Chapter 172
“Young Master would only look for me when there’s a problem with romance, and if things were going well, you’d be too happy to have any reason to call me.”
Listening to him speak with such confidence makes me want to refute that he’s wrong.
“So this means a new problem has arisen, and I thought perhaps it’s time to make a bolder choice than the previous methods, which is why I came at this hour. If my guess is wrong, I can always come back tomorrow.”
I stared at him through narrowed eyes, noting the confidence evident in his raised chin. After a few minutes, his chin gradually returned to its normal position. I smiled with satisfaction as I spoke.
“You seem to have thought a lot over the past week.”
“Of course. When a respected Young Master asks for my help, how could I approach it casually? I must help wholeheartedly, with all resources at my disposal!”
What contemplation, my foot. He figured it out as soon as he received my letter. The moment I heard his stream of flattery after a slight provocation, I realized it.
‘This bastard wants something.’
He didn’t just come obediently. He has a purpose. Last time the deal was about genealogy; I wonder what he wants this time.
‘Maybe this is why I end up seeking Alteo’s help.’
Since it’s not free, I don’t feel burdened, and since I give him what he wants in return, secrets don’t leak out. He seems quite reliable in this regard, which makes him trustworthy.
“You must be busy with your studies too.”
“Oh, don’t even mention it. Why is the imperial capital so expensive? I’m staying at a shabby inn where there’s no soundproofing at all. Children make noise during the day, and at night there’s that strange, ugh… It’s truly the worst.”
Ah. So he wants a quiet place to study? That’s not difficult.
“It must be hard to concentrate.”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“So as payment for this job, you want a place to stay until you take your exams?”
Alteo’s eyes sparkled.
“Indeed. You’re quick to understand. I’m glad I don’t have to explain at length.”
“Likewise. Let’s get to the main point now.”
Alteo asked if there had been any change in the relationship as a result of the previous operation. I replied that while there seemed to be jealousy, nothing had changed significantly. And also that Luwen might be leaving my side.
“Huh? Him? Why? Is he going to accumulate achievements to become an honorary duke?”
“I can’t tell you the reason, but yes, something like that. The situation isn’t great.”
After pondering for a moment, Alteo raised the corner of his mouth mischievously.
“Let me stay at the Duke’s residence.”
“At the Duke’s residence?”
“Even a spare servant’s room would be fine. This time, I want to shake up Luwen.”
“How?”
“It would be much more natural if Young Master doesn’t know, so I think it’s better not to tell you.”
I’m not sure if I should trust and leave this to him when I don’t know what he plans to do. While I was looking at him with suspicious eyes, Alteo added a condition.
“And please allow me to enter your room every night under the pretext of helping me with my studies.”
“Every night?”
“Yes.”
“Just the two of us, without Luwen.”
Alteo pointed at himself and smiled. I have no idea what he’s thinking.
“Is that the bold approach?”
“Actually, I had something in mind before coming here, but after hearing Young Master’s story, I scrapped that idea. To move someone like Luwen, I think there needs to be someone who grabs him by the collar and shakes him. It’s a bit of a gamble, but I’m confident he’ll take the bait.”
“What if it doesn’t work?”
Alteo maintained his confident attitude as if telling me not to worry.
“Only my image will suffer, but it’s already at its worst anyway, isn’t it? Since Young Master knows nothing, it’s a no-lose situation for you.”
“Hmm.”
Preparing a room for Alteo at the mansion isn’t a problem, but having to face that guy alone every day bothered me. It seemed like the end of each day would become unpleasant.
As I was contemplating, Alteo added more words.
“It won’t take long. Results will come quickly. If I succeed, you can get me my own house then.”
However, I was feeling urgent because I didn’t have any other solution, and Luwen’s residence might change after the First Prince’s trial ends. Even if I begged him not to go, there’s a possibility he wouldn’t change his mind. Once Luwen makes up his mind, he eventually accomplishes whatever it is.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t explained the recent situation to Luwen.’
I was in a good mood since morning and completely forgot. I decided to talk to him when returning home later as I concluded my conversation with Alteo.
“Alright. Let’s try it. When do you plan to move in?”
“The sooner the better. I’m fine even today.”
“Do as you please. Remember that the size of the house you’ll live in from now on depends on the results.”
“…Are you saying that if I do well, you’ll buy me a house?”
“Yes.”
“Not just a temporary stay?”
“That’s right.”
“Really?”
