I’m Sick of the Kind Protagonist, so I Might as Well Just Die - Chapter 52

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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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#52
“The Grand Duke and his wife await permission to enter the Palace.”
At the Attendant’s sudden announcement, Bilateia Fernichiosa Venisike and Leonas Hagpethar Yuletanis froze. The two of them, who had been continuing their scripted quarrel with practiced ease, furrowed their brows in unison with the same thought.
‘Has he lost his mind? Why has he returned?’
Leonas, who had been drinking harsh spirits, and Bilateia, whose hand had been reaching to hurl the glass itself, both abandoned their actions and slowly turned their heads toward the source of the voice. Upon receiving their gaze, the Attendant standing beyond the open doorway bowed more deeply and awaited their response.
“We await the Imperial Princess’s decision. What shall we do?”
“…In the name of Imperial Princess Bilateia Fernichiosa Venisike, I grant the Grand Duke permission to enter the Palace.”
The moment Bilateia’s words fell, the Attendant retreated backward and vanished. Leonas and Bilateia exchanged glances before turning toward the Balcony with grim expressions.
“I am grateful for your swift approval.”
Perenustus, who had just descended from his carriage cradling Aurelia, looked up at them and tilted his head in acknowledgment.
“Who gave you permission to use the Imperial House’s carriage so freely?”
“On the way here, I noticed my own carriage had been damaged, and the Imperial Princess graciously offered me the use of hers.”
“Ah, so it was you?”
Leonas’s crimson eyes glared at Bilateia. Bilateia did not so much as blink, unfurling her fan with deliberate composure.
“I am not so miserly a host that I would refuse to lend a single carriage to my invited guest.”
“A carriage bearing the Imperial House’s crest may only be used by members of the Imperial Family. Surely you are not ignorant of such a fundamental principle.”
“My, how delightful. Are we truly to concern ourselves with such rigid formalities? When you yourself ride in one daily, despite not being of the Imperial Family?”
“You seem to have forgotten—I am your spouse.”
“And you seem to have forgotten—I am the Imperial Princess of this Empire. Just as I granted you the use of the Imperial House’s carriage, I have extended the same courtesy to my guest.”
Leonas’s eyes narrowed to slits as he ground his teeth with an audible crack. Then came the interruption.
“Forgive my intrusion, but my wife has developed a slight fever from exposure to the cold wind. I fear I must take her to her chamber at once… if you have no objection?”
Perenustus interjected. As though determined to vent the frustration accumulated from his quarrel with Bilateia, Leonas suddenly leaped down from the Balcony.
“There is no need for you to come up. I shall handle my own affairs.”
“It sounds as though you would not even permit a tender parting between spouses.”
“Between the Grand Duke and myself, such niceties are unnecessary.”
Leonas seized Aurelia into his arms with something akin to theft, then jerked his chin toward Perenustus. Perenustus’s temples throbbed with barely contained rage as he lifted his gaze to regard Bilateia.
-Bilateia. Would you not prefer to graduate as the sole top student rather than a co-valedictorian?
The moment Perenustus’s voice resonated in her mind, Bilateia snapped her fan open with a sharp crack.
“Goodness, Grand Duke. The Grand Duke is my invited guest who has entered the Palace at my behest. Is that not rather discourteous?”
“I am not in a position to calculate propriety.”
“Ah… Grand Duke, do understand. Given my husband’s origins, he did not receive proper education befitting an heir until he was to assume the Grand Duke’s position, so he occasionally puts me in such awkward situations.”
“There is no need for the Imperial Princess to apologize.”
“No, it is only right that I, as his spouse, apologize for my husband’s rudeness.”
As she spoke, she let the fan in her hand slip from her grasp. Perenustus extended his hand forward and caught the falling fan with graceful ease.
“I have happened to take custody of a precious object belonging to a distinguished person. I do hope the owner will come to retrieve it.”
“My, how did my most treasured fan end up in the Grand Duke’s hands? I shall be down shortly, so I would be most grateful if you would keep it safe for me.”
Leonas departed into the Palace with a sneer at their shameless exchange of words. As if in exchange, Bilateia emerged from the building with graceful steps and extended her hand.
“Grant me a private audience with you as recompense for retrieving my fan.”
“It would be my honor to accompany the Imperial Princess on her walk.”
“I do hope you will entertain me. I have found precious little amusement of late.”
“I’ll do my best with what I have.”
Blatant stares began pouring toward the two figures crossing the garden with such tenderness.
▶ [Observation Alert] Creator’s scheming activity detected!
The 7th Entity shows high interest in the current scene.
The 3rd Entity and 11th Entity have joined the public observation.
Current observation intensity ▮▮▮▮▮▮ 64%
A status window I’d never seen before materialized in the air. Perenustus pretended not to notice it, meeting Bilateia’s gaze with a smile that reached his eyes.
