94 – Declaration
Serena sat in a chair and swung her legs.
Her status was now Seli Rabione.
She was both the leading actress of the Golden Theater and a staff member of the Development Innovation Department.
“Look at the sweat on your forehead. Aren’t you tired?”
It was their first day at the Development Innovation Department in a while.
Seeing Bernstein today, who was always creating something, Serena spoke as if she was fed up.
Bloodshot eyes.
From Noble mtl dot com
A mouth constantly mumbling something.
Yet, he never put down the tools in his hands.
“Pass me number 3.”
Bernstein called each tool by a number. Other members of staff did not understand, but Serena memorized it at once.
“Thanks.”
“What are you making this time?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Huh, I’m also a worker here, you know?”
Serena could not contain her curiosity.
She leaned in closer to Bernstein, casting him a surreptitious, upward glance, her eyes as innocent as those of a doe. Of course, it was all an act.
“Could you tell me… Eek!”
Suddenly, Bernstein pushed Serena away.
“What are you doing?!” she exclaimed.
“You idiot! Don’t come too close without thinking!” he scolded her.
Then sparks flew.
Bernstein, who was wearing protective gear, tampered with various tools. The sparks eventually subsided.
Serena tried to calm her startled heart.
Her face had almost been severely burnt.
“I guess you saved me, thank you…”
Bernstein didn’t answer but continued creating something. Serena sat back down on the chair and watched Bernstein attentively.
‘I’m not someone to be ignored.’
With her beautiful appearance and naturally captivating manner, she attracted attention wherever she went, and men willingly become her slaves at her mere smile.
But there were two people completely immune to her charms.
The first was Ascal Erendale, and the second was Bernstein.
‘Sigh…’
Whenever she thought of Ascal, Serena found herself sighing unknowingly.
She was ready.
All she had to do now was confidently confess her feelings to Ascal, but it wasn’t easy.
‘Bernstein, he’s our darling’s close friend…’
Looking back, there are numerous similarities.
1. They are both Imperial Ministers.
2. Both are popular within the Empire.
3. They are exceptionally capable.
4. They are not interested in themselves.
And.
“hehehehe… Once this is complete, I can finally escape from the Empire.”
5. They want to escape from the Empire.
Serena quietly communicated to the Inspector disguised as an employee how many times Bernstein mentioned wanting to escape from the Empire that day.
Green light for three times, orange light for five times, and immediate preparation for capture after ten times.
Before they knew it, they had even developed a manual on how to handle Bernstein, as if they were part of an evaluation department.
‘They are similar…right.’
Then wouldn’t they also have similar tastes?
Bernstein, who had just finished a round of work, set down his tools and stretched his shoulder muscles. It was as if one could hear the screamed agony of his bunched-up muscles.
Serena handed a cup of coffee to Bernstein.
“Thank you.”
“Mister Minister, what type of woman do you like? How do you see me?”
“Pfft–”
Bernstein choked on his coffee.
What a sudden confession attack.
Bernstein, having composed himself, spoke seriously.
“I’m sorry. I’ve never thought of you as anything more than a subordinate. Regrettably, I don’t think I can reciprocate your feelings.”
“……What nonsense is this?”
“Wasn’t that a confession?”
“No, it wasn’t.”
Bernstein felt disheartened as Serena’s expression changed to one that resembled looking at an unpleasant bug.
Feeling slightly sorry, Serena spoke gently.
“I’m sorry, I see there may have been some misunderstandings. I just asked because the person I like is similar to the minister, and I thought our tastes might be similar, too. I actually like this person.”
“Is it someone I know?”
“It’s Ascal Eryndale.”
“Cough.”
This time, the damage was on Bernstein’s side.
After quite a while of painful coughing, he was able to continue speaking.
“What the hell is similar about that guy and me? There’s no common ground between us, except for both being men! While I’m working hard like this, that guy must be comfortably flirting with his girlfriend in his office!”
Even then, Bernstein still harboured resentment for the couple who had been wailing in front of him when he had gone to the Evaluation Department for fun.
But then.
