The Boy himself wasn't the kind of 5-year-old who would simply deliver mind-blowing intel without payment.

If anything, before dropping the news about Ranran, he approached the widower with the intention of not leaving the estate empty handed.

After advising the matriarch over how she should approach this with caution, she wasted no time making phone calls over investigating the family while The Boy left the residence with a list of contacts she often made with them in private.

Isadora Foxe Thornvale wasn't you ordinary typical business woman.

In many ways, there are not many rich commoners in this neighbourhood they are currently living in would have long term loyal customers of various backgrounds, especially among aristocrats in general. The real reason The Boy approach to the residence was to obtain those contacts she has at her disposal.

He can't simply bring Ranran's family over to the prestigious neighbourhood, since he lacks power for a 5-year-old, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be able to find other means to achieve this without getting caught.

....................................................................................

The lucrative businesses connected to the Thornvale family in the future would be worth billions in pounds according to the projector, mainly because the family barely paid taxes. 

However, this wasn't your ordinary 'refusing to pay tax' since they want to remain wealthy for life situation.

No, if anything, the real reason Isadora stopped paying her taxes, was due to the fact that she had suspicions some of the taxpayers money are funded into the royal family's expenses. In the U.K, this topic has been brought up multiple times across tabloids. Since he was arranged to be married to Ernestine who is connected to royalty, he too had to undergo royal education.

And he can honestly say.....what those tabloid news had to say....was nothing but the truth. 

It wasn't exactly a secret. 

The royal family had relied on this funding for centuries, and it was justified—at least on paper. The expenses were necessary for the upkeep of historic royal properties, the execution of public engagements, and the maintenance of tourism, which generated a significant portion of the U.K.'s economy. For a time, these expenditures were accepted without question, as they were seen as investments that upheld national heritage and prestige.

But that sense of acceptance began to erode about 10 years ago when a new branch of the royal family ascended to the throne.

"Cost of living has gone up for no reason, inflation here and there, hell, even there is tax on inheritance!" The Boy recalled that conversation from the furious Isadora as she goes, "I know inflation is unavoidable at times due to the economy, but this? This is nothing but greed and mismanagement! Inflation is eating away at everyone's savings, then you'll see taxes slapped on inheritance left and right, then surely but lastly: more and more unnecessary business taxes! With no proper reason!"

The Boy had been sitting quietly in the corner, listening intently. Isadora's voice, sharp and filled with frustration, echoed in the grand room. "I grew up poor," she said, her tone laden with memory. "I know what it's like to be pinched so hard, so many times, you're left with nothing. My estranged mother couldn't even put food on the table for herself most days. That's how desperate she was."

She paused, her expression hardening. "That's why she seduced and slept with my real father. She was desperate to escape poverty, and that's how I ended up here."

The room was quiet for a moment, the gravity of her words settling like a heavy weight in the air.

"And you know what the worst part is?!" Isadora's voice rose, her frustration mounting. "Their spending grew to levels of absolute absurdity. Lavish galas, opulent ceremonies, private jets under the guise of diplomacy—it's all just a front for indulgence!" She slammed her hand onto the armrest of her chair, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the wood.

"Is it possible that their secret 'side businesses' are doing well?" The Boy suggested.

In the community they live in, it isn't surprising for royal families to do private business dealings, as it was an alternative to keep the cash flowing in since they can't conquer land anymore.

"Side businesses? Oh, if only it were that simple," Isadora's sharp laugh cut through the heavy air. "I have been decades in this business, and as far I have known, the current family only talent is farting money out of their asses!"

The Boy blinked, taken aback by Isadora's crude yet scathing remark. For a moment, he wasn't sure whether to laugh or remain silent. Isadora, however, was unfazed, her piercing gaze locked on the intricate design of the carpet beneath her feet as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees.

"You must be wondering how I know all of this, right?" she said, her tone icy before smirking. "I have intel suggesting to me that one of their relatives is currently working for the HMRC!"

HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue & Customs) is the UK's tax, payments and customs authority. Similar to how the IRS seize assets in the U.S., HMRC is notorious for monitoring tax compliance, investigating illegal financial activities, and cracking down on any forms of tax evasion.

"Working for HMRC? That's... unexpected." The Boy's eyes widened before frowning, "Why would a royal be working there in the first place?"

