-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Overprotective Billy and an Unexpected Guest
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Five years isn’t exactly a small age gap between the two of you. You know that, right?”
Billy pulled me back as if to protect me.
How dare he try to hit on our young lady! Heat rushed straight to my face at his attitude.
‘Ugh! So embarrassing!’
I stomped my feet without thinking.
I had anticipated something like this might happen someday.
As the heroine of a romance fantasy, it was only natural for the people around her to start swooning.
But I had always been met with uniquely distrustful gazes.
Incomprehensibly, no one believed in me.
As a result, this was my first time in such a situation, and it felt utterly strange.
‘Feels good, but like my arms and legs are all tangled up.’
At Billy’s stern expression, the man looked flustered, his mouth hanging open.
He hurriedly shook his head.
“I had no bad intentions!”
He even reached out his hands, waving them in denial.
“Handing over a pile of gifts like this is suspicious enough on its own.”
At Billy’s words, the man’s face crumpled in misery.
At his pleading gaze begging me to do something, I tugged at Billy’s hand.
“Billy, stop it. It’s really not like that.”
“Young lady, this is……”
“I said it’s not. Don’t you trust me?”
At that, Billy held his tongue, though his face didn’t exactly scream trust.
Where had the overprotective guy from just moments ago gone!
Why the sudden surge of distrust!
But Billy’s suspicious gaze didn’t waver.
I hadn’t wanted to go this far, but.
“Anyone can see that guy’s not my type!”
“……”
The man’s expression turned peculiar, but I had no time to worry about it.
“Really?”
Billy eyed me with lingering doubt.
“Of course! My tastes are set in stone!”
I shot him a glare, and Billy swallowed a sigh before stepping back.
“I hope it really is my misunderstanding.”
Of course, he didn’t forget to add that one line.
Now that Billy seemed unlikely to press further, the man’s face twisted into a bizarre expression that was neither smiling nor crying.
“Anyway, thanks for the gifts. I’ll eat them and use them well.”
At my words of thanks, the man froze.
Then, fidgeting restlessly, he spoke up.
“There’s nothing edible inside.”
Peeking into the bag at his words, sure enough, there was no food.
It was stuffed with hair ties, bracelets, earrings, and decorative items.
No food was unexpected.
‘The easiest gift is usually cookies.’
As if reading my thoughts, the man hurriedly added.
“I couldn’t meet her last month, so I had to throw out all the edibles. I didn’t prepare any this time either, not knowing how it’d go. Should I go buy some food now?”
“No, it’s fine. These are plenty. I only said thanks because I didn’t know what was inside.”
He looked like he’d really run off to buy some, so I stopped him in a hurry.
“But don’t you want something to eat?”
No, do you think I’m obsessed with food or something?
“It’s okay. Really, these are enough. Anyway, I’ll gratefully accept the gifts. So don’t worry about me too much.”
I gave my thanks and subtly tugged at Billy.
It was a signal to leave.
Staying any longer didn’t feel like it would end well.
Every time I got tangled up with this man, something unsettling happened.
It was just as Billy and I were about to leave.
“Will you accept the apology along with the gifts?”
The man asked urgently, and I paused, turning back.
He looked anxious.
His trembling form seemed pitiful.
I’d heard a similar question from him last time.
I’d already told him it was fine several times, so this wasn’t about me.
It had to be for the owner of the other pile of gifts cradled in his arms.
‘Could it be that tearful protagonist from before?’
Unless it was some dire grudge, it was polite to accept an apology delivered with gifts.
“I’ll accept the apology.”
I answered simply.
Dragging it out would only risk missing the moment, which would be worse.
From his attitude, it seemed like he wouldn’t even attempt the apology without my firm go-ahead.
So I answered even more decisively.
The man’s face lit up with hope for a moment.
But it soon drooped again.
“Will this be enough?”
He clutched the bag in his arms tightly.
Even at a glance, it looked bulkier than mine.
Pushing gifts on someone like that—wouldn’t it be hard to stay mad?
Then, a snippet of our earlier conversation flashed through my mind.
“By any chance, no food in that one either?”
“Yes? Oh, yes. There isn’t.”
“You should add something sweet.”
“Something sweet?”
The man’s reaction was lukewarm.
“Definitely. From what I’ve seen, a lack of sweetness makes people irritable. So you make them eat something sweet and melt their bad mood away.”
It was a method that even worked on Luciano at his peak sensitivity.
The kid had an incredibly touchy personality, but after a full meal and dessert, he turned generous.
“Should I……”
I’d given him advice, but he still looked downcast as he replied.
Today, he looked like a puppy that had been thoroughly scolded.
‘Ah, what a headache.’
Truth be told, I wasn’t the nosy type.
I was indifferent to people unrelated to me.
I was too busy looking after those around me—why bother with strangers?
But starting from last time, I just couldn’t leave this man alone.
