Episode 25: The 24-Hour Turnaround Consultation Office
Cross, having spoken up to this point, furtively glanced at Laura.
‘Hmm.’
She wore a gentle smile.
Having confirmed this, he quickly averted his gaze.
‘She’s not someone to be taken lightly.’
Countess Laura was an even greater person than the rumors suggested. Especially mentally.
And Laura muttered inwardly.
‘Smile.’
Yes, just smile.
‘Grandfather said so.’
When you don’t know how to respond, just smile.
He said to smile without saying anything.
He said 90% of things would resolve themselves.
So Laura simply smiled.
But inside, she was a storm engulfed in chaos.
‘I’m going crazy!’
There were no gaps in Cross’s reasoning.
It was a natural inference as well.
‘This smart customer of ours!’
Laura couldn’t help but worry.
‘What should I do?’
No records mentioned such a case. For thousands of years, there had never been a time when more than one customer appeared together, and a lapse of over 500 years without any customer appearing was also unprecedented.
While conducting consultations for customers, she had wondered if the day might come when they learned of each other’s existence.
But she hadn’t expected one of them to catch on this quickly.
‘First, I mustn’t recklessly reveal Customer Ion’s identity to anyone else.’
After much deliberation, Laura decided how to react to Cross.
“Mr. Cross.”
“Yes.”
“I am a counselor, but as the Crown Prince’s temporary teacher, wouldn’t it be improper for me to speak carelessly?”
She had invoked her position as the Crown Prince’s temporary teacher, not her role as a counselor.
‘You know we can’t speak rashly about imperial matters. We’re in the same boat, so let’s be understanding of each other.’
Unable to lie to the customer, she had no choice but to use this long-winded expression.
‘Because if I deny it for no reason, things could get complicated later.’
Laura subtly gauged Cross’s reaction.
“I-I see.”
Unexpectedly, he looked convinced.
‘Mr. Cross is letting it go this time, but I suppose someday I’ll have to tell them about each other. Of course, only with mutual consent.’
Meanwhile, Cross thought with a peculiar expression.
‘To think she’d suppress me with the title of Crown Prince’s teacher.’
And not through coercion, but by revealing her intention with a soft question. Then he, a low-level administrator, had no choice but to close his mouth.
‘She’s truly a master.’
The rumors that other meritorious families were blocking her rise seemed to be true.
‘If she’s this capable, I can trust her.’
Cross recalled the warmth of Laura’s hand that had enveloped his own moments ago.
“You mustn’t hurt yourself.”
Those words held sincerity.
Having grown up in an orphanage, he could distinguish sincerity from hypocrisy.
Even if he was insensitive to other emotions.
The warmth of her hand had stopped him from slapping his own cheek.
‘What did I say just now? Did I ask if he wanted to get fired?’
He had probably been imitating Count Violet.
Pfft.
A chuckle escaped Cross.
‘She has a subtly cute side.’
At that moment, Laura’s voice called out.
“Mr. Cross?”
“Ah, yes.”
Laura found it strange that Cross had suddenly started snickering to himself, but she was relieved to see his expression noticeably more relaxed than before.
As a result, both Laura and Cross felt much more at ease.
“Then I shall inform you of the schedule going forward.”
Cross returned to his administrative demeanor and unconsciously pushed up his glasses. He looked visibly uncomfortable.
‘Those glasses definitely don’t seem to be for vision correction.’
Laura’s eyes lingered briefly on the glasses before she turned her attention to his words.
“My Lady. Is there a preferred schedule you have in mind?”
“Hmm.”
Laura pondered for a moment.
With three customers, there was much to consider regarding future schedules.
“The Crown Prince has expressed his wish for class times to be set flexibly for the time being.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Yes. And I have been put in charge of all matters related to the temporary teacher, including schedule coordination.”
Laura swallowed.
‘Then the first and third customers will run into each other frequently?’
Would that truly be a good thing?
“...My Lady, might it be inconvenient to have me attend to you?”
“Ah, no!”
Laura quickly shook her head at his question.