"You seem to be forgetting something," Isadora scoffed, leaning back in her chair. "When there is opportunity to seize assets through the HMRC, you can bet your last pound that those with power will exploit it. A royal working for the HMRC isn't as surprising as you think— even during the King Henry VIII era, the royal family had a long history of using the system to their advantage. They have always known how to bend the rules in their favor, even when it comes to something as 'mundane' as tax collection." Isadora's eyes glinted with knowledge, a sharp edge in her voice."

She leaned forward again, her gaze hardening. "You see, the reason why I had someone look into this, is because lately, a couple of my business partners whom I knew have an affinity with financial dealings lately.....had to shut down their businesses and file for bankruptcy. And I know they are not wastefully lavish, not one bit."

Isadora's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I've been tracking the patterns, and something's off. Their financial activities haven't been matching up, not by a long shot. And suddenly, these businesses that were supposed to be profitable, are crashing? It's no coincidence."

The Boy's eyes narrowed, trying to piece together what she was implying. "Are you....implying that they have been shutting down competitors under the guise of 'tax evasion' or some other excuse?"

"No, what I am trying to say is.....all of these companies had in common is that they declared their taxes."

The Boy's lips parted as he absorbed this revelation. 

"And the ones that didn't, mainly the royal family's companies....are not affected. You see where I am heading with this?"

The little boy's expression darkened, his mind running through the implications of this discovery. Though, concern grew as he questioned the matriarch, "But by not doing your tax.....are you not worried that the royal family may....bankrupt you? Cause legally, it is still illegal not to settle taxes."

"You're right," she said, her voice calm but laced with an underlying edge. "It's illegal, yes. But I'm not reckless. I've calculated the risk." She paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "If that day ever comes, I would rather get arrested than let those pesky simpletons in a gold crown seize any of my assets! Because at least it is better than being a honest businesswoman who is left to die on the streets with nothing at all while they gleefully indulge in my hard-earned money!"

His eyes widened at Isadora's fierce declaration. He had always known her to be calculating, even ruthless at times, but hearing her so openly confront the consequences of her actions with such determination made him realize the depth of her resolve.

Perhaps that is why her future great-grand-daughter, Kudo Ranran, had the guts to scheme with too much over-confidence in her. She definitely inherited this boldness from this woman. The Boy muses at this.

....................................................................................

"A royal working for the HMRC, huh.....? So that is how Ernestine is able to keep her family's wealth in the future after wiping out the aristocrats here." The Boy was in deep thought as the family chauffeur drove the 5-year-old back to the mansion. 

In the future according to the projector, The Boy has often wondered is Ernestine the type to simply vanquish all of the wealth and privilege that came as a royal after abolishing the aristocrat system here.

It's one thing to leave everything behind, but it's another to walk away from a massive family fortune that one is born, entitled to use it to their liking.

As the Boy sat back in the car, the weight of the conversation lingered in his thoughts. He had always known that the world of power, wealth, and privilege was complicated, but today's revelations painted a much darker picture than he could have anticipated. 

Ethically, a royal shouldn't be allowed to work for the HMRC. 

Yet, the fact that he himself is a fiance of a royal which even he himself has no idea about this speak volumes. Ernestine definitely had that foresight to not let him know any of this to ensure that she gets her 'happy ending' in the projector after all. This is her selfish narcissistic future she is talking about.

This girl....if she ever grow up becoming a woman later on in life....there were be more victims.

The more he thought about her, the more he could see the depth of her ambition and the cruelty that might come with it. In the future, she was somehow mysteriously able to have crap ton of money, he often wondered how was she able to retain her wealth after she 'quit' being a royal before becoming a criminal journalist/biographer. 

Because as much money she will be given after no longer becoming a royal, it was noticeable that the things she was dressed up in the future were dripping in luxury before her no.1 criminal biography she wrote became a huge cash grabbing success. Sure, to the eyes of a ordinary person, one would naturally assumed she inherited from her family as she claims.

But not many people are aware, the bags and jewellery are definitely not from the royal family.

The reason The Boy knew this? He was close to Ernestine's maternal great grandmother before her passing.

