Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Princess, and Fate (3)
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After the festival staffing was finalized, the gardening club split into two groups for a while.
One group consisted of Yubel, Cain, and Evan—the so-called Deadbeat Trio. In exchange for skipping festival duties, they focused entirely on tending the vegetable patches and flower beds.
Honestly, they weren't all that reliable. Their track record up to now hadn't exactly inspired confidence.
Still, I'd checked on them several times, and surprisingly, they were managing decently. In fact, it felt like a stroke of genius to keep them away from Elena.
Realizing these guys could actually do the work if they tried made me want to swing a carrot at them like a bat sometimes...
But there was no need to rile up people who were finally pulling their weight. If they were doing well now, that was good enough.
The rest—Erje, Elena, and Evi—spent the time in the clubroom learning various skills.
"Luke, is this right?"
"Could you pay a bit more attention to your posture?"
"Hmm... Being a servant isn't easy. It really makes me appreciate all the hard work."
Erje pouted her lips and took slow, deliberate steps. In her hands was a small tray.
'How the hell did things end up like this?'
Originally, I'd planned to just teach them how to make simple sandwiches.
Even that was only as a backup for if too many customers showed up. Normally, I intended to keep them from lifting a finger.
It wasn't that I didn't trust them. It just sat wrong with me.
So how did it come to this?
Their enthusiasm far exceeded my expectations.
Especially Evi and Elena, who nitpicked each other's every little detail in pursuit of perfection.
"Miss Evi, I think I just heard the teacups clink."
"It was barely audible even to me right next to you—how did you hear that?!"
"Sadly, my ears are a bit too sharp. Anyway, my turn now. Let me show you properly."
Sharp words flew back and forth, yet no actual fights broke out. It was downright bizarre.
And they were improving in the process, so what could I say? They were the picture of rivals.
Amid all that, one person remained utterly relaxed...
"Luke, are you free this weekend?"
Erje approached me slowly, tilting her head. Her graceful gait was so refined I could hardly critique it.
Her earlier mistakes must have been deliberate. If anyone could pull that off, it was Erje.
Weekend, huh...
"I don't have anything particular..."
"Luke, have you forgotten our promise? We were supposed to go out into the city together this weekend."
Before I could finish, Elena's voice cut in abruptly.
I whipped my head around in surprise, only to find her right beside me, staring at Erje.
'Did we have plans like that...?'
Not in my memory, at least. And my memory didn't play tricks.
My mind was wired to recall Elena's every word verbatim. Call it the perk of a decade as a servant.
But blurting that out would be amateur hour.
"My apologies, Princess Erje. I'd forgotten about my plans with the Grand Duchess."
"Oh, I see. That's a shame. I wanted to visit teahouses and do some research together."
"My deepest apologies."
"It's fine. Prior commitments aren't anyone's fault. So, how about next weekend?"
"Next weekend..."
That one was definitely free. Even Elena wouldn't monopolize me two weekends in a row.
Was that the right call? Elena bit her lower lip softly, looking almost resentful.
That was when it happened.
"Next weekend, we have plans to go sword-shopping. But if Princess Erje really, really, really needs Luke..."
Evi blurted out in a panic.
Had we made such plans? Of course not. She was improvising on the spot.
Her trembling voice gave it away, but luckily, Erje didn't call her on it.
Instead, her lips just pursed primly.
"Luke, aren't you a bit too popular?"
"Not at all. This is unusual for me."
"Is that so..."
Erje tapped her cheek lightly with a finger, then flashed a smile.
For some reason, that playful grin felt ominous. Like something big was about to happen.
And unfortunately, my hunch was spot on.
"Surely you don't have plans today too, right?"
"Today is..."
I glanced sideways at Elena and Evi. They looked flustered but didn't interject.
I hadn't expected her to push this far...
But what could I do? I'd never even gotten to voice a refusal in the first place.
"Yes, nothing scheduled."
"Then let's head out to the city after club activities."
"It's an honor to accompany you, Princess. However, if someone sees you out late with a man..."
"Well? What's the problem with that?"
"My apologies. That was out of line."
I bowed my head lightly in apology.
She smiled as sweetly as ever, but the vibe underneath was downright murderous. If anyone saw, they'd lose their eyes; if they spoke up, their head.
Maybe Erje wasn't quite as kindly as I'd thought.
"No need to worry. Thanks for your concern."
Erje's tone softened further as she turned to Elena.
"Miss Elena, I promise to have him back at a reasonable hour, so don't worry."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Perhaps due to Erje's earlier aura, Elena replied with uncharacteristic seriousness.
'But seriously, why drag me out so suddenly...?'
Was it to help her brother Evan get closer to Elena, acting as a go-between?
If so, that'd put me in a tough spot. I had zero interest in meddling, no matter their intentions.
Watching other people's romances from afar was entertainment enough.
How much time passed with those thoughts?
As the sun teetered on the mountain ridge, I stepped out into the streets with Erje.
From shopkeepers hawking their wares outside to students browsing for purchases, and club members wrapping up for the day—the streets buzzed with energy.
Erje stepped into the throng and said,
"Luke, sometimes I think about how peaceful and beautiful this atmosphere is."
"I feel the same. And it's all thanks to His Majesty's benevolence, so I'm always grateful."
"You don't need to flatter me. Though I do appreciate it."
Erje covered her mouth and let out a soft "Fu fu," laughing aloud.
Her presence exuded a unique aura. Golden hair catching the sunset glow, eyes narrowed yet still radiating beauty— she seemed utterly ethereal.
Walking a short distance behind her, I suddenly stopped.
"Princess, if I may ask one presumptuous question?"
"Of course, ask away."
"The real reason you called me out is..."
"To investigate the teahouses?"
Erje intercepted my question midway. Word for word.
I'd suspected she could read minds before. I'd dismissed it as imagination then, but now denial was impossible.
"Luke, do you want the correct answer?"
"Yes."
"Which answer are you hoping for? About the teahouses? Or..."
...that she could read my thoughts?
Erje said as much, slowly lifting her closed eyelids. Her brilliant golden eyes emerged into the world.
She gazed at me meaningfully, then closed her eyes again, offering a faint smile.
"Follow me for now. You don't want to be called a liar either, do you?"
"Understood."
Erje took the lead, and I followed.
In truth, I'd noticed earlier—Elena and Evi were tailing us.
They'd attempted a disguise, but it was so sloppy a blind man could spot it.
Fool a ten-year veteran servant? They needed another century for that.
A short while later, we arrived at a quiet teahouse.
What did she want to tell me?
Why me, of all people?
Harboring those questions, I stepped inside the teahouse with her.