Chapter 134
Chapter 134
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Putting the Cards in My Hand to Use Everywhere (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
There wasn't even a mansion to receive an invitation anyway, but the comparison still ignited a sudden surge of determination.
'I need to get a mansion quickly.'
It was the moment when the dream of owning my own home, which hadn't been in my plans at all, suddenly swelled up.
"The banquets are held plenty in Sud Territory anyway."
Cain said with a face full of boredom.
"I already saw everyone I needed to yesterday, so today I came out to see the night festival."
"Did you come out alone?"
"Do you remember the two people I introduced you to last time? I came out with them."
"Ah, I see."
My guess had been correct.
Just as in the original story, Cain coming out to enjoy the festival today had been faithfully reproduced.
The only difference was that his companion had changed from the princess to his friends. Likewise, the path he took had altered as well.
So the unexpected encounter had happened for that reason.
'It's all thanks to me.'
Remembering the changes that had come to Cain improved my mood a bit.
Rejected from his offer to join as an official attendant, Cain ended up spending the festival with friends of the same sex instead.
It couldn't have been a more delightfully resonant sentence.
'So running into each other like this is pure coincidence.'
Even so, who would have thought we'd meet in the middle of this vast capital?
We hadn't even managed to meet the guard knights who were searching so desperately for us.
"Then go back to your friends. I'm off."
"Ah, wait a moment."
Cain said with an awkward smile.
"You're heading back to the central plaza, right? If it's okay, could I accompany you there?"
"Why bother?"
"......If I go alone, I might get lost."
Ah, right.
I'd forgotten Cain's setting. He was officially the worst directionally challenged person in the original story.
"No thanks."
At my curt reply, Cain's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"You're being too stingy to someone who came to help you. Is giving a little assistance that hard?"
His red eyes sparkled like clear rubies.
Cain often showed inexplicable goodwill. In the worst light, it was spinelessness; in the best, it was righteous and kind.
I'd always wondered where that generosity of his came from. How could he think of giving to others even at his own expense?
And that day, when I faced him directly, I realized.
"I never asked for your help."
"......"
"It's pretty sly to offer unrequested favors on your own and then use them as an excuse, don't you think?"
His goodwill stemmed from the leisure he was born with. A leisure so abundant that it overflowed even after sharing it with others.
But when that leisure vanished, the seemingly solid goodwill melted away into something unrecognizable.
That was Cain's true nature, hidden beneath a plausible shell.
"......"
A crack appeared in Cain's smooth eyes. He parted his lips, then clenched his teeth tightly.
"Now I get it."
Sharp thorns sprouted in Cain's gaze.
"Abel Kindriel, you hate me."
He rubbed the back of his neck and continued.
"I've felt that since the first time we met."
"......"
"It's strange. We've never met before."
Discomfort lodged in him like shards, his face stiff in a way unlike his usual self.
"I've tried in my own way to get close to you. But it feels like that was a pointless effort."
"......"
"Am I mistaken? Or did I see it right?"
His voice carried a faint undercurrent of superiority and betrayal—as if to say, after all I've done for you, how dare you act this way.
"Be honest. I won't blame you."
Cain raised his voice slightly, demanding an answer. I stared at him silently for a moment.
'You hate me?'
There was no more obvious or easier question than this.
How could I like someone destined to kill me in the future? Someone who would block my path, throttle my neck, and ultimately pierce my heart.
As long as his father, Carlo, existed, conflict between Cain and me was inevitable. He wouldn't just sit idly by as I moved forward.
That said, I had no intention of yielding to or cooperating with Cain. I aimed only for a thorough and complete victory.
"You already seem to know the answer."
With cold affirmation on my lips, I slowly curved them into a smile.
"And don't act like it's all my fault."
I tapped near my eye with a finger.
"I told you. It's obvious."
"......"
"I'm different from all the idiots you've met so far."
Cain's mouth visibly stiffened. I took in every detail of that change and continued.
"More importantly, you seem to have forgotten I have companions."
I turned slightly, making the First Imperial Princess Violet behind me visible. Her face was hidden under a wide-brimmed hat.
"In a situation like this, there's no need to do something I don't feel like."
Cain's eyes flickered with surprise as he glanced behind me.
"......You have companions."
His face looked like he'd spotted an opportunity. He stepped toward me briskly.
"Excuse me, lady."
A soft smile bloomed on his face—one that would have made any young lady faint.
"If it's alright, may I accompany you to the central plaza?"
Cain exuded confidence, as if his smile alone could melt the other person.
"It would be safer with me, wouldn't it?"
I stared steadily at such a Cain, then stepped aside.
Only then did he notice the companion hidden in my shadow, and his smile deepened.
"I won't inconvenience the lady. Just for a shor......"
His smoothly flowing words slowed to a halt.
"......Wait a second."
