Chapter 242: Perfectly Ordinary
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 242: Perfectly Ordinary
"Cute?"
Celicia’s frost-dusted eyelashes fluttered. She looked toward Muen with a hint of surprise.
"That is truly the first time I’ve heard someone use that word to describe me. Are you flirting with me?"
Muen blinked. "If I said yes..."
The chill in the air spiked instantly.
"No! No! I’m not flirting, I’m genuinely complimenting you!" Muen corrected himself in a hurry, his voice urgent. "‘Cute’ is a positive term! A total compliment!"
"A compliment, is it...?"
A ripple seemed to disturb the surface of the deep ice in Celicia’s gaze. She spoke softly, "Unfortunately, that word does not suit me."
"Why not?"
"Because I am a princess. That is all."
Celicia lowered her head again, returning to the tedious paperwork.
"Is that so?"
Muen wouldn't let it go, leaning in closer. "I think a princess is exactly who should be a little cute. For example..."
"For example?"
"Uh..."
Muen suddenly found himself at a loss.
Most of the "cute" princesses he knew were from the anime or manga of his previous life—and most of them were of the "NSFW" variety. In this world, the only princess he truly knew was Celicia.
But it had to be said: Celicia alone fulfilled every fantasy Muen had ever associated with the word "princess."
Cold and aloof.
Exquisitely beautiful.
Flawless.
And a tiny bit "cute."
In truth, it was that faint, elusive quality that made her even more endearing, wasn't it?
"Never mind."
Muen sighed suddenly and looked at Celicia with a smile. "Just stay the way you are, Celicia. You’re already captivating enough as is."
The girl’s jade-like hand paused for a moment as she turned a page.
The window was open.
A night breeze drifted in.
Celicia’s silver-white hair was slightly disheveled, the strands occasionally fluttering to obscure her ice-blue eyes. Her expression was unreadable, but for a fleeting second, that cold, peerless face seemed to soften.
"Are you that bored?"
Muen dithered for a moment, and then the girl returned to her state as a high-altitude snow lotus, swaying with cold elegance. "If you have time to talk nonsense, you’d be better off moving further away. Stop bothering me while I work."
"Who said I was here to bother you?"
Muen leaned in with thick-skinned persistence, grinning. "I’m here to help, aren't I?"
"You?"
Celicia shot him a suspicious look. "Do you even know how to read?"
"What kind of image do you have of me?!" Muen slammed the table in mock outrage.
"A philanderer, a silver-tongued devil, fickle, a compulsive liar..." Celicia listed off without expression.
"..."
Muen deflated instantly, as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over him. He grumbled, "What does that have to do with whether I’m literate or not?"
As he spoke, he reached out to pull a thick stack of documents from in front of Celicia.
Celicia sighed softly and picked out a few, handing them to him. "Help me with these, then. They’re the simpler ones."
"Right, right."
Knowing he wasn't particularly skilled in this area, Muen didn't try to show off. He obediently took the simple documents Celicia had hand-picked for him.
Since he had decided to help, Muen cleared his mind and quickly settled into a working rhythm.
For a while, silence reigned.
Only occasionally did Celicia look up to see Muen’s profile as he worked seriously. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and her expression softened slightly.
Under the warm glow of the candlelight, everything felt remarkably harmonious.
*
"Coffee’s here!"
Wei'er pushed the door open, only to see the two of them completely immersed in their work. Neither of them even looked up; they simply tapped the table beside them and spoke in unison:
"Put it here."
"Huh?"
Wei'er froze, her gaze sweeping between Muen and Celicia with increasing suspicion.
These two... what was going on today?
Was there something fishy?
Wei'er set the coffee down, her large eyes blinking. She leaned curiously toward Muen. "Muen Campbell, what are you doing?"
"Can't you see?" Muen replied. "Helping Celicia."
"You?"
Wei'er’s eyes went wide with disbelief. "Do you even know how to read?"
"..."
Muen’s mouth twitched.
That’s enough out of both of you!
Muen took a sip of coffee and said casually, "It seems the Lower District isn't as chaotic as I imagined."
"Indeed. The current situation is much better than I anticipated," Celicia replied. "Despite the management being essentially paralyzed, no major riots or chaos have broken out. Regarding that, I suppose I have someone to thank."
"Who?"
"Bruce Wayne."
Muen’s hand paused.
"He... what did this Bruce Wayne do?"
"He consolidated the gangs of the Lower District. Because of him, there were no gang wars or opportunistic looting during the period when there was no official oversight. On the contrary, those gangs actually took it upon themselves to maintain order. The results... were actually much better than those useless drunkards in the Guard Corps."
"Haha, is that so? Sounds like this Bruce Wayne is pretty impressive."
"Naturally. Anyone who can be hailed as the 'Dark Emperor' by those rats in the Lower District must have some skill. But rather than how he achieved it in such a short time, I am more curious about..."
Celicia looked up, her gaze fixed meaningfully on Muen. "His identity. Wouldn't you agree, Muen Campbell?"
"Is that so? I’m quite curious myself," Muen said, putting on a serious face.
"To be able to consolidate the Lower District, end the chaos between gangs, and play such a massive role at a critical moment—all while invisibly lightening your workload, Celicia... I imagine this Bruce Wayne must be a legendary, top-tier hunk."
"I wouldn't know if he’s handsome or not. But to conquer those gangs, one would either need to be of noble birth and incredibly wealthy, or possess overwhelming strength and extraordinary means. Combined with the fact that he appeared in the Lower District at such a specific time, there aren't many people who fit the criteria."
Celicia leaned forward, staring directly into Muen’s eyes. "Do you have any guesses, Muen Campbell?"
"Haha, about that... what guesses could I have? I’m just a perfectly ordinary son of a Duke."
Celicia was leaning very close. Her fragrant breath was light and incredibly alluring.
Muen maintained a look of pure innocence and smiled. "After all, I don't know much about the Lower District. Why don't you ask someone else, Celicia?"
"Is that so?"
"It is."
"Then perhaps I’m overthinking it?"
"I have no idea what you mean, Celicia, haha..."
*
To the side.
Watching the two of them with their heads almost touching, Wei'er’s eyes widened even further in shock.
What was the situation?
What were they talking about?
Why couldn't she understand?
Furthermore, based on the countless romance novels she had read, when two people were at this distance, they were either about to fight or... do that.
When did their relationship progress to this stage?
Could it be...
Has the ultimate, multi-timing, perverted scumbag finally decided to make a move on the pure President?
No!
I absolutely cannot let Muen Campbell succeed!
I have to protect the President!
I have to sabotage this!
Thud!
A dull sound broke the close-range staring contest.
The two of them instinctively turned to see Wei'er slamming an exquisite gift box onto the table. Then... she flashed a sweet smile.
"Oh my, just drinking coffee is so boring! I just remembered—the Palace sent over some special pastries today. Let’s all eat together!"