Chapter 36
After putting this down the list of things he needed to do, Newcastle is finally done checking his skill in writing ancient language.
He waited patiently for the man to share his thoughts.
“You are making progress, but you still tend to mix up letters like M and W, as well as I and L.”
“It’s not my fault the only difference is the slight curve in the middle and at the bottom.”
Writing in an ancient script requires a steadier hand than just memorizing the characters.
“That’s still an impressive progress for someone who started just five months ago.”
Newcastle stood up and walked over to him, handing him the notebook while slipping both hands into his pockets.
“However, for me, it only took two months to master it. I didn’t encounter any real difficulties, but my own laziness prolonged the process.”
“Thanks for nothing.”
Cielo exhaled in exasperation as he reclaimed the notebook with an excessive display of force.
“I’m calling it a night. You should go.”
Newcastle flashed a mischievous grin, ruffling Cielo’s hair playfully.
“I find it hard to believe you’ll actually get any sleep after our chat, but I’ll take my leave. Good night.”
With a knowing glint in his eyes, he waved before vanishing completely.
“… .”
“… … .”
‘For now, it would be wise for me to stay under the radar.’
He should avoid any further attempts to escape the Haunted Palace. Instead, he should concentrate on his work as an assistant gardener and the recreation of technologies from his own world while quietly remaining in the prince’s protection.
With this in mind, he went to sleep.
“You will be my aide.”
“… .”
“… … .”
The prince arched an eyebrow at his lack of response.
“Why are you not responding?”
“…I’m sorry, could you say that again?”
He had finally managed to get a good night’s rest the previous evening, having decided to keep a low profile, only for the prince to summon him the next morning to his office and announce that he would be accompanying him throughout the entire founding festival. This meant he would be attending banquets and interacting with nobles and royalty from other countries.
“You will be my aide.”
The prince repeated.
“His Imperial Highness wishes to inform you that you will serve as his official aide during the founding festival. Unfortunately, I cannot attend due to personal reasons, and Newcastle has been designated by his family to represent their heir. Dr. Happy experiences considerable anxiety around individuals of high status, which leaves you as the only viable option.”
As is typical, Alistair provided a thorough explanation. Nevertheless, this does not lessen his feelings about the situation.
“Isn’t my background that of a homeless person with partial blindness? Why do I need to interact with nobility and royalty?”
Konstantinos looked at him with an expression that revealed no emotion as he answered.
“I have been submitting your prototypes under your name, as you wish. Do you truly believe people still see you as inconsequential?”
“Indeed. Young master’s name has gained significant recognition, especially after the praise from the Nobility regarding the hand grenade and smoke bombs.”
Cielo’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
‘I fucked up.’
Now he sees why the servants in the main palace started to interact with him after having previously shunned his existence!
Cielo had truly believed that the servants had simply grown used to his presence, however, that was far from the reality. The truth was that his recent recognition from the Nobility faction had led the servants to evaluate whether they could easily align themselves with him.
“So… Did no one think to warn me about using my real name?”
He asks, his voice trembling as he struggles to keep his frustration in check.
’They must have done this on purpose, right?’
It’s hard to believe that people like them, who were raised with a strong awareness of their public image, would not realize that revealing one’s true name when they are hiding their identity is unwise.
“Oh dear, I must have missed that.”
Alistair smiled in a way that hinted at remorse, but his face showed no real regret.
“There’s no way you did.”
“I find it quite flattering that the young master views me as exceptionally intelligent and capable. However, there are times when my forgetfulness can be linked to my advancing age.”
“You’re not really that old.”
“Am I not?”
“… .”
“… … .”
The man continued to feign ignorance, eventually forcing him to give up.
“Regardless of that, is it acceptable for me to walk around with my distinctly unconventional hair color and sunglasses?”
Even if the nobility were to recognize his alleged “inventions,” there remains one aspect they detest above all: mingling with individuals of his kind.
“Moreover, nobles generally prefer those who are visually appealing. They would probably react with disdain if they were to see me.”
It is not that he lacked physical appeal. Rather, his unusual attire might lead others to perceive him as eccentric.
