X
Join our Discord server and get release updates for every novel you follow.
Join the Server“Ethan Gradis…”
“Given you’ve made it this far, it seems you’ve received His Majesty’s Nishan. Unexpected. Quite the feat, indeed.”
Devon Green, interrupting Ethan’s respectful greeting, offered a wry smile as he praised him. Ethan simply bowed his head, cursing inwardly. ‘The damn bastard.’
There was a reason he had deliberately scheduled his audience with the King immediately after, hoping to use the failure or delay in receiving the Nishan as an excuse to cancel the audience entirely.
Devon Green, making no effort to conceal his irritation, gazed at Ethan before gesturing to the Chief Chamberlain.
‘Surely he wouldn’t give me the Nishan right away?’ Ethan harbored a fleeting, baseless hope, only to be disappointed by the tea set the Chief Chamberlain brought in.
“Your Highness, I apologize, but I had tea with His Majesty the King—”
“Don’t tell me you already drank tea. I had this prepared just now, suspecting you might be thirsty.”
‘Just now.’
“…Thank you, Your Highness.”
Ethan struggled to maintain his composure, responding with polite deference. Devon Green had known Ethan hadn’t consumed tea during his audience with the King and had arranged this. Was it the Chief Chamberlain, or another attendant who had cleared away the tea set?
Devon Green already had someone close to the King. It was highly probable that even the most trivial detail, such as Ethan nearly having tea with the King but not, had been relayed to His Highness Herace.
“Nonsense. I always strive to consider things from the perspective of the Empire’s citizens.”
[Ethan, this is a tea I’ve never seen before. Although the water seems fine, I don’t know what kind of tea it is, so it’s probably best not to drink it.]
A tea unknown even to Dongja, who had likely existed since ancient times before the world was turned upside down.
It was far too suspicious.
There was only one tea set. This implied that the same tea had been poured into Devon Green’s teacup as well. Ethan observed Devon Green cautiously, but he calmly took a sip of tea and continued the conversation.
“Ethan, what are your thoughts on Guides?”
“…Guides are the sole beings capable of saving Espers, Your Highness.”
Responding to a question that could easily be twisted regardless of the answer, Ethan skillfully evaded by reciting the official slogan from the palace’s Guide recruitment advertisements. Devon Green let out a small chuckle, then changed his line of questioning.
“I merely wished to speak candidly with a fellow Guide. This is a question I often ask during interviews with Guides at the Center. Please don’t be so wary. Perhaps I cast too wide a net. To be more specific, how do you perceive the human rights of Guides within the Aitoolia Empire?”
‘What is this? Does he want flattery?’
“Your Highness’s policies have indeed created the most favorable environment for Guides across the entire continent.”
If a bit of oily flattery would appease Devon Green and secure the Nishan, Ethan was prepared to deliver it without hesitation. Sure enough, Devon Green’s eyes curved with satisfaction. Thinking his task was complete, Ethan took a sip of tea and returned the smile.
However, Devon Green, maintaining his smile, dropped a bombshell.
“I am the Empire’s only Multi-Guide, and you are the Empire’s only supreme Guide, bearing the title ‘Flower of the Empire.’ Beyond what I have already achieved, wouldn’t you, just once, wish to live in a world where Guides hold supremacy?”
If he were to say he desired such a world, it would undoubtedly be twisted into a rumor that he supported Devon Green. Conversely, if he denied it, he would likely be branded a Guide discriminator, despite holding the title of the Empire’s greatest Guide. After a brief internal struggle, Ethan decided to employ his ‘I’m an idiot’ strategy.
“……I apologize, Your Highness. It is beyond my limited imagination.”
Devon Green stared intently at Ethan, who smiled foolishly as if completely missing the point of the question, then let out an exasperated sigh.
“It is natural for Espers to imprint upon and become dependent on Guides, but Guides do not imprint on Espers. I don’t know what is so appealing about Bliss Moore, but the sacrifice of a Guide—”
“His face.”
Ethan’s immediate, unhesitating reply seemed to elicit a slightly contemptuous expression from Devon Green. Yet, Ethan spoke with conviction.
“I believe I’ve been, well, enchanted by Lord Bliss Moore’s face, if not exactly imprinted.”
Devon Green silently gulped down the remaining tea. Ethan followed suit, and the Chief Chamberlain politely refilled their cups. Having fully committed to his act, Ethan deliberately portrayed a love-struck simpleton.
“I am fortunate to be a Guide who doesn’t have to bear a heavy mission like Your Highness Devon Green. In that regard, I believe Your Highness’s status as a Multi-Guide is truly an exceptional advantage. You are the pride of all Guides within the Empire.”
Devon Green’s lips curled into a faint smile. Even knowing that Ethan’s idiotic words were an act, he couldn’t help but feel pleased, recalling Guides he’d seen in the media who had interviewed about him in a similar manner. Furthermore, he was soon to make an announcement that would likely earn him the title ‘Hope of the Guides.’
