Episode 62. Don’t Worry, I Didn’t Call You to Kill You
The next day, when I went to the library, the book I was reading was still there. However, there wasn’t a speck of dust on the desk.
This was because the library caretakers had taken care of this place as if it were their own desk.
I opened the book, recalled the part I had read yesterday, and continued reading.
Then Prince Kydel came and sat in front of me.
“Shouldn’t we sit separately today?”
He smiled and responded to my disgruntled gaze.
“Miss Loire. You don’t sleep in the morning, do you?”
“Prince Kydel too.”
Then he took the book I was reading yesterday and opened it.
“...”
Suddenly, I felt a sense of bewilderment, thinking that we had come up with some kind of rule.
I could have told him, “Shouldn’t you sit separately today?” but there is a timing to conversation.
And I had just missed it.
If I said that now, it would seem like I was super conscious of him.
“This punk... That was it?”
I opened my eyes wide and looked at him.
He seemed completely focused on his book, but I was sure that this was his scheme.
To distract me like this so that I wouldn’t be able to study, and then give me poor answers in the competition!
I pursed my lips as I watched his long, white fingers silently turn the pages.
‘Let’s see if I’m concentrating or not!’
I’m from Count Loire. He didn’t know what that meant, but that’s where the Countess and Misha live.
I’m going to show off the skills I’ve gained from overcoming sabotage for ten years today.
Oh, oh.
I furiously read through the book.
I felt Prince Kydel glancing at me, sensing my changed energy.
But I didn’t even look up.
Huh!
When did I fall asleep? I fell asleep face down on the desk and opened my eyes to the fragrant scent of black tea.
What I saw then was Prince Kydel’s face, pouring black tea in my direction with his lips pursed.
Woop!
I jumped up with my eyes wide open.
He put the teacup down in front of me, smiled brightly, and returned to his seat.
And there he drank his black tea. It was as if he were sitting in his own living room.
What a relaxed expression.
I looked around with goosebumps all by myself, but the library was still quiet, with only a few administrators milling around.
“Aren’t you going to drink? It smells good.”
He was so calm that I couldn’t open my mouth. I drank the tea in silence, and then my eyes widened.
Why is this tea so delicious...?
“What kind of tea is it?”
“His Highness Grayon sent it to me. He said it was hard work.”
“Oh. Yes.”
“You’ll have a lot of good things happen when you’re by my side. Miss Loire.”
Look at that smirk, that punk, that smile that’s like sunshine.
It seemed like I was the only one who was wary of others and sensitive.
I suddenly felt a little sorry for myself, so I just sipped my tea. The soft taste of the black tea with a little milk in it was amazing, the more I drank it.
I was envious of Prince Kydel being treated like this. No matter how well I did, Her Highness the Princess would only ask for more.
However, I had no major complaints. Prince Kydel and His Highness Grayon were destined to be together, and I would be the one to leave after the competition was over.
He asked while savoring the incense.
“What do you think, Miss Lorisha?”
“Yes?”
“It’s about iron ore.”
I snorted inwardly at the sudden question.
Did you think I would fall for something like this?
“I have a great idea, but I can’t tell you about it, Prince. We’re in the middle of a competition.”
He smiled.
“That’s right. We’re in the middle of a competition. And at times like this, you’re most curious about your competitors’ inner thoughts.”
“Oh, are you curious about my inner thoughts?”
“Of course. It’s very interesting to guess what’s going on in your head.”
What was that? At first glance, it sounded like praise, but after that brief moment, it felt like an insult.
Was it because my head was weird or something?
But I wasn’t particularly offended.
It may have been because of the black tea, but I doubt that there would be anyone who would not find something strange in a perfect human being like Prince Kydel.
“Don’t worry. I don’t have as much experience or knowledge as Your Excellency. My plans probably won’t go beyond the scope of these books, but this problem is completely realistic and practical, right? So don’t worry.”
I glanced at him again.
“Don’t laugh at my answer later.”
“...”
But he was still looking at me with an indifferent expression.
I felt a little sorry.
Prince Kydel would probably discuss the final decision on the contest with His Highness Grayon.
This contest was to test the abilities of the Princes and Princesses. The role of the attendants was to help and advise.