When she was alive and this was after the announcement of their 'engagement' when both The Boy and Ernestine were 2-years-old, she was the one who took him under her wing. Before her passing, she had been a mentor of sorts to him—someone who could see through the layers of pretense and privilege that surrounded them. Her lessons weren't about royal etiquette or high-society manners, but about survival, manipulation, and how to navigate a world where power could be easily obtained, but equally as easily lost.

Since he was groomed to marry into royalty, he was also provided the royal education to memorize the assets of the royal family.

And that itself was bizarre. Then again, it ain't surprising. Since the royal family had so many jewels, so much luxury, that no one paid attention when a piece went missing. Even the most expensive items would simply disappear, only for a new one to take its place, as if the wealth were endless.

As he sat in the back of the car, looking out at the passing scenery, it became even more apparent that Ernestine had already probably schemed her rise to power around this present timeline, which is how she was able to afford those bags, clothes and jewellery in the future.  

But there was something else in the back of his mind, something more unsettling: the mysterious royal working in HMRC....who could it be?

According to Isadora, it was entirely impossible to pinpoint who was this said royal, due to the sheer number of potential candidates who might fit the description. It would've been plain stupid if the royal family were to send in the prominent ones there, even if they faked their identities and all of that,  it would be a mere ticking timebomb for their part.

He had learned enough about the workings of the royal family to know that discretion and subtlety were valued above all. The family had always had a way of keeping their true intentions hidden, and sending someone high-profile to infiltrate such a powerful institution would be far too obvious. No, the royal in question would have to be someone far more discrete, someone who could pass under the radar while still holding the weight of their lineage behind them.

And that would either be a relative that not even the news is aware of, or in the likeliest plausibility: It has to be a illegitimate royal.

In Montgrave Ridge, it's not uncommon to have illegitimate children of noble and royals alike, mostly due to the arrange marriages practice that is still ongoing even up till today. While legally, it is illegal to impose such practices on minors like himself. Which is why within the lines of legality, they often push in the boundaries of their law to their advantage. Not breaking, just bending.

The sad reason for that is to protect their family assets, as most of the families he knew growing up here are from old money, and old money had its own set of rules—rules that didn't necessarily align with the law, but rather with tradition and survival.  

Of course, as this is 21st century, not everyone respect the old ways and try to understand that these practices. However, these old traditions aren't without reasons.

These days, The Boy had noticeably notice that the ones who literally 'married for love' hasn't fair out well. Mostly due to the fact that they faced financial ruin, or a couple of public scandal hidden within the doors of their manor, or in worst case scenario: Their spouses merely married them for their wealth.

But for him, there was something even more unsettling about the fate of the children in these unions. The children were the true victims. 

It usually ends in multiple scenarios.

In such scenario for instance, the legitimate heirs, those who were supposed to carry on the family name and wealth, often found themselves at the mercy of a cold, impersonal system. Their lives, for all the wealth and power they inherited, were often devoid of the warmth and connection that should have come with such privilege. In these families, the love that was meant to accompany the riches and titles never materialized, leaving the children emotionally barren. Their role, from birth, was to continue the family legacy, and that was all.

On the other hand, the illegitimate children, those born outside the bounds of these rigidly arranged marriages, often found themselves in a completely different position. To The Boy's surprise, they were sometimes treated with far more affection, even more favorably, than the legitimate heirs. 

The reasons for this were subtle, but they were rooted in the very essence of the family's old-money mindset. Illegitimate children—those who didn't inherit the same titles or responsibilities—weren't bound by the same expectations. They were often treated as "special," as if the family owed them something for the circumstances of their birth.

And worst? In these aristocratic families, the illegitimate children weren't just allowed to exist; they were encouraged to take advantage of their special status. 

They were given privileges, treated like royalty themselves, as though their very existence was an affront to the rigid traditions that dictated their family's lives. The result was a toxic dynamic, where the legitimate heirs, those who were supposed to carry on the legacy and manage the family wealth, were belittled and humiliated by those who had no right to the title or the estate.

It was a cruel irony that The Boy could not shake from his mind: at least when his real father and stepmother was still around before they were arrested due to falsified evidence, even though his birth was born from a sin, he was lucky enough to be loved before his real mother threw away the key to their freedom.

Now, looking at the world around him, let alone, the garden in his manor, he couldn't help but wonder: what was the cost of all this? Was any of this worth the money?

The Boy's mind was clouded with doubt, but he could see one thing clearly: Ernestine plans to use this system to her benefit, and he can't let this continue anymore.

