"...What?"
"I'm sad. We've known each other much longer."
Dalia raised her head in surprise. Cedric laughed in a low voice as she quickly shook her head.
"Just kidding. But it bothers me that you do."
Cedric continued.
"I actually don't like him. But I don't know why, but you seem to care about him a lot.…..then."
"Then?"
"He's probably in the middle of a meeting with father, so do you want to go hear what he's talking about? Perhaps your matter will be brought up too. He's always been interested in you."
"Is that so?"
Cedric nodded. It wasn't a very pleasant expression. He also looked a little fierce.
He murmured softly.
"He keeps saying weird things...."
"What do you mean?"
"...Well, I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm a little curious about what they are talking about."
Dalia was also curious.
Obviously, the Emperor and Lewayne are going to talk about the Darby-Gatran Treaty and the Holy Empire this time. It was something that Dalia should know.
Cedric immediately noticed her curiosity and pulled her towards him with a smile.
"Let's go. I'll try to find out where they are."
Dalia obediently followed him.
An energy radiates from Cedric's body similar to what he felt from the Emperor who went to find him a long time ago. It seemed to find the mana of another transcendent.
Cedric, who had come out of the ballroom and walked around the corridors of Pesteros mansion, suddenly stopped in front of a study. Then he covered Dalia's front with one arm.
He whispered playfully as he turned around.
"They're in here. Hikan must have lent them the key. Shall we go in?"
Somehow she felt like she was on an adventure and her heart was pounding. She nodded her head.
Cedric opened the locked doorknob with magic. The door opened softly without a squeak.
The two sneakily entered the study.
The study was lined with bookshelves like a library.
There were desks and chairs arranged at the end of each row of the bookshelf. This was a consideration for Dalia.
Sometimes she used this place to pick out a book to read with Cedric or to do the assignment given by the tutor.
She knew the structure better because Dalia frequented the study. Dalia led Cedric ahead.
They hadn't heard Lewayne's voice yet. They're probably inside.
When she thought about it and tried to go further inside.
"So..."
A voice was heard not far away.
Cedric reacted first and pulled Dalia back.
The two stood side by side on the narrow side of the bookshelf, facing each other. Cedric's back was on the side of the bookshelf.
Cedric smiled as their eyes met.
Then, brushing Dalia's bangs, he pulled her shoulders toward him so that they would not be discovered.
As a result, Dalia's hand was on Cedric's chest as their body got closer.
It was really, really a coincidence.
But she could feel Cedric's firm chest slowly going up and down every time he breathed in and out.
Dalia looked up at Cedric in surprise at this unexpected situation. He also looked a little perplexed.
He smiled slightly as he looked at Dalia in predicament.
"...You can touch it if you want to."
"Th, that!"
"Shh, we'll be discovered."
Cedric covered Dalia's mouth. She lost the opportunity to protest. He just smiled at her with his eyes and mouthed the words.
'It's fun. Isn't it?'
Dalia nodded. She felt a little strange.
Then she heard the Emperor and Lewayne's footsteps.
"So, what book are we looking for here?"
"It's the 'Book of Prophecy'. It's an old book, but it should be around here."
The two did not stay still and continued to walk around and talk. They were looking for a book.
As the two approached, Cedric turned and hid between the bookshelves across from him, holding Dalia in his arms.
Without noticing the two, Lewayne and the Emperor passed by right next to them.
'Book of Prophecy.'
It is a book that Dalia has heard of.
If she was not mistaken, it was on the list when she looked for a book that she could sell from the study to escape from Hikan before.
It was written by the transcendent of the Blueport family about two centuries ago, it wasn't the first edition or rare edition, so it wasn't that expensive.
In addition, if it is a book of prophecies, it is necessary to make a prediction that is plausible, but the author only guessed what will happen in his generation over the next 30 years.
Even a lot of things were wrong.
It had some repercussions at the time, but now it's a book of little significance.
Dalia knew the location of the book.
If they were going to go over there anyway, it would be better to wait there.
Dalia winked eagerly at Cedric and took him to the shelf where the book was.
Now all they have to do is find a place to hide around here.
As Dalia was looking around, the two became closer than expected.
When Dalia looked at Cedric in bewilderment, she hurriedly put her hand under her knee and hugged it, then lowered herself under the nearby desk and hid.
Of course, it was not a space for two people, but Cedric swung his hand once, and it quickly turned into a suitable space for two people.
Cedric straightened up and took a handkerchief from his front chest pocket and spread it where she would be sitting.
Because he carried Dalia in his arms, he sat behind her, surrounding her.
Cedric, noticing that Dalia's legs were protruding from the desk, pulled her legs with his own and gathered them under the desk.
It was a strange feeling, as if she was completely trapped by him.
Meanwhile, the Emperor and Lewayne arrived in front of the bookshelf.
"Alright, we finally found it. Is this book worth causing me so much trouble?"
The Emperor said lightly.
Dalia held her breath and focused on the conversation.
"This book was written by my ancestors. He called himself a prophet, but he could only predict for the next 30 years, and some of them were wrong. Thanks to that, he became a laughing stock, and later focused only on the Duke's duties."
"Even I know that. Look here, Lewayne."
The Emperor spoke gently, but with a sense of intimidation.
"I'm asking why you gave up Blueport's sonar technology to Duke Artus four years ago. Didn't you know that Duke Artus was in contact with the Holy Empire back then?"
"...."
"As if you were hoping to pass that information on to the Holy Empire. Then I have no choice but to misunderstand."
"It was because of public opinion."
"Stop talking nonsense. When did Blueport ever have good public opinion?"
"...."
"Besides, as if you had foreseen this situation in advance...you sent me a letter a few months ago. Duke Artus will hand over the information to the Holy Empire, so prepare a fake seal in advance."
Dalia's eyes widened.
She looked back at Cedric with her mouth closed. There was no change in his expression as if he had already known.
"Now give me a real reason. You called me all the way here to tell me the reason."
"Your Majesty the Emperor, whom I respect."
"Yes."
"I'm a prophet like my ancestors."
'Gasp!'
Dalia held back the sound as she tightly covered her mouth with her hand. Fortunately, Dalia's startled breathing was covered by the Emperor's absurd laughter.
"...What?"
"It's true."
Dalia looked at Cedric. He moved his mouth silently with an awkward expression.
'I told you he was weird.'
It seemed like this is what he meant.
"...."
"That is my trait as a transcendent. That's why I couldn't tell anyone."
That doesn't make any sense.
While playing the original, Dalia had never seen Lewayne do anything like a prophecy.
Moreover, if he was a prophet, Adrisha and he would not have done such a thing knowing what would happen.
The Emperor also said in a questionable tone, perhaps thinking that it made no sense.
"I've never heard of such an ability. All right, then predict what will be served for my breakfast tomorrow."
"I don't know."
Lewayne said confidently.
She could hear the Emperor's sigh all the way here. He seemed to have been told that he was so eccentric, of course, that he seemed to dismiss it as nonsense or bad jokes.
"...Never mind. If you don't want to talk, fine. I'll find out."
"It's real."
Lewayne spoke in an unwavering voice.
"Why are there only people like this around me?"
"Don't doubt my loyalty."
"I have no doubt about your loyalty. I doubt your head."
"So do I."
The comedic conversation comes to a close.
Dalia relaxed and leaned her head against Cedric's chest. Then, she looked up in surprise because she was flustered by her own behavior.
Cedric was looking at Dalia with a smile.