24-Hour Regression, Possession, and Reincarnation Counseling Center, Episode 15
He lowered his eyes and continued speaking. Ion knew that he would look pitiful.
“Also, I do not know much about things like the Imperial Palace or nobility.”
The Crown Prince raised his head. His eyes met hers.
“And I have no one I can trust.”
At that, Rora made a pitiful face, just as he had expected.
‘Is it because he’s the first customer I met?’
Rora felt concerned for him, who said he had no one to trust.
Without missing that moment, Ion spoke.
“So please help me by my side.”
And before Rora could respond, he immediately added,
“I am not asking you to stay by me for twenty-four hours.”
In that moment, the delinquent young lord Sorinte flashed through Rora’s mind. Her mouth opened.
“Then how would you like me to proceed?”
“I would like it to be in a form where I can receive counseling comfortably.”
Doubt clouded Rora’s eyes.
Does this mean secretly coming and going like now is not enough?
The moment she thought that.
“How would you feel about coming as my teacher?”
“Pardon?”
Surprised, she asked back.
Come as what?
The Crown Prince’s teacher?
“Counselor, I will speak honestly.”
The Crown Prince leaned toward Rora.
“I do not even know who is on my side. Therefore, I need a noble who can teach me this empire’s power structure. One with a certain degree of name recognition, at that.”
Unable to deceive her customer, Rora hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.
“My household is—”
“Going bankrupt. I know.”
Rora froze for a moment.
‘So he’s already looked into it.’
Customer Ion was making good use of his position as Crown Prince. Enough to already know information about Count Rien’s household.
At the continuing voice, she looked at the Crown Prince.
“However, Count Rien’s household has a long history, and the Count must be well-versed in high society.”
Not that she pried, but Rora certainly knew the ways of that world to a certain extent.
“Many things will happen around me going forward. Preparing for such troublesome meetings every time is a waste for both of us.”
Secretly meeting was indeed quite taxing.
“I have heard that the official position of the Crown Prince’s teacher must be appointed by the Emperor with the consent of the Noble Council. However, it seems a temporary teacher can be easily appointed.”
“…That is true.”
Temporary teacher.
It was an honorary position, and at the same time, one with free access to the palace. As such, only someone trusted by the Crown Prince could hold it.
“I ask this of you.”
Ion, in the guise of the Crown Prince, bowed his head.
Rora felt quite uncomfortable seeing her first customer bow his head and ask a favor.
‘Hmm, it is beneficial to me, though.’
While Rora fell into brief contemplation.
The Crown Prince raised his head and gazed at Rora.
“And are you not actually a teacher?”
Rora met the eyes that were unmistakably Ion's—strong resolve hidden within the pure eyes of Diant.
“Because you, Counselor, are the one who will teach me about this world.”
It seemed he was already doing well even without being taught.
Rora could not bring herself to say that.
In truth, upon consideration, it was not a bad condition.
Even if they took secretive measures every time, the Imperial Palace had many eyes.
Eventually, word of their meetings would get out.
‘If things go wrong, strange rumors might spread.’
Count Rien secretly visiting the Crown Prince’s palace at a late hour.
All sorts of strange and ugly rumors were bound to arise. Both the Crown Prince and she had many enemies.
‘It is not bad. If it is temporary teacher.’
Rora could not help but think of the benefits that would come to her as well.
The Grand Council of Nobles. Even there, they would be unable to disregard Count Rien as the Crown Prince’s temporary teacher.
“Counselor.”
To the Crown Prince calling out as if urging her, Rora eventually nodded.
“Very well. I shall do so.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. It is only natural that I help you.”
In truth, the Crown Prince had presented an offer she could not refuse.
‘He really is a clever person.’
If regressor Sorinte was a character swayed by emotion, possessor Ion was quite rational. To the point where one might wonder if he had any emotions at all.
“Customer, I shall prepare and deliver documents regarding the empire’s power structure, as well as common knowledge, politics, and culture.”
And just like Rora, Ion was also looking at his counterpart, thinking that they were clever.
“Then tomorrow, I shall send correspondence regarding the temporary teaching position to your mansion.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Likely, the administration will assign a dedicated official as well.”
Ion felt as though he was not in a counseling session but signing a business partnership contract, yet he was satisfied.
“It is good that the matter troubling me is resolved.”
