The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success
Chapter 122

I winked at the High Priest, whose eyes had gone wide.

“Let’s have a little tea time together. If there’s anything you’d like to ask for, go ahead. I’ll help you.”

Right in front of him, I pressed my index finger and thumb together to form a money sign.

“I’m pretty sure Dragon Bro over there will say yes to whatever you want, just to get rid of you quicker. He’s dying to be alone with me.”

I let out a shrill giggle and lightly slapped the High Priest’s arm a few times.

“You’re so energetic this early in the morning~”

The High Priest cleared his throat with an awkward ahem. He seemed to instantly grasp the subtext in my words—no guards will be present.

Indeed, even Kibon, who was usually always in my room, wasn’t around today.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

A gleam began to flicker in the High Priest’s eyes.

It was the look of someone beginning to emit killing intent, already fantasizing about attacking Kiaros.

“There were actually a few things I wanted to request of His Highness... Truly, it seems you’re the only one who understands us, Minister.”

“See?”

At his pleasing flattery, I lifted my chin in exaggerated pride.

“I’ve always said I hoped things go well for you, haven’t I? Hohohohoho~ I’m someone who believes in give and take. Better remember that.”

I was puffing myself up with satisfaction when—

Knock knock.

“It’s me, Namia.”

Right on time—Kiaros’s voice from the other side of the door.

“Can I come in?”

***

The High Priest clicked his tongue inwardly.

Good grief. Look at him, showing up all dressed to the nines. Absolutely disgraceful.

Kiaros sparkled from head to toe.

As a Dragonblood, he was already beautiful by nature, but now that he’d gone all out grooming himself, he looked like a painting brought to life.

Looks like he’s completely lost his mind over Namia Roafi.

The High Priest hadn’t seen Kiaros all that often, but he had seen him before. And Kiaros had never appeared interested in fashion or presentation. For him to be this dressed up—it was obvious his brain had short-circuited over a woman.

Namia also stared blankly at him for a moment before suddenly snapping out of it and laughing awkwardly.

“Ahaha, ahaha, our Dragon Bro... looks so handsome today, huh?”

Hmm? That sounded a little off...

Just as the vibe began to feel odd, Kiaros strode over and sat beside Namia, gazing at her with soft, gentle eyes.

“I wanted to look good for you. Do I look okay?”

My god.

That Kiaros Polariwood was actually trying to read the room.

He even added, with a slightly forlorn smile,

“I keep getting rejected, so I wanted to try something. But the only thing about me you seem to like is this ‘shell.’”

The High Priest froze, unable even to offer a greeting.

Not that Kiaros paid him any mind either—his eyes were locked solely on Namia.

Namia, caught off guard, didn’t respond right away. But to the High Priest, that silence just looked like a calculated move.

So she takes a step back like that. She’s really got him wrapped around her finger.

Just then, a maid brought in another cup of tea, presumably for Kiaros.

She glanced at him—and then seemed to get dizzy, raising a hand to her forehead.

“I-I’m sorry... your beauty is beyond what my eyes can handle...”

“I get it. I was a bit dizzy earlier too.”

Namia agreed with the maid, flashing a dazzling smile as if she was finally coming back to her senses.

The maid staggered out of the room after setting the tray down.

Only then did Namia respond to Kiaros’s earlier words.

“Rejected? What do you mean? Didn’t I say I trust your feelings now, especially after you gave so much blood when I said I was doing an experiment? I really believe you now, Your Highness.”

Meanwhile, Kiaros just kept beaming at her with those crescent-moon eyes.

“Whether it’s blood or tears or anything else... just give the word. I’ll do it right away.”

“What... How could someone like you—someone as exalted as a Dragonblood—say such things to me...?”

“Don’t think like that. Say whatever you want. I’ll grant it, no matter what. Honestly... I think it suits me. Being Namia Roafi’s hands and feet.”

The High Priest clucked his tongue silently.

A Dragonblood playing servant? This man is truly insane. The First Emperor must be weeping in heaven.

Just then, Kiaros—who had been strutting like a peacock—frowned slightly.

“Namia... there’s no guard present. I specifically told you not to be alone.”

“I was with the High Priest. Oh, and I had this on me too. Her Majesty the Empress sent it with some clothes last time.”

Namia smiled and pulled something from her robes—a dagger. Its sharpened blade gleamed with menace.

The High Priest glanced at it briefly, but Namia clapped her hands and said brightly:

“Oh right! Speaking of which—The High Priest has been giving me divine energy every day lately. And I’m just sooo grateful...”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! But... I also heard the temple’s been having a hard time financially.”

Namia gave the High Priest a sweet smile.

“Why don’t we hear what the High Priest has to say?”

The High Priest could’ve shouted with joy.

This was the moment. He put on his best kindly-old-man smile.

“Before I speak... there is just one thing that concerns me. I’m afraid what I say might sound like a bribe, and as a man of the cloth, that burdens me greatly.”

“A bribe?! Oh come now, how could you say such a thing? This is just a personal favor between friends!”

Namia emphasized the word bribe with a dramatic gasp and wide eyes.

The High Priest sighed deeply before continuing.

“But still... I’d feel much more comfortable if you, Minister, could activate a soundproofing scroll. It would help me speak freely.”

“Oh, that?”

Namia smiled sweetly and ❀ ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) pulled a crossbody bag from the room.

It was stuffed full of scrolls. Without hesitation, she pulled out a soundproofing scroll.

“I was planning to activate one anyway. It’s just common courtesy when private favors are involved.”

As Namia activated the scroll, the High Priest struggled to hide his excitement.

The plan was simple.

Kill Kiaros. Then kill Namia. Then use her dagger to mutilate Kiaros’s corpse.

And pin the whole thing on Namia Roafi.

No one would ever believe a frail old High Priest could kill Kiaros.

But everyone would accept that Kiaros might let his guard down around Namia. Even the Education Minister had once said, “That woman will be the ruin of the Crown Prince,” while clicking his tongue.

At this level, he could even claim that Namia had joked “Let’s die together,” and that Kiaros had taken her seriously.

And with the soundproofing scroll active, no one outside can hear a thing.

Everything was falling into place.

“Please, speak freely. Say whatever’s on your mind.”

Namia said it confidently.

The High Priest deliberately stood and lowered himself flat to the floor.

“I am grateful for the blessings of the Minister and His Highness.”

Namia laughed in embarrassment.

“Come on, that’s not necessary. Please get up.”

But the High Priest bowed his head even deeper and stayed down.

There were no pages, no maids, no guards around.

Namia stood and reached to help him up by the arm—when—

“Step aside. I’ll handle it.”

Kiaros stepped forward.

Of course he wouldn’t let his woman touch another man.

Kiaros leaned down to help the High Priest to his feet.

That’s when the High Priest suddenly twisted his body with lightning speed—and locked his hands around Kiaros’s neck.