PRINCE WADE'S REQUEST

Claude stood in front of them, his expression cold. Then he spoke,

“What nerve do both of you have?”

The butler replied,“Hey! Did you forget your place?!”

Prince Wade stepped in,“It’s okay.”

Claude looked at Wade, who stood up and said,

“Listen up, you tiny twerp. You should say thank you, because my brother was trying to help you reach your dream, and you're paying us back with your shitty attitude?!”

Claude gritted his teeth in anger and replied,“Look who’s talking! And who told you to offer help, huh?”

Wade smirked, then leaned toward Claude’s ear and whispered,“You’re the one who threw your life into this. And you're going to prison after faking your age.”

Claude’s eyes widened. Wade continued,

“Remember your granny’s sake, kid. That’s why we tried not to let the truth spread, even though my family created the law you disobeyed.”

Claude stepped back and said,

“And do you think I didn’t know you were the one who ordered those men to chase me?”

Wade’s eyes widened.

FLASHBACK – LAST NIGHT

While Claude was running away from the palace, it began to rain. He kept running, gritting his teeth.

“Shit! I messed up,” he muttered.

As he neared the hospital, he saw the same men who had chased him earlier. Fear surged through him at the thought of being caught. He quickly hid behind a wall and peeked out.

His eyes widened as he saw Prince Wade’s butler giving money to the men. Claude listened in on their conversation:

“He made us believe we were going to kill him, but it turns out he was just fooled by His Highness.”

Claude couldn’t believe what he heard. When he peeked again, he saw the butler drive off and the men leave. Claude brushed his hair back in anger.

“That fucker!”

BACK TO PRESENT

Wade remained silent for a moment. Then Claude said,

“Ordering those people just to fool me with your weak little trap.”

Wade smirked.

“Oh, you got me. How smart of you, kid. You figured out my plan.”

Claude stood like a cold, unmovable stone. Wade asked again,

“I’ll ask you once more. Are you in or out?”

Claude stepped forward.“If you want to know my answer, then allow me a private conversation with you.”

The butler interrupted,“Hey! You don’t have the right to order His High—”

Wade stopped him.

“It’s okay, Eric.” He smirked at Claude. “Follow me.”

The two of them left the field and went to Wade’s office.

Once inside, Claude began,

“Let’s make this fair. I also have a condition.”

Wade raised a brow.“What kind of condition?”

Claude replied,“Let me into the ****** Company, and I’ll teach you every trick I know. If I let your brother down, then it’s up to you what you do with me—just don’t touch my grandma.”

Wade replied,“Up to me, is it?”

Claude nodded.“Be it punishment or death penalty, I’ll accept it, Your Highness.”

Wade smirked.“Okay, kid. That’s our deal. But one last thing.”

Claude asked,“What is it, Your Highness?”

Wade replied,“The last condition is… don’t fall in love with me.”

Claude answered coldly,“And what are you expecting? I just came here to teach you how to ride a horse and pursue my dream, Your Highness.”

Wade replied,“Well then, I look forward to your teaching skills, kid.”

Claude responded,“We’ll start tomorrow. And don’t forget about our project, Your Highness.”

Wade nodded,“Don’t worry. I’ll tell my brother to introduce you to the director. Be sure not to be late.”

Claude gave a slight bow,“That’s all settled. I’ll take my leave now. Please excuse me.”

Later, Claude arrived at the hospital carrying porridge and medicine for his grandmother. He entered the room and saw his Uncle Henry talking to his grandmother, who had just woken up.

Claude rushed over and hugged her. “Grandma! Thank goodness you’re awake. I brought you your medicine and something to eat.”

After she finished eating, his grandma looked at Uncle Henry and nodded. Henry handed Claude a key necklace.

“This necklace holds a lot of answers, so don’t lose it.”

Claude looked at it, then at his grandma in confusion.

“This is Grandma’s necklace?”

Uncle Henry nodded.

“She can’t talk right now due to her condition, but that necklace holds answers only she knew.”

Claude looked puzzled but accepted the necklace and wore it around his neck.

The Next Day

Claude was at the horse field on campus, practicing equestrian activities when Gilliard called out to him.

Claude turned and asked,“Is there anything you need, Gilliard?”

Gilliard replied,“I’m afraid you can go home early today.”

Claude raised a brow.“What? It’s only 9:30.”

Gilliard said,“His Highness wants you to accompany him.”

Claude looked toward the corner and saw Wade standing there. His expression changed, but he forced a fake smile and said goodbye to Gilliard.

He walked toward Wade, who said,“Let’s work on our project, then move on to our horse training session, shall we?”

Claude replied calmly,

“yes your highness but please don’t give me that look.”

Wade smirked.“Relax, kid. We’re just going to work on our project. I’m not going to fall for someone like you.”

Claude whispered,

"And please your highness don't call me kid, people might think that I don't look like in my real age"

Wade replied"okay copy that!"

Claude ignored him and walked ahead. Wade called after him,“Hey, wait up,Claude! I was just joking!”

From a window above, Prince Nikolai watched them.

“I heard that kid was the one who perfected the entrance exam and accelerated into the third year,” Nikolai said.

“I don't even get a chance to get close to Lord Wade.”

A dark-haired old man behind him, sitting at his desk and playing chess without an opponent, replied,

“Keep an eye on him. You must find out who that kid is.”

Nikolai turned around, and the man added,

“He made me overthink ever since he stepped into this academy.”

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