If this continues on, it's one thing if Edgewood Academy shuts down, but it's another if Montgrave Ridge is brought to ruins!

"Mr Shaw, can you keep this visit between me and Miss Isadora a secret from my mother?" The Boy instructed to the chauffeur.

The chauffeur, an older man who had served the family for many years, nodded without a word, his face impassive as he continued to steer the car through the winding roads toward the manor. The Boy's words hung in the air, laden with an unspoken tension. He could tell that the chauffeur had seen enough of the inner workings of the family to understand the significance of such a request, even if it was never directly spoken aloud.

Mr Shaw was one of the few people among the family staff that The Boy could rely on, since most of the staff members within their family all secretly work for his ambitious mother. Honestly, if he hadn't use the projector to see all of this, he would've been continuedly deceived. 

When the car finally arrived at the manor, The Boy stepped out, his thoughts still swirling in a cloud of uncertainty. He was no longer just a spectator in this game—he was a player, whether he wanted to be or not.

.........................................................................................

Isadora's contacts were useful.

She has close contacts with her alumni from Edgewood Academy since she was enrolled there as a child till her university years. Which is what The Boy seeks. 

During his time in Edgewood, he had asked around before he was removed by his mother as to who is the likeliest of person who will remain in close contact with the staff members within the prestigious institution. When Isadora's name was mentioned, he knew he needed something that will lead her to think he is useful to her enough to stablish an alliance.

Fortunately, that projector introduce to him Ranran.

And he needed Isadora's connections badly, cause he need to meet a couple of individuals there that could help him monopolize Edgewood in the shadows. So that Ernestine's plans will not go accordingly.

But entering the Academy wouldn't be easy. He is a former student and the son of a marques after all, after 'that school incident', it wouldn't be surprising if those 'idiots' recognize him, then surround him to demand some explanations just so to feed them their rumour cravings to be exact.

The only solution is to use that projector to identify one of the Edgewood students, ensure they owe him a favour by preventing the events there, then he will be able to slip past Edgewood to and from. The problem is that the smarts students there are smart.

In life, help doesn't come in free. All of the nobles and royals are raised that way, so that limits him to children of middle to lower class that aren't so smart. 

That isn't an issue, but honestly, he didn't think his options would be this limited. 

Not that he dislikes children of lower classes, but he is certain they are similar to those idiotic children in cartoons whereby their views of justice is narrow and idealistic. After all, he used to be a student after all, having witness all such nonsensical stuff occurring in Edgewood Academy again and again.

They see the world in black and white, often ignoring the complexities of situations or the compromises that sometimes must be made in the name of survival. The Boy had no patience for such naïveté; he needed someone who could see beyond the surface, someone who understood the value of a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Yes, someone who will use shady means to tackle children and people of such nature that is currently tainting the name of Montgrave Ridge and not have shallow thoughts. 

And the first person to begin with, would be none other than 16-year-old Ophelia Graves.

.........................................................................................

Ophelia Graves is someone who was born into a normal family as written by the future Ernestine.

Or rather, in this case: Adopted. But still, she was cherished lovingly as if they were their own, as it was revealed they even went as far as to take in additional jobs just to pay for her heart surgery, as she was born with a defect heart.

One day, when she was around 16, she applied to enrol in Edgewood Academy under a scholarship program.

Later approved, she blissful ends up in the prestigious academy without issues. 

Except, she has no idea all of this was orchestrated by her biological mother who abandon her as a child, just so she could exploit their blood ties to seize some old man's inheritance, since the man and her child are related as grand-daughter and grandfather.

Having pieced together her story from the information provided by the projector, Ophelia's death, as The Boy learned, eventually became one of Ernestine's deck of cards to shut down Edgewood Academy.

Allegedly, she was murdered due to 'school violence' by the students of the academy. 

It's not strange to The Boy at all that this is a possibility in the future, given that she is a scholarship student in a school filled with the wealthy elite who enjoy sneering superiority and condescension that The Boy himself had once witnessed multiple times. The school was even accused for covering up this crime by the time Ernestine turn 17, which is why when a criminal investigation was initiated by Ernestine out of curiosity, the truth became a catalyst for Edgewood Academy's downfall.

But unbeknownst to anyone, this wasn't your ordinary school violence.

