Chapter 94: Declaration

Serena sat in a chair, swinging her legs.

Her current identity: Seri Lavione.

She was the star actor of the Golden Theater and also an employee of the Department of Development and Innovation.

“Look at the sweat on your forehead. Are you not tired?”

It had been a while since she returned to the Department of Development and Innovation.

Watching Bernstein, who was building something yet again, Serena spoke with a hint of weariness.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his lips constantly muttering something.

Yet, he never let go of the tools in his hands.

“Pass me number 3.”

Bernstein had numbered all of his tools. While other employees couldn’t figure out what the numbers meant, Serena had memorized them instantly.

“Thanks.”

“What are you making this time?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Huh? But I’m an employee here too, you know?”

Serena couldn’t hold back her curiosity.

She leaned closer to Bernstein, intentionally lowering her body, and looked up at him.

With innocent eyes, like that of a naive deer. Of course, it was all an act.

“If you tell me, maybe I can— kyaaa!”

Suddenly, Bernstein shoved Serena away.

“What are you doing?!”

“You idiot! Don’t come so close!”

Immediately after, sparks flew.

Bernstein, wearing his protective gear, continued tinkering with the tools, and soon the sparks subsided.

Serena calmed her pounding heart. She had nearly burned her face.

“So you saved me, huh? Thank you...”

Bernstein didn’t respond and kept working on his project. Serena sat back in her chair, watching him with a pout.

‘I’m not someone to be ignored like this.’

She had a beautiful appearance and naturally alluring gestures that captivated men wherever she went. Men would willingly become her slaves with just a smile.

However, there were two people who seemed entirely immune to her charms.

The first was Ascal Erindale, and the second was Bernstein.

Sigh...

The mere thought of Ascal made Serena sigh involuntarily.

Everything was ready.

All she needed to do was confidently confess to Ascal, yet it wasn’t that easy.

‘Bernstein… this man is a close friend of my darling, isn’t he?’

When she thought about it, they had a lot in common.

1. Both were ministers of the Empire.

2. Both were incredibly popular within the Empire.

3. Both were highly skilled.

4. Neither showed any interest in her.

And...

“Hehe... Once I finish this, I can finally escape from the Empire.”

5. Both wanted to escape the Empire.

Serena discreetly passed along the number of times Bernstein had mentioned wanting to leave the Empire today to a disguised inspector.

Three times meant green light.

Five times meant amber alert.

Ten times meant prepare for immediate capture.

Before long, there was even a manual created to handle Bernstein, much like a rating system.

‘People are similar… huh.’

If they were so similar, didn’t that mean their tastes might be similar too?

After finishing a task, Bernstein put down his tools and stretched his shoulders. There was a cracking sound as his stiff muscles screamed in protest.

Serena handed him a cup of coffee.

“Thanks.”

“So, Minister, what kind of woman do you like? How do I look to you, by any chance?”

“Pfft—”

Bernstein spat out his coffee in surprise.

He hadn’t expected an ambush confession like that.

After pulling himself together, Bernstein responded seriously.

“I’m sorry. I’ve never thought of you as anything more than a subordinate. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can accept your feelings.”

“...What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”

“Wasn’t that a confession?”

“No, it wasn’t.”

Serena’s expression changed as if she were looking at a disgusting bug, causing Bernstein to shrink back.

Feeling a bit guilty, Serena softened her tone.

“I’m sorry. That might have been misleading. I was just curious since the person I like is similar to you, so I wondered if your tastes would be the same. I like someone else, you see.”

“Is it someone I know?”

“Ascal Erindale.”

Cough.

Bernstein choked on his coffee this time.

After coughing for what seemed like forever, he finally managed to continue speaking.

“What do you mean similar! There’s nothing similar between that bastard and me! Aside from the fact that we’re both men, we don’t have a single thing in common! Right now, while I’m suffering here, that guy is probably flirting with his girlfriend in the comfort of his office!”

Bernstein still held a grudge against the couple who had flaunted their relationship in front of him when he visited the Evaluation Department.

But.

Seeing Serena’s sudden change in expression, Bernstein realized he had made a mistake.

“…Girlfriend?”

“It’s a misunderstanding, Seri. I said girl... friend! You misheard me. Haha.”

Something felt off.

Bernstein felt goosebumps rise on his arms.

