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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: The Irresistible Golden Egg
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It's truly astonishing.
Why do people look at me with such disbelief and shock?
Shouldn't they offer unconditional support like the heroine in a romance fantasy novel, shouting 'Our lady is the best!'?
They're not expecting an angel or a fairy or anything like that.
'The devil is going too far...'
I suppressed the urge to join in the indignation.
"So, you have absolutely no thoughts of pursuing a different career path?"
"Of course not. My future is secure. Don't try to mislead me with nonsense."
Sion spoke with firm resolve, as if shaking off any greed.
He didn't even bother hiding his contemptuous gaze, which made it all the more infuriating.
'No, if it hasn't been long since he was bullied at the academy, it's understandable.'
With the top spot secured, he could apply for any prime position without fail.
Just as he said, his path to a key department in the palace was clear—there was no reason to leap into the risks of a personal business.
'No matter what I say, he won't believe me.'
In that case, persuasion was futile.
"Alright. Forget I ever asked you to take over the merchant guild."
When I gave up so readily, Sion looked at me with puzzlement.
Then, as if deciding to take it in a positive light, he nodded.
"Then, our conversation is over, right? Let's never meet again. Don't try to deceive people with your nonsense."
He reacted as quickly as if spending another moment with me would taint his soul.
Just as he scurried over and grabbed the visiting room door.
"Wait!"
I called out to Sion again.
"What is it? Isn't the conversation over?"
His eyes brimmed with wariness.
"Let me make a different proposal."
"I don't need any proposals from you..."
"How about a nice side gig for some pocket money?"
I cut him off and dangled my golden egg enticingly.
If partnership was off the table, I'd just hire him with money.
"..."
Sion's pupils shook as they followed the golden egg.
No matter how resolutely he turned away, a golden egg dangling before someone like us was an irresistible temptation.
'I nearly had a heart attack myself when I first found the golden egg.'
If he was wavering, there was still room to negotiate.
I curled one corner of my mouth upward.
"You won't need to devote yourself entirely to my work. Just handle a few tasks I assign. The deadline is about three months."
"That long? I can't do it. The academy has regular exams, and right now, that's the most important thing in my life."
Sion, who had been momentarily entranced, snapped back to reality at the mention of three months and shook his head firmly.
Overcoming the lure of gold.
He was tougher than expected.
"You won't need to dedicate the full three months. You can handle it just working on your days off each week. What do you say? Interested?"
Aside from exam periods, Sion took on small odd jobs even on weekdays.
I lived richly as a noble's daughter, but life for commoners here was harsh.
Wages were low, the capital's cost of living high.
There wasn't even a guaranteed minimum wage—in some ways, it was harsher than the modern world.
So, my offer of work only on holidays must have sounded like honey to Sion.
"What's the pay?"
His eyes narrowed.
He probably assumed the pay would be low since the hours were few.
"I'll pay you enough for three months that you won't need to do any other work."
"...And you know how much I make?"
He was half hooked.
"How much do you earn in total per month? Tell me. I'll calculate three months' worth generously and pay upfront."
"That's an overly generous offer."
At first, he complained the conditions weren't good.
Now he suspected a trap.
Then I'd just sweeten the deal.
"If I ever need you outside of holidays, you can void the contract—no problem. This is my final offer, by the way."
What do you think?
An opportunity like this won't come again.
I stated it confidently and extended my hand.
Come on, take it.
Sion stared down at my hand for a moment.
"I'll really only have to do exactly what you say?"
"It's outside the capital, but within a day's travel. Just do precisely what I instruct."
Sion's eyes darted about busily.
After some mental calculations, he swiftly grasped my hand.
And flashed a melting smile.
"What do you need me to do?"
I could almost hear him screaming 'Sucker!' in delight.
He figured he'd earn easy pocket money handling simple chores.
But Sion.
In three months, I'd be the one laughing.
Because this investment was the very opportunity he'd mentioned in the original story.
'I wish I'd met the prince just four years earlier! I should have swept up those items back then!'
I'd remembered his regretful lament.
"Let's do well."
I beamed brightly at Sion.
"Yes, just leave it to me!"
Sion grinned back at me.
We drafted the contract, each hiding our true intentions.
I could hardly wait for three months from now.
