Translator: Nox

Ch#60

My words came out a bit sharper than intended.

Licht blinked blankly. A flash of bewilderment crossed his subdued face, peeling away the mask-like expression.

For a moment, the prince covered his mouth and bowed his head.

“……What am I doing.”

Ugh. With a short groan, the boy ruffled his hair wildly.

“Sorry.”

The prince lifted his head abruptly, his face stained with embarrassment and awkwardness. Without his usual picture-perfect smile, he finally looked his age.

“Sorry, Rubian.”

“…….”

“This is my real bad habit…… asking probing questions like I’m testing people.”

To even do it to you…….

The prince let out a short groan.

“I am curious about Duke Jebeurt’s movements. But I wasn’t trying to pry it out of you.”

I swallowed a sigh inwardly.

In the original story, Licht was a flower hiding a blade. He concealed his true intentions with clever words while extracting only the information he wanted from others.

‘The perfect schemer optimized for power struggles.’

But he’s been like this since childhood.

‘……He probably had no choice but to become that way to survive.’

Licht fidgeted, glancing at my face. Seeing him so dejected didn’t sit well with me.

“If I upset you, I’ll sincerely apologize……”

I let out an “Aigoo” sigh.

No helping it.

“It’s fine. Just don’t do it again.”

“Yeah. Yeah!”

Licht’s head snapped up brightly. For a moment, it felt like non-existent ears were perking up.

‘I can’t exactly say “don’t worry, you’re the crown prince anyway.”’

Hm, or can I?

‘Has he been like this since childhood, which is why he became crown prince?’

Chicken or egg.

That is the question.

“But then, where are you staying?”

I shook off my thoughts and changed the subject.

“A mansion prepared by Count Camellan.”

“…….”

My slender gaze pierced Licht. The prince averted his eyes obliquely and scratched his jaw.

“……Yeah, I came ahead to gauge the nobles’ movements.”

I thought the New Green Festival was just a festival…….

The prince’s life, never able to relax even for a moment.

“Not my place to say, but you really don’t know how to have fun……”

Gazing at the sky, a simple solution suddenly struck me. Then…… just have fun?

I leaned toward Licht. A faint blush lingered on his fair face.

“Hey. You free tomorrow?”

* * *

“I never imagined His Highness Licht would really be here……”

Olivia murmured in a dazed voice.

“Hehe, I knew.”

“Long time no see, Lady Olson. Lady Camellan.”

Licht greeted them with his handsome face.

“So that’s why you invited us to Jake’s Tea Salon, Rubian?”

I nodded at Olivia’s words.

“Yup. I thought it’d be fun to go with Lady Camellan, Lady Olson, and Licht all together.”

A bright afternoon with the sun high.

I went out with Licht.

We were headed to that famous tea salon, but since it was my first time, I wasn’t sure, so I slightly lured the two young ladies along.

“But who’s that dark figure standing behind you……?”

Olivia’s eyes sparkled at Khalid, who was a step back.

I puffed out my chest like I’d been waiting.

“My guard and friend, Khalid! He’s a swordsmanship prodigy, animal lover, smart, and has all sorts of abilities……”

“……Stop.”

Khalid cut me off curtly. His earlobes were slightly red from embarrassment.

Whoops. Got carried away.

“Guard……you say?”

Olivia stared blankly at Khalid.

“……Plus 1,000 points.”

Huh?

“Gasp. Did I just say that out loud?”

Olivia startled and hurriedly looked away.

Ah. Face-judger type.

“Um, but how did you reserve the tea salon? It’s impossible without booking a day ahead.”

I chuckled at Sortie’s question.

“Power of authority.”

“Oh my.”

My pointing finger landed on Licht.

“Uwahu.”

“First time using my prince status for something like this……”

Unable to bear the pouring gazes, Licht buried his face in both hands.

“Tell me this self-loathing trades off, Rubian.”

“Mind control is self-service! Now, let’s go. Children!”

I grinned and raised my hand high. Sortie replied “Yees!”

“Then I’ll head out, Ruby.”

“No, Khal!”

I grabbed Khalid’s arm tightly.

Nearby were the guards including Sir Leon, assigned by Dad.

Khalid seemed to want to join them, but no way.

“We need to build some social skills.”

I whispered, and his thick brows shot up at a steep angle.

Aigoo. Unhappy face.

“Like normal kids!”

To blend into Jebeurt smoothly, I needed to be a normal kid. Perfect timing with peers—no better chance!

“I don’t need it.”

Khalid, zero in social and interpersonal skills, replied coldly.

“S-so stubborn……”

“Seems your friend isn’t keen. Let’s go, Rubian.”

A soft voice turned me around to a smiling Licht. He naturally extended his hand to me.

“……No helping it.”

I turned toward Licht. As I reached for his hand—

“Wait.”

Suddenly, my shoulder was grabbed.

“Khal?”

“I’ll go.”

“You said no.”

“I’ll go.”

What’s this sudden acceleration?

Khalid stood behind me with arrow-like eyes fixed ahead. I nodded dazedly.

‘Somehow…… my temples feel like they’re burning.’

Just my imagination?

“Whoa. I wanna take an insta pic.”

I stared blankly at the cake boasting an enormous three-tier visual.

Marbled sheets lavishly decorated with intricately piped cream and fruits. Topped with glittering gold dust and popping sprinkles.

“What’s an insta pic, Rubian?”

“It’s a thing.”

I brushed it off vaguely and blinked—blink, blink.

Stored in retinas!

“How’s the knot practice going?”

Sortie asked while cutting a small piece of cake.

“Good. Not as good as you, though. ……This is delicious.”

“Hehe, call me Titi. I’ll teach you other knots next time.”

“Sure. Preferably ones for jewel decorations if possible. This is seriously good!”

“Yay, glad you like it!”

Her sky-blue croissant hair bounced fluffily. I gazed at my plate in genuine admiration.

The duke’s castle chefs are great, but this place is no joke!

Olivia smiled smugly.

“Delicious, right? It’s the hot dessert spot all the noble kids have to hit these days.”

Ooh, love hot spots!

‘Dad would love this too.’

Sweet, sticky, flavors going wild in all directions.

“We should order more. What cream does Rubian like?”

“Um…… strawberry cream and milk cream.”

“Aha. Same taste as me.”

Olivia grinned and placed more orders. As I reached for the cake again, I suddenly realized.

‘Huh? Wasn’t I super natural just now?’

I chatted with them like a totally normal kid. Back then, I probably couldn’t have said a word!

“It works.”

“What does?”

“It’s a thing.”

Feeling good, I shoveled in the cake.

“So…… why are those two fighting the cake since earlier?”

Titi asked, reaching for a new cake.

Turning, I saw the two dark and blond boys at the table’s end, facing off.

‘Somehow, storm clouds only over there.’

The dark one sat with arms crossed, head turned away stubbornly, while the blond one calmly mangled his cake with a serene smile.

“Guess it’s not to their taste.”

“Oh my. This place has tastes above tastes.”

Olivia gazed pityingly at the cakes drying out or disintegrating in real time.

“More importantly, heard the rumors lately? Kidnapping attempts are happening a lot.”