For starters, it only involved one student being the mastermind for everything, which is her so-called bestie. Having accidentally discovered that her bestie not only had 'relations' with a middle age music producer from Korea, and to top it off, fell pregnant and had a premature delivery within Edgewood academy,

Fearing that she will lose her dream as an idol, since single mothers can't be one, and with Ophelia who was abandoned by her own mother as a child arguing that she shouldn't be irresponsible as a mother, it wasn't surprising as to why her bestie later framed the entire pregnancy incident onto Ophelia.

Now, to frame someone as 'pregnant' is entirely impossible for Ophelia for many reasons. 

Medically she has a heart defect, which is why her biological mother abandoned her in the first place. However, Edgewood on its own is a fertile ground for secrets—secrets that could be exploited for power, manipulation, and leverage. It was a place where connections were more important than merit, and appearances were everything. 

And with its complex web of relationships and whispered rumors, it wasn't hard for someone like Ophelia's bestie to manipulate individuals for her own gain, especially when desperation clouded judgment.

And if there was ever the worst murphy law in the history of the world in The Boy's opinion, this was it: Police corruption, the murders towards her two adoptive parents, kidnapping, extortion, blackmailing, then eventual Ophelia's murder thanks to her best friend's connections....all of this accumulated to one of the most grotesque, tragic sequences of events in Edgewood History.

Over the course of 2 weeks, Ophelia was ridiculed, humiliated, even ostracized by her peers. Whispers about her "pregnancy", "attempted murder onto the baby' spread through Edgewood like wildfire. Each retelling more exaggerated than the last. The manipulation was so subtle, so well-orchestrated, that no one questioned the story. Ophelia was painted as the villain who is willing to 'murder' a child to hide the pregnancy, a disgrace to the academy's pristine image, while her bestie emerged as the victim of a betrayal she had orchestrated. Every word Ophelia tried to speak in her defense was drowned out by the chorus of rumors and lies, and soon, the accusations were cemented as truth in the eyes of the students and faculty.

The worst part was that no one believed her. No one cared enough to listen to her side of the story, not when the school's elite circles had already decided who the real culprit was. Her bestie, the one person Ophelia had trusted, had turned the tables so completely that Ophelia was left with no allies, no support, and no escape.

Even her supposed biological mother who claim to 'love' her by getting Edgewood Academy to accept her daughter she abandon, just so to cash in on the inheritance from some old man by claiming she is his grand-daughter, did nothing but spew in disgust over being a 'problem child'.

Things got so bad, that Ophelia's mental state deteriorated if it wasn't for her adoptive parents who believed in her.

But even that love wasn't enough to prevent the tragedy that was coming in the way.

Gradually, incidents such as police corruption, the murders towards her two adoptive parents, kidnapping, extortion, and blackmailing eventually lead to Ophelia's death.

Alright, he will admit, this was consider 'fair grounds' for shutting down. But he has a big problem with this future: first of all, after the investigation was conducted thanks to Ernestine, it was uncovered that there was only one Edgewood student and several adults involved in Ophelia's death.

True, he too think that should be considered as school violence, providing that even some of the teachers there are involved. But when he listen to the projector further, to his frustration, there was only two people associated to Edgewood behind her death, and as for the rest of the adults, they had nothing to do with Edgewood.

With that said, how can this be classified as school violence if this incident only involved two people from Edgewood out of the group of murderers? If it had been a mob of students, The Boy could have accepted the label of "school violence." 

But it seemed like a mislabeling at best and an exaggeration at worst, one that distorted the broader truth behind Ophelia's tragic death.

Of course, he googled the definition of school violence, and found that the term generally refers to violent acts occurring within school grounds or directly involving students or staff members. This can include physical assaults, bullying, threats, or other forms of harm perpetrated by members of the school community. He understands, legally, they have the right.

However, Ophelia's murder took place at some public park which is a long distance away from Edgewood.

No where near the school premises, nearby around the streets of Edgewood, nor even connected to school-related events. It happened entirely outside the jurisdiction or direct influence of Edgewood Academy, which made the classification of the entire sequence of events as "school violence" feel even more misplaced.

In conclusion: This is a clear case whereby Ernestine plans to use this incident to shut down Edgewood.

