I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - 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 that could happen to me.
‘Tch….’
Fortunately, the tension between Yurian and Kitten didn’t escalate further.
The Emperor had arrived, and the council meeting began.
“All of you, be silent.”
“I shall present the first matter. Regarding security on Clark Street….”
At first, to be honest.
‘I don’t understand a word of this….’
Questions of territory, taxation, border disputes, the interlocking interests of nobility.
Words flowed back and forth, but less than half of it registered in my mind.
Yet gradually, a pattern began to emerge.
‘Ah, that one sides with the Second Prince.’
Who favored whom.
Who checked whom.
And―
“That’s an excellent idea. It would be even better if you took it on, brother.”
Who had the filthiest temperament.
That man, smiling as bright as a white lily, had been deftly manipulating the board all along.
Pretending otherwise, stepping back as though reluctant.
And in doing so, securing everything he desired.
“What? Why should I handle such trivial matters?”
“I merely thought it a chance to display your reputation to the common people. If you’d rather not, I could undertake it myself―”
“No! I’ll do it.”
It was almost like watching a trained beast respond to a trainer.
Kitten, the Second Prince, seemed pathologically averse to any affair that might elevate Yurian’s standing.
And Yurian, knowing this, was systematically foisting every useless task onto him.
This wasn’t even a contest.
“Then we shall assign that matter to Kitten.”
Stamp!
The Emperor’s seal came down with a decisive thud.
The Second Prince wore a faintly dissatisfied expression, but he offered no further objection to the settled decision.
And then came a brief lull.
“However.”
Kitten seized the opening, speaking into the gap.
All eyes turned toward his languid voice.
“Might I raise a matter myself?”
His blue eyes fixed directly on Yurian.
I felt it instinctively.
He had prepared something.
“Speak.”
“It concerns my younger brother.”
As I’d suspected.
“The rumors have been rather loud lately.”
“Rumors?”
“Word has reached even my ears that he takes in a woman every night.”
Amusing―he’d sent them himself, so of course the rumors would reach him.
I pressed my lips tight together.
Contrary to the Second Prince’s words, everything that happened in the Third Prince’s Palace was being meticulously controlled to prevent outside gossip.
The fact that women came to Yurian’s quarters each night was unknown to anyone.
“Is there truth to such a matter?”
“The Prince would never―”
“Yurian. Is it true?”
At the Emperor’s question, Yurian smiled deeply.
‘How tiresome this has become.’
A smile that suggested he was hardly pleased by this turn of events.
“Did you summon women to your quarters?”
“That could hardly be the case.”
Yurian was utterly unshaken.
“I have yet to take interest in women.”
“But why…?”
“The visitors who came looking have been sent away quite smoothly.”
A firm, clean line drawn.
Perhaps because of his usual image, the atmosphere among those gathered didn’t seem particularly serious.
“True enough. His Highness is always so chaste.”
The sentiment tilted decidedly toward Yurian.
But Kitten showed no confusion whatsoever.
On the contrary.
“Of course.”
He laughed with easy confidence.
“I too believed my younger brother incapable of such a thing. However.”
His sharp gaze turned toward Yurian.
One could feel the determination of a hunter never releasing captured prey.
“Being alone, doesn’t he invite such pointless misunderstanding?”
The direction of the conversation had taken a strange turn.
“The ladies come rushing to win his favor. Yurian has no reason to court such useless scandal, does he not?”
And so.
He added with a venomous smile.
“Wouldn’t it be better to arrange a marriage for him?”
What…?!
I barely managed not to gape aloud.
‘A marriage? Trying to ruin some young lady’s life…’
[Vanillin.]
‘I apologize….’
Why do you keep hearing my thoughts?
In any case, a marriage—that’s troublesome.
This way, my grand plan to win his favor goes down in flames…!
‘This cannot happen.’
But already, nods of understanding rippled through the room.
Even the Emperor seemed to find merit in the suggestion.
The Second Prince, sensing this, pressed his advantage further.
“So that no further scandal attaches to my younger brother, I believe a Hundred-Year Pact must be made.”
