Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.3 – Crown Princess Isis, Not the Heroine
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If the troll factor had granted Lee Han astonishing regenerative powers and immense physical strength, the snow woman's factor bestowed upon him superhuman 'sense of smell' and 'instinct'.
There was too much to explain about instinct, so he'd skip that for now. As for the sense of smell, it was exactly what it sounded like.
Not quite on the level of a hunting hound, but a sense of smell three times keener than an ordinary person's gave him a mystical edge.
None other than the ability to remember people by their scent alone.
Just like dogs with poor eyesight, who memorize their master's smell and recognize them joyfully even after years apart.
And unintentionally, Lee Han had mastered remembering people by their scent more than by their faces.
...Once he got used to it, it was surprisingly convenient.
"...I'll head out first."
"What about your pay?"
"Deposit it in the bank like always. Ah, you know what happens if you skim?"
"I might cheat others, but not yours, Ri Han—I'm too scared of the fallout. Hell, I'll even double it. Just promise you won't jump ship to another job!"
"Got it."
He gave a casual nod to the construction foreman's words, then scooped water from the well and splashed it over himself.
It neatly washed away the sweat and grime, and after toweling off, he looked presentable enough.
He changed into relatively clean clothes and stepped outside...
"'Her Highness' is waiting for you."
"...Sigh."
A seasoned butler-type figure bowed politely in greeting, and Lee Han let out a sigh at the sight of him.
A familiar face, and one that always made Lee Han uncomfortable.
"You're working hard yourself, old timer."
"Haha, hard work? Nonsense. Come, let's go."
"Whew..."
There were plenty of reasons why this man, Albert the butler, rubbed him the wrong way, but three stood out in particular.
The first was that he was a baron—a noble from a prestigious family sworn to the crown, a man of rank whom even those with higher titles couldn't treat lightly.
Lee Han didn't give a damn about nobles' egos, but dealing with a heavyweight like this was still awkward.
And yet, for all his high station, he treated commoners and beggars with equal courtesy and gentlemanly grace. He even ran an orphanage. The picture of model nobility.
That was the second reason Lee Han found him hard to deal with.
He couldn't just ignore him or brush him off— the man was too upright for that.
And the last, the biggest reason he couldn't treat him lightly...
"Ho, your muscle tone has improved even more. It's a joy to see such steady progress, heh heh."
"Ah, yeah."
"At this rate, you might land a solid hit on Baltar someday. Keep it up."
"......Haha."
...was that this man was one of the kingdom's rare three Aura Users.
(For reference, Baltar was the commander of the 3rd Knight Order and the one who'd dragged Lee Han into knighthood.)
'This guy's pretty crazy himself.'
He was undeniably a good man, but why would someone of superhuman caliber stoop to butler duty?
...Well, if he nitpicked, Baltar was strange too—stuck as 3rd Knight Commander, a dead-end post far from army chief of staff.
Considering the third one's eccentric career, maybe all Aura Users were just weirdos.
He kept it off his face, knowing a slip in expression might get him decked.
He'd sparred with this guy once before.
'Brutal as hell.'
A natural gentleman in daily life, but pick up a weapon and...!
"-You're late."
......Ah.
Before he could dwell further, they were already at a luxurious carriage parked in a quiet alley.
"Late? I didn't mean to be."
"Pretty words, Albert. You were either gossiping about me or chatting idly, as usual."
"Heh heh, such deep misunderstanding. That's unfair, Your Highness."
"Hmph! As if."
Her tone was arrogant to a fault, aggressively sharp, but the innate elegance and presence in her voice were of the utmost refinement—no exaggeration.
Sensing the aura of nobility radiating from her, Lee Han shot Albert a reluctant look, his expression dour.
'Do I really have to get in that carriage?'
"Please, board."
Albert said nothing, simply opening the door with perfect courtesy—and shoving him in.
...Cruel bastard.
The carriage interior gleamed with jewels and magical artifacts, flanked by two maids—a splendor that made the exterior seem like the tip of the iceberg.
Yet even the gems paled against the veiled woman's regal poise.
Lee Han gave a wry smile and bowed deeply in the vast space that could fit five grown men.
"It's been a while."
"Hmph, heartless wretch. How can a 'friend' go this silent?"
"Been busy scraping by."
"Nonsense. If you'd accepted my patronage, you'd be swimming in luxury."
"Haha."
"Dodging with a laugh again."
She'd called him 'friend.'
An ill-fitting word at first glance.
Her aura screamed top-tier nobility, while Lee Han showed no refinement or extraordinariness whatsoever. Hard to believe they were pals.
Yet astonishingly, Lee Han and the woman truly were friends.
...The gap in status was like firefly to sun, that was the snag.
"Even the Crown Princess must have been busy. Call it even."
"Still that impertinent tongue. I ought to cut it out."
"Just a joke."
"No joke."
"......Sorry."
"Hmph, still a lightweight bow."
Tap.
The woman—Isis Irene de Pendragon, first in line to the Pendragon throne—snapped her fan against her palm with haughty sniff.
─Revealing a stunning beauty unbelievable for her forties.
Crown Princess. She'd been a mere princess when they last met, but in just three years, she'd seized untouchable power and become the royal house's undisputed heir.
Some had grumbled that a woman couldn't rule—old-fashioned talk.
Those voices were probably fish food in some wide riverbed by now, or fertilizer underground.
A truly fearsome woman.
In her twenties, she'd carved out a slice of power and even won over an Aura User like Albert. She already wore the mantle of next-gen sovereign.
...To think he'd befriended such a terror by sheer coincidence. Life's ironies.
"Crown Princess. Why the visit today—"
"Enough. No more of those cringeworthy titles. Call me like always."
"But our positions have changed..."
"Making me repeat myself?"
"—Sis! Your little bro's here to pay respects!!"
"Hoho, now that's more like it."
Isis beamed, pleased by his antics, like a flower blooming in an instant.
Undeniably in her forties, yet her beauty still shone.
Then again, Pendragon royals stayed youthful till 100, or so the rumors went.
Lifespans averaged 150.
'No stress or overwork, and they hit 200?'
...Impossible for royals.
"Remember this, Lee Han. You saved my life, so you've earned the honor of being my brother. Cherish it as lifelong glory and mercy."
"...Sis hasn't changed a bit."
Three years ago, just after the war, Isis had visited a garrison to boost the troops—and faced an assassin's blade.
Luckily, a brave soldier saved her: Lee Han. That's when their bond began.
...Don't get any weird romantic ideas.
No romance at all.
In fact, romance would be a serious problem.
Because...
"Hoho, but you've mellowed since then."
"How's the kid?"
"Wanna see?"
"Ooh?"
"......"
"Won't let go for the world."
She was a married woman—a mother, no less.
"......"
Lee Han's jaw dropped.
He knew the child.
He'd glimpsed the newborn from afar once.
Which was why, blasphemously...
"...S-Sis, I know I shouldn't say this, but... have you lost your mind?"
He scolded her outright, but Isis just laughed delightedly, flashing a bold grin worthy of any man.
"Perfectly normal. I trust my people, so I bring him everywhere."
"......Sometimes you seem way too perfect."
"I know."
"Ooh!"
"Hoho, yes. What boldness in his laugh. Fitting for my son."
"Mm..."
His past-life buddy had said it: politicians are all missing a screw.
Looks like the guy was...
'Spot on.'
Isis Irene de Pendragon's sole son and royal heir giggled away, while Lee Han's stomach ached.
He wanted nothing more than to bolt from this spot.
...The fact he couldn't made it all the sadder.