I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - 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 thrown it all away…
* * *
Yurian was looking down at me.
With a gaze so still it felt suffocating.
In that moment, my spine went cold.
‘Wait… hold on.’
That line.
What I’d just said.
Wasn’t it exactly the same kind of seduction those women who’d thrown themselves at him before had used…?
“From now on, let’s sleep together.”
At Yurian’s soft murmur, goosebumps prickled across my skin.
‘No, no, I’ve ruined everything….’
The man’s lips curved upward gently.
A smile like something from a masterpiece — flawless, perfect.
The problem was that smile wasn’t born from happiness….
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
“That’s not what I meant!”
I waved my hands frantically in denial.
What had his eyes looked like whenever he’d dismissed those women before?
Cold, savagely irritated, and honestly, like he wanted nothing more than to kill them all.
Every time I’d seen that expression, I’d wanted to run so badly.
But I couldn’t — I couldn’t be the target of that.
“They keep pounding on the door and forcing their way in, so it seems you haven’t been sleeping well…!”
“And so?”
This is terrifying.
“I meant I’d stay nearby so you could rest properly….”
So if you start thinking you want to kill me, please just spit three times, okay….
Swallowing the words I couldn’t bear to say aloud, I fixed Yurian with a pleading gaze.
You understand what I mean, don’t you?
You’re not misunderstanding, are you?
Please….
…….
Yurian said nothing and tilted his head slightly.
A contemplative expression.
That brief silence stretched like an eternity, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
‘I should’ve just stayed out of it.’
Why did I have to say anything?
I should’ve drawn a line, told myself it had nothing to do with me whether he was struggling or not!
…But seeing him suffer and staying silent pricked my conscience.
Besides, if he was in this sensitive a state, it’d be harder for me to seduce him anyway.
Think of it as eliminating the competition, so to speak….
“I’m not sure Banilin’s presence would actually allow me to sleep, though,” Yurian said with a smile.
His lips curved up in a clean, graceful arc.
A warm, affectionate smile brimming with refinement.
“I’m tired of throwing out these nuisances anyway. I’ll leave it to you.”
Well… yes.
“Hehe….”
When our eyes met, I reflexively smiled back.
Damn it.
‘My character’s completely broken….’
* * *
‘No. He truly is a saint.’
Huff, huff….
I stood with my back against the wall, breathing hard, my breath coming up to my chin.
As I slid down and collapsed, every part of my body ached.
‘To endure this for ten days….’
Honestly, I hadn’t thought this job would be so difficult.
I mean, think about it.
The Imperial Prince’s Palace has countless knights and servants.
And besides, the opposition consists of weak, delicate women.
So it should be manageable if we just handle that much together, shouldn’t it?
That’s what I’d thought carelessly.
“Let go of me! I have a pass, I tell you! I got it back when I worked as a maid!”
“How dare you block me? Do you know who I am?”
“My, how vulgar. You wouldn’t mind keeping your hands to yourself, would you? I can’t stand filth.”
“Your Highness―! Please open the door, I’ve arrived!”
It was absolute pandemonium.
I stared up at the ceiling, blank-minded.
‘The Second Imperial Prince… I’ve never even seen his face, but I already despise him.’
He seemed genuinely determined.
Seeing people of every appearance and social station throw themselves at his door hour after hour made it unmistakable.
Their methods were varied too.
Some came because the night was cold, others insisted they’d wandered lost until arriving here by chance, still others spoke of destiny….
‘There was even someone who claimed to be carrying his child.’
Stopping them wasn’t easy either. Commoners I could block with my body well enough, but nobles were precious things.
I couldn’t lay hands on them carelessly.
If something went wrong, the blame would land squarely on me, and there was no doubt about it.
‘Ugh… this is exhausting.’
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Why were they going to such lengths?
I was seized with the urge to expose Yurian’s true identity to everyone.
Then they wouldn’t approach him so carelessly….
Though I’d be the first to die if I did.
“Another day of war….”
“Thank you all for your efforts….”
It was only when dawn broke that the stream of women finally stopped, and people dispersed one by one.
They all looked utterly drained.
I was no different.
