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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: A Ridiculous Request
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After the tea party, Lellia was all but dragged away to a quiet place by Lute.
It was a small path behind the Crystal House.
“What do you think, Sir? If I confess, do you think Princess Yuriana will accept me?”
“…”
Lute asked, his face flushed with excitement.
Lellia was exhausted, both in body and spirit.
The young ladies at the tea party had drained her, bombarding her with one question after another the moment she answered the last.
“Answer me, Sir Raymond. What do you think?”
Lute pressed, and Lellia answered, slumping onto a bench.
“From what I can see, Princess Yuriana likes you too, Sir Lute. A great deal.”
“…Really? But isn't it strange? Princess Yuriana kept looking only at you and smiling… Last time it was that Calix fellow, and now…”
Lute glared at Lellia accusingly.
Lellia, now used to this, simply replied.
“I think she's doing it on purpose. To make you jealous.”
“…Jealous?”
Lute looked incredulous.
But Lellia was sure of it.
Even while smiling at her, Princess Yuriana had kept checking Lute's reaction.
Lute was just too dense to notice.
“…Hah. What should I do?”
Lute clutched his head, as if facing another massive problem.
“What's there to worry about? Just confess.”
*Yes, hurry up and confess so I can finish this quest.*
Lellia pleaded inwardly.
“But… even if Princess Yuriana accepts my confession, what if His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and the princes object?”
“…”
Lellia turned her head away.
She suddenly missed her friends. She needed a break.
There was so much she wanted to say to Lute, but she couldn't. It would have involved a lot of swearing.
After a moment of thought, Lute hesitated slightly, scratching his cheek with his index finger.
“So, Sir. I have one more favor to ask of you.”
“…What is it?”
*I have a bad feeling about this.*
Lute's lips twitched before he quickly spat out the words.
“I need you to be a point of comparison, so Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will come to trust me.”
“…What did you say?”
“If you act rudely toward one of Princess Yuriana's ladies-in-waiting, I will challenge you to a duel. You just have to surrender to me and then apologize to the young lady. How about it?”
“…?”
Lellia was so stunned, her mouth fell open.
*What kind of nonsense is that?*
Seeing her reaction, Lute seemed to realize something and frowned.
“…Would that be difficult?”
Yet he didn't give up and asked again.
Lellia blinked, feeling disgruntled.
*Does he think I'm a pushover just because I keep doing him favors?*
The quest was important, of course, but she had no desire to act like a doormat and become Lute's servant.
“Of course it would be difficult. My honor is at stake. Furthermore, it would tarnish Prince Romeo's honor and reputation.”
“…I see. That was shortsighted of me. I apologize.”
She expected him to argue stubbornly, but Lute surprisingly apologized for his mistake with ease.
Then, after a moment of thought, his eyes widened.
“Then how about this method!?”
“…”
*This feels ominous.*
Ignoring Lellia's grimace, Lute excitedly explained.
“This is a way that won't damage your honor or Prince Romeo's reputation.”
“What is it?”
“Sir Raymond, you become the playboy of high society!”
“…”
“You just have to go on a date with each of Princess Yuriana's ladies-in-waiting. A casual tea time would be fine! Wouldn't that naturally create a playboy image?”
“Ah.”
“Then I, standing next to you, will naturally solidify my image as a serious and trustworthy man.”
Lute really seemed to be in love with Princess Yuriana.
To think he would come up with such an idea just to look good to her family.
*But to become a playboy? Is he telling me to become trash for his sake?*
*A playboy… Absolutely not.*
Lellia suppressed the urge to scream and spoke.
“…It might not be a complete loss of honor, but there's a saying that you can know a person by their friends. Wouldn't you also be suspected of being a playboy?”
“Hmm… If rumors spread that you're a playboy, Sir Raymond, then I can just distance myself from you! Wouldn't that make me seem even more serious and trustworthy?”
“Then what do I get out of it?”
“…”
Hearing the question, Lute thought for a moment.
Of course, Lellia did have something to gain. The quest reward.
But if she agreed to everything without question, she felt Lute would just demand something even more outrageous.
Just then, having finished his deliberation, Lute spoke with a confident expression.
“I will become your true friend.”
“…What did you say?”
“You have a small build, so if anyone tries to bully you, I'll challenge them to a duel on your behalf. I may not look it, but my swordsmanship is quite formidable.”
“…”
Lellia was at a loss for words.
She had no desire to become true friends with Lute.
She already had four friends who were as precious to her as her own life.
And to offer something like that as a reward.
Lellia was dumbfounded by Lute's brazen confidence and arrogance.
“That's alright. I may be small, but I don't go around getting beaten up.”
“Then…”
“Instead… I'd like you to do one thing for me.”
“What is it? Just say the word! I'll do anything!”
Lute's face lit up.
“I'll tell you later.”
“Alright! It won't be such a bad deal for you, either. Hanging out with the princess's ladies-in-waiting will make you even more popular!”
“…”
“Being surrounded by beautiful young ladies is every man's dream, isn't it? Of course, I'm not that kind of man… All I need is Princess Yuriana.”
*So he's saying I am that kind of man?*
Lellia just couldn't get used to Lute's way of speaking.
She was so tired, she just wanted to rest.
Lellia gave Lute a cursory farewell and quickly returned to her quarters.
Suddenly, she felt her situation was pathetic.
It wasn't enough that she had to face people she disliked because of that damned holy relic; now she had to become a playboy, too.
*‘But this holy relic might be able to fix Calix's eyes...’*
She was just arriving at her quarters.
An attendant from Prince Romeo's chambers approached her and spoke.
“His Highness Prince Romeo has requested Sir Raymond's presence. He wishes to have dinner with you.”
Lellia nodded at his words and followed the attendant.
