Chapter 244: Our opportunities

It wasn’t as though Blake could dive too deeply into the subject. He had to be careful about how much he asked, especially with someone like Asher.

Still, there were ways to get him talking about Sylvan without making his intentions too obvious.

Still, compared to someone like Anthony, for example, Asher seemed considerably more susceptible to persuasion.

Of course, Blake had no intention of taking advantage of him too blatantly.

He wasn’t planning on seducing him, either. Just the thought of it made him feel vaguely disgusted. Besides, he wasn’t particularly interested in making things more complicated than they already were.

He simply needed information.

And if being friendly could get him some, then so be it.

Their dance eventually came to an end. Blake gave Asher’s hand a final, polite squeeze before letting go, and the two made their way back toward the tables.

Sylvan was currently occupied, speaking with a small group of guests. From the looks of it, their conversation was rather involved.

He occasionally gestured with his hand, his expression calm and composed as the others listened.

’Busy man, isn’t he?’

Blake glanced at Asher.

The opportunity practically presented itself.

He returned to their table with him and took his seat, smoothing the red fabric of his dress before settling down. Asher sat beside him, immediately reaching for one of the appetizers arranged on the table.

Blake watched him for a moment.

’Asher... I think he had a female lead in that novel. But that was in the unreliable version of the story, so who knows?’

He picked up his glass of wine and took a small sip.

God, he really didn’t like the taste.

"Why did you come here?" he asked casually.

Asher hummed, apparently more interested in the appetizer he’d just picked up.

"I came here to visit, because then I won’t see Mister for some time."

Blake tilted his head.

"Oh? That’s a shame! Why won’t you see him anymore?"

Asher swallowed before answering. He propped his cheek against his hand, looking rather relaxed now that the conversation had moved away from dancing.

"I’ll be busy with studying. There won’t be much time to spend with my family."

Blake nearly twitched an eyebrow.

’Are you being serious? You’re telling me all this without a second thought?’

He couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy. Still, he couldn’t exactly abandon the conversation now.

"Studying, hm? Do you go to university, or are you still in high school?"

"U-University! First year is starting soon."

Asher looked at him, then quickly glanced away.

Blake followed his gaze to the glass in his hand.

’Ah, right...’

He was drinking wine in front of a supposedly older woman.

’How scandalous, haha.’

Blake suppressed a smile and took another small sip, trying not to make his discomfort with the taste too obvious.

"Your parents must be thrilled. Is it close to your house? And what major did you choose?"

Asher hesitated for a fraction of a second.

"Ah... no, it’s not far from where I live, it’s an engineering major."

Blake studied him briefly.

At least Asher was smart enough not to mention that he had no parents.

Whether that was because he was deliberately keeping the information private or simply because he hadn’t thought it relevant was another matter.

Blake wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or concerned.

"Miss, do you also go to university?"

"Me? No, I’m not a student anywhere."

"Oh..."

Asher fidgeted with his fingers.

Blake could practically see the question forming in his head. The boy was clearly curious about what someone his apparent age was doing at an event like this, but he was too polite to ask directly.

Blake decided to spare him the trouble.

"Frankly, I’m here because I have to find someone willing to take my hand in marriage."

Asher’s eyes widened.

"R-Really? Aren’t you too young for that?"

Blake almost laughed.

He glanced around the ballroom, gently swirling the wine in his glass. The liquid moved in a slow circle, catching the warm glow of the chandeliers.

"Age doesn’t really matter when you’re in this kind of setting. Everyone here wants connections, whether for marriage or business. Perhaps both."

Asher’s expression gradually changed.

The initial surprise gave way to something more subdued. His gaze dropped toward the table, and the hand that had been resting against his cheek slowly fell.

"I see... are your parents okay with it?"

"Considering they sent me here, I’m pretty confident they’re more than okay with it."

"They sent you here?"

Asher looked genuinely astonished.

"But..."

Blake turned toward him.

’Wah, this guy really is naive. Does he have any idea how the world works?’

Maybe it was because he had to discover so much in a span of a few months... but Asher’s innocence in certain areas was definitely concerning.

"Do you think I need to take a different path?"

Asher lowered his head, suddenly looking rather ashamed.

"S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude, Miss."

"No, I’m asking you genuinely. I’m not offended."

Asher hesitated.

His gaze wandered briefly toward the ballroom, where couples were still dancing to the soft music. Then he looked back at Blake, seemingly trying to find the right words.

"I’m not saying you should change your plans if you want to pursue them," he began carefully. "But... you have so many opportunities in life. Rushing into marriage is a waste for anyone."

Blake blinked.

’Well, that is an unexpectedly sensible answer. Then again, he is a sensible guy in general.’

Blake leaned back slightly in his chair.

"I guess I can’t say that’s false. But many people in this world can’t decide for themselves. Not everyone has the privilege to choose."

Asher frowned.

"But... it is in your constitutional right!"

Blake turned back toward him.

For a moment, he simply stared.

Then he smiled. It wasn’t a particularly warm smile, but it was gentle enough not to discourage him.

"You think the government doesn’t know girls are being rushed into marriage without any choice?"

Asher opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Blake rested his chin lightly against his hand.

"Your family member, for example. He didn’t seem particularly surprised by any of this."

