Chapter: 12
For about two days, all the academy staff were anxiously spinning the bomb in their hands, hoping it wouldn’t explode. But it was I who collected it and detonated it.
“I’m Carl Krasius, your torturer. Looks like we’re all familiar faces here. I hope we can get along well.”
I glanced at the club members, who could now be legally monitored under the pretext of being my disciples. Louise was beaming with joy, Erich’s pupils were shaking uncontrollably, and Ainter wore his usual cheerful grin. The thought of three more people joining this circus made my heart swell with grandeur.
“Since we’ll be seeing each other often, I’d like to call you all more casually. Is there anyone who prefers to take their time in getting to know each other?”
This was my way of saying we’d be using informal language from now on. Since it was directed at Ainter, I expected some resistance, but he merely nodded with a smile. I guess he was okay with it. Now I had a solid reason to speak casually with the other three who would be joining us soon, which satisfied me greatly.
“Even though I’m your advisor, you don’t have to worry about me too much. If you need anything or something comes up, just call me. Don’t be shy!”
I wrapped up my introductory speech with suitable words. I had never been a club member before and had no idea what an advisor was supposed to do. When I heard from the vice principal, it turned out that my actual duty was just to keep an eye on things to ensure nothing went haywire.
Just the kind of role I wanted. While other staff might feel pressured by the royal presence, I was the exact opposite; I was about to go bananas trying to find excuses to get close! I couldn’t help but feel sorry for whoever had this terrible job in the original story.
But there’s no use dwelling on things that never happened. Right now, it was my turn to take on that terrible role. When I looked at Louise, the mastermind behind this chaos, she was gazing happily at a pile of baking tools and ingredients. Her eyes sparkled so much that the staff who brought them would surely be overjoyed if they saw her!
When Erich gazed at Louise with warm eyes, our eyes unexpectedly met, causing him to awkwardly look away. Now that I thought about it, since I was at the academy, I planned to meet with Erich more often. Fortunately, I became the advisor, and he a club member. With this, I could finally make progress in reducing the awkwardness between us. He’d definitely be glad about it!
*
As Erich’s eyes clashed with Carl’s, he instinctively turned away. He knew he didn’t need to, but his body just couldn’t help it. He had spent his whole life living under the weight of the lord’s gaze, so it was only natural that someone with eyes resembling the lord’s would put him on guard.
‘I shouldn’t feel this way.’
When they were young, Carl and Erich were neither close like siblings nor bitter enemies. With no other siblings, it was impossible for them to keep distances forever.
Besides, he finally had the chance to be involved in club activities with Louise.
‘This is a perfect opportunity to hang out with Louise even during the club days!’
And thanks to the club, there were even chances to bump into each other outside of club hours.
Of course, there was that annoying royal prince who would act as a third wheel, but he couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. When he learned that Carl would be the club’s advisor, Erich felt like everything was collapsing around him, but it also made him more determined. If he couldn’t overcome his fear of Carl, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy being with Louise!
Thus, a man blinded by infatuation gathered the courage to confront his long-standing trauma.
*
As Erich resolved to step into the light from his dark past, Ainter was feeling far from comfortable. The source of his discomfort was Carl, who seemed genuinely impressed as he watched Louise lay out the ingredients for cookie-making.
‘I heard he was coming… but I never imagined we’d meet like this.’
Ainter couldn’t help but feel a pit in his stomach.
His decision to join Louise’s club was a bold one. While members of the imperial family had attended the academy before, none had joined a club. The rationale was simple: it would place unnecessary pressure on whoever had to be their advisor, affecting the dynamics with other students.
In the realm of princes, succession disputes were fierce. If a specific prince joined a club, mingling with the noble members, it could morph into the prince’s faction, exposing them to alliances they should ideally avoid. Meanwhile, nobles could suddenly find themselves associated with a prince they never intended to pledge loyalty to, unwittingly becoming part of his faction.
Thus, the practice of imperial family members joining clubs had been an unspoken taboo. But two years ago, following protracted rivalry, the first prince was confirmed as the heir.
So, if the third prince, who had been keeping a low profile, suddenly decided to break the rules and join a club? The first prince would likely want to strangle Ainter with a rope on the spot. After all, Ainter, like the second prince, was the product of the second Empress and was the last remaining threat to the throne.
After the first prince ascended to the position of heir, it was a foregone conclusion that the second prince and his mother would be sidelined. The blades of the Prosecutors—previously aimed at the second prince—quickly turned towards him, emboldened by the first prince’s backing.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince is quite pleased with your decision to remain silent until-the-end.”
