Siena Dating Agency - Chapter 18

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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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18.

The Karnon Empire I live in wasn’t the setting of a historically rigorous romance fantasy novel.

It was just a female-oriented game created by a platform for entertainment purposes.

‘That’s why they sell things like iced americanos, and there are like a dozen northern grand dukes.’

Nobles also walk the streets more freely than in novels.

Honestly, considering my status as a count’s daughter, don’t the employees treat me too casually?

Other commoners besides our employees had that same atmosphere.

‘That’s probably because this game’s worldview itself isn’t solid.’

However, within this loose world, there existed a place that stood apart.

‘The Imperial Palace.’

Even before I became aware of my possession, I knew the Imperial Palace was a frighteningly closed-off space.

Even those with the status of grand duke had difficulty entering.

‘Should I say it’s like a completely different genre…?’

It felt like the only thriller zone within a cheerful romantic comedy.

This conservative Imperial Palace only opened its gates to nobles once a year, in early summer, around this time.

For the purpose of the previously mentioned ‘ball.’

‘Anyway, how are commoner employees supposed to enter such a place?’

Of course, there were people who served and did odd jobs during the ball.

But they were those who had worked in the palace for a long time.

‘Simply put, they’re commoners who have already earned the royal family’s trust.’

I swept my tongue inside my mouth and muttered.

“Unlike the salon, bribery is impossible, and disguises would be useless because of the inspections…”

I naturally let out a sigh.

‘I boasted confidently to Johan that I would definitely succeed, but I didn’t think about the realistic problems.’

Damn mouth, why did you cause trouble?

“How should I solve this…”

That’s when it happened.

Ding-dong, the bell rang at the Center’s front door.

“Oh? Center Director.”

For some reason, the youngest, who hadn’t been at his usual spot today, had finally come to work.

Lian had coffee in his hand.

Only then did I realize where he had gone.

‘He must have been to a coffee shop.’

No, how much did he want coffee that this lazy person went to the city from the crack of dawn?

“You’re here.”

I replied absentmindedly while sipping my coffee.

Lian, who had been approaching, stopped walking.

He stared at me intently, then let out a small snort.

It was absurd.

‘Really, he’s late and yet he’s sighing while looking at others.’

Meanwhile, Finn and Heaven were sending slightly resentful looks toward Lian.

It was obvious they were thinking there wasn’t any for them again.

But then, that’s when it happened.

“Screech!”

Suddenly, Hawk let out a loud cry.

The bird, which had been sitting on a chair in the corner, instantly charged toward Lian.

Lian’s half-closed eyes widened.

Instead of the frozen Lian, Heaven screamed for him.

“Aaaah! What… Why is it suddenly acting like that?! It must be crazy!”

Hawk, flapping its wings and shedding black feathers, landed on a shelf next to Lian.

“Screech! Screech!”

It was in an incomprehensibly excited state.

‘Why is it acting like that?’

Could it be… it knows Lian?

Just as Hawk was watching Lian, Lian was doing the same.

After staring at each other for a while, he gradually narrowed his eyes.

“…Why is this bird here?”

The usual butter-like softness on his face had completely disappeared.

Honestly, I was a bit puzzled.

‘Why is he so sharp?’

Of course, if he was afraid of birds, it would make sense for him to act harshly.

But Lian didn’t seem particularly frightened.

‘If he was really scared, he would have screamed or stepped back like Heaven.’

And what was even stranger…

“Why is this bird here?”

Was what he had just said.

‘From the way he asked… it means he knows this hawk.’

That made sense, given the nuance.

As I was wondering, I suddenly realized.

‘Ah, could it be Lian’s hawk?’

That was possible.

Especially since Hawk, which had been fine around other people, started causing a commotion as soon as Lian arrived.

‘Right. He seems angry thinking I stole his bird.’

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I brought it. This hawk suddenly flew into my house yesterday. It kept following only me and came all the way to the Center.”

“…”

“But, youngest, are you by any chance this bird’s owner?”

Then Lian raised his eyebrows.

“What?”

