That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 296

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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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Special Side Story, Episode 3
“Your ribbon’s coming loose.”
“Oh…….”
“Come here.”
Ferdinand strode forward and untied the ribbon attached to Tulia’s hat, then retied it carefully.
“…….”
Tulia held her breath without realizing it, her eyes rolling side to side. When she saw his hand moving beneath her chin, a strange feeling washed over her.
His hands bore both the distinctive firmness of a knight and the inherent grace of a crown prince, existing in perfect harmony.
And watching his long, downcast lashes made her chest tighten pleasantly.
“What is it? Am I tying it too tight?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Then why are you staring at me like that? Is it uncomfortable?”
“It’s not that…….”
Tulia couldn’t bring herself to voice the hundreds of thoughts racing through her mind.
Ferdinand, puzzled, looked up.
“What is it?”
“Tsk tsk.”
As Tulia was trying to give a vague answer, a clicking sound came from beside them.
“My, the young lord certainly knows his way around. You can tell at a glance—this young lady’s flustered and tongue-tied because of him.”
“……?”
“……?”
Both their gazes turned sharply backward. Tulia and Ferdinand’s eyes widened slightly. Two well-dressed elderly ladies stood there, fanning themselves, watching the couple with obvious interest.
The foremost of the old ladies looked Ferdinand up and down and spoke.
“You two are clearly a young married couple off on a honeymoon—the latest fashion in the Eastern Region, or so I hear. A honeymoon, they call it.”
“Hmph. I think it’s vulgar, myself. How did such an embarrassing custom—something even commoners who’ve touched a bit of coin indulge in—ever spread to the Blue Blood? Everyone ought to be locked in a convent to come to their senses.”
“But it does look lovely, doesn’t it? In my day, we couldn’t even imagine young couples going off on trips alone. Young people today are quite fortunate.”
“I’m sure the young lady begged him to go.”
“Not at all. The lord must have suggested it first. Look at his eyes. Anyone can see he’s a devoted husband!”
“No, no. Didn’t you see how the young lady couldn’t take her eyes off him earlier? She was playing the vixen to keep her handsome husband close.”
“The vixen is the young lord! Didn’t you hear what he said? That it felt like oiling his joints!”
“The problem is you have no sense of perception! That’s precisely why you didn’t realize your own husband harbored unrequited love for you for fifty years!”
“Why must you resort to personal attacks? In any case, the young lord must have suggested the trip first!”
“No! It was the young lady!”
The two elderly ladies continued bickering until Ferdinand led Tulia away inside.
* * *
“Young Lady, Master. Your meal is ready.”
At the escort knight’s guidance, Ferdinand turned his head. Tulia had been happily admiring the rare masterpiece paintings they’d purchased aboard the cruise ship.
“I didn’t know you were fond of paintings.”
“Well, riding such a massive ship made me feel like I needed to buy plenty of masterpieces.”
“Why?”
“Because I once watched a film—a play—where the female lead did exactly that.”
Tulia set down the painting and smiled brightly.
“I’m hungry.”
Ferdinand rose from his seat at once and offered her his arm.
Being such an enormous cruise ship, it had its own private dining room. The enchanted floor-to-ceiling glass windows afforded a magnificent view of the ocean’s horizon at a glance.
“Wow.”
Tulia’s eyes went wide with wonder.
Atop a mahogany dining table draped in pristine white linen, silver candlesticks and vases were arranged charmingly.
On a broad silver tray filled with crushed ice sat freshly harvested fresh oysters. The glistening shells were topped with finely minced herbs, lemon juice, and a jewel-like drizzle of red pepper sauce to enhance the flavor.
A servant selected an oyster with tongs for her. Tulia’s eyes sparkled as she slipped it into her mouth.
Of course, oysters appeared frequently at the Grand Ducal House’s table, but their freshness when eaten aboard ship was incomparable. The meat grew increasingly sweet and rich with each bite, while the lemon’s acidity cut through the briny taste perfectly.
Ferdinand watched Tulia with a faint smile on his lips.
Soon came butter-roasted scallops, followed by various fine fish dishes and meat courses. Tulia ate everything without leaving a morsel and felt as though she might burst.
