The Summer Break is finally here.

After ensuring things in the Academy are in order, I make my way to Count Kaelen Thornvale's estate, a surprisingly extravagant territory.

I always assumed it would be far more moderate, given the Count's humble personality, but not only is his region larger than the average, but it is far more prosperous than I imagined. It's not comparable to a Duke's main territory, of course, but it isn't too far off.

Once I arrive at his manor, I am even more amazed.

The entire place is at least five hundred hectares of land, with a series of subsidiary mansions and villas that put the Main Building of the Aditi Household to shame. The Main House of the Count is an impressive sight, far above most structures I have laid eyes on.

It is even better than Count Rudinger's place of residence.

Other than the Royals and Dukes, it is highly doubtful if any other person in the Kingdom can match the level of wealth displayed in Count Thornvale's estate.

I'm stunned beyond words.

Perhaps the Thornvales built this place to be so luxurious in order to compensate for their male children's deficiency in the 'teeth' department. It feels a little excessive, but also intimidating beyond description.

I am in genuine awe, but none of my emotions are openly revealed as I step out of my carriage.

Believe it or not, Count Kaelen is actually waiting outside for me.

This man…

I know he is humble, but isn't this too much? According to noble ethics, he should be waiting inside his manor, and I should go up to meet him.

If he keeps acting this way, people might trivialize the Count Title or even belittle him.

I doubt he would be so careless, though.

'Maybe he's making a special exception for me. But it's not like we're that close. I also ignored his invitation back then, and I'm just visiting his manor for the first time. So why would he go this far?' As I think about this, a part of me wonders if he is also under the same impression as the Royal Family.

No, that doesn't seem very likely.

Even among the Royals, the matter of the Leviathans seems like a closely guarded secret.

Besides, if a High Noble like the Count knew about Leviathans, then surely Julian—from a Duke Household—wouldn't be so brazen as to find trouble with me.

Setting those thoughts aside, I greet the Count, and he also welcomes me warmly.

We proceed inside, laughing heartily together.

*************

'Javier Aditi… what are you doing here?!'

Imaginary beads of sweat fall from Count Kaelen's face as he glances at Javier from the side and feels mounting pressure within his chest.

His heart races uncontrollably, and his eyebrows constantly twitch.

He feels an overwhelming restlessness slowly envelop him, dread permeating every crevice of his being. The young man beside him seems to wear a sincere smile, with a warm and friendly attitude to boot.

But how can the Count be so easily deceived?

As someone who has interacted with Zarius many times, watching the psychopath pretend to be harmless while wreaking havoc across the Kingdom, he knows that appearances can be deceptive.

He is a great example of this, too.

His entire brand is but a mask that he used to hide his sinister intentions for decades.

Due to these experiences, he knows not to trust Javier's warmth.

As much as he wishes to believe that Javier came with good intentions, he cannot be careless for one moment and forget his situation.

'I was involved with Zarius. Did he find that out already? Is he here because he has only noticed a connection and wishes to confirm his suspicions, or is he already aware of everything?' Count Kaelen feels himself growing restless as his buckteeth clench tightly.

This is torture for him.

Constantly ringing in his brain is a horrid question—one which he fears the answer to.

'How much does he know?!'

*************

"I'll be straightforward with you, Count. I came here after a tip-off from a very reliable source that you recently held the company of Duke Marcus Ravenwood's son… the acting Duke, Julian."

My eyes narrow as I stare at the unchanging expression of Count Kaelen.

His purple hair and small orange eyes offer a sharp contrast. His olive skin glistens with opulence, or could it be perspiration? Maybe it's just me, but he appears to have lost a bit of weight as well.

I quickly set the distractions aside and focus on the matter at hand.

"My source tells me that the acting Duke has been having a certain kind of conversation involving me. I would like you to shed some light on that…"

Even though my choice of words is a little forceful, I ensure to keep a calm and friendly tone.

My smile is bright, and I maintain eye contact, hoping for honesty.

Count Kaelen and I don't have any special relationship, but there's also no cause for enmity. I already recognized the Count's attitude towards making peace and avoiding conflict when he apologized to me for his son's behavior all those years ago.

He isn't a bad person and does not give off the disposition of a scheming man. Perhaps it is all a pretense, but I see no benefit he can obtain from making me his enemy.

In fact, he avoids making enemies, even when benefits are involved.

During the past few days, I have been learning about him from reliable sources. I know he is not a very political person, and although he belongs to the Royal Faction, he hardly antagonizes the Noble Faction.

He is in a peaceful, almost neutral position in the Kingdom—a rare accomplishment.

'Someone like that wouldn't carelessly support Julian, and he is also bound to recognize how disastrous the brat's actions will be to the stability of the Randalorion Kingdom.'

