Being a servant manager is a real challenge. The role requires exceptional skill in balancing authority and hard work.

You are responsible for coordinating the staff, deciding who stays and who goes, training new employees, and ensuring that all day-to-day tasks are carried out professionally. And what if an emergency arises? It is up to you to decide how to handle it without unnecessary work.

As if that were not enough, the additional challenges constantly attract the attention of the Emperor himself.

“Just making sure you are not lazy,” he says with the characteristic sly smile you have become accustomed to. It seems that he has made it his personal pleasure to watch your every move, making you wonder if there are really more important tasks in his imperial affairs.

But today, something is unusual.

“Who is he? And why did you praise him?”

A sharp voice cuts through the air like a sharp blade, making you flinch. He’s so close—too close—right next to your ear. Your heart skips a beat, then starts beating faster when you turn to see Suguru. His dark gaze has followed the nearest maid you’ve just thanked, his expression clearly betraying his displeasure.

Before you can say anything, his heavy hand lands on your shoulder. His fingers tighten slightly, as if holding you back.

“Did he do something so remarkable that he deserves your gratitude?” he asks Suguru quietly, but there’s a strange, subdued edge to his voice that catches you off guard.

This behavior is not typical of him.

Suguru was usually easygoing, even mocking. His jokes and playfulness were almost insane in their audacity. But now?

Now it sounded completely different.

Almost... pouty.

Wait. Is this fox really... jealous?