His serpent-like eyes swept across Yurian.
“I shall take responsibility for choosing the bride myself.”
“…….”
“For the sake of my beloved younger brother, surely an older brother can do at least that much.”
Perfect justification.
Perfect trap.
I clenched my fists.
‘Will he actually find her a suitable match?’
[Not a chance.]
Yurian’s smile deepened.
[It’s a containment move. Strike first before he can form alliances with a powerful house.]
I nodded in agreement.
One didn’t need to look long to gauge the extent of his obsession with the imperial throne.
And so.
‘Are you going to marry…?’
[No.]
Yurian smiled warmly and gently, shaking his head.
“You are too kind, Second Brother.”
[That’s nonsense.]
“I have no intention of marrying at present.”
[I’ve no desire to maintain an act while sharing bed and chamber.]
…I think it all the time, but it’s quite a skill to repackage such base sentiment into something so graceful.
When Yurian refused gently but firmly, those assembled hesitated.
What could be done when he himself objected?
But then.
“No. Kitten is right, Yurian.”
The Emperor had apparently 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 suitable match as well.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“We shall proceed according to Kitten’s proposal on this matter.”
Thud!
The seal came down before the minister could mount any objection.
Oh, what do I do now…?
If it comes to this, I really will have to marry whoever Kitten chooses for me.
I watched Yurian anxiously.
Then a gentle voice threaded into my mind.
[It’s all right, Vanillin.]
He smiled beautifully at Kitten.
[In fact, this works out perfectly.]
…What?
I blinked.
What could he possibly mean by ‘works out perfectly’?
But instead of elaborating, he turned to survey the assembly and smiled.
“I’m grateful for the care you all show me. Truly.”
His voice was gentle.
“Especially knowing that my brother is looking after my affairs—it puts my mind at ease.”
His expression was warm enough to deceive anyone into thinking he meant every word.
“I was certainly caught off guard, as this wasn’t an official matter….”
“You are indeed a sage, Your Highness.”
The ministers murmured their praise of Yurian, but…
That’s the thing, you see.
“I shall obey your command, Second Brother.”
[So you’ll take responsibility for this, won’t you?]
If they could hear his true thoughts, I think their opinions might change….
Watching Yurian bow with perfect propriety, I found myself unable to smile.
* * *
The conference wore on for hours afterward.
Endless arguments, tedious back-and-forth.
And yet.
‘At least I’m learning….’
For someone with scant knowledge of the Imperial Family, it was proving invaluable.
The tumultuous meeting finally drew to a close, and night had fallen.
Creak—
Click.
The door shut, and I stumbled in as though my legs might give out.
“Haah….”
My legs felt like lead.
My head had already stopped functioning.
…I’m going to collapse.
“Are you all right, Your Highness…?”
“I’m accustomed to it.”
Yurian answered casually as he removed his outer robe.
I took it from him and hung it up, then asked carefully.
“So… why did you say it worked out perfectly?”
I’d been wondering about it throughout the meeting.
I couldn’t fathom why he’d consented so readily, so unlike his usual self.
“Do you truly intend to marry?”
“Yes.”
Yurian answered with a soft smile.
“Assuming there are no disqualifying factors as a spouse.”
“Disqualifying factors….”
He looked like someone perfectly willing to manufacture them if needed.
So I could keep going with my grand scheme to win Yurian’s affection, then.
“Vanillin.”
He’d changed into sleeping clothes and was now on the bed.
He tapped the spot beside him—tap, tap.
“Come here. We can sort out your thoughts later.”
“…What?”
There?
“Why, why are you…?”
“Didn’t you say we should sleep together, starting yesterday?”
I was so flustered my lips fell open.
No, that was—
“That was just something I said when too many women kept coming around….”
“I like the scent of Vanillin.”
Yurian cut me off with a laugh.
Tonight had been quiet.
The Second Prince must have gotten what he wanted.
So there was no real reason for us to sleep together….
“Come here, Vanillin.”
……
“Come on.”
In a sense, this was an opportunity to seduce Yurian.
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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