Chapter 34
“The Owner of the Note”
“W-We’ll take care of it, Lord Laperre!”
“Forget it. The person who made the mess should clean it up.”
“…”
“I am capable, after all.”
Despite his irritated expression, Laperre’s voice stayed calm.
He glanced at the cracked wall, floor, and ceiling, then casually waved his hand.
As if to prove his own words, the wall instantly restored itself to its original state.
“…!”
The servants, who had been nervously pacing, were stunned at how quickly the damaged wall was repaired.
Laperre’s lips twitched slightly as their amazement broke through his annoyance.
He cleared his throat and shrugged. His gaze drifted to Carriaire, who was leaning against the desk, silently staring at him.
Their eyes locked in an expressionless standoff. The servants, fearing another explosion, nervously looked around.
“W-Well then, you must be hungry. We’ll bring some refreshments!”
Zember, the sharp butler of the Grand Duke’s estate, quickly ushered the others out.
Once the room fell silent, Laperre crossed his arms and said:
“We both broke the room, but it feels like I’m the only one working here.”
“Why did you give the whistle to Heidi?”
“What?”
Surprised, Laperre turned, but Carriaire didn’t answer—just waited for his response in silence.
Laperre met his eyes briefly and sighed.
Shrugging again, he said casually:
“It was part of a plan.”
“A plan?”
“You know how to pick a flower, you have to lower its guard first, right?
I thought it wouldn’t hurt to win her favor while I was at it.”
“…”
“It might sound odd, but I just gave a bored princess a chance to use my magic and earn her trust.”
“So what—if she asked for help, you’d politely escort her back to Delphian?”
That made Laperre go silent for a moment.
He looked at Carriaire, then shrugged.
“Honestly, with my reputation, it’s understandable you’d be suspicious.
But if I really intended to betray you, I would’ve given her a silent whistle. Don’t you think?”
There was nothing suspicious in his logic.
Which is what made it all the more suspicious to Carriaire.
Sensing that Carriaire still didn’t trust him, Laperre gestured toward the shattered floor.
As he moved his hand, the broken shards began to float and return to place, like they were alive.
“And really, she’s already used me once. I don’t owe her anything anymore.”
“…”
“Not that you’d believe me anyway.”
“…”
“So, does that answer—”
“Why are you trying to win Heidi Eliana’s favor?”
“…What?”
Laperre blinked, clearly taken aback by Carriaire’s low voice.
After processing the question, Laperre’s face twisted.
“Why does that matter?”
Carriaire flinched, as if realizing what he’d just asked.
The feeling passed so quickly Laperre thought he might’ve imagined it—but the fact that he even wondered startled him.
Was this Levelia’s influence?
Meanwhile, Carriaire, unaware of Laperre’s thoughts, finally spoke again:
“Whatever your plan is, just don’t get in my way anymore.”
“…”
“The only reason I even accepted your help in the first place was so I could capture Heidi Eliana more easily.”
Laperre listened quietly, then gave a casual shrug.
Smiling faintly, he turned toward the broken ceiling and lifted a hand.
The falling debris floated back up, and the shattered pieces returned to their proper places.
“Wow. Use me all up and then tell me to buzz off. Cold.”
“…”
“What—are you afraid I’ll hand Heidi back to Delphian if I change my mind?”
Carriaire’s eyes flashed with hostility.
Laperre, amused by the clear emotion, grinned.
“You look like you’re enjoying this, Wizard Laperre.”
“Do I?”
“…”
“Well, you’re not wrong.”
Carriaire frowned.
Seeing him ready to draw his sword again, Laperre smiled calmly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve lost interest. I won’t interfere with the plan.”
“…”
“Besides, Lady Heidi is way more interesting than I expected.”
“…”
“Especially the way she thinks—so unpredictable.”
Laperre laughed like he genuinely meant it.
He scanned the room again, then looked back at Carriaire.
“Also, I’m only saying this because I felt slightly guilty after Lady Heidi told me even a saint would’ve gotten mad.”
“…”
“I agree with your anger toward Delphian.
And yes, I accepted a bribe worth thousands of gold in Remstone to help with this plan.”
“…”
“But you and I—we’re both guilty when it comes to her. You know that, right?”
Carriaire said nothing.
But Laperre could tell from the silence that he agreed.
“Not saying you need to feel guilty right now.”
“…”
“Just that if she ever wrongs you one day, maybe consider forgiving her at least once.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Also, I never had impure intentions. I didn’t really try to win Heidi Eliana’s favor.”
“You always talk in contradictions.”
Carriaire scowled. Laperre just shrugged.
Then, as if a thought occurred to him, Laperre said slyly:
“If you don’t trust me, maybe try watching her instead of me?”
“…”
“Sounds more practical, doesn’t it?”
“Laperre Wizard.”
Carriaire’s voice turned cold, but Laperre just smirked and waved playfully.
“Anyway, I’ve fixed my share of the damage. I’ll be off. See you soon, Carr.”
“Wait—!”
But Laperre vanished before he could finish.
Carriaire bit his lip in frustration, then sighed deeply.
“You and I are both guilty to that woman, you know?”
Laperre’s final words lingered in Carriaire’s mind far longer than he expected.
* * *
“Th-This handwriting…”
May’s large eyes welled with tears.
I blinked, confused by her sudden emotion.
“May?”
She bit her lip, unable to speak.
But from her reaction, I became certain of one thing:
“May definitely knows who wrote this note.”
And judging by her reaction, the note’s author wasn’t doing well.
A few days ago, while waiting for Delphian, I had passed time by finding hidden notes in books. I’d asked out of curiosity—but now, I felt awkward bringing it up.
I gently offered:
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked, May.”
“…”
“It’s okay if you don’t answer.
I was just curious because I kept seeing these little notes in the books I read.”
At first, it was just innocent curiosity.
The childish, messy handwriting contrasted with the precise and realistic advice.
Even though the tone was blunt, there was a clear affection toward an older brother. The caring responses to ridiculous questions made me wonder—who is this big brother?
As I hesitated, the atmosphere got awkward. I slowly reached for the teacup.
That’s when May finally spoke—her voice low.
“It’s Young Master Zion.”
“…Huh? Who?”
“Zion Esperos.
The younger brother of Grand Duke Carriaire Esperos.”
And just like that, I had a terrible feeling—like I’d learned something I wasn’t meant to know.
