I can’t lose.

She was one of the dukes? So what? Was marriage all about status?

Carl had already promised me that we would go to Father as soon as the New Year's Ball ended.

I won’t lose.

Yes, there was no need to be so nervous.

A Valenti always gets what they want. I won’t lose no matter how powerful the opponent is, even if it’s a /genesisforsaken