Kays Translations

Chapter 168: Gathering Information in the Royal Castle

While sipping my tea, I moved on to my next topic. This was phase two of the plan: have Ijidol introduce his friends one after another, like pulling up potatoes on the same vine.

“Do you have any other close friends inside the royal castle?”

“Um… Axel, I guess? He participates in the children’s swordsmanship practice at the Royal Knight Order training ground. We run into each other sometimes and talk.”

“I see. Then I might meet Axel tomorrow.”

Ijidol looked slightly surprised. He had probably assumed I’d be back for magic training again tomorrow.

“Surprised? I’m also required to train in swordsmanship. Tomorrow is sword practice. For now, I’m alternating between swordsmanship and magic each day.”

“That’s amazing. I could never do swordsmanship.”

That was easy to believe. He didn’t look like the fighting type at all. Fortunately, Ijidol had magical talent instead.

“I’m still the son of a noble house. I have to be able to do both.”

“That sounds hard. Axel has red hair that sticks straight up. He says it’s bed hair, but I think he does it deliberately. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s not a bad person.”

“Sounds like it.”

Otherwise Ijidol probably wouldn’t regard him as a friend. Axel was likely the frank, uncomplicated type. Someone like that might actually be easier for a scheming aristocrat to deal with. I was starting to look forward to tomorrow.

Ijidol wasn’t a noble, so he couldn’t give me much information about the young ladies. Still, I learned that Princess Chloe and Caro were very popular among the boys. Several of Princess Chloe’s attendants were apparently popular too. It seemed she surrounded herself with young ladies of considerable elegance.

Our useful tea time came to an end and I parted ways with Ijidol. He had to go help his family. Judging by his hunched shoulders as he left, he wasn’t especially thrilled about it.

When I returned to the townhouse, Brother Alex was already home. Apparently the academy had only held its opening ceremony that day, with no lessons. Come to think of it, his final examinations began soon after the new term started. He was probably busy studying.

“Brother Alex, I’m back.”

“Welcome home, Julius. You’re later than I expected. Did something happen?”

“I stayed behind to talk with a friend.”

Brother Alex’s eyes widened. Then he immediately glanced at my servant.

Hey. He was doubting me.

I watched the servant nod in confirmation. Good, good. Now Brother Alex would understand that I could behave like a perfectly normal child too.

“That’s good. Treasure your friends.”

“Of course. Did anything happen at the academy?”

Brother Alex tilted his head as though thinking back. Apparently nothing serious had happened.

“No problems. Everyone was rather tense because the examinations are coming up.”

“You seem fine, Brother Alex.”

“I think I’ll be fine—as long as nothing happens that distracts me.”

Ah. Those eyes were asking whether I planned to cause another problem.

To keep Brother Alex from worrying, I glanced at my servant with a silent request for support.

Of all things, the servant who received my look made a troubled face.

Brother Alex’s sharp eyes caught it immediately.

“Julius. Surely nothing happened?”

“Nothing at all. I visited the Royal Magic Pharmacists, taught them how to make magic potions, trained at the Royal Mage Corps grounds, and talked with my friend Ijidol afterwards. That’s all.”

“Hmm. Then why does the servant I assigned to you look troubled?”

Too sharp. As the heir to House Heine, Brother Alex had clearly trained himself to read people’s expressions. I could make my face as blank as a mask, but the servants apparently couldn’t.

“You’re imagining it, Brother Alex. Besides, shouldn’t you be studying for your examinations? I also have to draw the plans for the icehouse, so I’ll excuse myself.”

“Icehouse plans?”

Oh. That might have been bad.

A crease appeared between Brother Alex’s eyebrows. His entire face said, That sounds like something I wasn’t told about.

“Well, Commander Giovanni asked me. You know I’m reasonably capable of making magic tools, don’t you? He asked me to help because of that.”

“I see.”

Brother Alex looked at the servant. The servant lowered his head.

Maybe I should lower mine too.

“I’ll get the full story from the servant. Julius, go back to your room and properly complete the request you’ve accepted.”

“Yes.”

Scary. Brother Alex’s face was scary. I hurried back to my room.

What should I do tomorrow? Send the servant home? Impossible. I gave up on that idea immediately. All I had to do was avoid causing trouble. I could do that. Probably.

At dinner, Brother Alex pressed me for details. Naturally, the servant could only report what he’d personally witnessed, so Brother Alex filled in the missing parts with what felt suspiciously like a guided interrogation. I had no choice but to answer.

“Julius. Please.”

“I’m sorry.”

Brother Alex was begging me now. Maybe his stomach couldn’t withstand much more of this. Tomorrow, when I reached the compounding room, I should make him an especially effective stomach medicine. Surely that would help him relax.

Then Brother Alex ordered the servant to remain at my side around the clock.

Stop. My credibility is already at zero.

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