I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - Chapter 25

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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 25. Click
“Another man…?!”
I startled and flailed my hands.
It was absurd.
No—it was unfair!
“Isn’t it?”
Yurian leaned against the doorframe beside the entrance, looking down at me.
His voice was impossibly drowsy.
“You’ve been thinking about that servant the whole time.”
“That’s….”
I couldn’t quite deny it.
My lips only trembled as I let my words trail off, and Yurian continued calmly.
“For days now you’ve been wandering through the entire house, cornering the staff and asking questions.”
He began counting on his fingers.
“Where that servant went, what he’s doing.”
“…….”
“Why it looks like he has wounds on his body.”
Ugh….
“You even cornered the kitchen maid and pressed her for information, I hear.”
How does he know all this….
I began to avert my gaze.
Because every word was true.
That servant had been on my mind, after all.
Those wounds that looked like lash marks, and the way Brennon’s Daughter had pinched his hand.
Something felt wrong.
If there was anything I could help with, I wanted to help.
“Vanillin, I think you’re misunderstanding something.”
Plip.
A droplet fell from Yurian’s wet hair onto the wooden floor, leaving a small round mark.
He gently grasped my chin.
“Vanillin is my person.”
“Ah….”
“That means you shouldn’t let your attention wander elsewhere—you need to focus on me.”
My eyes darted away.
He was far too close.
His beautiful features filled my entire field of vision, and I didn’t know where to look.
“If I have to wait up late every night for Vanillin to come back, will that work?”
“That’s….”
“Answer me.”
I flinched.
With my chin held fast, I could only lift my eyes and look up at him.
Had he been waiting? For me?
Now that I thought about it, he always sat on the bed, reading documents or books.
I’d simply assumed His Highness was awake late as well….
‘He was waiting for me all along.’
My heart suddenly felt warm and tender.
And just now, he’d said I was his person.
It felt as though I truly belonged to him now.
At the same time, I felt remorseful.
I hadn’t been poking around everywhere and bothering the staff quite as he described, but the truth was I hadn’t made him my first priority either.
‘Vanillin, you fool.’
This was a clear dereliction of duty.
I should have been grateful that he was explaining it so kindly.
I lowered my eyes and admitted my fault with a dejected expression.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness….”
“Yes. Vanillin was wrong.”
“That’s right, I was wrong…. Please forgive me.”
“Forgive.”
Yurian smiled with his eyes curved shut.
His mysterious soft amber eyes were half-hidden between his full lashes, curved like crescents.
Why does he look so beautiful even when he’s angry?
Click.
He released my chin gently.
My head, which had been tilted slightly, returned to its normal position.
“Shall we go on the inspection together today?”
“An inspection, sir?”
“I need a day to myself, to relax a little.”
Ah.
I blinked and nodded.
The reason I’d been able to roam the estate freely these past few days was because he’d been out all day surveying the lands with Brennon and the knights.
Playing the saint in front of so many people must have been exhausting, no matter how composed he seemed.
“So it’s just the two of us?”
“Does that displease you?”
“No! Of course not.”
I waved my hands in alarm, and he laughed.
Then he straightened from the doorframe and turned away.
“Get ready and come to my room at the appointed time.”
Click.
The door closed, and I fidgeted with my fingers.
Wait, so this is….
‘A date?’
* * *
Perhaps it was time to resume the “Winning Over Yurian Project” that I’d been putting off.
“Hehe, pretty.”
I spun around once in front of the mirror and grinned to myself.
The flowing white one-piece dress, with a sky blue apron one-piece layered over it.
I’d bought it as soon as I received my first paycheck.
I’d packed it when I heard we were going on a trip, but I never thought I’d actually get to wear it!
Having never owned or worn pretty clothes before, my heart raced with excitement.
The skirt fluttered and flared.
Knock knock.
“You’ve arrived.”
I tapped on the door and Yurian opened it for me.
He too had abandoned his usual formal attire today.
A white shirt worn loosely, relaxed and comfortable.
…But why does he look so radiant?
He was so handsome that the casual clothes felt anything but casual.
Yurian looked me over slowly, then smirked.
“You’ve put quite a bit of effort into this.”
“Hehe, is it pretty?”
“It’s worth seeing.”
Yes! A compliment!
I walked forward with delight.
The coastal town of Ruern brimmed with energy.
The sea breeze carried a salty tang, and from the harbor came the raucous cries of gulls.
“Come on, get those moved! We’re running out of time, the festival’s almost here!”
“It’s been ages since we’ve had a good drink!”
The vendors along the street bustled about in preparation for the festival.
Shells dangled from tent posts and bolts of colorful cloth spread across stalls painted an atmosphere far removed from the Capital’s.
“Do you enjoy things like this, Vanillin?”
Yurian asked with an amused smile.
Ah, was I being too obvious?
I laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of my neck.
“It’s just… fascinating. I’ve never seen most of this before.”
“It certainly is different from the Capital.”
A gentle breeze stirred, and Yurian’s hair tousled softly.
I continued walking and asked, “Are you planning to develop Valenta Island as a tourist destination?”
“That’s the plan. It’s close to the Capital, and being an island has its own appeal. The natural scenery isn’t bad either.”

