I Was Just Having Fun With The Time Limit - Chapter 45

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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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“First, go wash up. Midwife, please prepare something light for Yuri, myself, and you to eat.”
It appeared she hadn’t eaten for several days.
I was worried that eating something too heavy all at once might upset her stomach.
“Something light and easy to digest, please.”
“Understood.”
I ushered the flustered Yuri toward the bathroom, then sat at the table and began to worry.
‘Ugh. I said it so confidently.’
I had seen Yuri’s expression.
The look of someone grasping the last thread of hope from the depths of despair.
The look of someone gazing at something so radiant, when I myself was not such a brilliant person.
‘I wonder if I overdid it.’
My desire to help Yuri was genuine, but helping her also meant accepting some friction with the Rosild Duke’s household.
‘If the Vilotian Royal Family officially accepts and sponsors a child cast out by Rosild, it could become entangled in political complications.’
The Vilotian Royal Family couldn’t officially sponsor her.
‘I have ten million Rudens right now, so it should be enough to bring Mother here and settle.’
In other words, it seemed like settlement support funds.
But this money was actually meant to launch the explosion rocket.
If this money disappears, my plans will be disrupted.
Just then, Steward Dailsa entered my room.
“Your Highness… Oh? The Prince is here too?”
Ah, right. My brother was here too.
He had been so quiet that I’d forgotten he was even present.
My brother hurriedly wiped drool from the corner of his mouth.
“Ah, I wasn’t sleeping.”
He was sleeping. That’s why it was so quiet.
My brother was only silent when sleeping or unconscious.
My brother yawned widely and stretched.
“This got boring. I’m leaving.”
Bounce.
He jumped down from his chair.
Even though he jumped lightly, the entire floor thundered with a loud thud.
It was fortunate this was the sturdy imperial palace—if it were an ordinary house, the floor would have collapsed.
“Next time, I’ll earn praise.”
My brother left with a peculiar competitive spirit burning within him.
“Hey! Bumblebee! Where are you! Let’s wrestle!”
He shouted loudly as he went.
Steward Dailsa smiled warmly.
“Still, at least he didn’t jump out the window today.”
“He… does that?”
“It’s clear that in Your Highness’s presence, he takes great care with his conduct.”
“In front of me?”
“Yes.”
Is that what he calls being careful? He nearly destroyed the floor just moments ago, and the door is completely shattered.
“It seems Your Highness is precious to him.”
“What does being mindful of one’s actions have to do with whether I’m precious?”
“Everything.”
For some reason, I swallowed hard.
“It appears he’s become aware that careless treatment might cost you your life.”
“….”
True enough. A frog struck by a stone thrown in jest dies all the same.
If my brother miscalculates his strength, I could depart from this world in an instant.
Now that I think about it, since the Erbe Mountain Range incident, there hasn’t been a single moment of fear or near-injury when I’m with my brother.
“…Does such awareness usually develop this late?”
“Had Your Highness been anyone else, it might never have developed at all.”
“….”
It was difficult to discern whether that was good or bad.
But Steward Dailsa, as always, possessed remarkable perceptiveness.
“So then… what troubles weigh so heavily on your mind?”
“Well….”
“I’ve already heard the general circumstances.”
Steward Dailsa already knew nearly everything.
I shared various thoughts with the steward.
“…So I’m troubled over how I might help Sister Yuri.”
“Why do you wish to help that girl? There is no practical benefit to Your Highness.”
In truth, there was little profit to be gained.
In “The Villainess Dies Before the Deadline,” Yuri was merely a minor supporting character.
She was only mentioned a few times as ‘some mathematical prodigy’ or the like.
So unlike Teslone or Narmore, she would likely offer me no direct advantage.
“It’s simply that my heart aches for her.”
“….”
The burdens this child carries alone feel far too heavy.
The weight of a life she must bear by herself is simply too much.
That’s why I wanted to help her.
“So many people have helped me.”
Without the unconditional support of countless people, I wouldn’t have survived to twenty.
I would have been cast out for lack of hospital fees.
No, I wouldn’t have been admitted in the first place, nor received proper treatment.
I had no mother, no father, and naturally, no money.
I have not forgotten that it is because of the help of countless nameless people that I exist today.
‘Oh.’
I recalled Viscount Biatonn’s words.
‘Don’t worry! The Holy Knights will take care of it!’
I shouldn’t speak of a past that never existed.
I deflected for now.
“Just as this world became a gift to me, I wish to become a gift to someone as well.”
I carefully gauged their reaction.