“On the contrary, it would be nice if we could talk often while traveling to and from the palace. I’m looking forward to our conversations, Mr. Cross.”
Cross was currently trying to control Callien’s memories, so it would be best to see her often and monitor the situation.
“Ahem, I see.”
He pushed up his glasses again and continued. His voice suddenly quickened.
“Additionally, should you need help with class preparations or have any inconveniences, please tell me. I intend to assist you as much as possible. You may think of me as an errand boy.”
As Laura listened to his explanation, she organized things in her head.
‘So, Mr. Cross is an errand boy, and anything requiring permission goes through Count Violet.’
She decided she could think of it that way.
Having heard all the explanations, Laura nodded.
“Mr. Cross, I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes. Please don’t worry. I intend to help you as much as I can on my end.”
To such a light greeting, Cross replied in a rather grave tone.
‘His answer is so heavy?’
Laura found it odd but figured all’s well that ends well and broke into a bright smile.
But Cross was different.
‘If the Crown Prince is in the same situation as me.’
Soon, the Countess would be standing at the center of the empire’s political storm.
Thinking that, his heart suddenly felt stifled.
The more power one held, the more one engaged in politics—it was no different from walking on thin ice.
That was why Cross hated politics.
But if the person he needed to trust and rely on to live as himself would likely end up at the center of politics—
‘I should help.’
For Cross to live as Cross.
‘But let’s only help moderately.’
He had no intention of helping or serving anyone with all his heart.
‘Why would I go that far?’
He detested complicated things.
He liked a peaceful life.
He opened his mouth to draw a line.
“I like a peaceful life.”
So much that it’s boring.
“Me too.”
Laura agreed with Cross’s words.
Cross flinched at her immediate reply, but Laura only smiled softly.
“Let’s work together so that you can live the life you want, Mr. Cross.”
“...Yes.”
Cross answered slowly, feeling a hint of confusion.
This person—she makes one’s head spin.
‘What is she really thinking?’
For someone heading to the center of the political battlefield to say she’d help him live a peaceful life.
Just a moment ago she said she looked forward to working with him; what was this now?
‘......Could it be!’
A thought suddenly crossed Cross’s mind.
‘Does she mean she’ll let me stay out of that fight!’
He let out a sigh without realizing it.
“Hah.”
“Mr. Cross?”
Laura called to him, puzzled.
This person would soon have to survive in the central political sphere alongside a powerless Crown Prince.
Could the two of them survive without proper subordinates?
‘......No, let’s not think too deeply.’
Cross deliberately turned his thoughts away.
‘I just need to be comfortable myself.’
That was the life Cross wanted.
He preferred to be alone.
Those who approached him as friends, those who approached offering patronage—they all simply wanted to use him.
‘I don’t need any of that.’
Neither friends nor lovers.
Because that was the kind of person he was.
Cross opened his mouth.
“Thank you, my Lady.”
That she had no intention of dragging him into that fight.
“Don’t mention it. Isn’t it only natural?”
Laura naturally intended to help the third customer live the life he wanted.
“I shall take my leave now. I will send you the basic palace living guidelines in writing soon.”
“Yes. That would be most helpful.”
When Cross rose from his seat, Laura rose as well.
“The Crown Prince wishes to see you tomorrow; would that fit your schedule?”
“Yes. How about tomorrow afternoon? The morning is difficult.”
I have to clean.
And I need to find a way to get money.
I need Tom’s wages and money for house repairs.
Living expenses too.
“Yes, very well.”
Creak.
Cross opened the front door and flinched. Tom was standing right behind it.
“Hmm.”
“Haha, haha—”
Tom made a laughing sound with an expressionless face.
“It seems my business has concluded just in time; your conversation appears to have ended as well.”
Laura snorted inwardly at the butler’s actions.
‘Even though he came after seeing me stand up.’
If it was Tom, he had been watching the house from outside, and when Cross was about to leave, he had quickly positioned himself at the door.
Shaking her head slightly, she came out to the front gate to see Cross off.
“I shall take my leave now.”
Cross, surprised by Tom’s sudden appearance, briefly paid his respects and left the mansion together with Pail, who had been waiting.