I Was Hired by the Black-Minded Prince for My Life's Ransom - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 13. Everyone Wins
But that wasn’t how I’d meant for this to go, not from the start.
“What did you just say?”
“Well, you see….”
Worn down by Dai’s constant habit of demanding straight answers, I found myself blurting things out before I could think.
“I was asking whether you had any intention of loving me.”
I’d walked in and gone straight for the heart of it.
‘This is exactly why they say family upbringing matters so much.’
I’d clearly received mine through a grinder.
I exhaled sharply.
Either way, the words were out—no taking them back now.
Yurian, sprawled comfortably across his bed, fixed me with an unwavering stare. I did everything I could to avoid his gaze, scanning the room instead.
His chamber was remarkably austere.
Despite the warmth of its palette—soft custard cream mingled with gentle ivory—the space felt desolate.
There was something barren about it, something cold.
They say a room reflects the person who lives in it.
This one certainly resembled its owner.
The shell was warm and ornate, but the core underneath was utterly frigid.
“Vanillin has quite the remarkable talent,” Yurian said finally, his eyes never leaving my face.
He’d been watching me intently before he spoke.
“Just when I think you might be useful, you do something that catches me off guard.”
I fidgeted with my fingers.
That was hardly the way to answer a question.
“So that’s not a refusal, then…?”
He didn’t say he didn’t want to—so he must be agreeing, right?
When I ventured the question hesitantly, Yurian’s brow furrowed—a genuine expression I’d seen only a handful of times before—and he sighed.
The real face behind the mask, rare as it was.
He pressed his fingers to his temple as if nursing a headache, then opened his mouth with the look of a man asking himself how on earth to handle this.
“Forgive me. I momentarily forgot that indirection is wasted on you, Vanillin.”
His answer fell clear and sharp, brooking no reconsideration.
“I refuse. There is no such intention.”
“Is there any chance that might change in the future…?”
“Does it seem likely?”
It didn’t, not really.
I had enough sense to read the room.
I closed my mouth and looked down glumly.
It would’ve been easier if he’d at least considered it.
Still bent over, fingers worrying at nothing, I heard Yurian sigh again.
“So what’s this really about,” he asked flatly.
“…Sorry?”
“Why ask something like that.”
Since his identity had been exposed, Yurian occasionally spoke like this—casual, unguarded.
Did he no longer need the saint’s mask?
Or maybe it just suited his actual nature better.
Either way, this version seemed to fit him.
‘Right, that’s not the point here.’
I pulled my wandering thoughts back in line, shaking my head.
The real question was why I was doing this.
“I thought maybe, if you loved me, you wouldn’t be able to abandon me.”
“…What kind of logic is that?”
“Well, people can’t leave someone they love, can they…”
Isn’t that how it works?
Speaking softly, almost crawling toward him with my words, I felt Yurian fall silent.
He looked like he had volumes he wanted to say—but couldn’t be bothered.
That subtle, complicated expression held for a moment before he rubbed his eyes.
“I’m going to lose it.”
His large hand covered his face, casting shadows.
Beneath it, I caught a glimpse of weariness.
One thing was certain, at least.
He was thoroughly, utterly exasperated.
“There’s much I could say, but let me be clear on one thing.”
Yurian exhaled slowly, like a sigh, and leaned back against the chair.
“I don’t believe in love.”
“Love? Or people?”
“Let me correct that. I don’t believe in either. Not love, nor people.”
His eyes narrowed as if smiling, though there was nothing warm in it.
“I’ve never believed, and I never will.”
A chill of cynicism hung thick in those words.
I stared at him blankly.
“Why?”
“Must I explain such things to Vanillin?”
“It’s not that….”
I mumbled my answer, wringing my hands tightly together.
Yurian truly didn’t believe—that much was clear.
Whether in love, or in people.
But how could that be possible?
“Have you never loved anyone?”
“No.”
“Never trusted anyone either?”
“Never.”
Honestly, I found it hard to understand.
Though my life had been far from easy, there were many things I loved.
My brother, fading now into memory,
the books I’d painstakingly collected from trash heaps,
and Dai….
‘No, wait. Dai isn’t one of them.’
When I tried to recall anything worth loving about my master, he simply didn’t measure up.
There was a thread of trust, thin as a mouse’s tail, but nothing more.
Here stood a man who possessed everything, yet believed in nothing as fleeting as love.
