Chapter 92
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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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Chapter 92
'Wait, how much did they see?'
The moment our eyes met, I bolted from the room.
But seeing that the examination was already complete, it was clear the Medical Department had conducted drug testing the instant the banquet ended.
So everything—securing witnesses and arranging my escape—had all been planned from the start.
"Everyone says the Minister of Education gave them an energy drink. You'll need to submit to questioning immediately."
Before he could even protest, knights seized both his arms.
Unable to utter a sound, the Minister of Education was dragged away. Watching his retreating figure, Luca Class chuckled to himself.
"Ha, well. Fulfilling even a rival's request so thoroughly. I really am a fair competitor. This is exactly how my acknowledged equal should act! I'm truly magnificent!"
* * *
"Namia!"
Jayden rushed over to me the moment the banquet concluded, clinging to my side.
"I did well, didn't I? I was amazing, wasn't I?"
"Hahahaha! That was so much fun!"
The Empress was delighted and laughed heartily, but she couldn't approach me—the Emperor had quickly pulled her into his embrace.
"Namia! I'm truly grat—"
Jayden began speaking to me but suddenly clamped his mouth shut.
He clearly wanted to thank me for awakening his special ability, but couldn't finish because it had to remain secret.
So I nodded knowingly and quickly responded in a flat, emotionless tone.
"You worked hard? Not at all. The joy of the Royal Family is the joy of the Imperial Palace Civil Service. Thank you for your praise."
"..."
"Why do you look like that?"
"Suddenly, it feels like the soul has vanished from between us."
A sharp observation. The soul was indeed gone. Jayden rolled his eyes and added seriously.
"I think this awkwardness between us can only be resolved if we become family. Isn't that right, brother?"
Jayden stood beside Crown Prince Kiaros and flashed the most innocent, sweet smile, eyes narrowing charmingly.
"I truly adore Namia. As a child who shows respect to all adults regardless of station, if Namia becomes my sister-in-law, I promise I'll do wonderfully. Don't worry."
"...I see."
Crown Prince Kiaros answered with obvious reluctance, as if watching a child tell a lie.
That's when the Aide hurried over and whispered urgently to Crown Prince Kiaros.
"Everyone has undergone drug testing, and the results came back as expected."
As anticipated.
I had arranged with Crown Prince Kiaros to have Luca Class conduct drug tests on all Ministry of Education staff once the banquet ended.
Fearing there might be spies even in the Medical Department, I'd given instructions only to Luca Class.
Since this had all been discussed beforehand between Crown Prince Kiaros and me, the Aide whispered so only we could hear.
"And we've immediately detained the Minister of Education who was attempting to flee."
Crown Prince Kiaros nodded quietly.
"Good. Handle it discreetly so the banquet isn't disrupted. To be safe, don't put the Minister of Education through formal procedures—hand him directly to the Ravens."
The ones who'd moved with Luca Class were likely Ravens as well. I blinked and smiled faintly.
'From here on, Your Highness will handle the rest.'
Why is it so comfortable to entrust everything to someone superior to me in every way—someone with ability, authority, and resources?
Since I'm someone with the ability to sense the future and act one step ahead, they'll probably handle it well on their own. That was when it happened.
"And... a letter has arrived from the Tower Master in the Southern Region."
"I'll check it after the banquet."
"It appears quite urgent. The envelope had written on it: 'Please open this immediately at once.'"
"Sigh... that personality of theirs."
Crown Prince Kiaros clicked his tongue and muttered, "That stubborn old man only seeks out the Royal Family when he needs something." It was true enough.
He looked down at me and whispered.
"I'll be back shortly."
"Ah, yes."
He didn't really need my permission for that, yet he was reporting it like I was his superior... As I awkwardly nodded, he continued speaking.
"I'll be quick. There's still time before the Emperor's speech and the first dance anyway."
"Ah, yes."
"Think of it as me going to the Restroom."
