Chapter 160: Unshakeable Hawthorn (1)
I was imprisoned in the Academy dormitory for the crime of being a pitiful civil servant. There must be a list of prisoners like me somewhere in the capital, right?
To be honest, since I technically assaulted a member of royalty, there could be proper charges, but isn’t it a bit much to use the Academy as my place of probation?
Seriously, I didn’t even hit him properly.
Strictly speaking, I didn’t beat Rutis with my fists or feet. I merely grabbed his clothes and relocated him elsewhere. It was nothing more than a tactical maneuver, really.
Sure, the relocation ended on a hard stone floor, which is a minor hiccup, but come on, it’s not like I assaulted him. If only Rutis had been sturdier, wouldn’t everything have been just fine? Walter could fall off a cliff and climb back up like he was taking a leisurely stroll!
However, Rutis ended up bleeding, and here I am facing the consequences. The time for pleading for leniency has long passed.
— According to Perosa, all is quiet, just like usual.
Still, it’s a blessing to have someone suffering on my behalf.
“That’s good to hear. I’m relieved thanks to Dame Perosa.”
Perosa, being the youngest among the forces of the three kingdoms, can comfortably wear a school uniform without raising any suspicion.
Of course, anyone who recognizes Perosa would immediately pinpoint her as an outsider, but those who know her have silently agreed to wink at her scouting endeavors.
— It’s a shame she can’t enter the club room.
“Well, it can’t be helped. Even with a disguise, sneaking in would be challenging.”
As Villar said, if I wanted to monitor them properly, the best move would be to enter the club room instead of aimlessly roaming around.
The problem, though, is that pretending to be a student in a uniform is one thing, but boldly walking into a club room that accommodates six members is another! Perhaps the fear of being called out for obvious surveillance might ruffle some feathers.
But at the end of the day, it’s not truly a big deal. Just having Perosa keep an eye from a distance is adequate.
Fandoms are terrifying.
So, do I entrust Perosa—who zealously idolizes Rutis—with the task of observing Rutis’s club?
She’ll definitely surpass all boundaries while twisting in the air, driven by emotion. It’s not even a private escapade; it’s a public duty! In a way, I’d be a state-approved stalker.
“If anything happens, please inform me immediately. I’ll take action myself.”
I tried to brush aside my thoughts about Perosa being a sanctioned stalker.
Regardless of Perosa’s job satisfaction, monitoring the club members was originally my responsibility. Honestly, I’d placed this burden on someone else instead of taking it on myself.
So it makes sense to at least promise that I’ll rush over if something goes awry. Let’s be real—the Crown Prince deciding to place me on probation at the Academy clearly suggests I should leap into action if something unexpected occurs.
If he has any sense of morality, he wouldn’t slap me with extra punishment for stepping outside my probation zone. I mean, come on! If he put me there to do my job, punishing me for doing it doesn’t make sense!
Well, it certainly doesn’t…
For a moment there, I mistook a jerk for a human being.
— No, we’ll handle it as best we can. Please rest easy, Inspector.
And Villar shook his head sternly, perhaps sensing my desperation.
Yeah, in Villar’s eyes, I probably looked like a pitiful guy in need of rest. His expression upon hearing the tales about my royal escapades still lingers in my mind like an old song.
If Villar had said, “His Majesty decreed that I must serve my probation at the Academy,” I would’ve likely looked at him with that very same expression.
“Thanks for your words.”
Deciding to heed Villar’s advice, I resolved to rest.
After all, even machines need oil to avoid breaking down.
*
It seemed my prayers reached heaven because my days of probation trickled by in tranquility and peace. During my time stuck in the dormitory, the events that unfolded seemed too quaint to even be called incidents.
“They say if you don’t get sunlight, it’s not good for your health, so you better enjoy your meals at least.”
“Thanks, Mar.”
For example, today marked another predictable visit from Marghetta. Does she somehow think I’ve been locked away in an underground dungeon? Or is that just how it feels to her? Regardless, I’m grateful and make sure to treat her to tea whenever she comes.
I might have said I wasn’t supposed to go out, but I never said others couldn’t come in! I’m holding my head high about my probation, after all.
“It’s nice being in the same room as Carl. The reason isn’t great, though.”
“I’m sorry…”
But that pride of mine fizzled out like a popped balloon at Marghetta’s next words.
“If you feel sorry, could you come see me after your probation ends, Carl?”
Her following statement caught me completely off guard. Although she said it with a bright smile, the content was anything but light.
Saying it was sad being in the same room due to my probation implied she wanted to actually enjoy being together once it was over. The fact that she asked me to visit implies she must’ve been talking about her room!
