Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 15

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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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Chapter 15

“I greet Your Highness the Princess.”

“Welcome, Clovis.”

Anastasia rose from her seat with a bright smile.

The man with long silver hair tied back respectfully kissed the back of her hand.

It was Clovis Ervin Pretium, the eldest son of House of Pretium.

His shimmering hair and splendid attire exuded an aristocratic atmosphere.

Anastasia gestured for him to sit and curled up the corners of her mouth.

“We’ve only exchanged letters, so it feels like it’s been a long time since we greeted each other in person like this.”

At this, Clovis flinched and bowed his head.

“I should have visited and paid my respects more often. I apologize.”

“It’s all because your business is doing so well, how could I scold you for that? We’re in the same boat, after all.”

“It’s all thanks to Your Highness being such a reliable supporter.”

His snake-like, long narrow eyes curved into circles.

“I’ve prepared a small gift to express my gratitude.”

“How about having a cup of tea first? You must not have had a moment to catch your breath, coming straight up from the estate.”

Anastasia flicked her finger. Then a maid who had been standing close to the wall holding a silver tray carefully approached.

“…!”

At that moment, the maid’s hand slipped as she poured tea with a tense expression. Red tea water pooled on the table.

The startled maid bowed her head deeply.

“I-I’m sorry! Your Highness, I…”

Splash.

It was before the maid could finish speaking.

“Kyaah!”

Anastasia poured the hot tea directly onto the maid. The maid clutched her face and let out a piercing scream.

Tea water dripped from her reddened face, wetting the floor.

“Ah, so noisy. So uncouth…”

Anastasia set down her teacup with a sharp sound and frowned.

“Clean it up.”

At Anastasia’s gesture, those who rushed over roughly dragged out the crying maid.

“…”

Clovis’s face hardened at the sudden situation.

‘It was hot enough to steam, and she poured that on her face…’

The cruelty behind that pretty face. Even though he wasn’t unaware of Anastasia’s temperament, his heart sank for a moment.

But he soon pretended not to be flustered and forced up the corners of his mouth.

“Training servants is truly not easy.”

“Exactly. They’re incompetent, lazy, and pathetic. If you let things like that be, they don’t know their limits and keep crawling up.”

“I hope seeing this will ease your mind even a little.”

Clovis picked up the bundle he had set aside and placed it on the table.

“This contains newly acquired information. You’ll probably find it quite useful.”

“Really?”

Anastasia tilted her head.

“For just information, the bundle looks quite large.”

Clovis whispered slyly.

“Of course, I’ve included a small token of sincerity as well. I guarantee you’ll like it.”

“Oh my.”

Anastasia covered her mouth and smiled brightly.

“How could I not cherish you when you do things like this? I wonder how I should repay you for this.”

“Your Highness’s joy is my joy.”

Clovis placed his fist on his chest and bowed respectfully. Then Anastasia, who had curled up the corners of her mouth, leaned her upper body toward the table.

“But I haven’t been able to see your younger brother’s face at all lately. Is something wrong?”

“He’s probably drinking somewhere with a nice view. He’s always been such a carefree fellow.”

“Hmm.”

Anastasia tilted her head and spoke meaningfully.

“I’ll soon be officially recognized as the formal heir in front of people, and after that, I’ll have to choose a suitable marriage partner. I did meet a few princes as Father suggested, but none of them caught my eye.”

“How could finding a spouse worthy of Your Highness be easy? They would need to be flawless in every way.”

Anastasia shook her head.

“Not really. I don’t expect that much from my husband. As long as he’s reasonably good-looking and obedient, that’s fine. It would be even better if he has a solid background that could support me.”

Clovis’s eyes widened slightly as he remained silent for a moment, gauging Anastasia’s intentions.

“Perhaps Your Highness is thinking of Lawrence…”

“That’s right.”

Anastasia smiled wickedly. She lightly stroked the bundle in front of her with her fingertips as she spoke.

“This should be sufficient as a return gift for this present. What do you think?”

* * *

“Well, well, there’s actually a day when big brother seeks me out first.”

A man with tousled curly silver hair strode across the room.

“I was so startled I thought Father had passed away or something.”

“Watch your words, Lawrence. You’re of marriageable age now, shouldn’t you start acting more mature?”

Clovis furrowed his brow and hardened his expression. What a pathetically hopeless fellow.

Clovis Ervin Pretium, and Lawrence Evan Pretium.

Though they both had silver hair and blue eyes befitting members of House of Pretium, objectively the two didn’t resemble each other much.

Perhaps it was natural. They were half-brothers. Clovis was born to the deceased former wife, while Lawrence was born to the current wife.

Lawrence, who inherited the delicate features of the current duchess, was called ‘the most beautiful man in the kingdom’ and received people’s attention. Lawrence rather enjoyed that attention, and Clovis always found that behavior distasteful.

‘Still, there are days when that pretty face proves useful.’

He had long known that Princess Anastasia was interested in Lawrence, but he hadn’t expected her to actually be thinking of marriage.

If Lawrence became the princess’s partner, neither Delrn nor Haizen would be able to check Pretieum.

Under the protection of Anastasia as king, business would flourish day by day, and he would gain power rivaling that of a king.

A smile briefly crossed Clovis’s lips as he indulged in sweet dreams.

“I called you because a marriage proposal has come for you.”

“A marriage proposal?”

Lawrence’s expression instantly became listless. He waved one hand dismissively as he answered.

“No thank you. I prefer my current freedom without being tied down anywhere.”

“Even if it’s a proposal from the royal family?”

Pause.

At the unexpected words, Lawrence raised his head. Clovis chuckled as if he had expected this reaction.

“Princess Anastasia has shown interest in you. It’s an offer too good for you. Consider it an honor and prepare well without any mishaps.”

Snicker.

Lawrence’s lips twisted crookedly as he listened to Clovis’s story.

“Isn’t this only good news for big brother?”

“What?”

“Everyone knows that you and Princess Anastasia are close friends. Just because I only wander around outside doesn’t make me a complete fool who knows nothing.”

Lawrence snorted.

“If you’ve lived luxuriously and extravagantly all this time relying on the Pretieum name, you should occasionally be helpful to the family. Useless things tend to get cast out.”

“…”

Veins bulged on the back of Lawrence’s hand. Knowing this wasn’t just empty threats, he gritted his teeth and pressed his lips shut.

When their bedridden father passed away, Pretieum’s vast inheritance would go to Clovis as the eldest son. It was frustrating and infuriating, but that was the law.

With even stronger power in his hands than now, making Lawrence’s life difficult would be nothing for Clovis. He might even try to snatch away the crumbs that fell into Lawrence’s hands.

Thud.

A pristine white envelope stamped with the royal seal was tossed in front of Lawrence, who was consumed by a sense of defeat.

“How fortunate that you’re not a complete fool who knows nothing. Then you must also understand what it means to refuse a royal command.”

Clovis stared straight into Lawrence’s eyes and warned him.

“Don’t tarnish the family name. That would be beneficial for you as well.”

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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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