"And just because Ophelia is also a Edgewood student, she finds no issues stirring the pot for the sake of profits and fame," The Boy thought bitterly. "I mean even Ophelia's adoptive parents are dead thanks to the scheming by those idiots who were mislead into thinking Ophelia could've given birth, kill the baby that barely existed and bury the corpse!"

Then again, as sad as how Ophelia's future will play out, he need to use Ophelia as pawn badly to end Ernestine.

Don't care if she is 'too naive' that lead to her death, he will had to convince her somehow. If Ophelia doesn't work, he can always use others, no?

The plan wasn't pretty, nor was it fair. But in the game of power, morality was a luxury he couldn't afford. 

.........................................................................................

In the aftermath, 16-year-old Ophelia's future had been altered thanks to The Boy.

At a undisclosed location where The Boy who now assumes the identity of The Deer in his deer mask, frowned at a recently traumatized Ophelia sitting opposite his desk. The teenage girl sat with a vacant expression, her face pale, her hands trembling slightly as they rested on her lap. She looked utterly drained, the weight of her recent trauma etched into her every movement.

Then again, The Boy can't blame her.

She almost got murdered, her adoptive parents almost got killed by the idiotic mob who believed in her bestie's lies by setting their house on fire, and she was that close to having a mental breakdown. Fortunately with The Boy's intervention, those 'future killers' of her will now rot in prison.

The Boy felt a flicker of pity. Ophelia looked like a shadow of herself, her once-bright eyes dulled with exhaustion and fear. The faint trembling of her hands betrayed her shattered state.

Breaking the silence, The Deer finally spoke, his voice calm and deliberate.

"Ophelia," he began, the weight of her name settling over the room like a heavy fog. "Do you know why do you end up in this predicament in the first place?"

The teenager's vacant eyes flickered briefly at the sound of his voice, but her lips remained pressed into a thin, trembling line. She didn't answer. Whether it was out of fear, exhaustion, or disbelief, The Boy—now fully assuming the role of The Deer—wasn't certain.

He sighed, leaning forward slightly, his mask casting a shadow across the dimly lit room. "I will put it bluntly, you were not in the wrong to lecture your so-called bestie when you insists that she doesn't abandon her baby. In the first place, it is wrong to abandon a child. However," he continued, his tone a careful balance between sternness and sympathy. "Given your friendship with her before all of this had taken place, you are aware how her family is like, right?"

Ophelia's eyes shifted slightly, her expression still distant, but there was a faint glimmer of recognition. She was listening. The Deer pressed on, his voice measured, calm, yet unrelenting.

"She grew up with a single mother plus four unemployed brothers who took their mother's love for granted financially, so if that baby secret ever came out, how do you think she is going to be able to support her mother and run away from them financially by becoming an idol in the first place? Do you know of any single mothers who became successful idols in real life so far, Ophelia? Also, the father of her child ghosted her, in what common sense of mind is raising a kid in such conditions for the sake of 'responsibility' going to work out for her? She is 16-years-old like you are," he said, his gaze hidden behind the deer mask but his tone penetrating. "Also, you also knew she wasn't that irresponsible, given that she took all sorts of precautions to ensure she didn't get pregnant, and yet, by the time she found out and tried to abort it, she was legally too late to abort it."

The Deer watched as Ophelia's trembling fingers clenched slightly, her vacant expression shifting just enough to betray a flicker of emotion—confusion, guilt, or perhaps anger. She still said nothing, but the faint tightening of her jaw told him his words were beginning to sink in.

"Of course, I am not here to justify her actions, Ophelia. Everyone I know of can make bad decisions, she too is no different," The Deer continued, his tone unwavering but not unkind. "What she did that caused irreparable harm, to you, to your family, and to her own soul I will admit is evil. But let me ask you something, Ophelia, and be truly honest with me: was it simply right for you to force motherhood onto her given her situation? Cause from the records I manage to retrieve here during a police interrogation" 

He took out a couple of papers before reading it out, "She actually instructed you to put the baby: her daughter, in those anonymous baby boxes in one of those orphanages. A lot of girls I know of like her, this one from the wealthier side of things....usually it would've been way better to let the baby die instead of being track down. I don't know about you, Ophelia, but did it not occur to you that just by forcing motherhood onto someone who doesn't have the capacity for it....the baby could've die under her own hands thanks to you?"

