I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - Chapter 24

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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 24. The Familiar Servant
My… ideal type?
I blinked hard and stole a glance at the servant.
Black hair, pale and fair skin.
A small mole beneath his eye and an expression that somehow looked forlorn.
Admittedly, he had a rather handsome face for a commoner.
But….
‘Not like you, Your Highness.’
Honestly, standing next to Yulian, he’d fade into the background like a stone.
That business about crying well being my ideal type was just a joke.
I like handsome people, that’s all…!
A petulant sensation welled up, and my lips pursed in protest.
Besides, I had no particular relationship with that servant.
We’d simply crossed paths once while handling some tiresome commission Dai had foisted upon me, nothing more.
‘Was it that illegal slave market…?’
The servant had been caged inside, drenched in blood.
Shackles bound his ankles—whether he’d been caught trying to escape or not—and his whole body was marked with bruises.
…Honestly, how could I have just walked past that?
So while the guards were distracted for a moment, I’d quietly broken the lock for him.
—Run. Quickly. Don’t let anyone see.
That was all.
I didn’t know what happened to him after that….
‘So he’s been living well. I’m relieved.’
That was why I’d felt a little glad to see him.
I hastily shook my head.
Just as I was about to protest that he wasn’t my ideal type or anything—
*Scrape.*
The lord’s daughter pulled out the chair across from us and sat down.
“Forgive my intrusion. I am Brennon Olivia.”
Her expression was neat and composed, her posture graceful.
Yet in her eyes lay an unmistakable weariness that couldn’t be hidden.
*Glance.*
She looked at her father, Brennon, and then averted her gaze without offering any particular greeting.
…….
Their relationship didn’t seem particularly warm.
The telepathy that had been flowing between us cut off naturally as she took her seat.
[…We’ll talk more later.]
Yulian shifted his attention to the meal as though nothing had happened.
His manner was so seamless that I nearly forgot we’d been conversing at all.
…Was it really a conversation worth taking so seriously?
I felt a little embarrassed at having brooded over it alone.
Soon dishes began arriving at the table one after another.
Clams heavy with butter, golden-roasted fish, soup brimming with shrimp.
A coastal town’s bounty of seafood.
‘That smells wonderful.’
The aroma alone was enough to make my mouth water.
“I do hope it suits your palate.”
Brennon, the lord of the province, smiled carefully.
Then, with a subtle glance, he stole a look at his daughter.
“My daughter is quite fond of the local specialties, you see. So I’ve taken some care with today’s menu.”
“…Yes, that’s true.”
Olivia nodded impassively.
There was something uncomfortable in her manner.
Yet the flush creeping up her ears suggested she wasn’t displeased.
‘Hmm….’
No matter how I looked at it, they seemed to be trying to involve her with Yulian.
Perhaps because I’d watched women of all kinds approach Yulian with various temptations, I’d grown adept at reading such signals.
By now, I could spot such a scheme a mile away.
‘Then again, with Yulian being who he is, who could blame them?’
He’s the most popular Saint in all the Empire.
To be honest, given the chance, I probably would’ve pushed her forward without hesitation.
But.
‘It wouldn’t work….’
There was no way something like that would sway a man who wouldn’t even see women just to keep his Saint’s image intact.
“I see. Thank you for your efforts.”
Just as expected, Yulian only smiled gently and showed no sign of being swayed at all.
Then he smoothly steered the conversation elsewhere.
“Still, I’m curious about the current number of tourists.”
“Ah… the number of tourists, you mean?”
“How many outsiders are entering Valenta Island?”
The conversation naturally shifted to matters of business.
The Harbor’s condition, how goods moved through the island, the profits from tourism… and even the trade issues with neighboring territories.
Yulian guided the conversation with the ease of someone entirely in control, his expression warm and virtuous.
‘He’s truly skilled.’
I found myself admiring him, fidgeting with my fingers.
I was trying to keep up with the flow of conversation, but it wasn’t easy.
Even so, I kept feeling a prickling gaze poking at my cheeks.
When I glanced up, the black-haired servant was staring at me with sparkling eyes.
‘Vanillin, do you remember me? I can’t believe I’m seeing you here again… I’ve missed you so much!’
So much could be said with just the eyes.
His expression was so eager to say a thousand things—like a puppy wagging its tail.
‘Hehe.’
I found myself grinning back without thinking, happy to see him.
I gave him a small nod of greeting, pouring all my warmth into it—a long time, no see.
The servant’s expression brightened immediately.
…But then.
“……?”
The atmosphere at the table suddenly grew quiet.
