Chapter 4 – Confessions Should Be Made Carefully
While my uncle was out at work, it had somehow become part of my daily routine to slip into Enoch’s room and do his homework for him.
Being forced into the situation by Enoch himself didn’t feel great, but the act of studying wasn’t bad at all. In fact, the problems were advanced and genuinely interesting. He even allowed me to read his books, which meant I could study on my own as well. Naturally, the materials used by a young master of a wealthy household were on an entirely different level from the dull books available at the neighborhood bookstore.
If I ignored Enoch’s constant sneers—how he claimed he was only making use of me because I was “unusually clever for a commoner”—this strange arrangement was actually quite tolerable.
Having something to do, even in this way, eased the burden of feeling like I was freeloading. And when I finished solving all the problems, I even felt a small sense of accomplishment.
Before I knew it, I had completely adapted to this life. The bed was comfortable, the meals were warm. Though I sometimes wondered how long I could continue living like this, I was, to be honest, happy. So content, in fact, that I rarely even thought of my parents or my siblings.
That day began like any other. My uncle was preparing to head out, and I was waiting for the moment he left so I could slip into Enoch’s room.
Knock, knock—
The sound came earlier than expected, well before lunchtime.
“I’ll get it.”
I crossed the room toward the door while my uncle struggled to put on his coat. Usually, only servants came looking for him. But it wasn’t time for Jane yet… Was today cleaning day?
Without thinking much, I grabbed the doorknob and turned it.
The moment I opened the door, I was knocked flat on my back with a loud thud. Whoever had knocked hadn’t waited—they had pushed the door open at the same time, and it slammed straight into my forehead.
“Ow…”
“Raven, are you alright?”
As I groaned, clutching my now throbbing forehead, my uncle hurried over, alarmed.
Blinking back tears, I looked up toward the doorway.
A very tall, middle-aged man stood there.
“Is this the child?”
“M-My lord Marquis?”
Startled, my uncle helped me up and immediately bowed respectfully.
The man—light blond hair and a sharp, cold gaze—looked me over with a deep frown. If he was a marquis, then he must be Enoch’s father. The resemblance in their sharp eyes was unmistakable.
“I thought the handwriting didn’t look like yours… This child is a commoner, isn’t he? Enoch, did I raise you to lie to your father?”
At those words, I noticed Enoch standing beside him, his wrist tightly gripped in the marquis’s hand. Seeing the usually arrogant boy dragged along so helplessly felt… strange.
“It’s not a lie!”
Enoch shouted defiantly, then turned his head to glare sharply at me. His teal eyes burned as though they might pierce straight through me.
“Say it. Tell him you did the homework, but I didn’t copy your answers.”
He was about my age, yet the authority in his voice—born from the difference in status—sent a chill down my spine. And I had a pretty good idea what was going on.
We’d been caught.
Well, of course. His father was paying a fortune for his education, only to find some random commoner kid doing his son’s assignments—it made sense he’d be furious.
Still… Young master, copying answers is wrong, but having someone else solve them is fine?
Or are you just trying to drag me down with you so you don’t get punished alone?
Avoiding Enoch’s gaze, I clenched my teeth and forced my trembling legs to hold me upright.
“Did you solve these problems?”
The marquis scattered the papers I had completed across the floor as he spoke. His voice carried a quiet but overwhelming pressure that made me instinctively lower my head.
“…Y-Yes. I did.”
“Hmm.”
He stroked his chin, studying me as if inspecting a suspect. A cold sweat trickled down my back under his scrutinizing gaze.
Suddenly, I remembered what Enoch had said the first day I entered his room.
If anyone found out I had been going in freely and touching his belongings, not only I, but my uncle as well, might be thrown out.
Looking at the marquis’s icy, merciless eyes, I realized that might truly happen. In weather this harsh, being cast out would mean freezing in the cold—and it was clear that such considerations wouldn’t even cross his mind.
Damn it… why did I ever do this? I should’ve just gone to sleep instead of wandering around for water.
I’m sorry, Uncle. You took me in, and now because of me, we might both get kicked out.
My mouth went dry, my palms soaked with sweat.
They say that when cornered, people find courage.
I don’t know where mine came from, but before the marquis could speak again, I blurted out—
“I-I’m good at studying! I can be useful!”
I know. Looking back, I must’ve been a little out of my mind. But the situation was that desperate.
