I Was Hired by the Dark Prince for My Life's Worth - Chapter 46

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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 46. Vanillin’s Worth
Had I lost consciousness in the meantime?
The acrid scent of medicinal herbs seeped into my lungs as I opened my eyes.
“……Ugh.”
My vision, blurred moments before, slowly swam back into focus as I blinked.
Where was I?
The atmosphere and the lingering fragrance seemed no different from before—I was likely still somewhere within the Party Venue.
‘There were plenty of rooms on the first floor… this must be one of them.’
My head throbbed.
I raised my hand, trying to press my fingers against my aching temples.
Or rather, I tried to.
But my body wouldn’t….
‘It won’t move.’
I stared blankly downward.
And there it was—my wrists, my waist, my legs.
My entire body was bound tightly to the chair.
“You’re awake.”
Smoke curled through the air.
I lifted my head through the haze obscuring my vision.
A man with ash-colored hair was languidly smoking.
Or rather, burning medicinal herb, as he’d called it.
Even through my fragmented memories, one image remained sharp—this same man hoisting me onto his shoulder in the Party Venue just moments ago.
And with that came fragments of recollection, piece by piece.
— I’m sorry, but you’ve been deceived. The Third Imperial Prince isn’t here.
— So I’d appreciate it if you’d quietly fulfill your role as bait.
My throat went dry.
I ran my tongue across my lips.
Fear, confusion, panic—none of it mattered.
My fingertips trembled, yet the question that consumed me was something else entirely.
Something far more pressing than my own safety.
“Are you saying I’m bait to draw out the Third Imperial Prince?”
“…….”
The man, half-reclined on the sofa and burning the medicinal herb, narrowed his eyes.
His head tilted slightly to one side, as though surprised.
“And that’s your first words while bound hand and foot?”
His voice carried unmistakable interest.
He sat up slightly, then flicked the cigarette ash carelessly away.
Everything about him—each gesture, each movement—exuded a languid, decadent air.
“Answer.”
“Ah… yes. I mean, it’s true, but…”
I’m so scared…..
No, wait—wasn’t I the one asking questions first?
I let my gaze drop, my lips wavering with doubt.
I didn’t have the courage to say it aloud.
The man let out a soft laugh, as if he’d noticed my terror.
“Let’s say my superior wishes for the Third Imperial Prince’s destruction.”
“Your superior…”
I echoed the end of his sentence, murmuring.
It sounded ambiguous on the surface, but the answer was clear enough.
There was only one person who might desire Yuri’an’s ruin.
‘The Second Imperial Prince, then.’
It all made sense once I thought about it that way.
Even the Second Imperial Prince’s abrupt summoning of His Highness—perhaps it was meant to keep him occupied until they could lure me out?
But if that were their thinking, they’d made a grave miscalculation.
I curved my eyebrows and gave an awkward smile.
“You believe the Third Imperial Prince will come to rescue me?”
This Saint image truly is terrifying.
Though, if he really were a Saint, he might indeed rush blindly to save his subordinate without hesitation.
But the Yuri’an I knew was nothing of the sort.
In fact, even if he were on his way to rescue me, the moment he realized where I was, he’d turn back without a second thought.
The man’s eyebrows lifted with interest.
“You think he won’t come, don’t you?”
“He’s too clever for that.”
He wouldn’t walk knowingly into a trap.
He wouldn’t sacrifice himself to save someone.
“Besides….”
“Besides?”
“…nothing.”
I pressed my lips together and shook my head.
I shouldn’t think this way, but perhaps he’d be relieved instead.
After all, one troublesome person would be gone.
Wasn’t he just this morning expressing disappointment with me?
My head drooped slowly.
Then, from above, came a soft snort of derision.
“Well… you weren’t worth much to the Second Imperial Prince, it seems.”
“…….”
“Things that truly matter—he saves those. Even at great cost.”
I opened my mouth to respond, then closed it again.
Every word was true. What was there to say?
I was nothing but an ordinary maid.
My Contract with Yuri’an was something I’d done of my own will.
