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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Treated Like a Scammer
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Treated like a scammer?
Why is this happening?
This is a romance fantasy novel.
Shouldn't they welcome investments as a matter of course?
*How perfectly timed! Shouldn't they be clinging to me, begging for it?*
Unlike my flustered heart, May and Bell were dead serious.
They had a ton to say, but seemed to be holding back since they knew I was a noble lady.
Instead, their eyes shot daggers at me—harsh curses, harsh curses.
"It's real. You two will succeed."
"There's nothing more to discuss. Please leave."
"No, but at least hear my story..."
"Miss Noble. We have nothing more to say."
I couldn't hold out against their cold tone.
Their glares suggested they'd call the guards if I pushed further.
And so, my first investment attempt ended in glorious failure.
"Miss, what now?"
"Let's head to the market first."
I gave Billy, who was watching nervously, our destination and climbed into the carriage.
All the other transmigrators nailed their investments with perfect timing, so why can't I?
*The protagonist buff should be kicking in by now! They should be grabbing my hand!*
Even with Luciano, things seemed to go smoothly but surprisingly didn't unfold easily.
*Well, even I'd hesitate if some random kid I just met suddenly offered to invest.*
I could understand May and Bell's suspicion.
But that left my investments in a bind!
It was already looking bleak.
Still, I couldn't just give up.
If I could persuade the iron-willed Luciano, surely I could handle investing.
Even though today was a flop, next time would be different.
With that hope for the future, I retreated for the day.
* * *
I stopped by the market to buy the necessary ingredients and headed straight for the imperial palace.
I was down from the spectacular investment failure.
But I'd already promised Luciano I'd come today.
No sooner had the carriage stopped at the palace than the door flew open.
Whoa!
"You're late."
Luciano, still with a hint of boyishness, greeted me with a sulky face.
The first time we met, he was so gaunt and sickly-looking.
But now his cheeks were plump and healthy, making his good looks shine even brighter.
"Prince, coming out to greet me yourself? What's up?"
In time, our relationship had evolved a bit.
The biggest change was me speaking casually to Luciano like this.
It started as a slip-up.
But surprisingly, he didn't correct me, and I gradually let my guard down until it became natural.
We'd grown that close.
Luciano's red eyes swept over me with dissatisfaction.
"You're late."
I got it without him repeating himself.
"Here, take this."
I handed him the basket I'd brought, and he accepted it naturally.
"You're late."
The third time he said it, right as I stepped down from the carriage.
*This kid must have been waiting forever for me.*
The guy who'd once told me not to come had changed so much in just a few years.
It moved me deeply.
Regardless of my emotion, Luciano's expression soured further.
"Sorry, I had to stop somewhere."
"Where?"
He was prying now.
"Met someone."
"Who?"
"Someone you don't know, Prince."
"Who don't I know?"
If you don't know them, how would explaining help?
Now it was full-on interrogation.
The obsessive glint in his eyes already hinted at the possessive male lead traits.
Well, obsession was standard for romance fantasy male leads these days.
But I couldn't exactly say I'd gone to make an investment, so I changed the subject smoothly.
"I bought ingredients to make bread for you today."
I nodded toward the basket in his hands, and he looked down at it.
"Bread?"
Luciano's voice rose a little.
His pouty cheeks relaxed, twitching up briefly before settling.
"Yeah, I'll make something delicious."
"Shall we go to the kitchen?"
His voice changed tone.
So straightforward.
Seeing his mood lift instantly at the promise of tasty food made me chuckle.
*This kid's changed a lot too.*
The Luciano who got mad at food was long gone.
"Yeah, to the kitchen."
Just as we were about to move, the pink bag at my waist caught my eye.
It was my precious Tosuni, stuffed with money, but a nuisance for baking.
I couldn't just leave it anywhere, so I had no choice but to entrust it to someone reliable.
"Prince, hold on. Billy!"
I stopped and called for Billy.
He was just about to move the carriage, so he answered right away.
"Yes, Miss."
"I'm entrusting you with my Tosuni because I trust you, Billy."
I spoke solemnly as I unfastened Tosuni and held it out to him.
Billy's eyes widened slightly before he smiled calmly and took the bag.
"Yes, Miss. I'll keep it safe."
Hmm, his attitude felt a bit casual.
"You know that, right? I don't entrust this to just anyone. Absolutely do not lose it."
I emphasized it over and over.
