Since this incident would make it appear the First Prince Charlie’s work capability had risen at a glance, from the Emperor’s perspective, he needed to boost the Second Prince Cassian’s position again.

And I, the cause of this situation, was the target.

“But, Rose.”

“Why so scary?”

Cassian spoke while playing with my hair, seeming pleased.

“I think you and I will have some trouble.”

“Then why do you look so happy?”

“Thinking about someone whose world will crumble makes it hard to contain myself?”

So the Imperial Consort will get a taste of her own medicine?

I briefly considered something in my mind before erasing it.

That couldn’t be.

*

They say ‘that couldn’t be’ kills people.

“I would like to apply for the Second Assistant position in the Winter Palace.”

A month later, around when news came that the Summer Palace’s training was almost complete.

Francis Ashwood threw his resignation letter at the Summer Palace and held out an application to the Winter Palace.

I lost words for a moment as I alternately looked at the person who came to submit the application and the application itself.

It really… turned out like this?

‘……I only remember treating him badly while he was in the Winter Palace?’

Though I hadn’t acted petty in training since I didn’t want him to become like the incompetent people in the Summer Palace.

‘Does he perhaps have a hobby of enjoying suffering…?’

Why would he give up those honey-like conditions of working just three mornings a week to come to this hell?

Contrary to such conscientious thoughts,

‘If we get one more assistant we can have five more administrative officers!’

The devil’s voice was shouting loudly in my head.

Then our administrative officers could always leave before midnight during settlement periods.

Should I just close my eyes and accept it?

Plus as Cassian said, we could really upset the Imperial Consort.

How much effort had the Imperial Consort put into making Lord Ashwood the First Prince Charlie’s assistant!

It was to the point where there was no noble in the capital who didn’t know.

Other ducal families being subtly displeased during that process was just a bonus.

‘If we accept him, the Imperial Consort will surely try to torment us…!’

She does that normally anyway!

As Cassian said, thinking about how upset she would be, the benefits felt faaaaar greater than the drawbacks.

A fierce battle raged in my mind between reason saying we shouldn’t throw an innocent(?) lamb into hell and desire tangled with various calculations.

But Assistant Ashwood, misunderstanding something, opened his mouth with an urgent tone.

“I’ve resolved all the work Assistant Saliche assigned me, so you don’t need to worry.”

“……Work I assigned?”

Me, to you?

I’m not your superior though?

When I expressed confusion, Lord Ashwood lowered his eyes slightly as if shy as he spoke.

His silver eyelashes caught the morning sunlight that had entered the office, gently sparkling.

“The Summer Palace won’t delay work like during the last settlement. If such a thing happens, I plan to step forward and refuse.”

Lord Ashwood slowly raised his gaze again to meet mine.

His crimson eyes looked at me desperately, seemingly asking for trust.

Why is he so earnest…?

“I thoroughly trained them based on what Assistant Saliche taught me, so now the Summer Palace will do its part, though inadequately.”

Honestly, it was an excessively good proposal.

To the point where I wondered if God had taken pity on this harsh Winter Palace office and thrown down a rope.

‘He says he’ll be a shield against the Summer Palace, and solve our staff shortage…’

Plus upsetting the Imperial Consort as a bonus….

That’s why I had to be even more careful.

If he gets exhausted from the heavy workload and resigns from the assistant position, we’ll lose five administrative officers too…!

“Lord Ashwood, let me ask honestly. From my perspective, I don’t see why you need to come to the Winter Palace. Do you have other intentions?”

It’s not like you have huge family debts to repay like me.

“I realized while helping with Assistant Saliche’s work that everything I’d been doing until now was just superficial.”

…My conscience stung a little.

What I taught him then was actually just superficial though?

“I am someone who hasn’t proven my abilities enough to be mocked as a ‘young duke in training’ by His Highness Prince Charlie.”

A faint sadness spread across his seemingly emotionless face.

“I think I understand a bit now why my grandfather, Duke Ashwood, has harshly criticized me saying I lack substance. That’s why I want to work here where you are, Assistant Saliche.”

He really seemed like a different person.

He used to be an arrogant lord who said he would tolerate the rudeness of not even making eye contact because we were busy.

His work sense was decent, and his character would be more than enough for the Winter Palace.

But as a decent human being, and honestly not wanting to give and then take away, I asked him straightforwardly:

“As you know from working here, three morning shifts per week won’t be possible in the Winter Palace. You can leave on time if work is finished but…”

The big problem with our palace is that work never finishes….

