There was silence in the room, Valerie look surprised when I greeted her - as she should have if she wasn't hiding her true identity - but that surprise went away from her shocked face as fast as it appeared.
I knew it would be like this, she is a quick-witted person. Even in my dreams, She was one of those who were ready to take risks.
" So you knew. "
That is all she said. She is in a position where her identity has been discovered - which, I think was suppose to be a big thing - but she is sitting comfortably, eating the fruits from the plate.
" mhmm. "
Well, her reaction didn't shake me off, as I cut the steak into small pieces and put it in my mouth. Apart from us, Ducas looked at us with a fork in his mouth, eyeing her and then me alternatively.
" Did someone from my family send you? "
" No, Miss Valerie. "
I gave a clear-cut response to the question I was most expecting. She thought I am someone sent by her family. Well it could have been one of the possible situations, but it was not.
" So, how do you know? "
This time she was looking at me with her genuine innocent eyes darted at me, searching for an answer to her own question.
I casually shrugged at her curious eyes.
" I just know. "
Valerie didn't say anything and nodded like she accepted that I was just someone who knew her identity.
No one would believe that she actually accepted my bullshit, but I knew that she actually do believe me. That is just how Valerie is, she believes in her gut-feeling.
" You don't doubt me? "
I asked with a raised eyebrow to show some confusion because I knew she didn't doubt me. But still, I had to ask her, it will make me seem less suspicious than I already do.
Valerie took a pause at my question, thinking to herself like she is searching for the words to describe her emotions clearly.
" Sir Arthur... Every now and then, I get this feeling, that you know a lot more than you let on. "
A little surprised by her response my face wrinkled a little. Do I really come out like that? I looked at the woman in front of me as I thought about what she said.
I held a muffled laugh. Why be so surprised by this? I have seen her in my dreams many times, and every time she was like this, her answers were always unexpectedly accurate, she was kind of intuitive that way.
" Um... Sir Arthur? "
As I was focused on Valerie, Ducas spoke while pulling the fork out of his mouth. I realized that the boy was oblivious to what we are talking about.
I looked toward Valerie, lifting up the wine glass and taking a sip, I said-
" Miss Valerie why don't you tell him. "
Valerie with a simple smile replied and turn to Ducas.
The subject of this conversation would be related to Valerie's identity and I thought it was right, that she tell Ducas according to how much she trusted him to know.
Valerie didn't try to hide anything, which is good because I expected it to be this way. Ducas is someone to her, who selflessly saved her. Also, they both spend most of their time together in the classroom. So she knew that he is trustworthy as I intended him to be.
At least, He is more trustworthy than me, someone unknown who somehow mysteriously knew her identity.
After Valerie explained everything to Ducas. He looked at Valerie with a little confused face and said.
" So... you are the daughter of Duke Davison? "
Cloud Continent is a place where the higher position in society was represented by titles like Queen and ArchDukes. The Continent tried to embrace the medieval time as much as possible.
At first, I was on an island, then it was a nerve-racking incident with Timmothy, and then the meet with Bob and his family.
None of the places, where I felt it, but ever since I put myself in the School 'Trivia', which is filled with aspirants wanting to become associated with some High royals. It become so regular around me that even I started to pick some of these royal speech.
" Yes. "
Valerie just gave a short response to the question she already explained. Again silver haired boy questioned, he still seemed confused.
" And you are studying at 'Trivia' while hiding your identity? "
" Technically, Yes. " A little vaguely, Valerie responded.
Ducas, still a little confused, seemed to understand some of it. He looked at Valerie for a couple of seconds again and spoke something which caught Valerie off guard.
" Doesn't that make you royalty? "
Valerie puts on an awkward smile and defeated expression. She gets embarrassed when people call her royalty. Royalties are treated differently, basically, they are like government officials similar to earth but they have their own territory and they get better treatment.
I took another sip of the wine while looking towards the street. The wine was expensive and it was delicious. I casually spoke to disrupt the awkward atmosphere.
" She is hiding her identity Ducas, no need to be formal. "
Valerie smiled at my response, which seemed like a smile filled with gratification.
" Yes. Sir Arthur is right. "
I am right, I thought to myself. I knew her personality, it would be weird if I didn't know about a person I watched in my dreams, achieving many feats. She is great at magic and Ducas has insane Stats, they both could become formidable in the future.
I was very satisfied with the situation. I looked at them, a possible team, that did not exist in my dreams. I imagined a scenario where they would be able to clear many events when an overload will happen.
I hoped they would do so, while I don't have to do too much.
There was silence again but we ate our food while having some casual conversation. I took the last bite of the steak and looked out of the window.
