Planning

Walking through the back of the mansion, Rei brought Aria to the library. Normally, Aria would probably feel flabbergasted to see a room that was ridiculously wide even consisting of 2 floors and filled with bookshelves everywhere.

But for now, her head still couldn't process anything other than her frustration at Rei for firing Julie just like that. Also because he made her walk with her bare feet, even though her legs did feel better than earlier.

But instead of noticing Aria's feelings, Rei immediately went to one of the shelves and searched for something from there.

"By the way, until you actually enter the academy, remember that we still have to pretend that we don't know each other." He said while searching. "So when you meet Loir tomorrow, don't say anything and just say that we only met on Mr. Bishop's ship."

Aria was still silent, so he continued again. "I mean, if someone finds out that we have relationship, the people in the academy most likely will suspect this and that of me and might make things difficult for you too." He continued. "Although… I can't guarantee they won't either, haha." He added bitterly.

"..." But because Aria still averted her face and kept quiet, Rei was starting to lose his temper. So he finally decided to approach Aria and stare at her closely.

"In case you forget it… You did agree to work for me." Rei suddenly said with a rather cold tone. "You can't be too annoying like this." He added sharply.

"..." For a moment, Aria seemed to falter hearing that. Because if she thinks about it, all she's been doing all day is just protesting and disobeying his orders a lot. That's why Irigen also said that she didn't sound like his servant.

Aria couldn't even remember since when her way of talking to Rei became so informal anymore, though for sure it had something to do with her kidnapping incident today.

Yet, Rei still brought her here.

"I-I'm sorry." Aria finally replied. "But please don't fire Julie. She just wanted to help me earlier."

Rei's brows were still furrowed in displeasure, but in the end he just gritted her teeth softly. "Fine, whatever." He said then.

"Really? Thank You! Then I'll tell Julie--"

"Later." Rei cut while holding her arm. "You need to take a look at this first." He continued while showing the paper he took earlier.

And it turned out that the paper was a wanted poster with a sketch of Irigen's face in the middle. The drawing of the eyes and nose looked a little odd, but the man with the dreadlocks was definitely Irigen.

"As Loir said, we were both unlucky and lucky to have met Irigen. It's rare to find bounties with such high prices, you know." He added with a rather disgusting smile.

But other than the phrase 100 gold coins on the paper, Aria didn't find anything else strange on the poster. "One hundred coins, you said it earlier."

"Not the coins. But look at the star under his name." Rei said. "He has 5."

"Meaning?"

"A fugitive with 5 stars… That means you will not only be rewarded with money, but also a golden emblem."

"Golden emblem…" Aria repeated. "You mean the emblem of appreciation that's usually given to people who have served the kingdom?"

"Yes. And people who have 3 of them will be considered equivalent to civilians in class 3."

Slowly understanding it, Aria's eyes widened. "There is such a way?" She replied in disbelief. Also happy at the same time because that meant she didn't have to marry some random strange nobleman who has an unknown personality!

So that was what he meant when he called them both lucky and unlucky when they met Irigen.

"Actually if you get a platinum emblem, you only need one. But you have to be a war hero for that. So this is already the best we can get."

"That's why you asked him not to escape from prison immediately?"

Not answering right away, Rei played with his lips for a moment. "Well, actually even if he manages to escape, they still have to give you the reward. But rather than giving them a reason not to give it, let's just be on guard."

"...Why? Do you not want to visit him?" Rei asked again.

"No, it's fine. I'm also worried whether his wound has healed or not."

"…" But strangely Rei didn't even look relieved hearing that. "This time was different, but under normal circumstances, you shouldn't be near a dangerous person like him. He's definitely the type that will bring trouble." He said grumbling.

And after being silent, he continued. "People like Loir and other nobles too. People like them are good at extracting information from nice people like you. If I didn't stop him earlier, he would have come here too."

Unable to reply, Aria immediately felt awkward hearing it herself. The problem was that Leyna used to scold her for the same reason in the past, that she lacks the wariness of other people she didn't know.

Although it also felt strange hearing it from someone who was also suspicious. "At least they didn't kidnap me." She replied, which instantly made Rei widen his mouth in disapproval.

"What?! I told you your friend took you first--Hh, forget it. Forget it!" But unfortunately he didn't have much energy to argue anymore, so he gave up quickly.

"Rather than that, there is still one more thing." He continued later. "Starting tomorrow you will also live in the house I lent for Mr. Bishop. Because it would be weird if anyone found out you've been here for too long." He said again.

But because Aria just kept quiet as if she wasn't interested in that information, the atmosphere in the room immediately became silent.

"...Is there nothing you want to ask?"

"Are you done? Then can I meet Julie now?"

Rei furrowed his brows again. "No. I asked you to ask something."

Forced to ask, Aria was silent for a while to think about the thing she still wanted to ask. But apparently there wasn't much she could think about right now. "Mm, earlier you said I need 3 emblems, right? Then how do I get the rest of them?"

"Um, I'm still thinking about it."

But since Rei still seemed to want to be asked, Aria thought again. "Mm, then, about the academy's entrance exam?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow." He replied again. "After you go see Loir and I'm done, we can maybe practice a little before sundown."

"...Is there anything else you could perhaps tell me now?"

"Well… Fine, you can find that servant."