Flower of Steel

“Then I will word it this way. I can’t trust you,” I snapped.

“Even if I say that working on documents is my hobby?” he asked.

“Do you think that even makes sense?”

Rave made a small sigh. Then I saw him looking at me with his blue eyes. Watching him being serious like this without his usual childish ways made me realize why he was so famous for being a playboy. Rave, when he doesn’t speak, is smooth and handsome.

“Alright, I’ll get to the point then,” said Rave as he took something out of his pocket. He looked at me with a weird expression as he handed it over to me and said, “Open it.”

I opened the letter that was sealed with the seal of the Duke’s. There was folded paper inside. I opened it to see…

“An invitation?” I asked.

“Yes.” He was looking at me with a serious expression, then continued, “It’s an invitation to my birthday banquet. I want you to attend in return for my favor. I really want you to come.”

Ugh, as if I even wanted that favor. I mean, I didn’t have to work extra hours thanks to him. But I still am concerned as it was the Duke of Harsen we’re talking about. Everyone knew that my uncle and Duke Harsen had a bad relationship. This meant that there was a chance that I had to go to that banquet all by myself.

“Alright,” I answered.

However, I’m different now. I’m not a weak, worthless woman who had to run and cower away from Elise’s hostility like before. I’m a government official at Central and a soon-to-be central noble if I’m given a title from His Majesty.

I have no reason to cower anymore. She still is in a higher seat than I am, but I didn’t have to cower in the presence of her followers, at least. I can go to Rave’s birthday banquet with my back straight.

“Thank you. I mean it,” said Rave with a smile, which wasn’t his usual light-hearted smile.

It made me smile too. Honestly, I don’t think I dislike him. He’s nosy and always telling me what to do. Come to think of it. He took the responsibility of helping me adjust on my first day when he had no reason to. Also, he was friendly to me.

“We’re coworkers. It’s nothing.”

“Coworkers… Yeah, that’s right,” mumbled Rave as he made a certain expression on his face. Then he grinned and added, “So, you can trust me from now on, Marina. I’m your coworker… and your direct supervisor. I can help you if you need it.”

“I will.”

I also didn’t feel displeased about him calling me by my first name. He sure was a trustworthy person as a coworker. Perhaps I can trust him a bit.

“Well then, how about we go watch a play-”

“No.”

Ugh, I guess I can’t trust him too much though. Flirting right after being so serious! But it didn’t feel bad anyway. It was this day I confirmed that I have quite a trustworthy coworker.

***

I already told my carriage to go home first since it might take a while to drink tea with Rave. As I was about to grab a paid carriage to go home, Rave stopped me and declared, “I’ll take you home with my carriage!”

Huh? Isn’t his home located in the opposite direction of the Reclan’s? That sure is an inefficient offer.

“No, it’s inefficient for you to do that. I’ll just go home on a paid carriage-”

“Marin.”

That’s when a clear and cool-sounding voice interrupted my words by calling my name. I turned and saw my friend, who was as beautiful as his voice, looking at me.

“Rian! Good evening.”

“Are you going home? But your carriage…”