“My heart aches….”
The corners of my eyes drooped downward.
“Your Highness must have suffered greatly.”
Waves of emotion rippled through me.
People, it seemed, could never be truly known by their surface alone.
What pain must he have endured to lose faith in love itself?
“Stop whatever misunderstanding you’re having.”
“Whimper….”
“…I’m going mad.”
That look of bewilderment in his eyes had become only pitiful to me now.
There was nothing for it.
“Then I’ll do my best.”
I wiped away the tears that had gathered and clenched my fist firmly.
Yurian’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Your best at what, exactly?”
“I’ll restore your faith in love!”
After all, to survive Yurian, I needed to win his love.
But this man didn’t believe in love.
So then.
“I’ll do my best until the day Your Highness comes to love me…!”
Couldn’t this be called mutual benefit?
Yurian would reclaim that beautiful feeling of love, and I would gain his affection and survive.
Good for her, good for him.
Good for Vanillin, good for Yurian.
“Vanillin….”
The man’s kind, gentle eyes trembled faintly.
He must have been moved.
Yurian smiled warmly and then, crack-crack, ground his teeth.
“You should be grateful I cannot kill you.”
“…Yes, I’ll remember that.”
Wasn’t that exactly what he meant…?
Never mind.
But one thing was clear.
‘So if I’m not loved, I’ll be killed?’
Watching the murderous intent ripple behind those warm eyes, my resolve hardened.
I would teach Your Highness what love is, and once he loved me, everyone would have their happy ending.
…But how was I supposed to teach him about love?
“Vanillin.”
Tap-tap.
Yurian shook his head as if to say enough, then tapped the desk with his finger.
As if to end this conversation here.
“That’s settled. Come here, please. I’ve done some investigating into your brother.”
“…Oh!”
Already?
The moment he mentioned my brother, every other thought vanished.
My eyes widened and I hurried toward him in quick, eager steps.
“Did you find something?”
“It’s possible I did, or perhaps I didn’t.”
Flip.
Yurian turned the papers resting on the side table as he spoke.
Even at a glance, that thick stack of papers was a Case Records.
“You said your brother died fifteen years ago, didn’t you?”
“Yes… that’s right.”
I nodded absently and accepted the papers he offered.
They contained records of every incident that had occurred fifteen years ago—in Imperial Year 430.
“I didn’t have the patience to sort through them one by one. I hope you’ll search through them yourself, Vanillin.”
“Ah….”
I buried my face in the stack of papers like a woman enchanted.
The volume was immense, yet because of that, hope bloomed within me.
If there was this much material, my brother’s case might be among it.
“What if it’s not here? What do I do then?”
“If it’s not, I’ll provide you with the Unofficial Case Records, so don’t worry.”
So this wasn’t the end of it.
Even if it wasn’t here, I could press forward without losing hope.
“How is this even….”
How is any of this possible?
The words caught in my throat, cutting off my sentence.
I opened and closed my mouth several times, then fell silent.
Something felt strange.
In less than three days of knowing him, he had brought me information faster than Dai had in fifteen years.
And it was substantial, essential information at that.
“Take it and see for yourself.”
“Thank you….”
The words wouldn’t come.
My throat tightened oddly, so I quickly bit the inside of my cheek.
I couldn’t cry.
There was no reason to cry over something like this.
Rustle, rustle.
With each page I turned, new information emerged.
Names, ages, origins.
These were strangers, yet my hands trembled.
I thought I had forgotten—that such an old memory had already faded from my life.
Growing workload, evidence that refused to yield.
I believed it had all become hazy by now….
“Thank you so much….”
Only then did I understand.
I had never truly given up.
“I’ll work hard.”
I would work hard at the tasks Yurian gave me, and at helping him rediscover love.
With his help, I felt certain I could unravel the secrets surrounding my brother’s death.
“May I take my leave now?”
“Do as you see fit. That’s precisely why I summoned you.”
“Thank you….”
I need to get back quickly and review those materials.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
I was just reaching for the door handle when it happened.
“Oh my! Opening the door for me—what excellent instincts your maid has.”
“…What?”
The Scantily Dressed Woman slipped through the gap in the opening door and stepped inside.
She entered the room trailing a heavy cloud of perfume, then offered Yurian a shy bow.
“Good evening, Your Highness. I’ve come to spend the night with you.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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