Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Palace Life and House Hunting
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For now, I'd safely navigated my audience with the king.
It had been a moment of danger so dire I could confidently call it the greatest crisis of my life, but thanks to Nob AI, I'd shaken off his probing questions and somehow smoothed things over.
The reward he'd promised might look tempting to others.
In modern terms, it was like offering a high-ranking government position and a fortune so vast that an ordinary office worker could never earn it in a lifetime.
But I absolutely could not accept that offer.
The moment I did, I'd cross an irreversible river.
As I keep emphasizing.
I was the type who thought even eight hours of sleep a day plus sixteen hours of leisure wasn't enough playtime.
I'd already amassed enough wealth to live off forever without working—why chase more money?
Excess is as bad as scarcity; moderation—the ancient Chinese philosophers had nailed it.
Sure, accepting a fief and title to become a marquis might let me live like a king in Porto.
But I envied the guy who'd made billions in crypto, retired young, more than some busy corporate chairman.
I would never work.
No matter what it took, I wouldn't work.
See? My instincts were spot on.
His Majesty seemed set on granting me a fief and using it as an excuse to pile on tasks.
But my salaryman Lupin DNA, honed in my past life, detected it and twisted my body to dodge.
"Hoo..."
That said, I couldn't claim I'd escaped perfectly. The king had ordered me to stay in the palace for a week.
He still had one shot left.
No room for complacency.
Anyway, he clearly wanted to persuade me somehow, treating me with utmost courtesy. He'd assigned me the largest guest room in the palace.
-This VIP suite is usually reserved for visiting members of ducal houses or imperial envoys.
Art had explained it that way.
I knew he held a mid-level position in the palace's event-planning office, overseeing royal ceremonies and such, yet he attended to me like a household servant.
I told him he could go handle his duties.
-How could I? Even if this is the palace, it's still unfamiliar territory for you, sir. Wouldn't it be better to have a familiar face like me by your side? Haha.
He must have gotten some word from the king, because he stuck to me like glue.
In any case, palace life was comfortable.
If I had to count the times I'd been treated this well, my past-life stay at a seven-star hotel came to mind—slapping its service three times over wouldn't do it justice.
If I'd gotten this treatment at the Tristy estate, I might be dreaming of becoming family head by now.
Meals weren't on a fixed schedule; servants brought food whenever I said I was hungry. Sorry, Dalpi, but honestly, the food here tasted a bit better.
Not that I meant to disparage her cooking skills.
The royals naturally used top-quality ingredients.
I rose from the bed.
Glancing at the clock, it was 8 a.m.
I checked my schedule.
Nothing on the docket except attending the evening banquet with His Majesty, the royals, and officials.
Perfect. Time to seriously go house hunting.
I meticulously styled my hair and outfit, then stepped into the corridor.
One thing I'd realized big time back at the workshop.
Whenever something important came up, Dalpi always dolled me up with flowers or whatever, so her absence hit hard in moments like this.
Actually, excluding eating, sleeping, changing, and washing, my life revolved around Dalpi's support—maybe it was all messed up from the start...
Of course, the palace servants would help if I asked, but something instinctively repelled me.
"You're awake, sir."
Whoa.
Art was waiting right outside the door.
"Shall I give you a tour of the palace now? Haha, Elraim Palace, the jewel of Yustina Kingdom, has sights galore to match its grand exterior."
"I've got business in the capital today."
"Ah, in that case, I know the area well, so allow me to guide you faster, quicker, and more accurately than anyone!"
Rejecting someone trying to treat me well hurt, but sometimes you had to be ruthless.
"I'm truly grateful for your thoughtfulness, but I'd like to go alone today. I'll wear a robe, so no need for escorts."
I showed him the cloth draped over my right arm, and Art's face fell.
I moved slowly.
"Achoo..."
I was heading straight out of the palace when I spotted Rivian in the garden en route.
She clutched a book with a familiar title tight to her chest, walking somewhere.
*The Duchess Wants a Second Love.*
"......"
Could reuniting with a friend after so long feel this joyful?
While staying at the Tristy mansion, my one true hobby had been reading kindling novels.
In my past life, I'd loved web novels too—the thrill of peeking into big and small worlds printed on pages filled the void in my heart.
Naturally, I'd tried the novels in this world, but they all felt like stuffy classics—stale and boring, lacking the stimulation and dopamine my addicted brain craved.