Seeing Serena’s expression change suddenly, Bernstein felt like something was wrong.
“…Girlfriend?”
“Misunderstanding, Seri. A, friend! That’s it. You heard wrong. hahahaha.”
This was strange.
Bernstein felt goosebumps on his arms.
The workshop, always hot with heat, suddenly began to feel strangely cold.
“Please, explain in detail. You said you went to the Evaluation Department, didn’t you? Don’t leave anything out; tell me everything that happened then.”
Here.
In the office, a youth was wandering again.
Her name was Susia, her surname Senestia, a girl who fathomed the concept of love belatedly.
Today also, Susia invaded the office, elegantly lifting her dress hem and greeted,
“Good day, everyone.”
“Susia.”
Askel answered her without even looking up from the documents he was working on.
Susia approached Askel.
“Do I look any different today?”
Glancing over at Susia with a perplexed look, wondering what she was going on about this time, Askel casually moved his pen.
“I don’t know.”
“Idiot. Nevermind, hmph.”
The one who answered instead was Lia.
“Susia, you have let down your hairband and cut your fringe; it suits you. Moreover, the necklace matches with the color of your dress, it’s adorable.”
“Lia…! You noticed?”
For a moment, Susia was moved but swallowed her words.
‘Pull yourself together, Susia. You can’t be grateful.’
Even though Susia always considered Lia as a dear friend, but, for now, the latter was a competitor.
‘Ah, how has fate led me here. Fighting over a man with my closest friend…’
However, Susia wasn’t aware.
Currently, Askel did not consider Susia as the opposite s*x. Also, Lia, in her obsession and all, did not consider Susia as a threat at all.
Instead, Lia thought like this.
‘Did you develop a crush on someone recently, Susia? Keep it up.’
Seeing Lia’s smile towards her, Susia bit her lip.
“Lia is mocking me. We’re already lovers, right? But I, Sushia, I’m not a woman who gives up easily.”
…Women of the Senesti family become a little crazy when they fall in love.
Sushia darted at Ascal once again.
“Minister, when were your lips produced?”
“What does that mean?”
“It looks as if your lips are brand new.”
For a moment, Ascal lost his words and stared at Sushia.
Sushia winked.
“That’s alright. There may be a woman who will steal your ‘new product’ soon.”
Ascal looked at Lia.
Lia nodded.
“You seem to have been under a lot of stress lately. Lia, please take Sushia to Aileen’s counseling room.”
“Wait, I’m normal! Lia, don’t do this! Ahhhhh!”
Upon seeing Sushia being escorted away by force, Ascal shook his head.
In the Evaluation Department, at the fortune-teller’s.
Elenia smiled at a welcome face.
“Come on in, Serena.”
“It’s been a long time, mother.”
There are complicated relationships here. In fact, the great witch Elenia was the former empress of the empire, who ran away in wrath when the emperor denied her twin children who had witch’s disease. She maintained contact with Serena, who she had a good relationship with. She was fine with the crown prince, but was estredy with Julia.
“Welcome!”
“Come quickly!”
The twins greeted her.
“Hello, little ones.”
Serena stroked Lorian and Flora’s heads.
The twins laughed heartily.
“I assume you’re here because something’s on your mind? Sigh, your face reveals your trouble.”
“…What’s with that sign over there?”
Serena pointed to the loud sign hung at the entrance of the fortune-telling shop.
“＜♚♚Got a problem♚♚First consultation half price☜☜100% accuracy rate※♜fortune-telling shop♜＞”
“It seems like it’s a popular trend these days. Can’t be left behind the trend, can I? hehehehe.”
“I think you could afford to be…”
“Take a seat. Will a simple herbal tea do? Miss?”
Serena looked at the crystal ball, her fingers drumming on the table. Her reflection in the crystal ball was unusually dark.
“Sigh… what is love, really?”
“Exactly. Why is love so difficult, huh?”
She hadn’t noticed because of the dark curtains.
There was a customer seated next to her.
“…Princess Shushia?”
“The renowned actress of the Golden Theater, Seri Rabione!? I’m a fan!”
