Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Stealing What Others Covet. (6)
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In truth, from the moment Princess Violet entered the conference hall, I had been hiding behind a pillar.
'In the original story, she showed up to see Cain.'
Thanks to me(?), they hadn't met, so there was a high chance she had come looking for me this time.
'She did see me pointing at the imperial palace before she passed out.'
Of course, I had no intention of dealing with her. With that temper of hers, there was no way she'd let me off easily.
But,
"Haha, Young Lord Abel! Did the talk go well?"
I had no choice but to step out from behind the pillar because of Mikel, who clapped me on the shoulder.
"Come on, one more drink! Grab a glass quick!"
Mikel's face was flushed as he laughed uproariously.
...Had this old man gotten drunk already?
It seemed he had downed more whiskey while I was talking with Cain.
"Young Lord Abel, good work."
"We did our best."
"We'll leave it to you."
The lords around us waved with cold sweat beading on their brows. Their bodies were subtly inching away from me.
Hey! Don't make me the bomb disposal squad!
Just then,
Click, clack.
The sound of high heels drew closer.
It was time to choose.
The drunken old tiger shaking a whiskey bottle, or the ill-tempered princess grinding her teeth at me.
'Still, the latter's better.'
I put some distance between Mikel and myself, turning toward Princess Violet. Our eyes met immediately.
'As expected, she came looking for me.'
Her gleaming purple eyes were fixed on me, unmoving.
'What's the worst that could happen?'
Truthfully, I wasn't too worried.
This was a banquet hall full of lords, and the Emperor was watching us with eyes wide open.
Above all, there were no masks hiding our identities this time.
Sure enough, Princess Violet approached with a haughty expression.
"What is your name?"
She even pretended not to know me, asking so innocently.
It was a far cry from how she had chased me like a mouse in the casino.
But.
'Ugh, look at those eyes. They're killer.'
The fierce glint in them burned with determination not to let me slip away today.
'Tch, what a pain.'
On second thought, maybe dealing with Mikel would be better.
Normally, I wouldn't bother entertaining her. But seeing Cain's boiling gaze changed my mind.
'Who knew this bratty princess had such a use.'
She was efficiently and effectively helping me screw over Cain.
If so, I was willing to put up with a little hassle.
'Maybe I'll play along a bit.'
Twisting Cain's face seemed like it might become my new hobby. And conveniently, there was a perfect chess piece right beside me for it.
"I'm Abel Ovest Kindriel."
After brushing my lips against the back of Princess Violet's hand, I lifted my gaze to meet her eyes. It was yet another rude act toward the princess.
Staring straight at Princess Violet, I could tell.
"-!"
Her eyes shook as if struck by an earthquake, her cheeks faintly flushing.
Princess Violet unconsciously tightened her grip on my hand. She seemed ready to pull away before even acknowledging my greeting.
But.
"-!"
Her eyes widened further. I was holding her hand firmly, not letting go.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Princess Violet whispered so only I could hear. I feigned ignorance and asked innocently.
"Doing what?"
The red flush that had colored her cheeks now spread to her ears.
It was because my breath from my still-close lips was tickling the back of her hand.
Princess Violet snorted loudly and growled.
"You're just as infuriating now as you were then...!"
"Then? When do you mean?"
"Hey! You think I won't recognize you without the mask?"
Princess Violet's eyes blazed.
Oh dear, she'd already dropped the formal address and gone straight to "you."
She hissed under her breath so no one else would hear.
"Do you have a death wish? Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was that day?"
"Then why did you drink so much? You should've known your limits."
I shot back with a smirk.
"So, are you really going to kill me?"
I drooped my brows, making a pitiful face.
"A face you were so curious about. Wouldn't it be a shame to kill it?"
Princess Violet's lips twitched. She looked flustered, as if I'd hit the mark.
Ah, the original story's canon pretty boy's face really packs a punch. Especially when making a pathetic expression—the effect was potent.
Enough to make even that arrogant princess falter.
"Besides, this is my first time seeing you today, Princess. I have no idea what you're talking about."
"No, that's not—!"
"If you're angry, take it up with that masked guy. Why vent on an innocent person?"
"You, you really—!"
"Now, now, 'you'?"
I whispered sternly as I released her hand.
"This is the imperial palace. Mind your manners."
Then I stepped back, just far enough that she couldn't whisper to me anymore.
"You...!"
Princess Violet dangled her hand limply, clutching her neck as if in agony.
But she couldn't whisper to me now. If she spoke, everyone would hear what we were talking about.
'Just you wait.'
Princess Violet mouthed the words while glaring at me.
'As if.'
I mouthed back. Naturally, her face flushed even redder at my retort.