I blinked.
‘Huh?’
When I turned my head, Yulian was looking at me.
A gentle smile on his face.
Very warm, very beautiful, utterly perfect.
Except for the sudden chill running down my spine.
‘Why… why is he angry again…?’
By now, I could feel it instinctively.
Something in his disposition had twisted.
I studied his expression carefully and asked with my lips, cautiously.
‘What’s wrong…?’
[…….]
Yulian didn’t answer.
He simply gazed at me intently.
I tilted my ear to listen, but there was nothing through Telepathy either.
‘Why, why is he like this.’
I straightened up awkwardly.
Then I turned my gaze sideways, feigning indifference.
Maybe if I pretended not to notice, things would improve.
…But.
“…….”
There’s no paradise in flight, they say.
This time, my eyes met with Brennon Olivia’s, who had been watching me quietly.
Her lips curved in a smile, but her eyes held no warmth at all.
What was wrong with her too….
What had I done wrong?
She gave me a measured look from head to toe with her eyes, then naturally reached out and placed her fingertips lightly on the back of the servant’s hand.
A gesture that seemed affectionate.
But in that instant, the servant’s shoulders trembled.
“……?”
For a moment, I forgot I was about to tear up and simply stared at the scene in bewilderment.
What was that?
It felt like she’d pinched me just now.
Brennon Olivia opened her mouth with a smile, as if nothing had happened.
“Oh dear, the food’s gone cold. Would you bring some fresh dishes?”
“…Yes, miss.”
The servant bowed his head immediately.
In that moment, I caught sight of something through the loose weave of his clothes—a faint red mark.
A long, thin line, as if from a whip.
My breath caught.
‘…Could it be?’
I tried to look again, but he’d already vanished out the door with the dishes.
The rest of the meal proceeded with an eerie calm.
The servant didn’t return, Brennon kept laughing, and Brennon Olivia maintained her composed expression throughout the conversation.
But I sat quietly, biting the inside of my lip.
The image from moments before kept playing in my mind.
…….
That’s why I didn’t notice.
That Yulian was watching me with eyes slightly narrowed.
* * *
Three days later.
“My apologies, Your Highness. It seems the upcoming Sea Festival preparations have made ship departures difficult for the time being.”
“The festival, you say.”
“Yes. It’s the largest event of the year, so the harbor is undergoing complete maintenance. Scarcely any vessels are setting sail outward right now.”
Brennon seemed determined indeed.
Even so, he could surely spare a single ship for the prince, but he clearly wanted to keep him here for a while longer.
[Festival nonsense. They all recite the same tired excuses. Truly tedious.]
‘Still, a festival does sound rather fun.’
[The Sea Festival here is something of a local spectacle, I suppose.]
After weighing various considerations, Yulian ultimately decided to remain through the festival period.
The duration: exactly three days.
‘Squee!’
I let out a small, silent cheer inside.
I was thrilled.
The unfamiliar town fascinated me, the sea was beautiful, and more than anything…
‘This feels like a real journey.’
I’d thought we’d come, inspect the place, and leave—but what a stroke of fortune this was.
Though if you asked whether I could fully enjoy everything without worry, the answer was no.
‘…He’s still nowhere to be seen today.’
The servant hadn’t appeared since that first day.
In a manor that seemed less than a tenth the size of the imperial palace, how could we not cross paths even once?
At first I thought he must simply be busy, but as days passed without even a shadow of him, I grew increasingly uneasy.
And the household staff’s reactions were strange too.
“Ah… you mean the Black-haired Servant?”
“Well, we’re not entirely sure ourselves.”
Whenever he was mentioned, they’d start with alarm and change the subject.
Very, very suspicious!
I found myself worrying my lip.
‘Something’s not right.’
Was he being mistreated?
Or had someone discovered some weakness of his?
That was when it happened.
“Vanillin.”
A low voice came from behind me.
I spun around in surprise, and there was Yulian, leaning against the doorframe—though I hadn’t heard him arrive.
“H-hi, hic.”
“Why are you so startled?”
“I didn’t hear you come in….”
My heart was racing.
I hurried over to him.
“Is something the matter?”
As I drew near, I caught the faint scent of soap.
The ends of her wet hair hung loosely against the nape of her neck.
She must have just bathed.
Then Yulian laughed—a sound almost like a sigh.
“You’re too much, Vanillin.”
“…What?”
“We’ve come all this way on a journey…”
He stepped closer to me.
Close enough for a fist between us.
Yulian looked down at me, his smile slow and measured.
“Yet all you do is think of another man.”

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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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