Chapter 142
[I’ve reviewed all the records of the pitiful flower.
However, it seems difficult to find the beehive that was seduced by the flower. Wouldn’t one need to know where the pollen-covered bees fly to understand how the rare flower propagates?
By the way, I heard that someone close to me is also very interested in the pitiful flower that’s blooming this time. That person seems to have already gone to see the pitiful flower, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it in time for the full bloom, which is regrettable.
For future reference, I’d like to properly introduce you to the noble person on this occasion. Would the young lord help me? I’ll compensate you properly.]
You sent me the registry, so shouldn’t you handle the rest yourself? I crumpled the letter, making it as wrinkled as my face, and burned it.
Even though I wanted to pretend I didn’t understand and ignore it, I understood the meaning all too well, which annoyed me.
‘Though I’d hate it more if all my effort ended up being wasted.’
It seems the registry records alone weren’t enough to prove that funds flowed to the First Prince. Perhaps some content related to the First Prince was missing from the ledger that Count Escardo gave to Adrian. Or it might have been recorded under a different name.
“There was no decisive evidence?”
When I asked Linder, who was standing with his hands behind his back, he nodded.
“There are records of buying and selling slaves, and information about funds being transferred to someone called Doharr. But there’s no evidence that this person is the First Prince.”
So that’s why he’s asking for my help. Through Linder, he knows what my original plan was, so he’s telling me to get dragged to the auction as planned.
‘He needs a witness whose testimony can be trusted.’
My testimony that I heard people at the auction referring to the First Prince as ‘Doharr.’ That’s what he needed.
This would inevitably reveal my identity. To testify, I would have to come forward publicly, and most people would recognize my face.
‘Well… it might not matter now.’
What I originally came to the academy for was a commoner graduate diploma in the name of ‘Norman.’ As it stands, I could receive that as compensation. The Second Prince could create a more flawless identity as an academy medical graduate than I could.
‘I needed to create a new identity anyway since Luwen found out, so I might as well resolve this too.’
But I don’t plan to ask for it immediately. Instead, I’ll keep it as a debt to collect various things at once when needed later. If he successfully prevents war from breaking out and I don’t need a new identity, I can request something else.
I quickly wrote a letter, sealed it, and handed it to Linder. Knowing my displeasure, he carefully took the letter.
“Did you remove the people from the stage?”
“I left them as they were, just in case.”
“When will Doharr arrive here?”
Linder, having secured the letter, answered.
“Three to four days, we expect.”
I let out a hollow laugh. That meant he would arrive right after the graduation ceremony. He’s probably planning to acquire those he’s had his eye on during this visit. And I would be among them.
“You know about the senior knight exam in a week, right? I’ll be meeting friends then to cheer for Luwen, so spread the word. They’ll come to capture Norman.”
“Yes!”
“Make sure my friends don’t get involved, and prepare to wrap everything up before the senior knight exam ends.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After dismissing Linder, I looked in the mirror. I retied my hair, checked my appearance, and left the study. Today was the day Luwen was coming to the mansion.
* * *
Time passed quickly, and after the bustling graduation ceremony, the day of the senior knight exam finally arrived. The weather was clear, and the festival that had begun with the graduation ceremony was in full swing on the streets, with sounds of revelry reaching even the outskirts where the mansion stood.
‘Luwen’s turn was almost last.’
I checked the invitation addressed to Fei Vinter once more. The invitation was essentially meaningless since the academy doors were wide open during the exam.
What mattered was the list enclosed with the invitation. Nobles who received invitations would review the list and attend to watch the exam of candidates they were interested in—whether to see their children or to recruit them into their family’s knight order. They would schedule their movements based on the timing.
Since the noble students took their exams first, Luwen, a commoner, was scheduled for 9 PM. Even so, he was first among the commoners, though there were only three in total, including him.
‘I don’t understand why they keep people waiting from midday when the exam is at 9 PM.’
It’s fortunate for now, but I had many complaints. Why confine people to a waiting room? I’ve heard it’s to observe other students’ exams, warm up, and calm one’s mind, but the waiting time was too long for my liking.
Knock, knock.
“Young master, it’s Linder. May I come in?”
“Come in.”
I paused while fastening my sleeve buttons because someone who resembled me entered alongside Linder. I couldn’t say we were completely identical, but the facial features were so similar that I couldn’t help but be startled.
Upon closer inspection, though, something seemed off. The expressionless face looked unnatural. Looking carefully, I realized it was a meticulously crafted mask. Only then did I realize this person was my stand-in.
“This is the double I reported. His identity is certain, as he was selected and sent by His Highness.”
Up close, the mask would be obvious, but from a distance, he would definitely look like me. His build was also similar to mine, making him more perfect than when Linder had stood in for me.
‘They’re just desperate to hand me over to the kidnappers on a silver platter.’
Given the timing, it seemed they had prepared and sent him before even getting my consent. It felt disgusting to be played like this by the Second Prince. But since I also didn’t want things to go wrong, I had to forcibly suppress my surge of anger.
“Alright. What about the escape preparations for Adrian and Jayden?”
“Proceeding according to plan.”
“Protect them both perfectly, no matter what.”
“Yes!”
Linder answered with strong determination.
Originally, separate security personnel were assigned for the two, but I instructed Linder to take charge. Depending on when the Count reports to the First Prince, the First Prince’s guard might pursue them, and I judged that a commander capable of responding was needed.
“The auction house raid is also prepared, right?”
“Yes. You only need to be confined for about two hours. Everything will be finished before the auction begins.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
I finished buttoning my sleeves and dismissed Linder. I was supposed to meet my roommates at 5 PM. Originally, we planned to have dinner, buy a gift for Luwen, and then move to the academy exam venue around 8 PM to find seats and wait.
But now the plan needed modification. I intended to have dinner with them and then part ways, saying I had some business to attend to. Today’s schedule was to finish the auction house matter and then rejoin them at the academy.
But as Fei Vinter, not Norman.
With my identity that could be exposed at any moment, I wanted to tell the truth to my friends directly. Of course, they might not hear today’s news. But if they found out later, wouldn’t they feel hurt?
The worst scenario would be if they felt betrayed and turned away from me. Before that happened, I wanted to confess everything, explain why I had to deceive them. Even if it was a lie…
Suddenly, I felt a prickle inside my chest. With a restless heart, I stood up and paced around.
‘I don’t want our relationship to end this way when I haven’t even properly repaid them.’
It would be nice if they could still see me as their roommate, not as a noble, even after I revealed everything.
‘That seems unlikely though.’
Could they cross the line that even Luwen couldn’t? Am I having too high expectations? Wouldn’t it be better to just give up before being disappointed?
‘It’s fine without friends… since when did I become so dependent on people?’
I don’t need anyone except Luwen. Having him is enough.
…But for some reason, the prickling in my chest wouldn’t subside. I sighed and looked out the window. The bright sunlight stabbed my eyes, indifferent to my feelings.
Swoosh-
After drawing the curtains to block the sunlight, I turned around. There must have been a gap, as a streak of light crossed the room. It felt like a line dividing the absolute difference in status.
With an upset heart, I carefully drew the curtains again and smiled at the darkened room. Then, feeling pathetic and embarrassed for being pleased about such a trivial matter, I fled the study.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
