𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐟’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝟐
A little before the time Eugene promised to bring the shitty oldman, I headed to the rendezvous restaurant. Upon entering after the door is opened for me, a clerk promptly comes over.
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“Welcome.”
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I show the coin given by Eugene.
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“The dream of dawn.”
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And then the password, too. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but Eugene has always liked this kind of thing.
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“Please, this way.”
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Led through what seems like a secret passage, I am guided to a private room.
Nobility rarely comes to this establishment, but the wealthy do occasionally. Among them are those who don’t get along, so using this private passage and room, they can avoid meeting each other.
I recall a conversation with a young Eugene who wanted to visit a private room like this someday. He must have been excited while making the reservation for this place.
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The room I’m taken to isn’t very spacious. Decorated with calm reds and blacks, it’s very much to Eugene’s taste.
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“If you need anything, please call.”
“Order some suitable food and drinks.”
“Certainly.”
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After bowing, the clerk leaves, and I give a light wave before sitting down. I won’t feel like eating once the shitty oldman arrives, so I might as well eat now.
While casually nibbling on some snacks, Eugene and the old man arrive. They sit down, and alcohol is poured into glasses. Once the clerk is out of sight, the old man, having wet his throat with drink, starts talking.
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“I’ve heard about Dyson.”
“Yes. There’s a possibility that Maurice Maigret, under Dyson, is producing poison in the Ouldra territory.”
“Maurice was devoted to the former Queen. One might even call him mad. It’s only natural since he’s always been under Dyson, a man who would risk his life for jewelry once worn by Marie Ange-sama.”
“I’d like you to search for a poison laboratory. We need irrefutable evidence.”
“Of course. To avoid false suspicions on the Ouldra family and to curry favor with the royal family, I will search with all my effort.”
“Right now, Maurice Maigret is in the Valka territory. This is a letter from Prince Linus.”
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Silently accepting it, the old man reads the letter and then places it on the empty plate. He sets it on fire, and the letter quickly turns black, enveloped by flames.
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“I can’t guarantee we won’t be attacked on the way back. It’s best not to leave any evidence. Tell Prince Linus, understood. I will search using all of Ouldra’s resources.”
“Understood. Also, pass this on. Documentation about Maurice Maigret and a magical communication tool. Contact me if anything comes up.”
“Got it.”
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Despite being on guard, the meeting with the shitty oldman ends abruptly. With Eugene here, I can trust and leave it to him.
After skimming through Maurice’s documentation, the old man drains his glass.
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“Rolf has declared his support for the prince, but I don’t mind siding with either. The current royal family is too small, with no disputes. I do question chasing after women, but even the previous king had his good points. Many nobles support His Majesty. It might be beneficial to side with the prince.”
“It’s not for such reasons. I respect Prince Linus.”
“Hmm? Isn’t it different?”
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The shitty oldman tilts his head in a clueless manner. Stop it, it’s giving me goosebumps.
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“It’s because Edgardo Valka sided with the prince, so Rolf did the same.”
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. . .It’s something Eugene also mentioned. It feels like my character is being highlighted, and suddenly, a wave of discomfort and insecurity washes over me.
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“His Highness the Prince accepted it as good enough. It seems he must have had very few allies.”
“That is. . . However, Prince Linus is aware of my feelings and has said that it is acceptable.”
“That’s indulgence, Rolf. If there was an abundance of talent, Rolf would not be chosen as an aide. A person who has something else to prioritize will not risk their life to protect you. Rolf, do you want someone who will flee at the critical moment by your side? Yet, why do you think you were chosen?”
“But. . . that’s!”
“Don’t get the priorities wrong. It’s up to Rolf to decide what he values most. But you must not pledge loyalty to someone who is not your first priority.”
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The truth in my father’s words was sound, and it confronted me with the ugliness I had been ignoring in myself.
Yes, Prince Linus was looking for allies, hence he searched within the Fourth Knight Order. I was merely. . . no, called only as an addition to Edgardo.
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I respect Prince Linus. He is a man to whom I can entrust my life.
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But for me, Edgardo is the most important. That will never change.
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“. . .I’ll go back. Now is not the time to be arguing about me. I have to convey to Prince Linus the cooperation of the Ouldra family.”
“He will want to borrow Rolf’s help now. Once this is over, apologize and properly withdraw.”
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Right after I silently stood up and left the room, my arm was pulled.