" Miss Valerie aren't you suspicious? I could be a bad person. I could become a hindrance to you in the future. "
As I spoke casually, I thought about my own words, and I realized, I could do many things. I could act like a bad person and ruin this whole world, or I could try my hardest to save it. I am someone who had seen this world's past, present, and future.
Valerie opened her mouth to say something that might be a reply to my question, but the silver-haired boy on her side spoke first.
" No Sir Arthur! You are not a bad person! "
He didn't speak, he almost screamed his first sentence. I and Valerie were startled and looked toward him. I was confused by his reaction, why couldn't I be a bad person? I am a bad person, at least I don't think I am a good person and Why is he shouting?
His eyes widened a bit, realizing that he spoke a little loud. He sat back on the sofa and spoke while looking at the table.
" If it wasn't for you... Many would have died... I would still be rotting in that place... "
This time he spoke in a low tone that almost felt like a murmur to me. Valerie was surprised by the bold words that came out of Ducas's mouth - as her one hand went to her mouth.
Death, Life, are liable words. Nobody could prevent death, if you die, that's it, you are gone. At this, I thought to myself. ' There are ways to reverse death to a certain extent, but...' I put that thought aside for now.
Ducas turned his head towards Valerie who was already looking at him, she had a curious gaze and he had a very serious expression, both didn't complement each other.
I thought I should say something to ease the atmosphere, but before I could say anything Ducas opened his mouth.
" Sir Arthur saved many lives along with mine. Everyone would have died without a question, and after rescuing us he didn't ask for anything and just left telling everyone to stand up for themselves. "
Ducas spoke like a spokesperson and I thought he was pretty good at it.
" Aww, It's like watching a kid defending his superhero. "
Persephone spoke from behind me, I almost laughed at her comment.
Yeah, watching a hundred-and-something-year-old kid. She thinks it is funny, she knew the truth and also knew How I left.
Valerie was even more surprised by what Ducas told her, as she looked at me with a complicated expression. I spoke while waving my hand, dismissing any weird thought she might be thinking.
" It was a total coincidence, that is why I left. "
Ducas opened his mouth to say something, but I spoke before he could say anything, this was getting annoying.
" Eat your fish. "
Hearing my sudden commanding voice, Ducas shut his mouth and started eating. Valerie was quiet for a while but then she spoke after a little pause.
" You are very interesting, Sir Arthur. "
" No. I am an ordinary person currently working as an assistant. "
" That makes you even more interesting. Not everyone helps people in need and instead of asking them anything, you encouraged them. "
+
[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' is nodding his head in agreement. ]
[ 200 points donated. ]
+
A little frown appeared on my face as what Valerie said sounded genuine. Also, I got an indirect message from Raziel in a screen on the right side of my peripherical view. He also donated some points, points are always good.
I saw Ducas slightly nodding his head. I looked at the red-haired girl with a little smile and said.
" Thank you. "
Valerie smiled back at me and replied.
" I meant it. "
Hearing her words my smile turned into a snarky smirk.
" So will you let me off the hook with Miss Lisa? "
Valerie just smiled at my question, the smile same as mine but graceful.
Damn it, she didn't say anything, which means she will still treat me as her competition but I want some peacetime.
After that, we ate our food. I order some more wine, and also told the butler to pack one wine bottle that I had earlier. I really like it. I paid the bill and we went out of the hotel.
We all went towards the street we came from. It was around 3 O'Clock, only one hour has passed, so not much was changed.
" They are still following. "
'Nothing really has changed' I thought to myself as Persephone reminded me that the same people from earlier are following us.
-It's okay.
I was not that concerned. They could be following any of us, but my guess is they are following Valerie.
At my reaction, the beautiful woman beside me squinted her eyes to show some suspicion.
" You don't look concerned at all, it is like you are just on a stroll. "
-Well its better this way.
I replied as I walked with a relaxed smile.
I often saw some people following Valerie in my dreams. She had serious competitors that spied on her. They want to get to know her better, but sometimes, It was her own father who sent people to know about her.
Often time, Valerie was aware of that, but she didn't do anything because it didn't affect her directly. But sometimes there were some incidents when things became serious.
One incident was where Ducas saved her, and another was supposed to happen in the future inside the school campus, if I remember correctly.
I already knew all this, so there is no need to worry right now, but it was still weird to know that someone is following me.
-How many people are there?
I asked using the Chatbox out of pure interest. Persephone closed her eyes for exactly one second like a long blink and said.
" hm...A dozen of them. "
A dozen of them? A dozen of people were following us? That is a lot of people. Nobody would hire so many people to spy on one person. I got a bad feeling about it.
-Can you-
I was about to ask something again through the chatbox when I heard Persephone shout impatiently from behind me.
" Get Down! "