Chapter 14. Stealing what others covet. (2)
“Judgement of people is not easy even at this age. It is especially difficult to trust someone who has poison in their tongue.”
I did not lose my smile even as I faced him telling me that my tongue was poisonous.
“But I will admit this one thing.”
Because I could read the deep interest buried in the corners of his eyes.
“That I quite like you.”
Mikel smiled and raised his glass.
“I’ve participated in this meeting many times before… but I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun as I did today. It’s all thanks to you.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. But we don’t hold hands just because it’s interesting. Shouldn’t we at least have our backs to each other?”
It’s not complete trust, but it means trusting to some extent. He also implicitly asked if it was possible to cooperate with him.
Well, there’s no way someone of that caliber would easily think of me as being on their side.
‘I guess I’ll have to put in a little more effort.’
Perhaps after tomorrow, Mikel will fully trust me. Because what he wanted will be in his hands.
“I see.”
I slumped my shoulders as if I was disappointed.
“Then I will tell you my request later.”
“ask?”
Mikel looked at me with an expression of surprise. The corners of his mouth were slightly tightened, as if he didn’t know that he would reveal his true colors already.
“Well, does this mean we are already exchanging favors? Isn’t it too early for that?”
I waved my hands at the somewhat harsh response.
“Oh, that can’t be right.”
He said, shaking his empty whiskey glass.
“It’s a very small request, very small. There is no political intention whatsoever.”
“Hmm.”
“Perhaps Lord Mikel will be willing to listen.”
Mikel then relaxed his mouth and asked.
“What kind of request?”
“I’ll tell you about that later tomorrow.”
“Hmm.”
“Maybe tomorrow you’ll feel like listening.”
Mikel looked at me carefully and then nodded.
“I understand. I’m very curious what your request is.”
It was a more subdued reaction than before. However, from the corner of her eyes, a curiosity that was stronger than before could be seen.
‘You look like you’re asking why you’re so lazy.’
That’s how human psychology is. If you lay the groundwork like this, by tomorrow your body will be hungry and urge you to speak first.
“The bottle is already empty. Let me drink more.”
Mikel finished his glass and gestured to the attendant again. While the attendant came and went two or three times, the lords around him slowly left.
“Hehe, you drink quite a bit?”
“It is Lord Mikel.”
This wasn’t drinking anymore. It was a heartless duel where, instead of swords and swords, glasses were exchanged between glasses.
“……Huh.”
“Oh my….”
“I can’t see you anymore.”
The lords who were watching clicked their tongues. This is because the whiskey that Mikel and I consumed already exceeded 4 bottles.
Now, even the servant who brought me the drink looked fed up.
“Prince Abel, you really are. I like you more and more.”
Mikel’s words became slightly slurred. His face was slightly red from the alcohol.
“That sounds really happy.”
Of course, my face remained fine without any changes.
All the alcohol I was pouring into my stomach was flowing down into the Requiem. So there was no room for intoxication or anything like that to come up.
If the champagne I drank before was like delicious water, the whiskey I drink now is… … .
‘A nice drink?’
It was the same.
A slightly bitter, spicy scent burns the stomach, but soon disappears without a trace.
“Well, I guess I should be glad you didn’t show up at Coldeste.”
Mikel burst out laughing and grabbed the next bottle. He said, pouring drinks into two empty glasses.
“If you had participated, winning that year would have been a given.”
“Maybe so.”
“By the way, you’re the first person to drink with me for this long.”
Although his complexion was slightly red, Mikel’s eyes were not blurred at all.
I responded by taking the glass he offered.
“It is an honour.”
As the heated league between the two of us was going on, Mikel looked behind me and smiled.
“I guess I’ll have to leave the old man’s seat for now.”
“Hmm.”
I brought the glass he handed me to my mouth.
‘You don’t have to move out of the way.’
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I already knew who he was talking about. This is because I felt the presence of several people approaching from behind.
“Prince Abel.”
A familiar voice called me from behind.
‘I just asked when you would come.’
I slowly turned back, pouring the whiskey down my throat. A sharp smile appeared on his lips.
“Prince Cain.”
Three young men stood, led by Cain Ardante.
“Now that the young people have gathered, the old man will have to leave.”
Mikel smiled kindly and took a step back.
“Why are you saying such sad things?”
Cain bowed and saluted Mikel. His posture was perfect, like something out of an etiquette textbook.
“Lord Mikel’s time is like a precious treasure that all young people covet. Please stay a little longer.”
“Hehe, stop talking empty words. Aren’t you at an age where you can enjoy being with your peers?”
Mikel also retreated, showing a perfect refusal that could be considered a model of etiquette.
“Have a good time.”
And then he left without any time to catch up.
Cain’s gaze, following Mikel’s back, was filled with regret.
‘There was a setting that Cain respected his swordsmanship.’
No, is there a young person in the entire empire who does not respect Mikel Nord Concellare or Diego Ovest Kindreal?
Moreover, if you are someone who has practiced the path of the sword.
‘Arthur. ‘Because it’s something I can’t even dream of.’