"You are right, Javier. He sought me out to make an alliance in order to move against the Royal Faction's intention to protect you. He also has a big plan for the Royal Academy, but he wouldn't tell me unless I agreed to join their inner circle. He did mention the names of the other Nobles who have already agreed to this, and many of them are key figures in the Kingdom."

Thankfully, Count Kaelen doesn't disappoint.

He tells me everything.

Just what I expect from someone of such an impressive disposition!

"I don't agree with the boy's methods. I believe he is deeply misguided, and his rash actions will harm the Kingdom. However, my hands are tied at the moment, since he is a Duke and I am merely a Count. Surely, you understand that a Noble must respect the hierarchy in these matters…"

I nod in agreement, joining him in sighing.

Even if Julian is heading down the wrong path, it isn't in Count Kaelen's place to stop or chide someone with such a status.

Only a fellow Duke, or the Royal Family, can step in on this matter.

"Can you at least tell me the names of the other Nobles he is colluding with. Give me as much information as you can."

"Of course…"

Count Kaelen then proceeds to tell me everything he knows.

Honestly, even though we aren't very close, this man became so helpful in narrowing down a lot of things, saving me a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Before the day runs out, I pretty much gain everything I need from the Count.

Not only did he answer all my questions, but he even went ahead to shed more light on certain things I didn't even think to ask.

He was very cooperative.

… Too cooperative.

It makes me begin to hold deep suspicion towards him.

'As much as he wishes to help, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to such an extent. Could he be misleading me? Is this a red herring meant to throw me off the scent? What if he knows more than he is letting on about this case, and he is giving me all this information to appear cooperative?' I know I have no reason to distrust Count Kaelen, but he also has no reason to help me to this extent.

Something is off somewhere…

*************

"Are you sure you do not wish to spend the night here? Many fine spaces have already been prepared since your arrival." Count Kaelen asks politely, his face depicting concern.

However, something else is going on in his heart.

'It turns out he came here for another matter entirely. Thank God…'

The Count feels an unreal amount of relief in his heart, and a sense of relaxation slowly fills his robust body. As he escorts Javier to his carriage, he does not stint in his display of concern and overt cooperation towards the boy.

It is his hope that Javier will see him as an ally and not link him to Zarius or any ill-intended actions directed towards the Aditi Household.

This is also why he cooperated so well when Javier asked about Julius.

If only this man knew that his cooperative actions themselves are what make him appear more suspicious, drawing Javier's attention closer to him. But who can blame the Count? After all, he is not only frightened for his safety, but the safety of his entire family.

To be honest, he even considered killing Javier.

But the instant the thought appeared, he dismissed it without considering it for a single moment.

Let's even forget all the failed assassinations in the past and look at the most recent case—the Deep Winter Massacre.

How could he possibly kill someone who was able to face a Leviathan and come out alive? Not just that, but Zarius actually perished, dying by Javier's blade.

Would he even be able to pull such a thing off?

Doubtful!

Highly doubtful!

'Still, I can't let my guard down. There's a chance that this lad still suspects me and is merely probing…' Count Kaelen sighs, returning to his manor after seeing Javier's carriage leave.

In this solace of the vast halls, his face turns bitter.

His true expression manifests.

He appears troubled, in deep contemplation, as he considers many things.

'Should I flee? No, it isn't certain that he knows anything yet. But isn't it a matter of time? No, there isn't anything substantial that links me to Zarius. Besides, where could I possibly hide from him? If he is a Leviathan… no, I'm not sure he is one. But how can a mere man defeat a Leviathan?' All of these thoughts cause different kinds of expressions to form on Count Kaelen's face, with many sighs leaking out at intervals.

"What… should I do?"

Despite asking aloud, he receives no response from anyone.

After all, he is all by himself.

… Or is he?

**************

'Just as I suspected, the Count is hiding something.'

Even as I sit in my carriage, Clairvoyance is active, and I can clearly watch Count Kaelen's troubled expression as he seems lost in anxious thoughts.

He also asks himself what he should do.

This cannot be a coincidence, especially if I link it to how he was being too cooperative with me earlier. However, with all I know about Count Kaelen, could it be that he isn't doing all of this of his own volition, but is simply being coerced to act in this manner?

Maybe the Count is in some kind of trouble.

Regardless, this is suspicious behavior that I cannot afford to ignore.

'I can simply turn back and ask him to be honest with me, but there's no guarantee that he'll do that. He clearly doesn't want me to know what he is hiding, and his performance earlier was perfect. I almost didn't suspect anything!'

To avoid being misdirected by the Count again, I'll have to find out on my own.

It's a little distasteful, but—

'I'll have to sneak back into the manor to investigate.'

[A/N: How long do you think these misunderstandings will continue? Do you think Javier will find out the truth? Also, which of the princes do you support?]

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