Chapter 49
1452 Words
CHAPTER 49
The next day, Tatiana and Mia entered Alfred’s office in their usual disguise.
“Did you prepare what I asked you for?” Tatiana asked Alfred.
“Yes, here it is.” Alfred gave her some papers that contain the details she needs for their meeting later. Tatiana read the papers and nodded.
“Thanks,” she said. She signaled Mia and the latter gave Alfred a cloth-wrapped object. Alfred opened it and saw a neatly folded cloak and a mask.
“Wear this, so His Highness can’t recognize you later,” Tatiana instructed.
Alfred paused in surprise. “H-His Highness?” he repeated, puzzled.
Right, I forgot to tell him I’m meeting His Highness later.
“Yes, there’s something we have to talk about. We’re going to use your office, and your job is to bring him here.”
“I-I understand,” he replied.
Alfred was still confused at the suddenness of this news. Never in his life did he even imagine that he’ll personally meet the Crown Prince of the empire. But here it is now. In less than a couple of hours, he’ll get to meet His Highness.
Alfred is an admirer of Noah as a devoted citizen of the empire. Noah is not only ridiculously attractive and skilled with a sword, but he is also an exceptional leader who genuinely cares about his people. He's a man of principle and logic, hence why many people believe Noah is unquestionably qualified to be the empire's future Emperor.
Alfred left the office to prepare himself, leaving Tatiana and Mia on their own.
“M, you’re going to stay with me during the meeting, but be careful not to reveal our identity. My brother is also going to be there.” Tatiana reminded Mia.
Mia was shocked about Lord Aaron’s involvement, but she put it aside and bowed her head.
“I understand, J,” she replied. She’s careful not to call Tatiana her lady, in case Alfred can hear them.
.
Meanwhile, Noah and Aaron were on their way to the address Tatiana gave. While in the carriage, both of them looked around the area.
“Why do we have to meet in this place?” Aaron mumbled. Noah can’t also help but wonder about the same thing.
This area is located on the outskirts of the capital. One can rarely see a person walking on the streets. Not to mention, this place had a very eerie atmosphere.
Why would Tatiana’s acquaintance want to meet here?
Now, Noah and Aaron became more curious about the person Tatiana wanted them to meet.
Minutes later, they’ve arrived in front of a shabby-looking building that looked like it wasn’t managed for a long time. The two of them cautiously walked towards the door. Then, they glanced at each other first before Aaron knocked on the door.
After a while, a meticulously covered man opened the door. The man was wearing a long black cloak that covers his whole body. Its hood was long that it covered half of his face. Aside from that, the man was wearing a black mask, so they can’t see even a glimpse of his skin.
Noah furrowed his brows at this as he remembered Tatiana’s words.
“You shouldn’t ask for his name nor force him to reveal himself,”
Seeing as how this man in front of them was rigorously covered, is he Tatiana’s acquaintance?
“Your Highness, my Lord, please follow me.” the man said in a strange voice.
He’s even using a voice-changing mask? Just who is this man?
The mysterious man led them inside the shabby building and into a room that seems like an office. Just when Noah and Aaron thought that the man who opened the door for them was the person they’re meeting, they saw inside the room two more men who looks the same as the first one. They were sitting in front of an old table, and they were also wearing the same cloaks and masks.
Noah’s eyebrows were almost touching as he looked at the two men.
Who among them is the person Tatiana wanted us to meet?
“Please sit here, your highness.” The first man, Alfred, said and offered them a seat across Tatiana and Mia.
Aaron and Noah took their seat. Noah stared at Tatiana who’s across him, while Aaron took that chance to look around the office.
It’s a simple office and contrary to how it looked outside, this office is clean and cozy.
Tatiana glanced at Alfred. The latter understood it and excused himself immediately. After he left, the room was filled with silence.
Noah was observing the two people in front of him, especially the one directly across from him.
It seems he’s the person we’re looking for. Noah thought to himself, and he’s not wrong.
“How do you know the only daughter of House Cromello?” Noah carefully asked, breaking the silence.
Tatiana took a while before she answered emotionlessly, “She’s a friend.”
Noah frowned at her answer. He was expecting Tatiana to become intimidated at his status, but it seems the latter was nowhere from being affected by it.
“Why are you wearing that disguise?” Noah asked again. Of course, he knew he shouldn't ask that as part of his agreement with Tatiana, but he can't help himself. These two men in front of him, and the man who opened the door, were very mysterious.
“I believe the Lady had told you of my conditions, your highness,” Tatiana replied coldly.
“She did, but I’m curious. Who are you?”
Tatiana paused and almost rolled her eyes.
He’s being stubborn again. What was I expecting?
“I apologize, your highness. However, I cannot disclose my identity.”
“Then, how should I address you?”
Tatiana turned to Mia, and the latter placed an envelope on the table. Tatiana pushed this envelope closer to Noah and Aaron’s side.
“You can call me J,” she answered.
Now, Aaron was the one who has furrowed eyebrows.
“J? Are you...Investor J?” he asked, carefully.
Noah looked at him and thought of the possibility as well. Is this person in front of us really the prominent Investor J?
Tatiana didn’t answer immediately not because she was stunned, but because she felt proud of her achievement. She smirked under her mask.
Good, they know about me.
Noah and Aaron knowing her meant she had succeeded in making the identity of Investor J notable.
“Yes. That is me,” she answered after a while.
Aaron gasped and Noah turned to her in surprise.
“W-what?! You’re the great Investor J who took the business world by storm?!” Aaron couldn’t help but exclaim.
Just yesterday, he was planning to look for Investor J. But now, he’s here right in front of them.
“You flatter me, my Lord.”
Aaron, who is still in shock, leaned his body forward in excitement.
“How can someone as remarkable as you be acquainted with my sister?” he asked again.
After hearing about Investor J’s achievements, Aaron became interested in him. It’s even to the point that he can call himself J’s fan. That’s why, now that J is in front of him and it turns out that he’s the person Tatiana wanted them to meet, Aaron can’t help but wonder and feel a little jealous about how his little sister came to know and meet J before he did.
Tatiana frowned under her hood. She can’t help but feel offended by Aaron’s words.
What does that mean? Does he think I’m incapable and clueless to be acquainted with an exceptional person?
She huffed silently and answered, “The same reason why you’re talking with me now, my Lord. Connections.”
Aaron was silent after that.
“Anyways, let’s get to business, shall we?” Tatiana said. She reached for the envelope on the table when Noah talked again, causing her to stop midway.
“Before that...care to introduce us to your companion first?” Noah inquired and nodded his head towards Mia.
Tatiana also glanced at her.
“Ah right, this is M, my assistant.” she introduced.
Noah grinned at what she said.
“J and M? How...interesting,” he commented in a mischievous tone.
Tatiana rolled her eyes under her hood. She didn't expect His Highness have this childish side in him.
“Yes, do you have a problem with that, your highness?” she gritted, annoyed at Noah’s teasing.
“No,” Noah answered, still grinning.
For some reason, he reminds me of someone...
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reyankleyr
- Writer
