I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - Chapter 32

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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 32. Sweet and Savory
Time passed swiftly, and soon the Festival arrived.
The streets of Ruern bustled with activity from dawn.
Blue cloth stretched between buildings, and shell ornaments and glass beads glinted in the sunlight.
The Harbor was lined with colorful vessels, and the streets carried the mingled scents of salt and sweet confections.
And I was
“…wow.”
standing transfixed before the mirror.
A White Blouse trimmed with lace, a Water-blue Skirt that fell softly to my ankles, thin fabric that swayed faintly with every movement.
It felt similar to what I usually wore, yet entirely different.
So much more elegant, so much lovelier….
And so expensive.
Extraordinarily so.
“Are you really sure I’m allowed to wear this…?”
As I murmured, toying with the hem, Yurian laughed from where he reclined on the sofa behind me.
“What could possibly be wrong with it?”
“It looks so expensive….”
“It actually is expensive.”
“Eek!”
I flinched.
My hands dropped reflexively from the fabric.
I was suddenly terrified of creasing it.
Yurian’s laughter rang out.
“There’s no need to be so tense.”
“But what if I spill something on it?”
“You’ve already dirtied it once—what’s another time?”
……
Doesn’t that make it worse?
Besides, this dress and that one are in entirely different price brackets….
I pressed my lips together wordlessly.
Yurian narrowed his eyes and gave a small shrug.
“Then simply be careful this time.”
“Y-yes….”
I really would have to be careful.
No eating anything with color in it.
I averted my gaze sheepishly.
The real problem came next, though.
“And this as well.”
Click.
Yurian set a jewel box down on the table.
Even with the lid closed, brilliance spilled from within.
“Oh… oh my….”
When I carefully opened it, I found delicately crafted ornaments inside.
Pearl Earrings and a Silver Bracelet, along with a Necklace set with a clear sea-blue gem.
“These are from Brennon. She said it was an apology for ruining your dress.”
“…all of this?”
“Those were her words.”
This wasn’t an apology—it was practically a bribe.
I shook my head, my eyes glistening.
“I can’t accept this. I really can’t.”
Yurian smirked.
“Then try returning them.”
“I have to, obviously.”
But.
When I sought out Brennon a short time later, she waved her hand dismissively.
“They’re just rocks to me, what’s the problem?”
“W-well, that’s not….”
“I don’t need them. Have you ever seen a pirate cloaked in jewelry and trinkets?”
Probably more than you’d think, actually—but I couldn’t say that.
I clutched the jewel box tightly.
Honestly, it looks impressive.
I think I’m starting to fall for it.
“What’s that expression about?”
“Because you look impressive, Brennon.”
“Impressive? Pfft, what’s so impressive about it.”
Brennon laughed, closing her eyes as she smiled.
Over her usual demure image, yesterday’s confident bearing seemed to layer itself anew.
“But you know, that’s right. From today on, I really might become impressive.”
She swept her chestnut hair back and gazed out the window.
“Finally, the time has come.”
Those words lingered in my ears strangely long.
* * *
The streets were packed with people, and I set out in my new clothes and accessories with an eager step.
I practically bounced as I walked.
“Wow, Your Highness. Did you see that?”
“Yes.”
“A landscape made from seashells—it’s so beautiful.”
“The local character is well preserved. It looks promising as a tourist resource as well.”
“…Ugh.”
“Why that reaction?”
“Why don’t you understand romance at all, Your Highness.”
To see something this lovely and immediately talk about tourist resources of all things.
The air went out of me, and my shoulders sagged.
Yurian shrugged casually.
“If one of two people is a fool, the other must work hard to compensate.”
“…You’re not saying I’m the fool, are you?”
“Precisely. Your perception has improved.”
…….
How terrible.
I grumbled to myself even as my eyes wandered over the surroundings again.
The Festival’s energy was too vibrant to stay upset.
Blue flags and decorations depicting the Sea God, crystal-clear Xylophone Performance from street musicians.
The faces around me held nothing but excitement, free from care or worry.
Seeing all of that brought something back to mind.
“Speaking of which, about that person we saw in the Warehouse back then.”
“The man who looked like a pirate.”
“Yes. I’m still amazed he turned out to be a real pirate.”
“So Brennon saved his life, I heard.”
“Ah….”
So that’s why he’s so loyal to her.
With a debt that size, his devotion made sense.
“Oh, could I eat that?”
“A wafer?”
“Yes. A Sea Salt Whipped Cream Wafer, apparently.”
