I Will Be The New Me
CHAPTRE 17

Bastien leaned against the shoulder of the chair to reduce the strain on his spine that had been eroded by age. His index finger regularly knocks on the table accidentally making the rhythm of the seconds the needle moves. The man's right hand held the paper of one of his messengers.

It was the data Bastien had obtained after trying to research Finn's background before he accepted the unknown young man as one of the knights under his guidance. "Nothing special, just too little. He is mysterious." he muttered after three times rereading the information written on the paper.

Finn is from an orphanage located close to the temple of Santis, the largest temple in Helldelune. Finn grew up with Christian who is now one of the high priests in the temple. The two still often communicate with each other despite being busy living each other's lives.

Finn had already started out of the parlour by the age of thirteen and none of the parlors knew what he was doing afterwards and where he was going. Finn disappeared without a trace of the earth. Finn's exit from the orphanage is not because there is a husband and wife who want to adopt. His reappearance in Helldelune was when human trafficking cases were rife. Finn was eighteen at the time.

It was only after a few months of returning home that he worked as a history teacher for the family of Bastien's youngest son at Killian's request. "Why did Killian choose a person of unclear origin to be a history teacher? moreover, he has no higher education background."

Judging from the fighting prowess he had, it seemed that Finn had not wasted his five years with anything useless. If Bastien looks deeper, Finn has the skills to survive in every situation. Despite many behaviors, Finn is quite reliable because he easily understands the situation and circumstances.

"Grandfather, what are you doing?"

Bastien was shocked to hear Quinn's voice coming up behind the door of his study. He smiled seeing Quinn was back. "Oh my grandson, why did you come here? where have you been with the Crown Prince?"

It's already afternoon. Raiden continued to follow wherever Quinn went, The young man kept him busy by walking around and eating cookies where Quinn wanted to. "I was surprised it turned out that he could act like an innocent cheerful man." his inner self recalled the useless activities he had done with the man who became his life-extracting angel in the future.

I couldn't see Aunt Kennedy. But it's okay, I already know he received my letter.

"Quinn. I'll receive the package in the morning, but I'll order it for you" Bastien said, inserting the paper he was holding into the drawer.

"Package? grandpa wants to give me a present?"

"Look at tomorrow."

Quinn needs Finn for now. He had already asked the man that Bastien had hired, the man claimed to bring information about one of the young men who wanted to apply for a job as a Knight at the Grand Duke's palace. It's obvious Finn, isn't it?

Quinn could see the doubt implied from Bastien's eyes. "Is there anything you want to ask? maybe I can answer that."

Bastien took a deep breath, trying to sort out the words so that Quinn did not misunderstand his intention of asking. Seeing Quinn seem ordinary and unafraid of receiving any questions from him, Bastien finally dared to ask a few.

"You and that guy Finn were previously teachers and students, right? how could Killian hire someone with no educational background to be your teacher? how did it feel to be taught by Finn? do you feel she's capable? did he never tell you about himself?" Bastien showered Quinn with questions.

"So my grandfather knew, yes. Killian knows I just like to play around with ordinary people and I don't like to read or learn complicated things, so I was a fool and would only embarrass the family name if I joined a teacher used by other noble families. Well, I can't blame Killian, he's trying so hard to make his dad proud."

"By making you learn with someone less competent?"

Quinn did not want to extend the discussion about Killian because it would only make his chest hurt. Quinn knew Killian didn't really get Finn to teach him all the history stuff, but Quinn himself wouldn't understand what he was taught. Killian only sends Finn to watch and stop Quinn if his actions risk a Shuvillian's self-esteem.

"Second grandfather question, what? um, because I actually didn't really hear all Finn's teachings. But she was indeed more suited to outdoor activities," Quinn scratched her non-itchy temple. Quinn honestly doesn't remember much about her teacher, but Quinn used to focus only on her own favorite activities and Raiden's. "I don't think he ever told me anything about himself. Finn just said he likes to travel because he's not a guy who likes to be tied up with things. Actually I also wonder what he did while traveling".