* * *
"Lu Chi, what are you up to?"
I sought out Luciano in high spirits.
As usual, I burst through the door, but he didn't mind.
"Lu Chi, Harrison, hi!"
Luciano gave a slight nod as a signal that he'd seen me.
Harrison, beside him, bowed a bit more politely.
"You've arrived?"
"What were you doing?"
"Staying put, just like you said."
Luciano held up the book in his hand.
Our conversation from a few days ago must have worked—his anxiety had vanished.
It was such a positive change that I nodded instinctively.
"I'll share the good news soon."
I said that, but I didn't really have any good news to tell Luciano yet.
He seemed to realize there was no rush and shrugged.
"By the way, you said you had something to brag about in your letter. What is it?"
Then, as if something had occurred to him, he asked.
"Huh?"
"You said in your letter you had something to boast about."
Luciano's question jolted me awake.
Come to think of it, because he'd been trying to keep his distance from me, I'd forgotten something crucial.
My golden egg brag!
Bragging is always fun, no matter when.
"I've got something to brag about! Look at this!"
I opened my chubby pouch, swollen to the bursting point.
No exaggeration—I'd been carrying it everywhere lately.
Being separated from my golden egg gave me separation anxiety, like my heart was pounding out of my chest.
'Nothing stabilizes the mind like gold!'
My love for the golden egg was growing by the day.
"Amazing, right!"
I quickly pulled out the golden egg and held it before Luciano's eyes.
When I unwrapped the cloth to protect it from scratches, its brilliant golden sheen sparkled brighter than ever today.
"A lump of gold?"
"Is that gold, my lady?"
Seeing Luciano and Harrison's stunned faces, I grinned triumphantly.
"Cool, huh! The best! I found this! Not money—a genuine golden egg! It was right under a tree in the park!"
"You found that?"
Their voices dripped with incredulity.
I understood their shock.
Even I, who had it handed to me, sometimes wondered if it was all a dream.
"Yeah, I reported it to the guards, and after the holding period, it's officially mine. Turns out you can pick up gold just living life!"
What were the odds of stumbling on a gold lump? Lower than winning the lottery?
"You've been carrying it around in that thing the whole time?"
Luciano muttered in disbelief, glancing at my chubby pouch.
"Of course! It's precious—I have to shower it with love every day."
I nodded vigorously.
Luciano looked utterly flabbergasted.
Then, as if struck by a thought, he held out his hand.
"Can I take a closer look?"
"Sure. Handle it gently. It's sensitive."
I handed the golden egg to Luciano.
He examined it carefully from all angles.
It was obviously crafted, so he was probably searching for any clues to its owner.
'Of course there's nothing like that.'
I'd been polishing it morning and night.
If there were marks, I'd have noticed ages ago.
Truth be told, the golden egg was unique only in its egg shape.
There were no other distinguishing features.
In other words, nothing to identify the owner.
It was so plain that one wondered why it had been shaped like an egg at all.
"However..."
Luciano broached the subject very cautiously.
The way he eyed me suggested something serious.
This felt ominous.
"However?"
"Is this really gold?"
"Hey! What do you take me for? I'm Espin! You think I can't tell real gold?"
I shot to my feet and yelled.
How dare he doubt my gold-appraising skills. Unforgivable.
"It doesn't seem like gold. Real gold wouldn't just be lying on the street. It could be a well-made fake."
Luciano pointed out coolly.
"No, it is gold! I can tell at a glance! The smell, the texture, the weight—it's definitely gold!"
I'd been indulging in greed for three years now.
I could spot gold coins blindfolded.
No way I'd miss it after polishing it daily.
Luciano nodded as if acknowledging my expertise, but muttered softly.
"Still, we should verify it..."
This guy, to the very end!
It irked me that Luciano didn't trust me.
"Fine! Give it here!"
Annoyed, I snatched the golden egg from his hand.
But was I too hasty?
The cloth-wrapped golden egg slipped from my grasp.
'Oh no!'
I instinctively foresaw the disaster and a scream rose in my throat.
My precious gold lump, rolling on the floor!
Sure enough, the golden egg plummeted to the ground.
And then.
Crack!
"!"
It made an eerie sound.
A truly ominous noise that no real gold lump should ever make.