I was a bit frightened, wondering if I’d revealed too much about my past life.
“…Is that too grand a dream?”
* * *
As it turned out, Steward Dailsa found a way to make it work.
“By my authority as steward, I shall hire Yuri as a maidservant to Her Highness.”
“Oh, truly?”
“Yes. I possess sufficient authority over such appointments. The only concern is that Yuri comes from a commoner background, but as the top scorer of the 14th Olympiad, I believe we can manage the formalities well enough.”
Yuri, freshly bathed, sat in a chair unable to hide her anxiety.
She trembled like someone who had committed a grave sin, and her appearance was truly pitiful.
I sat beside her and gently took her hand.
“From now on, you shall serve as Her Highness’s maidservant. Conduct yourself with propriety in all matters so as not to bring dishonor to Her Highness.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Steward Dailsa’s gaze was piercing.
Anyone meeting him for the first time would undoubtedly find him utterly cold.
His tone itself was frigid.
“You must dedicate yourself to your studies to be a worthy companion to Her Highness. To acquire the refinement and decorum befitting a maidservant, I shall guarantee you as much study time as you require.”
Yet the substance of his words was remarkably warm.
“You must demonstrate outstanding achievement. Only then can you develop a deeper friendship with Her Highness.”
“Is that…the reason I should study?”
“Yes. Should there be another reason?”
“….”
Yuri’s hand, which held mine, gripped tightly.
Her body trembled.
“Is that really the reason I should study? Not for the honor of the royal family, or to avoid bringing shame upon my patron…?”
“Your role is to fill Her Highness’s time with joy.”
He could have spoken more gently.
I whispered softly into Yuri’s ear.
“The steward is asking you to be my friend.”
“….”
“Actually, I’ve been lonely too, having no friends.”
Yuri bit her lip firmly.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
Sigh. How much she must have suffered for her emotions to overflow like this.
I carefully placed a handkerchief upon her hand.
Servant Deilsa continued speaking with an expression as cold as ice.
“Furthermore, the welfare benefits for those working in the imperial palace are quite excellent. I will also provide you with a booklet containing various manuals for your reference.”
If a family member of someone working in the imperial palace falls ill, the palace takes responsibility for their care.
From the start of treatment until complete recovery.
That was what Servant Deilsa meant.
“However, there is one condition that must be settled first….”
“I would need permission from my Mother and Biological Father, wouldn’t I?”
Typically, personnel decisions for those working in the Arena Palace fell under the authority of the palace’s steward.
But this case was somewhat unusual.
The Rosild Duke’s household had driven Yuri away, accusing her of theft.
To accept Yuri would essentially mean taking in a criminal as a lady’s maid.
Yet the imperial palace does not accept criminals.
That would mean directly contradicting Rosild’s words.
So hiring Yuri at the imperial palace would also serve as proof that “Yuri is not a thief.”
“The Rosild Duke’s household will certainly object.”
“….”
Servant Deilsa fell silent for a while.
“Why are you doing that?”
“I was thinking you seemed as bright and warm as sunlight, but when I see moments like this….”
“Moments like this?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Steward. There are two worst things in this world. One is leaving your words unfinished, and the other is….”
I cut off my own words.
I know how to interrupt too.
But Servant Deilsa didn’t seem particularly affected.
I felt a bit frustrated.
“In any case, I will handle that part.”
From the royal family’s perspective, it was difficult to call this “fatal,” but it was certainly an awkward matter.
It was something Servant Deilsa would have to bear some risk for as well.
“I’ll do it.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll speak to my Biological Mother and Biological Father directly. I think that’s the right thing to do.”
This was my doing. So it was right that I take responsibility for it.
That evening, I had dinner with my Biological Father.
My Mother was there with us as well.
‘Mother and Biological Father together for dinner.’
In my past life, that was merely a dream. Now it was reality.
I felt inexplicably happy and excited.
After the happy dinner ended, Mother wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“So… what is it that our daughter so desperately wants to say? Why did you call for Mother and me?”
Even that single gesture carried such grace that I found myself unconsciously mimicking Mother’s movements.
Tap, tap.
I’ll have to do it like Mother eventually.
It lacked the natural elegance that flowed so effortlessly from Mother, but I managed to imitate it nonetheless.
“Well, you see, the thing is.”
It happened like this and that.
I explained the entire situation from beginning to end and asked for permission to accept Yuri as my lady’s maid.
My Biological Father, who had been listening in silence, finally spoke.
“So. What you’re saying is….”
Words I could never have imagined began to flow from my Biological Father’s lips.

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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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