Flower of Steel - Chapter 92

I felt like I was worth nothing. I was acting like a perfect government official, especially in front of him. But here I was, just a mere official. It feels like I’m being thrown off a cliff.

He looked at me without saying a word, and I continued, “All this time, my dream was to become a government official. I worked hard to come to this place. I looked forward to doing my part for this country’s well-being by making policies that I came up with into reality. But Your Highness is making my dream worthless and is bringing disgrace to it.”

I looked at him for a response, but he had no answer. Well, why would he care about a mere official’s ambition? I was nothing to him from the beginning, after all.

“I understand well, Your Highness. I’m speaking to you as a loyal servant, not out of spite, that a mere official like me being vacant from the office brings many problems to work. I was appointed as a policy officer responsible for going over policies and reporting them. If I’m not able to do that, it’ll immediately impact the citizens of Genorium.”

The Crown Prince continued to remain silent, which frustrated me as though I had a sigh stuck in my throat.

“Your Highness. The policies you’re looking over right now are all processed and reported by mere officials like me. Not only that, those who face our citizens take their complaints and process them are ranked lower than me. Do you think any of them are useless? How can you, the future ruler of this country, overlook that?”

Damn it. Although I was the one who said that, it felt so right. I brought up anything I could out of frustration that my ego was hurt. I wanted him to correct what he said to me. Not only that, I wanted him to recognize that I’m not a mere government official but also a splendid or at least acceptable one. But considering his character, he wouldn’t correct his words. Instead, he might actually drag me out for blasphemy and hang me or something.

That’s right Marina. You lived a great 18 years. It wasn’t all that bad. I fought hard to be where I am, so to be considered a mere official was very hurtful and insulting. That’s why I recklessly fought back against the Crown Prince. I didn’t want to be worthless in front of anyone.

I glanced at him and saw him looking at me without any expression. But then… Hmm. He looked a bit astonished, or was I mistaken? Wake up, Marina. That man won’t care about a government official’s words. I think I’m overestimating everything recently.

“Overlook… Actually, I did overlook something. That’s fine. If you don’t like it, so be it,” said the Crown Prince.

Because I was thinking about what he would do to me and wishing for a less painful punishment, I almost doubted what I heard. I never expected him to say such a thing. So be it? Mother, Father, your daughter has succeeded! I have survived that nutjob’s monstrosity!

“And you aren’t a mere official.”

My heart began pounding again. Oh, it’s probably because I have exhausted myself from letting out too much of my emotions. No, of course, I’m not a mere official. I’m the Crown Prince’s doll crafter and his reporter.

While I was acting proud of myself, I heard a low and a bit of a let-down voice, “What are you doing? Aren’t you busy?”

Is he… really letting me go? My god! What is that nutjob up to now? Puzzled, I glanced at him and then heard an even lower, frightening voice, “Shouldn’t you leave while I let you? Or do you wish to stay longer?”