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Chapter 88
“Registry of the Nobles’ Council?”
“Yes.”
“Does something like that really exist?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Cecilia nodded confidently.
The high-ranking nobles of the council recorded the conversations they had within the council. This made it easy to verify if someone later changed their words and allowed them to track the progress of matters at a glance. That record was known as the Registry of the Nobles’ Council.
“How do you even know about that?”
“There’s always a way.”
“You brat! You trying to pick a fight?! Come at me!”
“This time, your family agreed to take the lead! And now you change your mind?!”
“Got proof? Check the nobles’ registry! Wasn’t this ledger your family’s responsibility?”
“Are you insane?! Mentioning the registry?!”
“Anyway, we’re all dead once we’re here! I don’t care what happens next!”
When nobles were thrown into the battlefield and faced death, they often spilled the secrets of their families in excitement. Observing them fight a few times was more than enough to pick up snippets of such stories.
In truth, some of these secrets were actual stains on each family, but here they were just suspicions. Finding the nobles’ registry could confirm them. If those who had committed wrongs in a past life were repeating the same mistakes in this one, it would be recorded in the ledger.
‘The best part is that there’s a good chance it includes records of additional corruption.’
Private council conversations naturally revolved around the interests of noble families. So there was a high probability of explicit discussions being recorded.
Cecilia planned to gather all that evidence and expose the families that advocated for the dismissal of the Tower Master during this hearing.
The problem was…
“Finding it is just tedious and difficult.”
That’s why she hadn’t bothered before. There was never a pressing need. Even when the Phillips family cheated on the entrance exam, a mage was there to expose them, so the ledger wasn’t necessary.
“Come to think of it, those Phillips guys were also on the dismissal list. Might as well… uproot the family entirely this time…”
“…It’s just tedious and difficult, right?”
Crondel, who seemed to have regained his composure, whispered quietly. Cecilia looked him in the sharp, shining eyes of a prince and said:
“Yes. Since it’s one of those things where everyone dies if caught, no single family manages it. Sometimes it’s with this family, other times with that family.”
This method had other benefits too. It prevented any single family from monopolizing the ledger. All families involved felt responsible for it and guarded it fiercely. If the ledger was lost while a family held it, it would be a disaster.
“So we don’t know which family has it now. I’ll give a hint to Julin to find out.”
“But if we could just find it…”
“Exactly. The worst outcome can be prevented.”
If the other side wanted a political battle, there was no reason to avoid it. Whether they ran or not, attacks would fall on them regardless. So she planned to fight back, even if it meant dying together.
“There’s a way, then.”
Crondel muttered, seemingly deflated, and slumped into his chair. He must have been tense—funny and pitiable to see him flustered whenever the Tower Master was involved, just like during the demon attack on the tower. Then he tapped his chest as if telling Cecilia to trust him:
“Right. Let’s just steal it.”
“You confident?”
“Don’t underestimate a palace thief with 17 years of experience…”
Fatigue colored Crondel’s voice. Judging by his eyes, he hadn’t slept in days. After the argument with Cecilia, he hadn’t lingered at the count’s mansion either, likely sleeping poorly if at all. Then he had been running around handling hearing preparations, so now, with the tension released, sleep was catching up.
“Sorry. Too tired… I’ll just rest a bit.”
Crondel leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. Cecilia clicked her tongue, staring at him sitting uncomfortably.
“If you’re going to sleep, at least do it properly.”
Seeing him asleep as if no one could even carry him away, Cecilia lifted him and gently placed him on her bed. She had no intention of sleeping tonight herself.
‘A short rest shouldn’t hurt.’
Papers still stacked the desk.
“Things will get busy again.”
With the hearing approaching, time was short. Cecilia returned to scanning the list of high-ranking nobles, lost in thought.
“…Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, really… should I take responsibility?”
“Stop it. If anyone hears this, they’ll think something actually happened.”
In the Royal Library within the capital, Crondel kept speaking in hushed, confused tones.
“Even so, in the bed of a young lady coming of age…”
“We’ve already slept in the same tent before, and it wasn’t like you walked in yourself. I put you in.”
Hearing that, the tips of his ears turned slightly red.
“Now you’re embarrassed? Ridiculous.”
“You’re just too oblivious,” Cecilia whispered seriously, smiling bitterly.
“Do you know what happens if someone sleeps carelessly on the battlefield? Judgment goes haywire and reasoning fades. Only those who eat and sleep well live a little longer.”
“Battlefield, huh.”
“Exactly. This is a battlefield. They’re coming to kill us.”
“…True enough.”
“We absolutely can’t lose. So stop goofing off and find the documents.”
They were searching the library for any past hearing records for possible clues. There weren’t many; most ended poorly.
Meanwhile, Crondel was distracted by a scent lingering from Cecilia’s bed. As he rubbed his sleeve, the scent of roses mixed with metal grew stronger. Cecilia scolded him:
“Focus. And your wig’s crooked.”
When Crondel adjusted his wig, a presence was felt nearby. Clearly, it had intent.
“…”
Thud.
“…Wait, that’s intense.”
“You approached like a sneaky rat. Don’t blame me for being intense.”
Crondel grabbed the person by the collar and pressed him against the wall as Cecilia drew her Periot. Both actions happened simultaneously. Cecilia looked incredulous.
“Who is this? Come to take responsibility personally?”
Alex Phillips, still held by the collar, smirked crookedly.
“Responsibility? I haven’t done anything.”
“Ah, then was the Phillips family on the Tower Master dismissal list mistakenly? Is my vision just for decoration?”
“I must clarify. ‘I’ didn’t do anything. My marquis did. Ever since the threatening letter from the young lady…”
“You should speak properly. What threat? That letter just listed your family’s corruption. Not a threat, just facts.”
“In any case, after that letter, I’ve been taking a different path from my family.”
Alex quickly finished speaking and ruffled his slicked-back hair. Crondel’s gaze remained cold and distrustful, sharp enough to resemble a crown princess.
Alex smiled at Crondel.
“And you must be the rumored second prince. I think I’ve seen you once at a ball.”
“…”
“Wondering how I knew? I did my own investigation. And…”
Alex tapped near his eye casually. Cecilia immediately understood—they shared the same thought.
“You look unmistakably alike. Those eyes… might be unsettling.”
“Not at all.”
“Anyway, I’m here to help. You have my word. Let’s go in.”
Crondel slowly released his grip. Cecilia returned her Periot.
“What do you mean by taking a different path from your family?”
Alex glanced around and led them to a private reading room. Cecilia muttered:
“No one’s around, just say it.”
“You’d know… yes, a young lady would know.”
Realizing that Alex could sense both physical and magical presence, he pulled a chair for them.
“Not going to be long, just stand and listen.”
“Very well.”
Despite repeatedly being embarrassed, Alex’s expression didn’t change. He even handled it with sly composure, reminiscent of his confident self at the ball.
“I read your letter and thought deeply.”
A glance could make someone think Cecilia had sent a love letter.
“And I considered… though it may sound unpleasant, at the time of the letter, you were just another promising talent. Not yet the uniquely distinguished figure you are now. So…”
“Stop talking so long. So, realizing how a single young lady could expose your family’s corruption woke you up?”
“Exactly. I couldn’t leave things as they were. Losing all advantage and using corrupt methods had limits. Long-term, it’s not beneficial at all.”
Alex looked serious.
“At least if I lead the Phillips family…”
He seemed surprisingly sincere about his family.
“So, I ask…”
Alex smiled subtly.
“Julin, right? That friend of yours?”
“Why are you looking for him?”
“I heard it from him,” Alex said calmly.
“You’re looking for the nobles’ council registry.”