Oh, seriously. How many times is he going to confirm?
“I don’t lie about these things. If you ask one more time, I’ll consider it never happened.”
Alteo’s eyes, which had widened in surprise, soon blazed with determination. Seeing that expression, trust replaced my slight suspicion.
‘He’ll do it properly, if only to get a house.’
Indeed, motivation is important.
* * *
After seeing Fei off as he returned to the clinic, Alteo hummed a tune while looking out the window. He was waiting to go out at the time Luwen would arrive.
‘I made the right choice cutting ties with the First Prince and sticking with Young Master.’
Of course, to rise more surely and quickly, it’s better to use connections with royalty. But if that’s a rotten string that might break at any time, it’s much better to let go and fall before climbing too high.
Moreover, if the string he grabbed again was the Duke Vinter family, it was comparable even without being royalty. He had heard many stories from a fellow Swordsmanship Department student council member who graduated from the Academy with him.
‘They say the current Duke will become the next Empress, and the Vinter Young Master will become the Duke.’
Additionally, it was quite famous among nobles how much Duke Irene Vinter cherished her younger sibling. Thanks to that, there was even a rumor that to create a connection with Duke Vinter, one had to catch the eye of her sibling.
That was the reason why invitations were constantly sent to Fei Vinter, who didn’t attend social gatherings.
‘I have such good luck.’
Alteo suppressed his urge to laugh out loud. If he handles this well, he’ll get a house. And that’s not all. If there’s an opportunity to appeal to the Duke that he’s helping Fei Vinter, he’ll gain a connection to the Vinter ducal family that even powerful nobles desperately covet.
‘And that too, a connection to the future Empress!’
If that happens, becoming the Empress’s personal physician wouldn’t just be a dream. Of course, for that to happen, the Second Prince would need to become the Crown Prince.
Alteo repeatedly tapped the corners of his mouth that kept wanting to rise.
Meanwhile, Luwen appeared. Upon seeing him walking over, Alteo quickly changed his expression and left the office. He stood midway on the stairs, listening, and when he heard the door open, he casually walked down the stairs.
“Oh, hey? Isn’t it Luwen.”
He encountered Luwen who was just entering the clinic. Alteo raised his voice as he crossed the now-empty waiting room, as consultations had ended.
“Why are you here?”
Despite Luwen’s fierce gaze, Alteo maintained a calm expression while swallowing nervously.
“I had something to ask Young Master.”
“Don’t come and go as you please. You have no right.”
“About that. From today, I’ll be staying at the Duke’s residence.”
Luwen’s brows furrowed. This guy who usually shows no expression clearly reveals his emotions when it comes to Fei.
“When I asked for help with my exams, he gladly agreed. Anyway, it seems we’ll be living in the same house for a while, so I look forward to getting along.”
Alteo extended his hand. It was a handshake offered knowing it would be rejected. Sure enough, Luwen swatted Alteo’s hand away.
“I don’t know what you’re up to, but if you’re thinking of using Young Master, you’d better stop.”
His speech became shorter. At the same time, a chill ran down Alteo’s spine, but he shrugged his shoulders while rubbing his throbbing hand. As long as Fei Vinter was backing him, Luwen couldn’t do anything to him. A faithful dog doesn’t go against its master’s will.
“Why? Am I not allowed to receive special treatment?”
Emboldened, Alteo spoke casually.
“Anyone else perhaps, but not you. Not if you remember what you did.”
For a moment, Alteo felt his breath catch. But since he would need to say even harsher things later, he forced out his voice.
“Young Master has forgiven me, so who are you to judge?”
“I am his bodyguard.”
“Right, bodyguard. But isn’t that just about protecting his safety? I have Young Master’s permission. That means I’ve earned the status of a guest. Don’t forget that what you’re doing now is overstepping your authority.”
Luwen’s demeanor changed instantly. Alteo instinctively knew this was the time to retreat. So he practically ran past Luwen, yanked open the clinic door, and left.
His spine tingled. Alteo reflexively rubbed the back of his neck, exhaled deeply, and hid himself in the crowd.
‘I don’t understand what’s good about such a rude bastard.’
Well… whoever someone likes is none of his business. What mattered was that he would benefit from these two people who liked each other but were moving at a glacial pace.
‘Just to be safe, I should ask Young Master to protect me.’
If only this part was resolved, everything would be perfect.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
Alteo truly carrying the lufei agenda who would’ve thought 😭🙏🙏