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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: An Invitation and a Misunderstanding
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And after only ever seeing me as a white tiger, he might find my human form awkward.
Jusielia propped her chin on her hand and nodded with a serious expression.
“This is actually for the best.”
Asking Ekiel for his escort felt a bit wrong.
For the emperor of a nation to come to a foreign princess’s birthday party and trail after her as an escort…
It would hurt the emperor’s dignity.
‘Besides, isn’t Ekiel busy? He must have so many people to meet. I can’t ask him to do something so bothersome. I have a conscience. I should use my people wisely.’
Jusielia adjusted the magic communication crystal’s receiver to Claude at the Continell estate.
A purple light, sparkling like a jewel, flashed a few times in the crystal.
Soon, Claude’s voice came through.
-Yes, this is Claude Continell.
Jusielia let out a small laugh at his listless tone and replied.
“It’s me, Princess Jusielia Brianna Penterin.”
-…The princess?
Claude’s voice, which had been a mix of slight annoyance and boredom, quickly sharpened as his tone changed completely.
-Your Highness?
“Yes.”
Claude fell silent for a moment, and Jusielia waited patiently.
Then, a sudden clattering sound came from Claude’s end, followed by an excited voice.
Just hearing her voice elicited such a reaction.
Jusielia couldn’t help but smile.
-Is it really you, Your Highness?!
“I told you it is.”
-My goodness! I heard you humanized! It was true. Your voice is so beautiful. It’s cute. No, it’s pretty. Mystical, it’s the best!
“Yes, I know. So stop praising me. My ears hurt.”
-Wow, seriously, you’re so adorable!
Claude showed no signs of calming down.
Jusielia pretended to be stern, but inwardly, she was giggling.
Claude was truly a fun and good friend to her.
For the past five years, Claude had consistently visited Jusielia, who couldn’t even hold a proper conversation, and treated her like a peer, not just a baby white tiger.
That was why Jusielia found Claude as likable and amusing as Ekiel.
-Have you eaten?
“Of course. Look at the time.”
Jusielia let out a small laugh and teased Claude.
After five years of only being able to yip and growl, Jusielia was also enjoying being able to communicate properly with Claude, and they chatted for a long time.
“Ah, right.”
It was only after thirty minutes had passed that she remembered the real reason for her call and hurriedly called out to him.
“Claude! You’re not busy tomorrow, are you? You came to our training grounds yesterday, too.”
-Of course not! My princess, if you call, I will come running.
“…Hey! The way you talk is so cheesy.”
-It’s fine. You’ll get used to it. This is how one should treat a lady.
Claude said with a swagger.
“I’m not a lady. I’m a kid!”
Jusielia shivered at Claude’s cringey tone and rubbed her arms.
-Even if you’re a kid, my princess is a precious person, is she not?
But Claude just smiled slyly and continued in the same manner.
“Sigh, do whatever you want. Anyway, come to the Stella Palace tomorrow. I have something to tell you.”
-Really? I’d love to. I want to see you in person, Your Highness. Rumors have spread all over Berg that you’re incredibly beautiful.
Claude was truly on edge with anticipation.
Just hearing her voice gave him a strong feeling that the rumors were true.
Jusielia frowned.
Just how fast did these blasted rumors travel for them to reach Claude, who lived outside the palace?
Jusielia deliberately lied.
“Don’t get your hopes up. I’m ugly. I even have black patterns on my face and body. My body is lumpy and I’m covered in hair.”
-Wow, you’re really pretty then. Just my type! I’ll bring a congratulatory bouquet tomorrow!
Claude sounded genuinely thrilled, his excitement palpable.
“Just like a lunatic.”
Jusielia abruptly ended the call and crossed her arms, clicking her tongue.
“Your Highness.”
Just then, Uni, who had come into the study to tidy up, asked with a giggle.
“Yes?”
“I happened to overhear you asking the young lord of House Continell to come tomorrow.”
“Ah, yes.”
Uni’s nostrils flared in a clear show of anticipation, and Jusielia had to bite back a laugh.
Goodness.
“So, are you planning to ask the young Lord Continell to be your escort?”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
Jusielia’s answer was crisp.
Uni grew intrigued. Did this mean the princess’s heart was already leaning toward the young Lord Claude?
Still, she asked one more time just in case. To serve Her Highness well, she needed to understand her tastes.
“I see. Your Highness, is it his unique purplish-silver hair that you like? Or his bright personality? His sense of humor?”
Uni rattled off the charms of Claude Continell that she had observed over the years.
But Jusielia just stared up at Uni blankly before answering with a dumbfounded expression.
“What are you talking about?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking him because he has the most free time. You know, he’s unemployed.”
“Ah?”
Uni was at a loss for words.
“One must utilize their manpower well.”
Jusielia added in a nonchalant tone.
What was she to do?
She thought it was the beginning of a romance.
But for Her Highness, it was merely a matter of personnel allocation.
***
And so, the next day.
The Continell estate was in an uproar from early in the morning.
A genius who, four years ago, had become the youngest to graduate from Berg Academy since Noah Silkirea.
The pride and shame of the House of Count Continell.
Claude Continell, who had belonged nowhere since graduation and had been roaming freely.
The youngest son of House Continell was bustling about from the crack of dawn.
Claude, who usually slept in late every day, had risen at five in the morning, finishing his morning training and breakfast early.
To see him awake at such an early hour, the servants were busy checking the sky to see if the sun had risen in the west.
Then he woke his half-asleep father and mother to give them his morning greetings, and even roused his older brother and sisters.
He gathered his family and boasted in a booming voice.
He announced that he had been ordered to the Stella Palace today.
By Princess Jusielia herself!
“…Did he really have to do this at the crack of dawn?”
“Leave him be. It’s more tiring if you bother him.”
“Ugh, damn it.”
“Let’s go back to sleep.”
After bragging to his entire family, Claude began to choose his attire.
Claude, who had the most refined and handsome features among his family, honestly looked good in anything he wore.
But just for the sake of meeting the princess, he tried on every single outfit he owned.
He also tormented the servants by endlessly changing his brooches and cravats.
It was sheer madness.
Finally, his mother, Melissa Continell, spoke up, finding him pathetic.
“Claude! Do you really want to act like such a loafer?”
“A loafer? I’m preparing to enter the Stella Palace right now.”
“A man isn’t just about his clothes and looks! Ability is important too. Do you think the princess would like a man who just lazes around with no accomplishments? She’s young now, so she might be fooled by your pretty face, but it will be different when she’s older!”
“Hmm.”
“I told you to at least join the Imperial Magitech Research Institute! I heard Director Noah Silkirea keeps sending you letters asking you to join as a researcher!”
Countess Continell growled.
But Claude replied indifferently.
“Ah, I don’t want to, Mother. It’s not an obligation, is it? I saved time by studying hard when I should have been at the academy, and I’ve earned this free time. Isn’t it mine?”
“Ha!”
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
Claude smiled brightly as he finished getting dressed, choosing a deep blue brooch and a light sky-blue cravat.
Seeing her youngest son, who looked exactly like his older brother save for the glasses, Countess Continell flinched.
He was right.
And that made her even more furious.
“So you’re going to spend that time playing around?”
“Yes. I’m going to spend it with the princess.”
She was rendered speechless by her son’s firm declaration.
Something felt different.
“…Do you like the princess that much?”
“Yes. She’s so adorable!”
Claude’s bright, happy smile left her at a loss for words.
