Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Secret Actions Are Bound to Be Discovered. (3)
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Secret actions are bound to be discovered.
With no customers in sight, why not just close up shop and goof off? It was the kind of idea only someone truly loaded could have. She'd make a perfect match for the one who said, "If there's no bread, let them eat cake."
Unfortunately, I wasn't exactly swimming in wealth, so I couldn't take it at face value.
"Your Highness, even so, closing the doors entirely..."
"Don't worry. I've got more than enough money."
Erze suddenly undid a couple of buttons on her uniform and slipped her hand inside.
'What on earth...'
I was puzzled by her actions, but I couldn't bring myself to watch. Someone might gouge out my eyes for being irreverent.
So I stared up at the innocent ceiling for a moment until something warm touched my cheek.
I turned my head and saw gleaming gold coins. Erze held at least ten in her hand, including the one that had brushed my cheek.
"I'll rent out this tearoom for the afternoon."
"You're saying the princess, who is the head of the Gardening Club, wants to rent the tearoom run by the Gardening Club...?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
It wasn't just a problem—it was a mountain of them.
We'd opened the tearoom not for profit, but to enjoy the festival as Academy students and share our prepared food with as many people as possible.
Besides, with most Academy students being nobles, what was the point? Earning profits from our labor would amount to pocket change anyway.
In short, Erze renting the whole tearoom went against our original purpose...
"Come on, don't be like that."
Erze pulled two gold coins from her cleavage and stuffed them into my pocket. No need to confirm—it was a bribe, plain and simple.
She handed them over casually, but it was an insane amount. Equivalent to twenty years' living expenses for a commoner.
"Your Highness, I can't accept this."
I said as I reached into my pocket and pulled out the two warm coins.
Sure, I loved slacking off, but I didn't chase unearned gains blindly. I acted on my principles, one of which was avoiding anything that pricked my conscience.
Even if I took the coins, I couldn't spend them. Money gained against my principles? No way. And it had absolutely nothing to do with them coming from Erze's cleavage.
Disappointed by my response, Erze's lips puffed out in a pout.
"Well, no helping it then. Give them back."
"You want me to do it...?"
"I put them in your pocket, didn't I? Your turn to put them in mine."
Erze blatantly cupped her breasts from below with both arms, making her appeal crystal clear.
I should've realized something was up when she bragged about them and invited me to touch...
I sighed, placed the coins on the table, and slowly reached toward her.
My hand eventually made contact...
And began buttoning up her undone blouse.
"Your Highness, I may be overstepping, but please treasure your body more."
"Am I... not attractive enough?"
Erze lifted her eyelids and gazed at me intently with her golden eyes. The playfulness had vanished from her voice entirely.
If she wasn't joking around, I'd respond in kind with full seriousness.
"Nothing of the sort. Your Highness is plenty attractive. Save for the occasional mischief."
"I... I see."
The usually poised Erze actually stammered, a rare sight.
With her initiative handed over to me, she fiddled with an innocent strand of hair. What to call that look? Not a princess, but an ordinary girl.
"All done. If my touching you without permission upset you, I'll gladly accept any punishment."
"It didn't upset me at all. So don't worry."
Erze flashed a beaming smile.
Having acted so boldly, she'd probably been anxious inside. Her reassurance was a huge relief. No joke—my heart nearly burst.
With the situation calmed, Erze flipped the sign at the entrance back to "Open."
Was her offer to rent the place a joke, or serious?
Regrettably, I had no way to know. I couldn't read minds. Truth be told, I wasn't that curious.
One thing was certain: if I'd agreed, she really would've rented it out.
How do I know? Ten years as a servant shows you everything. Exaggerating a bit, I could read Elena's intentions just from her expression.
Anyway, the awkward time passed, and leisure returned.
'This is real rest...'
I sipped my tea leisurely across from Erze.
Had she rented the place, I'd have felt guilty even while resting.
But now? It was open for business, yet no customers. Pure, guilt-free relaxation.
And with Erze not pranking around, it was perfect...
"Luke, mind if I take the seat next to you?"
They say even tigers come when mentioned. No sooner had I thought that than Erze slid over beside me.
She took a sip of tea, then turned her gaze to me.
"Luke, I have a favor to ask."
"What kind of favor?"
I replied calmly and sipped my tea. My hand holding the cup trembled faintly, but my trained muscles held steady.
Please, anything but a landmine.
"Could you hold my hand?"
Her request hit, and I knew God had forsaken me.
If someone asked why blame God with the culprit right there, I'd swing a carrot and say, "Blame the princess?"
Who dares disrespect our princess? That's blasphemy.
"May I ask why you'd make such a request?"
"When you stroked my hair earlier, I felt the power in my eyes fade for a moment. I want to test it. This is absolutely not personal desire."
"If that's the case, I'll cooperate."
I knew what troubles she was facing, so I couldn't refuse. Though facing her made me tense.
'Why do I have this ability, anyway?'
In the original story, Luke Nineheart was just a side character. More than a background villager, but not on the level of the dense protagonist trio.
Yet my abilities alone could make me a protagonist—no issue there. If I were the author, I wouldn't give a side character powers like these.
So the remaining possibility...
'An ability born because I'm a possessor.'
A side effect from 'my' soul overlaying Luke Nineheart's body.
Plausible, but impossible to confirm. No precedents—utterly unprecedented.
'I really have no idea...'
As I pondered, Erze carefully laid her hand over mine under the table.
Maybe from tending the garden plots? Despite being a princess, her hand felt utterly ordinary.
"Luke, try thinking of something."
"Got it."
I cleared the worries from my mind and thought of... nothing.
What is nothing, exactly?
Even picking food, "anything" is the hardest choice. Thoughts are even broader—pure confusion.
But if this confusion counts as a thought?
"Try something more intense?"
"Got it."
At her request, I recalled my most intense recent memory.
Which was, of course...
Erze pulling coins from her cleavage.
'How do you erase that from your head?'
Anyone—man, woman, child—would think the same after seeing it.
And twelve coins came out? How could you not be shocked? It wasn't some blue raccoon's pocket dimension.
As I inwardly fumed...
A sudden thought struck.
'What if Erze reads this thought?'
Even she'd struggle to overlook it. If she used it to tease or torment me, it'd be a disaster I couldn't handle.
Thankfully, my worry proved unfounded moments later.
"I see nothing... hear nothing...!"
"Really...?"
"I never imagined a day like this would come for me..."
Erze spoke in an excited tone and glanced out the window. I naturally followed her gaze.
And saw it.
"Uh, um..."
"..."
"No idea what's going through Professor Shavel's head, but she looks furious."
"...I was thinking the same."
Professor Shavel was plastered to the window, tilting her head. Her eyes were chilling—no, icy cold.