With a face on the verge of tears, I looked up at him.
“S-So please… please don’t throw me out. Let me stay here.”
“Raven, what are you doing?! My deepest apologies, Your Excellency. My nephew is still young—”
My uncle grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back, scolding me sharply—a rare occurrence for him.
But the marquis raised a hand, stopping him.
“Harold, that’s enough. Let the boy be.”
“….”
My uncle hesitated, then slowly released his grip.
The marquis gestured for me to come closer.
“How did you memorize these problems? Surely you didn’t solve them all yourself?”
As I approached nervously, he questioned me.
“I-I did. I’ve seen similar problems in books I read before. The young master also lent me a few books. The economics and culture questions—I solved them based on that.”
My voice steadied as I spoke.
“As for math, I already knew it… and for history, I read an old edition of The History of the Heryace Empire and The Southern Continent Chronicles.”
“An old edition, you say.”
Interest flickered in the marquis’s eyes.
Encouraged, I continued cautiously.
“Yes… I’ve read them all.”
“They’re among the few books I had at home, so I read them over and over.”
The marquis frowned deeply, as if he couldn’t believe it.
“…What did you just say?”
“I didn’t memorize them word for word, but after reading them so many times… I can solve most questions about the Second Era of the Southern Continent. At least ones like these.”
I gestured to the scattered papers.
“…My son attends the Imperial Academy’s middle division. Though he is currently on break and studying with a private tutor… to think that a commoner like you, who has received no formal education, could surpass him.”
Enoch’s expression darkened at those words.
Ignoring him, the marquis asked,
“What is your name?”
“R-Raven.”
I deliberately left out my surname.
He glanced briefly at my uncle but didn’t press further.
“Raven. Starting tomorrow, you will attend lessons alongside my son.”
“F-Father!”
Enoch protested immediately.
“I refuse! Why should I, the heir of House Cherner, study with a mere commoner like him?”
At his shrill objection, the marquis turned and struck him across the face.
Smack.
I gasped softly, and my uncle instinctively pulled me back.
“You insolent child. You dared to pass your work onto a commoner and still do not recognize your wrongdoing? And you dare speak back to me?”
“B-But—”
“Enough. Return to your room. You are forbidden from leaving the house for one month.”
“……!”
Enoch’s face flushed with shock, then twisted with anger as he glared at me, as if blaming me for everything.
The nerve.
This all started because of you.
After that incident, I was given a room of my own. The servants treated me much more kindly, while Enoch, on the other hand, began openly showing hostility toward me—perhaps thinking I had stolen his father’s attention.
Regardless, the lessons were incredibly enjoyable. It was my first time being taught by a proper instructor, and I threw myself into studying with enthusiasm. As a result, I consistently achieved top marks on evaluations.
I also had free access to books. Reading, writing, speaking, learning—these became my greatest joys.
And occasionally mocking Enoch, who would growl at me throughout lessons, was entertaining too. He’d immediately lose his temper and get scolded by the tutor.
Then one day, the marquis summoned me to his study and said something unbelievable.
“I have a proposal for you. I will sponsor you. In three years, you will enter the National Academy’s upper division.”
“…Pardon? Me?”
“No commoner without even a nominal title has ever been admitted before. The entrance exam standards will be harsher for you. But I intend to see you admitted. It would be even better if you secure a scholarship. Needless to say, you must rank among the top.”
“Y-Your Excellency…!”
As I stood there in stunned silence, he added,
“You will bring honor to my house in place of my son.”
Among nobles, it wasn’t uncommon to sponsor talented students from collateral families or poor backgrounds. A student’s success brought prestige to their patron. Though it was rare for a commoner to receive such support… what did that matter?
If I accepted, I could continue studying freely—and remain here. I wouldn’t have to burden my uncle any longer. More than that, an Academy diploma held immense value. Even a commoner could secure a respectable position with it.
After graduation, I could live doing whatever I wanted.
I didn’t yet know what that was… but perhaps a well-paying administrative job? Or maybe working as an aide in the marquis’s household like my uncle.
With shining eyes, I answered immediately.
“I’ll do it.”
Even now, looking back, accepting that offer was the right choice. Regrets… well, perhaps only when I lost sleep from studying too much.
But compared to the opportunity I had gained, such things meant nothing.
And so, four years passed.
Time returns to the present—
I am now eighteen.
