It’s Trouble Because Unrequited Love Is So Fun - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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In the past, he didn’t know because there were only those who laughed like that at his wordplay.

But now that he looked back, he could oddly see the telltale signs of forced smiles tugging at their lips.

It was clearly different from Serenthia, who laughed with genuine sincerity.

He recalled the efforts he had made over the past three years and began organizing his documents properly again.

However, he couldn’t focus on his work at all.

It wasn’t that he was lamenting the reality that his own ‘efforts at humor’ had gone down the drain.

He kept remembering the refreshing face of that woman who had laughed at his jokes.

He remembered Serenthia lying in the bedroom, wrapped up like a silkworm cocoon.

Raphael closed his eyes deeply and opened them again.

‘I should wrap her up even more with blankets today.’

So that not even a bit of skin shows.

No, so that those soft lips don’t show.

Fortunately, his emotions weren’t wavering. If his emotions started moving too, he didn’t know what might happen.

***

The next morning, I opened my eyes with a sparkle.

‘Raphael was really strange last night.’

Suddenly covering me with blankets all the way up to my lips…

‘I almost died from suffocation…’

Because my whole body was wrapped up in blankets, I couldn’t even take off my sleep mask with my own hands and could barely get up with Squirrel’s help.

The sheet next to me was still cold. But…!

[In case of planned Research Institute visit, use the 30-minute time limit starting from 9:55 AM.]

“Oh, really. Look at this. I’m telling you he’s getting attached to me! He’s even telling me his schedule precisely!”

Looking at Raphael’s schedule written in neat handwriting, I was newly moved again.

“Well, that’s quite a modest wish for a young man.”

I didn’t give in to Squirrel’s sarcasm as he cracked acorns on the windowsill.

Instead, I stroked my chin and fell into deep thought, then paused.

‘It’s about time for the warehouse construction materials I want to appear.’

I first thoroughly examined today’s morning newspaper. Information gathering is essential since you never know where hints might come from.

While I was reading the newspaper intently, one article caught my eye.

[His Majesty the Emperor has ordered all nobles in the capital to gather at the Imperial Palace Meeting Hall.]

The Emperor calling together all the capital’s nobles. This isn’t ordinary – what could it be about?

As I read a bit further down the article, I suddenly remembered the letter I received yesterday.

‘Oh, come to think of it.’

[His Majesty is curious about ‘the blessing of the Divines dwelling in the sanctuary,’ so I will likely visit under His Majesty’s orders.]

My eyes sparkled.

‘Good, it’s starting.’

***

“Your Majesty, we sincerely congratulate you on obtaining the mine!”

At the same time, in the Capital City.

When numerous central nobles including Young Count Max Rosemary had gathered, the Emperor announced to the many people.

“Thank you all for gathering. Today, I intend to decide the owner of that mine.”

But if there was something those gathered here were most curious about…

“What kind of mine have you obtained, Your Majesty?”

“A mine that produces Perilde minerals.”

At the mention of Perilde Mine, everyone’s eyes widened with surprise.

A mine containing Perilde minerals, called ‘the greatest construction material in the current Empire,’ had fallen into the Emperor’s hands.

Houses built with Perilde minerals were natural fortresses that wouldn’t collapse unless destroyed by gods.

Not only that? They could also serve as a kind of vault that could perfectly preserve things ‘in their exact state’ inside.

Given this situation, everyone was on high alert about the mine’s ownership.

But the Emperor took his time and started with a preamble.

“I have been pondering what to do with this mine.”

Finally, finally…!

His great Majesty the Emperor is deciding the owner of Perilde Mine!

People’s eyes flashed with light.

They had gathered in this meeting hall solely for this moment.

But the Emperor, for an hour now…

“Therefore, never neglect any kidnapped small children.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

The problem was that the Emperor’s words had been continuing without substance for three hours already.

But they couldn’t tell the Emperor to stop.

To obtain the mine, they absolutely couldn’t displease the Emperor right now.

The Emperor had lost his youngest princess long ago.

Officially, it was only known that the Princess had disappeared one day.

A lost child cannot be buried in one’s heart, and the sense of loss is overwhelming.

So no one in this place could properly respond to the Emperor, and time just continued to flow.

After three meaningless hours had passed like this.

The Emperor gradually raised his hand, ending the utterly useless and substanceless meeting.

“Speaking of matters related to the owner of Perilde Mine.”