However, Her Highness the Princess had no interest in the contest. To her, a “problem” meant “something troublesome that is solved by someone else.”
That’s why I made a mistake when I said “my answer” without realizing it.
I couldn’t tell from his expression whether Prince Kydel was taking pity on me or disrespecting me.
However, I was the first to feel offended.
Strangely, I would feel discouraged when I was in front of him.
If he had tried to show off, I might have tried to tease him instead.
But since he didn’t, I might have felt like there was a wall between us that I couldn’t approach.
He spoke softly, his characteristic purple eyes focused on me.
“I hope Her Highness knows how lucky she is to have you, Miss Loire.”
“…..”
I tried to tell him not to tease me, but I kept my mouth shut. It didn’t feel right.
I had no choice but to let my eyes wander and just read the book.
***
In the evening, Prince Kydel got up from his seat.
“Today, I have to attend dinner with my father.”
“Yes. Enjoy your meal, Your Excellency.”
I answered absentmindedly from my book, and Prince Kydel left with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Because I was so focused on the book, I only realized it after he left. I was so busy with so much to read right now, why should I know who he was eating with?
Then I remembered something he had said one day.
'If you say it with good intentions, how about accepting it with good intentions, Miss Loire?'
No matter how I thought about it, I was right that I was rude, so I continued studying a little discouraged.
There were roughly two groups in the empire that wanted to monopolize the supply of iron.
The military and warlord families that had consumed a huge amount of weapons and money in this war, and the increased domestic demand.
Even if the supply of raw materials had increased explosively, there was a limit to the increase in iron production, so the imperial family was faced with a problem of choice.
The nobles who had participated in this war, including the imperial army, insisted that they should first turn all of their production into weapons production and replenish the weapons they had consumed.
The issue of the empire's defense capability was always important, and it was reasonable to give priority to those who had fought with their lives.
However, even within the empire, there were expectations for an increase in the supply of iron. An example of this was the iron carriage that had recently become a hot topic in a newspaper advertisement.
The inventor had received orders from the rich, claiming that it would be safe from robbers by adding iron plates to the outside of the carriage.
It was an item that emerged from the expectations raised by the victory in the Battle of Amata.
The empire had been suffering from a shortage of iron for several years before the Battle of Amata. The reason Agael had seduced the Amata tribe was that the problem could have had such a big impact on the empire.
However, if the situation did not change even after the victory, everyone would have no choice but to resent the imperial family.
I looked up a lot of information, including the history of the dispute surrounding the iron ore mines, the post-war settlement and compensation, and reports on the social problems caused by the iron shortage.
However, it seemed that no matter what decision was made, one side would inevitably be dissatisfied.
'It's like a dead end.'
I stretched and went outside. I wanted to walk around the garden in front of the library and get some air before going back in.
However, before I could go out the door, a servant from the palace approached me.
"Maid, please follow me."
Who are you to suddenly tell me to come?
When I was about to say something, he lowered his voice first.
"He'll be waiting at the Second Prince's Palace."
A human who could understand even without a subject.
I often cursed at them as fucking nobles, but the royal family went one step further.
'Is he finally going to behead me? No, no. Even if he kills me, he won't kill me in the palace.'
I forced myself to hope and followed the servant.
***
The servant of the Second Prince’s palace took me to the balcony of His Highness Grayon’s reception room. There was a magnificent table set there.
His Highness Grayon put down his glass and said,
“Sit down,Loire.”
“Your Highness...”
He looked at me, frozen, with a slightly annoyed expression.
Then he remembered that he had threatened to kill me, and made an expression that said, “Oh, that’s right.”
Then he spoke in a much softer tone.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t call you here to kill you.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I sat down across from him as he indicated.
If he said he wouldn’t kill me, should I be happy and say, “Oh, thank you?” Those damned royals.
However, as the image of the burning pirate ships slowly sinking into the open sea flashed through my mind, I clenched my jaw.
This man might one day become the emperor.
“...Am I being targeted by the future Emperor?”
I suddenly wanted to see Prince Kydel. No matter how annoying he was, he was useful at times like this... I never thought I would miss him as I lived my life.
But I never dared to ask him where he went.
But I never dared to ask him where he went.
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