24-Hour Hoebinghwan Counseling Office: Episode 21
The Emperor and the Crown Prince. Was this a story about them?
Much as the Crown Prince was her first client, from Rora's standpoint, diving directly into the political arena was still something that required a bit more thought.
Of course, unlike before, she would have to pay more attention to politics, but it was only to that extent.
"Excuse me, but can I go back?"
Above all, Client Ion had been searching for a way to return to his original world.
"Countess."
Countess Violet's subtle voice was heard.
She approached a little closer to Rora's side. As if she were about to tell a great secret.
"Yes."
Taking her cue, Rora also replied in a hushed voice.
To that, Violet spoke with a grave expression.
"Cross is from Clan Academy, the Empire's highest educational institution."
Huh?
It wasn't a story about the Emperor and the Crown Prince after all.
"Not only that, he entered as the top of his class and graduated as valedictorian, and despite the disadvantages of being a commoner, he never once let go of the top rank throughout all four years."
What flowed from Violet's lips was about Cross.
"...I see. I didn't know."
Though Rora was a bit flustered by the unexpected words, she didn't show it.
'He might be a reincarnator.'
This was a situation where the third client might have appeared.
Information about Cross might prove helpful.
'Wait, more than that, the third? The third client?'
She had thought it made no sense even when there were two, and now a third?
Had God gone mad?
No, had the world gone mad?
Nothing had happened for over 500 years, so was it all coming in at once now?
Rora's mind fell into chaos. Of course, none of that inner turmoil showed on the outside at all. Rather, because she was so confused, her face went blank on its own.
'As expected.'
Meanwhile, looking at Rora, who showed no change whatsoever on her face, Violet continued.
"He is going through some difficulties now, but Cross is definitely a friend who will become someone great."
A strong faith toward Cross was visible in Violet.
"Despite being the valedictorian, that friend rejected numerous scouting offers. And he took the exam to enter as a Grade 10 administrator, the lowest rank in the Administration."
Violet looked into the air as if dreaming of something.
"That friend started from the very bottom."
She added as if muttering.
"Surely from the very bottom to the very top. He is a friend drawing a grand picture. Because he possesses such an outstanding mind."
Rora recalled Cross.
She remembered the sight of him slapping his own cheeks with both hands. Perhaps because it was such a shocking spectacle, she couldn't think of anything else.
"So those above are keeping an eye on that friend."
Who could it be that Violet, who appeared to hold a high position, referred to as "above"?
"However, these days, perhaps due to excessive workload—his words and actions have become a bit, just a bit rougher, or he has been engaging in behavior that torments himself."
Violet couldn't hide her genuinely regretful expression.
"And so I decided to assign him this task instead of other duties."
Rora recalled the sight of Cross being insulted by an employee of the Noble Association at the Noble Association's Tree of Glory building a few days ago.
As Rora fell into thought for a moment, Violet hurriedly added.
"Ah, of course, I don't mean that tasks related to you, Countess, are easy. It's just that compared to previous work, it seemed a bit more leisurely—would that perhaps offend you?"
At the carefully spoken words, Rora shook her head.
"No. It's fine. His main duties will be guiding me to the Crown Prince's Palace and accompanying me around the Imperial Palace, won't they? Certainly, that should be more leisurely than other work."
Shouldn't it?
Or perhaps not.
"Thank you for understanding."
"Not at all."
Rora smiled brightly.
Violet smiled back at that smile and then slightly bowed her head toward her.
"Countess."
"Yes."
"If that friend acts as he did earlier again, you need only say one thing."
Rora pricked up her ears. She wanted to avoid situations like the cheek-slapping from earlier.
"Do you want to be fired?"
Rora looked at Violet in surprise.
But Violet was serious.
"When I say that, he comes to his senses immediately."
"...I see."
"Yes. It is a sure method."
Violet once again crinkled her eyes as if in regret.
"...It must mean that the dream he wishes to achieve in the Administration is that great."
Rora remained silent for now.
"Countess, I hope you will hide what I have told you from that friend, Cross. It might be seen as a weakness..."