Bastien nodded his head. It turned out that it did not make his doubts disappear.

"But I want Grandpa to take it."

"And risk your life?"

Quinn grinned widely, "Grandfather need not worry. I can handle Finn. After all, only Finn can protect me."

"But, Quinn..."

"Grandpa trust me~"

That very afternoon, Finn was called by Bastien to come and get a sword for him to start working the next day. Bastien then asked the slightly disheveled haired young man to kneel down and take an oath of allegiance with all the inhabitants of the Lombard court, especially his fellow brave soldiers.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Finn continued to swear Quinn as his master, which he would protect for life.

Quinn pulled Finn's hand to stand up. "Originally you know, the reason you got here is because of my help." whispered the sweet girl with a sly grin as if she was challenging Finn. "I know you want something in this house". Quinn last saw Finn seem to memorize one by one the space in a palace this big. Finn definitely wants to find something.

If I ask him to cooperate maybe I can find out his secret. In his previous life Finn had not interacted with grandfather, what did he really want?

Finn grinned and looked at Quinn with a look as if he had found someone who could keep up with his game. "So, should I thank you, Your Majesty?".

Quinn did not reply to Finn, she went to his room without saying a word. His attitude and thoughts are hard to guess. Finn chuckled amusedly while rubbing the tip of his nose. " I'm guessing he's no longer the same person".

After taking the oath, everyone had gone to their respective places, and Finn was led to the field to duel with three Knights Bastien in addition to Felix. Of course not to interfere, the three of them just want to try to duel with new people because they are tired of having to challenge the same person every day.

All took turns one by one trying to compete with Finn. And the three cloths tied in each participant's arms were all in Finn's grasp, while his own was still firmly tied in his left arm. "So, can I assume I won? I have to go now, I have an appointment with my brother."

"Ah before that, Finn. Can I ask you something?" ask Fox, one of his new Knight friends.

"What?"

Meanwhile, inside the Lombard palace, Bastien walked towards his study while occasionally yawning. Today he struggled with many reports of complaints in his leadership area this week, his eyes were not fresh anymore felt heavier. "Evan, can you get me the management file book last month? looks like there's some recap error."

Evan bowed politely, "Okay, Your Majesty. I'll get it as soon as possible."

Bastien went into his study while yawning wide. Just as Evan is leaving, Quinn sneaks into his grandfather's study with Bastien's favorite oolong tea.

Back to the training ground...

"Why did you suddenly declare that you only wanted to serve His Majesty Quinn?"

"..."

"I'll go first. I'm late."

Before leaving, Bastien had already told him that Finn could already take the special black Knight uniform from Lombardy.

Finn coincidentally runs into Evan who is looking at him coldly in front of the living room. To maintain ethics, Finn leaned over and smiled kindly. "Good night, Mr. Evan."

"Yes, good night. Do you need anything?" the man asked in surprise because Finn went inside again.

"Grand Duke calls me when I'm done practicing. He said he'd give up my uniform."

Evan and everyone else also heard the same thing because Bastien said it right after Finn finished making an oath to Quinn. "alright".

They took the opposite path. " It looks like this one."

Krieets

The door creaked a little. Finn did not open it wide immediately, just enough for his head to go in first to peek inside. His eyes widened when he saw the figure of the Grand Duke sleeping on his desk. "Grand Duke?".

A girl appeared behind a chair while waving a code for him to enter immediately and close the door. The young man complied and closed the door as quietly as possible. "Sorry, I'm a little late from the appointed time," Finn smiled broadly as he lifted a small letter from his pants pocket, "So, why did you leave the letter so quietly? and why did the Grand Duke fall asleep here?"

Bastien never said he would give Finn his Knight uniform in the study. Finn immediately came here because he read the letter he received from Quinn when the girl clasped her hand to stand, he slipped the paper there.

"I put sleeping pills on grandpa. I changed my purpose here because it's safer."