Even in the sweltering heat of the workshop, the atmosphere had grown strangely cold.

“Tell me in detail. You said you went to the Evaluation Department, right? I want to hear everything that happened, without leaving out a single thing.”

****

Inside the Evaluation Department, another wandering youth lingered.

Her name was Sushia, last name Senestia—a girl who had come to realize what love was, though rather late.

Once again, Sushia barged into the office today, lifting the hem of her dress as she gracefully greeted everyone.

“Good day, everyone.”

“Sushia, is it?”

Ascal responded while dealing with the pile of paperwork, not even bothering to look at her.

Sushia approached Ascal.

“Isn’t there something different about me today?”

Ascal, with a face that clearly said, ‘What nonsense is she spouting this time?’ glanced at Sushia, gave her a quick once-over, and continued writing with indifference.

“I don’t notice anything.”

“You fool. Ugh, forget it.”

The one who responded instead was Lia.

“You untied your headband and cut your bangs, Sushia. It suits you. And the necklace matches your dress well; it looks cute.”

“Lia...! You noticed?”

Sushia was momentarily touched but then swallowed her words with a huff.

‘Get a grip, Sushia. You can’t show gratitude.’

Sushia, who normally considered Lia her best friend—when her hair was tied up, at least—now saw her as a rival.

‘Ah, what cruel fate. To have to fight my best friend over a man…’

But Sushia didn’t realize.

Ascal didn’t see her as a romantic interest, and Lia, who had a strong attachment to Ascal, didn’t feel threatened by her in the slightest.

Instead, Lia thought something else entirely.

‘Have you fallen in love with someone recently, Sushia? Best of luck.’

Sushia, watching Lia’s gentle smile, bit her lip.

‘Lia’s mocking me. She’s acting like they’re already a couple, huh? But I, Sushia, am not a woman who gives up easily.’

...Women of the Senestia family tended to become a little unhinged when they fell in love.

Sushia made another advance toward Ascal.

“Minister-nim, when did you manufacture those lips?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Your lips, they look so brand-new.”

For a moment, Ascal lost his composure and stared at Sushia. Sushia winked at him.

“Don’t worry. Soon enough, some woman might just steal those brand-new lips.”

Ascal glanced at Lia. Lia nodded.

“It seems you’ve been under a lot of stress lately. Lia, please escort Sushia to Eileen’s counseling room.”

“Wait, I’m perfectly fine! Lia, don’t do this! Kyaaaa!”

As Sushia was forcibly dragged away, Ascal shook his head in disbelief.

.

.

.

Elenia smiled at the familiar face before her.

“Come on in, Serena.”

“It’s been a while, Mother.”

There was a complicated relationship here. In truth, Elenia, the great witch, was the former Empress of the Empire. She had given birth to twins afflicted with witch’s disease, and when the Emperor refused to acknowledge them as his children, she stormed out of the imperial family in fury.

However, she maintained contact with Serena, with whom she had a good relationship, while keeping a neutral stance with the Crown Prince, and having a rather bad relationship with Yulia.

“Come on in!”

“Hurry up!”

The twins greeted her.

“Hello, little ones.”

Serena patted Lorien and Flora on their heads, causing the twins to giggle.

“If you’ve come here, that must mean you have something on your mind, right? Oh dear, your face is full of worry.”

“...But what’s that sign for?”

Serena pointed to the loud sign hanging at the entrance of the fortune-telling shop.

<♚♚Do you have concerns?♚♚ Half price for first consultation $$ ☜☜ 100% accuracy guaranteed ※♜Fortune-Telling Shop♜>

“That’s the trend these days. Can’t fall behind, can I? Hehe.”

“You could probably afford to fall behind a bit...”

“Come, take a seat. Will herbal tea do, miss?”

Serena pressed her fingers against the table, her eyes fixed on the crystal ball. Her reflection in the ball looked unusually dark.

Sigh… “What even is love?”

“Exactly. Why is love so hard, huh?”

Due to the heavy curtains, she hadn’t noticed.

There was already another guest seated beside her.

“...Lady Sushia?”

“Seri Lavione, the star of the Golden Theater!? I’m a fan!”

Serena forced a businesslike smile as she watched Sushia’s excited reaction, then let out a small sigh before turning back to the crystal ball.

“What brings you here?”

Dark Curtains. Flickering Candles.

