As for Marquis Cesare Levin⊠Actually, I only knew his name. But I had heard his name so much that I was sick of it.
âMarquis Cesare Levin made a huge donation for this research. He only picked Professor Kiana Prelai.â
That man was the one who often asked the academy to develop magic tools.
He paid so much money that I faintly remember his name. When I became a professor before I regressed, he even commissioned me directly.
The academy strictly controlled the entry of outsiders, so I had never seen his face. I just wanted the money to rot every time a request came inâŠ
âThis person will pay more if you hold out. So letâs refuse a little longer.â
The dean could smell money well, so he deliberately delayed accepting the research request. At that time, Marquis Levin really just raised the money, as if saying âPlease accept my request quickly.â
âNo, can I just keep putting it off like this? And if this person diesâŠâ
âHe is a strong, young, unmarried man. He lives in the imperial capital and hasnât had a girlfriend in years, so it must be that heâs just crazy about magic tools.â
ââŠâŠ.â
A rich man who kept sending money to a rural academy to develop a specific magic tool⊠In one glance, he was not a normal human being.
But it was important that he was a person who clearly wanted what I have. So I should be able to strike a deal for a fake love affair.
No matter how much it was a deal, it was not an easy decision to fake a relationship. Nonetheless, it was clear that he was really not interested in women. In the original, he was not entangled with Melissa at all.
Marquis Cesare Levin often appeared in the original, and there was no doubt that he was a rather handsome man, enough to make Melissa think that he was a âhandsome person.â
But he really didnât have any interaction with Melissa, and he didnât do anything to warrant a description.
He was handsome, but not particularly impressive.
Literally, âjust a supporting roleâ in the original.
I didnât know who he was, but he was the best I could get now.
âJoshua, by the way, I think the previous Marquis Levin was in his 60s⊠Doesnât he have no children? Did he take a collateral blood relative as his successor?â
Back when the dean said âa young unmarried man living in the capitalâ, I was not interested and just ignored it. But now that I needed accurate information, I prodded Joshua more.
âThatâs not true, three years ago, there was a great uproar when barbarians invaded the western Levin territory? At that time, a young man suddenly appeared and led the battle to victory and saved the life of the Marquis Levin at that time.â
The Levin territory was always attacked by barbarians as if it was a free-for-all. But now that I think about it, at some point, I stopped hearing rumors that there was another invasion.
I was only studying magic engineering. I wasnât interested in history, geography, or social trends, so this was all new.
âAfter that, itâs said that the young man completely destroyed the barbarians and made the Levin territory peaceful. Besides, all barbarians that can be reformed have been made into private soldiers of the Marquisate of Levin.â
âOh.â
âSo their military has grown so much that even the imperial palace is wary, but since they canât incorporate the barbarians into the imperial army, theyâre just watching.â
âAha, is that so?â
âMarquis Levin, who had no children, therefore adopted the commoner and passed on his title to him.â
âWait a second. A commoner?â
âYes. A commoner of unknown origin. He was an orphan who lived at the foot of the mountain working on the fields, so he didnât even have an identification card.â
No, what kind of commoner could spend so much? When I thought of the research funds he poured into the academy⊠he acted like he was born rich.
I rolled my eyes with suspicion.
Joshuaâs words continued.
âHe came to the capital a year ago after taking good care of the Levin territory. No one knows why. He doesnât go to social events, so he doesnât have close friends.â
The conclusion was âI donât knowâ. Joshua didnât even know where he was really from.
I tilted my head and asked sharply.
âThen how did you know he is shitty? You said he had no friends.â
âAh.â
Joshua replied with genuine displeasure.
âI donât remember the details, but⊠he wasnât even wearing famous designer clothes, yet he was more handsome than me. I remember it was really annoying.â
It seemed to be true that he was handsome as described in the original. That was good news for me.
To be honest, I was thinking of proposing a contract relationship because he was someone who met the right conditions, but if I was going to go out with someone, I preferred a good-looking person. He did seem like a not-normal human, but if he was going to be weird, a handsome one would be better.
âAnyway, goodbye. I need to see him as soon as possible, so please tell me where Marquis Cesare Levin is.â
âIâll figure out the location and let you know right away. But why do you want to meet Marquis Cesare Levin?â
Joshua seemed worried.
So I kindly told him not to worry.
âTake care and go away.â
After sending Joshua away, I immediately turned to the spy maid.
âSpy, I have to go out today as well, but before that, a cup of coffeeâŠâ
âWait a minute, Princess.â
The spy maid cut me off with a terrifying look on her face.
It was so scary that even the most daring knight could not help but be taken aback.
