CH 158

“His Majesty ordered me to take a look at that child’s condition anyway, so I’ll visit your home soon.”

After taking a bit of a moment, he added.

“I’d like it if Jeremy doesn’t show his identity for as long as possible.”

“Are you thinking of not reporting it to His Majesty?”

“Isn’t it good for both parties to avoid something annoying? Besides, I have no intention to choke the neck of a kid that is breathing well.”

The answer was just like him, who had been a watcher in numerous times Jeremy was cowering in the palace.

Should I be thankful at his remark that he would let Jeremy be as long as he didn’t annoy him, or should I ask him why he didn’t do anything about Jeremy until this moment?

Even if I asked him, I didn’t feel like he would feel guilty about it.

A man who looked like his aid opened the door and entered the room.

“Your Imperial Highness, there are a lot of people waiting for you outside.”

“Yes, I’m going now.”

The Crown Prince got up and walked past me. Then, when he was about to walk past the door . . .

“If you don’t mind, can I ask you one thing?”

He stopped at my call and looked back.

There was something that had been bothering me all this time.

Even though Master Cale was the Master of the Magic Tower, there was no way he could make a new identity for Zen in this short time, and put him as a professor in none other but the Imperial Academy.

First, his age was too young, and second, he had an unbelievable skill.

A supporter who could defeat all these obstacles.

Also, Zen’s unfamiliar appearance, wearing quite luxurious attire as if he was from somewhere.

“Is perhaps Professor Ardin from the Magic Tower also someone in your favor?”

“. . . There’s nothing I can hide from you, Young Lady.”

He smiled widely.

Looking at his smile, my head turned complicated.

All the more so to see him smiling proudly as though Zen was his secret weapon.

He might be a strong backing, but at the same time, he could also be a risque choice like a tightrope.

“You can say we’re good business partners. For now.”

“For now?”

“My ultimate goal is to win his heart.”

His smile deepened.

I knew what he meant by that, but it made the feeling of the listener turn weird.

Still, if he wanted to win his heart, it meant he at least had good intentions. So, should I be glad that he didn’t treat Zen as an usable object?

Until he disappeared beyond the hallway, I stood still without moving an inch.

* * *

Looking at his daughter with an annoyed face, leaving the building with Bertin’s escort, the face of Viscount Rocke turned dark.

He gave a formal greeting to the paladin who was drawing a gentle smile.

“Thank you for helping, Sir Gramia.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Rather it’s me who usually receives many favors and help from Young Lady Rocke. Please advise her to take a rest today as much as the hardship she went through. I don’t think she will listen to my advice.”

Looking absent-mindedly at Bertin, who was walking away with a bitter smile, the Viscount turned his gaze to Raynia.

He had a lot to say, but he hesitated. He couldn’t say it out loud.

It was fortunate that she escaped the false charge that was close to getting confirmed, but the case hadn’t been closed.

At least it was true that there had been a constant flaw in the products with Rocke Guild label.

At the end of pondering, the closed lips were parted.

“This case, is there a possibility this is related to the Miller Duchy?”

“. . .”

“You came forward again because of Young Lady Miller’s problem, so . . .”

“Father. I think humans should have conscience.”

The daughter who was listening to him suddenly replied.

Crossing her arms, she looked at her father and continued her words clearly.

“Madam Tatiana helped us a lot in making our guild’s name known and grow in size.”

“That . . .”

“Swallow the sweets, spit out whatever is bitter. How could you blame Marianne when there is something troubling?”

I’m not blaming, but isn’t it the truth?

Although the case was resolved, his heart palpitated whenever his daughter created another big problem.

There was little he could do with the hate from well-known merchant guilds in the empire.

Yet they couldn’t receive active protection from the Miller Duchy . . .

“You’ve enjoyed it so far, haven’t you, Father? They want to have it settled a bit, so why are you making a fuss?”

Coldness was in her eyes.

Far from feeling pity for her father, who groaned, her gaze seeing her father as pathetic was clear.

“I don’t admire you, Father, but I quite respect you.”

“. . .”

“That it is enough for me to let go of the fact that you tried to sell your daughter instead of the guild when you’re pushed to a dead-end.”

“. . . !”

If it weren’t for that, why would Raynia fake the sacred item and sell it to an idiot like Dmitry to get money in the first place?

It was also a part of that desperation why she fell for Bertin for a moment.

Marianne, that girl provided her a reason for her to not have to betray her conscience or her family.

For that one fact alone, Raynia Rocke had no choice but to be Marianne’s ally under any circumstances.

“I’ll return what you said back then, Father.”

“. . .”

“If you’ve enjoyed it enough, you should take responsibility for it.”

It would have been better if they had halted as a small merchant guild on the outskirts.

When their name spread, he wanted to raise their reputation, and when he succeeded as a nouveau riche, he wanted to have a position.

He received everything he desired too quickly.

As he got them in his hands as if those were what he deserved, he couldn’t let go of the things he gained.

The heart heavy with greed fell under its own weight.

He had no choice but to stare blankly at his daughter, who turned around.