With an expression as if I had asked a shameless question.

‘Huh…? Did I just say something rude?’

But my tone was perfectly fine.

The content wasn’t strange either.

‘I simply asked if he was the owner.’

Lian, who had been frowning, answered slowly.

“…No, there’s no way I’m the owner.”

Lian’s voice was clearly different from usual.

‘Just like when I feel like I’m a different person.’

The employees seemed to sense it too.

Anyway… whatever it was, we couldn’t keep going like this.

Customers would be coming in soon.

Hawk kept staring at Lian.

I approached Hawk and covered its eyes.

“I’ll hold it, so quickly go to the sofa.”

“…”

“What? Quickly.”

“…Center Director.”

Suddenly, Lian took a step closer to me.

He whispered to me while continuing to glare at Hawk.

“This hawk, absolutely don’t let it go.”

“…What?”

“No matter what happens.”

It was completely incomprehensible.

‘What is he talking about…?’

Soon Lian let out a long breath and curled up the corners of his mouth.

“…As expected of the Center Director.”

“…?”

“You must be so worried about me being afraid of birds? Anyway, the Center Director always acts prickly despite being like this.”

The sharpness was brief, and he returned to his usual butter-smooth self.

‘Back and forth, it’s not like he’s swapping souls or anything.’

I desperately held back the urge to roll my eyes.

Lian sat on the sofa, and I gently stroked the hawk’s beak to prevent it from flying toward him.

In that state, I opened my mouth to speak.

“Anyway, the ball… it really is a good opportunity, but I guess we have no choice but to skip it.”

The staff silently nodded their heads.

At that moment, Violet’s conversation I had overheard before echoed in my mind.

“I heard The Prince will be attending this ball?”

“Actually, it’s not certain… But from what I’ve heard, there seems to be a possibility for this particular ball.”

Recalling that, I muttered.

“This is troublesome… It’s not certain, but I heard The Prince might attend the Imperial Palace Ball.”

Finn made an ‘ah?’ expression.

“Really?”

“There’s a probability.”

“Hah…”

Immediately, sighs flowed from the staff.

Heaven pressed his hand to his forehead.

“If he really comes, we’ll be in big trouble.”

“That’s right… It wouldn’t just be big trouble, it would be seriously big trouble.”

Finn ran his tongue across the inside of his mouth.

Isadora was chewing her lips nervously.

Then Lian, who had his arms crossed, tilted his head.

“Why?”

It was truly absurd.

‘Why, he asks. Does he really not know?’

No, you were the one who went to investigate Violet with me.

‘You heard that Violet likes The Prince back then, so why are you asking?’

I said to Lian.

“Are you really asking because you don’t know…? The Prince is Johan Beloster’s competitor.”

“…”

“Violet hasn’t set her heart on the marquis yet, so naturally it would be bad if his competitor showed up.”

Moreover, I was both the Center Director who needed to make the request succeed, and someone who liked Johan.

‘I hope Johan’s pride doesn’t get scratched.’

If Violet’s feelings were to be noticed by Johan…

‘No, Johan! Don’t cry!’

I didn’t even know if Castillian would come that day, but just imagining it broke my heart.

Lian stared at me intently.

Trapping my reflection in his deep, swamp-like red eyes.

Then, Heaven, who had been sitting in a slouched position, spoke up.

“But I’m curious about something else.”

“What?”

“About The Prince. He’s never shown himself even once.”

Then Finn agreed.

“That’s right. He’s kept so hidden that I’d like to see him in person just once… Though it’s impossible for commoners like us.”

“If The Prince attends this ball, I think at least a portrait might circulate.”

Isadora chimed in too.

Actually, I felt the same way.

‘If it weren’t for the request, there’s no way I wouldn’t want to see that bastard.’

I was dying to see Castillian, who was the embodiment of an alpha male.

I resented my bird brain for not remembering the cover of 【The Crown Prince’s Invasion】.

‘Why do human memories gradually fade…?’

Suddenly, Lian asked.

“Are you curious? About The Prince.”

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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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