Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Translator: Yonnee

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Ever since Albert had saved him when he was a kid, Schubert never had a chance to meet the prince in person. All he’s done so far was read about him in books or look at him from afar as a baron.

Albert entered the tower and really couldn’t be seen anymore. But, coincidentally, he got a chance to meet Albert here.

His idol who he met was far more perfect than he expected. And Schubert could take care of him now every day!

So after hearing that Albert would visit the north again this time, he sputtered out sorts of excuses like some chronic illness or whatever just so he could be excused from his post. And thus, Schubert went on his way to the north.

Schubert replied with a melancholy look.

“It’s only because I came all the way up here. That, and you know… Can’t I change the way I talk? I’m tired of talking like a stuck up baron…”

Schubert’s usual way of speaking was so different from how aristocrats normally talked, so acting like this was essential. His silent and reticent façade also helped solidify other people’s impression of him and so they wouldn’t suspect him of having killed the previous baron.

“You have to keep speaking like that on a regular basis, otherwise, you might slip up. We can’t take a risk here. And the way you’ve been talking suits you though.”

“…Are you messing with me?”

Schubert’s ears moved as if he had misheard it.

Since he didn’t know much about the nobles, all Schubert could emulate was Liam’s tone of voice, apart from when the duke wasn’t comfortably talking to him like an older brother. It was that stern and aloof kind of tone, befitting of an aristocrat.

But it was completely different from who Schubert was, so he could feel goosebumps rising whenever he spoke like that.

“No, I’m serious. Whenever you talk like me, it really suits you. It’s a good fix to your habit of talking like a good-for-nothing.”

Shuddering as he felt goosebumps rise all over his skin, Schubert quickly retorted. He clasped his hands together in a begging stance.

“Duke, I implore you— I won’t ask for any vacations from now on, but can I please stop speaking like this?”

“Sure, as long as you know when.”

Liam nodded satisfactorily. Schubert bowed then replied back with vigor.

“Yes, yes, I understand perfectly. Duke, can’t you tell His Highness today that I did well?”

“Sure. The scheduled departure is in just a day though, so before that, you have to check the dragon fledgling’s condition.”

“Uuugh, I got it.”

Schubert wasn’t very pleased about this. He had a phobia of reptiles.

“Ah, there’s one more thing I have to tell you.”

“What is it? I have to go out right away.”

“The cat you’re playing together with these days.”

“The cat that the maid brought with her?”

Schubert smiled happily as he recalled the cat he was with just a while ago.

After everything’s done and over with, his wish was to buy a huge mansion and fill it with cats.

“There’s seriously no other that’s cuter than…”

Looking at the sparkling Schubert, Liam let out a hum that sounded as if he felt sorry for the other man. Schubert tilted his head to the side nervously.

“…What the heck?”

With a wistful look, Liam revealed the truth.

“It’s a dragon fledgling, you know.”

“…What?”

“His Highness told me, so it’s the truth.”

It would be difficult to classify a dragon as a mere reptile, but Liam recalled how Schubert had freaked out when he saw just an image of a dragon before. He said that he never ever wanted to come across an animal with that kind of skin.

“…I, I petted it, with my ha…nd…”

His face as white as a sheet, Schubert sank to the floor.

“Pitiful.”

Acting as if he was a high lord and with that apathetic expression of his, Liam immediately left the room. Even after Liam had left, Schubert sat there for a long, long time. Still in shock.

* * *

I didn’t visit Albert at dawn. This was because he told me not to come with a very stern look, angry at me. It would be better to give Albert some space so he could think alone. It’s not like I’d be able to soothe his anger only because I’m there in person.

I couldn’t sleep well last night because it’s the first time we had such an argument. When I woke up at dawn, I just stared at Blanc, who was still sleeping beside me.

After I lost my parents, I was constantly afraid of being attached to someone else. Even with pets, I realized that everyone would leave me someday.

I was an office worker back then, so I wondered if I’d even be able to take care of a pet. I would have had a difficult time raising it alone.

I think I know why now—why my friends told me before that I should raise a pet. I now realize that the memories we had together would remain even later, and it outweighed the fear of separation later.

What Albert said might be right. I’m weak to pain, and I’m afraid of dying. If I’m like this, who’s to say that I’m fit to be a dragon’s contractor?

I don’t believe in myself either at this moment, so it could be a lucky chance that I could see what happens with the other dragon cub first.

It made my heart heavy that I’d be face to face with someone who I wouldn’t be able to save, and I wasn’t even sure if this was even proper.

But that’s how life originally was. There was more you’re unsure of, and there’s always a moment when you don’t know where you’re headed.

Even still, I had to keep moving forward.