Chapter 86
Jack’s face flushed bright red, like a burning sweet potato, as if he was embarrassed by what he’d just said.
Watching him like that, I was overwhelmed with emotion.
‘…So cute!’
He said he worked hard because he wanted to make me happy!
For someone like Jack, who rarely shows his emotions, it struck me even more deeply.
“Jack, you…”
“…”
When I looked at him with sparkling eyes, Jack turned his back completely.
Unable to resist, I suddenly threw my arms around him. I could feel him stiffen in surprise, his wide eyes looking down at me.
“D–Director?”
“Of course I’m happy! My child took first place!”
“…Really?”
“Of course! It’s just that the situation was a bit awkward, so I couldn’t show it properly. I didn’t think you’d be disappointed about that.”
“It’s not that I was disappointed… just…”
“You’ve worked so hard. You really gave it your all. I’m so proud of you, Jack.”
“…”
Jack lowered his head even further. I hugged him tighter and affectionately rubbed his hair.
“Haha, what a heartwarming sight.”
At that moment, Leonard approached. Still holding Jack, I looked up at him and asked,
“So, are we going back now?”
Leonard shook his head.
“The first-, second-, and third-place winners will have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”
“With the Emperor himself?”
At those words, my expression darkened before I could stop it. Leonard must have noticed, because he quickly added reassuringly,
“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just a brief greeting.”
“But still…”
Even with Leonard’s words, I couldn’t shake the unease I felt. The thought of Jack meeting the Emperor directly made me anxious.
Then Jack stepped out of my arms and looked at me.
“It’s okay. I’m curious about what kind of person His Majesty is. When else would I get a chance like this?”
“Jack… are you sure you’re all right with it?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
There wasn’t the slightest sign of hesitation in him.
I looked at him quietly, then nodded.
“All right. I understand.”
If I looked too anxious, it might only make Jack uneasy, so I forced myself to smile and nod again.
Just then, an attendant entered the waiting room and called out,
“Garid Hagent, Kanasis Jadeboro, and Jack Freet — please follow me immediately. His Majesty is waiting.”
“I’ll be back,” Jack said, bowing to me politely before leaving with the other two students.
‘It’ll be fine.’
There was a magical protection in place, and besides, no one was more cautious about the Emperor than Jack himself.
As the door closed behind them, I did my best to suppress my unease.
The three students were led to the Imperial Audience Hall. Standing before its massive doors, the attendant gave them a stern warning.
“Until His Majesty grants you permission, do not make eye contact. Listen carefully to his words and do not behave carelessly.”
Gulp.
Garid swallowed nervously at the attendant’s continued cautions.
When the instructions were done, the attendant signaled to the guard by the door.
“Open it.”
The armored knight bowed his head and slowly pushed the doors open. Brilliant light spilled from within.
Jack quietly watched the grand doors part before them.
“Enter.”
Following the attendant’s lead, the three stepped into the audience chamber.
The room was vast and dazzlingly ornate, its walls adorned with the Imperial crest and the royal insignia. Majestic statues lined the space, and the Emperor’s personal guard stood in perfect formation along both sides.
The overwhelming splendor made Garid’s legs tremble, but Jack remained expressionless.
They stopped before the Emperor’s dais and knelt, bowing their heads as they had been taught.
“Y–Your Imperial Majesty, it is an honor to meet you. I am Garid of House Hagent.”
“I see. I didn’t know Baron Hagent had such a bright son,” the Emperor said with a faint smile.
Next, Kanasis spoke.
“Your Imperial Majesty, I am Kanasis Jadeboro of House Jadeboro.”
“Ah, Count Jadeboro — a very capable noble. I expect you to follow in your father’s footsteps and serve the Empire well.”
“I am honored. I will strive to uphold my family’s name.”
“I look forward to it. And now…”
The Emperor’s gaze shifted to the final student, his eyes narrowing.
“So you’re the one who took first place. Raise your head and look upon me.”
At his command, Jack slowly lifted his head.
Their eyes met — the Emperor’s sharp blue and Jack’s calm brown. Jack lowered his gaze again almost immediately.
“I hear you’re not of noble birth. What is your name?”
“…Jack Freet, Your Majesty.”
“Jack Freet… Freet — that’s a regional name. You were born in the Freet province?”
Jack bowed his head lower.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I was born there… and abandoned there.”
Pfft.
A short, mocking laugh escaped Garid, who stood nearby. He couldn’t help but find it amusing that the boy who had annoyed him earlier so casually admitted to being abandoned.
But then, the Emperor’s icy gaze turned on him.
“Garid Hagent — what is so funny?”
“Y–Your Majesty?”
“I asked what made you laugh before your Emperor.”
The unexpected chill in the Emperor’s voice drained the color from Garid’s face. He quickly dropped flat to the floor.
“M–My apologies, Your Majesty!”
Ignoring him, the Emperor turned back to Jack.
“If you were abandoned as a child, you must have endured much. Yet you achieved excellent results in the competition. Commendable indeed.”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”
Despite the praise, Jack only bowed his head silently. The Emperor studied him closely.
‘So this is the boy the Duke of Creiman sponsors.’
At first glance, he didn’t seem particularly remarkable.
‘Perhaps he took first place because Leonard guided him and gave him hints.’
Even if that were true, his results were still impressive — but beyond that, nothing stood out.
‘Perhaps I needn’t pay him much mind.’
He had summoned the boy personally because the Duke’s interest in the orphanage was unusually intense, but it seemed there was nothing special about him after all.
‘And yet… there’s something odd about him.’
The Emperor looked Jack over again. He should have felt the weight of the Imperial gaze, and yet Jack stayed completely still, head bowed, showing no reaction at all.
‘Am I just imagining it?’
Shaking off the doubt, the Emperor turned to the others and asked in turn,
“Third-place winner, Garid Hagent — I will grant you a reward. Tell me what you desire.”
Garid’s face lit up.
“Your Majesty, I would like a horse — one faster and stronger than any other, so that I may ride home proudly.”
“A fine request. Very well. I shall bestow upon you a Wengrid breed horse.”
Garid’s jaw dropped. A single Wengrid horse was said to be worth an entire manor.
He prostrated himself before the Emperor.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Next, the Emperor turned to Kanasis.
“Kanasis Jadeboro, what do you desire?”
Kanasis bowed deeply and answered calmly,
“I wish to serve at Your Majesty’s side after I graduate from the Academy.”
The Emperor laughed heartily at the loyalty in his words.
“To have a vassal like you by my side — that is a gift to me! Are you certain that’s all you wish for?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It would be the greatest honor.”
“Haha! Excellent. The future of House Jadeboro is bright indeed. Your father must be proud.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Satisfied, the Emperor’s smile lingered as his gaze finally returned to Jack.
“And you, Jack Freet of House Creiman — what do you desire?”
Jack bowed his head slightly and replied,
“I wish to receive the highest amount of prize money that Your Majesty can bestow.”
“The highest amount of prize money?”
The Emperor raised his brows, momentarily surprised by such a materialistic answer. But soon, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
‘So that’s how it is.’
For a moment, he’d thought Jack might be different — but this proved he was just as self-interested as anyone else. The Emperor was oddly pleased.
“Very well. That can be arranged.”
“And,” Jack added, slowly lifting his head until his eyes met the Emperor’s.
The Emperor waited.
Jack’s lips parted.
“I ask that the entire sum be donated to a relief organization.”