Except for the works of the author holding that book now. Those were insanely fun.
It was like the writer knew raw entertainment, pursuing pure fun. Critics hated them, from what I'd heard.
But the public loved them; sales were sky-high.
I even remembered the author's name: Tia.
Never thought I'd spot my favorite novel here.
Excitement nearly made me blurt, *Oh, you read it too?* but I barely held back.
There probably weren't many heavy novel addicts like me, and for a princess, it was likely research on why people read such things, not personal enjoyment.
"Achoo..."
She must have a bad cold. She'd been sneezing since yesterday.
*Shall I diagnose Your Highness's illness? If you can somehow obtain saliva, blood, or urine samples, I can run a comprehensive analysis using all my learned data...*
I don't want to rot in prison.
*꒰՞ °ᗝ°՞꒱.ᐟ.ᐟ*
The palace had royal physicians anyway; she'd be fine.
Anyway.
Now, off to scout places to live with Sis and Dalpi.
Ian would be nice to bring along, but as a knight... hmm.
Not sure if he'd join.
My house criteria were strict: Too big, and Dalpi couldn't manage alone, so around 50-60 pyeong.
Must have a yard—I planned a rainbow flower garden like Osaek's.
And in a sparsely populated spot outside the city walls.
I preferred a quiet nest near amenities.
Finding a place ticking every box would be tough.
So I was considering buying vacant land and building custom.
With Nob AI, building a house would be a breeze.
*Apartments, office buildings, even bunkers—anything goes!!*
I don't need anything that big!!
*(っ◞‸◟c)*
Anyway, I pulled on the robe.
Alright, let's roll.
***
"Achoo, he's already gone...?"
"Yes. He said he had business outside and told me not to follow..."
"I see..."
She'd headed straight to the VIP suite upon waking, but struck out.
At Art's report that he'd already left, Rivian bowed her head and sighed.
She planned to model her next novel's protagonist after Ester.
Thinking of him as the lead cleared every blockage in her mind like a breath of fresh air.
Of course, using someone without permission was rude, so to prove she was the author, she'd mustered courage and brought the book...
*But he said he'd stay a week.*
Today wasn't her only shot.
Regretful but hopeful for later, Rivian turned toward her room.
A princess's life was busy.
She had little ambition for the throne.
Knowing this, her father rigorously trained her brother Trowil as heir, while showering her with affection, letting her pursue her passions freely.
He knew she wrote novels and had encouraged her to give it a shot.
Still, as second in succession, she had to diligently attend classes for any contingencies.
Failing basic education would tarnish the royal name and disqualify her as princess.
Aware of this, even when teachers urged rest due to her condition, she insisted she was fine and burned with scholarly zeal.
She spent the day in a blur, and around 5 p.m., during a class outing to the Logness streets with escort knights...
She halted.
*Sir Ester...?*
Robed, but Rivian knew instantly.
She'd stared at his face up close; such handsome features were rare in the kingdom.
"Your Highness?"
The knights looked puzzled, but she raised a hand.
"Sniff, wait a moment."
Ester entered a bookstore.
Moments later, emerging with a familiar-titled book in his arms, her eyes widened.
*A Dangerous Encounter That Began at the Academy.*
It was her novel.
"Huh...?"
She should approach to schedule a meeting with Ester.
But her feet wouldn't move.
She loved her own work, but couldn't imagine it suiting him.
A tale of two academy lovers fleeing their families—geniuses wouldn't care for that.
She could only feel utter bewilderment.
Not a ghost, surely.
Having collaborated with the publisher on every detail from title to cover, Rivian couldn't mistake it.
"Achoo..."
No clue why.
She never pegged Ester as a reader of hers.
A gift for someone?
*I'll ask casually later...*
Rivian had her chance.
A small palace banquet tonight, arranged by His Majesty via Art for Ester.
They could talk then.
"Cough cough..."
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Rivian covered her mouth and nodded.
She checked her hand, then slyly withdrew it, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe.
Then she headed to the palace first.
*Need to rest a bit...*
Consciousness cut off.
A sudden, intense vertigo wracked her head.
"Your Highness!"
Strength drained from her body, senses fading.
She collapsed forward limply.
"My God..."
The knight touched her scorching forehead—like a pit of fire—and wore a grave expression.