âDid you forget the dukeâs order?â
ââŠHuh?â
I searched my memory, but there was nothing about receiving a restraining order.
âEat first. From now on, you have to eat your meals on time.â
Come to think of it, Grandpa gave the spy maid an order yesterday, to âTake care of my [her] meals and sleep.â
âAnd coffee will be difficult, Princess.â
The spy maid was very firm. She looked very confident, probably because she had a greater power behind her back.
âThe duke also told me to ban coffee and candy beyond the proper amount for the time being.â
âWho decides the appropriate amount!â
âThe dukeâs doctor.â
Hmm, based on the situation, I guess I would have to try bribing the doctor.
âIs his doctor still Kylon?â
âYes, Princess.â
âHmm⊠He has been around since I was little, so he has been doing this for quite a while.â
âAnyway, you have to eat first.â
ââŠYesâŠâ
I slightly shrugged my shoulders at the spy maidâs formidable force.
After forcibly finishing a meal with all kinds of nutrients, it was afternoon. The person sent by Joshua arrived at the ducal residence.
You want me to tell you where Marquis Cesare Levin is now?
âUh⊠hmmâŠâ
I read the contents of the letter and frowned.
ââŠClubhouse?â
There⊠It was an illegal gambling place.
<Wow, Kiana. The man named Cesare Levin must be an indisputable bully.>
Peep, who was sitting on top of my head, tilted her head and said.
âI knowâŠâ
<Isnât it a bit like going to such a dangerous place?>
In fact, Joshua also had a similar postscript at the end of his letter.
If itâs not urgent, you can meet him later.
Donât go to places like the Clubhouse.
âHmmâŠâ
The ClubhouseâŠ
According to the original, it was a place where I had to take care of one day.
Well, it seemed like it would be okay if today was the day to take care of it and meet Cesare.
âSpy, letâs go.â
After a moment of thought, I jumped up and told the spy maid.
âMake me look fierce. I have to break into an illegal gambling house today.â
â
Scene 2. Someone Is Back
The âClubhouseâ was a resting place where the so-called âloutsâ of the rich gathered and held various social gatherings. However, like most closed gatherings, a hedonistic and decadent culture took root before anyone realized.
The clubhouse had no windows. Thatâs why they were able to kill time forever in a splendid and dreamy atmosphere.
Those who entered this place all wore fancy masks, relying on anonymity to easily become debauched.
There were people who played bowling while drinking, and a small group playing pool. There was also a large gambling room where one could play cards or roulette.
Naturally, gambling establishments were illegal. However, since the clubhouse was so closed and the main officials often used it, even if there was a crackdown, everyone would let it pass.
Among them, there were two men who ordered strong alcohol while hiding their identities from the people. It was Cesare and Ragnac.
Their eyes were silently fixed on the gambling hall.
âMarquis, really⊠todayâŠâ
Cesare nodded at Ragnacâs cautious murmur.
âYes. today.â
Cesare grinned, not moving.
Ragnac swallowed a dry spit. Then he looked at their target, a middle-aged man.
Orca Sedes.
He belonged to the imperial knights and was in charge of swordsmanship lessons for young members of the imperial family.
Then, after suddenly retiring five years ago, he wasted his fortune day by day in the club house gambling hall.
âItâs strange.â
Cesare smiled languidly and muttered,
âHe can be at the clubhouse gambling den every day and not go bankrupt. He wouldnât have had much retirement funds.â
He was also a member of the hunting trip where the crown prince went missing six years ago. Of course he was, since Orca was the crown princeâs swordsmanship teacher.
The hunting trip was made up of people closest to the crown prince, and it was truly a gathering for the crown prince.
âSomeoneâŠâ
Cesare stared at Orca, who looked several years older than he should be, drunk with alcohol and pleasure.
ââŠIt looks like someone gave him a lot of money.â
Orca giggled, betting a lot, winning and losing.
It was when Cesare, who had been quietly gazing at him, cautiously got up.
ââŠâŠ.â
The eyes of Ragnac, which had been following Cesare, widened.
A young woman haughtily walked over and sat down at the blackjack table with the Orca. Although she wore a yellow bird-shaped mask, if she had such a vivid plaid dress and even a plaid ribbonâŠ
âThat, that, that womanâŠâ
Looking very frightening with his large body despite a bear mask, Ragnac asked seriously.
ââŠIsnât that Princess Kiana?â
Cesareâs eyes narrowed.
Ragnac added breathlessly.
âPrincess Kiana, whom the Marquis proclaimed to be âjust using each otherâ!â
Ame: I just wanna say, the hangul for âcrown princeâ and âCesareâ are very similarâŠ