Serendia Academy Principal felt his stomach churning like it never had before. Right now, his guest, Darius Knightley, the second most important person in this country after the king—or as people called him Duke Crockford—sitting across from him.

As the most powerful noble in the country,  he has Serendia Academy covered in his influence. Not to mention, Felix Ark Ridill, the second prince of this country and Duke Crockford's grandson, was attending this very school.

At the chess tournament where the second prince had managed, an intruder was pretending to be a teacher from another school, which likely resulted in some criticisms for his inadequate security. Fortunately, the intruder was quickly apprehended and the second prince was not injured, but even so, Duke Crockford would not let that fact slip by.

While holding back his shivering, the principal glanced at the sitting Duke Crockford across him.

The man with a little over sixty figure and his pale blond hair that had begun to turn into white has no resemblance to those old or worn-out people. In his younger days, his good looks alone had captured many noblewoman's hearts. Despite his age, he always had a sharpness like a blade that never rusted.

His bearing was strict and ruthless. Among the noble society, he was known for his shrewdness.

"I've heard the reports."

The moment the duke opened his mouth, the air in the room suddenly became heavier. As if having an invisible pressure on his back, the principal unconsciously tightened his grip on his stomach.

"Regarding the school festival…"

The principal responded quickly to the duke's brief words.

"O-Of course, His Highness' safety is our top priority, so we would cancel…"

"…it will be carried out as planned."

That was such short order, but the principal couldn't disobey. In front of this duke, he was not allowed to even questioning his reason. The principal knew, in the past, people who questioned the duke's orders were forced to be exiled from the kingdom.

"We will strengthen security, and carry out the school festival as planned!"

"Good."

Just as the Duke nodded, a knock resounded on the door of the guest room. The one who said, "come in," was not the principal, but the duke. That very fact clearly showed who the ruler of this place was.

"Pardon my intrusion."

Felix Ark Ridill—the duke's grandson, the second prince of this country—entered the room upon opening the door. He bowed his head to his grandfather with a hint of apology on his ever-so-gentle face.

"It's been a long time, grandfather. I deeply apologize for causing you so much worry."

To his sincere and apologetic grandson, the duke asked in a calm voice.

"How are you feeling?"

"I am fine. It brings me so much pleasure when I heard hear of your arrival, grandfather. I am very grateful to you for coming here despite your busy schedule."

When Felix politely expressed his gratitude, the duke nodded back silently.

Their exchange seemed casual, but the principal secretly felt relieved when knowing the duke had rushed to the academy for his grandson. It had been scary when the duke forced him to carry out the school festival as planned, but he was certain the duke had something in mind.

Indeed. I bet His Excellency had been looking forward to seeing his precious grandson's debut! That's why he gave an order to proceed with the school festival!

As the principal was convincing himself this way, the duke turned his gaze at him.

"I need to talk with Felix for a moment."

The principal quickly stood up, understanding his unspoken intention to ask him to leave this room. Even if he was the principal of this school, if Duke Crockford told him to leave the room, he couldn't do anything but obey.

After the principal left the room, Duke Crockford's calm face contorted slightly. In a distant manner, and in an abhorrent manner.

"You disgrace."

Felix did not change his expression despite the harsh words spat out lowly. However, his gentle expression was no longer there, and his blue eyes, like glass beads that had lost their light, reflected the duke. Its appearance was exactly that of a lifeless puppet.

"You have neglected to take precautions against outsiders. That carelessness led to this incident."

"With all due respect, [Minerva] and [Temple] had a deep friendship for a long time with Serendia Academy. I believe it would be rude to be persistently cautious."

"Don't talk back to me."

The duke dismissed Felix's nonchalant rebuttal with a single word and told him brusquely.

"You must make the festival a success. I've invited all the major lords to the festival. Show them the dignity of Felix Ark Ridill, to be more precise, the authority of the Duke Crockford household."

Soon, it will be time to determine the next king. And the current king will nominate one of his three sons to be his successor. For that reason, Felix had to make his presence known at this school festival. Understanding the duke's intentions, Felix quietly bowed and said in a voice devoid of emotion.

"…as you wish, Your Excellency."

＊ ＊ ＊

Returning to his room, Felix went straight to the closet, opened its door, and pulled out a new set of clothes. It was not the school's uniform, nor was it a glamorous outfit suitable for a second prince to wear. It was a subdued colored outfit that was devoid of ornate decorations.

He took off the uniform he had been wearing and draped it over the sofa, causing a white lizard to slip out of the pocket of his uniform. After landing on the floor, Will, the lizard, transformed into a young man in a servant's uniform.

"Your Highness, if you wear that outfit, don't tell me are you planning…"

"It's been a while since I've had a chance to cut loose… can I?"

Felix smiled at Will's dismay. Most people would have nodded without a second thought if begged with that charming smile, but Will was resolved to give him some talk.

"There are only two days left until the school festival. After the chess tournament the other day, it would be best to refrain from playing at night until the festival is over…"

"This is only my prediction, but I think Duke Crockford will give me some kind of role next time after he successfully presented me at the school festival."

Whether it was diplomacy with other countries, a dragon-slaying mission, or even an engagement announcement. Felix predicted that once the duke made Felix's presence known to the lords at the school festival, the duke would do anything to create more glamorous topics in his discussion.

"I have hardly any free time left… will you help me, Willydean?"

Will looked at Felix with a sorrowful face and gave one small nod. Soon after, Will's figure blurred and dissolved into water. When the distortion regained its outline, it was not a young man in a squire's uniform, but a man with the exact same appearance as Felix.

This was the kind of illusion Will was best at. As a high-ranking spirit of water, Will may not be good at fighting or sensing threats, but when it comes to illusion, he has no equal. For this reason, the fact that Will can be his body double was very useful when Felix need to go out.

Now, Will has the hair, the eyes, the skin color, the delicate and beautiful face, which was everything perfectly similar to Felix. The only difference was the somewhat sad expression on his face.

Felix then quietly told his body double.

"This is probably my last time to cut loose."

Will said nothing, only reflecting his sad face. A face just like his own was staring at him sadly. Looking at such a strange sight, Felix responded with a wry smile.

"I won't, of course, stray away from my true objective."

Felix closed his eyes and then slowly opened them. Under his long golden eyelashes, a spark of determination shone eerily hidden deep within beautiful blue with a hint of green eyes.

"… "I, Felix Ark Ridill… will do whatever it takes to etch this name down into the history." That vow has never wavered even now, in the past ten years. At least, let me enjoy my last time to cut loose, so whether to be his puppet, dog, or whatever it was, I'll let him whatever he wants me to be."