My station was humble to begin with, wasn’t it?
‘There’s no reason to save me at all.’
I wouldn’t save myself if I were him.
I let my head fall in dejection.
“Why that expression? Did something wound you just now?”
He’d struck a nerve again.
I nodded weakly.
It seemed he was right.
‘Even if I have no value… couldn’t he come for me anyway?’
The shamelessness of such a wish was not lost on me.
The man watching me smirked, clearly amused, and snapped his cigarette holder.
“Don’t cry. I’m not fond of consoling women.”
“I’m not crying.”
“Then what’s hanging from your eyes—sweat, perhaps?”
He spoke with mockery, then reached for his coat and stood.
“If the Second Imperial Prince doesn’t come, I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you.”
Click. He grasped the doorknob and opened it.
Then, with an indifferent expression, he turned back to me and lit another cigarette.
“So pray hard. Pray the Second Imperial Prince comes for you.”
Bang—
The door shut before I could answer.
* * *
Ha.
I let out a soft snort.
What does he know?
The Second Imperial Prince won’t come here.
I’m certain of it.
So I had no choice but to escape by my own strength.
I looked around the room.
One fortunate thing: this appeared to be that man’s private study.
An ornate carpet with deep crimson oriental patterns, a cherry-wood bookcase, and….
“He’s not as clever as he thinks.”
A desk scattered carelessly with tobacco and matchsticks.
As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
I worked my toes diligently, shifting the chair inch by inch.
Even at a snail’s pace, I could reach the desk if nothing stopped me.
Scratch.
I held a matchstick between my front teeth and struck it against the rough edge of the desk, coaxing forth a flame.
My mind was growing hazy again, though that wasn’t what I needed the fire for….
“Ugh.”
I held the matchstick between my teeth and brought it against the rope binding my body.
Scratch-scratch.
Soon the rope began to snap, strand by strand.
Once the first thread gave way, the rest followed in quick succession.
“Phew.”
I was free within moments.
I stretched my arms wide, feeling the tension release from my shoulders.
After all these years imprisoned by Dai, this was nothing—like eating cold soup.
I quickly lit a medicinal herb and brought it to my lips; the sharp, clarifying aroma cleared my mind at once.
“Ah… I’ll live.”
All that remained was to escape through that gaping window.
But before I did.
I hesitated, glancing around the room once more.
“He’s probably furious. Maybe I should grab something as a peace offering…?”
That man—likely one of the Second Imperial Prince’s associates.
And the host of this party, packed with nobles, no less.
Which meant this room was practically a treasure vault, wasn’t it?
— I’m deeply disappointed by this, Vanillin.
Yuri’an’s cold voice drifted through my ears like a phantom sound.
I should look around, make up for this morning’s fiasco.
I examined the interior carefully.
Honestly, I didn’t even need to search very hard.
The desk was stacked with ledgers and documents of every description, and the drawers were crammed with guest lists and mysterious transaction records.
‘Wow…’
This was a gold mine.
I swallowed hard.
‘If I took all of this, I’d definitely be praised.’
But I shook my head firmly.
Greed was dangerous.
If I rummaged through too much and got caught, it would be a disaster.
‘Just a few things that look important….’
I swallowed again, my attention shifting to the bookshelf.
The desk and drawers were tempting, but those thick, densely packed ledgers on the shelves had been catching my eye the whole time.
Documents that might damage the Second Imperial Prince even a little.
Information that might please Yuri’an even a little.
I was just reaching for a thick ledger wedged at the far end of the shelf when I heard it.
[…nillin?]
A faint, familiar voice at the edge of my hearing.
My body went rigid.
My trembling gaze turned toward the window.
Huh…?
[Vanillin. Answer me if you can hear me.]
Low, gentle, and yet somehow anxious.
Was this a hallucination?
My lips trembled.
No sound came out.
I couldn’t believe it.
The person I wanted most to see right now—the one I’d never dared to hope for.
“Your Highness…?”
[Vanillin.]
Slip.
The ledger fell from my fingers.

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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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