Chapter: 193
I just stood there, blankly staring at Rutis’s back, who seemed to be rummaging through the shelves as if searching for something.
So, he really had something prepared. I thought he was just cleverly retorting my boring joke, but it turns out it actually existed.
Why the heck is that even a thing?
This fundamental question kept bubbling up in my mind. Why on earth did he have something so hideous?
In fact, throughout my entire life before and after this possession, I’d never heard of tofu cake until my probation. I knew about rice cakes and ice cream cakes, but tofu? That was beyond imagination!
Yet, here I was, about to eat something I didn’t even know existed for the third time in a month. I’ve never had real cake this often!
“Um, oppa, I heard that in Armein, it’s considered a health food.”
Louise cautiously leaned in and whispered, perhaps interpreting my blank expression in her own way.
I knew that. I had heard about it during my last probation because Rutis had kindly explained it all to me, and it was still fresh in my mind.
“Rutis probably prepared it because he was worried about you too…”
Louise’s voice trailed off, clearly feeling a little awkward about the situation.
Right, tofu cake is considered health food in the Armein Kingdom. In fact, it’s often given as a present to released prisoners.
Since I was a released prisoner, accepting it shouldn’t have been a problem. But there’s just one hitch…
Feels like a slap in the face.
If I hadn’t received a tofu cake during my probation, I could have taken it as a genuine gesture of comfort.
But alas, I did receive one, and now it had been etched into my mind as a symbol of mockery. Rutis must’ve known this, which is why he hesitated to offer it to me sooner.
“Here it is.”
Finally, Rutis approached with the grotesque item.
Not this again…
Rutis was holding a white tofu cake. But strangely enough, it looked darker and more sinister than anything else I had ever seen!
There was something distinctly off about it. It didn’t look like this the last time.
Oh, right. It’s missing the prisoner number.
Is this his final act of consideration?
When I glanced at Rutis, he was awkwardly smiling.
Yeah, I guess he had his worries. Writing the prisoner number would surely feel like delivering a final blow.
“…Thank you.”
After much inner debate, I finally accepted the tofu cake. The last mockery had stemmed from my probation, which had happened only because I had tossed Rutis around, after all. It’s entirely my own doing.
Honestly, the whole situation wouldn’t have occurred if Erich hadn’t unnecessarily pointed it out, or if Rutis hadn’t accumulated karma with his demonic demeanor.
In any case, it was all my fault. I decided to just roll with it.
“There’s too much for one person; let’s eat together.”
“Ah, yes.”
Rutis nodded eagerly, and the other members subtly picked up their forks, clearly reading the room.
The third tofu cake I tasted was melt-in-your-mouth soft. Was this the taste of a tear-soaked tofu cake?
What the heck?!
It was a taste I never wanted to experience again.
*
As soon as club hours ended, I made my way to the Principal’s office. The Principal must have been shocked by my detention, so it seemed only fitting to show my face and report back in person.
“Oh, Prosecutor.”
Upon entering the Principal’s office, an awkward exchange of glances was followed by a suffocating silence, filling the room.
“I appreciate your hard work.”
The brief silence was broken by the Principal. He probably figured that a brief word of comfort was preferable to endless worrying or inquiries.
Of course, he was right. Honestly, if he had shown too much concern, it would have just created more pressure on me.
“I’m sorry for leaving suddenly, Principal. I’m sure you had it tougher than I did.”
“It’s fine. The Prosecutor informed me beforehand, so there weren’t any issues.”
We exchanged awkward smiles, which did little to ease the atmosphere.
I definitely had informed the Principal after we defeated the Red Wave. I mentioned that I might need to step away for a bit to deal with some leftover matters.
Little did he know that “dealing with it” meant being imprisoned!
“I’m well aware of how much the Prosecutor has dedicated himself for the Academy and the Empire, so please don’t overburden yourself.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
His warm remarks only made me feel more embarrassed.
The Principal likely thought that I was imprisoned due to an unfortunate incident while protecting the academy. As its head, he naturally felt compelled to express his gratitude and offer consolation.
It wasn’t entirely false. An unfortunate incident did occur while I defended the academy from the Red Wave.
But it was only unfortunate for me.
From a distance, it was a tragedy, but up close? A comedy!
However, I wonder how the Principal would react if he knew the details of that unfortunate incident. Would he laugh? Or just be baffled?
Either way, it hurt all the same.
*
I paced around the room, glancing at the communication crystal every so often, fiddling with it again and again, worrying it might be broken.
Every time, I just confirmed that the crystal was still working fine. It was crafted in the Magic Tower, after all; sturdy like a rock!
“Nia, you seem a bit out of it.”
Laura frowned at my antics.
“…”
“Why are you glaring at me like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
I couldn’t help but stare at Laura’s leg, which had been shaking like it was hit by an earthquake. Who was the one really distracted here, huh?