If we look even slightly free, the Sun Palace and Rose Palace dump work on the Winter Palace in pairs.

“I can’t tell you everything since it’s internal palace matters, but is it okay for you that the Winter Palace has excessive work?”

Now is your only chance to escape.

I squeezed out my last bit of conscience and spoke to him as professionally as possible.

If my desperation showed, he might get scared and run away.

“I’m prepared for it. I even stayed and worked at the Summer Palace for a week.”

Well, if he’s going this far….

Really, I have no choice but to veeeery reluctantly accept this excellent worker into the Winter Palace.

“Alright then, would you be able to start from next Monday?”

“I can start from tomorrow.”

Weren’t you only working three days a week because of family matters?

Though I found it a bit strange, since he volunteered to work….

“Then please come tomorrow, and regarding your workspace, we plan to prepare the empty room next to where the administrative officers are currently staying. Do you have any questions?”

Though I’ve shared an office with Cassian from the start, the internal rules state that assistants can have their own offices.

Lord Ashwood seemed to hesitate for a moment but soon nodded.

“Then unless His Highness specifically forbids it, I’ll see you tomorrow, Assistant Ashwood.”

“Yes, thank you.”

At my words, he left the office looking relieved.

Not long after, administrative officers poured into the office.

“Is it true, Assistant Saliche?”

“We can!”

“We can hire new people now?!”

The joy of our administrative officers who had been suffering from chronic staff shortages was palpable.

“If His Highness doesn’t forbid it.”

“He’ll allow it!”

“His Highness Cassian is generous!”

“He’s the kindest demon in the world!”

The administrative officers soon left the office again, shouting ‘Long live His Highness Cassian!’ and saying they should finish today’s work quickly.

And I, left behind, muttered alone with a very serious face.

“I need to make the first move…”

At this rate, they would definitely dump the training of all new administrative officers and assistants entering the palace on us.

His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial Consort were exactly those kinds of people.

‘Especially since the Imperial Consort definitely won’t leave us alone.’

That’s how I decided Assistant Ashwood’s first task.

Creating a new employee training manual for external distribution.

*

When Cassian returned in the afternoon and heard about it, his face also brightened.

“Of course we should accept him.”

As expected, my superior enjoyed fighting fire with fire as much as I did.

If our house is burning, it’s the way of the world to burn others’ houses too.

Of course, Lord Ashwood’s entry into the Winter Palace caused waves throughout the imperial palace.

The Summer Palace assistants and administrative officers:

‘Will you accept work from us again now? We’ve spent time together after all, surely you can show that much consideration?’

‘We’re not asking you to take everything. Can’t you just do a little bit?’

‘Now that the Winter Palace will have more people too.’

Though they were still spouting nonsense without coming to their senses.

Francis Ashwood was truly someone who kept his word.

‘We have no reason to do it for you. If you really need cooperation, please submit a formal request.’

After receiving such a firm rejection, they say the Summer Palace’s incompetents are cursing Lord Ashwood behind his back.

Calling him a Winter Palace traitor or something.

But well, the person himself seemed completely unbothered.

Rather….

‘It’s an honor, since it seems that in the Winter Palace, having a reputation as a demon or witch is practically proof of ability.’

He was taking it strangely positively.

Well, if he’s happy, that’s good.

And as for our Imperial Consort….

“Nervous, Rose?”

“……Of course.”

Surprisingly, they say she’s been very quiet, not even breaking teacups.

That’s why my steps felt even heavier on the way to the weekly breakfast gathering.

Since His Majesty the Emperor hadn’t seen my face in a while, and specifically said to bring me now that the Winter Palace had more assistants, I couldn’t avoid it.

“It’s alright, no matter what the Imperial Consort does, I won’t let go of your hand.”

I quietly looked at Cassian.

I think there was a similar scene in the original where he said such words to Roselita.

Unlike the original female lead who only half-believed those words.

“Of course, even if Your Highness lets go, I’ll stick to your back like a leech.”

I answered him without a trace of doubt.

Hearing my answer, Cassian gently smiled and kissed my knuckles.

“Saying you won’t leave me alone, what sweet words so early in the morning.”

This was who Cassian Artez was in this world.

*

The Imperial Consort wore an even more benevolent smile than usual today.

“Welcome, Lady Saliche, no, Miss Roselita. We’ll be family someday so I can call you that, right?”

The Imperial Consort opened her mouth with excessive warmth as if she had eaten something wrong.

“Your Majesty, I hear new administrative officers and assistants will be entering the imperial palace soon?”

She attempted her first attack with predictable words.