At that moment, leading the incursion into the third prince’s palace was none other than Carl Krasius. He was a prodigy, the youngest to take a major office and known for stirring up the empire.
“Your choice to remain apart from the second prince was wise.”
Ainter could only manage a bitter smile at Carl’s cheerful demeanor. After facing harsh words from the Empress, who questioned whose son he truly was, and receiving daggers thrown his way from the second prince, Ainter chose silence. Therefore, as the second prince met his mysterious end and the Empress was effectively imprisoned, Ainter remained standing.
“The Crown Prince no longer wishes for disturbances within the imperial family.”
“Even if my mother is different from the Crown Prince’s, we share the same father. Surely, our intentions align.”
“Indeed, you are wise.”
Carl’s warning was clear: you best shut up if you don’t want to end up with a knife in your back. With that brief exchange completed, Carl stood up without lingering, donning a mask-like smile.
“I apologize for causing a scene in Your Highness’s palace. Upon investigation, we found nothing wrong. It seems some jealousy-fueled individuals have conspired against you. I will punish them accordingly and convey my deepest apologies on behalf of the academy.”
“Well, that can happen. I understand.”
After that, Ainter abided by Carl’s warning and chose a quieter existence. With the first prince and emperor’s backing, the Prosecutors mercilessly dismantled the supporters of the second prince. Even when Ainter’s maternal family, the marquis of Asilon, faced ruin, he kept his silence. Thanks to this, Ainter was still alive and expected to keep it that way in the future too.
However, everything shifted when he met a girl. Walking around the academy with a troupe of so-called ‘followers’ meant to keep tabs on him, Ainter’s gaze caught a girl with striking pink hair. Initially a whim, he was meant to maintain a low profile yet found himself speaking to her.
“I-I’m Louise Naird!”
The girl trembled, responding to Ainter, even though he never held any real authority. Surprisingly, he started meeting Louise more often afterward. As they spent time together, Louise gradually relaxed, treating Ainter more comfortably. The feelings he began to experience from her were unlike anything he ever felt with others.
It had all begun from a whimsical notion, and although their connection was short, it was genuine. Ainter was confident of this. That’s why, when he heard that Louise was scouting for club members, he put down his name without hesitation. There was a risk, though; the Crown Prince might decide to intervene because of this, or Carl could switch gears and eliminate Ainter altogether.
But despite that looming concern, Ainter chose to move forward. This time, he wanted his voice heard instead of dwelling in silence. Staring at Louise, whose face was smeared with flour, and at Carl, who stood beside her, Ainter filled with unwavering resolve.
*
‘Is she doing well…?’
Watching Louise fussily working on her baking sparked questions in my mind. I had no prior experience with baking, so how was I supposed to tell if she was doing well? All I could do was watch and hope for the best. But given her confident demeanor, I figured she had it under control. Besides, she had all the necessary tools, so surely there wouldn’t be any issues.
I cast a quick glance at the small oven. Given that this world was infused with fantasy elements, countless utensils operated under the guise of magic. I marveled at the absurdity when I noticed items like telephone tapping devices, location trackers, and surveillance cameras inside the Prosecutor’s storage. If there hadn’t been an oven among all this, I would’ve been disappointed!
Once more shaken from my thoughts, I met Ainter’s gaze. He continued smiling, making it hard to read his emotions. It had been two years since I last saw him in his palace.
‘I’ve been too tough on him.’
In this world, adulthood was recognized at 17, but when I first met Ainter, he was barely 15. Even if he was acting on the first prince’s orders, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had been overly harsh on a 15-year-old kid.
Two years ago, with the external chaos of the North at an end, the first prince had emerged victorious in the prestigious battle for the throne. What a chaotic time it was—simply staying alive and holding a public office was reason enough for promotion due to the personnel shortage the Empire faced.
Those who survived and proved their worth received exceptional promotions, and both the Minister and I were part of that unfortunate pool. Since then, it seemed the Minister’s temper had taken a turn for the worse.
No… that guy had anger issues long before becoming a Minister. I nearly romanticized that.
In any case, after experiencing numerous events in the North, I unexpectedly ascended to the role of Executive Manager in the Prosecutor’s Office, which didn’t exactly help my mental state. Consequently, my emotions sometimes affected the execution of my duties, inadvertently pressuring Ainter even more than necessary, though the prince seemed satisfied with my management. What a creep!
I pondered why all I felt towards the club members was guilt. Frustrated, I turned my gaze towards Louise. Did she catch my eye? She tilted her head, looking at me as if asking what was wrong.
I’m just glad I haven’t wronged you. No, wait, actually you owe me an apology!
After all, if you weren’t a capybara… I wouldn’t have even come here…
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