Chapter 65

“Why are they making such a fuss?”

She grumbled as she sat back down.

Was Masetike’s counseling really so special? 

While his eloquence was impressive, she didn’t think it was anything extraordinary.

“Well… it’s like he perfectly understands the position of the person confiding in him before giving advice. It’s something only those who’ve experienced it would understand.”

Thinking it might be true, she recalled the conversation she had with Masetike before entering the counseling office. However, since it wasn’t even close to a proper counseling session, it didn’t provide much insight.

“If you’re that curious, why don’t you try it yourself, Head of the Office?”

Masetike, leaning against the middle partition door connecting to the adjacent counseling room, asked.

“Counseling? Hmm… I don’t really have anything to discuss.”

The shop she was worried about was doing well… The only concern was that she hadn’t found any clues about the dark sorcerer yet, but that wasn’t something suitable for counseling.

“Eighty percent of my counseling is related to relationship issues.”

Masetike casually dropped a hint. She looked at Masetike with a face full of confusion, unsure of what to make of the comment.

“Well… Marriage is essentially two people who’ve lived separately coming together, isn’t it? No matter how much they like each other, it’s impossible for everything to align perfectly. If you have concerns in that area, I can help.”

Ah, so that’s what he meant?

“Hmm… He’s more extravagant than I expected.”

“Extravagant? The Commander?”

“Yes. He keeps buying unnecessary clothes and jewelry for me. The dressing room is so full there’s no more space, and now he says he’ll build another one.”

She shook her head, saying that while it wouldn’t lead to bankruptcy, it was still concerning.

“Oh, and he makes me go to bed way too early at night.”

“…Pardon?”

Pell, as if he’d heard something unbelievable, asked again in a disbelieving tone.

“I want to read more books, but he keeps nagging me to sleep. What’s so wrong with staying up a little later?”

“Ah…”

Somehow, she still hadn’t managed to read even half of the books written by Author Rune that other ladies had given her. While she had been savoring them, the main reason was that she simply didn’t have the time to read.

“Well, Head of the Office…Regarding the extravagance issue, we know your personality, so we understand he’s genuinely concerned. But in front of others, please don’t say things like that. It sounds like bragging.”

Pell’s words subtly carried the implication of ‘You sound insufferable.’

She had momentarily forgotten that extravagance was considered a point of pride among nobles.

“And as I’ve mentioned before, could you please fix the way you speak by getting to the main point first?”

Pell nodded in agreement with Masetike’s remark. She shrugged, as if she couldn’t understand why only she was being misunderstood.

“What’s wrong with the way I speak?”

“It always makes people misunderstand.”

“What part?”

“The part about wanting to stay up late but being made to sleep early.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“It just…”

Masetike trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. He looked at her as if to say, “Do I really have to spell this out?”

“Excuse me, Sir. I’m simply curious about what kind of thoughts go on in your head to make you misunderstand things in that way…”

When she shot him a strange look, Masetike raised his hands as if to surrender, deciding to drop the subject.

“Anyway, it’s a bit surprising. I thought for sure that you and the Commander would clash during your honeymoon phase because of incompatibilities and end up regretting it a little. Is it different because you’re nobles? Or have you fought so much already that you’ve figured each other out?”

“Could you stop analyzing us without permission?”

“Well, if any issues arise later, feel free to come for counseling. I’ll always welcome you, Head of the Office.”

Shaking his head, he returned to his seat.

But it wasn’t long before she realized why so many people flocked to him for counseling, even without experiencing it herself.

The first thing he did, which was fundamental to any counselor, was to genuinely listen to the client.

When an employee shyly confessed that their feelings had connected with someone they liked, Masetike blushed as if he were the one being confessed to, sharing in their excitement.

His ability to empathize was truly remarkable, she thought… until she witnessed something even more extraordinary.

“That must have been… so heartbreaking.”

Sniffles and sobs echoed from the room. Pell and she exchanged bewildered glances toward the Counseling Office, but the curtain obscured their view.

When Masetike finally emerged after finishing the session, his eyes were red and puffy. She stared at him in amazement.

“Did you really cry?”

Masetike, embarrassed, covered his face and took the next client’s file from Pell before returning to his seat.

