Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Why Always Middle-Aged Men?
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Why do I always end up princess-carrying middle-aged men....
「Fourth Prince, Radians von Croa」.
As the title suggests, he's a prince in an ambiguous position in the line of succession to the throne.
And...
In the original story, he's the sub-male lead who loves Princess Elysia and quietly supports her from the shadows—a classic "reliable uncle" type.
Of course, due to their forbidden half-sibling relationship, he keeps his feelings thoroughly hidden. But for her sake, he's the kind of man who could cast aside the throne like a fallen leaf from his shoulder.
Above all, he's currently a professor at the Imperial Academy.
'As expected, the original characters are gathering one by one.'
Haah...
I let out a sigh.
I'd rescued Elysia, which created a connection with the Fourth Prince.
It could be seen as an opportunity.
In the vast game board of the Imperial Academy, we'd gained a powerful card to ensure our survival.
But what started as a kidnapping involving only Elysia had dragged Alina into it as well.
Future incidents would spiral far beyond my memories.
Yet at the center of it all would always be the protagonist, Elysia.
Smooth—.
"Barg?"
'Better keep our distance. She's the protagonist, after all.'
I gently took Kara's hand.
I had to protect it.
This newly forged bond.
"For now, let's go check on Princess Elysia's condition."
Eisen said.
"We need to hear what she knows too."
We headed toward the annex.
.On the way, the Eisen Baron clicked his tongue and muttered.
"I have a pretty good idea who that man who gave us the information is... If I ever meet him face-to-face, I'd like to give him a word of advice."
"Pardon?"
"He wore a mask but left his most telling feature uncovered... I wonder if he really intended to hide his identity."
Kara nodded in agreement.
"Right? Even I, who doesn't know much about the capital, figured he was from the imperial family just by looking at the princess's eyes. Golden irises aren't common, after all."
I flashed an awkward smile and kept my mouth shut.
'Radians von Croa...'
By the original settings, he was a die-hard romanticist.
The type who got so caught up in forbidden love and secret disguises that he overlooked crucial details like covering his eyes.
But.
'At least he's consistent inside and out.'
He wasn't the sort to hide sinister intentions.
His inner self matched the pure gold of his visible eyes.
A romanticist, yes—but one whose romanticism wasn't about soaring ambitions. It was the simple romance of watching the sunrise and sunset every day.
That's why he worked as an academy professor despite being a prince: his shaky place in the succession meant avoiding the conflicts that came with it.
That's why I could trust him.
Even if he'd cause minor headaches.
'And honestly, Elysia is the one who's different inside and out compared to a disguised Radians...'
"Hoo..."
Eisen let out a deep sigh.
His hands trembled faintly as he removed and wiped his glasses.
Relief that his daughter was safe.
Mingled with rage at the kidnappers.
It had gnawed at his mind.
Even for Eisen, the fatigue from yesterday and today might be thicker than Norheim's chill.
"Baron, are you all right? You look pale."
When I asked worriedly, he forced a smile.
"I'm fine. Just a moment of tension release, I think. Now, let's go see the princess..."
As Eisen tried to take another step,
He swayed.
His body tilted weakly.
"Baron!"
I instinctively shot out my arm and caught him under the armpit.
Thankfully, he didn't hit the floor, but his body felt as heavy as snow soaked through.
"Ugh... S-sorry. Just a dizzy spell..."
Cold sweat beaded on Eisen's face as he clung to my arm.
Droplets formed on his brow.
Not quite collapsing from overwork like Ronas, but...
His precious late-life daughter had been kidnapped, nearly dying in a fire.
Now that the tension eased, the extreme mental strain crashed over him all at once.
That earlier half-joking reprimand toward the prince might have been his last burst of energy for the day—a final flare before collapse.
And he was a middle-aged man of no small age now.
"No, you need rest."
"Nonsense. There's still work to do. We must see the princess, hear the full story, uncover the kidnappers' backers..."
"That can wait."
Kara cut in firmly.
"Baron, don't push yourself. Alina's sleeping peacefully now, so you should rest too. Imagine how scared she'd be if she woke to find her dad collapsed?"
"But... the princess is waiting. As the head of the house, it would be improper not to greet her..."
"Save the formal interrogation and reports for dinner. You'd just get a worse headache if you went now."
I chimed in.
"Besides, we'll see her first. We're around the same age, and as outsiders, we'll put her more at ease in conversation."
"Exactly. There are things only girls understand."
Despite our pleas, Eisen wouldn't relent.
"No... Since we've come this far... I need to confirm it myself... Urgh..."
He dragged his feet toward Elysia's room, staggering.
Classic workaholic, responsibility incarnate.
'This guy's exhausted, judgment clouded, but his stubbornness is stronger than ever.'
I clicked my tongue.
Words wouldn't get through in this state.
To someone like him, no less.
One option left.
I exchanged a glance with Kara.
'No choice, huh?'
'Handle it, dear.'
Kara nodded.
I took a deep breath and approached Eisen from behind.
"Baron, excuse me."
"Hm? What...?"
I tried to hoist him over my shoulder like a sack of rice.
Hup!
But there was a problem.
Even as an administrator, Eisen was a northern noble.
Broad bones, tall frame.
Smaller than me, sure.
But draping a limp 180cm-plus adult male over my shoulder wrecked my balance.
His legs kept sliding down.
"Put me down, Barg!"
