Chapter 168 |
When the two squires from the Church walked into the balcony, they did not feel suspicious at all. After all, this restaurant was a place only for people of high social status in the city, and searching this place was just a routine part of their work.
“When did you arrive at this restaurant, and did you temporarily leave this place just now?” asked the two squires.
Although a boatman passing by reported to the Church that he witnessed a young man wearing a black top hat and monocular summoning a big fireball, the boatman could not describe the attacker’s physical appearance in detail.
As soon as the witness mentioned the black top hat, Haulies realized who was the attacker. However, the information these squires had was still too limited for them to realize that the noble young man standing right in front of them was the very attacker wanted.
“Nine forty. I arrived this restaurant at nine forty,” Lucien answered calmly, “I have an appointment with Ms. Grace today, and I never left this restaurant.”
Lucien said the word “restaurant”, instead of “balcony”, in order to mislead Grace.
“Mr. E… Emm… This gentleman is my friend, and we were discussing piano playing just now.” Grace was for sure on Lucien’s side, and she also had no idea that Lucien actually did so many things within the fifteen minutes during which he was away in the washroom.
“Your words is for sure trustworthy.” One of the squires nodded. “I really like your piano playing, Miss Grace.”
And after a casual searching in the balcony, the two squires left.
In fact, killing Brown was never a super challenging task. However, how to kill Brown but also manage to escape from the besiege of the night watchers and knights was the toughest part of the whole mission.
And letting Brown himself run out of his own protection was the best way!
“Of course,” answered Grace eagerly. She never imagined that she could have a precious chance like this to be taught by Lucien Evans in person.
Lucien taught Grace very patiently until it was about noon. When they were waiting for the lunch, he said to Grace, “Any plans for your future?”
Grace lowered her head but did not answer immediately. Although Grace kept telling herself that it was the difficult situation that forced her to steal Lucien Evans’ name and live in a big lie, she knew that, despite all these reasons, what she was doing was because of her own greed.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do, Mr. Evans,” Grace opened her mouth with great effort.
“You did me a favor. You helped me solve the problem between my friend and Mr. Granneuve, and I really appreciate it,” said Lucien sincerely. “If you really want to be a good musician, go to Aalto, together with your family. I can write a letter for you to the president of the Musicians’ Association there, as your instructor.”
“Oh… Really?” Grace was very surprised.
Lucien nodded and continued, “Or, if you want to keep stealing my name and stay in Sturk to enjoy your reputation, I will not admit neither deny it. Up to you.”
Grace stared at the clean white tablecloth and remained silent. She had lots of thoughts going on at the same time in her mind. She knew that, without a real solid foundation in music knowledge and hard practice, her fake reputation of being Lucien Evans’ student would turn into a heavy burden for her sooner or later.
However, thinking of the luxury lifestyle she was living right now in Sturk, it was very hard for her to say goodbye to it.
Lucien did not urge Grace. No matter what option she chose, her choice did not really have anything to do with him anyway.
A couple of gentle knocks at the door dragged Grace’s thoughts back.
She sat a bit more straight, and when the waiter left the balcony, she said to Lucien with determination, “I’ll go to Aalto, Mr. Evans.”
Lucien spread the napkin on his lap and started to cut his steak, “I’ll write letters for you to Mr. Victor and Mr. Christopher.”
When Lucien and Grace were chatting about the Musicians’ Association in Aalto, someone knocked at the door again.
“Yes?” asked Grace in a cheerful tone. After making this hard decision, Grace felt way more relaxed now.
“It’s us, Grace.” It was Green, the violist of the band.
“Why are you guys here?” asked Grace again, confused.
“We need to practice this afternoon together, don’t you remember? Let’s go together!” It was Piola.
Grace did not respond immediately.
“Grace, open the door,” said Green. “You agreed with us. You agreed on doing this. And we gotta do it.”
“Yes, we have no choice,” agreed the other band members.
Hearing their words, Grace forced a smile on her face and whispered to Lucien, “After the night when I met you in the restaurant, I was very nervous and anxious, so I did not attend our regular practice. They thought that I wanted to quit.”
Lucien did not really care. He put a piece of meat in his mouth and then said, “Deal with it however you want.”
Grace nodded and then walked toward the door, partially opening it.
“No worries. I won’t give this concert up,” Grace said to the other band members. “But after that, I’m going to Aalto to learn music.”
“Are you kidding?” Green looked a bit pissed off, “Now you got money and reputation, and you want to keep away from us.”
Although the other band members were quite famous in the city as well, they were not even close to Grace, because she was the only one in the band who played piano. Of course, they did not feel that it was fair.
Therefore, gradually, these young people who got together because of the same music dream started to lose their focus and even themselves.
“Grace,” said Sharon, who was not looking at her but staring at the floor, “You know we can tell the newspaper what you are doing right now.”
Although Grace was still feeling guilty, after hearing Sharon’s words, she released a long sigh and responded, “Go ahead, Sharon. No one will believe you.”
“Does this one-month-role-playing really make you feel you’re a student of Mr. Lucien Evans?” said Green sarcastically.
Grace opened the door completely, “I got someone who supports me here.”
“Mr. Evans?!” The band members were all shocked.
They had no idea when Lucien Evans arrived in Sturk or when did Grace developed such a good relationship with him.
Lucien put down the knife and fork, wiped his mouth slowly, and walked to Grace, “I’ll send the letters to you later. When you’re in Aalto, bring the letters to Mr. Christopher.”
“Thank you, Mr. Evans… No, thank you… my teacher,” said Grace excitedly.
Lucien nodded, and when he walked past the other group members, he said to them, “Hope you folks never forget your music dream. You cannot rely on someone else’s fame for the rest of your life.”
That was also what Lucien wanted to say to himself.
When Lucien’s figure disappeared in the corridor, some of the band members lowered their heads out of shame.
…
It was sunny and hot the second day.
Lucien and Ferryman were standing side by side in the back of a small boat, moving along the canal.
Lucien puzzedly looked at Ferryman. He could not believe that Ferryman would just show up in public like this in the city.
“No worries, my friend. My blood power came from a special creature, and I’m very good at disguising myself, That’s why I’m here.” Ferryman grinned. “Thank you, Mr. Evans. You’re fantastic. Did you make the explosive yourself? Out of the materials I gave you?”
Ferryman did not link the stone bridge thing to Lucien. He thought it was only an accident, after all, Lucien was on the boat at that time.
Lucien realized that the current physical appearance of Ferryman might not be real, but he did not want to bother himself with this topic too much right now.
“Yes, I made it. It’s a unique, ancient formula,” answered Lucien casually.
“I see.” Ferryman looked ahead. “Given that you successively fulfilled the mission, now it is my turn to fulfill my promise. I’ll take you to the place of a scholar later. And before you leave Sturk, I suggest you do not go outside.”
“Scholar?” Lucien was a bit confused.
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