Chapter 135. Preparation (5)
My eyes opened slowly, waking.
I realized I’d dozed off, leaning against the wall, clutching my sword. The familiar room was bathed in the dim blue light of evening.
Hours ago, I’d returned from training and closed my eyes to rest, only to fall asleep.
Gazing at the ceiling, my blue-black eyes lingered in the quiet darkness. The familiar silent room reminded me of a fleeting dream.
I’d dreamed something.
A memory I couldn’t recall.
Chalking it up to training fatigue, I checked the digital clock’s faint glow on the desk. 5:30 PM. Not a long nap.
Breathing the cool evening air, I assessed my condition. No issues, thanks to the rest. Good—today, I needed to be sharp.
The banquet was soon.
Glancing at my shoulder, I noticed.
“…?”
A warm blanket covered me, though I’d fallen asleep against the wall.
I hadn’t covered myself. Sensing a presence, I knew who without looking.
“Thanks for the care, Lien.”
The maid stood against the evening sky, hands clasped over her apron, gazing at me with azure eyes.
“Resting like that doesn’t relieve fatigue.”
I glanced at her, nodding silently.
When Sirocco was around, Lien used formal speech, but alone or whispering, she reverted to her natural tone. Like now.
“Keep it in mind. Rest matters. Your body is yours, Young Master.”
Meeting her emotionless gaze, I nodded lightly.
“Didn’t mean to fall asleep. If you’d woken me, I’d have rested properly.”
“No. Next time, I will.”
She shook her head slowly.
“Waking you might’ve disturbed your rest.”
Her matter-of-fact reply made me chuckle. Was caring for my body her duty? Lien was ever consistent.
I shuffled to the bathroom.
A quick shower cleared my fatigue, sharpening my mind.
Returning, Lien handed me a fresh shirt.
“Clothes are ready.”
“Thanks.”
“…”
I decided against dressing differently. My usual black uniform, resembling a suit, seemed fine for a formal event.
It was calculated.
The original Enoch, invited to a high-society banquet, would likely choose his usual attire.
He’d been an exiled direct descendant, disconnected from society.
Consulting my maid about dress code, she replied confidently, “You dressing too perfectly would seem stranger.” My guess aligned with his past image.
‘Same body, similar thoughts?’
Amusing, I thought, staring at the mirror.
The black-haired boy’s reflection—handsome but with eyes too deep for his age—stared back.
—Come to think of it, the original Enoch.
The banquet’s key concern was that. Beyond Sirocco’s etiquette, it could be my biggest vulnerability.
***
The fortress’s complex layout meant navigating countless corridors to reach the venue.
Checking the map, a nagging déjà vu hit me. It wasn’t a trick—I’d been here before.
‘Ironic.’
Returning to the same place in a different role felt poignant.
I paused, staring at the venue entrance.
A guard approached, silently requesting my invitation. Recognizing me, he nodded repeatedly, bowing.
“You’re Enoch Elsyde.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard much about your recent feats!”
He bowed, leaning on his gear.
“Please enter. Your follower family, Sirocco, arrived and is waiting inside.”
Passing the hall’s grand doors, I saw Lien in her usual maid outfit. Spotting me, she approached, bowing calmly.
“Thank you for coming, Young Master. Servants were summoned for the banquet.”
“No issues.”
I avoided her gaze, adding.
“Not sure about my outfit, though.”
Feeling awkward in a tie, I adjusted it. Lien stepped closer.
“Your tie’s crooked, Young Master.”
Her gloved hand reached my chest, startling me.
Lien was beautiful.
As tension faded, I noticed her elegance.
Her black dress and white apron maid outfit.
Focused on my tie, she didn’t notice her curves visible above her dress.
Her hair carried a faint fragrance.
“…A tie’s different from my usual gear. Is it okay?”
“It might be needed. Dressing too casually could be a flaw.”
Her logic made sense.
The banquet required balance. I needed to avoid attention while lowering my reputation subtly.
Overdoing it was risky. Lien’s judgment to add just a tie was sound.
She spoke softly.
“Nervous?”
Her azure eyes gazed emotionlessly, whispering.
“Your hands are trembling.”
“Didn’t expect such a grand event. It’s bigger than I thought.”
“It’s fine. A larger crowd disperses attention.”
She pulled a pocket watch from her apron.
“It’s time. Listen, I said before, but again: it’s a social event, so people will approach you. Avoiding talk might raise suspicion.”
I nodded silently.
“Thanks to your data, I’m prepared, but not perfectly.”
“True. You requested my data and trained in spare moments. I think it’ll be fine, but…”
She gripped her apron’s edge.
“You never know. That’s why I’m here. I can help if needed.”
“Having a dedicated maid allowed is lucky.”
“Likely the family’s consideration, but stay vigilant. Many attend. Someone outside my data might know you.”
Surprised, I looked at her.
“You not knowing something’s surprising.”
She lowered her head.
“I don’t know everything about you. Especially before you were thirteen. After, I know well.”
Her reply made me tilt my head.
“That’s unexpected.”
I’d assumed she knew all. Apparently not.
No clear details on their past existed.
Lien provided essential data to avoid suspicion, but how she met the original Enoch or their relationship wasn’t included.
Until now, that sufficed.
It wasn’t vital for surviving as Enoch.
But now, it nagged.
‘Will it be okay?’
I was prepared, but not certain. Unforeseen events could occur, as always.
I wouldn’t run. As ever. Lien released my tie.
“Ready now?”
“…Yeah.”
“Let’s go, Young Master.”
I stood before the door, taking a soft breath. Steeling myself, I pushed. The luxurious wooden handle was cold but light. Bright light poured out.
“Don’t worry.”
Turning, I saw Lien following from the shadows, gently holding her apron.
Her azure eyes met mine, adding quietly.
“…I’ll always follow.”
A surge of emotion hit me. I nodded silently, meeting her gaze.
The door closed. Turning, I saw a blue carpet and marble stairs leading to an empty throne. The head hadn’t arrived.
The hall was vast, with high chandeliers. Black-and-blue Elsyde banners hung everywhere.
Combat mages in sleek black robes with blue accents and uniformed mages chatted around tables.
I stepped forward calmly.
It felt unfamiliar.
A place the original Enoch wouldn’t have tread. I took my first step into the white light, gazing impassively.
A familiar voice rang in my ear.
“Ah! Enoch Elsyde, you made it!”