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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Jealousy Without Affection?
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Is he jealous even without any feelings of liking?
While I was lost in thought, Masera spoke up in a grave tone.
"Major Rodriguez is affiliated with Federal Army Headquarters."
"Wow."
What's the problem with that? He's not a spy or anything.
He added in the same serious tone and manner.
"I'm with Joint Headquarters."
"Ooh."
I reacted a bit more enthusiastically, worried he might get sulky again.
He stared at my utterly clueless face for a long moment before letting out a sigh. It was the look of someone who had given up on explaining.
"Just... do whatever you want."
"Ahh, why do you say it like you're giving up on me?"
In truth, I had a pretty good idea of what he was trying to say.
Among the Federation nations, the three main contributors to the victory had formed Joint Headquarters, which was politically at odds with the existing Federal Army Headquarters.
Steve Brigadier General, who had attended the banquet only to pick fights, withdraw investments, and storm off, was a staff officer at Federal Army Headquarters—and naturally on bad terms with Masera, the Chief of Staff at Joint Headquarters.
And since Major Rodriguez was Steve Brigadier General's direct subordinate, it meant I shouldn't hang around with his gang.
But 'Cynthia' was already a suspicious figure as it was. Acting like I knew what was going on here would only make me look even more suspect.
True masters of the night know when to play dumb.
"Oh my, could it be jealousy? I thought Brigadier General had ab-so-lute-ly no such emotions."
I flashed the villainess's signature sneer. And since it also tormented Masera, it was killing two birds with one stone.
He smiled leisurely.
"That's right. I can't let Major Rodriguez get stolen by 'Princess'."
But Masera was no pushover either.
Damn, turning this into a battle over the handsome major?
He added earnestly.
"Don't get too friendly with him. He's my man."
Whoa! So childish!
Leaving behind that absurd warning, he strode away with precise steps. His ears were red, as if he was embarrassed himself.
"How cute."
I muttered like a total jerk, smirking smugly.
Even so, I felt oddly annoyed, like I'd lost to him somehow.
At that moment, Diego came running from afar.
"Princess, you need to review the guest list for the wedding invitations. We're planning to send them out tomorrow..."
He panted heavily, as if he'd been searching everywhere for me.
Diego, even you've started calling me Princess.
"Aide, what will my title be after marriage?"
It wouldn't be that they still call me Princess even after I become a grandma, right?
Diego adjusted his glasses and pondered my question for a moment.
"Since you won't have an official rank, it'll be something like Madam, Lady, or Mrs."
Madam felt a bit embarrassing, but Lady and Mrs. sounded strong and appealing.
But I needed something with more personality...
"Anything else? Something that sounds ruler-like and powerful."
Diego gave an unnecessarily serious answer to my pointless dilemma.
"If you reenlist and regain a rank, or enter politics and become a congresswoman, that might sound a bit stronger."
For royalty with a history of ruining the country to step into politics would be either truly eccentric or impossible.
"Do you dislike the Princess title, by any chance?"
My competent and quick-witted aide, Diego, asked.
"I want to be called by my name. It's the most me."
"Then I'll call you Lady Cynthia from now on."
Diego said with a rare smile.
The people at the official residence all seem so kind. Except for Masera.
Major Rodriguez arrived at the temporary official residence where Steve Brigadier General was staying.
Since the brigadier general was his direct superior, he had no choice but to answer the summons even on a holiday.
"Did you deliver the documents?"
"I handed them to the aide without issue."
While the major stood ramrod straight in perfect military posture, Steve Brigadier General lounged back with legs crossed, full of swagger.
"Even on vacation, showing up to your superior without your uniform properly on—isn't that against military spirit?"
"I'll correct it immediately."
Major Rodriguez, dressed in civilian clothes, bowed his head deeply.
Steve Brigadier General shot him a displeased glare.
"You're only treated like a soldier because you risked your life and performed in the Federal Army."
He was one of those who discriminated against and despised the Esat People.
Major Rodriguez's war achievements were enough for promotion to colonel, but Steve Brigadier General, who held key appointment powers, had limited him to major.
It was unjust, but in a strictly hierarchical military, raising objections was nearly impossible.
"Major, have you seen the princess? The one who's to marry Brigadier General Vicente."
"I haven't had the chance to meet her yet."
He hadn't gotten any information, so he didn't even know what she looked like or her name.
His fellow officers, jealous of his exceptional abilities, rarely shared non-essential info with him.
"A lowborn nobody gets a few stars and eyes the royal wife—ends up with a hollow princess title. Hilarious."
Steve Brigadier General loved dragging Major Rodriguez in to vent gossip and grievances.
To the major, who had no backing or connections, he was a bamboo grove to yell in—a emotional trash bin.
"Weren't you nobility too? From some prestigious house, right?"
"That's in the past."
"Yeah. Nobles falling below commoners, and commoner war orphans rising as war heroes. What a world."
Major Rodriguez politely kept his hands clasped, listening to his superior's nonsense. His eyes were counting the patterns on the floor.
'A pitiful person who confirms their worth and finds comfort in others' misfortune.'
The brigadier general came from a wealthy noble family with no lacks, yet always acted like a childish brat.
And as the prime example of misfortune that fueled Steve Brigadier General's superiority complex, the major had never particularly thought of himself as unhappy.
Others freely interpreted him as a 'poor soul' and showered pity or insults, but he never cared about what people said.
However, the woman named Cynthia he'd seen at the official residence felt different from the dull humans around.
She didn't judge him by his appearance alone.
It had left quite an impression on him.
For the first time, she might be someone he could show his true self to—not with fake smiles or kindness.
As he counted floor patterns thinking of Cynthia, Steve Brigadier General's boastful mockery drifted over his reverie.
"I canceled your hoped-for posting to the autonomous district. Got ambitious after promotion? You know it's because I looked out for you, right?"
"I am always grateful."
As always, Major Rodriguez said what Steve Brigadier General wanted to hear.
Steve Brigadier General scowled at his subordinate's lukewarm responses no matter what.
'Esat People are all shady and inscrutable.'
With that thought, he tossed the wedding invitation at the major.
The major, eyes still on the floor, casually snatched it out of the air.
"You go in my place. Pay the congratulatory money for me too."
Major Rodriguez's blue eyes, fixed on the floor all along, turned to the invitation. A ripple stirred in his lake-calm pupils.
Bride: Cynthia Queensguard of the Variesa Royal Family
"Cynthia Queensguard..."
Steve Brigadier General stared intently at the major's dazed muttering face.
He thrived on others' misfortune, so he had a knack for reading emotional shifts.
"Why?"
"It's nothing."
Major Rodriguez erased the fleeting agitation and bowed his head.
'So she's Brigadier General Vicente's princess.'
Her kindness clearly wasn't a romantic signal. But somehow, a hollow feeling settled in his chest.
"You know the princess is hated by everyone, right? Maybe treat her like a traitor to the throne."
Steve Brigadier General was a man who climbed this far through division and schemes.
He keenly read the agitation that had flashed across the major's face moments ago and spoke.
"Even at the official residence, she's despised. She's obviously doomed to a loveless, wretched life."
The major, head bowed, was no longer counting floor patterns.
His darkened blue eyes overlaid Cynthia's bright smile.
Grinning slyly at the pensive major, the brigadier general opened his mouth.
"I almost feel sorry for the princess—who'll get used and discarded."