My eyes gleamed as I rushed toward the pastry counter.
“Would you like some too, Your Highness?”
“I’ll pass.”
“All right.”
Hehe.
I paid with my spare change and took a full bite of the pure white cream—bliss burst forth.
“Mmm, delicious….”
The salty bite of the sea salt gave way to the sweet aroma of milk spreading across my tongue.
It was far, far more delicious than I’d expected.
“Would you like to try just a bite?”
“I’ll decline.”
“It’s really tasty, though.”
“Judging by how you’re getting it all over your face, I can tell.”
Oh no.
I blinked and felt my face with my hand.
“Did I get it all over myself?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, where? Here…?”
“…….”
Yurian reached out without a word.
A soft whisper.
A cool finger traced the corner of my mouth.
“……!”
My heart dropped.
He looked at the cream on his fingertip with the most casual expression before—
He licked it.
Just like that, he tasted it.
A pale crimson tongue flicked briefly between his lips, then vanished.
“Sweet with a hint of salt.”
“Ah… w-what?”
“Better than I expected.”
What… what… what was that?
My heart hammered in my chest.
A handsome man doing something like that—surely that’s cheating, isn’t it?
Even knowing he was terrifying, my pulse quickened, and I whirled my head away in desperation.
I didn’t want him to catch even a hint of what I was thinking.
“M-more importantly…!”
“Yes.”
“Are the Marquis’s daughter and Rein all right?”
It was a desperately transparent change of subject.
Fortunately, Yurian let it pass without comment.
“They’re likely preparing, I’d imagine.”
“…I had no idea those handcuffs were for that reason.”
I mumbled absently through a wafer.
At the time, I’d been absolutely certain Rein was being abused—my heart had nearly jumped out of my chest.
“To keep the Marquis from running away, no less.”
“Handcuffs are quite a practical tool for such purposes.”
“Please don’t evaluate it so matter-of-factly….”
Honestly, what a frightening prince he is.
Yurian walked forward with an easy smile.
The Festival was magnificent, and time flew.
Eating, drinking, seeing this and that—before I knew it, night had fallen.
When I came to my senses, the Harbor had darkened to pitch black.
“Is it finally beginning?”
“It is.”
Click, click, clack—
Countless lanterns flared to life at once, illuminating the Harbor, and people streamed toward the Central Plaza.
The night’s highlight was beginning—the Festival stage dedicated to the Sea God.
Song, dance, musical performance, talent shows of every kind.
They say the winner receives Mermaid’s Tears itself.
“What is that?”
“A rare treasure. A jewel the Sea God left behind for a mortal he once loved.”
“Wow….”
I found myself wanting it a little.
Though to have it, I’d need to take the stage.
“Now then, contestant number one, please come up!”
With the competition’s start, the stage came alive.
Some sang; others danced.
A drunken sailor attempted an acrobatic trick, tumbled, and drew laughter from the crowd.
Time passed, and soon the competition neared its end.
I glanced around nervously.
“Why… haven’t they come yet?”
“I wonder.”
“Nothing’s gone wrong, has it?”
Neither Olivia nor Rein had appeared.
And the moment to announce the winner was drawing near.
“Your Highness!”
The pirate man from before pushed through the crowd and rushed over.
Cold sweat beading on his brow, breath coming in urgent gasps.
“Forgive me, but could you spare us a little time?”
“What’s happened?”
“The young lady and the Marquis are at an impasse. The situation has grown worse than anticipated.”
That… that couldn’t be.
I turned to Yurian in alarm.
“What do we do?”
“How much time do you need?”
“Ten minutes. Just ten minutes, and I’ll resolve it by any means necessary.”
Ten minutes.
It was long if you counted it one way, short if you counted it another.
‘How am I supposed to buy time here?’
I fidgeted nervously, watching the stage.
The announcer was beginning to call the final contestant.
That’s when Yurian smiled brightly.
“I noticed earlier—they’re accepting on-site entries for this competition.”
“…What?”
“The registration closes… whenever the event ends, I believe.”
What was he…?
Why was he telling me this now?
A chill ran down my spine.
Surely not.
“Surely you’re not suggesting…?”
I looked up at him, my eyes trembling slightly.
He smiled with utmost brightness.
“You said yourself you wanted to help them, didn’t you?”
“I never said—”
“Have a good performance.”
And then I was shoved forward.
“Eek—AAAAH?!”
By the time I’d collected myself,
“And now, our next competitor—entry number 31, Vanillin!”
I was standing on the stage.
…So, in other words.
What…?

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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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