Chapter 32 - Crown Prince

I was reminded of my father by my senior, who looked discouraged. I then looked at the Chancellor and spoke about what I had decided to do.

“Sir, I apologize for interrupting, but the reason why I was able to come up with a proposal was that I felt the heart Second Secretary Lynel put into the policy. He was the only one who was interested in the fallen prices of the crops due to the great harvest. That was why I was able to perfect it. This policy was only possible because my senior Lynel found this first. I’m not solely worthy of the credit.”

Lynel seemed surprised by my words. Honestly, I did think his proposal was terrible, but his intentions with the proposal weren’t terrible at all. His policy contained a heart for the people. It was what my father, who dreamed of becoming a government official told me all along when I was young.

My father, who used to be the emperor’s advisor, was my admiration and my goal. It was thanks to Lynel that I was reminded of that teaching. I bowed at him with a smile to thank him.

“Thank you, Second Secretary Lynel. I was able to learn how to think about our people as an official from you.”

“No, no. You’re the one who fixed my faults, you shouldn’t thank me.”

The Chancellor laughed at the sight of me bowing to Lynel and Lynel thanking me instead. Everyone became nervous at that, but I just smiled.

“Hahaha! We sure have gotten a flower into Internal Affairs. It is our blessing to have Secretary Harrant at the heart of the cold-bloated officials. Secretary Harrant is correct. We shouldn’t forget about the heart of Second Secretary Lynel, looking after our people. I feel blessed to have one such as you, who doesn’t forget that our people are our foundation, working under me. Keep that mindset always, and you will succeed,” said the Chancellor.

“I-I am grateful, sir. I’ll do my best to review it thoroughly in the future,” replied Lynel.

His face was red from blushing, but he wasn’t discouraged anymore. I felt relieved. The Chancellor nodded at him, then looked at me and spoke to everyone else.

“Well done. You all should get back to work,” said the Chancellor.

“Yes, sir.”

***

I looked at the clock and realized it was about to get off work. I already finished my work today, so I was waiting for the second hand to hit 12. Other people seemed to be doing the same.

“Goodbye, Associate Harrant!”

Rave spoke pleasantly, and I also smiled back, “Goodbye, Head Secretary. Bye, everyone.”

The day was finally over. It was finally time to go home. Just as I was about to leave, the boy-like face and blonde-haired Second Secretary Lynel stopped me with a sheepish look.

“Excuse me, Associate Harrant. Can I have a word, if you don’t mind?” he asked sheepishly. He, however, also had a look of determination. His figure looked like that of my ex-fiancé Kyles.

‘He looks like him in a way.’

Comparing the two, Lynel was much more handsome. However, I wasn’t talking about their looks. It was that the atmosphere they had was similar. Lynel had an atmosphere like Kyles when he was younger. It was the atmosphere that made me fall in love with him. This man, however, wasn’t that a*sh*le but my superior.

Lynel still kept his innocence, whereas Kyles had lost all of it when he became an adult. Anyway, realizing such a resemblance made me feel down. ‘Yeah, I guess it’s better to be friends with my superior rather than not be. Who cares about Kyles,’ I thought, as I made a formal smile and nodded.

“Sure. Shall we have some tea then?”

“Oh- yes, of course!”

He seemed delighted, which also resembled Kyles somewhat. He also was like that when he was young. The constant resemblance made me feel down, which I hid.

We went to the lobby, located within the department building. A maid came over to us, and we told her our choice of tea and waited. Soon, some maids came out with tea. We finally began to speak.

“So, you wished to speak to me?”

My urge to speak out with a smile made Lynel close his eyes tightly and say, “Thank you so much earlier! I really wanted to say this, so I couldn’t help but ask for your time.”

So… he was honest, unlike Kyles. That a*sh*le always became upset when I did something in his place, so I always had to make sure he didn’t know what I did for him. It was only after I had broken up with him that I realized how pointless it was. Surely, this man was different from Kyles. What a good boy. But unlike how I felt, my expression was grumpy. My answer was also very simple.

“You’re welcome.”

But this innocent and kind man did not mind my grumpiness and continued sheepishly, “I thought you look cool, that you’re proud and strong, unlike me. I came to admire you from what I witnessed today.”

I felt pathetic. What are you thinking, Marina? Why are you comparing this man to Kyles when he’s not him? This man is much better than Kyles and closer to your ideal type is showing interest in you.