Chapter 274: The Lady's Request
Chapter 274: The Lady's Request
"Teachers, students, and parents of Bridge Academy, as the fifty-third Prime Minister of the Kingdom, I am honored to be invited by my alma mater to share some thoughts on education."
A middle-aged man, with a slight paunch and a stature similar to the class teacher, stood at the podium in the center of the grand auditorium, addressing the teachers and parents below.
"As someone who spent their entire youth at Bridge Academy and completed their studies at Bridge University, I must admit, perhaps to the offense of my former teachers, that Bridge Academy is not the most prestigious school in the Royal Capital.
But the significance of education to an individual goes beyond acquiring knowledge in school. What truly accompanies a person throughout their life are often things beyond knowledge, such as..."
At this point, the Prime Minister smiled and glanced down at the audience, about to mention his encounter with his wife at Bridge Academy, showcasing his wit and humor. However, he noticed his wife sitting next to their daughter Charlotte, engaged in a lively conversation with a handsome young man with black hair in the adjacent seat. His expression darkened, and he skipped the light-hearted segment, continuing his speech.
"For instance, it's about understanding and recognizing our society.
The quality of education at the Royal Academy and Central Academy might be slightly better than Bridge Academy, but education is not solely about academic knowledge. It's also about nurturing qualities for the betterment of society and the well-being of the people. In this regard, Bridge Academy, rooted in the old town, undoubtedly excels."
...
"What an excellent speech."
Sensing a hint of malicious intent in the Prime Minister's gaze, Lyon instinctively glanced at the speaker on the stage before turning back to the Prime Minister's wife, standing beside him.
"Despite being busy with state affairs, you have such unique insights into education. Truly worthy of the Prime Minister's position."
"Your Grace, you flatter me."
The Prime Minister's wife, appearing to be in her late thirties, with a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes, still exuded a captivating charm, smiled.
"Stephen's capabilities in state affairs are indeed exceptional, but they also consume much of his energy. He doesn't involve himself much in the children's affairs, so he speaks in broad strokes, leaving the details to those more adept at such matters."
"That's more than enough."
Lyon, holding Melanie, shook his head.
"As the saying goes, 'The Prime Minister is the rudder, and the King is the anchor.' Prime Minister, as long as you steer the kingdom's ship in the right direction, others more skilled will take care of the details, like hoisting the sails and measuring the water. You just need to keep the rudder steady..."
After the polite exchange of compliments, Lyon adjusted his cufflink, touching the tip of his sheep horn with his fingertip, and asked nonchalantly.
"Lady Martha, you mentioned you had some work-related matters you wanted to consult me about?"
"Yes."
The Prime Minister's wife hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Melanie in Lyon's arms.
Noticing the Prime Minister's gaze, Lyon smiled and handed Melanie over to Anna, who stood beside them.
"Wait! Wait! Big brother! I haven't..."
"Melanie!"
Anna, with lightning-fast reflexes, twisted Melanie's ear and then lifted her by the collar, as she kicked her short legs helplessly.
"Big brother is busy with work. No disturbing him!"
"I...!"
Sorry, big brother, though he wanted to spare you some trouble, matters related to "anomalies" are too dangerous for you to hear about.
Giving Melanie a helpless look, Lyon leaned slightly towards the Prime Minister's wife and whispered.
"Lady Martha, you can ask now."
"Okay, I mainly have two things I'd like to ask. The first is... I want to inquire about the situation of someone from your agency..."
Biting her lower lip shyly, the Prime Minister's wife leaned closer to Lyon's ear, her face flushing.
"Your Grace, do you know someone named Piorn?"
Piorn?
Upon hearing this name, Leon paused for a moment, then recalled seeing it on the office door opposite Jerry's.
This Piorn seemed to be on some sort of long-term, highly troublesome mission. Even now, Leon had never seen him at the agency, and his office had remained vacant, with dust settling on the doorknob.
"I guess you could say I know him. Piorn is a Second-Level Crisis Handler, and his office is not far from mine..."
After giving this somewhat vague answer, Leon blinked at the seemingly embarrassed Prime Minister's wife and asked in a surprised whisper, "Mrs. Martha, what's your relationship with Senior Piorn?"
"We... we're friends, I guess..."
Mrs. Martha's face turned even redder, and she stammered, "We're... um... very good friends. Closer than ordinary friends, the kind who can talk about anything."
"..."
Leon understood. It was the kind of friend the Prime Minister shouldn't know about.
Seeing the realization in Leon's eyes, Mrs. Martha couldn't bear to continue the topic. She lowered her head, rummaged through her handbag, and handed him a letter that seemed to have been written a long time ago.
"Your Grace, if it's not too much trouble, could you deliver this letter to Piorn and... also pass on a message for me?"
As Leon received the letter with a speechless expression, Mrs. Martha, who was usually dignified, turned away and whispered, "Just say... just tell him that I'll be waiting for him every Monday at noon at our usual spot..."
"Okay..."
Leon took the letter and put it away, his face stiffening slightly. "And what's the second matter?"
"The second matter..."
Mrs. Martha hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Can I ask if there's something in this world that can make someone impersonate a relative without the person realizing it? Something very special?"
?!
Leon's pupils constricted at her question, and he immediately thought of the photo stored in the Mirror World.
Of course, there were such anomalies. The highest-ranked anomaly of this type known was created by the Aquarius Director using the flesh and blood of the God of Enlightenment, with Anna's longing for her family as the catalyst. It was the anomaly called 'If', and it just so happened to be in Leon's possession!
"Mrs. Martha, why do you ask?"
Leon's spirit soared as he rubbed the metal cufflink he had polished to a mirror-like shine, signaling to the young Ha inside to prepare. He maintained his composure and asked, "Do you suspect that one of your relatives has been 'replaced'?"
"It's more like I suddenly have an extra relative for no apparent reason..."
Mrs. Martha reached into her pocket and took out a silver crane pendant. She whispered, "This was a gift from Piorn. He said it could help me negate the effects of your 'work' once. But recently, when my niece came to visit, it suddenly activated."
Leon narrowed his eyes at her words.
"So, you suspect that your niece isn't your real niece but someone who has influenced your memories, and perhaps those of your entire family, using something special?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Martha nodded, then added worriedly, "I've tried to ask about it, but my husband Stephen and my children all have memories of this person named Nicole. They even remember her annual visits, but I have no recollection of her at all..."
"Wait!"
Leon's eyebrows rose slightly as he heard this.
"You said your niece's name is...?"
"Nicole. She said her name is Nicole."
(End of Chapter)
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