I Was Hired by the Black-Minded Prince for My Life's Ransom - Chapter 17

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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 17. An Engagement, You Say…?
Of course there’s no way I could do such a thing.
‘Tsk….’
Fortunately, the verbal sparring between Yuri An and Kitten didn’t continue any further.
The Emperor had arrived, and the council session began.
“All of you, maintain order.”
“I present the first agenda. Regarding security matters on Clark Street….”
At first, to be honest.
‘I can’t understand a word of this….’
Land disputes, taxation, border conflicts, interests among the nobility.
Words kept flying back and forth, but less than half of it registered in my mind.
But gradually, things began to come into focus.
‘Ah, that person is on the Second Prince’s side.’
Who was aligned with whom.
Who was checking whom.
And—
“That’s a wonderful idea. Even more so if my brother were to take it on.”
Who had the filthiest disposition.
That man, smiling as brightly as a white lily, had been skillfully orchestrating the entire situation from the start.
Pretending otherwise, appearing to step back.
It was a masterclass in getting everything he wanted without lifting a finger.
“What? Why should I bother with such trivial tasks?”
“Is that how you see it? I merely thought it an opportunity to demonstrate your renown to the common people. If you find it distasteful, I could take it upon myself—”
“No! I’ll do it myself.”
It was almost as though he needed no trainer at all….
The Second Prince, Kitten, seemed pathologically averse to any work that would raise Yuri An’s reputation.
And Yuri An, knowing this, was methodically foisting every meaningless task onto the Second Prince.
This was hardly an even match.
“Then we shall entrust that matter to Kitten.”
Thump!
The seal came down with a brisk finality.
The Second Prince’s expression grew somewhat pinched, but he said nothing further about the decided matter.
Then came a brief silence.
“However.”
Kitten seized that opening and spoke.
All eyes turned to his languid voice.
“Might I raise an agenda of my own?”
His blue eyes fixed directly on Yuri An.
I felt it instinctively.
He’d prepared something.
“Go ahead.”
“It concerns my younger brother.”
As expected.
“Lately, there’s been quite a stir of rumors.”
“Rumors?”
“Word reaches even my ears that he brings women to his chambers every night.”
How amusing—he’d sent them himself, so of course the rumors would reach him.
I pressed my lips together firmly.
Unlike what the Second Prince was suggesting, everything that occurred within the Third Prince’s Residence was carefully managed so that no word of it escaped to the outside.
No one knew that women visited Yuri An’s quarters every evening.
“Has such a thing taken place?”
“It would be unthinkable of the Prince….”
“Yuri An. Is it true?”
At the Emperor’s question, Yuri An smiled deeply.
[How tiresome this has become.]
That smile suggested he was far from pleased with the situation.
“Have you been summoning women to your chambers?”
“How could that possibly be the case?”
Yuri An didn’t waver in the slightest.
“I have yet to take an interest in women.”
“But why….”
“The visitors who came looking have been turned away quite smoothly.”
A firm, clean line drawn.
Perhaps because of his usual image, the atmosphere among the people wasn’t particularly grave.
“True. The prince is known for his virtue.”
The sentiment tilted decidedly toward Yuri An.
But Kitten showed no alarm whatsoever.
Rather, if anything.
“Of course.”
He smiled with practiced ease.
“I too thought there was no way my younger brother would do such a thing. However.”
His sharp gaze turned toward Yuri An.
One could feel the resolve of a predator that would never release its caught prey.
“Isn’t it the case that baseless rumors attach themselves precisely because he remains unmarried?”
The current of conversation twisted in an odd direction.
“It is the women who flock to gain his favor, is it not? There would be no reason for Yuri An to court such worthless scandal.”
And so.
He added with a vicious smile.
“Would it not be better to arrange a marriage for him?”
What…?!
I barely managed to keep my mouth from falling open.
‘A marriage—as if to ruin some young lady’s life….’
[Vanillin.]
‘I’m sorry….’
Why do you keep hearing my thoughts?
In any case, marriage is problematic.
If this happens, my grand operation to win the prince’s favor goes down the drain…!
‘This won’t do.’
But already, people here and there were nodding in agreement.
Even the Emperor seemed to find merit in the proposal.