– Bilateia. Be careful not to mix the words we share in our minds with what you speak aloud.
‘Y-yes!’
Her eye twitched slightly before she quickly composed herself, then began fanning herself with a sly smile.
‘What can I help you with, Professor?’
-How I wish Aurelia could communicate with such efficiency as Bilateia does.
Perenustus sighed genuinely, then naturally plucked a flower and wove it around Bilateia’s wrist. The maids who had been clinging to Bilateia’s shadow widened their eyes before breaking into mischievous grins and discreetly withdrew.
▶ [Observation Alert] Creator flirts with the Female Lead!
All Entities have joined the observation!
Observation intensity ▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮ 100%
-…Such are the tastes of these ancient relics.
Perenustus stared intently at Bilateia, deeply displeased by the Ancient Gods’ attention. Bilateia gently swung her wrist adorned with the flower bracelet, urging him to continue.
“Doing something you’ve never done before—it seems you’re about to demand an absurd price for this bracelet.”
“It shouldn’t be an unbearable price for the Imperial Princess.”
“I’m listening.”
“Please officially recognize me as the Imperial Princess’s lover.”
Bilateia stopped walking.
▶ [Special Alert] Creator volunteers to become the Female Lead’s lover!
Creator’s voluntary submission narrative detected!
[Comedy] total increases due to surge in Entity euphoria!
Energy harvest reaches all-time record high!
Bilateia found herself staring at the status window that flickered in crimson letters before hastily averting her gaze. Unable to find anywhere else to look, she had no choice but to glare at the flower bracelet while cursing inwardly.
‘Professor! Wait, is this… is this right? Are you serious?’
-Absolutely.
‘No, no! You’re suddenly becoming the Imperial Princess’s lover—what are you planning to do?!’
-I’ve simply created a spectacle perfectly suited to the ancient relics’ tastes. Now it’s up to you to think quickly about what comes next, Bilateia.
‘Me?!’
-Your sole top position is on the line. You should at least make that effort.
‘….’
Unable to bear glaring at the Creator directly, Bilateia could only glare daggers at the flower bracelet before closing her fan.
“What do I gain by officially recognizing you as my lover?”
-Oh. So you’re going to play it that way?
“It should be a better reason than some shallow lie about wanting revenge on my husband for toying with his wife.”
Bilateia made Perenustus solve the riddle he’d posed with his own words, and she laughed softly. Perenustus carefully considered the possible developments from his current position, then selected the most useful excuse.
“Would you believe me if I said I simply cannot abide serving a master who loses his reason over mere puppet play?”
“Just because my husband has fallen into such foolish puppet games does not mean I should debase myself with the same nonsense.”
“How could I possibly compare the two? The Imperial Princess is the legitimate heir of the Previous Emperor, while the Grand Duke is nothing but a beast holding her hostage, coveting a station far above his station.”
Bilateia furrowed her brow deeply as she regarded Perenustus.
‘So while he and the Professor draw the Ancient Gods’ attention, Aurelia is preparing to cause a major incident… Is that why you’re concentrating their focus here?’
-Indeed, we understand each other well. From the world I experienced before, I saw that Aurelia has quite the talent for overturning nations, much as she does people’s hearts.
Bilateia sighed in agreement with his words while feigning a moment of wavering resolve.
“So we plan the hunt for the beast under the guise of a mistress, stealing time alone together?”
“I am overjoyed that the Imperial Princess recognizes my loyalty.”
“No. You cannot merely speak of joy—my husband is watching from above.”
With those words, Bilateia stopped walking. It was the very place where Perenustus had once held Aurelia and hummed a tune. Standing at the center of the pristine iron structure, Bilateia lifted the corners of her mouth with mischief.
“Well then, shall we act like a proper mistress now?”
“….”
“You must do it very well. Well enough to deceive both my husband watching from above and my attendants whose eyes gleam from every corner of the garden.”
For a moment, Perenustus clenched his teeth without thinking, but he swiftly composed himself and smiled with an almost sinister beauty, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Are you certain?”
“What could possibly trouble me? I am rather looking forward to it.”
“Then I shall not hold back.”
Perenustus smiled at Leonas Hagpethar Yuletanis’s intense, murderous gaze from afar, then wrapped his arm around Bilateia’s waist and tilted his head. Bilateia, who had not expected him to go this far, drew a breath and turned her head when Perenustus’s voice pierced directly into her mind.
-Bilateia. Your practice is lacking. You need to turn your head more than that. Only then will it appear from a distance as though you are truly kissing without any actual contact between the performers.
‘…How irritating.’
-You also need practice hiding your thoughts.
‘Sigh…’
The moment Bilateia turned her head while suppressing her irritation, the status window that had been blinking red burst and flooded with white light.
▶ [Observation Alert] Unexpected physical contact detected!
The transaction between the Imperial Princess and the Creator has been established!
Development Expectancy ▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮

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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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