Alistair and Konstantinos fixed their gaze upon him when he made that statement for some unknown reason. Cielo, feeling somewhat exposed under their penetrating stare, inquired with a hint of bewilderment.
“What?”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“You need not be concerned about your appearance. Furthermore, I have heard that Dr. Happy is nearing the completion of her hair dye, and Newcastle has also mentioned that your “contact lenses” are effective for your eyes.”
Alistair responded with a smile and then continued.
“Furthermore, the Imperial Family includes a number of weird personalities. For example, the Second Prince of Ettore Household enjoys collecting odd or unfinished inventions, and even His Imperial Highness has a soft spot for taking in orphans.”
‘Is it really appropriate to speak in such a manner in the presence of a member of the Imperial Family?’
Cielo shifted uncomfortably in his chair, looking over at Konstantinos to see his reaction, but received no response.
“This is exactly why the young master shouldn’t worry about being seen as strange, there are plenty of others just like him in this place.”
Cielo remained silent. It was evident that they were fully aware of the circumstances surrounding him, having observed him closely without the need for direct inquiries.
In the end, Cielo will be the one to accompany the prince to the founding festival for the entire month. As a result, he must sign up for etiquette classes.
“Your behavior resembles that of a brute.”
The prince nonchalantly questions the relevance of dancing etiquette in his lessons, even though he is just an aide.
“How is that even relevant!?”
What does being a brute have to do with dancing? In fact, he doesn’t display any brutish traits! He is more of a quiet yet bold person.
The prince stayed silent, prompting him to look at Alistair’s direction for clarification. However, Alistair provided no explanation and merely handed him a document detailing his new schedule.
“What about my duty as Fisher’s assistant!?”
He exclaimed upon learning about the alterations to his schedule for the next three months and none of them included assisting Fisher or working in the main palace.
“I supposed Sir Fisher forgot to mention that he does not work for His Imperial Highness therefore he doesn’t truly need an assistant.”
“Huh?”
Alistair shot him a quick look before replying.
“Sir Fisher mentioned that tending to the garden brought him a sense of tranquility and allowed him to momentarily escape his past traumas. This is the primary reason he continues to engage in gardening despite his old age.”
Having once held the positions of base commander and cardinal, the elderly man boasts numerous accolades and is, in fact, wealthier than many barons, making him financially self-sufficient.
“… .”
Cielo had discovered yet another surprising revelation. How many surprises could one week possibly hold?
“A, aren’t we going a bit too fast…?”
He made one final attempt, but unfortunately, none of his excuses were effective.
That evening, Cielo decided against visiting the West Wing, choosing instead to stay in his room in the main mansion for the first time in quite a while.
“Damn it, all of you!”
Cielo shouted in frustration as he threw his pillows. This act helped him regain his composure.
He flops onto his bed afterward, ignoring the mess he made, which is unusual for him since he typically likes to keep his living space tidy.
‘I wonder what Alistair is up to.’
What could be behind his sudden choice to introduce Cielo to the nobles and royalty? Moreover, by not reminding him to use an alias when submitting his prototypes, it appears he wants Cielo to be recognized, as if he is intentionally creating a place for him within this empire.
‘I can’t really complain, though.’
The contract specified three main conditions: the acquisition of magical knowledge, the duty to serve the prince, and a vow of unwavering loyalty, committing his life solely to the prince until the contract ended. Although the exact role he was to play was not explicitly stated, Konstantinos had mentioned the need for a mage during their conversations.
‘I fully accept my ignorance regarding the nature of contracts, and I recognize that they took advantage of this lack of understanding, so I cannot blame them.’
It no longer matters. What has happened cannot be changed.
***
Since he will be working alongside the prince in his Imperial responsibilities for an entire month, Cielo must gain a considerable amount of knowledge to ensure he is well-informed.
He and Alistair find themselves in a study room, where, as usual, Alistair is teaching him about etiquette and politics.
“I assume you are already familiar with the three factions of the Empire?”
Cielo nodded in affirmation, his left hand resting on his chin.
During his time at the Haunted Palace, he unintentionally overheard a number of captivating conversations among the servants. These talks frequently centered on the Imperial Family, the dramatic and often turbulent love lives of the nobility, and ridiculous scandals, like the mere act of touching a woman’s bare wrist. A common theme was the three main factions within the empire, wielding power that rivals, if not surpasses, that of the Emperor himself.