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“Nii-san, take this. Father’s words are not wrong, but before you quit on your own, talk to His Highness once. You’re in a relationship that allows for that, right?”
“. . .Right. The old man is always correct. It’s infuriating because he’s correct.”
“If it were me, I would understand such a person and place him in the appropriate position. It’s best if someone puts themselves first for you, but then again, no one would stay. Even Father doesn’t have anyone who puts him first, yet what is he talking about.”
“It’s something that is not permissible for royalty.”
“Royals are human too. It depends on the person.”
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What Eugene handed me was a small coin-shaped chocolate.
The chocolate we secretly nibbled on when we couldn’t calm our anger after being pointed out our faults by the old man or when he spoke the hard truth. It was always given by the butler.
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“Certainly, he is correct. . . If only he changed his way and manner of speaking, it might be better.”
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That was how the butler described Father. Still, the fact that he has stayed with the oldman for so long must mean there is a trust between them that only they can understand.
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“No, Father is right. I will talk it out properly, just as Eugene advised.”
“Be careful on your way back. And come back again.”
“Take care too, Eugene.”
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We exchanged a light wave and parted, leaving the shop. The moon had completely taken over the sky, illuminating the path with moonlight.
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“Alright, shall we go.”
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I said cheerfully to muster up my spirits, stretched my body lightly. Leaving the town and where there were no people, I rode on my bike, heading towards the villa.
There was plenty of time to think.
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ㅤ
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Two days later, at dawn, I finally arrived at the villa where Prince Linus was staying.
Dismounting from the bike, I shook my arms and legs loosely before entering the villa. As I opened the door, wondering which of the aides might be awake, there was Prince Linus.
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“Welcome back, Rolf. Just by looking at your face, I can tell things went well.”
“I have returned successfully. As expected, your insight is remarkable, searching for Valka’s family’s laboratory within our territory.”
“Thank you, Rolf. We’ve taken a step closer now.”
“Yes. It’s dangerous to be here alone.”
“Somehow I woke up, was just walking around the villa. Saw from the window you were coming back. Were you riding a bike?”
“Yes. I had the chance to ride something quite rare.”
“Nice. Let me ride it next time.”
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As Prince Linus laughed like a boy, I hesitated to convey the words from that shitty old man. It shouldn’t be said now. But I don’t know when would be the right time either.
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“. . .I received a message from Eugene Ouldra. He’s the one who passed me the communication magic tool.”
“Eugene did. . .?”
“Sorry, but I’ve heard about Rolf’s troubles.”
“. . .!”
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I heard a slight noise, realizing I was stepping back.
I didn’t want Prince Linus to know. It’s a selfish and arrogant wish, but I didn’t want him to know. Even though I truly wanted to serve Prince Linus, still I,
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“To be honest, I didn’t understand why you were troubled.”
“. . .eh?”
“It’s ideal to put those you serve first, but it’s rare to find someone without someone dear to them. After all, if you were born into a noble family, you are likely ingrained with the thought of putting your family first.”
“Ah. . .”
“. . .I, for one, prefer to have someone who treasures others by my side. I can’t imagine someone who doesn’t understand the feeling of love being a close aide.”
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Prince Linus’s hands on my shoulders were large and warm.
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“I know that Rolf holds Edgardo dear. Knowing that, I wished for you to be my aide. When my life is in danger, I believe that, regardless of the motive, Rolf would risk his life for me.”
“For Prince Linus, I would lay down my life without hesitation! Even if it meant being targeted along with Edgardo, and I could only save one. But. . .if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to protect the feelings of Edgardo as an aide. Even for such reasons. . .”
“Such reasons are enough. Anyone can find an excuse to run away. But not everyone can find a reason to risk their life. I, as your lord, say it’s fine, so it is fine.”
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. . .What a kind smile he has. He should be angry, yet he still tries to save my heart.
And yet, I. . .
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I kneel down, bowing my head deeply.
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“. . .I shall demonstrate my loyalty by supporting Edgardo, who has sworn fealty to Prince Linus.”
“Everyone shows their feelings differently. I have nothing to say about that. I’m glad I met Rolf in the Fourth Knight Order.”
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I hesitantly take the hand offered to me, and am briskly pulled to my feet.
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“Let’s take a ride on the bike while everyone is asleep! Shiro and Arthur will make a fuss wanting to ride it once they’re awake, won’t they?”
“. . .Yes. I will instruct you.”
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The morning I wholeheartedly wished to serve Prince Linus was so bright, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
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