Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: To Get What I Want, I Push and Pull. (6)
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Staring straight at Princess Violet's face, I replied.
"Why are you curious about my schedule?"
"Just answer."
"Well, for now, it's empty."
It was a different response from what I'd given Lord Mikel. I'd deliberately kept this moment free for exactly this.
"Hmm, is that so?"
Princess Violet's violet eyes gleamed like jewels.
"Then let me make you a good offer."
The moment reminded me of Cain, who had approached me before with an 'offer.'
'Hmm, we'll see.'
People who talked like that never brought anything truly good.
"What kind of offer?"
"I'm thinking of going to the festival tomorrow evening."
Princess Violet crossed her arms and stared at me.
"You'll guide me then."
Her tone sounded more like a command than a proposal.
"Be my guide, and double as my escort in case of trouble."
Princess Violet wiggled her fingers.
"I heard you dueled Lord Mikel this time. They say your swordsmanship is impressive. That should be reliable enough."
"......"
In short, she wanted a handyman.
I held off on answering and tossed out a question.
"What business does Your Highness have at a commoners' festival?"
"I'm just curious about commoners' lives. As royalty, it's important to know them accurately, right?"
It was an utterly unconvincing statement.
Princess Violet's life goal was to enjoy the luxuries and honors available to a princess.
"You're not just going out to have fun?"
"Of course not."
"Be honest. Isn't it to experience commoners' culture?"
"I said no!"
Princess Violet vehemently denied my words. But her eyes flickered with longing for the festival—especially the night festival.
'As if.'
I smirked, looking at her prim face. My certainty wasn't just from knowing her personality.
'It was one of the major events in the original story.'
Princess Violet sneaks out to the festival, ditching her escorts. Naturally, she runs into the protagonist, Cain.
True to his upright character, Cain tries to send her back to the imperial palace, but Princess Violet isn't one to obey meekly.
As they bicker, they get caught in various incidents, and their feelings deepen...
'That's the setup.'
The problem was an event had arisen that never happened in the original story. And it centered on me.
My original plan was to stoke her competitive spirit and get her to play a game. After winning, I'd create an excuse to meet the saintess.
'If the opportunity arises, it's only natural to make use of it, right?'
Hiding my ulterior motives, I tilted my head slightly.
"Hmm, I see. Such profound intentions."
"Now do you understand?"
Arrogance unique to royalty settled on Princess Violet's face. The expression said she'd expect me to accept whatever she said and be grateful for the offer.
"Procure an ordinary carriage for tomorrow. I'll board from the palace."
Her plan flowed out smoothly, as if she'd just thought of it.
"We'll switch carriages there and head out right away. Prepare thoroughly."
Of course, I had no intention of accepting gracefully.
"Why should I?"
"......What?"
Princess Violet's eyes widened. I flashed her a crooked smile.
"I haven't agreed yet."
"......"
Princess Violet paused, as if stunned.
"......Ha!"
She burst out laughing, then glared at me sharply.
"You're defying my order? Do you know what this is?"
Her eyes blazed with wounded pride.
"What is it? It's just cleaning up after an immature princess."
Far from soothing the wound, I poked at it.
"I decline the offer."
At my firm tone, Princess Violet's eyes wavered for a moment. She composed herself and asked grudgingly.
"Why decline? Is that really the only reason?"
"I'm not free. I'm busy."
"You said your schedule was empty tomorrow."
"Other business would be more profitable."
"Are you sane?"
Her voice lowered, barely containing her boiling anger.
"You're turning down the glorious honor of serving me directly?"
Princess Violet lifted her chin proudly.
"Everyone covets this position. They'd kill to have it."
"Then give it to them."
I scoffed at her persuasion.
"Don't cling to someone who says no. Just order those eager ones."
"Those people...!"
Princess Violet huffed, then bit her lip.
"Those people, what?"
"Argh, seriously!"
Princess Violet exploded in anger, donning her mask again. It meant she didn't want to show her true feelings.
"......"
She crossed her arms and stared out at the balcony view for a while. Her slightly ragged breathing filled the quiet balcony.
I waited silently without provoking her, until she opened her mouth.
"If I go with those people..."
Finally, Princess Violet spoke softly.
"...it'd be no fun."
Her honest feelings emerged at last.
"The escort knights are always watching my every move. They try to drag me back at the slightest hint of danger."
Princess Violet grumbled petulantly.
"Going with them would just be boring. Plus, they report everything to Father or Mother. So annoying."
"That's their duty."
"Are you taking their side now? Don't you know the last escorts got fired because of you?"
Princess Violet shot me a sideways glare. I sighed and continued.
"Choosing someone else doesn't satisfy me either."
