Chapter 103
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Chapter 103
"...What?"
"You serve Crown Prince Kiaros, don't you?"
"...."
"Everything makes sense now. The Empress finding you suspicious, your extraordinary physical abilities—it all fits."
Kibon's eyes darted nervously, his expression deeply flustered. Of course, I hadn't broached this subject to interrogate him.
"Has Crown Prince Kiaros explained things to you? We're no longer simply Scroll Department employees—we're now working together for Crown Prince Kiaros."
I continued gently.
"But I'm not entirely clear on your actual rank. If you happen to be a minister-level official in a secret organization, it would be awkward for me to keep ordering you around as if we were still in the Scroll Department...."
"You may order me as you wish."
In essence, I was asking to clarify our hierarchy, and Kibon, who had been standing in bewildered silence, spoke quickly.
"You are my superior. Please feel free to command me as you see fit."
"Ah, really? Truly?"
It was a reassuring answer.
But I was still concerned about potential future promotions, so I probed cautiously.
"For how long?"
Kibon looked directly at me and answered without hesitation.
"Forever."
Was there a ceiling on advancement for someone of foreign origin?
In any case, if that's what he said, there was no reason to object.
So I immediately gave him orders.
"First, go by the Scroll Department Office. I'm looking for something."
"What should I retrieve?"
"When I was a junior staff member, I was conducting personal research to pass the time... but after the department reorganization, I can't remember where I put it. I definitely didn't throw it away."
I met Kibon's gaze as I continued.
"You don't need to find it yourself—just pass the message to Anastasia and Victor."
It pained me to suspect one of them, but precisely because of that, catching the culprit quickly would ease my mind.
"It's a research report on special scrolls made from blood instead of regular scroll ink. If you find it, contact me immediately."
"Yes."
"And during my vacation, ask them to reserve the Production Workshop under my name. You probably won't be able to access it yourself—only Team Leader level and above have authorization."
"Yes."
"Finally, deliver this letter to Crown Prince Kiaros on your way out."
"Understood."
Kibon answered as usual, then spoke while meeting my eyes.
"Please don't go out alone without me, and tell me if anything is uncomfortable—even in the middle of the night."
Only after Kibon left did I grasp the meaning of his words.
From now on, there would be no such thing as quitting time—Kibon would be waiting for me at any moment.
* * *
Crown Prince Kiaros was busy.
He had gone to the Scroll Department in Kibon's form and delivered Namia's message, and as himself, he had met with the Emperor and heard about the interrogation of the Minister of Education.
"What a peculiar thing to say. Through experimentation, you perceived this world like a single book and could foresee the future."
"A book, you say...."
"So perhaps that's how you were able to predict your second period of darkness...."
The Emperor chuckled softly.
"When your second period of darkness arrived, they attacked in perfect timing—so wouldn't the future they knew have changed again? Which means it's useless now."
"Then they likely conducted a similar experiment. To learn this new future."
"Precisely. But it seems I don't know what comes after that."
Crown Prince Kiaros furrowed his brow with a grave expression.
Even for Imperial Servants, dealing with those who knew the future seemed far from simple.
"By the way, Kiaros...."
The Emperor grasped his son's hand with a worried face.
"I heard you kidnapped and confined Namia Loapi. It was agreed upon, wasn't it?"
"If it had been agreed upon, it wouldn't be kidnapping and confinement in the first place...."
"No, I'm just so anxious about it."
The Emperor exhaled sharply and fretted.
Crown Prince Kiaros sighed and took a sip of the water before him.
"Seducing ordinary humans isn't difficult. We have appearance, wealth, status, and power. I thought your love would be easy since she seemed to like all those things, but something felt off—and this banquet made that feeling quite clear."
"That's true."
"The Finance Minister mentioned that Namia Loapi tends to be drawn to subordinates rather than superiors like you. She's not the type to feel love while pleasing someone or bowing before them...."
"That's also true."
"What if, in the end, your eyes meet with that youngest one from the Scroll Department? Hmm?"
"Pfft—cough!"
In any case, the youngest of the Scroll Department was Kibon. Crown Prince Kiaros spat out his water mid-drink.
"I spoke with the Empress last time, and she said that Intern or Secretary is quite delicate. Shouldn't you dismiss him quickly?"
"I, I should take my leave now."
"Kiaros, avoidance isn't the answer.... It seems that person will be a truly difficult target to win over. Why not make another confession?"
The Emperor grabbed at Crown Prince Kiaros's sleeve as he tried to stand, speaking urgently.
"Yes. But I will handle it myself."
"No, how do you intend to solve this serious problem!"
"There's a bigger problem than that, so I don't need to think about the solution method for this one."
At Crown Prince Kiaros's serious words, the Emperor clutched the back of his neck.
Crown Prince Kiaros sighed deeply and left the Emperor's Chamber, heading to his own room.
His face was filled with profound exhaustion.
'How... am I supposed to handle this.'
The moment Crown Prince Kiaros arrived at his room, he breathed heavily in thought.
The Aide immediately followed, bringing a stack of documents.
"Your Highness, here are the reports from The Ravens."
"...I see...."
It was background investigation material on Anastasia and Victor.
But because the Emperor had stirred everything up with talk of 'confessions' and 'problems,' the words wouldn't sink in properly.
I was aware that there were many suspicious things about Namia Loapi.
However, ever since my conversation with the Emperor, I'd already begun imagining a future where all my questions about her would be resolved.
"Listen."
Crown Prince Kiaros spoke in a tone that was unusually cautious for him.
"What if, hypothetically speaking, just supposing—"
"Are you... speaking to me right now, Your Highness?"
The Aide asked in bewilderment. Crown Prince Kiaros furrowed his brow.
"Well, who else is here besides you?"
"No, it's just... this is the first time I've seen Your Highness the Crown Prince so nervous. Actually, even when you proposed to Miss Namia Loapi, you didn't seem this anxious."
"That's not a memory I wish to be reminded of."
"My sincerest apologies. I swear I shall never again mention the occasion when Your Highness arranged the entire wedding venue and proposed, only to be rejected."
"Anyway."
Crown Prince Kiaros took a deep breath and continued.
"Suppose there was someone who deceived you for a long time while hiding their true identity. You fell for it completely."
"Oh."
The Aide's eyes sparkled with interest.
"That's a real piece of work, isn't it? Deceiving someone for so long—that's quite sinister and vile."
"Now, what if this sinister and vile person confessed their true identity to you and told you they actually like you?"
"What? What truth?"
"That I've been deceiving you all this time, and the truth is I'm someone you could never have imagined, but actually I like you—something along those lines."
At that, the Aide immediately waved his hand and cried out.
"Ugh, that's revolting! No shame whatsoever! Disgusting! Absolutely vile!"
"Now, wait a moment—"
"All those good times we shared become meaningless! And I'd be left floundering in a swamp of distrust, never knowing how else you might deceive me! I'd be so furious I'd want to throw water in your face without even hearing your excuses!"
Crown Prince Kiaros squeezed his eyes shut. His head was spinning.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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