Did Marghetta get more impacted by my situation than I realized? I never expected bold words like that to flow from the lips of a lady who always maintained her poise.
“It might be tough, but if Mar wants it, I’ll try.”
Caught off guard by her boldness, I decided not to shy away. After all, climbing into a dorm room from a window isn’t much of a challenge.
But Marghetta tilted her head at my resolute answer and quickly shook it off, looking flustered.
“I meant the Vice President’s office!”
“Oh.”
Looks like the shocker was on me.
Did a perverted spirit take over my thoughts?
So, thanks to that, Marghetta, who had come in smiling, left with a bright red face. And that’s about the extent of the “incidents” that transpired during my probation.
“Oppa, how have you been?”
“We met this morning, didn’t we?”
Then came the follow-up visit from Louise. She was so enthusiastic that she came to see me both before and after school.
I can’t imagine anyone visiting a family member in a prison as much as she does! Well, to be honest, I’m not really in prison, so it might be easier for her to drop by.
I accepted the cookie jar she offered, ruffling her hair playfully.
“Once a day is more than enough! It’s gotta be a hassle for you to come this often.”
Of course, I didn’t neglect to scold her lightly. While Marghetta brings me daily meals, Louise’s visiting so frequently comes off as a bit excessive.
Actually, even saying she could visit once a day is still pushing it. I mean, it’s only been a week! A week without visitors shouldn’t be that upsetting.
“I can’t help but worry!”
Yet, seeing Louise mumble gloomily made it hard for me to push her away. I don’t quite get why she’s so concerned about someone merely staying in their room, but hey, that’s just how she is.
Yeah, I should be grateful for her visits. Having a little too much love is always better than none, right?
*
Having patted my head once, Oppa asked me to come in for some tea.
That’s nice!
Oppa never sends away guests who visit on purpose. He always welcomes and cares for them.
As I stepped into Oppa’s room, my heart raced. The words of my senior hit home.
“Lady Louise, you spend ample time with Carl, but how often are the two of you alone?”
Two days after Rutis collapsed and the day Oppa began his probation, my senior quietly came by to offer some advice.
It’s unfortunate that Oppa got put on probation, but it’s also a golden opportunity. It’s a rare chance wherein my usually busy Oppa will have a week of nothing to do!
“When you’re alone, you generally find a chance to share your true feelings. With no one else around, wouldn’t that make Lady Louise feel at ease?”
I nodded extensively to my senior’s precious advice.
The only place I can see Oppa is in the club room. But the club room isn’t just for me and Oppa. Even if I wanted to approach him, the other club members’ gazes weigh heavily on me.
Yes, it’s all about those discerning stares! I didn’t shy away because I was scared. If it weren’t for the judgmental eyes, I’d have confessed to Oppa ages ago!
“I totally understand how hard it is to have unrequited feelings. I don’t wish my beloved junior to go through that.”
“Senior…”
Keen on recognizing my senior’s thoughtful consideration, I resolved that my timidity was solely due to the gazes surrounding us.
“Ah, how’s Rutis doing?”
As we sipped tea, Oppa turned to me and asked, perhaps worried about the injury he caused.
For just a moment, a twinge of jealousy bubbled up in me regarding Rutis. How could Oppa just casually mention someone else’s name while we were alone? That’s something I could never accept, except maybe from my senior!
Thank goodness Rutis is a guy.
If Rutis were a girl, our friendship might’ve spiraled into chaos.
“He’s doing well, just as usual. I heard he’s coming to visit soon.”
“Honestly, just tell him that merely staying put and quietly breathing is his best support.”
At Oppa’s stern declaration, I laughed awkwardly. Judging by Rutis’s recent demeanor, he likely wouldn’t even mind my suggestion to stay away!
It seemed since Oppa was slapped with probation, Rutis hasn’t seemed quite right either. The absence of someone he routinely interacted with, coupled with the guilt of his involvement in the punishment, had to bother him.
So, it seems he’s been making his own preparations to comfort Oppa.
“There are nourishing dishes in Armein meant for newly released convicts.”
Although it felt a bit off course…
“Speaking of which, Louise. I have a small favor to ask.”
“Oh, yes! What is it?”
Excitement surged within me at Oppa’s unexpected request.
He’s actually asking me for a favor! The constantly self-reliant Oppa is directly requesting from me—not the senior, but me!
“What’s the request?”
A mix of worry and excitement rushed through me. I wondered what in the world Oppa wanted, and at the same time felt thrilled that he sought my help.
“Could you bring the hawthorn plant from the club room? It feels so lonely being here alone.”
Ah…
And just like that, my heart began to race for a completely different reason.
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