He has yet to fully understand the intricacies of these factions, but he plans to delve deeper into them when the chance arises, as they may play a crucial role in the conflict with the Saoirse Alliance.
“Yes, they are quite important.”
Cielo gave a verbal confirmation.
Alistair seems pleased that he has started to explore the complexities of the empire’s political scene, but his expression soon turns serious.
“To be honest with you, young master, I have a strong disdain for the three factions. They are nothing but a group of fools who see the monarchs as mere puppets.”
Cielo was taken aback by Alistair’s candid admission.
‘He is finally opening up to me.’
This man had never shared his full name, his background, or even his age. He had kept all such information to himself therefore it was quite refreshing to hear him voice something he truly despises.
“I sought to eliminate the faction and dissolve it. Then, we may be able to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in this manner.”
Alistair’s dedication to dismantling the faction was not merely a strategic move, it was a deeply personal mission.
He understood that the existence of such a group jeopardized not only the stability of the empire but also the future of his prince, Konstantinos. Alistair was resolute that once Konstantinos was named heir, he would not be constrained by the dubious loyalties and questionable morals of those who had long troubled the empire.
The head butler noted the young Traveler’s astonished expression as he reflected inwardly.
‘The young master has a commendable character.’
What he told the prince was true. Cielo was indeed becoming important to him. However, his increasing affection for the young man should not hinder his goals.
Having grown up in an environment where manipulation and ambition defined power, Alistair had learned to see others as mere tools in the pursuit of his goals. This lesson had been ingrained in him from a young age, and he had honed it with remarkable skill.
However, as he watched Cielo, he felt a wave of regret for how he had used the young man to further his own ambitions.
‘I have shared some of my intentions, as he deserves at least this level of honesty.’
The day before, Alistair had noticed a shift in Cielo’s demeanor. The light in his eyes had dimmed, replaced by a sense of distress and betrayal. It became clear to Alistair that Cielo was struggling with the weight of their actions, forced to engage in tasks that conflicted with his own beliefs and values.
This realization struck Alistair deeply. He had never intended to cause Cielo pain but unfortunately, Alistair cannot disclose his complete objective until he is confident that Cielo is not simply pretending to integrate into the Imperial Family.
The stakes are high, and the threat of betrayal casts a dark shadow over their interactions. Cielo’s charm and apparent willingness to comply with their orders could easily be a façade, a carefully crafted performance designed to hide ulterior motives. Alistair understands that trust must be earned, not given freely, especially in a world where deception is often wielded as a means of power.
Travelers are enigmatic beings who traverse various dimensions for reasons that remain unclear. Their origins and intentions are shrouded in mystery, making them both intriguing and dangerous. Due to their exceptionally strong mental defenses against external influences, as noted by their founder, the mana of this realm might not affect them.
This uncertainty leads him to question whether the lie detection was truly effective or if the Traveler was simply manipulating the situation. Their very existence seems to defy the rules that bind others and Alistair grapples with the idea that the Traveler might be weaving a web of deception, using their powers to distort reality and manipulate perceptions for their own gain.
As a result, Alistair can never fully place his trust in the Traveler. The threat of betrayal is a constant presence, lurking just out of sight. He must tread carefully, balancing the need for information against the risk of falling into a trap.
“…Why are you sharing it now?”
Cielo was taken aback by the sudden change in demeanor.
Yesterday, they had been quite reluctant to share any details with him. Yet now, they are freely divulging everything? This inconsistency is confusing.
Alistair chuckled lightly as he replied.
“Nothing specific. I just thought the young master should be aware of my ultimate goal.”
While he did mention his ultimate goal, the information is still quite sparse. Alistair only states his intention to eliminate the three factions, without offering any details about his methods or timeline. In fact, this revelation might be more frustrating than being kept in the dark.
“Nevertheless, that is not the main issue at hand. Let us proceed to the essential lesson, shall we?”
“…Very well.”
It’s not as if he can force Alistair to talk, so it’s wise to shift to the relevant topic.