Chapter 799: The Protagonist’s Love Story (Part 6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 799: The Protagonist’s Love Story (Part 6)
Under the sunlight, everything looked clean and bright.
This was one of the reasons Muen had chosen lunch over a more solemn, romantic dinner. He felt that in an environment like this—with a clear breeze, bright sun, and the fragrance of birds and flowers—Ariel would be able to see the sincerity in his eyes more clearly.
And indeed, from the moment Muen spoke his first word, Ariel understood that this was neither a joke nor a prank. It was a heartfelt invitation from the man standing before her.
Everything—from the meticulous bath he’d prepared for her, to the hundreds of outfits sewn specifically for her, to the delicacies she had never tasted in her life—spoke to the weight of this invitation.
He truly, sincerely wanted to take her on a date unlike any she had ever experienced. In short... he wanted to woo her.
"Do you know how I feel right now?"
Ariel snapped out of her brief daze, her gaze falling on Muen’s hand as it held hers.
"How? Warm? Large? Or... have you already gotten used to it?"
Muen winked mischievously, his fingers deliberately teasing the center of Ariel’s palm. Although they had held hands many times before, this was the first time it felt so intimate.
"No," Ariel said with a cold sneer. "I feel... like my hand is being held by a golden retriever’s paw."
"..."
"Where do you get these ideas? You have to take responsibility for me, so you’re going to woo me? Does that mean you’re going to try to pick up every girl you accidentally hurt? What kind of scum-man logic is that?"
Ariel scoffed at Muen’s reasoning. She admitted that she had faltered for a moment because she’d once again overlapped Muen Campbell with Miss Muse, but that didn't change anything. From any perspective, the idea of her being swept off her feet by Muen Campbell was an absolute impossibility.
"It’s not scum-man logic. I want to rescue you from the clutches of the Love God. I want to correct your Twisted Love," Muen said.
"I don’t need it. I don’t need anyone to save me; I’ll find a way myself. What kind of desperate straits have I not survived since I was a child? It’s just Evil God corruption. There has to be a way," Ariel countered.
"But even your teacher and my teacher are powerless against it."
"So what? Just because they don’t have a way doesn't mean I won't find one. Just because there’s no way now doesn't mean there won't be one in the future."
Ariel tilted her swan-like neck slightly, her clear eyes filled with disdain.
Muen dazed for a moment. He realized that this was the real Ariel—the proud, unyielding, brave, and fearless Ariel, the Destined Protagonist who had always sneered at the provocations of fate.
These were exactly the kind of words she would say.
"Fine, I’m really leaving now. This meal and the clothes can be deducted from that one hundred million you owe me. I wouldn't want anyone saying I took advantage of you."
Ariel stood up abruptly. It seemed that even a hundred cute dresses and dozens of gourmet dishes were still not enough to move her heart.
"So..."
Watching Ariel’s retreating back, Muen suddenly spoke: "Are you afraid?"
"..."
Ariel’s footsteps faltered. "What do you mean, 'afraid'?"
"Exactly what I said. You’re afraid."
"Afraid? Why would I be afraid?" Ariel laughed in exasperation, turning back to look at him. "Is there anything about you that could possibly make me afraid?"
"You’re afraid of my invitation."
"That’s even more ridiculous. I like beautiful girls. I like Miss Muse. I don’t like you. Why would I be afraid of your invitation?" Ariel sneered.
"Is that so?" Muen asked. "But if you aren't afraid, why are you refusing?"
"Because I don’t want to waste my time—"
"I am being so sincere, and you’re using such a flimsy excuse to brush me off?"
"What does that have to do with—"
"You really are afraid."
"Shut up!" Ariel suddenly barked.
She glared straight at Muen like an enraged lioness.
In truth, she was genuinely angry. She couldn't understand why Muen kept saying she was afraid.
Why would she be afraid? Afraid of being "conquered" by Muen Campbell?
What a joke. She was Ariel Bugard, the most fearless person in the world. She liked beautiful girls. Her dream was to open a massive Crystal Palace and live happily with her beloved beauties.
How could she possibly be afraid of being wooed by this guy she used to hate the most?
It was just a mere...
"That’s right, it’s just a mere date."
As if reading Ariel’s mind, Muen reached out his hand again.
"So, there’s no harm in trying it once, right?"
"..."
The light dimmed as the sun hid behind a cloud.
Not a single bird sang in the garden, as if the entire world were holding its breath, waiting for the girl’s answer.
The girl didn't answer immediately. She stared at Muen’s face, her eyes flickering with uncertainty as she weighed her thoughts.
Muen waited patiently.
"Fine."
After a long silence, Ariel finally chose to once again grasp that large, warm hand—the one that had made her feel safe so many times before.
