Chapter 17

“May I change the wording a bit?”

“The Lady of books must have a great idea, right?”

The count smiled, placing another dictionary atop Irene’s castle. Irene smiled, leaning her chin against the wall.

“That’s right. If I become the young Lady of books, they’ll lend me knowledge and help me become smarter.”

“They’re very reliable. Beautiful Lady, what phrases could I add to hire a competent teacher?”

Irene pondered for a moment.

She had written job advertisements several times, and in her days as a college student, she read them during winter breaks.

“Wouldn’t it receive more attention if you let them know how much the minimum salary would be?”

“You mean the exact amount?”

“Yes, I’m sure my father is thinking of a huge sum.”

“Of course. I wrote it down there, but it’s the ‘best treatment of the industry’!”

“It would be nice if you could also clearly state down how many classes you would like them to attend per week. “

One might think they’d be in a class all day, seeing that they’re even being served at the dorms.

This was to provide information in advance on how privacy and work could be balanced.

“You want me to write down that I wish for them to tutor Benjamin 3 times a week and you 4 times?”

“Yes.”

“It’d be better to specify holidays too. Definitely.”

“I think that’s a good idea. “

“Wouldn’t it be necessary to write down holidays or bonuses during festivals or New Years’?”

“Well, let’s write it down! Why didn’t I think of that previously?!”

“That’s not much to boast about, is it? It’s obvious.”

Irene seemed to have a shining halo surrounding herself in her father’s eyes.

Oh my God Father, please return to your senses and come back. My heart was pounding.

“It doesn’t seem like giving congratulatory money on their birthday would be too special, so I didn’t write it down…”

Irene closed her mouth with both her hands.

“I love my father so much…”

They don’t need to get paid for their birthday. I always wanted to be the daughter of a man like this.

“I love Irene Webber, too.”

It was so good to hear someone say I love you after I told them the same.

Irene laughed as she covered her red face with an encyclopedia. Her heart tickled.

“Well, then. Let’s apply the words from the wise Lady of books.”

“But wouldn’t the phrase be too long?”

“That’s alright. I’m sure it’ll work out somehow if I remove the old one.”

That’s a relief.

All those terrible and ambiguous words have disappeared.

Irene became relieved and soon focused on building the encyclopedia castle again. I didn’t know how I ended up making this, but it was fun.

I’ll do it if it’s fun. This was a child’s privilege too.

The office quieted down once again. The count was able to finish a completely new job opening based on his conversation with Irene.

“Wouldn’t it be better to add the prepayment?”

“Father!”

“I’m kidding. Of course, it’s impossible.”

When Irene’s castle was completed, the count hung a small flag atop.

And for dinner that day, the whole family ate sandwiches before the castle made using encyclopedias.

Her father introduced the completed job advertisement to the whole family and praised Irene, saying that it was all thanks to the lord’s virtue.

***

Fate had dawned.

Roger Blake awoke early in the morning and immediately proceeded to make a fuss about his meeting with the Crown prince.

Despite the clothes selected in advance, he changed several times, saying, ‘This isn’t right.’

In the end, he decided to wear the clothing he had chosen beforehand.

“Roger Blake.”

Before leaving the residence, I was lectured by my strict father.

“Yes, yes, father.”

“His highness the Crown Prince allowed you to meet him merely as I have completely assisted and educated you.”

“I know.”

“You believe that you possess my greatness. So Roger Blake.”

Boom!

The Duke’s cane clung to the floor. Roger instinctively tightened himself.

“Do not let Blake’s noble name be overwhelmed.”

“….”

“Do you understand!?”

“Yes!”

Since then, Roger had been almost insane. He repeatedly practiced his greetings to the crown prince on the carriage.

Mistakes wouldn’t be tolerated.

There was no time to tour around the palace for the first time.

The only thing he drew his attention to was the tip of his brown shoes, where a small note filled with many polite words was placed.

“Lord Roger Blake.”

“…”

“Lord Roger Blake?”