His bawling in front of me lingered in my mind.
Maybe it was his oddly innocent and pure demeanor.
Or perhaps it was that bright golden hair that reminded me of Luciano.
Seeing his shoulders slump like that made my heart feel heavy for no reason.
“Yes, definitely. With gifts prepared so generously, your counterpart will surely accept the apology.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
The man, who had been listening intently, bent at the waist in a bow.
His posture was so polite that all I could see was the back of his round head.
And that was exactly why my heart felt burdened.
“I don’t know what you did wrong, but if you’re going to apologize, do it quickly.”
At my advice, the man raised his head.
Hesitation still lingered on his face.
“The later the apology, the worse the outcome tends to be. I saw you picking out apology gifts last time too, so you still haven’t apologized to her, right?”
I’d hit the mark; his head drooped toward the floor.
“Apologize as soon as possible—even if it’s just one day sooner.”
That was all I could say.
“What if she doesn’t accept it?”
The man gazed at me with utterly desperate eyes.
‘I have no idea why he’s asking me of all people.’
All the while wondering just how massive the mistake could be.
“Did you make such a huge blunder? The kind where she won’t accept your apology easily?”
“Yes, I committed a tremendous sin.”
His voice came out utterly dejected.
And he just admits it like that.
“Do you really want to reconcile with her?”
“Yes, I want her forgiveness.”
Had he gleaned some hope from my words?
His expression turned resolute.
He looked ready to do anything for forgiveness.
“Then it’s simple. Keep going to her until she forgives you.”
At my straightforward advice, the man’s face went blank.
“But... it’s not that easy.”
His mumbling excuse sounded pathetic.
“You’re just scared right now. Scared of hearing harsh words, so you can’t bring yourself to apologize.”
“……”
“If you truly did wrong and want forgiveness, you have to make the effort. Keep going back to her until she accepts it.”
I wasn’t just saying this lightly because it wasn’t my business.
If you want to maintain a relationship despite their refusal, you’re the one who has to try.
Pondering from afar will never improve the situation.
“Even if she refuses?”
“Yes, even if she refuses. You keep trying until you can’t anymore.”
Of course, if that doesn’t work, you give up.
But his eyes shone with too much hope, so I swallowed the rest.
* * *
Today, May and Bell’s business wrapped up successfully as well.
“Wow, we really sold out completely! Just like you said, young lady.”
May beamed.
“We prepared way more than last time, and it all sold!”
Bell grinned broadly.
“You did great! You two are the best!”
I praised them enthusiastically.
Seeing their shoulders puff up with confidence made me feel proud too.
Now all that was left was to finish decorating the shop’s interior.
“You worked hard, so go rest up.”
“Yes, you rest too, young lady.”
May and Bell excitedly closed up shop.
After sending them off, I bought a few cookies for Nanny.
She’d been upset because of me today, so I had to apologize.
Nanny was great in every way, but she just didn’t understand my money-saving efforts.
‘It’s all to make sure our family eats well and lives well.’
“Did you buy them all?”
“Yeah. This should be enough to please Nanny, right?”
I’d wanted to buy from May and Bell’s stock, but it all sold out while I was talking to that man.
“Nanny will love anything as long as it’s from you, young lady.”
“True. She loves everything I give her. That’s why picking gifts is even harder.”
I knew how much she doted on me, which was exactly why I acted more spoiled.
“Then, shall we head to the mansion?”
After a moment’s thought, I suggested a different destination.
“No, let’s stop by the prince’s place first.”
Today was the day Luciano was having his first solo training session with Cale.
It had been a while since his last session, so he needed to eat well—but sure enough, Luciano probably hadn’t bothered.
‘No one to look after him but me.’
I was also worried if there were any issues between him and Cale.
After stopping by the market to buy plenty of meat and vegetables, I headed to the imperial palace.
* * *
I dropped off the provisions in the kitchen and set out to find Luciano.
“LuChi! I’m here!”
I flung open the bedroom door.
I’d thought he’d be resting, but Luciano wasn’t inside.
So I headed to the study, where I figured he’d be next.
But he wasn’t there either.
I checked all the likely spots.
It really hit me then how empty Luciano’s palace was.
If he had proper attendants, this wouldn’t happen.
Somehow, I ended up at the reception room.
Just in case, I reached for the door.
“Whoever it is, I said they could come in.”
Luciano’s sharp voice rang out from inside.
I froze and pressed my ear to the door.
I heard a muffled response, and I jumped in surprise.
‘Does he have a guest?’
Ever since I became friends with Luciano, there hadn’t been any ‘real’ visitors to this palace.
Only the occasional errand runner from Imperial Consort Isabel.
Luciano never raised his voice at Isabel’s errand runners.
In any case, an actual guest would be a huge deal.
“What impudence to even show your face here. Get out!”
Beyond the door, Luciano’s agitated voice poured out in condemnation.