"If it's something that requires urgent attention, then of course you don't need to—"
"What are you talking about?"
He laughed softly. His breath, tinged with amusement, brushed against my ear and tickled it.
"I don't leave my partner alone. Never."
He lifted his waist slightly, moving away from my ear, and looked down at me for a moment. Then he added as a final remark.
"So wait for me. Don't go off with any other man."
Those words drew reactions from Jayden and the Empress.
"Kyaaaaaaah! He's got game, our brother!"
"Kyaaaah! Kyak kyak kyak! No other men allowed, absolutely not! Kyak kyak kyak!"
I didn't even have a chance to respond. Jayden looked up at Crown Prince Kiaros with sparkling eyes and spoke.
"Brother, don't worry. That somewhat plain Intern who was originally Namia's partner couldn't come because he's sick. It seems my efforts to keep him away have finally paid off. Starting tomorrow, I'll keep a close eye to make sure he doesn't bother Namia anymore."
"..."
Crown Prince Kiaros regarded Jayden with an odd expression, then disappeared along with his Aide. In the meantime, the Emperor took the stage and began his congratulatory speech for the Saint Kairo Banquet.
I watched blankly and fell into thought. Only after Crown Prince Kiaros left did I have a chance to organize my thoughts alone.
'Victor, Anastasia, Kibon...'
One of the three is a spy. That fact weighed heavily on my chest.
'Who is it? Who could it be...?'
Anastasia, who isn't particularly talented but has quick reflexes and guards the Scroll Department entrance like a gatekeeper?
Victor, who had been abroad the whole time and just recently returned, a well-connected former Student Council president of the Academy?
Kibon, who didn't attend today's banquet and whom the Empress specifically hinted at by saying, 'That one is deceiving you'?
'...Who is it?'
Whoever the spy is among the three, they won't reveal themselves for now.
The superior strategy is to stay quiet until everything is revealed.
Even if problems arise later, I could escape by saying, 'That was classified? Someone asked me where the Office scrolls were, so I just told them.'
'But whoever it is among the three, even if they're not an outright spy, they're definitely deeply entangled with the Gaejo Faction.'
Now that the suspects had narrowed down to three, I felt terribly uneasy. All three were people I'd kept closer than other department members.
Kibon, in particular, troubled me.
'He seemed to care for me. Could even showing that affection be another trap he's laid?'
My chest suddenly tightened.
He'd told me not to overthink things when dealing with him, just follow his orders. Only now did I realize how much his words had been comforting me all this time.
'I need to be cold about this, Namia. Stay composed.'
To make matters worse, my stomach—already unsettled since yesterday—began churning again. I really needed to step outside for some fresh air.
The moment I shifted my weight, Jayden asked with uncanny perception.
"Namia, where are you going?"
"Oh, I'll just be in the Restroom for a moment."
"Okay. Come back quick. Hurry back. Come right back. Get back here soon."
I smiled softly and turned away slowly.
Then I stepped onto the Balcony, where no one else was present, and took a deep breath. Stars glittered like jewels against the pitch-black night sky.
Looking at the serene expanse above, my stomach remained unsettled, but my mind found some peace.
'Get it together. So far, you've done incredibly well.'
Everything had gone according to plan.
Yet my spirits kept sinking.
'I never trusted anyone anyway. I've been careful all along. Don't be shocked over nothing. I have to prevent the war, eliminate whoever's behind this, and save my father.'
Now that I knew Huan Loapi Sr. was with the Gaejo Faction, my objective was clear. I had to keep my wits about me, no matter what—even if it meant suspecting my own department members.
I was steeling my resolve, breathing heavily, when—
"...Namia."
A voice called my name from behind. I turned in surprise to see who it was.
"Here, we don't need to use titles. May I call you Namia?"
The man approaching with two glasses of champagne was Victor, dressed impeccably for the occasion.
"Since we're alone, will you allow it?"
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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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