ARML 06

Chapter 6

“Ah, hello, Senior Rupesk.”

“Mm, good afternoon, Lowell.”

“Um… how much did you hear?”

The male lead awkwardly looked away and mumbled quietly.

“You’re good at comforting people.”

“……”

Ah, I’m doomed. He heard everything.

‘He must’ve heard me bad-mouthing Allison too.’

Maybe my face looked bad because the male lead nodded.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone what happened today.”

“Ah…”

“Not even to Team Leader Capres.”

“Gasp, thank you!”

“Hm. Anyway, just hang in there a bit longer. You won’t be officially assigned to this team, so you can relax.”

“Huh?”

He probably meant it to be comforting.

But something about it felt odd to me, so I tilted my head.

“Do you mean no one’s being assigned to the Protocol Team at all?”

“There’s already too much criticism about it.”

“Ah. Haha. I see.”

That meant the higher-ups already knew how bad it was here.

‘Now that I think about it, I never really saw the team members around…’

They must’ve all run away because it was so terrible.

And the only one left—the crazy one—was taking it out on us newbies, using the stress she’d piled up.

Just then, the male lead looked down at my face.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Huh?”

“You’re smiling weirdly.”

I touched my lips.

“No, I’m not smiling…”

But just like he said, the corners of my mouth were slightly twisted.

Because I wanted to smirk at what he said.

‘Hold it in, self. Even though this is the palace, it’s still a workplace.’

I’m just a small-time intern starting again from the very bottom.

I really need to stop showing my feelings on my face…

“If you have something to say, go ahead, Lowell.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You have the face of someone with something to say.”

Wow, he’s really persistent.

Why isn’t he comforting the female lead? Why’s he poking into someone from another team?

“I’m just curious about what you’re thinking. Tell me.”

Why use that handsome face to interrogate someone?

I never met someone this good-looking in real life before.

Turns out, even people with tons of workplace experience can’t defend against looks like his.

“If we’re not going to be assigned here anyway, then why…”

“Yes?”

“Why let a new hire go through unfair treatment in the first place?”

“I know that team has a bad reputation. But it’s useful as a place where new hires face trials when starting their careers.”

“……”

“If someone can’t endure that, how can they handle other jobs later?”

As much as I hated to admit it… he wasn’t wrong.

What Allison was doing could actually be considered “normal” workplace bullying in real life.

But still…

I muttered in a voice full of frustration.

“Trials don’t make people stronger.”

“…What?”

“They just make your mind go crazy…”

Especially trials coming from someone above you. That kind of thing sends you straight to therapy.

“Lowell…”

“Ah, sorry. I just came out to do some work, so I’ll excuse myself now.”

And like that, the intern who threw away her manners turned and left the male lead standing alone.

‘Hmm. He was cool and dependable in the novel…’

But in reality, he’s just a burnt-out government worker.

‘Oh well. I’ll just do well in the next department.’

And the next department is going to be…

‘A land flowing with milk and honey!’

The “Magical Herb Research Lab” managed by the kind nerd sub-male lead, Marquis Theodore Wordsworth, is waiting for me!

In the novel, the female lead mostly stayed in the “hardship” department.

But because she was so kind-hearted, the darkness of black magic would sometimes hurt her.

‘And every time that happened, she’d go to the lab to heal, right?’

Sweet, glasses-wearing Theodore would always comfort her warmly.

[Flashback from the Novel]

“Miss Crosswell. If anything’s troubling you… you can always come see me.”

“Ah, no. I couldn’t possibly bother you…”

“It’s not a bother.”

Theodore handed her a fragrant cup of tea and shyly whispered,

“I just want to ease your heart. Even if that’s all I can do…”

“Ah…”

At those warm words, Yuriana quietly bowed her head.

Just coming here calms my tangled thoughts.

Theodore’s space was always peaceful, like a paradise without a single shadow.

After remembering the original story, I glanced around the office.

Just like in the novel, I felt peaceful the moment I stepped inside.

‘Maybe it’s because it smells like forest therapy in here.’

Everyone working here had calm, gentle expressions.

‘Theodore himself leaves work early, so no one’s afraid of staying too late!’

So, is it only peaceful during this time?

‘Pfft. Of course not! You think I didn’t do my homework?’

I secretly asked someone who had worked in the lab for a long time by bribing them with coffee.

[We don’t really have busy seasons or anything.]

[Really? Wow!]

[Yep! The director brings in lots of funding, doesn’t yell, and it’s just a great place to be.]

Perfect.

My golden future flashed before my eyes, and I made up my mind.

No matter what, I had to get placed here.

On the final day of the internship tour.

Because the palace is huge, there are cafes inside for government workers to take “coffee breaks.”

Most of them gather like zombies at 9am, 1pm, and 8pm.

But right now, at 3pm, Theodore and I were enjoying a peaceful break.

“Miss Lowell. Are you getting used to the palace?”

“Of course! Thanks to you, Director!”

I did my best to bring back the cheerful tone I lost after becoming an assistant manager at my last job.

“To be honest, I already want to settle down here. Even though the next department will be nice, I’m sad the internship is ending.”

“Really? Haha! You mean that?”

“Yes! I’m totally serious. I’ve realized again how magical herbs improve the health of our citizens. Even though I don’t have expert knowledge, I want to help, even just a little, to contribute to the Empire.”

“Ha… take a breath, Miss Lowell…”

Theodore looked overwhelmed by my speech.

But if you’re not a newbie, this kind of passion just looks weird.

Most importantly, he looked happy.

“I’d love to have you join us, Miss Lowell.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. Everyone in the lab likes you too.”

“Aww, thank you so much!”

“Then just hang in there for the rest of the internship.”

Director Theodore smiled behind his glasses and whispered,

“Let’s work well together after the internship ends.”

Gasp.

Wow… isn’t this already a win?

‘Director Theodore! I love you!’

It looks like my model behavior and newbie passion overpowered Layla’s original ranking!

Now I’ll live peacefully and righteously earn my salary in this happy place!

I felt like I could fly—my steps were so light on the way home.

So much that the grape-head guy flinched when he saw me.

“Why do you look so happy…?”

“Ah. The weather’s just really nice today?”

“It’s cloudy and looks like it’s about to rain.”

“Then it’s perfect—no sunburn!”

He stared at me like I was crazy.

That look was slightly annoying…

‘Hmm. At least he fixed his buttons properly.’

Since he took my advice, I’ll forgive him this time.

Thinking I was practically already chosen for the lab made me feel generous.

‘Ah, but… I feel a little bad that the first flag with the male lead is gone now.’

When I read the novel, I hoped he’d end up with the female lead.

After all, that story comforted me before I died. I really wanted them to be happy.

‘But the male lead gave in to the harsh system.’

What’s the point of being the most handsome guy in this world if you’re just a government grunt?

What’s the use of being cool and super skilled if you’re still stuck in the system?

I thought of the female lead and gave her a quiet cheer.

‘Even though he’s like that, I hope you two find happiness.’

This worn-out office worker is heading to the comfy place now!

“But Finley, where’s Yuriana?”

I wanted to go home with her, but did she already leave?

Maybe she’s waiting outside?

I started heading toward the plaza just in case—and froze when I saw what was happening.

Because Allison and the female lead were facing off!