“Yaaawn―”
A yawn burst out unbidden.
Well… still.
After hesitating, I found myself standing before Yurian’s door.
Knock, knock.
I rapped lightly, hoping he was asleep―
“Please come in.”
Of course. As expected.
I opened the door and entered carefully.
“You haven’t slept?”
“My sleep is rather light.”
His face made it clear he hadn’t slept at all.
I approached the bed quietly.
He lay straight and still, not a trace of drowsiness in his expression.
‘This is the tenth day now.’
Could a person really go without sleep like this and be fine?
Worry crept in.
After hesitating, I carefully perched on the edge of the bed.
His eyes followed me immediately.
“What is it?”
“I thought I might sing you a Lullaby.”
“…I’m curious—how old does Banilin take me to be?”
There it was again.
That ambiguous way of speaking—neither quite acceptance nor refusal.
Normally I would have asked what he meant, but drowsiness was overwhelming me….
Before I knew it, I’d brought a finger to my lips.
“Shh. Just listen.”
As I closed my eyes slightly, a familiar melody spilled from my lips.
“Shining star, please hear my wish…♪”
Even in memories grown dim, this song remained vivid and clear.
He used to sing it to me so softly every night before I fell asleep.
I could almost feel the warmth of those moments returning to me again.
‘…I think you used to do something like this for me.’
I reached out carefully and patted his chest with gentle fingers.
Slow and steady, keeping time…
Pat-pat-pat.
“…….”
Rather than tell 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.
“Hold our hands together♪”
“…….”
“Let’s go to a starlit world together….”
His pale golden eyes gradually vanished beneath long lashes, until they closed completely.
His breathing became even and steady.
“Your Highness.”
“…….”
“Are you asleep?”
He didn’t answer.
He really was asleep.
“…thank goodness.”
A soft breath of relief escaped me without warning.
I should get up now.
I need to get back and at least rest a little myself.
As I shifted to move with that thought—
“Ah….”
My wrist was caught.
Not pulling, not gripping with force.
Just a contact that wouldn’t let go.
“Your Highness?”
Calling out brought no response.
It seemed he’d moved in his sleep.
“…what do I do about this.”
If I try to pull my hand away, he might wake….
With no way forward, I couldn’t bring myself to withdraw my hand, and I stayed there for a long while.
Strangely, it wasn’t unpleasant.
It was warm.
Quiet, and reassuring.
‘I can’t fall asleep here….’
I knew that.
My body wouldn’t listen.
My vision blurred gradually, and I tilted back onto the bed.
“…….”
And this time I felt it clearly.
An arm wrapping around my waist.
Careful, yet drawing me close with a strength that wouldn’t let me slip away.
I didn’t resist.
I simply closed my eyes.
* * *
Chirp, chirp—
Soft sunlight filtered through the tall windows.
“Mmm….”
At the birdsong tickling my ear, I habitually rubbed my eyes open.
For the first time in ages, I’d slept deeply without dreaming.
I felt refreshed and wonderfully clear.
“This is nice….”
Yesterday was truly exhausting.
Pushing back the throngs of women pressing in like a siege, singing the Lullaby for Yurian….
“Wait….”
And then smoothly sliding…?
“……?!”
Hold on!
My eyes snapped open.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
White marble traced with delicate gold patterns — the most luxurious thing I’d ever laid eyes on.
The pristine bedding was so plush my body kept sinking deeper into it.
“Wait, surely not….”
I turned my stubborn head with effort and looked to the side.
Sure enough, a face like a sculpture filled my entire vision.
A beautiful young man with his eyes closed like an angel.
“Yurian… huh!”
I stifled the shriek that was about to escape.
I had to get out.
I had to leave right now.
If I go now, it’s not too late…!
Just as I was scrambling to sit up.
“…mmm.”
The man’s brow furrowed slightly as he tightened his arm.
In an instant, my body was pulled closer.
His broad chest pressed against my face.
“Uh, aah…?”
Through the thin fabric of my nightclothes, I caught the scent of him — warm and subtly sweet.
I drew in a sharp breath.
Both my cheeks burned crimson.
What…?
What in…?
What in the…??

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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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