"Just once."
*
"Yes! Young Master did it! The hardest step is over—he successfully invited Miss Ariel on a date!"
Noah ran excitedly into the kitchen, announcing the news loudly to the maids who had been waiting anxiously.
The Duke and Duchess Campbell had been away for a long time, and Muen was often absent from the estate as well. Aside from their daily chores, these maids had been as idle as flowers without sunlight, nearly withering away from boredom.
Witnessing or even participating in such thrilling gossip was top-tier entertainment for them. Upon hearing the news, almost everyone cheered in excitement.
"Wonderful! All that effort searching the whole city for master tailors wasn't in vain."
"Exactly! Chef Raken was supposed to be on vacation, but I chased him down in a carriage and brought him back."
"It’s so romantic, truly too romantic. I bet no one except Miss Ariel could possibly withstand the Young Master’s offensive."
"I know, right?..."
The group of maids fell into a daze, imagining themselves in Ariel’s position—standing in a sun-drenched garden filled with the scent of flowers, facing the extraordinarily handsome Young Master Muen.
And he would be reaching out his hand, inviting them with a look of deep affection...
Thud!
The sudden, heavy sound of butchery snapped the maids back to reality.
At that moment, a massive fish was thrashing in the center of the room. But as a sharp cleaver forged of steel swung down, the fish didn't even have time to struggle before its head was completely severed from its body.
"Could you all be quiet?"
An lifted the heavy blade and said coldly, "An overly noisy environment will affect my culinary skills."
"Yes...! Head Maid!"
The maids, who had been buzzing with excitement just a moment ago, instantly shrank back to their posts like frightened chicks. Under An’s intimidating presence, they didn't dare whisper anymore, but they continued to exchange frantic looks.
After a flurry of silent communication, Noah finally stepped forward tremulously and walked over to An’s side.
"Um... Head Maid, are you... are you alright?"
"Hmm? Why wouldn't I be?" An asked, sounding puzzled.
"Well... about the Young Master and Miss Ariel... aren't you... aren't you angry?"
The relationship between An and Muen was no secret within the Duke’s estate. An had never intended to hide it, as it was her way of deterring "pests" from getting too close to the young man.
To her, even these maids were dangerous figures to be wary of.
Because of this, Noah and the other maids were extremely uneasy, fearing that this was merely the calm before the storm—that An had already poisoned the food, or that she would charge out the next moment to hack Miss Ariel to pieces.
"Don't worry," An said, still looking perfectly calm. "Why would I do anything to cause trouble for the Young Master?"
"Is... is that so?"
"Of course."
"I... I see, haha..."
Despite the answer, Noah was still uneasy. She secretly resolved to keep a close eye on the Head Maid. If An made any sudden, abnormal moves, Noah would... she would grab An’s leg and beg for mercy!
"There’s really no need to overthink it," An said suddenly. "I won't do anything. After all... I currently owe Miss Ariel a favor."
That was right. Until the favor was repaid, she wouldn't do anything. At most, she would just push back the "pest control" schedule a little.
Not only that...
"To ensure things go smoothly for the Young Master, I’ve specifically invited someone who can help him..."
Thud!
The fish, already long dead, was sliced clean in half. The cold glint of the steel reflected An’s expressionless face.
"...A professional."
*
The Imperial Palace, Conference Hall.
Even though it was midday, the room was exceptionally dim because the doors and windows were tightly shut and the magic stones hadn't been lit.
In the faint light filtering through the cracks, two deep silhouettes could be seen.
One of them was leaning back in the head seat, surrounded by clouds of smoke, staring at the statues of past knights as if contemplating a very serious problem.
The other, an older silhouette, let out a very helpless sigh.
"Are you really going to do this?"
"Why not?" the figure in the smoke replied. "This is a rare opportunity—a chance to showcase my extraordinary talent and brilliant genius. I have no reason to refuse."
"...I don't know about 'opportunity,' but I do know that if Her Majesty finds out you did something like this while she was away, she probably won't let you off easily..."
"Shut up! This involves your grandson. Don't you care?"
A large hand holding a cigar slammed onto the table. The figure snapped, "Besides, Celicia is finally away, and that tigress has left for her own business. Can't I enjoy a bit of this hard-earned freedom?"
"But your mission is to guard the capital and ensure nothing goes wrong in Belland..."
"I am guarding the capital! I’ve heard about the situation. As a pillar of the Empire, how could I let that despicable Evil God have its way?"
The magic stones finally flickered to life, illuminating the stern face of the Pink Bear.
"Since I’ve been invited, I’m definitely joining in on this fun... I mean, I’m definitely helping out!"