It was the perfect atmosphere for pouring out one’s troubles, even to a stranger.

“I love someone, but he already has a girlfriend.”

“...You too?”

“You as well?”

By coincidence, both women shared the same concern.

“But I can’t give up. He’s my first love.”

“...Same here.”

“Is his girlfriend someone really close to you?”

“Yeah.”

A man they both loved already had a girlfriend.

It was their first love, so they couldn’t give up.

And the girlfriend was someone they knew well.

The similarities were uncanny.

“This is unbelievable. It might be fate that brought us together. Two women with the same issue—maybe something big is about to happen!”

“I hope so.”

Serena, though skeptical of miracles, found herself wanting to cling to something, anything, at this point.

Just then, Elenia returned with her fortune-telling tools and took a seat.

“Alright, girls. Tell me what you’d like to know.”

Sushia quickly responded.

“Will I be able to steal that man away?”

“That’s the third time you’ve asked that question. If you keep repeating the same question, it loses its meaning.”

“But this time will be different!”

Elenia touched the crystal ball, which immediately turned black.

“There’s no need to shuffle the cards. The answer is no. It’s impossible, no matter how many times you try.”

Sushia was stunned. Her face showed utter despair.

“How can this be... What am I supposed to do now...”

It didn’t feel like someone else’s problem to Serena, so she offered advice.

“Maybe try rephrasing the question. Instead of asking about stealing him away, ask what the chances are of him naturally falling in love with you... Or, I don’t know, maybe settle for being the second option?”

“Second option... me, second?”

Sushia’s expression grew even more vacant.

Leaving the defeated Sushia behind, Serena asked her own question.

It was a simple one.

“Will the Prince of the Night end up with the Princess of the Night?”

“Isn’t that a bit of a sneaky way to put it?”

Serena gave her trademark confident smile.

“I don’t rely on fortune-telling. All I need is a little boost of confidence.”

“Alright then.”

Elenia shuffled the cards and stroked the crystal ball. Its color shifted to a radiant shade of purple.

“The Prince of the Night will be with the Princess of the Night. Does that satisfy you?”

“Yes. That was very helpful.”

Serena handed over precious gems as payment.

“That’s too much.”

“No, it was worth it. Buy some treats for the twins.”

“They’ll end up with cavities at this rate, you know.”

As Serena stood to leave, the twins ran over and handed her candy.

“Bye-bye!”

“Come back soon!”

‘Come to think of it…’

Serena knelt down slowly to meet the twins at eye level.

“Could you call me ‘Unnie’?”

Lorien and Flora hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage.

“Unnie.”

“Unnie!”

“Good. From now on, call me that.”

As Serena left, the twins cheered her on.

“Unnie, don’t give up! You can do it!”

“Don’t let them bring you down!”

Serena smiled.

“Who do you think you’re talking to? I’m a woman who’s never missed out on what she wants.”

With her head held high and her shoulders back, Serena confidently headed toward Ascal’s office.

From the beginning, her destination had always been here.

​

****​

​

And then.

“...Should I just go back?”

Thump, thump

.

Thumpthumpthumpthumpthump.

Her heartbeat wouldn’t slow down.

Serena, leaning against the wall next to the office door, slowly slid down into a crouch.

“I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared.”

If she got rejected, that would be the end of everything.

All the strength drained from her body.

“Yeah. Today’s just not the right day. I’ll come back another time.”

With that thought, Serena stood up. Her legs felt weak, causing her to stumble slightly.

Creaaak.

At that exact moment, the office door opened.

“Go-good morning, darling! I’m not here for anything special, just, you know, to discuss some business as a staff member of the Department of Development and Innovation—”

“Why are you here?”

It was Yulia.

Serena had heard Yulia was supposed to be out on an external assignment today. How strange.

“If you have business, please submit it in writing.”

Her gaze was cold—so icy, it was hard to believe she was speaking to her own sister.

Serena’s temper flared—!

With a sigh, she retorted,

“Hey. Is it fun, being in a relationship?”

She had boldly staked her claim.

It was a week before the Snowflake Festival, the second biggest celebration after the Sacred Night Festival.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

[TL: You can support the translation and read 5 chapters ahead  of the release here on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OracleTls

Join Our Discord for regular updates and have fun with other community members: https://discord.com/invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]

Support Author

Join Discord