Mikel was never the type of person to give up his side to Cain, Carlo’s son. Having read the original, I was certain of that.
“What’s going on?”
In response to my question, Cain exchanged glances with the young men. Finally, he looked at me and opened his mouth.
“It’s ours, so let’s skip it and introduce ourselves first.”
Following Cain’s progress, a young man standing right next to him stepped forward. He was a young man with warm blonde hair and green eyes.
“Nice to meet you. I am Bennett Seymour. I am the eldest son of the Seymour family.”
His voice is as bright and lively as his appearance, and is complemented by a bright smile. He’ll probably go in with pretty high marks on his first impression.
A young man with gray hair and blue eyes who was standing next to him stepped forward.
“I am Carlisle Feildon. Likewise, I am the eldest son of the Feildon family.”
Beneath the intelligent eyes, the mouth was stubbornly closed.
His appearance, which was delicate like a bard but sharp like a knight, was stunning enough to thrill the village of women.
Of course, I wasn’t the least bit impressed. All I can say is that it flows well according to the original story.
‘You finally appeared.’
Not only did I already know their names and identities, but I had predicted that they would appear.
So as soon as the two young men were introduced, I tilted my head crookedly.
“I didn’t really need an introduction.”
Bennett and Carlisle. The original official Cain Trio.
The friendship between those who grew up together with Cain from a young age was very strong. To the point where they call themselves Cain’s right and left arms.
“……what?”
But my words seem to have had a somewhat different meaning to them. A look of anger appeared on Bennett’s face.
“I introduced myself first, but is that what you’re saying?”
Bennett got angry and opened his mouth,
“Stop it, Bennett.”
Cain stopped him. Bennett turned his sulking face away from me.
“Okay, I’m holding on, I’m holding on.”
Carlisle expressed his disapproval in a quieter way.
“…….”
The way he glares at me with his pale blue eyes. It was a sign that he really didn’t like my behavior.
Whether they did it or not, I shrugged and said it didn’t matter.
“So what is your business? If you call me, tell me.”
In fact, I had guessed their business.
‘Gioven Club, was it?’
A club created by Cain and of which he is an executive, and only the eldest sons of the most powerful families in the empire can join.
They met regularly and shared valuable information. Not only was the level of the event considerable, but the quality of those attending was also unusual.
‘First of all, the head of the club is Cain Ardante.’
There, the club’s financial power was already unrivaled by other clubs.
In addition, Bennett’s Seymour family was a family that maintained pure bloodlines, and had a long history that was considered one of the best in the capital.
That’s all. Carlisle was a top graduate of the academy, and his Paledun family has been the core of the empire for generations.
So it was natural that this club would now become one of the most notable and high-level clubs in the capital.
‘The registration process is also difficult.’
Cain carefully assessed the family’s power and value and then proposed joining. Still, people were itching to join this club.
And, this offer never came to Abel in the original.
but.
‘It looks like a lot of things will be different this time.’
I waited for Cain’s answer with a relaxed mind.
“…….”
A moment of conflict flashed across Cain’s eyes. I can see the worry as to whether I am doing well or if this is okay.
The time of conflict was short.
“Abel Kindreal.”
Cain quickly concluded his emotions and spoke calmly.
“I have a suggestion.”
The slow, drawn-out voice had such weight that it was difficult to attribute it to a young man who had just entered his 20s.
Clearly, I was a bastard.
Compared to the two people next to him who openly showed their hostility, Cain’s face was very calm. It was as if she had already gotten used to my crooked attitude.
Indeed, he had the ability to take charge of the club and lead the club by making rational decisions without being biased by emotions.
‘So he must be the main character.’
I tilted my head, hiding my twisted heart.
“What offer?”
“There is a club that I lead as president. Its name is Geoben Club.”
“You’ve probably heard of it, right?”
Bennett, who was next to Cain, came forward.
Indeed, he was the type of character that often appears in original works, sticking next to the main character and making fun of him.
“Honestly, if you don’t know about our club in the capital city of Impero, you’re a spy.”
“You don’t know?”
I naturally picked my ear canal.
“First time I heard it, I.”
“No, what!”
Bennett fluttered his nostrils as if he was ridiculous. He was interrupted by Carlisle, who was standing next to him.
“Leave it alone, Bennett. It’s your first time in the capital, so it’s natural that you don’t know anything.”
Although he spoke in a polite manner, Carlisle was the type of character who hurled harsh words at Bennett in an attempt to stop him.
“Anyway, our Geoven Club meets regularly and has positive interactions.”
Cain began to speak with a serious face.
“So, I’m thinking of proposing to Prince Abel to join our club.”
“To the Geoven Club?”
“Yes. There’s a lot you can get by joining our club.”
As he continued speaking, Cain’s face was shining brightly with confidence in the club.
“I guarantee that it is valuable and difficult to obtain anywhere.”
“I actually did not agree with recruiting Prince Abel.”
Carlisle looked at me with a disapproving gaze.
“You probably know that your reputation isn’t very good, right?”
fantasy,