When everyone swallowed nervously, the Emperor spoke.

“Young Count Max Rosemary, I have something to say.”

Max’s eyes flashed.

‘Good, gradually… it’s flowing just as Father said it would.’

Max knew why the Emperor had called him.

***

Entering the Emperor’s study, Max wore a serious expression. The Emperor sat across from Max on the sofa and quietly murmured.

“You must know about my youngest daughter’s disappearance case.”

“Yes, I know about it from what I heard from Father.”

“There’s a palace where that child stayed. It’s a place that directly implemented what that tiny child sketched with her very small little hands.”

“…Yes, that’s right. The Youngest Princess had… exceptional talent in architecture.”

While royals are said to be beloved by the gods, among them, the little Princess was certainly something special.

A young genius who personally designed the Princess’s Palace where she would stay.

Several buildings based on her blueprints were thriving in the capital.

‘I heard there were some problems… Then around age seven, she suddenly disappeared.’

Whether it was kidnapping or disappearance, no one knows for certain… except the Emperor.

But Max could guess the Emperor’s next words.

If Father, Count Rosemary’s note was correct, the Emperor would probably…

“The Princess’s Palace is a courtyard-style palace. But after my daughter disappeared, the door leading inside was locked.”

“Ah…”

“Only the main gate opens, and you can only see the small lake in the courtyard, but no one can enter the building. There’s no key to open the locked door.”

“Then…”

“But recently, blueprints of the Princess’s Palace were discovered. It was written there that ‘if you analyze the blueprints carefully, there’s a key to enter the palace.’ And if you open the locked door with that key and enter…”

Probably, now the Emperor will soon…

“…Anyway, you’re a promising architect who has done design several times. So, could you examine the blueprints and the Princess’s Palace together to find the key to enter the Princess’s Palace?”

Max’s lips curved as if dancing.

Father’s note also contained how to carry out that command.

Perilde Mine and people’s praise directed at him seemed visible before his eyes.

***

[Breaking News] His Majesty the Emperor obtains ‘Perilde’ mine, causing a stir…

[Breaking News] His Majesty grants ‘Perilde’ mine to the Rosemary Family?

“This, look at this! This newspaper!”

Early morning, inside the bedroom.

I was dramatically waving the morning newspaper at Raphael.

Raphael looked at me instead of the newspaper and said.

“Yes. I saw it. Rosemary is going to get the Perilde Mine.”

“What do you think about us stealing the Perilde Mine?”

“What do you mean steal?”

“The Perilde Mine! There’s no guarantee Rosemary will actually receive it. How about we go and get it before it’s finalized?”

“Do you know what the Emperor discussed with the Rosemary Family as conditions for handing over the mine?”

“I know!”

“What is it.”

Raphael put down the report he was holding and looked at me.

I answered firmly.

“I’ve been in contact… no, communicating with the architects I invited to the wedding, Baron Porfena, and the High Priest.”

“That’s quite a high-class network.”

“Yes, yes, that’s right. Are you starting to feel some attraction toward me now?”

“No habitual seduction.”

…Tch.

“…Anyway, according to the High Priest… His Majesty called Rosemary, the renowned architectural family, and said, ‘If you can just reveal the major secret related to the Princess’s Palace, I’ll hand over the Perilde Mine.'”

“Right. That exact content is in this morning newspaper too. Are you planning to go to the capital and personally persuade the Emperor for Kairozen Castle?”

“Yes!”

“…Why are you being so enthusiastic about this?”

“Well, I’m the Kairozen Archduchess, aren’t I?”

Somehow, it seemed like a subtle crack appeared in his expression.

“You’re a contract Archduchess. It’ll end after one year.”

“What does that matter?”

“It doesn’t matter even though you’re on contract?”

“No! I told you before. I’m going to enter into a lifetime contract!”

Raphael looked at me with a speechless expression, then turned to look at the window.

“Who said they’d renew it.”

“It seems like you’ve come around. Now you’re just being stubborn.”

His expression that seemed to view me as a ‘troublemaker’ was already familiar.

But!

‘You’re not arguing back anymore, are you?’

…This behavior wasn’t familiar.

‘Could you really be wavering?’

With an excited heart, I enthusiastically appealed to him.

“So you see! I want to become ‘permanent staff’ and work hard by Raphael’s side. In that sense, would you like to go on a ‘trip for just the two of us’ to the capital with me?”

“Just the two of us… a trip?”

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