Regardless, I understood her feelings. This motherly figure had taken care of Carl and Erich in place of their real mother, who frankly, wasn’t fit to be one. She nurtured them like her own after the tragic loss of her biological child.
“…It’s today, right?”
“Yes.”
Laura asked again, her voice filled with impatience.
Today was the day, as Erich had confirmed.
— He’s only spent five days in detention. He’s being treated well, so don’t worry too much.
“But I should at least visit…”
— He’s been through a lot and must be tired. He said he’ll contact us once he’s released, so it’d be better to wait.
This was our conversation three days ago.
I wanted nothing more than to rush to Carl immediately, but Erich convinced me to hold back.
The thought of my precious son being stuck in a cold prison was unbearable, but once I heard he was tired, I hesitated. I didn’t want to impose on him with my selfish worries.
So, I decided to wait, just like Erich suggested. I trusted Carl would reach out to us after his release.
I’ve been waiting since morning…
With trembling hands, I fiddled with the communication crystal again.
Today, I held the crystal even while washing, eating, and doing my work.
— So, His Royal Highness the Crown Princess won’t be attending the birthday banquet this time—Nia?
“Sorry, oppa! What did you say?”
— Is something wrong?
I felt anxious even while talking to others, fearing I might miss a call from Carl.
And as if to mock my anxiety, silence blanketed the air.
“Should I… have gone to visit?”
“How could you even consider that, in your state?”
Laura’s blunt comment made my cheeks burn. Truthfully, even if Carl wanted me to visit, there was no way I could have.
When Erich suddenly requested a teleportation mage, realizing it was just to visit imprisoned Carl? I nearly lost my mind!
“Are you awake?”
I opened my eyes to find myself laying in bed.
“Laura…? Why am I here…?”
“You fainted. For six hours.”
Even after that, I lay in bed for a long while, too weak to move—so much so that Billy had to come back from the Imperial Council.
Had I gone to visit him in that state, I would’ve only stressed Carl out. Actually, like Laura pointed out, I probably wouldn’t have managed to go either.
I just kept fiddling with the communication crystal, weighed down by a bittersweet feeling. Touching it wouldn’t get me a message any quicker, right?
Then, miraculously, the communication crystal lit up!
…Is this for real?
When contact finally came in, my brain went blank. What should I even say? “Well done”? “Are you okay”? Or, “Why so late to contact us?”
“Nia.”
Jolted back to reality by Laura’s voice, I realized what kind of crazy state I was in.
What am I doing right now? I needed to answer regardless of how tangled my words got. What if the call got cut off?
— Mother.
Carl’s face appeared as I hurriedly activated the crystal.
“Carl.”
I clenched my fist, wishing to hold back the tears.
He looks so much thinner.
He probably hadn’t eaten well in prison. At his age, he should be growing, yet he had to endure that harsh environment.
How much had he suffered? How scared was he?
“…Are you okay?”
— Yes, I’ve been doing well.
My tears threatened to spill again. Those words were such a blatant lie. There was no way anyone could be ‘doing well’ in prison.
He must’ve had a tough time, yet here he was, worrying over my feelings. Why did such an innocent child have to be imprisoned in the first place?
But still, I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Questions like that would simply tear open Carl’s wounds again.
— I wanted to greet you in person, but it seems impossible.
“It’s alright. Just communicating like this is enough.”
— That’s a relief.
The rest of the conversation was a blur. I was too busy clenching my fists and biting my lip to maintain my composure.
At least Carl didn’t seem upset. That was good enough.
— Please remember me to the Patriarch and the Head Maid.
At that, Laura’s face brightened up considerably.
“Of course! I’ll be sure to tell them, so don’t worry.”
Billy would surely be thrilled to know that Carl inquired about him.
*
I ended the call with Mother as quickly as I could. It might seem a bit rushed, but I knew I couldn’t bear to look at her face for long.
Just as I expected…
A sigh escaped me. I mean, what mother could stay composed after hearing that her son was imprisoned?
She tried her best to hide her feelings, but her body refused to lie. Her eyes looked strangely strained, the rims red; her lips were trembling.
…Let’s just leave it at that. If I kept thinking about it, I might morph from a dutiful son into a distressed one.
Should I have done it sooner?
Seeing my mother’s state made my mental triangle reset. Marghetta, the club, and the Principal. I had been so busy reporting back that I hadn’t even thought to contact her.
Fortunately, I managed to do so today. Otherwise, she might have spent the whole night worrying!
*
The next morning.
“The lady wishes that you could erase the bad memories and fill your life with only good ones.”
The teleportation mage from our family politely handed me a box.
Inside was a freshly prepared tofu dish along with a lovingly penned letter.
Wow.
“…Please tell her I’m very grateful.”
Wowwww…
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