I Was Hired by the Black-Minded Prince for My Life's Ransom - Chapter 15

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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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Episode 15. I’ve ruined myself…
* * *
Yurian was looking down at me.
With a gaze so quiet it stole the breath from my lungs.
For a moment, ice crawled down my spine.
‘Wait… hold on.’
That line.
What I just said.
Isn’t it exactly the same seduction all those women threw at the Prince before this…?
“Shall we sleep together from now on?”
At Yurian’s low-voiced words, goosebumps prickled across my skin.
‘I’m… I’m… finished….’
The corners of the man’s mouth curved softly.
It was a perfect smile, the kind you’d only see in a painting.
The problem was that this smile didn’t come from genuine joy….
Cold sweat trickled down my back in rivulets.
“That’s… that’s not what I meant!”
I instinctively waved my hands in denial.
How had Yurian’s eyes looked every time he’d rebuffed the women before?
Cold, viscerally irritated, and if I’m being honest, like he wanted to kill them all on the spot.
Every time I saw that expression, I wanted so badly to run away.
I absolutely could not become the target of that look!
“They keep banging on the door and forcing their way in, so it seems like you can’t sleep properly…!”
“And so?”
I was terrified.
“So I meant I’d keep watch beside you to make sure you could rest well….”
In other words, if you feel even a passing urge to kill me, please go ahead and do it….
Swallowing the words I couldn’t bring myself to speak aloud, I sent Yurian a desperate look.
You understand what I mean, don’t you?
You’re not misunderstanding, right?
Please….
…….
Yurian said nothing and tilted his head slightly.
A thoughtful expression on his face.
That brief silence felt like an eternity, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
‘I should have just pretended not to notice.’
Why did I say anything?
I should have drawn the line and made it clear I had nothing to do with whether he suffered or not!
…But seeing him suffer and just pretending otherwise made my conscience prick uncomfortably.
Besides, if that man remained in such a sensitive state, it would be harder for me to seduce him.
It was like… eliminating a rival! That sort of thing….
“Well, I’m not convinced having Vanillin step in would actually let me sleep any better.”
Yurian said this and smiled.
Lips curling up smoothly—a warm, affectionate smile, graced with dignity.
“I’ve grown tired of driving away such nuisances, so I suppose I’ll leave it to you.”
Ah… um.
“Hehe….”
When our eyes met, I reflexively smiled back.
God, really.
‘My character is ruined….’
* * *
‘No. The Prince was a saint.’
Huff, huff….
I gasped for breath that came all the way up to my throat and leaned my back against the wall.
As I slid down, my whole body ached everywhere.
‘He endured this for ten days….’
Honestly, I’d never thought this task would be so difficult.
I mean, come on.
The Imperial Prince’s Palace has countless knights and servants.
And besides, the opposition consists of weak and delicate women.
So why wouldn’t blocking it together be enough?
That was the naive assumption I’d made, in short.
“Let go! I have an Access Pass, I’m telling you! I got it when I worked as a maid!”
“How dare you stand in my way? Do you know who I am?”
“My, how crude. Do keep your hands to yourself, won’t you? I can’t abide filth.”
“Your Highness! Please open the door, I’ve arrived!”
It was absolute pandemonium.
I stared blankly up at the ceiling.
‘The Second Prince… I’ve never even seen his face, and already I can’t stand him.’
He was clearly determined.
The stream of visitors—diverse in appearance and station alike—arriving almost hourly made it undeniable.
And their methods were just as varied.
Some claimed the night was cold, others said they’d wandered lost and happened upon this place by chance, still others spoke of destiny….
‘There was even someone who claimed to be pregnant with his child.’
Blocking them wasn’t easy either. The commoners I could physically turn away, but the nobles—they were of precious birth.
I couldn’t lay hands on them carelessly.
If anything went wrong, the blame would fall squarely on me, that much was certain.
‘Ugh… this is exhausting.’
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Why were they all going to such lengths?
I was seized by the urge to expose Yurian’s true identity to the whole world.
Then they wouldn’t approach him so carelessly….
Of course, I’d be the first one dead if I did.
“Another day of war, it seems….”
“Thank you all for your efforts….”
It wasn’t until dawn broke that the stream of women finally ceased, and people dispersed one by one.
Everyone looked utterly spent.
I was no exception.
