It was a time when my whole mind was fluttering with joy at meeting Veronia again. So I might have misheard.

‘No, no. She clearly said a child was waiting. Having a child means… she’s married…’

At that moment, Killian’s face turned ashen. His head rang and his stomach churned.

‘Ah… no. Just because there’s a child doesn’t necessarily mean she’s married. And maybe… it could be a lie.’

He hoped it was a lie.

It was Veronia who had run into him while hiding. There was a chance she had lied to quickly get away.

‘This won’t do. I should really request the information guild… No, I can’t! That’s not right.’

Suddenly his mind began to spin in confusion. Killian writhed in agony, clutching his head.

‘So what if she has a husband? I came first, didn’t I? Yes. If I push forward like that… Ah…’

Killian knew well that nothing could be achieved by pushing forward alone in relationships.

The thoughts burrowing into his mind made him feel like crying.

He completely forgot the joy of meeting Veronia alive, or his resolve to never lose her again now that he’d found her.

Now he desperately wished and wished she wasn’t another man’s wife. He hoped she had missed him even a little, as he had missed her all this time.

Now that he’d confirmed her survival, he dared to want to receive her affection.

That night, Killian had to spend the night wide awake without a wink of sleep.

The next day, everyone who met Killian was surprised by his haggard face.

“Your Excellency, you look tired. Why don’t you retire early today? We’ve finished all the urgent signatures.”

In the late afternoon, Windler asked with a worried face, but Killian shook his head.

“No. We never know when urgent matters might pile up, so it’s better to get ahead. Bring other documents if there are any. I’ll finish them all today.”

“But why today of all… Yes, understood, Your Excellency.”

No one could break Killian’s will. Once he said he’d do something, he had to do it to feel satisfied. Until he exhausted himself.

After moving all the high-stacked document folders onto Killian’s desk, Windler stood there fidgeting without leaving.

Killian asked, twitching one eyebrow.

“What is it?”

“I was wondering… if you needed anything else.”

“No. Nothing. That’s fine. If you’re done with your work, you can leave the palace.”

At the words to leave, Windler’s eyes sparkled brightly.

“Is, is that alright?”

“I said so.”

“Understood, Your Excellency. I obey your command.”

After bowing deeply, Windler left the office with quick steps. It was so fast it almost caused a wind.

Left alone, Killian opened a document folder. White was paper, black was writing.

It seemed it would take quite some time to regain his scattered concentration.

It was partly due to lack of sleep, but mostly because his mind was entirely filled with Veronia.

After gulping down water, he strained his eyes to focus. Time seemed to pass so slowly.

Some time later.

It seemed time had passed after all, as the sky outside the window had darkened.

Killian closed the document he was looking at and went outside. His heart pounded as he headed towards the staircase construction site.

But no matter how much he looked around, he couldn’t see Veronia with her robe pulled down. Then the site manager approached.

“Prime Minister, we meet again.”

“Yes. Is the work progressing well without issues?”

“Yes. Thanks to your concern, it’s proceeding smoothly without any problems so far. I’ll soon organize the progress and submit a report.”

“Do that.”

Even during the conversation, Killian’s gaze couldn’t stay still and kept looking around. Flora asked without hesitation.

“Are you looking for something, Your Excellency?”

“…The number of workers seems less than yesterday.”

“No. The number of workers is the same as yesterday.”

“…I see.”

Perhaps displeased with Flora’s answer, deep wrinkles formed between Killian’s brows. Only then did something occur to Flora, and she exclaimed in a clear voice.

“Ah, Nia who came yesterday isn’t here today.”

“Why is that?”

Killian asked back without even taking a breath, and Flora was momentarily flustered. But she soon composed herself and answered his question.

“Because Nia isn’t a site worker. She’s from the planning department.”

“…I see.”

Killian’s already tired-looking face seemed to become even more exhausted.

“Then carry on.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Take care.”

As she watched Killian’s retreating back, Flora tilted her head.

‘Why is he suddenly looking for Nia?’

They seemed to be talking about various things yesterday, so perhaps he had something to ask about planning?

Or… as Nia worried, was the Prime Minister also going to make an issue of Nia’s scar because he’s a noble?