Cain's turbulent eyes took in the princess's jaw and lips.
"No way...... Surely not?"
Even though only part of her face was visible, he seemed to have realized who was before him.
"Hmm."
The First Imperial Princess Violet lightly lifted the brim of her hat.
"We meet here, Young Lord Cain."
Her tone was vastly more intimidating than when she'd spoken to me earlier.
"Princess Violet......!"
Cain's eyes bulged as if they might burst.
Thud.
He immediately dropped to one knee and paid his respects to the princess.
"I see the First Imperial Princess Violet Magiore Impero."
His voice trembled with poorly concealed shock.
"Rise."
At the princess's low command, Cain hastily stood.
"Why is Princess Violet here......?"
His parched voice continued.
He looked as if he couldn't believe the woman standing before him was Princess Violet.
"Why......"
His lips twitched, and his gaze shifted from Princess Violet to me, standing obliquely beside her.
"......"
For an instant, his eyes turned blood-red. I didn't miss the intense trace of jealousy shadowing beneath them.
"As you can see."
Princess Violet shrugged her shoulders.
"I came out to enjoy the festival. Just like you, Young Lord Cain."
"Why are you with Young Lord Abel?"
His tone suggested something that absolutely shouldn't have happened.
"Where are your guard knights and maids?"
As Princess Violet artfully pretended ignorance, Cain's voice grew a bit heated.
"You know how desperately they're searching for you."
He turned to me with a stern glare.
"Young Lord Abel. What is this irresponsible behavior?"
Having realized he was in Princess Violet's presence, he suddenly switched to formal speech.
"Shouldn't you escort her back to the palace now that you've met her?"
Cain was under a grave misapprehension. That I'd coincidentally run into the princess who'd ditched her guards and fled.
"What's so irresponsible about it?"
I crossed my arms behind my head and spoke leisurely.
"I'm the one who escorted Princess Violet from the palace here."
"What?"
Cain's expression changed. He scolded me further.
"Are you in your right mind?"
"......"
"Princess Violet is the empire's one and only First Imperial Princess. To treat such a person this way......"
Cain's eyes scanned Princess Violet, then he swallowed a sigh.
"She should be dressed in the finest clothes, riding in the grandest carriage, receiving the utmost respect—and yet you dare......"
A look of utter disbelief shot toward me.
"It must be Young Lord Abel who coaxed her. Isn't your silver tongue already proven?"
"You're misunderstanding something."
I snorted loudly in response.
"It wasn't me who wanted to come out here—it was Princess Violet."
Cain's face went blank for a moment.
He understood my words intellectually, but his expression screamed he refused to accept them.
"Didn't get it?"
With a crooked smile, I kindly repeated myself.
"I'm escorting her on Princess Violet's orders."
"......"
"I'm the one who helped her shake off the guard knights too. She wanted to see the true face of the festival."
Cain stood frozen like a stone statue. I could see my words brushing past his ears without meaning.
"......So,"
Finally, he moved his stiffened lips.
"You're saying Princess Violet has been spending time with Young Lord Abel all this while? At her own request?"
"That's right."
I pointed at myself with one hand and grinned.
"Thanks to that, I'm pulling double duty as escort, financier, and porter."
As I spoke, it suddenly hit me.
"Ah, right. The bear doll."
"Ah!"
Princess Violet's eyes widened as she realized it too.
"What if we left it behind?"
"In all that commotion, were we supposed to grab it? No choice."
"Ah, such a shame."
"You could buy over a hundred of the same ones—what's there to regret?"
"That one was special."
While the princess and I conversed, Cain was completely sidelined.
He'd become mere background to us protagonists.
"Why Young Lord Abel of all people......"
More than that fact, he seemed shocked that the princess and I were chatting so casually.
"Ahem."
Princess Violet cleared her throat lowly and changed the subject.
"Anyway, remember that. If you run into my guards, pretend you don't know."
"......"
"And don't breathe a word about today anywhere. Understood?"
Even under Princess Violet's command, Cain's face showed he couldn't accept it.
He looked like he had a million questions but couldn't bring himself to ask. As if his instincts told him the answers wouldn't benefit him.
"Then we're off. Abel, lead the way."
Princess Violet turned her back on Cain without a shred of lingering attachment.
"Yes, Princess."
Pretending to be utterly obedient, I followed her.
Seeing Cain frozen like he'd been struck by lightning made my voice come out all the more docile.
After we'd taken about three steps,
"Wait!"
Cain's voice flew at our backs. He quickened his pace to catch up.
"Please go with me, Princess."
Cain declared with resolute eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
"What bullshit is that?"
Princess Violet and I spoke at the same time, our gazes meeting briefly. I turned my head away, and she added,
"What do you mean 'go together'?"
"Exactly as I said."
Cain stood firm.
"I can't leave Young Lord Abel and Princess Violet go off alone together."