Chapter 8

"I'm getting married."

As soon as Duke Claude Lindbergh, my boss whom I respect and admire but secretly wish would die, entered the office, he casually dropped this bombshell on me, who was already immersed in work.

"Um... congratulations?"

"Why the question mark?"

"Ah!? No, I thought it might be a hallucination because I've been so busy."

He glared at me, and I laughed nervously to cover it up.

While listening to my words with a displeased look, the ever-independent and sharp Duke Lindbergh, who is always dedicated to his work, slammed a pile of unapproved documents on my desk.

"Um, what's this?"

"Why should I do something you can do? You do it. And by the way, I'll be taking the next two days off."

The sheer volume of work and the sudden mention of taking time off made me feel as if a natural disaster was about to strike, and I couldn't help but stare at my boss in shock.

After all, Duke Lindbergh is a workaholic.

He frowns and looks irritable while working, and he exudes an aura that tolerates no mistakes.

When he's in a bad mood, even the slightest mistake can trigger a storm of insults.

His glare is unparalleled, and it's rumored that even His Majesty the Emperor can't defy him.

Incidentally, I know these rumors are true because I occasionally see His Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince cautiously checking on his mood.

Anyway, when such a workaholic suddenly drops a word like "marriage," it's no wonder I'm stunned.

Isn't it?

"By the way, just to ask, what's the reason for your time off tomorrow and the day after?"

Despite his condescending gaze, as if I were a lower life form, I couldn't back down as a secretary.

Besides, this kind of treatment is usual.

However, it's even more harsh than usual.

"At least I'll take the day of the wedding and the day after off."

Again, I was stunned.

What? Seriously?

His sudden sensible statement left me at a loss for how to react.

I had always thought he would attend the wedding ceremony and then immediately return to work, leaving his new wife behind.

I seriously wondered if the person in front of me was real.

Then, I suddenly remembered an important question.

"Um, so the bride isn't the princess, right? When did you even get close to someone like that? I haven't heard any rumors about it at all?"

"Yesterday."

"Yesterday?"

"Yesterday, I met her for the first time and proposed. To avoid complications, I got a special marriage permit, and we can get married tomorrow."

"..."

Super-speed marriage...!

Is it even appropriate for the current head of the Lindbergh family, one of the most powerful in the country, to have such a wedding?

And how could the bride agree to marry such a person? It must be for her looks, money, or power.

If someone like that proposes, anyone would probably agree, no matter the conditions.

I felt a sigh coming on.

For someone like me, who has been overworked for years and can't even have a girlfriend, the idea of marriage is a dream within a dream. Yet, my boss can get married just by asking. What an unfair world.

"I don't think I need to know, but who is the bride? If someone higher up asks, can I answer honestly?"

Duke Lindbergh thought for a moment and then said,

"The bride is the second daughter of the Berdiggo Count. After the wedding tomorrow, you can talk about it. Once we're married and registered, no one can interfere. By the way, your attendance is confirmed."

"Whaaat!?"

"It's just family, but it would be a problem if no one is there on my side. If anyone asks if we really got married, you can be a witness."

A witness...?

At the very least, shouldn't he invite his father?

I don't know where he is, though.

I couldn't change the decision, so I had no choice but to follow his orders.

"Still, the second daughter of the Berdiggo Count—will it be okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you at least do some research? There are rumors, and they're not good. I don't believe all of them, but I can understand why some might."

Honestly, with her looks, no one would want to get close, and the rumors would be more believable.

I picked up the pile of documents and, while recalling the second daughter of the Berdiggo Count, continued the conversation.

"The rumors weren't accurate. She was quite normal."

"Really?"

Rumors are just rumors.

But the actual sight was so terrible that imagining her standing next to my boss seemed off.

I couldn't help but think that the wife standing next to a noble, who represents the country, should be more fitting.

"But it's a bit disappointing. The second daughter of the Berdiggo Count is the daughter of a previous wife from the direct lineage, right? I believe the Berdiggo family is known for their exceptional beauty, except for the current count... Maybe the Empress had something to do with it?"

He listened with interest, which was a bit surprising.

I thought it was just a political marriage, and he hadn't really researched the bride, but he seemed curious.

I spoke with a bit of pride, as I love collecting rumors and have many.

"The previous wife of the Berdiggo Count was apparently a stunning beauty. She was so beautiful that the current Empress, who was then the Crown Princess, glared at her. Her beauty was so captivating that even the Crown Prince couldn't resist. The Empress is also a great beauty, but beauty is subjective. She was even called 'Lady White Lily.'"

Because of that, the current count, who doesn't look good, was chosen, and he seemed to understand.

"I see, that's an interesting story."

Rarely, I felt a bit uplifted by his praise.

But it was quickly shattered.

"As a thank you for the interesting story, I'll give you this."

Thud!

More documents were piled on.

"Wait, wait! You're giving me this as a thank you—..."

"It's a valuable task from a boss who is training his subordinate. No need to thank me."

...Can you blame me for occasionally thinking a bit insolently at times like this?

Duke Lindbergh, my boss, was working at an incredible speed.

However, the corners of his mouth were slightly relaxed.

When he's like this, he's not thinking anything good.

To avoid digging my own grave, it's best to see and hear nothing.

Sighing, I wondered if I could finish this today and ended up attending Duke Lindbergh's wedding with dark circles under my eyes, having not slept at all.

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