The Cooking Princess - Chapter 53

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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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The Princess Who Cooks

 

Episode 53

 

She wanted to keep Claude at a distance, but she didn’t want to make him too hostile either.

 

In the latter half of the original story, Claude would come to steal the throne of the Luzhiere Empire by mobilizing the northern barbarians he had successfully conquered and the monsters they had tamed.

 

There was nothing good about building deeper enmity with such a terrifying villain, so she spoke indirectly.

 

“I look at all three things: character, appearance, and ability.”

 

“Ah, I see. How very demanding of you.”

 

Claude replied with a displeased tone.

 

Since she had already opened her mouth, Chloe decided it would be better to speak clearly, and before saying anything bad, she flattered Claude as much as possible.

 

“Your Grace the Grand Duke is incredibly impressive! But by my standards, there’s just one thing lacking.”

 

“What’s that.”

 

Knowing he would ask this, Chloe deliberately put on an innocent expression and hesitated as if pondering before asking back.

 

“May I say it?”

 

“Say it.”

 

“Your character.”

 

At those utterly audacious words, Claude made a face of disbelief.

 

“You’re saying that straight to my face?”

 

“Wasn’t that what you wanted to hear when you asked?”

 

As if her words weren’t wrong, he fell silent for a moment before glaring at Chloe.

 

She deliberately ignored Claude’s frightening gaze and reached the meeting place with Shuel.

 

“Princess, welcome… Somehow it seems like the Princess and the Grand Duke have been meeting frequently lately.”

 

Chloe had been thinking the same thing, and it seemed Shuel shared that thought.

 

“We met just ahead, and His Grace the Grand Duke was really kind enough to escort me.”

 

“Really? Thanks for the escort. The Princess and I have private business to discuss, so I’d like the Grand Duke to return now.”

 

Despite Shuel’s request, Claude didn’t leave and persisted, saying this:

 

“I’d like to hear what that business is about as well.”

 

At Claude’s shameless words, Shuel seemed momentarily dumbfounded.

 

“You want us to have our conversation in front of the Grand Duke? We have no reason to do that.”

 

Even at Shuel’s firm refusal, Claude didn’t back down.

 

“Princess Chloe often acts impulsively, so I’d like to hear and understand what she’s thinking.”

 

…It certainly seemed like Claude’s position was becoming threatening.

 

Unlike before, seeing Shuel only bite his lips without being able to retort to Claude’s words showed the difference in their standing within the Imperial Palace.

 

‘So that’s why Claude has been following me around so confidently.’

 

Thinking she should probably mediate, Chloe was looking for the right timing to intervene.

 

“Why would the Grand Duke need to hear our conversation? It might be different if you asked the Princess separately.”

 

However, upon hearing Shuel’s words, Claude said something completely different.

 

“That’s been bothering me for a while now.”

 

At Claude’s nitpicking, Shuel tiredly pressed his forehead and replied.

 

“What are you trying to say.”

 

“His Highness the Prince is His Highness the Prince, and Princess Chloe is Princess Chloe.”

 

Having said that, Claude smiled coldly and added.

 

“Not ‘us.'”

 

At Claude’s cold criticism, Shuel fell silent for a moment, and Chloe was flustered.

 

‘He could say “us” for convenience. Really, why is he being like that.’

 

And the request Chloe was about to make to Shuel was indeed something that would bind Shuel and Chloe together as “us.”

 

But Claude continued to respond irritably to Shuel for truly incomprehensible reasons.

 

“Haha. Anyone watching would think you were engaged, Your Highness.”

 

At Claude’s sudden provocation, Shuel looked tired and asked Chloe directly.

 

“So what is this favor you mentioned?”

 

Since she hadn’t properly told Shuel the detailed specifics yet, considering potential leaks, Shuel asked Chloe about the content first.

 

“I heard His Majesty the Emperor accepted the agreement with the Magic Tower.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Shuel affirmed Chloe’s words in a really gentle tone, and she gained some courage from that and cheerfully added.

 

“And I also heard that Your Highness will be attending that occasion.”

 

“Yes, you’re right, Princess.”

 

At those affectionate words, Chloe gained a little more courage.

 

“Um, well. This is a shameless request, but… would it be alright if I accompanied you to that occasion?”

 

At those words, Shuel seemed a little surprised.

 

And his expression was one of brief contemplation. He was probably trying to gauge whether it was possible or not.

 

“Of course! I even got the Merchant Prince’s consent.”

 

Shuel seemed to look at the Merchant Prince’s letter that Chloe had brought with languid eyes.

 

And he answered in a really gentle tone.

 

“I don’t know anyone among the Magic Tower personnel, so I’d rather be receiving help from the Princess. Thank you in advance, Princess.”

 

At Shuel’s gentle acceptance, Chloe’s heart, which had been tense until just moments ago, melted away.

 

‘He said he’d be receiving help from me instead, probably so I wouldn’t feel too sorry.’

 

Shuel’s character was really lovely. He wasn’t the male protagonist for nothing.

 

‘As expected, both Shuel and Claude… they’re both good at handling situations.’

 

Chloe briefly wondered if she had been too focused only on cooking all this time.

 

Up to that point, Claude’s expression wasn’t too bad either.

 

“Then are there any etiquette rules I should know for accompanying you?”

 

But at Chloe’s very next words, Claude’s face contorted like a demon’s.

 

“How very interesting.”

 

What was she supposed to do about him finding it interesting all by himself?

 

Shuel blatantly ignored Claude with the most cheerful and pretty face he’d shown recently, saying only what he wanted to say.

 

“First, I’d like you to wear the same color as me. Um, let’s make the dress code bright sky blue. How about it?”

 

“Sky blue?”

 

“Yes. It’s an agreement ceremony, so it’s a meaningful day. Since it’s such an occasion, I think it would be better to dress brightly.”

 

Even though Claude was right there nearby, when Shuel and Chloe fell into their own world,

 

he spoke as if spitting out words in an incredulous tone.

 

“It seems you don’t even know what it means to attend as partners.”

 

Claude glared at Chloe with a look that seemed ready to devour her and added.

 

“Ah, have you been so busy making food that you’re ignorant of worldly affairs? If so, I’ll acknowledge that.”

 

At Claude’s openly sarcastic words without any intention of hiding it, Chloe couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

 

‘This is really getting on my nerves?’

 

It was because Claude’s words happened to touch on Chloe’s sore spot.

 

Whether Chloe was angry or not, Claude continued to spout only what he wanted to say in a truly incredulous tone.

 

“A prince and princess with no fiancés appearing hand in hand together?”

 

Of course, Chloe also knew what situation Claude was envisioning.

 

She knew, but the celebration for the agreement between the Magic Tower and the Imperial Court was quite meaningful and symbolic.

 

In such a sacred occasion, Chloe would merely serve as a bridge between the Imperial Court and the Magic Tower, and no sordid rumors would spread about her and Shuel.

 

And even if this matter blocked Chloe’s marriage prospects, that wasn’t something Claude needed to worry about.

 

“Why are you so interested in my marriage prospects?”

 

When Chloe asked sharply like that, Claude, clearly flustered, stammered back.

 

“What, what?”

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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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