Chapter 43: A Dangerous Proposition

The following evening, in a luxurious private room at the Crystal Jazz Hotel, the Duchess and Principal Nabo clinked glasses, enjoying each other’s company.

“I never imagined, Principal, that you’ve lectured at the Grand Cathedral in the Imperial Capital,” the Duchess remarked, picking up the bottle to pour Principal Nabo more wine with genuine enthusiasm. “I’ve heard it’s the lifelong ambition of many scholars.”

“You flatter me, Madam,” Principal Nabo replied, his heart swelling with delight. Yet, he didn’t forget to raise his crystal wine glass high with both hands, careful to maintain proper etiquette.

For an educator and scholar, heavy drinking in such a setting was somewhat undignified. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to attend this dinner, for the invitation had come from Duchess Liddell herself.

That previous afternoon, he and Duchess Liddell had spent hours over tea, conversing animatedly. That very day, she had extended the invitation, hoping he would join her for a drink at Maplewood City’s most luxurious hotel.

Principal Nabo was a worldly man, not easily swayed by carnal desires. However, to be invited alone by such a captivating noblewoman, even he couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement, believing his profound knowledge and elegant conversation had left a deep impression on her.

With every gesture, Duchess Liddell exuded the charm of a mature woman. Dressed in a low-cut gown, she smiled alluringly, urging glass after glass upon Principal Nabo, who found himself utterly unable to refuse.

After several rounds of drinks, Principal Nabo swirled the last drops in his crystal glass, sensing it was time to steer the conversation toward the main topic.

“Madam, your esteemed daughter’s sudden transfer to our school, her enrollment in the theology program, and her application for the Cathedral Academy entrance exam—is she hoping to secure a promotion slot from us?” Principal Nabo inquired.

He had occupied this position for six years, and every year, people sought his assistance for those very promotion slots.

He wasn’t so naive as to genuinely believe this noblewoman had invited him for drinks simply to assuage her loneliness. With only a little over a month remaining until the Cathedral Academy entrance exam, the Duchess’s sudden expenditure of vast resources to send the Duke’s daughter to the Southwest Holy Academy made her intentions glaringly obvious.

“This child isn’t my biological daughter, yet we share an extraordinary bond; our relationship is quite good,” the Duchess replied with a smile. “Who doesn’t wish for their child to enter the Imperial Capital’s Cathedral Academy these days? You, Principal, should know better than I what admission there signifies.”

“I don’t wish to dampen your spirits, but the pinnacle of the Imperial Academy is truly not so easy to enter,” Principal Nabo stated, his expression earnest.

“She previously attended a small local seminary, and her grades were quite excellent,” the Duchess offered.

“There are many bright children, but unfortunately, Cathedral Academy only recruits a handful from each region annually. I suspect you don’t fully grasp just how fierce the competition is. Small local seminaries don’t even consider progression to that level; their curriculum standards are entirely different from ours. If Miss Liddell only possesses such a foundation, I fear… it will be quite difficult,” Principal Nabo’s tone grew increasingly serious.

“Actually, someone else told me the same thing,” the Duchess responded, immediately feigning a worried expression. “Principal, do you… do you have any solutions?”

*Aha!* Principal Nabo inwardly gloated.

Principal Nabo had long been searching for a good buyer willing to purchase one of his coveted slots.

To him, the ideal buyer would be someone capable of paying a hefty price and possessing enough influence to provide him with future favors. Previously, Viscount Dumpty had been the best candidate in the city, but then Viscount Dumpty died.

Now, a Duchess Liddell had appeared, hoping for her daughter to advance to Cathedral Academy. Principal Nabo felt he couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

“I am merely the principal of a regional Holy Academy, and Cathedral Academy’s regulations are quite strict. This… the risk isn’t small,” Principal Nabo said, deliberately patting his head as if in distress.

“My dear Principal, let’s not beat around the bush on such matters. Do you believe we can’t afford a price that would make this risk worthwhile for you?” The Duchess chuckled mischievously, picking up the wine bottle and pouring him a drink. “You must take a penalty sip for that.”

Principal Nabo blinked in surprise, then slapped his forehead and burst into laughter: “Oh dear, that truly was a slip of the tongue on my part! I deserve it, I deserve it.”

He raised his glass, frowned, and drained it in one gulp.

“As long as my daughter can enter Cathedral Academy, I certainly wouldn’t mind putting in a little extra ‘effort,'” the Duchess said, her gaze fixed on Principal Nabo’s eyes. “I just wonder how far you, Principal, can help us?”

“To serve you, Madam, I will naturally do my utmost,” Principal Nabo declared, knowing he had to earn her trust to secure this ‘deal.’ He immediately thumped his chest, making a solemn guarantee. “I happen to have an excellent thesis in my possession. If it were submitted for publication in the District Cathedral under Miss Liddell’s name, it would be a significant advantage for her progression.”

The ‘excellent thesis’ he referred to was, in fact, the one Levi had originally submitted. He had initially intended to buy the thesis from Levi to prevent any trouble after substituting her name for publication.

Later, Levi was implicated in a serious crime, thrown into a detention center, and subsequently, a prisoner riot erupted there. The riot was suppressed by the Imperial Expeditionary Force, which happened to be stationed in Maplewood City that day, resulting in many prisoner deaths. Levi then vanished without a trace.

All of this was a cover-up by the Inquisition to hide the scandal of Blood Red Queen’s escape. Unaware of the truth, Principal Nabo and Camilla, upon hearing the news, naturally assumed Levi had died during the military suppression.

Since the original author was presumed dead, Principal Nabo felt there was no harm in claiming the thesis. He found a way to silence the relevant professors, kept the thesis under wraps, and waited for the right price.

He had no idea that the substitute he was now selling this opportunity to was, in fact, the original author of the thesis.

Duchess Liddell was well aware of the situation but said little, knowing that Principal Nabo’s downfall was imminent.

“Just one thesis isn’t enough, is it? The entrance exam results are still the most important,” the Duchess feigned concern.

“Don’t worry about that. As long as your offer is sufficient, there will always be someone willing to yield their scores; I can act as the intermediary,” Principal Nabo replied bluntly. “The examination location is right here at the Southwest Holy Academy, so facilitating things on the day of the exam is something I can certainly manage.”

Given the resources of the Liddell Duchy, even the children of local elite families could likely be swayed.

“Then it’s foolproof, isn’t it? It seems I truly didn’t pick the wrong person, Principal; you are incredibly reliable!” The Duchess exclaimed, her face alight with pleasant surprise, as she reached out and clasped the Principal’s hand.

The sudden physical contact made Principal Nabo feel utterly elated. “Haha, after all… it is you, Madam, who is asking!”

Their eyes met, and the Duchess’s captivating, charming smile seemed to brand itself deep into his mind.

Perhaps… there truly was a chance for something more to develop with the Madam. Even he, usually so composed, couldn’t help but entertain such wicked thoughts.

The alcohol he had consumed earlier seemed to surge through him all at once, making him feel dizzy.

The scene before him began to sway and distort. As the room spun, he vaguely perceived an incredible image.

The Duchess’s head… seemed to sprout a pair of horns?

Then, Principal Nabo’s memory ceased.