Chapter 90

Standing at the classroom door, Ma Jonggong took a deep breath and firmly held the ginseng, or rather the potion, given to him by his mother. He then headed to the club room. He clearly remembered having the closing ceremony today, so why was he still supposed to go to the club room?

It was even more absurd that all the club members were stationed in the club room without a single one missing. They seemed to be discussing something earnestly, but the fact that they had managed to coordinate their schedules in real-time with such people didn’t sit well with him.

With a frown, he glared at the club members until his eyes met an unexpected person.

"Ah, Oppa."

"Irina?"

Irina, awkwardly shifting her gaze around the club members, seemed out of place. "Why are you here? From your expression, it doesn’t seem like you’re here by choice."

"Brother, you’re here?"

Louise, who had been facing away, turned her head to greet him. Following her gaze, five pairs of eyes also focused on him.

"What are you all gathered for?"

"We were planning the schedule. Not everyone will stay at the academy, so we had to set a time in advance."

Although being unable to return home and being stuck here might be annoying, Louise’s expression was bright, as if she was eagerly looking forward to the trip. Yes, the island is nice. I was a bit excited when I first went to the island too.

Back then, I didn’t know how deep the darkness of the island was. I didn’t realize that the prosperity of the island was built on the sweat, tears, and blood of civil servants.

"Everyone, focus. I have something to say."

Pushing aside his bitter feelings, he first drew the attention of the club members. He needed to speak before they started causing trouble by deciding on a place to stay during the trip.

"Why? Is there a problem?"

'Of course there is.'

Ryutis’s question, as if asking what the problem was, almost made him curse. He bit his lip to calm down.

That hot sauce guy, I’ll have to hit him once on graduation day, just for the sake of a graduation party. Villard would agree, and he’d probably be happy to join in.

"How about staying on the island during the break instead of at the academy?"

"The island?"

"Yes."

Ryutis’s eyes widened slightly, as if surprised by the unexpected suggestion. It seemed he hadn’t thought about staying on the island, not just visiting. Of course, neither had I. Who would come up with such an idea?

But the Crown Prince did. If I call his name three times, will the Grim Reaper take him away?

"Wouldn’t it be boring to stay at the academy? The island has many places to see, and it’s easy to travel to other cities."

"That’s not bad. It might be difficult to find a place to stay during the break, though..."

"It’s my house."

"Excuse me?"

"You can stay at my house."

Don’t make me repeat myself. I want to use the gold coins I got from the Crown Prince to do a Mesos explosion.

"Your house? The head of the family doesn’t like outsiders coming to the mansion, right?"

"Not the family mansion, my personal residence."

"You have a personal residence?"

"Are you two brothers?"

Tanian’s question left me speechless for a moment. I only used my personal residence for sleeping, so I never had a chance to mention it. Besides, with the situation where I couldn’t even go to the main house in the Barclehen Baronetcy, when would I have the time to casually say, "I have a property on the island in my name"?

Anyway, there was a slight delay due to the unexpected proposal and the unexpected offer of accommodation, but there was no opposition since it wasn’t a bad deal for them. As long as they didn’t have to leave the empire, they wouldn’t mind.

"Louise, I’ll go with you."

"Really? For real?"

"Yes. I haven’t been to the island much either."

Amidst the commotion, I heard Louise and Irina whispering. So, Irina was here because Louise had talked her into coming.

Although she was an unexpected guest, my house wasn’t so small that one more person would be a problem. In fact, having one more normal person among the no-good club members would make me feel more at ease, so it was a welcome addition.

'Normal person.'

Looking around the club room, the ratio of normal people was catastrophic. Well, if an outsider joins, there’s no need to limit it to just one.

Some students stay at the academy voluntarily, while others are forced to stay. The latter are mainly students with remaining duties, such as the student council. And the outsider I want to recruit is also a member of the student council.

-Knock knock

"Mar. Are you there?"

"Kal Youngshik? Yes, come in."

If Louise, Irina, and Margareta are at the house, I can handle the no-good club members. And if the club members try to do something strange, Margareta, who doesn’t lose much in status, will step in to stop them.

"Welcome, Kal Youngshik. I didn’t expect you to come today."

Seeing Margareta greet him with a smile, his resolve became firm. Now that it’s decided, I’ll invite Margareta too.

"I couldn’t just sit still when I heard that Mar was still working. Did I disturb you?"

"Not at all. I said you could come anytime, didn’t I? I’m almost done, so don’t worry about it."

She started to get up, so I quickly waved her back. There’s still work to be done, so I need to get to the point and leave.

"Actually, I came to ask a favor of Mar."

"Of me?"

Nodding at Margareta’s puzzled expression, he continued.