"There are plenty of fine young men in the empire."
"Hmph, all of them have black hearts."
Princess Violet pouted.
"Carlo was even trying to push his son on me."
"You mean Cain Sud Ardante?"
"Yeah. He wanted to join as an official escort."
Princess Violet watched my reaction closely.
"I said I'd think about it. Didn't really appeal to me."
Her tone seemed to say, 'See? I did well, right?' Her eyes held me.
"I think it'd be fun with you."
"Hmm."
"It's your first Harvest Festival too, isn't it? It'll be pretty enjoyable. Reconsider?"
Princess Violet's softened proposal was quite appealing. Far better than her initial arrogance.
'Well then...'
I'd pushed enough; now it was time to pull.
"Hmm..."
I tilted my head, pretending to ponder, and a faint anxiety appeared on her face.
"Keep playing hard to get, and I'll give it to someone else."
"Do as you like."
"......"
My provocation backfired, and she furrowed her brow.
"If Your Highness grants me one favor, I'll reconsider."
"......A favor?"
I deliberately said 'favor' instead of 'offer.' To make it more enticing for her.
"Yes. A favor only Your Highness can grant."
Emphasizing 'only Your Highness,' her eyes sparkled.
"What is it? Tell me."
"Well..."
I trailed off as if hesitating, then slowly shook my head.
"...Never mind. I spoke out of turn."
"Hey, what is it!"
Princess Violet approached impatiently.
"Tell me quick! What is it?"
Her eyes flashed fiercely, as if she'd make me regret not speaking.
"You'll grant my favor?"
"I have to know what it is first."
"I'll tell you if you agree."
"Argh, really."
Princess Violet hesitated briefly. She seemed worried I'd ask for something outrageous.
"No need to worry. It's not the kind that would tarnish Your Highness's reputation."
"Hmm..."
She eyed me carefully, then finally nodded.
"Fine, whatever. Tell me. What is it?"
......Finally.
A triumphant smile formed at her permission. Securing this chance from the princess with just a bit of wordplay was a huge win.
"Actually..."
I opened my mouth as if mustering courage despite hesitation.
"I've lived a rather unfaithful life until now."
"Mm."
"Telling Your Highness directly made me hesitate. The imperial family's piety is widely known in the empire."
Princess Violet's face grew peculiar. As for her, she'd never attended a temple mass.
Too bothersome and boring. She'd rather play one more game at the casino.
"Ahem, so?"
She feigned nonchalance and urged me on.
"But watching the Founding Festival earlier, I thought divine miracles might really exist."
I acted profoundly moved.
"So I want a private prayer session with the saintess."
"A private prayer session?"
"Yes. It's an opportunity only for royalty and high nobles, so I coveted it greatly."
"Hmm."
Princess Violet pondered seriously for a moment.
"A private prayer session..."
It meant she'd have to join one too—a prayer session she didn't like.
As a princess, it wasn't appealing.
"Is that no good?"
I tilted my head toward her, lowering my eyebrows slightly and angling myself to look most handsome in the moonlight.
Princess Violet, staring blankly at me, moved her lips.
"Fine."
"Really?"
Smiling with crinkled eyes, she nodded firmly again.
"Yeah, whatever. That's easy."
Indeed, this tomboy princess volunteering for mass. The Empress would flip if she knew.
"Then you'll accept my offer?"
"Agreed. I'll attend mass tomorrow morning, then see you in the evening."
"Good."
Princess Violet smiled in satisfaction.
"See you tomorrow morning then."
A satisfactory deal was struck.
❖ ❖ ❖
Saintess Rachel had hated everything in the world since yesterday. She already hated it, but now even more.
'Argh, so annoying.'
No motivation, no appetite. She'd spent yesterday alternating between crying and raging, leaving her drained.
She just lay in her room, breathing. Meanwhile, the surroundings only fueled her temper.
"My goodness! Those wanting to become priests have doubled!"
"Donations have surged! Record amounts!"
"Our order's prestige grows daily!"
The priests fawned over her with admiring eyes.
"All thanks to you, Saintess!"
"The one blessed by God's love!"
"Ahh, serving the Saintess is such an honor!"
It was utter chaos.
She wanted to kill these damned temple folks. Instead, she'd only elevated the order's name, making her want to burst with frustration.
'Argh! So annoying!'
Before the priests, she maintained her benevolent saintess image, unable to show her feelings.
She could only crumple her skirt in vain. The more she thought, the more dismal it felt, keeping her up all night.
'Argh, I'm tired.'
She barely lifted her heavy eyelids to finish morning mass.
"Br-breaking news!"
A priest rushed in with thunderous tidings.
"Princess Violet says she'll attend mass!"