"......"
Princess Violet took a deep breath, her purple eyes quickly scanning the surroundings.
Realizing all eyes were on her,
"Ahem."
She cleared her throat.
It seemed she'd noticed she was showing too much emotion.
"...Anyway, Young Lord Abel. Welcome to the imperial palace."
Her voice finally flowed out, every bit the haughty princess.
"I'm grateful for such a warm welcome."
At my smooth reply, Princess Violet's lips twitched. She looked desperate to land a hit on me.
Then she fell silent, as if pondering something.
'...Oh?'
I let out a hollow chuckle while watching her. I'd caught the odd gleam in her eyes.
'Here she goes again.'
That mischievous glint she got when she was about to play a prank.
Countless young ladies and lords had fallen victim to her antics. Cain had been one of them, of course.
But he had laughed it off, and in the end, showered her with kisses—
'...Let's stop there.'
Anyway, it was a sign that some nasty prank was about to begin.
I pretended not to notice, but kept a close eye on Princess Violet's gaze.
"Hmm."
Princess Violet stared intently at a glass filled with red wine.
'Ah, that trick.'
She was about to pull off one of her favorite moves from the original story.
Princess Violet picked up the glass she'd just been eyeing and looked at me.
"So, it was your first time observing a meeting today. How was it?"
"Ah, I didn't observe."
"...?"
Princess Violet tilted her head.
"Then how are you here? Come to think of it, I don't see Lord Diego."
"I came in Father's place. As representative of Ovest Territory."
"Oh?"
Princess Violet's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"That's surprising. So you're being touted as the confirmed heir?"
"Of course. Isn't it obvious?"
I said something that would have made Diego jump if he were here, all casually.
"Well then, how was attending the meeting? Not too boring?"
Princess Violet giggled.
"Dragging on with such stuffy topics. They were all yawn-worthy."
"The meeting did run longer than usual, but it wasn't boring."
"Really? His Majesty always grumbles that nothing's more boring than meetings."
To Princess Violet, who casually shared gossip about her father, I smiled faintly and replied.
"Even His Majesty wouldn't call today's meeting boring."
"...Aha."
She caught on immediately. She'd realized I was the reason today's meeting had been so entertaining.
"I see. Anyway, good work. As a token of praise, let me offer you a drink."
Princess Violet smiled brightly and held out her glass. Her eyes gleamed slyly, full of calculations.
'...She's really going for it, huh.'
Even with the Emperor and all the nobles watching.
'Daughter of the Emperor, alright.'
It was probably because pouring it on me in front of everyone would be more effective.
Princess Violet's guts were impressive, to say the least.
'Will it go your way so easily?'
I took the glass she offered without resistance.
"Thank you."
"Shall we toast, then?"
Princess Violet also picked up her glass and held it out to me.
Clink!
The moment our champagne glasses met with a clear chime,
"Oh dear!"
Princess Violet's hand slipped. The wine glass she dropped arced cleverly toward my collar.
I leaned back just enough to dodge it. I'd been prepared.
Then, pretending to catch it, I reached out and,
"Ah!"
Pushed the glass toward the front of Princess Violet's dress. Unlike me, she couldn't dodge the falling glass.
"Eek!"
Her dress hem soaked through in an instant.
Crash!
The wine glass shattered on the floor.
The sudden noise drew the attention of even those who hadn't been watching.
"Oh no, what a mess. Your dress is soaked, Princess."
Princess Violet's face twisted. She'd realized I'd pushed the glass on purpose.
"Th-this...!"
Before she could explode, I quickly stepped closer.
"I'm sorry, Princess. Forgive my rudeness?"
I raised my voice so everyone could hear and made a deliberately pitiful face.
"I meant to catch it, but I missed."
"......"
Princess Violet flinched. My eyes were curved in a bizarre, mocking smile.
"If your glass hadn't slipped, this wouldn't have happened."
"...Hmph."
At that addition, she slyly turned her head away. She'd realized her scheme was seen through.
"I should have gripped it tighter. My mistake."
Princess Violet ground her teeth and replied.
"I'll generously overlook Young Lord Abel's mistake."
"Thank you, Princess."
As I bowed, my face openly wore a triumphant sneer.
"...Well then, if you'll excuse me."
Princess Violet grabbed her dress hem and turned sharply. As she brushed past me, she whispered softly.
"...Just you wait, for real."
I let out a low chuckle in response. Princess Violet's proud retreating figure grew distant.
Suddenly, I felt a hot gaze on my profile.
When I glanced over, I saw Cain quickly turning his head away. His tightly clenched jaw stood out.
'Ah, this is fun.'
Truly, a fruitful and satisfying first day of the conference.