"The baking club decided to go on a trip to the island."

"I heard. It’s not a short distance, so it will be a lot of work."

"It’s fine. The Crown Prince suggested that we stay at my house during the break. We don’t need to return to the academy, so it will be more relaxed."

"...What?"

Margareta’s worried expression hardened when he mentioned the island.

"Is it for the entire club?"

"Yes."

Her lips started to tremble, indicating she was severely shaken. If I hesitate, I don’t know where her thoughts will lead.

"So, I want to invite Mar to my house as well."

"Me?"

"I owe you a lot, don’t I? It would feel empty without you at a fun gathering."

It’s not really a fun gathering, but having Margareta at the house would be like having an army. This is a truth that can’t be overstated.

And I inadvertently broke my promise with Margareta during the last field trip. I said I’d visit her room but never did, so maybe she’ll understand if I offer this as an apology.

"A, that, that..."

But Margareta, taken aback by the sudden invitation, turned bright red and started to stammer.

"Mar?"

Thinking she would calm down if left alone, I waited for her answer, but her hand on the desk was trembling. Her reaction was more intense than I expected.

"Are you okay?"

"A, yes, yes. I’m fine!"

Approaching Margareta and asking gently, her dazed expression returned to life, and she quickly covered the documents on her desk. Why...? There were numbers written haphazardly.

"Mar, my invitation is─"

"I’ll go. I’ll definitely go, Kal Youngshik."

After getting her acceptance, I thanked her and left. Her state seemed a bit off, so I didn’t want to stay and talk more.

I expected Margareta to be flustered. It’s the first time I’ve invited her to my house. But even considering that, her reaction was more intense. What’s going on? Is something wrong?

***

Only after Kal left the vice president’s office did her trembling hands calm down.

'His house... Kal’s house...'

When I heard that the baking club would stay at Kal’s house during the break, I felt like the sky was falling. The club includes Lady Louise.

Not only was my first time with Kal taken, but now I would lose the chance to stay at his house? I can’t accept that. The first woman to enter the home I share with Kal can’t be someone else.

But Kal, who seemed to share my feelings, invited me to his house. It’s a bit disappointing that it’s not just the two of us, but since it’s my first time too, I can accept it.

'Kal’s house.'

A sly smile crept onto her face. Lady Louise is going as part of the club, but I’m going because Kal invited me.

Inviting an unmarried lady to his house? This means Kal has feelings for me. It’s only possible because he considers me his partner. Kal, you don’t have to be so subtle.

'I should thank His Highness.'

Crown Prince Gilbert Ribnomon. I wasn’t particularly interested in the Crown Prince because I hadn’t had much to do with him.

When I heard that the club would stay at Kal’s house due to the Crown Prince’s suggestion, I was initially resentful, but it became a reason for me to be invited, so my resentment melted away.

With the resentment gone, a satisfied sigh escaped her lips, and her gaze fell on the documents she was still covering.

"Almost got caught..."

She cautiously removed her hand from the documents. The characters and numbers on top read:

Ma5 Kal7 Lu4 Ke3 Ge4 Ra5 Ta5 Shi3 Ba6 Wu3 Ren7 Si3 Ti4

Her name and Kal’s name, along with their stroke counts.

The most secret thing almost got revealed to the person who shouldn’t know.

"Vice President, do you know about name divination?"

A secretary had mentioned this a while ago.

'What a silly thing to say...'

But since I was swayed by that silly talk, I can’t really say anything. But they say you can tell compatibility through names. Of course, I was curious.

Of course, I believe that the compatibility between Kal and me is the best without needing such a crude method. Our relationship is a destiny made by heaven. Yes, it should definitely show the best compatibility.

–Or so I thought.

'Why 89?'

The number at the bottom was 89. It was strange no matter how many times I looked at it. Why isn’t it 100? It should be 100, right? There’s a 11% gap between Kal and me? No, that’s a lie, it’s just a crude divination. I can’t believe this, right?

And I almost got caught doing this crude divination by Kal. How disappointed would he be in me?

Typically, finance ministry officials are thorough and rational, and they don’t believe in superstitions. Some even look down on and mock those who do.

If, if Kal is one of them...

"Mar, you’re surprisingly innocent. I see you differently now."

I imagined Kal looking down at me with cold eyes. No, that can’t happen! If Kal looks down on me, I’ll die!

With trembling hands, she tried to tear up the document with the name divination. This ominous thing needs to be destroyed immediately.

'But isn’t 89 high?'

But a lingering doubt prevented her from tearing it. Of course, 100 would be normal, but isn’t 89 still high?

After hesitating for a while, she decided not to tear it and kept it instead.