Seeing Shushia making a fuss, Serena briefly wore a professional smile, sighed softly, and looked at the crystal ball.
“What troubles you?”
The dark curtains.
A burning candle.
The atmosphere was perfect for even strangers to spill out their worries.
“I am in love with someone, but they already have a lover.”
“……You too?”
“Miss Seri as well?”
Coincidentally, both women were facing the same dilemma.
“But I can’t give up. They’re my first love.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“……Me too.”
“Is the man’s girlfriend someone very close to you?”
“Yes.”
The man they loved already had a lover.
They couldn’t give up because it was their first love.
The girlfriend was someone they knew very well.
Surprisingly, their situations were identical.
“This is incredible. This could be a fate-ordained meeting. Two women with the same dilemmas meeting – something big could happen!”
“I wish that were the case.”
Serena was skeptical about miracles, but right now, she wanted to clutch onto something, anything.
Elenia, who had been gathering her fortune telling tools, sat down.
“Well, ladies. Tell me what you’d like a reading on.”
Susia answered swiftly.
“Can I take that man from her?”
“That’s the third time you’ve asked the same question. It loses its meaning when you repeat it.”
“But this time could be different!”
Elenia handled her crystal ball.
Its color immediately turned black.
“We don’t even need to shuffle the cards this time, it’s hopeless. No matter how many times you try, it’s impossible.”
Sushia was beside herself, a look of despair etched onto her face.
“How could this… What should I do then…”
It felt all too personal.
Serena offered some advice.
“Perhaps you should reframe your question. Instead of taking a man, ask about the probability of him naturally coming to love you… or maybe even just being a second choice?”
“Second… Me, a second choice…?”
She looked even more lost.
Leaving the dazed Sushia alone, Serena posed a question herself.
It was a simple one.
“Does the Prince of Night connect with the Princess of Night?”
“Isn’t that a somewhat cheap tactic?”
Serena gave a smirk that was all too her.
“I don’t rely on divination. All I need is a slight bit of self-confidence.”
“Well, if that’s the case.”
Ellenia shuffled her cards, holding up a crystal orb.
Its color was a resplendent purple.
“The Prince of Night does connect with the Princess of Night. Does that satisfy you?”
“Yes, very helpful.”
Serena offered up a bounty of precious jewels.
“That’s too much.”
“No, the result was worth it. Use it to buy snacks for my siblings.”
“They’ll end up rotting their teeth. Kid.”
As Serena rose to leave, the twins offered her candy.
“Safe trip!”
“Come again!”
‘Having said that…’
Serena slowly bent her knees and locked eyes with the twins.
“Hey, will you call me big sister?”
After hesitating for a moment, Lorian and Flora plucked up their courage.
“Sister.”
“Sister!”
“Good. Call me that from now on.”
As Serena left, the twins sent her off with words.
“Sister, stay strong! Don’t give up!”
“Don’t lose to the pressure!”
Serena laughed.
“What do you think I am? I’m a woman who has never missed what she wanted.”
With her shoulders straight, Serena confidently headed for Ascal’s office.
From the beginning, this was her destination.
And then.
“…should I go back.”
Thump, thump.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump.
The sound of her heartbeat wouldn’t stop.
Serena, leaning against the wall next to the office door, slumped down on the floor.
“I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared.”
If I’m rejected, that’s it.
The strength drained out of Serena’s body.
“That’s right. Today’s not the day. Let’s come back another time.”
With this resolve in mind, Serena stood up. Her legs wobbled slightly, drained of strength.
Squeak.
At that moment, the office door opened.
“Good, good morning, darling! It’s not much but today’s schedule involves consulting with the staff from the Department of Development Innovations…”
“Why are you here?”
It was Yulia.
She was supposed to be out on business today, which was strange.
“If there’s any business, please send me a document.”
A chilly gaze that speaks disbelief in confronting a sibling.
Tension flared up―!
Serena let out an exasperated sigh.
“Hey, aren’t you happy with the affair?”
She spoke defiantly.
Only a week was left to the festival, second only to the Christmas Eve, the Solar Festival.