‘No. It doesn’t seem like that… Then why?’

But Flora’s questions had to stop there. There were many workers calling for her.

“Flora! Come here and look at this!”

“No, Flora! Me first! Help me!”

“This is urgent! Over here!”

“Alright, alright! Just wait a moment!”

Flora hurried over.

The next day, Killian appeared with an even more haggard face than yesterday. It was because he hadn’t slept properly again.

He had spent the night tossing and turning, worrying if Veronia had run away somewhere else after meeting him.

Of course, it wasn’t enough to crack his outstanding beauty. But it was enough to make those who saw him feel sympathy.

“I wonder what’s wrong with the Prime Minister.”

“I’m worried he might be sick, oh dear…”

Worried voices could be heard here and there. Windler was no exception.

“Your Excellency, are you really not ill? Should I call the court physician now?”

“I’m not sick, so don’t worry about it.”

“But still…”

“Never mind that. Prepare a plan to actively utilize magical tools to improve the work efficiency of administrative officers.”

“Pardon? You mean besides the central staircase?”

“Yes. Besides the central staircase.”

Windler’s eyes widened in surprise at Killian’s order.

But it was the Prime Minister’s order. Understanding or not was a matter for later, and responding loudly came first.

“Yes. I will obey your command, Your Excellency.”

It was when Windler turned to leave the office. Suddenly, a thought flashed through Killian’s mind.

“Wait!”

At the thunderous cry, Windler stopped and turned back. A bewildered look shot at Killian.

‘His Majesty probably won’t be pleased about entering the annex. He’ll be afraid someone might recognize him.’

So it couldn’t be a plan for administrative officers. There was a need to find another place, another use not related to the annex.

“No. Forget the previous order. And plan ways to utilize magical tools somewhere other than the imperial palace.”

It took Windler some time to fully understand what he had just heard.

Still, there was a part he couldn’t understand until the very end, so he asked without delay.

“But where do you mean by somewhere other than the imperial palace, Your Excellency?”

“That… you’ll have to figure out.”

“…Pardon?”

There had never been such an unreasonable order.

Windler had been by Killian’s side for almost 10 years. But this was the first time he had received such a haphazard order, and he couldn’t quite grasp how to react.

Whether knowing Windler’s troubled mind or not, Killian continued in a deliberately solemn voice.

“Thanks to the efforts of the magic tower laboratory, magical tools have made great progress. But they’re still far from everyday life. The purpose of this project should be to narrow that gap.”

“Ah… I see.”

Windler, finally understanding a little, slowly nodded.

“Yes. I will obey your command, Your Excellency.”

After politely bowing, Windler’s mind was noisy as he left the office.

‘There’s definitely something. My sixth sense is telling me! I smell it, I smell… There’s something at the magic tower laboratory, but what is it? Could it be related to that little Jediel?’

Windler’s face turned ashen at the premonition that he would have to deal with a very busy schedule today and tomorrow.

Night fell. Today too, Killian remained late in the annex office.

While his gaze was fixed on the document folders, he was praying with all his heart. Praying that he would be able to see Veronia today.

He left the office timed to when construction would be in full swing. His heart was pounding.

Killian hid behind a pillar, moving only his eyes to scan the construction site. And he saw her. The golden-haired woman with her robe pulled down.

Of course, it was golden hair with faint traces of silver remaining.

‘Oh God, thank you! Your Majesty didn’t quit the job. Thank you so much, God!’

Killian barely stopped himself from shouting out loud right there. As a result, he had to bite his lower lip hard.

He wanted to run over right now and ask how she was while looking at her face.

‘But I must endure.’

He desperately wanted to ask if she had a child and husband.

Though desperate, Killian comforted himself once again that he must endure.

Killian clenched his fists tightly.

If he showed interest in her, she would obviously be afraid. She might run away again.

He absolutely couldn’t create such a situation. If he lost her again, he would never be able to forgive himself.

‘Endure! I must endure!’

Killian groaned like that for a while, hidden behind the pillar. And unfortunately, that sight was caught perfectly in the eyes of Windler passing by.

‘Your Excellency…? What are you doing now? What is this scene…’