43.
I poured myself into finding a solution, nearly pulling an all-nighter.
I pored over my notebook—which contained the synopses of the original story—until my eyes felt gritty, simulating every scenario I could conjure. However, my resolve to save Everett (or the soul occupying his body) had softened, tempered by the sobering reality of being an ordinary citizen.
*It would be troublesome if the future drifts too far off-track. I should aim for the incident to occur as planned, but minimize the severity of the consequences.*
Maybe a suspension, or in the worst case, a dismissal.
I pressed my palms against my eyelids, trying to organize the tangled mess in my head. It wasn’t a perfect conclusion, but it was the best I could manage.
*The flap of a butterfly’s wings creates a tsunami. I must avoid the danger of my trivial actions upending the destinies of others.*
After all, stories are rife with characters who suffered for their greed in trying to alter fate. From my perspective, while it was problematic for the future to unfold exactly as written, inviting new variables was just as dangerous.
*Minimize uncertain risks as much as possible.*
To do that, I needed information. Detailed, insider-level information.
*I can’t rely solely on the original; the information at this point in time is too vague.*
I spent the dawn devising methods and filling my notebook to the brim. I wrote Kyle’s name last, right above a plan I had scribbled down like graffiti.
*So it’s linked like this.*
First, I would join the Blue Falcon, just as Kyle suggested.
*If I’m part of the Blue Falcon, I’ll be able to hear rumors about the Emperor faster than anyone else.*
If my strategy held, it seemed like the best approach. As of now, at least.
“I should just get some sleep and revisit this with a clear head.”
Just like spotting a typo in a report, giving a problem time often reveals a fresh perspective. Perhaps because I had taxed my brain so heavily, my condition was worse than during any overtime shift. After hiding my notebook, I calculated the hours left until work, fell into a short, fitful sleep, and was startled awake before I felt truly rested.
Still, I felt a fraction better.
*I really must go to bed earlier tonight.*
I made the resolution while staring at my haggard reflection, splashing cold water on my face to shake off the fatigue.
Surprisingly, once I arrived at the office, my spirits recovered. It wasn’t because I was the type of person who loved to toil away—I am certainly no square-panted sea creature devoted to their job. It was because I had an appointment with Everett after work.
The timing felt like a reward for the first phase of my ‘Save the Knight Mission,’ which I had conceived while rubbing my sleepy eyes that morning.
*I want to get off work quickly.*
I prayed for time to fly by, checking the clock every five minutes. When I wasn’t clock-watching, I worked like a madman. I absolutely did not want to work overtime.
*A victory for humanity.*
Finished with my tasks, I snuck out of the Ministry Of Finance building the moment quitting time arrived.
*Goodbye, everyone. I am leaving these shackles behind for a moment to find my happiness.*
Fortunately, Connie was busy, so she didn’t catch me heading in the opposite direction. I only lowered my guard once I reached a path where the Ministry building was no longer in sight.
*If she had caught me, she would’ve teased me for two months.*
Connie had harped on me for a whole month just for a leading question about a ‘couple’s set’ at lunch. Every day, she’d bring up that non-existent meal. If she knew I was actually dating someone right here in the Imperial Palace…
She might whisper Everett’s name in my ear with every step I took, or recite the essential dating courses for office romances at every turn.
*She’s the type who would actually do that.*
Maybe not for a month, but definitely for three or four days. I shuddered.
I carefully headed toward the Summer Rose Garden, scanning the area for Connie’s unmistakable hair color. When I reached the entrance, Everett was already there.
*I guess he just arrived, too.*
His fine black hair was slightly disheveled, as if he had rushed over.
“Lord Rohas.”
He didn’t notice me until I was quite close, seemingly lost in deep thought. When I called out, he turned toward me.
*Wow.*
That was when the clothes he was wearing finally caught my eye.
“Is this the formal uniform of the Imperial Guard?”
As I asked with sparkling eyes, Everett averted his gaze.
“I was going to change, but I didn’t have enough time.”
The formal uniform was for ceremonial use and rarely worn. He looked embarrassed, like someone showing up in a three-piece suit to a casual gathering.
“It looks just fine on you.”
*If you had gone to change, I would have been disappointed.*
As I showered him with compliments—holding back only about thirty percent of my true enthusiasm—Everett’s cheeks flushed a soft red. A handsome man in a uniform looking shy; my eyes, gritty from sleep deprivation, felt moisturized by the sight. My vision felt like it was clearing up.
*I wish he would wear this every day, just for the sake of employee welfare.*
It was a pity there were no cameras. I wondered if the Magic Tower had an artifact that could capture such things. While I pondered the feasibility of a magical camera, I must have been staring too intently, because Everett’s face turned even redder.
*Oops.*
I reached out and grabbed his hand, as if to anchor him, as he started to step back from my burning gaze.
*I won’t hurt you.*
I smiled as harmlessly as possible, though it didn’t seem to have much of an effect. His face remained scarlet.
“Did something happen today?”
I threw out a light question to ease the tension, pretending not to notice. As the conversation turned to mundane topics, his complexion gradually returned to normal.
“Nothing much… No, there was a Great Prayer Service, so I stopped by the Old Temple.”
He had intended to say nothing happened, but added it hastily when my eyes narrowed. He clearly still remembered our last talk in the tea room.
*I’ll let it slide this time.*
“The Old Temple? The Great Prayer Service is hosted by the Great Temple in the south of the Capital, isn’t it?”
The Old Temple was essentially a ruin.
“The Great Prayer Service was held at the Great Temple this time as well. It’s just that the High Priest brought in some old-fashioned traditions.”
Everett’s brow furrowed, suggesting some complicated internal politics.
*Old-fashioned traditions?*
I recalled that over a century ago, they used to perform certain rituals at the Old Temple before moving the ceremony to the Great Temple.
*So that is…*
As I searched my memory, I asked in a whisper, “Lord Rohas, is it really okay for you to be here?”
That ‘procedure’ involved the Emperor—the favorite of the Main God—personally lighting a sacred flame at the Old Temple site and carrying it to the Great Temple. It was a four-hour trek on foot. The service began only once the Emperor arrived.
*Unless the Emperor is a martial arts master from a wuxia novel, he would have just arrived at the Great Temple. If Everett came from there, he must have been following him.*
I glanced at the sky, which was still bright.
“Lord Rohas, you came straight from work, right?”
*Don’t tell me you’re slacking off?*
As my gaze of subtle suspicion landed on him, Everett flinched, as if he were hiding something.