“Is it all right to enjoy ourselves like this?”
When Ferdinand looked up, Tulia blinked.
“We have another purpose for being here, yet it feels as though we’re just traveling.”
“So it’s becoming fashionable in the Eastern Region.”
“……?”
Tulia understood Ferdinand’s words a beat too late.
“Surely you’re not actually concerned about what those old ladies said?”
“Well.”
Ferdinand had found the concept of a “honeymoon” unfamiliar.
The Briyang Empire had no such custom.
Moreover, how could the Imperial Family—and not even the Imperial Family proper, but the Crown Prince destined to inherit the throne—possibly leave at leisure for a trip with his betrothed?
But…….
“You clearly knew about it already.”
“Yes, I did.”
“So I was the only one in the dark.”
“Most people probably wouldn’t know. I just happen to be clever.”
The majority of Briyang’s nobility certainly wouldn’t. Amusement flickered across Tulia’s face.
“So you’re creating a honeymoon atmosphere now?”
“…….”
“Because those old ladies got under your skin?”
“…….”
“Or did you suddenly develop a romantic notion?”
“…….”
“Ferdinand?”
“……Don’t tease me.”
Tulia finally couldn’t help herself and burst out laughing.
* * *
‘The cruise was delightful.’
As Tulia followed Ferdinand, she glanced back longingly at the ship.
At least they’d be able to board it again for the return journey.
After roughly half a day had passed.
Tulia and Ferdinand arrived at the cave where the “Confidant” was said to be hiding, accompanied by knights.
“Your Highness, Lady Grand Duchess. Please be careful.”
“We’ve driven them into this direction, but we cannot predict when they might self-destruct.”
Ferdinand gripped his sword tightly and surveyed the damp interior of the cave.
The smell of moss. And bats occasionally emitting eerie sounds in the depths of the cave.
Ferdinand suddenly felt the urge to laugh. It was not laughter of a pleasant sort.
It was contemptuous laughter directed at his own father, who had gone to such lengths merely to pass on an imperfect empire to him.
Of course, he had always been that sort of man. While many sovereigns consider their legacy after death, a rare few tyrants care nothing for the nation’s fate once they are gone.
Former Emperor Alessandro was that type. Perhaps he had not been born so, but banished from the throne, he had become more pathetic than any foolish ruler before him.
Ferdinand had already sent people to the Borderlands to order his arrest, yet truthfully, he did not know what came after.
Execution?
Logically, it was impossible.
Ferdinand could not help but consider Tulia’s honor rather than his own disgrace. To think of the Empress loved by a cruel emperor who executed his own father—he dared not imagine how many tongues would wag.
So yes, Tulia was the problem.
Precisely, the problem was that he wished for every part of this woman to remain unblemished and whole.
Former Emperor Alessandro had struck his vital point with perfect accuracy.
How to make that cursed man suffer most acutely.
Every time Ferdinand entertained such thoughts, it seemed no accident that he had contracted Divine Power Excess Syndrome.
He was not a man but a monster wearing human shape.
Perhaps that was why his own mother had poured such Divine Power into him.
To prevent something too terrible for words from ever being born.
And so, therefore…….
“Ferdinand. There’s a stone ahead.”
At her whispered voice, Ferdinand suddenly came back to himself.
Tulia was following him like a cat, her cloak pulled up over her head.
Ferdinand’s rigid mouth slowly softened.
Yes.
If he were a monster, this woman would never have chosen him.
So he was entitled to live justly.
It was all right.
Ferdinand murmured low.
“Thank you.”
Tulia spoke seriously.
“It’s nothing to thank me for.”
Ferdinand laughed quietly.
“Your Highness! There is a magic circle ahead!”
“We cannot identify the magic!”
“Be careful the cave doesn’t collapse!”
The knights’ shouts rang out as they ventured roughly halfway into the cave.
Ferdinand drew his finger to draw blood, then smeared it on his sword. As he swung it through empty air, black mist tore apart and the magic circle began to crumble.
An abandoned altar came into view. Atop it lay a corpse and the Diamond of the Imperial Crown.
Ferdinand raised one eyebrow.
“Found it.”

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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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