“…”

“Lord Roger!”

“Hyuk, what?”

Surprised by the servant’s call, Roger looked up, and before he knew it, he was in front of an enormous gate decorated elegantly with gold.

“You have arrived.”

“Al, al, already?”

“Yes.”

“His Highness, Prince of Wales…”

“He is waiting inside.”

I can’t believe he’s waiting! He’s waiting for someone so precious!

Roger quickly straightened his posture. After touching my hair for no specific reason, I glanced back at the attendant.

“I am ready. Please ask for an audience.”

Roger was a little relieved by the natural flow of words. We’ll just have to keep doing this. It’s a relief I’ve practiced so many times.

If I keep this up, I will be able to build a deep friendship with the Crown Prince, and one day… I may be his closest chief aide.

He swallowed his worries as he recalled his main goal.

The attendant announced Roger’s arrival with a knock, and they soon heard the sound of permitting the audience.

‘Finally…’

The door proceeded to open.

Roger leaned deeply.

As the door opened, the servant behind said in a small voice, ‘You may enter,’ so Roger moved inside slowly.

Still unable to lift his head, he terminated in front of an eagle pattern engraved on the floor.

That was the distance allowed for the Blake family.

“…”

Roger couldn’t say a word and held his breath. He didn’t even have the right to speak first. As such, I had to wait until the Crown Prince to begin the conversation with me, who was a mere subordinate.

“…”

There was an extended moment of silence.

“Blake’s successor.”

After a long time, I heard a call from him. His languid, dignified, noble voice was like that of an angel descending from heaven.

Roger answered calmly, pressing down on his desire to swear allegiance at any moment.

“Yes! Your Royal Highness!”

No, he answered quite vigorously.

“How is life in the capital city?”

Roger was taken aback for a moment by a sudden question. What do you mean, how’s your life in the capital? He’s been living in the capital city all his life.

“At the mercy of His Majesty the Emperor and His highness the Crown Prince, life in the capital is always enjoyable.”

“As you know, it’s really important who you trust and follow in the capital.”

After he heard familiar words, Roger almost lifted his head unconsciously. The Crown Prince certainly said that.

「As I said before, it’s really important who you trust and follow in the capital city.」

Because it was exactly what Roger had recited previously.

‘It must be a coincidence.’

It was common sense that every noble in the capital recognized.

“If Blake’s successor wished to hold an important position in the future, it would be necessary to keep this in mind.”

「If you wish for an important position later, You’d better keep this in mind.」

However, when the following words followed, Roger became nervous.

“Blake’s son, what’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

“I perceived you were going to raise your head a little while ago. Without my permission.”

“No!”

“Wasn’t it so?”

“Oh, no!”

“So it wasn’t.”

At the end of the teasing session, Roger could hear the prince correcting his posture.

After a moment of silence, he ordered.

“You may raise your head.”

“…”

Roger closed his eyes tightly. Many thoughts poured out of his head at once, but as nothing was sorted out, it ended up with him having no thoughts.

I didn’t want to raise my head.

He didn’t want to prove the reality before his eyes. However, contrary to his opinion, his head gradually arose.

Maybe it was because of the damn curiosity. After foolishly opening my eyes, I could make out a boy.

Sitting in a chair with a high backrest and delightful decorations was a boy of similar age.

However, the pressure that advanced from him was like that of an adult, and Roger trembled unconsciously.

Beyond the line of sight was the country boy whom I met in the library.

At the same time, it wasn’t him.

He was completely different. Not only his clothes but his expression and atmosphere.

“Then, now.”

Elvin placed one hand forward.

“Let’s have a variety of conversations with our ‘deep friendship’ on the line.”

Roger hung his knees on the floor. It was not to apologize.

He couldn’t stand properly because of his weakened legs.

「Do not let Blake’s noble name be overwhelmed.」

His father’s words rang out, and now Roger Blake could only think that he was completely screwed.

Elvin smiled as he observed him.

***