“Yawn―”
A yawn escaped unbidden.
Still….
After hesitating, I finally found myself standing before Yurian’s door.
Knock, knock.
I knocked softly, hoping he’d be asleep―
“Come in.”
True to form.
I opened the door and stepped inside carefully.
“Haven’t you slept?”
“I’m a light sleeper.”
His face made it clear he hadn’t slept at all.
I approached the bed quietly.
He lay perfectly still, his eyes wide awake.
‘It’s been ten days now.’
Could someone really go this long without sleep and be all right?
Worry crept into my chest.
After a moment’s hesitation, I carefully sat down at the edge of the bed.
His gaze followed, attentive.
“What is it?”
“I thought I might sing you a lullaby.”
“…I’m curious how old Vanillin takes me to be.”
Again.
That ambiguous way of speaking—impossible to tell if it’s refusal or acceptance.
Normally I’d hesitate and ask what he meant, but perhaps drowsiness had loosened my tongue.
My fingers found their way to my lips unbidden.
“Hush. Just listen.”
The moment I closed my eyes slightly, a familiar melody spilled from between my lips.
“Glittering stars, please grant my wish…♪”
Even in my increasingly hazy memories, this song remained vivid and clear.
My brother had always sung it softly to me before sleep.
For a moment, it felt as though I could feel that warm presence again.
‘…I think brother used to do it like this.’
I carefully reached out and patted his chest gently.
Slow and steady with the rhythm…
Pat, pat.
“…….”
Instead of telling me to stop, Yurian exhaled slowly.
Normally he would have looked at me with mockery, but this time was different.
As if he were quietly accepting the sound.
“Let’s hold hands♪”
“…….”
“And go to a world of stars together….”
His pale yellow eyes gradually vanished beneath long lashes, then closed completely.
His breathing became even.
“Your Highness.”
“…….”
“Are you asleep?”
He didn’t answer.
He really had fallen asleep.
“…Thank goodness.”
A small sigh of relief escaped me without thinking.
I should get up now.
I needed to go back and get at least some sleep myself.
Just as I thought this and began to move—
“Ah….”
My wrist was caught.
Not pulling with force, not drawing me closer.
Just the gentlest touch, refusing to let go.
“Your Highness?”
There was no answer when I called out.
It seemed to be a movement made in sleep.
“…What do I do about this.”
If I tried to pull my hand away, I’d wake him up….
Helpless, I couldn’t bring myself to free my hand and remained there for quite some time.
Strangely, I didn’t dislike it.
It was warm.
Quiet, and reassuring.
‘I shouldn’t fall asleep here….’
I knew that.
My body wouldn’t obey.
My vision gradually blurred and I tilted forward onto the bed.
“…….”
And this time I felt it clearly.
An arm encircling my waist.
Drawing me gently but firmly, as if determined not to let go.
I didn’t resist.
I simply closed my eyes.
* * *
Chirp, chirp—
Soft sunlight filtered through the wide windows.
“Mm….”
I instinctively rubbed my eyes at the bird song tickling my ears.
I’d slept deeply for the first time in ages, without a single dream.
I felt wonderfully refreshed.
“This is nice….”
Yesterday was truly exhausting.
Fending off the waves of women pressing in like a battle campaign, singing the Lullaby for Yurian….
“Ah….”
It just kind of…?
“……?!”
Wait a minute!
My eyes snapped open.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
White marble etched with intricate gold patterns—a luxury I’d never laid eyes on before in my life.
The sheets were so impossibly soft that my body kept sinking deeper into them.
“Wait… surely not…?”
I turned my head with difficulty, craning my neck to look beside me.
Sure enough, a sculptural face filled my entire field of vision.
A beautiful man with angelic eyes closed in repose.
“Yurian… hk—!”
I choked back the scream that was trying to escape.
I had to leave.
I had to get out of here.
If I moved now, it wouldn’t be too late…!
The instant I began to push myself up—
“…Mm.”
The man’s brow furrowed slightly as he tightened his arm around me.
And then—whoosh—I was pulled back.
His broad chest pressed against my face.
“W-wha—?”
Through the thin fabric of my nightgown, a heavy, sweet fragrance enveloped me.
I inhaled sharply, gasping.
Both my cheeks flushed crimson.
Wait.
Wait, what?
Wait, what, what…?

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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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