And stubborn resistance.
At this rate, his head would smack a corridor pillar.
"Screw it."
I switched tactics.
One arm behind his back to support his torso, the other under his knees.
Lifted in one go.
Whoosh!
"...?!"
Eisen's eyes bulged.
Perfect form.
Stable center of gravity.
Right...
'Ha... doing it again.'
Princess carry.
"B-Barg?! Wh-what is this...!"
The baron flailed in panic.
I swallowed a sigh inside.
'Ah... Haven't princess-carried a middle-aged man since Dad... Why is my life like this?'
Maybe in my past life I hadn't saved the country—I'd sold it out.
Why did only uncles end up in my arms?
Could've piggybacked Eisen, but the transition from earlier would've been awkward.
When I princess-carried Dad Gorgon, arrows were flying from behind.
'Stable, though... Wow...'
Despite my thoughts, my arms felt rock-solid and secure.
Eisen wore the same mortified expression as me, but the uncanny stability from my muscled, broad arms sapped his will to resist.
"P-put me down! The servants will misunderstand! My dignity...!"
"Stay still. Fuss and it'll look worse. Straight to the main house bedroom."
"No, wait! Barg!"
"Take care of the baron, dear. I'll head to the princess first."
Kara waved, stifling a laugh.
I bolted toward the main house with Eisen in my arms.
"They'll misunderstand!! Put me down!!"
The baron's desperate cries echoed through the dawn corridor.
Passing servants rubbed their eyes at the sight, but I ignored them and picked up speed.
Bang!
I kicked open the door to Eisen's bedroom and went straight to the bed.
And rather than tossing him... I set him down gently.
Poof.
"Urgh..."
The baron sank into the bed.
He bolted up with a flushed face.
"Hey... if Ronas saw that..."
"Sleep."
Even now, he worried his ever-mocking son might've witnessed the embarrassing scene.
I firmly pulled the blanket up to his neck.
"Everything will be handled when you wake. Alina, the princess— all of it."
"But...!"
"If you collapse, who protects Alina? Ronas is already down. Time to recharge."
Eisen paused at my words.
He was right.
If even he fell, no adult left to handle the crisis.
He worked his lips, then gave up and lay back on the pillow.
Fluffy down pillow, warm blankets.
Tension released, sleep crashed in like a tide.
Eyelids weighed a thousand pounds.
"...Then, just for a bit... close my eyes..."
The baron's eyes drifted shut.
As consciousness faded, he mumbled while gripping my hand.
Let... go, Baron.
Really... misunderstanding.
"...Reliable... chap. Gorgon got a good son-in-law."
Snore, snore.
Rhythmic breathing filled the room in seconds.
Like Alina's.
I removed the sleeping baron's glasses and set them on the nightstand.
"Rest well, Baron."
I turned off the light and quietly left.
I straightened my rumpled clothes.
One thing left.
I walked on.
Toward where Princess Elysia waited.
"......"
In front of the annex guest room.
I reached for the doorknob, then paused.
An unfamiliar voice came from inside.
"Yeppi! Yeppi! What a cute name!"
Bright, cheerful laughter from a girl.
Elysia.
I frowned.
Should be happy, right?
Even as a despised bastard, she was an imperial princess cooing over my child's pet name.
But my expression didn't soften.
My brow furrowed instead.
'Elysia von Croa.'
The heroine of the original novel [Bastard's Snowflower Path], the eye of every storm.
The moment you tangle with her, peaceful days end.
Alina's kidnapping was just the prelude.
'Need to stay cautious.'
I took a deep breath.
Forced my stiff face to relax into the softest salesman smile.
Creeak.
I opened the door and entered.
"You're here? The princess absolutely adores our little Yeppi."
Kara greeted me from a chair by the bed.
My gaze went to the bed.
A girl sat there.
Elysia.
Knees splayed wide, plopped down casually.
No trace of princessly grace—just sloppy comfort.
Her freshly washed face clean, the bastard looked up at me.
The instant our eyes met,
"...?!"
She startled and bowed her head.
Like a kid caught red-handed.
"Th-thank you... for saving me..."
A tiny, creeping voice.
The bastard peeked up hesitantly.
"Si-Sir... Bar... Barg?"
Elysia smiled, eyes crinkling.
Innocent, harmless, pure brightness.
But I wasn't fooled.
'That's a mask.'
That eye smile.
That clumsy speech.
That sloppy attitude—all of it.
To survive imperial neglect and assassination threats, Elysia had packaged herself as harmless fool.
Pretending ignorance of the world.
Feigned weakness.
Her sole survival instinct as a bastard.
Right now, she was sizing me up.
Enemy or ally?
Usable pawn or not?
Cold calculations behind those innocent eyes.
'Not falling for it. You're testing me right now.'
I approached with a friendly smile.
"How are you feeling, Your Highness? Must've been terrifying."
"Oh, y-yes... Thanks to you..."
Elysia hugged a pillow, replying shyly.
Her golden eyes met mine in the air.
Surface: peaceful talk.
Beneath: sharp probes exchanged.
Suddenly, a bitter thought hit.
'But... I'm no different.'
Like Elysia play-acts the fool to survive.
I'm wearing the mask of a loyal barbarian to guard our peace.
We were starting a tightrope walk, masks clashing.
"So... shall we hear your story?"
I pulled a chair and sat by the bed.