I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - Chapter 35

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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 35. Love That Never Changes
My eyes widened.
“Oh….”
A conversation? Just the two of us?
The sea breeze stirred gently, brushing through my hair.
I instinctively glanced at Yurian to gauge his reaction.
His Highness didn’t seem to particularly enjoy seeing me talk with Rein.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“May I… go for a moment?”
I asked as though seeking permission, and he closed his eyes.
His pale yellow irises curved slowly beneath the sunlight.
“Of course. Go ahead.”
His voice was remarkably soft and composed.
He seemed utterly indifferent—as though his wariness of Rein had been nothing but a dream.
Only then did I let out a small sigh of relief.
‘Thank goodness….’
When I thought about it, it made sense that Yurian had been wary of Rein back then.
At that time, he’d been a suspicious stranger whose identity was unknown.
But that wasn’t the case anymore.
His status as Brenom’s true heir had been revealed, and the incident itself was resolved.
More than anything,
‘His Highness wouldn’t care who I spend time with.’
I felt a bit embarrassed for reading into things on my own.
“I’ll be back shortly.”
“Don’t go too far.”
“Of course.”
I bowed politely and began walking alongside Rein.
Whoosh—
Whoooosh—
Gentle waves struck slowly beneath the pier.
Just yesterday, the plaza had been filled with colorful decorations and crowds of people; now it had grown quite empty.
A few sailors who’d returned to their work laughed heartily as they passed by, while merchants tidied up the festival tents.
I found myself fidgeting with the hem of my skirt.
…I still can’t quite believe it.
Baron Brenom arrested, Rein revealed as the true heir, and there I was on stage, painting too.
“…ugh.”
Why did I have to paint His Highness of all people?
The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I felt.
“What’s the matter?”
“Oh, nothing… just remembering something embarrassing.”
“Is it about the painting?”
Wait.
“How did you guess that so quickly?!”
I asked in surprise, and Rein laughed softly.
“Because your face keeps turning red.”
“…it’s just warm out here.”
I quickly rubbed my cheeks with the back of my hand.
I hadn’t realized it while painting.
I’d been too preoccupied with the pressure of needing to buy time.
But now that I thought about how intently I’d drawn His Highness’s face, I felt… awkward, I suppose.
The fact that I’d unconsciously captured him in the painting without meaning to made me feel a bit flustered.
Rein looked down at me for a moment, then gradually slowed his pace.
We’d reached the quiet end of the pier.
The refreshing sound of the waves grew closer.
“I’m truly grateful for everything you did this time.”
“That’s not true. I hardly did anything.”
His Highness did everything anyway….
I shook my head earnestly, and he seemed amused, letting out a low laugh.
“That can’t be right. If Vanillin hadn’t bought us time back then, the plan would have failed.”
“Well, that’s…”
I suppose it is.
I laughed awkwardly.
Honestly, thinking back on it now still made me dizzy.
I never imagined it would run so late.
A few minutes more, and the winner’s announcement would have been made first.
If that had happened, the whole plan would’ve unraveled.
I let my shoulders relax and laughed.
“I was absolutely terrified back then.”
“You were nervous?”
“Yes, incredibly. My heart’s still pounding.”
“That’s surprising.”
Rein chuckled softly.
“You didn’t look like it at all on stage.”
…You saw it?
Then you should’ve come sooner.
I let out a long sigh.
“I was crying on the inside.”
“Ha ha.”
Rein laughed as if genuinely amused.
There was something far more at ease in that laugh than before, and without thinking, my lips curved upward in response.
“You look like you’re finally able to breathe now.”
“…Me?”
“Yes. It looks good on you. Really good.”
I broke into a full smile, teeth showing.
How difficult must it have been all this time?
Living as a servant under the very person he sought vengeance against, his own name concealed.
I could never have endured such a thing.
The sea breeze rolled in slowly.
My pink hair fluttered gently in the wind.
……
Rein watched me in silence for a moment.
