CHAPTER 71……………………
Alfeo’s eyes widened at my words.
“Then what about the business?”
There was only one airplane right now. He seemed to be worried about that.
“We can just make another one.”
The materials and design were already figured out, so building another wouldn’t be hard.
“No, I mean without me. I’m a rare talent, remember?”
“…That’s what you meant?”
Wow. He managed to brag even here.
This guy really is incorrigible.
“But…”
Alfeo tilted his head slightly and said,
“That was kind of touching just now.”
“I am a touching kind of person.”
“Doesn’t it embarrass you to say that about yourself?”
“And you’re not embarrassed calling yourself a rare talent?”
“That’s just a plain fact.”
His face was utterly shameless as he said it.
Still, thanks to our exchange, the tension seemed to ease from him, and that familiar easy smile returned to his lips.
Looking at him, I suddenly remembered something.
‘Royalty are exempt from conscription, right?’
“Alfeo, what if you were the son of a noble below the rank of count?”
“…?”
“Would you go study abroad? Or refuse?”
“I’d leave immediately. Not going in that situation would be… you know.”
He twirled his finger at his temple.
“Right, so that’s the general view.”
If even Alfeo — who usually defied all my standards of common sense — would choose study abroad, then Lennox was bound to leave soon too.
‘Yeah, Lennox was probably just feeling conflicted about being away for so long.’
Thinking that way eased my heart.
“Why? Did someone say they wouldn’t go? Then send me instead.”
Alfeo looked at me with pleading eyes.
“…So that’s how much you don’t want to be here.”
Of course. Who would volunteer for war unless they were absolutely insane?
When I arrived at the Marquis’ estate, Callisto looked worried at my appearance.
“Clenn, the second time you might get caught.”
I couldn’t deny I was worried about that too.
It had already been a full year of staying close to Lennox.
That’s why I’d prepared a magic tool to alter my voice this time.
‘There’s no way Lennox remembers Rose’s voice from four years ago… right?’
Even I barely remembered it — just that it had been calmer and quieter than most kids his age.
I was told Lennox would return soon from sword training.
Not long after, there was a knock.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Lennox stepped inside. Maybe he came straight from training, because a warm aura still clung to him.
At the same time, his faint image from four years ago overlapped in my mind.
‘Time really does fly.’
Lost briefly in memory, I greeted the silent boy.
“…It’s been a while, Len. Do you remember me?”
Honestly, I hoped he’d say no.
“Yes, the proxy sponsor, Lady Rose.”
Contrary to my hopes, his memory was excellent.
“That’s right. You remember well. I called you today because I want to talk about that again.”
“You mean studying abroad?”
How did he know?
Flustered, I opened my mouth awkwardly.
“That makes this easier. Have a seat first.”
He had been standing ever since entering the room.
The odd imbalance bothered me, so I gestured to the seat across from me. He walked over slowly.
Though the reception room was spacious, just three steps brought him close. He sat opposite me.
“You know this is a good opportunity for you, right?”
“How long exactly do you expect me to stay there?”
Lennox didn’t even touch his tea, just asked flatly.
Was his tone… stiff?
‘It must be my imagination.’
If I didn’t know he was shy with strangers, I’d have thought he was genuinely angry with me.
‘Does he always act this prickly with unfamiliar people?’
I was used to his softer manner in the lab, so this felt a little disheartening.
“Mm… generously, about ten years?”
By then, the war would be over.
Maybe I could buy a title sooner, but with conscription involved, it was too early to make empty promises.
But the thought of not seeing Lennox for ten whole years left a bitter, empty feeling.
“Ten years…”
Repeating my words under his breath, Lennox’s expression hardened further.
And of course — it was understandable.
‘It’s not easy to tell someone to live abroad for a decade.’
But still, better that than three years in the trenches, wasn’t it?
‘In the original story, he fought nearly five years…’
And when he ended the war, he immediately seized the throne.
One warmonger killed by another.
“Yes. And if you’re satisfied with life there, I’ll fully support you to settle down.”
Better to live freely in another land than as a fugitive.
Perhaps that was his best option.
‘Honestly, I’m such an angel…’
Who else would offer something this generous?
I was even ready in case he burst into tears of gratitude.
But he didn’t. He was too quiet.
‘Did I surprise him because he’s so happy…?’
Without realizing, I stared intently at his face. His expressionless features gave nothing away.
‘If he’s glad, he’s hiding it very well. He looks more… upset, even angry.’
I told myself I was mistaken — until he spoke.
“Why are you telling me it’s better?”
So it wasn’t my imagination. His voice was cold, as though he didn’t bother to hide his feelings.
“It’s better than going to war, isn’t it?”
My answer must have been the spark. He bit his lip, like restraining something.
“War, war… that’s all you keep saying…”
Finally, he muttered in an icy tone,
“So you want to send me away because of the war?”
“….”
What? Why so cold?
While I scrambled to think of something to say, he let out a bitter laugh.
“You mean you see me as a weakling who couldn’t survive the battlefield.”
“Wait, that’s not what I meant—”
What the hell was happening?
For the first time, the mask of Clemens felt suffocating.
If only he knew it was me, he’d understand what I really meant.
“I’d like to end this conversation here.”
He stood, turning away. Unlike his usual polite self, it was jarringly unfamiliar.
I wondered if I was dreaming.
But before leaving, I glimpsed his face — cold as frost.
Then he said sharply,
“Don’t bother coming in that guise again. The sponsorship ends here.”
“Wait…!”
Before I could stop him, he left the reception room.
I stared blankly after his retreating back.
‘Wh-what the hell just happened?’
I had no idea why he was so furious.
But inside my head, alarms blared loudly.
‘You’ve completely screwed up.’
That’s what they were telling me.
Everything had gone wrong — badly wrong.
“Well, look who finally decided to visit.”
The Duke of Dinero clicked his tongue when I arrived at the ducal estate unannounced. Even with the years passed, he still looked robust.
“So what’s your business?”
“You don’t think I came just to ask after your health, do you?”
“As if.”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“Actually… I have a dilemma.”
“Oh? You mean there’s a problem you can’t solve? Don’t tell me it’s romance advice?”
“Haah, I wish it were that simple.”
Sighing, I began to explain.
“The truth is… I’ve been sponsoring a boy.”
“What? My ears must be failing me.”
“You didn’t mishear.”
“You think sponsoring one child is enough to dodge taxes? You’d be better off founding a temple—”
“That’s not the reason.”
The duke snorted in disapproval.
“So you’ve gone and done the same foolish thing as Count Jacqueline?”
The Duke of Dinero detested charitable acts.
His philosophy was that people never remembered kindness anyway.
“Please, just hear me out. So… here’s the situation—”
As I explained, he kept derailing the conversation.
By the time I finished, his eyebrows twitched.
“And you’re telling me this isn’t romance advice?”