It was a shocking sight. While it was possible to empathize with a client’s emotions, shedding genuine tears was incredibly rare.

But as similar incidents repeated, it felt like Masetike wasn’t himself if he didn’t tear up over even minor issues.

Just like now.

“My family… all passed away in a carriage accident. Since then, I’ve…”

Hearing the story, she thought, “Here we go again, another tearful session,” and glanced at the sofa while sipping her tea.

Through the curtain partially covering the sofa, she caught a glimpse of Masetike’s face. Contrary to her expectations, his expression was cold as he looked at the client.

Then, as if it had been her imagination, a single tear rolled down his cheek.

The cold expression vanished, replaced by a counselor sharing in the client’s sorrow.

It was such a fleeting moment that she wasn’t sure if she had seen it correctly.

Perhaps he had been momentarily stunned by the client’s story of losing their entire family in an accident.

Whatever the reason, the Counseling Office was once again a stage for tears that day.

***

It was a sunny afternoon with fluffy white clouds in the blue sky.

During the brief respite after lunch, she decided to head to the garden, determined to get some sunlight for a change.

Sitting on a chair and basking in the warmth, she felt so lethargic that she didn’t even want to lift a finger. Meanwhile, Masetike was listening to someone’s concerns.

“I don’t know how to express my feelings. I’ve been taking care of them in various ways, but I’m not sure if it’s the right approach…”

Though he had been stopped right after lunch, it wasn’t a scheduled session, so he could have easily brushed them off. Yet, he diligently listened.

“If you’re too obvious about taking care of them, they might feel burdened. How about doing it subtly? Remembering small details about them can also be effective.”

“Won’t they fail to notice if it’s too subtle?”

Masetike reassured them that they didn’t need to worry and patted their shoulder.

After finishing the impromptu session and enjoying a bit of rest, she was about to head back to the office when she noticed some children crouched under a massive tree designated as a national treasure. Their eyes met.

Judging by their clothes, they seemed to be commoners doing menial tasks in the Imperial Palace.

In the Kentri Empire, children typically started working at the age of nine. These kids seemed to be newcomers.

Working at such a young age when they should be playing… The Welfare Department still had a long way to go.

“Head of the Office!”

A child urgently tugged at her clothes. They pointed under the massive tree with their tiny finger.

“A bird… fell…”

At the end of their finger was a baby bird, barely able to open its eyes, crawling on the ground. From a nest not too high up, she could hear the chirping of other birds.

She patted the child’s head and looked around for something to climb on. Her eyes landed on Pell, who was about her height.

“Why… why are you looking at me like that?”

Pell’s face turned uneasy under her narrowed gaze. Placing her hand on his shoulder, she gestured upward with her chin.

“Give me a boost. I think I can reach it.”

“I have a bad back.”

“You’ve already had a second child. Do you really need to save your strength?”

“My wife wants four.”

“…Your marriage is going well, huh?”

“You knew that.”

Pell snorted, as if such remarks no longer fazed him.

In the past, he would’ve thrown a fit… Maybe Pell had matured, or perhaps he’d grown used to her.

“What if you climb on my shoulders instead?”

“Head of the Office, do you have a grudge against me?”

He made a fuss, asking why she was trying to kill him.

That left Masetike. With a sigh, she turned to him.

Although Masetike was taller than her, he still seemed too short to reach the nest.

“Can I borrow your shoulders?”

Looking up at the tree, then at the children’s hopeful eyes, he obediently crouched down.

Placing the baby bird in her palm, she climbed onto his shoulders, her view suddenly elevated. But then, fear struck.

“Wait! Don’t move!”

When she let go of his head for balance, her body wobbled, and she shouted urgently.

“I wasn’t moving.”

“Almost… almost there…”

Stretching her arm, she carefully placed the baby bird back in its nest. Watching it nestle among its siblings and chirp loudly, she felt a sense of accomplishment.

“All done?”

“Wait! Hold on!”

Masetike suddenly moved, causing her to sway.

‘Something to grab!’

In that split second, she debated between the sturdy tree trunk and the red-haired head below her. But there was only one choice.

The massive tree was a national treasure. Damaging it would mean facing charges of national treasure destruction.

While she could probably get away with it… there was no need to invite trouble.

She had no choice but to grab the red hair below her.