“I see….”
“If we develop Ruern alongside it, quite a substantial amount of capital will flow through.”
That’s true enough.
I nodded slightly.
“You said it’s impossible to reach Valenta Island without going through Ruern, didn’t you?”
“One could make the journey by other means, but traveling through Ruern is by far the most convenient. Especially for the nobility.”
That makes sense.
Nobles prefer to buy their time and convenience with gold.
“Shall we have something to eat?”
“Oh, yes!”
Having conducted several inspections before, Yurian guided me without hesitation to a restaurant.
The sort of establishment where only nobles would dine—quite upscale.
My eyes went wide.
“Um, am I really supposed to be somewhere like this…?”
“Are you suggesting I ought to follow Vanillin to some cheap tavern instead?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant!”
Yurian placed his order with natural ease, and I sat across from him, swallowing hard as I gazed at the lavish dishes before us.
Lobster steamed in butter, warm clam bisque… what in the world was all this?
“You did the same thing at the last banquet—your eyes never leave the plate the moment food arrives.”
“It all looks so delicious… hehe.”
“The food here is quite good. Do try it.”
I brought the fork to my lips as though entranced.
The moment I took the first bite, my eyes flew open.
“Oh my goodness, this is incredible.”
It was delicious.
Really, truly delicious.
I ate in a sort of trance, honestly unable to remember how I’d managed it all.
The warm broth and plump lobster meat.
With each bite, it felt as though warmth spread through my very soul.
“Your Highness, thank you so much…”
“Eat as much as you like.”
…I was happy.
When we stepped out of the restaurant, my belly satisfyingly full, the sea breeze brushed gently across my face.
I stroked my stomach contentedly.
Good food, beautiful clothes…
‘And a handsome prince beside me.’
It was like something out of a storybook.
I almost couldn’t believe the world was allowed to be this peaceful.
I grinned and glanced around again.
What else might be here?
The shell decoration shop looked interesting, the grilled fish skewers looked tempting…
“Vanillin.”
“Yes?”
Right, I’d come here for an inspection.
I was just turning my head to follow where Yurian led when—
A familiar silhouette caught my eye.
I tilted my head in confusion.
‘Who…is that?’
It was Brennon’s Daughter.
And beside her was the very servant who’d been nowhere to be found when we’d searched for her.
Draped in a black robe, lurking suspiciously before a shop—quite the strange sight.
“Your Highness, over there…”
I was raising my finger to point them out to Yurian when—
“Is this sufficient?”
Her voice calm and elegant,
Click.
Brennon’s Daughter snapped a pair of handcuffs around the servant’s wrist.

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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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