“In that case, it would be even better if you joined me. While I admit Bliss Moore’s face is exceptionally handsome, even among other distinguished Espers, aren’t there beauties of that caliber right around us? There’s Enoch Cloud, for instance.”
However, Ethan’s eyes sparkled as he posed a question to Devon Green.
“I apologize, Your Highness. As a Multi-Guide, is there any particular Esper among your own to whom you have given your heart? Could it perhaps be your first Esper, Huey Cloud?”
At this point, Devon Green scoffed at Ethan with an air of amusement.
“You certainly have a knack for skillfully avoiding the core issue. Scott Kenton praised you so much that I merely voiced a passing desire, but it seems working together would indeed be difficult. Well, if I must answer, I don’t particularly favor any of my Espers.”
‘f*ck.’
Ethan swallowed the curse that nearly escaped him at the casual way Devon Green spoke of his Espers, treating them like pets. A chill crept up his spine. When he looked up, Devon Green’s eyes were curved in a smile, yet utterly devoid of emotion.
“I didn’t expect you to bring up Scott Kenton directly.”
“Why not? Scott Kenton has made remarkable progress.”
It was a subtle statement, leaving Ethan unsure whether Devon Green meant Scott Kenton had adapted and improved in palace life as an attendant, or as a Guide. However, hearing Devon Green’s words, Ethan was reminded of the influence a Multi-Guide had on those with Guide factors.
‘Scott Kenton’s matching rate must have increased.’
He was an attendant serving Prince Devon Green closely. The fact that Devon Green, who was actively researching the influence of Multi-Guides, had placed Scott Kenton in such a position clearly had a purpose.
Devon Green, appearing bored and no longer interested in Ethan after his rejection, gestured to the Chief Chamberlain.
“Hand the Nishan to Ethan Gradis.”
It was a welcome dismissal. Ethan quickly accepted the ornate brooch, placed it in a jar, and exited the audience chamber.
****
*Slam—!*
“Are you insane?! What in the world have you been doing while I suffered such humiliation from the Marchioness?!”
The Lord of Veliki slammed his fist on the desk, raging at Viscount Samuel Gradis. He had painstakingly arranged a meeting with Marchioness Annabelle Moore, hoping to expand the types of weapons produced. Yet, she had departed, her face etched with disbelief that Ethan Gradis was still not poisoned, stating she would only consider it once concrete results were presented.
The deeply insulted Lord had learned from a bribed servant at the annex that for several days now, no tricks had been played with Ethan Gradis’s food. The furious Lord immediately summoned the Viscount, unleashing a torrent of angry reprimands.
“My apologies. But couldn’t something have gone wrong, and Bliss Moore might have consumed it? And as you know, the dinner invitation came suddenly, leaving no time for such an act.”
“Are you suggesting you’ve been blinded by the wealth Bliss Moore offered and are planning betrayal?!”
“How could that be? Please, clear your misunderstanding, my Lord.”
The Lord of Veliki, his face flushed and burning with fury, sank into his chair and pressed his temples.
“I trust you, but bear this in mind: if you align yourself with Bliss Moore among the two factions of the Moore family, it will ultimately lead to the full disclosure of the factory established in Veliki. I know better than anyone how well the Viscount Gradis family is privy to information about Veliki.”
‘You will not escape unscathed.’
The Lord of Veliki deliberately trailed off, leaving the threat hanging in the air as he intimidated the Viscount. The Viscount, feigning composure, nodded.
“Naturally.”
“Hah.” The Lord exhaled deeply, then waved his hand, dismissing him.
That evening, they once again attempted to administer the addictive drug to Ethan Gradis, who had safely returned after his audience. However, Ethan, with an uncanny ability to perceive their intentions—or perhaps possessing a truly extraordinary power—skillfully avoided it again today.
“I’ve eaten well.”
The Viscount and Viscountess glared with resentment at Ethan, who had demonstrably finished the entire salad on the table by himself.
Suddenly, Ethan’s breathing grew ragged.
“Ugh.”
“What’s wrong?!”
Ethan abruptly clutched his chest, his face contorted in a grimace, gasping as if he had just sprinted at full speed. Panic clouded the eyes of the Viscount and Viscountess. Ethan was clearly—
[Hey! You didn’t ingest any poison or drugs, so what’s happening?!]
‘I don’t know either.’
For a long while, Ethan remained hunched over, unable to straighten. Then, feeling himself gradually recover, he slowly rose.
“…I’m fine now.”
His heart, which had been beating abnormally fast just moments before, had returned to normal.
‘Perhaps I was just too tense today.’
The tea time with Devon Green, where they had so naturally shared the same tea, had been such an unremarkable, fleeting moment that it didn’t even cross Ethan’s mind as a possibility. After rubbing his chest a few times, Ethan offered the Viscount and Viscountess a feigned smile.
“I think I was just tired for a moment, Mother, Father.”
Leaving them startled and disheartened, Ethan casually made his way to his room.
Finishing the entire salad had felt quite satisfying.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Looking For My Child's Father is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : Looking For My Child's Father