The air in the room grew heavier as The Deer's words lingered. Ophelia's expression shifted again, and though she remained silent, the intensity in his gaze grew sharper.

The Deer continued, his voice now cold and precise, his words designed to pierce through the last of Ophelia's defences.

"I'm not trying to paint her as some kind of saint. Cause she is not," he continued, leaning forward slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "But you need to understand, Ophelia, which ever decision you make is bound to have consequences. Mainly, pushing someone into a situation they cannot handle....that itself too I consider is evil."

Ophelia's chest tightened, and she closed her eyes, trying to push the tears back. It was too much. The guilt, the realization, the overwhelming sense of helplessness. She had been trying to save someone who didn't want to be saved, and in doing so, she had destroyed herself in the process.

For a long moment, there was only silence between them. The Deer let the weight of his words hang in the air, giving Ophelia the space she needed to process, to understand what he had been trying to show her.

Finally, Ophelia's voice cracked through the silence, barely audible but full of raw emotion. "But the baby is innocent, you know?" she asked, her words a mixture of desperation and confusion. "She did nothing wrong....."

"I know," The Deer continued, his voice now measured and sharp, "But I know deep down, it would've been better if you did what your friend had instructed. At least....this will spare you and your family, I mean....you all almost died because of your decision."

Ophelia's hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms as she tried to quell the sense of helplessness bubbling up inside her. Her heart ached, torn between the raw instinct to protect the innocent life and the realization that, by following her own sense of righteousness, she might have created more suffering in the end.

The Deer stood up, walking around the desk slowly as he continued speaking, his footsteps measured and deliberate. "So the next time you decided to preach about 'responsibility' and all of that, make sure you fully understand the regrets that may come with it. Cause not everyone is within their means to afford that sort of luxury."

The teenager nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking deeper with each passing second. It felt as though the ground beneath her was crumbling. She had been so sure she had done the right thing, but now it all seemed like an illusion, a carefully constructed façade that had shattered in an instant.

"Now, about our deal," The Deer continued, his tone shifting slightly, "I had your friend's baby under the care of her mother now, I also...made sure they will financially live comfortably through that scumbag who got her pregnant in the first place, in return, I expect you to honor our deal."

The tension in Ophelia's chest only deepened. The layers of guilt, regret, and confusion still swirled around her, but now there was something else—a sense of dread. She hadn't expected to be tied to a deal, let alone one so grim and complicated. What exactly had she gotten herself into?

"About that deal....what do you need me to do in return?" she asked hoarsely, her voice barely a whisper as she met his masked gaze, searching for some hint of understanding.

The Deer smiled faintly, though it was more a tightening of his lips than a true expression of amusement. "Your father....he still works in Edgewood as a school psychiatrist, right? After I cleared your name there and everything in between?"

"Yes... he's still working there. After all, Edgewood has to, after what my family has been through....especially with the recent 'mass firing' onto the staff members who wronged our family," Ophelia replied softly, her voice trembling slightly. She had no idea where this conversation was heading, but the sense of unease in her chest deepened with every word The Deer spoke.

The Deer leaned forward slightly, his presence looming over her like a shadow. "I would need him to look into someone that I would bringing over to Edgewood before next year's school interview....."

"School interview?" Ophelia blinked before her fist hit her hand lightly, "Ah right! It's coming next year January, right? I almost forgot about that!"

For a moment, Ophelia temporarily forgotten about her traumatizing ordeal as Ophelia snapped back to the reality of their conversation. He observed her reaction carefully, noting the way she seemed to briefly lose herself in the mundane details of her life—something as simple as a school interview amidst everything else that had happened.

"Yes," The Deer replied, his tone as cold and deliberate as before. "The school interview. It's a significant event. And the individual I'm referring to is someone of interest I have in mind. I need your father to do this quietly, discreetly, and without raising suspicion."

Ophelia swallowed hard, the dread returning with full force as she processed his words.

"Who is this person you're talking about? Is it....a noble? Or a royal?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Oh, you don't need to know that much, let alone, be worried," The Deer leaned back slightly in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk. "Just a 3-year-old girl." 

"A... 3-year-old?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart pounding in her chest. "Huh!?"

"Of course, I too....need you to do other things for me in Edgewood....." The Deer's gaze never wavered as he continued, his tone measured and unfaltering.