His lips parted as if wrestling with something, but then he smiled faintly and spoke.
“If I look good, it’s because I’m with Vanillin.”
“…What have I done?”
“I always feel like I’m indebted to you. Now, and before.”
His gaze lingered slowly on my face.
My eyes, my nose… and my lips.
As his eyes traced downward, I felt mine widen.
‘Wait…?’
Wasn’t the atmosphere getting a bit strange?
“Um… Rein?”
“I have something I want to give you.”
Rein smiled and drew out a small velvet box from within his coat.
It was a deep blue box.
It gleamed softly in the sunlight.
“It’s the prize for winning. Please accept it.”
Click.
The box opened.
I held my breath.
Inside lay a blue jeweled necklace.
A color as clear and transparent as a dewdrop.
The way it sparkled in the light seemed as though he’d captured a piece of the sea itself.
“Oh…”
A gasp of wonder escaped me.
It was breathtakingly beautiful.
“Is this the Mermaid’s Tear?”
“Yes. It’s a jewel found only in the waters near Luern.”
Rein laughed quietly.
“The family seal is also carved from the same stone.”
“I see… it really is beautiful.”
Splash—
The waves broke gently against the shore.
Sunlight scattered across the deep blue sea in fine, glittering threads.
That azure light seemed to seep into her like precious gemstones.
“The Mermaid’s Tear holds two meanings.”
“Two meanings…?”
“A love that is surely fulfilled.”
Rein paused for a moment.
Then he met my eyes and smiled faintly.
“The other is a love that never changes.”
“…….”
“You may interpret it however you wish.”
My heart trembled strangely.
I traced my thumb gently across the necklace in my palm.
A love that never changes.
And a love that is surely fulfilled.
Even the meaning of it delighted me.
“Am I truly worthy of receiving something so precious?”
“Of course. Though things ended rather abruptly, Vanillin was the victor of that competition. You have every right to it.”
At his calm words, I clutched the box close to my chest.
This beautiful thing was mine.
My eyes widened of their own accord.
“Thank you. I’ll cherish it always.”
“…Yes.”
He stared at me for a long moment, then turned his gaze toward the distant sea.
“That is enough.”
His expression held something of relief, yet also a trace of longing.
Even as he smiled, I felt as though tears lingered at the corners of his eyes.
…Why did he wear such a look?
I pressed my lips together.
‘Does he regret it…?’
The Mermaid’s Tear….
Surely he didn’t expect me to give it back?
As I stood there at a loss for words, reaching toward him—
“If the conversation is finished, might I reclaim it now?”
I started.
I quickly pulled my hand back to my side.
That familiar voice, so sweet and gentle.
I turned to find Yurian standing there.
“When did you arrive?”
His face wore that usual soft smile.
His eyes curved lazily in that characteristic way.
Yet somehow… something about him seemed off.
Yurian tilted his head as he looked at me.
“Is he your ideal type, then?”
“…Pardon?”
“A man who weeps easily.”
That’s not it at all…..
Besides, back then I said it was a person who weeps easily, not a man—
“Sigh.”
I trudged over to stand beside him.
Yurian’s gaze naturally drifted to the box in my hand.
“Is that a gift?”
“Oh, yes! It’s the tournament prize.”
“I see.”
He smiled gently.
“Quite a significant thing to receive.”
“What?”
“Nothing at all.”
…No, but you speak of it as if it were something truly extraordinary!
‘He really does seem displeased, doesn’t he?’
I stole glances between them, reading the air.
The salt-tinged sea breeze swept past the three of us.
Yurian, wearing his usual smile; Rein, watching us with quiet, composed stillness—and me, picking nervously at my meal for the third bowl running.
The awkward tension made it hard to breathe.
Then Yurian tilted his head slightly and smiled.
“Vanillin.”
“Yes?”
“Would you mind stepping away for a moment? There’s something I need to discuss with him.”
Two sets of eyes locked across the empty space between them.

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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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