Quinn thought she wanted her meeting to be on the balcony of her room, but it was not a safe place after remembering that Raiden had appeared there the night before. In addition, Quinn realizes that it's not just Evan the spy Raiden put in to watch her. Plus, it would be dangerous for him to meet somewhere else because Evan wasn't working alone, there would be someone who saw Quinn and Finn walk into the same room. There's no way they don't report to each other, right?

Quinn knew Bastien spent most of his time in the study so he made the most of it. If anyone saw him bring tea to his grandfather, they would not be suspicious. Even if Finn later enters, they will not immediately suspect because there is a Bastien in there.

For others, it may be precisely that place that is not safe because Evan is most often there. But Quinn wasn't that careless, either, before that he deliberately made a lie about the gossip of building a bridge to cross a large river on the edge of the city that ate too much money even though his work was not enough to lead Bastien to go again to the room work and keep Evan busy looking in the library that the collection book was certainly stacked by many other books.

"We only have twenty minutes to count on Evan to leave. I'll be brief. Evan was a spy that someone sent to watch over me."

"Eh? watching you? what's for?"

"Where do I know. The point is I can't just move in this house before I can get rid of them."

Finn seems not surprised by Quinn's change in speech, perhaps because he knew Quinn had become a different person from the beginning. "You remember that I am the reason why you can stand here from now on. Moreover, you have sworn to be my personal Knight. Now I'll give you your first assignment."

"Tasks? what assignment?"

"I want to meet someone at the temple" Finn flinched for a moment before he narrowed in puzzlement, "You want to meet Christ?" ask the young man to convince his own estimate.

"Yes, that's it. I also need to see someone again, but I won't be able to hide because the coachman is also a spy."

Finn chuckled amusedly, he felt they were so ridiculous. "So, the Prince is really watching you twenty-four full hours?" Quinn froze in place, never once did he mention that the spy belonged to Raiden. "How did you know?" quinn asked in astonishment.

"Seeing from his eyes alone was already visible. He's obsessed with wanting to rule you. He did not keep someone by his side unless that person was useful." Finn's answer implied as if he knew the Ethereal King's true character.

There is no time to deny. After all Finn was on his side, it made it easier for Finn himself to understand the situation. "so. So help me distract."

"No problem. I can do it for you. But are you sure of that? you might get hurt."

"That's exactly what's going to be the key to my plan." Quinn offered a piece of paper with a pen borrowed from his grandfather who snored at the table. "Sign this."

Finn moved closer to see what was written there. "A pact?" eyebrows raised.

"I don't know when you'll betray me. So at least sign here so I believe you won't turn away."

"Pff! turns out you still have a silly side, too, huh. All right, well, I get it."

After signing the letter, Quinn immediately rolled her up. "What reward do you want? what exactly are you looking for here?"

"none. I just wanted to follow you." that meaningful smile made Quinn frown in amusement as well as disgust. Finn soon realizes the girl's misunderstanding, and shakes his head quickly to straighten it out. "No, don't misunderstand me. I'm not a pervert or anything. I just want to serve you."

"Suspicious, but I don't have time for that. Get ready I'll leave now." Quinn said, pointing to the window as the young man's way out. Already heard footsteps not far from the workspace that indicates Evan has found a book of data collection that is meant Bastien.

"Your Majesty, I sud— ah... Your Honor?" Evan looked up at Bastien who had fallen asleep very soundly while leaning on the shoulder of his chair. "Mr Evan, I'm sorry, grandfather seems to be very tired. I was left alone, and I brought him tea."

"Your Majesty Quinn, since when have you been here?"

"It hasn't been long, but I'd like to ask Grandpa for his opinion on my tea party with the Prince tomorrow."

"Oh so yeah. Yes already, Your Majesty, you better get some rest so that tomorrow is not too late to wake up."

"Well, good night, Mr. Evan~"

"Yes, good night, Your Majesty."

Fyuuh, it would be easier for me if Finn already knew what my problem was. I hope this plan doesn't fail.