I’ll Be the Heroine’s Competent Divorce Partner - Chapter 53

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 53

I struggled to hide my bewilderment and opened my mouth, pretending to be composed.

“So, what brings Your Highness the Crown Prince here?”

“Well, that question seems a bit odd.”

The Crown Prince answered without batting an eye.

“I come to the library frequently as usual.”

Well, that’s a natural answer.

Since this is the Imperial library, not only the Crown Prince but also administrators frequently come and go looking for materials.

As I was momentarily at a loss for words, the Crown Prince shrugged his shoulders and replied playfully.

“Besides, one would naturally come to a library to read books, wouldn’t they?”

Why is it?

The reason that handsome face somehow feels annoying.

I replied bluntly.

“What kind of books are you planning to read?”

Then the Crown Prince glanced sideways at the book I was holding and smoothly narrowed his eyes.

“I’m planning to contemplate the Empire’s fashion industry.”

This guy, is he making fun of me right now?

I glared at him.

But the Crown Prince exceeded my expectations.

He seemed to be examining the bookshelf intently, then started pulling out books one by one.

I was inwardly flustered.

Wait, is he really going to read them?

* * *

After gathering several books like that.

I looked around the reading room searching for a place to sit.

The only problem was that the Crown Prince was following behind me like a puppy.

“Your Highness. I’m planning to read books now.”

So please leave now.

I spoke as politely as possible.

Then the Crown Prince answered with a bright smile.

“How convenient. I’m also planning to read books.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Somehow it seems like Your Highness keeps going the same way as me, is this just my imagination?”

“But that can’t be helped, can it? There are no seats available.”

…That guy definitely noticed but is pretending not to know on purpose.

But it’s not like I rented out the entire reading room.

It was also true that we had been searching around because there really were no available seats, so I was at a loss for words…

Just then.

The Crown Prince made a suggestion.

“Princess, how about going to a private reading room instead?”

“A private reading room?”

“Yes. You need to request a reservation in advance, but I can take care of that much for you.”

Well, honestly, parting ways with the Crown Prince would be best…

But somehow it seems like the Crown Prince plans to stick to me like gum today.

Then the next best option would be a place with no people.

Most importantly, at this rate we’d waste the entire day just looking for a place to read.

With that judgment, I nodded.

“This way.”

Following the Crown Prince’s guidance, I entered a private reading room with absolutely no people around.

A low ceiling.

A room finished in wood tones.

Plush sofas and a spacious table.

It felt very cozy.

“Wow, there’s a place like this too.”

“Usually administrators rent and use this place. To be precise, it’s a reading room combined with a break room.”

The Crown Prince lightly shrugged his shoulders.

I somehow felt sorry for the administrators.

So this is where administrators get ground down to nothing in this reading room?

“…Excuse me, but you’re looking at me like I’m quite the exploitative employer.”

Just then, the Crown Prince spoke to me in a displeased voice.

Oh, was it that obvious?

I hid my expression and smiled brightly.

“That can’t be.”

“Administrators receive overtime pay and night shift allowances, as well as annual leave and vacation days. And…”

Perhaps to restore his honor, the Crown Prince rattled off explanations.

Listening to his explanation, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Pfft.”

Are you laughing?

Since the Crown Prince was looking at me with such eyes, I hastily waved my hands.

“No, I know that too.”

“……”

The administrators of the Crown Prince’s palace were actually popular positions within the Imperial palace.

Although it’s true they get ground down, I heard they also receive proper compensation for it.

Especially since the Crown Prince himself is passionate about work, his subordinates have high trust in him.

However, since the Crown Prince was staring at me with suspicious eyes, I quickly added.

“You don’t need to explain like that, I won’t misunderstand. I’m serious, okay?”

“Yes, well.”

The Crown Prince made a strangely sulky face and plopped down on the sofa.

Looking at such a Crown Prince, I firmly suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out.

‘He has unexpectedly cute sides?’

I thought he was so perfect that he didn’t have a single grain of humanity.

But he gets flustered too.

“Let’s just read books.”

The Crown Prince spoke bluntly.

I put strength into the corners of my lips again and sat across from him, opening my book.

If I laughed again here, the Crown Prince would really get sulky.

Separately, the book wasn’t that interesting.

‘But since Isabel likes it.’

I should study it even superficially.

I widened my eyes and continued turning the pages.

However, I couldn’t help that my eyelids kept getting heavy.

‘Hold on. I must endure…’

I clenched and unclenched my fists.

I gently bit the soft flesh inside my mouth.

She put strength into both her eyes.

She made every effort to focus on her book for a while.

* * *

The surroundings were quiet.

The violet eyes that had been fixed on the book pages slowly lifted upward.

Before she knew it, Elodie was leaning against the sofa with her eyes peacefully closed.

It looked like she had dozed off while reading.

“…….”

The soft yellow light pouring down.

Her long, lush pink eyelashes resting neatly.

Her slightly parted rosy lips.

Even her gentle breathing sounds.

Why was it?

Joshua, who had been watching that sight, found himself strangely speechless.

“Mmm…….”

Just then, Elodie frowned slightly and curled up her body a little.

It seemed she was feeling a bit cold.

‘Ah.’

Only then did Joshua suddenly come to his senses.

Somehow, this seemed to be almost the first time he had seen Elodie this close.

‘What is this feeling?’

A tickling sensation deep in his chest.

Joshua narrowed his brow and took off the jacket he was wearing.

It was because the sight of her shoulders slightly hunched kept catching his eye.

And so, the very moment he draped his jacket over Elodie’s shoulders.

Elodie suddenly lifted her eyelids.

Her pink eyelashes fluttered like cherry blossom petals.

The eyes revealed beneath were as blue as a summer sky.

Their gazes met.

Silence flowed.

“…….”

“…….”

At the same time Joshua stiffened rigidly.

Elodie’s face flushed red like a ripe tomato.

Wh-what should I do about this?

I was completely sound asleep!

“I-I’m sorry!”

Elodie hastily raised her voice.

“I’m not usually the type of person who dozes off like this, it’s just…….”

“…….”

But no answer came from Joshua.

He just stared blankly at Elodie.

Even in her flustered state, Elodie tilted her head curiously.

“Your Highness?”

“Ah.”

At that call, Joshua suddenly looked like he had just woken up.

Then he shook his head with a smooth smile.

“It’s fine. You must have been tired.”

“Ah, yes.”

Elodie was puzzled for a moment, but since it was an embarrassing situation for her as well, she quietly closed her mouth instead of asking further.

At the same time, Joshua changed the subject as if nothing had happened.

“Would you like to have some tea while getting some fresh air?”

Meanwhile, Elodie’s expression became subtle upon hearing that suggestion.

She couldn’t help but think of the coffee house located next to the library.

From what she had glimpsed while passing by, administrative officials were drinking coffee like water with deathly pale faces.

Moreover, that place was obviously bustling with people.

Which meant there would be many watching eyes.

But he was suggesting they sit together and drink coffee?

“But the people…….”

Elodie tried to politely decline.

However.

“Don’t worry.”

Joshua had already put on his characteristically confident face and smiled broadly.

“I have a place I really like. I’m sure you’ll like it too, Princess.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————