Violet trailed off.
As if Violet's concern for Cross was conveyed exactly as it was, Rora nodded readily.
"Yes. I will do so."
"Thank you."
Jingle, jingle.
"Then I shall take my leave. Ah!"
She pointed outside the main gate. The carriage and the knight in the driver's seat were still in that spot.
"The carriage is a gift from His Highness the Crown Prince to his teacher. You may receive it from the knight later."
"Yes."
"And that knight is at minimum a guard, so you may request protection from him as you wish."
And so Countess Violet left the mansion.
Rora, who had seen her off, approached the carriage and spoke to the knight.
"Sir K—?"
"It is Peil, Countess."
"Sir Peil, must I go to see His Highness the Crown Prince today as well?"
The knight she had met yesterday answered with a more disciplined and polite attitude than before.
"No. His Highness said today is fine."
"I see."
Rora told Sir Peil that she would call the butler and asked him to hand over the carriage, and furthermore told him he might return to the Imperial Palace afterward, then headed toward the mansion.
"Tom."
"My lady."
Tom approached Rora with an ambiguous expression as she entered the mansion.
"Please take care of the carriage outside. Sir Peil will inform you."
"Yes? Then—"
"I have something to discuss with Mr. Cross."
Rora saw Cross sitting on the sofa, staring blankly down at the floor even though she had come.
"My lady—"
When Tom showed a hesitant appearance, she raised her hand.
And held up three fingers.
"...?"
Tom was puzzled.
To that, Rora pointed at the carriage outside the window and held up one finger, and pointed in the direction of the duke's household and held up two fingers.
"...!"
Tom's eyes naturally grew larger. For the first time in a while, she saw Tom's pupils shake.
Tom, who had hesitated for a moment, looked at Cross and held up three fingers.
Rora nodded, yet gave a shrug.
"...I shall go outside."
Tom headed outside the entrance with an expression as if he had gained some realization.
Now only Rora and Cross remained inside the mansion.
"Now we are finally alone."
Rora spoke in a gentle tone and went to sit on the sofa opposite Cross.
"Somehow, I felt that Mr. Cross wished for the others to be gone."
"..."
Cross still remained silent.
She thought for a moment, then comfortably leaned her body against the sofa back. And without looking at Cross, she picked up the teacup Tom had brewed and set down.
'Delicious.'
It was a sweet tea that reflected Rora's tastes.
With the warmth spreading through her body, her mind naturally calmed.
'The hidden dagger is right here.'
Of course, she had checked the dagger's position with one hand.
'Letting one's guard down at any time is forbidden.'
Rora drank her tea elegantly and silently.
A few minutes passed that way.
"It was one day."
A low, small voice was heard.
"Suddenly, the memories of someone I do not know came to mind."
Rora still didn't look at Cross. No, to be exact, she looked at Cross reflected in the window.
Cross slightly raised his head and glanced at Rora furtively as he continued speaking.
He still didn't seem to have realized that Rora was watching him through the window.
"At first, it came in dreams. I saw a person's entire life from a very young age."
Cross squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them. As if the very thought disgusted him. That appearance looked quite neurotic.
"The fact that it was my previous life had been intuitively conveyed from the start of the dream."
He hadn't needed to ponder who the person in the dream was; the answer had come to him naturally.
This person was his previous life.
"Then, after that person reached adulthood, memories would spring up suddenly during the day, not in dreams. At that time, yes. Until then, it was fine."
Rora suddenly felt as if it had gotten a bit colder, and she gripped the teacup more tightly. The warmth of the teacup was conveyed.
"Three months passed that way, and all the memories came back. Countess."
He called out to Rora. Rora slowly turned her gaze.
Cross briefly met her eyes with his.
In that fleeting moment, Rora couldn't tear her eyes away from the ashen pupils facing her. Slightly drooping, gentle outer corners of the eyes. It was a gaze that somehow nagged at her.
But soon Cross hurriedly lowered his head, and the two could no longer look into each other's eyes.
Rora looked at the crown of his head and opened her mouth.
"...You are reincarnated."
"That is correct."