PLQYM | Chapter 24

Because Lucian is my healing.

***

That bastard.

That scoundrel.

Lucian cursed inwardly as he strode through the palace corridors with determined steps. His usually composed face, always adorned with a soft smile, was uncharacteristically distorted with frustration. His lips, tightly pressed together, were redder than usual, but he was far too agitated to notice.

Those who saw his enraged face for the first time stared at him in bewilderment, but Lucian paid them no mind.

A relaxing cup of tea? Ha, what a joke. You’re the only one who could enjoy tea in an atmosphere like that.

He turned the corner of the palace hallway with a sharp movement.

Healing?

If you’re going to call it healing, at least stick around until the end. Why leave halfway through and abandon me in that battlefield?

It might be healing for you, but do you think it’s the same for me? For me, it’s hell! Try serving three bosses at the same time—see if that feels like healing! Even drinking water would give you indigestion.

***

“The Emperor won’t join us next time, will he?”

“No. I’ll make sure to come alone.”

When Heraith left the meeting early due to his schedule, the two association heads made Lucian swear multiple times that the emperor wouldn’t be present next time. Only after receiving a firm promise did they reluctantly let him leave.

That was just the beginning.

The associations’ progress moved faster than expected. On the first day, they decided on a name, and on the second, they set tasks to accomplish. Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. These renowned association heads, befitting their reputations, were more focused on asserting their opinions than finding common ground.

More time was spent breaking up their fights than coordinating their conflicting views.

Naturally, the emperor attended the formal Wednesday lunch meetings without fail, and things proceeded quickly on those days. However, outside of those sessions, these distinguished representatives started dropping by to see Lucian at every opportunity.

And, somehow, they always managed to time their visits when the emperor wasn’t around.

As a result, Lucian quickly developed some survival skills. Initially, he was dragged into their whirlwind arguments.

“That won’t work.”

“What?”

“That plan is realistically impossible. You’ll need to find another way.”

“Lucian, chief!”

But it didn’t take long before Lucian learned how to focus only on the necessary points and shut down the rest. He even mastered the art of dealing with their incessant bickering while carrying on with his tasks as though nothing was happening.

“Sir Lucian, you’re amazing! You remind me of Chief Yuli,” Nils Bowman said, gazing at Lucian in admiration.

Despite the compliments, Lucian’s relentless workload meant he often skipped meals, leaving him thinner by the day. Eventually, things came to a head today.

The two association heads, for the first time, actually flipped the table during a heated argument.

That was the moment Lucian’s mind went ice-cold.

“Let’s just call it quits.”

Lucian’s calm voice cut through the tense atmosphere between Chauver and Freester, who were glaring at each other across the overturned table, both breathing heavily.

The two association heads, who had been shouting at the top of their lungs moments ago, froze as if they’d heard something absurd.

“Since it seems clear that further collaboration is impossible, I will consider this association’s establishment and all related proceedings null and void.”

Lucian’s tone remained utterly composed as he began picking up scattered papers and organizing them.

The sudden chill in the air flustered the two men, who exchanged stunned glances. Lucian, however, didn’t spare them a single look. He continued gathering the documents, dusted off his pants where crumbs from the scattered refreshments had fallen, and stood.

“I’ll report to His Majesty that your noble endeavor has been canceled. Thank you for your hard work so far.”

He bowed gracefully, turned on his heel, and began to leave.

“L-Lucian, chief!”

“W-wait a moment!”

Panicked voices called after him, and he paused, turning back slowly. The normally brash Chauver and Freester now looked anxious and restless.

“Do you have something more to say?”

“W-well, suddenly walking away like this is…”

“Yes, we weren’t fighting just for the sake of it—”

“Private debates like these are better kept private, wouldn’t you agree?”

Lucian’s calm words left them speechless.

“I find myself lacking in the ability to oversee such a significant project while managing two senior representatives. My suggestion would be to either appoint someone else or scrap the initiative altogether.”

“B-but the time and resources we’ve already invested—”

Lucian’s lips curved into a serene smile.

“Yes, it is a shame. But since no significant funds have been spent yet, we’re fortunate. As for the wasted time, most of it was mine, so I’ll handle it myself.”

The two men fell silent under Lucian’s unwavering gaze.

“However, if any more time is wasted, I won’t be able to hold back my frustration. As you know, I have other key responsibilities to attend to.”

Lucian’s gaze swept over them as his smile deepened.

“I’d rather dedicate my efforts to my actual duties than spend more time in pointless conflicts. Surely, you two feel the same about working with someone you dislike.”

With that, Lucian bowed again.

“If there’s anything further regarding this matter, please take it up with His Majesty directly.”

And with that, he walked out.

“Ugh!”

Recalling the events, Lucian instinctively clutched his stomach. Whether it was the anger or the stress of the situation, his stomach ached.

Perhaps it was both.

After several deep breaths, his nerves finally calmed. Maybe I went too far, he thought briefly, but he didn’t regret it.

I should’ve ended this sooner. What a relief.

If the emperor scolded him later, he’d just flat-out refuse to deal with it again. He straightened his posture and entered the emperor’s office.

As expected, Heraith was buried in paperwork.

“I’m back.”

“Ah, welcome back.”

Heraith responded absentmindedly without looking up, surrounded by towering stacks of documents.

Seeing the workload, Lucian felt a pang of guilt. The lack of progress in reducing the piles suggested that today’s work had been delayed—undoubtedly because Heraith had taken time out to attend those pointless meetings.

It wasn’t even a meeting he needed to attend in the first place.

If he’s angry, what should I do?

Lucian subconsciously pressed a hand to his stomach. His hurried lunch wasn’t sitting well.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Lucian startled. At some point, Heraith had stopped working and was now looking at him.

“N-no, I’m fine.”

“Then what’s with the hand on your stomach?”

Lucian followed Heraith’s gaze, realizing he had been rubbing his abdomen.

“Ah, it’s just… after dealing with those gentlemen, I feel like I’m about to get indigestion.”

“Fair point. They have that effect.”

Heraith chuckled softly, setting his quill aside and stretching his neck. His movements betrayed his exhaustion.

How can I even stay mad at someone who works this hard?

Lucian sighed inwardly.

“Judging by how early you’re back, I assume the association plans fell apart?”

“You knew?”

Lucian’s eyebrow twitched.

“Of course. Those stubborn fools would never budge, even when they’re saying the same thing.”

Lucian closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling within.

“And yet, you sent me?”

“They specifically requested you.”

”…”

Lucian’s lips twitched as he forced himself to smile. Are you kidding me? Is this a joke?

He placed the documents he had been holding onto Heraith’s desk and took a step back.

“I’ve called the whole thing off for now.”

“And?”

“Knowing those two, they’ll be back soon enough. You can deal with it then.”

“Fair enough.”

Heraith didn’t even glance at the documents, his eyes fixed on Lucian.

“You don’t look well.”

”…I may have overexerted myself.”

“If you’re sick, take a break. Don’t be stubborn.”

“I’d rather not. If I did, you’d just hold it over me later.”

Heraith shrugged.

“Have I ever given you a hard time?”

Lucian’s eyebrow twitched again. Of course, the one throwing stones doesn’t notice the dead frog in the pond.

“I can’t be that bad of a boss.”

At that, Lucian’s patience finally snapped.

“If I ever collapse from overwork,” Lucian said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with suppressed rage, “I will make sure to crawl into your office, cough up blood, and point at you with my bloodied hands before passing out.”