He honestly expressed his feelings.
“That is a relief.”
Rora also felt it was fortunate that she would be able to freely come and go from the Crown Prince’s palace to continue counseling.
“Rather than that, Lord Ion.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
The Crown Prince fixed his gaze on Rora, who wore a gentle smile.
“There is something I wish to ask.”
The gentle smile vanished.
“It is an important matter, so you must answer honestly.”
Ion felt tension suddenly gripping his body, which had been somewhat at ease, at Rora’s attitude and words.
It was the same tension that had surrounded him for most of his days when he lived on Earth.
“Lord Ion.”
Rora asked quietly, as if it were truly an important matter.
“Is the food to your taste?”
“Pardon?”
For a moment, Ion wondered if he had heard correctly.
Surprise settled on his pure face, and he opened his eyes wide.
“The food.”
But Rora was serious.
“I reviewed the data on Earth and Joseon.”
Woooo—
The white orb was still vibrating in Rora’s hand.
“The dimensional traveler who came from Joseon said it was difficult to adapt to the food. The ingredients are different, and the cooking methods are different too. They said it was greasy.”
Clothing, food, and shelter—especially meals—are very important matters.
More than anything, for possessors.
“The recipes for the dishes that dimensional traveler ate remain recorded. Shall I pass them on to you?”
“Ah.”
The Crown Prince let out a brief, blank exclamation.
“Ha!”
Then, before he knew it, a chuckle burst out.
“Hahaha—”
The chuckle soon turned into laughter.
Rora slightly widened her eyes at the sight of the Crown Prince laughing. It was a smile that seemed both incredibly pleased and bewildered.
‘What?’
She wondered why he was like this, and the Crown Prince thought,
‘Has there ever been someone who thought about my meals, my taste?’
Ion, who had lost his family at the same time he awakened as a Hunter, felt a surge of longing in that moment.
So he laughed. To swallow down that longing.
He answered nonchalantly.
“For now, there is no particular problem.”
“I see.”
Tap. Tock. Rora tapped the white orb and recorded something.
Small letters were engraved on the small orb, but the Crown Prince could not see them.
“Then how is your sleep? Sleep is an important matter.”
“I am fine.”
Ion did not sleep well anyway.
Whether on Earth or here, it was a dangerous place to fall asleep.
Perhaps once the synchronization was fully complete, there would be no fatigue in his body even without sleep.
“…May I take ‘fine’ to mean that you are securing sufficient sleep?”
“Yes.”
And the Crown Prince had no intention of telling Rora this fact.
The synchronization of abilities.
This alone was a hidden card to protect his life; he could tell no one.
“I see. Then how is your adaptation to the climate?”
Starting with the question about the climate, Rora asked various things.
“How about the taste of water?”
“It is the same.”
Only after asking about the taste of water last did Rora finish her questions.
“Thank you for answering everything.”
“Not at all.”
Ion found this questioning session quite interesting.
“Who’s Rank One?”
“Baekho! What is the power you possess?”
“Cooperate with us. Why do you not know that it is beneficial?”
“Let us rule the world. Now is the time for Hunters to rule the world. Baekho, are you afraid?”
As the questions he had received all this time rose in his mind, Ion’s head began to ache slightly.
Just then, Rora spoke confidently.
“If you have any difficulties, please tell me anything.”
Rora pointed to herself.
“I will find a way.”
At that sight, Ion felt the urge to say something.
“Would you solve any difficult problem for me?”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“But I will help as much as I can within what I am able to do.”
However, Ion found those words more trustworthy instead. They were better than unconditional affirmation.
“A good—”
That’s a good answer.
Ion had been about to say that.
Knock, knock, knock—
But at the sound of knocking on the door, he could not continue his words.
A cautious voice was heard from beyond the door.
“Your Highness.”
Rora saw the Crown Prince’s eyebrows twitch slightly.
“One moment.”
Ion sprang to his feet and headed toward the study door.
Rora also stood up to follow.
“What is it?”
When the door opened, the attendant bowed at the waist.
“I apologize for interrupting while you are urgently discussing matters.”
“I would have told you not to come unless it was urgent.”
“I apologize!”
‘Oh, he really acts like the Crown Prince.’
Rora was surprised that Ion’s demeanor toward the attendant looked so utterly natural.
“Um, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is looking for you……”