Chapter 8
After that incident, Joel would freak out just from seeing Arno. Father had a hard time fixing things.
“I thought so too. But look at this.”
I handed Arno a letter from Joel—one I had carefully faked with my own effort.
P.S. Mom says Arno is super busy. But I really want to see him.
“See? Joel is actually waiting for you.”
Arno’s lips twitched into a smile as he read the letter. Oh dear, this simple guy. How will he survive in this harsh world?
“If he’s waiting, then I should go.”
Someone in the family had to attend the important event. Since I couldn’t go, of course Arno had to.
I quietly sent Joel a mental apology and comforting thoughts.
And so, after peaceful agreement, Arno decided to go to Bellenie and left the room, saying he needed to prepare a gift.
* * *
A few days later, Arno finally left for Belleni, and I could finally relax. I was enjoying some quiet tea time on the terrace.
“Young Lady, Lord Ferzen has arrived.”
“Really?”
Just like I’d hoped, Ferzen came back at the perfect time.
* * *
“So, you’re saying there’s nothing suspicious?”
I tapped my fingers on the table.
“No, his grades at the academy are excellent, and the professors speak highly of him. As for friends… well, it seems the Crown Prince is very wary of Duke Valdeon.”
“That makes sense.”
“Yes. So other students don’t approach the Duke easily. But the young viscount isn’t the type to care about others’ opinions.”
“Is there any chance he’s involved in any shady incidents?”
“I looked into that too. He has solid alibis.”
“Has the Emperor or his allies ever tried to assassinate him?”
That kind of fit with a past conversation between them—if you added an assassin as the subject.
“There hasn’t been any recent threat to his life. Also, Duke Valdeon’s family is already in a very weak position, so the Emperor has no need to take such risks.”
Ferzen made a good point.
When the Emperor gave his brother the title of Duke, he also gave him the cold, barren land of Finesse in the north as his territory.
It’s a poor place, full of people with nowhere else to go.
César’s mother’s side had barely survived after being attacked by the Emperor’s faction.
And his father, after years of war under imperial orders, lost his leg and his sanity.
Their family was like a sinking ship—no hands or feet left to cut off.
“So, what could César possibly want from our family?”
“What do you mean he wants something?”
“Why else would he come?”
“Maybe… because it’s vacation? He came to hang out with a friend?”
“…”
Wow. Everyone is so simple. I looked at Ferzen, speechless at his innocent reply.
“Or maybe… he came to eat summer peaches?”
Even more clueless. I held my head in frustration. Our family’s future felt very uncertain.
“He said he wanted to ask Father for something.”
“I really think you’re overthinking this, Young Lady.”
“Well, there’s a reason I am.”
I couldn’t say it was because I knew how things turned out in the original story. So I just sighed.
“Are you worried he might steal Arno away from you?”
What? What kind of nonsense is this? I couldn’t believe my ears.
“How in the world did you come to that conclusion, Ferzen?”
I looked up in disbelief.
“Well… the two of you are especially close…”
“Are you an only child?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
That explained it. I nodded with understanding.
“Anyway, I’ll find out what the Duke wants from your father.”
Ferzen left after his report, and I sat deep in thought.
Am I really overthinking it? I don’t know. It’s hard to separate the César I know from the story and the one in front of me now.
“I just hope he stays away from Arno.”
I muttered as I looked down at the young plant that reminded me of Arno’s eyes.
* * *
The next day, I stood outside my study room with a blank look, staring at the man standing neatly in front of the door.
“Why that face? Don’t tell me you forgot about today’s lesson.”
‘Yes… I totally forgot, sir.’
Lately, I had been so caught up with Arno and César that I completely forgot about my lessons.
But of course, I lied smoothly.
“Of course not! I was really looking forward to it.”
Like a prisoner being dragged to jail, I was pulled into the study room and opened my textbook. Worst of all—it was my least favorite subject: history.
Why are there so many kings, and why do all their names sound the same?
If you’re going to number them like First, Second, etc., then just go all the way to 100 and don’t change names halfway!
Annoyed, I glared at the book, nodding as if I understood.
But somehow, Mr. Hermann’s voice sounded more and more like a lullaby…
“…Miss.”
“…”
“…Young Lady!”
“Huh? Y-Yes?”
“Are you even listening?”
“Uh, yeah… you were saying that the pirates of Tuirkan regularly attacked civilian ships…”
I pretended I was just too focused, not sleeping. I sneakily glanced at the book while speaking.
“That was 10 minutes ago. I already told you that incident led to the Battle of Espar.”
“Ah… The civilian ships were attacked… it was just so sad I couldn’t focus on the rest. I’m sorry.”
Mr. Hermann pushed up his glasses with a tired face and explained the battle again.
“Hm. You did fall asleep at the end, but we’ve covered enough. Let’s finish with a test.”
“A test?”
Suddenly, I was wide awake.
“I told you last time that there would be a test today.”
Now that he mentioned it… I might remember hearing that.
“Please, can I have just one more week?”
“We already delayed it once because you were injured. I won’t delay again.”
He firmly handed me the paper.
“Ugh…”
I stared at it. None of the questions made sense—like squiggly worms dancing on the paper.
An hour later, Mr. Hermann collected the test and marked it right away. He made a sharp gesture like rain falling. I failed.
“…”
“I can’t face the Marquis like this. Fine. As punishment, you’ll hand-copy three history books by next week.”
“Please, not that—!”
If Arno found out I failed and had to copy books, I’d never hear the end of it.
“Young Lady, I can’t make exceptions this time.”
“Just give me one more chance! I’ll study really hard this week! If I fail again next time, I’ll copy the books twice!”
Please, sir. I put my hands together and begged.
“Will you really study hard?”
Mr. Hermann sighed.
“I will. I promise.”
“…Fine. We’ll do another test next week.”
Relieved, I let out a deep breath. Once the teacher left, I slammed my head onto the desk.
“I’m totally doomed.”
The reason I had chosen strict Mr. Hermann as my tutor was simple: Arno also learned from him. I didn’t want to be outdone.
If I asked to change tutors now, Arno would mock me endlessly.
That’s one thing I absolutely cannot let happen!
