That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 298

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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 5
“This shade really does exist here?”
At Tulia’s words, the designers’ shoulders shot up.
“Truly exquisite taste! This was genuinely difficult to procure—like plucking a star from the sky!”
A milky white dress, as if one had crushed the high clouds of heaven and scattered them.
This elegant and striking shade of white had only been released by the Baektul Salon less than two weeks ago—a truly cutting-edge piece.
Naturally, the price was astronomical.
“I’ll take this one.”
“How could your eye be so refined!”
“You’re from the Briyang Empire, aren’t you? As expected of someone from the empire that sets fashion trends…….”
Tulia stood before the mirror in the tailored dress. The subtly shimmering azure made her look like a spirit of the sky itself.
‘Do my subordinates know? That I work this hard at sales even when I’m out like this…….’
She smiled to herself, sparing no praise for her own efforts.
After fastening her diamond earrings, Tulia headed toward the banquet venue.
Over a thousand people boarded the cruise ship, and the hall was already bustling as a result.
“Welcome, lady.”
“We’re delighted to have you.”
Tulia nodded to the servants as she entered. Sweet melody. Glittering chandeliers. She scanned the crowd with a smile, then suddenly furrowed her brow.
The more fragrant a flower, the sweeter the candy—the more insects swarm.
This cruise ship was no exception.
‘Honestly, even without knowing he’s the Crown Prince, they’re shameless.’
Tulia crossed her arms and glared at the area around Ferdinand.
The finest flower and sweetest candy on this ship—in other words, her fiancé—stood in the hall’s interior with an expressionless face.
No matter how cold his expression, his face was impossibly beautiful, his features were graceful, and he stood a head taller than most men, drawing brazen gazes from countless women.
Tulia moved toward Ferdinand. The hall was quite spacious, the crowd larger than expected, and noisy.
Just as she drew near.
“……?”
There are always bold people everywhere. If even strict imperial banquets had them, a free-spirited cruise ship needed hardly be mentioned.
A lady in a bright yellow dress approached Ferdinand with a flushed face.
Her intention was transparent. She seemed to want to throw herself into that handsome young noble’s arms and cause some romantic commotion.
“Oh my!”
The yellow-dressed lady employed a very typical method. Not one common in the empire, but certainly possible. She stumbled right before Ferdinand and seemed about to fall into his arms.
Tulia found this spectacle utterly absurd. When she thought about it, Ferdinand was an exalted Crown Prince, and she was a (former) supremely powerful trash grand duchess capable of wearing a demonic smile—so no one dared attempt such things.
And so…….
Bang!
Ferdinand turned away without even blinking.
“How could you do that!”
A woman who appeared to be the yellow-dressed lady’s friend hurried forward to help her up. She steadied the yellow-dressed lady while reproaching Ferdinand.
“Goodness, how can you not catch a lady when she falls? That’s hardly gentlemanly behavior!”
Just as Tulia was not immune to such incidents, neither was Ferdinand.
The only difference between them was that Ferdinand had the Crown Prince’s arrogance ingrained to his very bones.
Ferdinand wanted to throw both the woman shouting at him and the lady eyeing him off the cruise ship entirely.
It seemed reasonable enough.
But just as he was briefly considering this, Ferdinand felt a familiar hand grasp his arm.
“Ladies, this man is my husband before he is any gentleman.”
Tulia said this while lifting her head haughtily.
“Did you think you could covet a married man? Lady.”
The yellow-dressed lady’s face went pale in an instant. Unable to bear the pressing gazes, she quickly opened her mouth.
“I, I didn’t know this man was married……!”
“I see. In any case, you did try to approach him, didn’t you?”
“No……. That is…….”
Tulia had once been the victor in secret struggles among countless relatives. She was the bearer of rough experience that no gently-raised young noble could possibly withstand.
“Manager!”
At Tulia’s sharp call, the manager who had been watching rushed forward.
“Guest, if we’ve caused you discomfort, I apologize…….”
“An apology?”
Tulia’s eyes widened.
“This cruise ship’s banquet standards are truly vulgar.”
“……!”
“To overlook such crude behavior, and to leave a guest unattended whom the master would have expelled immediately in the Briyang Empire.”
The manager was flustered. He could read every layer of meaning in Tulia’s words.
He didn’t know her station. But from what she’d just said, he could infer that she was either from the Briyang Empire or had connections there.
Most importantly—the dress she was wearing.
It was worth the price of every dress on this cruise ship combined.
Someone who could wear such an expensive gown would naturally be able to attend all the famous banquets across the continent…….
“That is…….”
“The cruise ship’s glamor doesn’t seem to run as deep as appearances suggest. How disappointing.”
“……!”
At a quick signal from the manager, men in black suits approached.
“Guest, would you mind moving outside for a moment?”
“What——! I’m also a legitimate passenger on this ship!”
“Let’s continue our discussion outside, guest.”
“Let go! Mother! Father!”
The awkward atmosphere gradually eased as music began to play. Tulia, wearing an expression of supreme satisfaction, spoke to Ferdinand.
“Why are you staring? Did you like the yellow dress?”
“……That’s absurd.”
Tulia found it strange that Ferdinand was gazing blankly at her and asked.
“What is it?”
“……Nothing.”
Ferdinand coughed awkwardly and turned his head away.
“I thought you didn’t do jealous.”
“Why would I be happy seeing someone flirt with my fiancé?”
As Ferdinand looked at her steadily, unlike usual, Tulia furrowed her brow.
“Without me, you go around wearing a mask.”
“Yes, I will.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’ll do whatever you ask.”
“Hmph.”
As Tulia turned her head sharply away, Ferdinand finally came to his senses. The brilliance of Tulia’s dress hadn’t even registered with him. He found his mind kept returning to her actions just moments before.
He’d thought jealousy was an emotion he alone would feel for his entire life, but then…….
As Ferdinand’s face grew increasingly flushed, Tulia asked.
“Is it hot? Should we go out?”
She glanced around and fanned herself with her hand.
“It is rather stuffy. Let’s get some air.”
“Yes, let’s.”
The two stepped outside. Though they’d seen the night sea many times before, tonight felt somehow more special. The ship was filled with crimson lanterns glowing softly because of the banquet.
A breathtaking sight of enormous stars drifting on the sea, Tulia’s cheeks flushed from the cold air, her lips curved in a smile.
Himself, alive and breathing…….
Ferdinand suddenly felt as though this were all a dream.
“Tulia.”
“Yes?”
“Tulia.”
Called twice in succession, Tulia turned around with a puzzled look.
“What is it?”
Almost simultaneously.
“……What is it?”
Tulia blinked as she found herself cradled in Ferdinand’s arms.
“I love you.”
“…….”
“I love you so much it would be worth dying for.”
Ferdinand thought Tulia’s name was truly perfect.
She would have flowers blooming and growing in his heart for the rest of his life.
A single eternal blossom he would hold in his hand as he finally fell asleep at death.
That trash was me.
Special Side Story Fin.

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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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