Billy responded with a deep smile.
"Yes, I understand. It's an honor."
Seeing him hug Tosuni close finally put my mind at ease.
"Oh, and don't run off with it."
"I have to escort you back to the mansion, Miss. Where would I go?"
Billy's words reassured me completely.
I turned away, trusting him.
Luciano had been silently watching our exchange.
His gaze seemed off somehow.
"Prince, now to the kitchen."
Luciano followed obediently.
Once we were alone inside the building, he spoke up.
"You trust that guy that much?"
"Huh?"
"You don't entrust that bag to just anyone. Especially when it's full of money."
He must have guessed from the bag's bulging shape.
"Yeah. I trust him. That's why I gave it to him."
Luciano frowned in clear displeasure and clamped his mouth shut.
Then he glared at me.
Another complaint brewing, no doubt.
Luciano had mellowed a lot, but his emotions still swung wildly at times.
"Let's hurry and make some bread to eat."
As always, I brushed it off casually.
"Then what about me."
"Huh?"
"Could you entrust it to me?"
"My Tosuni?"
"Yeah. Could you?"
What's with him?
Luciano's eyes were intensely serious.
"You wouldn't..."
Squinting at his seriousness, Luciano flinched, shoulders jerking.
It only fueled my suspicions.
"Eying my money? Need cash?"
"...That's not it."
The tense Luciano deflated, answering curtly.
"Good, then."
At that, he glared at me again.
*What?*
I gestured for him to speak up if he had something to say, but his cheeks puffed out.
With a cold huff, he strode ahead.
I could read his discomfort from his back, which amused me for no reason.
*Cute, isn't he?*
So I called out to his retreating figure.
"I'll entrust it to you."
He froze.
His back halted mid-stride.
When he whipped around, Luciano's face was uncertain.
I repeated it for him, who looked like he doubted his ears.
"Of course I can entrust it to you."
Luciano pressed his lips tight to hide the smile tugging at his mouth.
Our relationship had changed just as much as his honest expressions had.
Watching his back as he turned away again, I finally burst out laughing.
* * *
After inviting Luciano to our mansion and treating him to food.
Above all, I made sure he ate properly.
I couldn't just watch a young kid survive on rations.
I seized every chance to eat together.
At our mansion, out at restaurants.
But we couldn't do that every time, so I eventually started learning to cook myself.
Hoping he'd eat if I made it right in front of him.
And that plan worked.
Luciano ate my cooking without hesitation.
The thrill of that moment.
Like taming a prickly stray cat with food.
Pride swelled in me, so I made it more often.
In the kitchen, I unpacked all the ingredients I'd brought.
"Wash your hands quick."
I said to Luciano as I washed mine.
While he did, I put on the apron I'd brought.
Mine was a cute pink one with a rabbit face.
Nanny's taste, definitely not mine.
"Lower your head a bit."
For Luciano, I tied on a neat sky-blue apron.
Made by Nanny from fabric he'd picked himself.
*Prince, this is the exact color of my hair. Did you pick it on purpose? Huh? Huh?*
I'd teased him playfully.
*Just picked it.*
Luciano had replied nonchalantly.
Since the teased one acted unfazed, I ended up feeling like the weird one.
With that story behind our matching aprons, we dove into serious bread-making.
I measured strong flour, salt, and yeast into a large bowl, added water, and handed it to Luciano.
"Here, mix it up quick."
He took the bowl naturally and started kneading.
I'd made him do it so often that Luciano was pretty good at it now.
At first, he just watched me cook.
But since we were eating together, it felt unfair for me to do it alone.
*Mix this for me.*
*Cut this.*
*Stir that.*
I had Luciano do this and that.
Surprisingly, he obeyed docilely.
Once he started working so willingly, I felt a twinge of guilt.
*He's a prince, after all. Is it okay to make him do chores?*
*Hey, Prince. These days, men need to cook well too. Got it?*
*Women love men who cook well.*
So I'd tacked on excuses for why he should cook.
Sure, in this class-based society, Luciano would never need to.
But you never know with life.
Anyway, Luciano seemed intrigued.
*Then do you like men who cook well too, Espin?*
He even polled me like that.
*Of course! Someone who cooks well is the best! So cool! Perfect husband material!*
I'd nodded vigorously, praising cooking men nonstop.
After that, Luciano seemed to listen better, which satisfied me.
내가 주인공인 줄 알았다