Asher’s expression shifted.

"R-Really? He wasn’t?"

"No."

"A-ah..."

Asher turned his head towards Sylvan, and watched him with an expression that was difficult to interpret.

Blake followed his gaze.

’There we go.’

He had finally managed to steer the conversation toward the person he actually wanted to discuss.

Now, he just had to be careful not to sound too eager.

"Do you admire him?" Blake asked, almost casually.

Asher turned back toward him.

"Of course!"

His answer came so quickly that Blake couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.

"Why is that?"

Asher straightened in his seat.

"He’s definitely a nice sir, so I’m a little curious."

Asher, meanwhile, seemed to have found a subject he was considerably more comfortable discussing.

"Ah, he’s really someone who contributes to society, and the development of our species!"

Blake’s eye twitched.

’The development of our species? Good grief, that’s a way to put it. Is his uncle even doing anything other than trafficking humans and aliens?’

But maybe Sylvan did present himself as some kind of revolutionary scientist.

He took another sip of wine to conceal his reaction.

"I see. So he’s in a technological field, I take it?"

"Yes!"

Asher nodded enthusiastically.

"He worked so hard to be where he is now."

Blake tilted his head, feigning interest.

"Really? Is he in a good work position?"

He brought his hand to his mouth, covering a small expression of surprise that was entirely artificial.

"Oh, I imagine someone as accomplished as him must have quite an important role."

Asher’s face brightened.

"Yes! He’s incredibly talented. He’s worked on so many important projects, and he’s always busy with something new."

Blake nodded thoughtfully.

’Important projects, huh?’

That was still rather vague.

He had expected Asher to offer a little more information, but he seemed more interested in praising his uncle than explaining exactly what he did.

"That sounds impressive," Blake remarked, maintaining his pleasant smile. "You must be very proud of him."

"I am!"

Asher answered without hesitation.

Blake rested his glass on the table.

’Alright. Let’s see how much you’re willing to tell me.’

Blake hummed thoughtfully, swirling the remaining wine in his glass.

"I take it you don’t see him often, then? If he’s always off to work, accomplishing so much."

"Yeah, that’s right. But it’s fine. I always want him to do more."

"Well, is he up to something new now?"

Asher’s expression brightened almost immediately.

"Yes! He’s going to do some work in the east soon."

Blake’s fingers paused against the stem of his glass.

’Oh?’

A faint smirk appeared beneath his mask.

So, at last, that much was confirmed.

As things stood, he didn’t even need to interact with anyone else anymore.

"Let’s go on a walk, what do you say?"

Asher immediately stood up as well.

"S-Sure!"

Blake smiled and casually wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He glanced around as they walked, pretending to admire the decorations while keeping track of the people nearby.

’That son of a bitch has been staring for a while now.’

The man was clearly careful about Asher. Even while occupied with his own conversations, he seemed to keep an eye on the younger man whenever he had the opportunity.

"Miss?"

Blake looked up.

Asher was gazing at him, his head tilted slightly.

"Can’t I know your name?"

That was a reasonable question.

He smiled.

"Of course not. Maybe next time we meet, without a mask."

Asher’s expression fell a little.

"But I won’t be able to recognize you that way...!"

Blake let out a soft laugh.

"I’ll go to you first, don’t worry."

"Oh."

Asher’s face brightened again.

They continued walking, eventually making their way toward the balconies.

Blake was rather grateful for that. His feet were beginning to hurt considerably.

When they finally reached the balcony, he spotted a couple of empty chairs. He walked over and carefully lowered himself onto one, letting out a barely audible sigh of relief.

The balcony overlooked the gardens surrounding the venue. The night air was cool, and the distant sounds of the ballroom seemed almost soothing by comparison.

Blake settled back in his chair, positioning himself beside the railing.

Asher, meanwhile, remained standing a little farther away.

Then Asher looked toward him.

"Miss, I really hope you’ll do whatever you want when you have the opportunity."

Blake turned his head.

"Oh, come on now. I’m still privileged compared to the average person. I’m not that screwed."

He almost covered his mouth.

’...Shit.’

Blake froze internally.

’I forgot I’m not Blake.’

That had been a little too careless.

Fortunately, Asher didn’t seem to notice.

"That is true. Many people are in danger every day... Definitely, all these criminal organizations don’t make it better."

"Well, anyone who has money and the right name can be harmful to this world."

Asher seemed to consider that statement.

Blake’s gaze wandered toward the distant lights.

It wasn’t as though he believed every wealthy person was necessarily malicious. That would have been a rather simplistic way of looking at things. Still, it was difficult to ignore how often power and influence allowed people to get away with things that would have ruined someone else’s life.

Crack.

Blake froze.

He slowly lowered his gaze.

Something was moving in the shadows.

Blake leaned forward, narrowing his eyes as he tried to make out the shape.

It was difficult to see anything clearly. The garden lamps didn’t reach that particular corner, and whatever was lurking there seemed to be deliberately keeping itself concealed.

But there was something unmistakably familiar about it.

The thing shifted again.

And then, just for a moment, he caught a clearer glimpse of it.

His blood ran cold.

"Ah!"

Blake jerked backward so suddenly that his chair scraped against the balcony floor.

Then he fell backward from the chair.