Chapter 201
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 201
Every person has a secret weapon for getting by in life!
And I had one too!
It was none other than...
Flattery fueled by my very soul!
“Oh, Prince Klaus! You who so richly inherit the lineage of the great Wolf King!”
From this moment on, I shall channel the spirit of a sycophant who brought a nation to its ruin!
“I shall give the servants another reward later and strictly command them to keep their mouths shut.”
“....”
“Oh my! I suppose that isn’t enough to soothe your noble heart, Prince! Then how about this? I’ll say I had an appointment for the White Tulip trade and simply forgot, so I came running!”
Klaus’s expression remained unchanged.
Even as I spoke, I was crying on the inside.
I should have used that excuse in front of the servants earlier. Why didn't I think of it then...
But the milk was already spilled.
I rubbed my hands together and said, “Oh dear! It seems our Prince doesn’t like that method either!”
But what was I supposed to do!
I couldn't think of any more excuses!
My groveling smile didn't last long. Eventually, I decided to just lay it all out.
“Hey, I’m sorry.”
To be honest, I did feel a bit bad. Klaus had basically been caught in the crossfire of a mess he didn't create.
“Are you really mad? I was just in a huge rush. Please understand, just this once. I’m really sorry.”
Klaus, who had been staring at me, finally opened his mouth.
“So.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“What exactly was this ‘urgent matter’? You’ve been beating around the bush and leaving out the most important part since a moment ago.”
Sharp bastard...
“What happened that made you cause such a scene?”
“Well, um...”
The damn System told me I’d be murdered by Corico if I didn't come running to see you immediately.
It was a real emergency, okay?
Haha.
But there was one small problem.
Klaus had no idea who Corico was!
He didn't even know what the System was!
If I told him, he’d just think I’d gone insane!
So, the conclusion was that I couldn't say anything at all!
I swallowed my tears and forced a smile.
“Klaus. You see...”
Ah...
What should I say...
My mind became a jumbled mess, and no excuses came to mind.
Until...
I just wiped my face with both hands.
“It was because I had a nightmare. A nightmare.”
“A nightmare? ...What kind of nightmare?”
“I dreamed my head would be chopped off if I didn't see you right this second!”
“Who would kill you?”
Since I couldn't say Corico, I just shouted.
“I don’t know! Just everyone around me!”
Why did those words come out?
It was undoubtedly because Why Did That Lady Give the Handsome Man Milk Bread? was rooted deep in my subconscious.
In the original story, Tulia really was killed by her family or the male leads for the slightest reasons.
“So you came here because of that? Are you a child? Hah. Fine.”
Klaus swept his hair back as if he were dumbfounded.
“Right. You still have some time before your Coming-of-Age Ceremony. You are a child. I suppose it’s understandable for a kid to come running in tears over a dream.”
I wasn't crying, you jerk...
Anyway, it was a relief that Klaus seemed to have calmed down. As the one who caused the trouble, I could only watch his reaction tentatively.
“Fine. I get it, so stop crying.”
“No, right. Yes. Thank you. I won’t cry, Prince.”
“Hmph.”
Feeling drained, I plopped down onto a plush chair in the parlor.
As my tense body relaxed, a thought suddenly occurred to me...
I’m hungry.
The delicious aroma faintly filling the entire annex was stinging my nose.
Come to think of it, Adel mentioned it before. That Klaus enjoys a meat-heavy diet.
Perhaps because he was born of a wolf's bloodline, Klaus loved meat dishes.
Adel had just mentioned it in passing without much thought, but...
The fragrant smell of various meats being grilled to a golden brown filled the annex so much that my mouth watered for a moment.
“You’re hungry, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
“Since you’re here, let’s have dinner together.”
Before I knew it, Klaus grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the parlor.
“I hunted a few wild ducks and a deer today. I heard the food was ready and was going to send a few plates to you, but this works out. You can just eat here.”
What? Is he completely over it?
While I was flustered by Klaus’s rapid change in mood, I also thought I should give a reward to the annex’s chef!
Just how incredible was their cooking that the mere mention of dinner could instantly soothe the temper of this foul-tempered dog!
I asked a question just to play along.
“Where did you hunt those?”
“In the mountains, where else?”
“Most of the mountains around here are private imperial property, though?”
“I got permission from your Emperor a long time ago, so it doesn't matter. So, if there’s an animal you want to eat, just say so. I’ll catch it for you tomorrow.”
Klaus, you’re unaware of one thing.
I am the embodiment of shamelessness; I don’t know the meaning of the word ‘restraint’!
“Then, chicken...?”
“Wild chicken? Got it. I saw some on my way here anyway. I’ll catch them tomorrow.”
“Yeah. I want to eat it fried in oil. Do they know how to do that?”
“Of course. What do you think of the great Wolf King’s lineage? There’s nothing we can’t do. What else do you want to eat?”
“A three-tier whipped cream cake filled with seven types of wild fruits?”
“....”
The hallway was lined with large glass windows, and through the sparkling panes, the garden was visible, giving a refreshing sense of openness.
It was early evening. The moonlight flowed in playfully. Whether it was the atmosphere or the anticipation of a satisfying meal, Klaus didn't seem annoyed by my nonsense at all. He didn't even refuse.
Is he really going to do it? Is he good at cooking?
Klaus actually looked quite pleased, so I didn't miss the timing to ask something I was curious about.
“But Klaus.”
“What?”
“Was it really that upsetting earlier when I used you as an excuse and came running?”
I honestly didn't understand why Klaus’s face had been so stiff for so long.
Of course, from the perspective of a typical gentleman of the Brillant Empire, it would be plenty of reason to be angry.
To have a lady come running without even being properly dressed—his reputation would hit rock bottom and then some.
But wasn't he from the Summer Continent? He was a guy who didn't care much for reputations in the Spring Continent.
Furthermore, this was inside our mansion; how much could rumors even spread...
“I was worried the heads of this household would kick me out. Happy?”
“Huh?”
“I’m busy enough trying to get on their good side, and instead of helping me... forget it. What’s the point of blaming a child?”
This jerk?
My eyes narrowed, but Klaus spoke faster.
“Hey.”
His voice was now full of amusement. His clear eyes, shining like starlight, looked directly at me.
“You said you were sorry earlier. Then, from now on, if you have nothing to do, come over and have dinner with me. I’ll catch whatever you want.”
As he said that and smirked at me, I was momentarily dazed.
His face really is a cheat code...
Maybe the Emperor fell for that face too and gave him permission to hunt freely in the imperial mountains?
The possibility was more than likely.
“Well? You hate the idea?”
“No, well. It’s not that I hate it. If I don’t have dinner plans with Dad or Grandfather, I’ll come over often...”
“Prince Klauss s s s s s s s s s s s s!”
However, my words were swallowed whole by a man’s booming voice.
“It’s an emergency! Please call for that young lady immediately! The one who said she can’t breathe if the Prince isn't by her side! Lady Tulia Frezier—Gah!”