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nThe piano class was the worst. The professor was genuinely angry.

nAt that time, Noel pondered for a moment whether he could apply the excuses Elisha had taught him.

nThere has to be a place to step forward and a place to retreat.

nThis was an exercise I had to step back from.

nBut he bit his mouth all the way because he was afraid the professor would be angry if he said these words.

nThe class that seemed to bring tears to his eyes was over.

nNoel walked out of the parlor with his droopy shoulders.

n“Young Master, are you okay?”

nThe servant whom he had asked for a lie a while ago sneaked up to him and handed him a refreshing fruit juice.

nNoel looked at the servant and juice alternately with a moved face.

nHow could he show such kindness to Noel, who made him do such a shameful thing?

n“. . . Hey, I’m sorry about earlier.”

nNoel apologized with all his heart while holding the juice cup.

n“No, the young master must have had something to do with it.”

n“Yes, it is.”

nNoel took a sip of the cool juice and took a deep breath.

n“Are you going to the Duke now?”

n“Yes.”

n“Then what if you tell the Duke about the situation honestly and get permission to go out?”

n“. . . Uh?”

n“Isn’t there something urgent enough for you to ask me to lie? Be honest with the Duke and ask for help.”

n“Would he forgive me for that?”

n“At least he will understand.”

nThat made sense.

nHis father taught him to cherish friendships and promises with his friends.

nSo, in fact, if he told his father that he had a promise with Elisha, he might not just say blindly that Noel was bad.

nHopefully, he would send Noel to Elisha.

nNoel arrived at the Duke’s office in a better mood.

nStill, when he knocked on the door, he was so nervous that he couldn’t breathe properly.

nNo, I can’t waste time here. I’m going to go in and explain the situation.

nKnock, knock.

nHe knocked carefully, and soon he heard his father’s voice.

nNoel carefully opened the door and went inside, bowing.

n“I came right after class. Father.”

n“Yes, Noel. I’m sure you have something to say to me too. I will listen to that first.”

nFortunately, he got a chance to explain the situation before he got scolded.

nAlthough Noel was a little scared, he was very grateful to his father, who always listened to his stories.

n“Yes, Father.”

nNoel raised his head.

nIn his eyes, he could see his father with a strict gaze.

nIt wasn’t just that.

nOver the shoulder of his father, the symbol of this empire also caught his eye.

n“Ah . . .”

nNoel’s mind went blank for a moment.

nIt was because of the conversation he had with Elisha a few days ago.

n“Why were you being beaten up? They’re nothing!”

n“Because the Princess is doing well thanks to the favor of the Empire and the Duchy.”

nAs he answered, Elisha’s body was covered with wounds.

nIt was a mark of all that he had endured so that Rieta would not be in trouble.

nWas it okay for Noel to divulge what Elisha had been working so hard to protect?

nTo do so Duke Mayer, who was still a member of the Imperial Family?

nHe was a fair man and he will not take lightly what happened to Elisha.

nOf course that’s true. Though . . .

n. . . Elisha didn’t seem to want that.

n“Noel?”

nDid the Duke sense something weird?

nThe Duke quietly called him to his attention.

n“Ah!”

nNoel was so startled that he tilted his head back and forth for a moment.

nWhat to do?

n“I think you said you had something to say to me.”

n“That, that.”

nNoel shook his head hard to come up with another excuse.

nBut he soon found out that it was no use.

nMoreover, it was better for him to keep his mouth shut than to lie to his father.

n“Things to say.”

nEventually, Noel bowed his head.

n“I don’t have any.”

n“. . . ?”

nWhat kind of weird answer is that?

nThe Duke stared intently at his son’s face.

nA face that knew he must be hiding something.

nHe thought he was going to speak about everything when he entered this room.

nWhy would he suddenly change his mind?

n“Are you saying you have nothing to say?”

n“Yes.”

n“About the case of asking the servant to lie and showing an unfaithful attitude to the professor’s class. You don’t have any excuses?”

nNoel agonized for a moment, but had no choice but to nod his head.

n“. . .Yes.”

n“I see.”

nKeeping secrets always came at a cost.

nIt was the same between father and son.

nThe Duke pointed to one of the auxiliary desks in the corner of the office.

n“Sit down.”

nWhen Noel sat down in the chair, he saw a thick book called Classical Poetry in front of the desk.

nLuckily, Noel knew this book.

nBecause he had seen Darrel holding this book in agony.

n“It’s the first time I’ve read a book like this.”

n“Noel, it would be better to spend some time speaking to the past and organizing your thoughts.”

n“Speaking?”

n“Yes.”

nNoel took turns looking between the thick book and the blank paper in front of him.

nMaybe that was the conversation his father was talking about.

n“You, you want me to transcribe the book . . . ?”

n“I hope you can have many conversations while savoring each sentence. Noel.”

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