The Second Prince, sensing this, pressed his argument further.
“I believe it is necessary to form a Hundred Year Covenant so that no further rumors attach themselves to my younger brother.”
Snake-like eyes swept across Yuri An.
“I shall take responsibility for selecting a suitable match.”
“…….”
“For the sake of my beloved younger brother, surely an elder should do at least that much.”
A perfect justification.
A perfect trap.
I clenched my fists.
‘Will he actually find him a proper match?’
[Not a chance.]
Yuri An’s smile deepened.
[He’s trying to cut him off. Before he can form ties with a good family, he means to strike first.]
I nodded in agreement.
One could tell at a glance just how obsessive his attachment to the throne was.
And so.
‘Will you accept the marriage?’
[No.]
Yuri An smiled warmly and gently, shaking his head.
“You are too kind, Second Brother.”
[That’s nonsense.]
“I have no thoughts of marriage at present.”
[I don’t wish to maintain an act even while sharing a bed and a chamber.]
…I always think it, but the ability to rephrase his true feelings so prettily is a talent in itself.
When Yuri An declined gently but firmly, everyone faltered.
What could they do when he himself refused?
And yet.
“No. Kitten is right, Yuri An.”
The Emperor had chosen to side with the Second Prince.
He opened his mouth with a grave expression.
“Marriage is a matter of state importance. I’ve been thinking you need a match.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“This proposal will proceed as Kitten suggests.”
Thud!
The seal came down before the official could mount any objection.
Oh no… what do I do…?
If this happens, I’ll truly have to marry whoever Kitten chooses for me.
I glanced nervously at Yuri An.
Then a gentle voice pierced my mind.
[It’s fine, Vanillin.]
He turned to Kitten and smiled beautifully.
[In fact, this works out well.]
…Huh?
I blinked.
What did he mean, it works out well?
But instead of explaining further, he looked around the assembly and smiled.
“To think you all concern yourselves with me so greatly—I am truly grateful.”
His voice was so soft.
“Especially to know that my brother takes such care of me puts my mind at ease.”
His expression was warm enough that anyone would mistake it for sincerity.
“Though it must have startled you, since this wasn’t a formal agenda…”
“Surely a sage indeed.”
The officials murmured their praise of Yuri An, but…
That’s what makes it so sickening.
“I shall obey your instruction, Second Brother.”
[Then bear the responsibility yourself.]
If only you could all hear what’s really in his heart…
Watching Yuri An bow properly, I alone could not smile.
* * *
The meeting dragged on after that.
Endless arguments, tedious back-and-forth.
But.
‘It is educational, at least…’
For someone lacking knowledge of the imperial household, it was invaluable.
The turbulent meeting finally ended, and night had fallen.
Creak—
Click.
The door shut, and I stumbled inside as if about to collapse.
“Haah…”
My legs felt like lead.
My mind had already shut down.
…I’m dying.
“Are you unwell, Your Majesty…?”
“I’m accustomed to it.”
Yuri An replied offhandedly, removing his outer robe.
I took it and hung it up, then asked carefully.
“So… why did you say it worked out well?”
I’d been wondering about it the entire meeting.
I couldn’t understand why he’d agreed so readily—it was unlike him.
“Do you really intend to marry?”
“Yes.”
Yuri An answered with a faint smile.
“As long as there are no disqualifying factors as a spouse.”
“Disqualifying factors…”
He clearly had that look of someone ready to manufacture them on the spot.
So could I keep going with my grand campaign to win Yuri An’s affection?
“Vanillin.”
He’d already changed clothes and climbed into bed.
Then he patted, gently tapping the space beside him.
“Forget your thoughts for now and come here.”
“…Really?”
There?
“Why… why would you…?”
“Didn’t you say we should sleep together? Since yesterday.”
I was so startled my lips fell open.
No, that was…
“That was only something I said when the women kept coming around…”
“I liked Vanillin’s scent.”
Yuri An laughed, cutting through my words.
Tonight had been quiet.
Perhaps because the Second Prince had gotten what he wanted.
Then there was no real reason for us to sleep together…
“Come here, Vanillin.”
……
“Come on.”
In a way, this was a chance to seduce Yuri An.
Should I take it?
Or should I… run?
I hesitated, then took a step forward.

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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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