The Cooking Princess - Chapter 54

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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 54

Whether Claude was flustered or not, Chloe just found the current situation absurd and ridiculous.

“Even if this incident blocks my marriage prospects, that’s something His Highness the Prince should take responsibility for or not, it’s not something Your Grace Duke Claude needs to worry about.”

Whether Chloe became engaged to Shuel according to the original story or not was outside of Claude’s jurisdiction.

When she clearly pointed out this fact, Claude’s face darkened,

“Right, Your Highness the Prince?”

Chloe sought Shuel’s agreement without caring how Claude’s face looked.

It was a judgment that having even one person on her side would give her an advantage in the argument.

Chloe, who had been glaring at Claude the whole time, turned her head toward Shuel, and could see Shuel avoiding her gaze with a somehow reddened face.

“Y-yes. That’s right.”

Saying that while looking restless as if he didn’t know how to react, Chloe finally noticed from Shuel’s face.

‘…Oh.’

What she had just said wasn’t simply meant to keep Claude in check, but could also be seen as drawing a line with Claude because she had feelings for Shuel. Realizing this fact belatedly, Chloe’s cheeks also warmed up a little.

And Claude seemed to have interpreted Chloe’s words similarly to Shuel.

He remained silent with an unprecedentedly cold expression, persistently observing Chloe’s complexion, and as soon as he saw the flush on her cheeks, he let out a scoff as if he was truly astounded.

“Ha.”

And he added this as if he found it truly absurd.

“What, are you two going to have a love marriage or something?”

Claude was really gritting his teeth as he spoke, and Chloe could feel it to the point of being flustered.

Since Chloe still couldn’t understand why Claude was reacting so sensitively, she looked at Claude with incredulous eyes and thought.

‘Does he really like me?’

She understood him keeping Shuel in check since it would be troublesome if Shuel, the biggest obstacle in his path, gained a reliable in-law family.

However, Claude’s attitude had been strangely suspicious from earlier.

As the persistent staring contest between Chloe and Claude continued, Shuel naturally grabbed Chloe’s shoulder to make her look at him, then added this.

“The treaty ceremony between the Luzhiere Imperial Family and the Magic Tower is a very meaningful event in itself. What the Duke is thinking won’t happen.”

But Claude blatantly ignored Shuel and looked only at Chloe, speaking in a seething tone.

“As you know, Her Majesty the Empress wants your engagement with me, no.”

Claude paused briefly and took a deep breath. His will to somehow calm himself down was palpable.

“Going further, she even wants marriage.”

Since Claude didn’t seem like he would distort and convey the Empress’s intentions, that statement was probably true.

But Chloe found it absurd.

‘So what am I supposed to do about it?’

Really, what was she supposed to do.

‘Just because Her Majesty the Empress wants it, do I have to marry Claude?’

And judging based on the original story, Chloe’s fiancé was more likely to be Shuel.

‘Though the original story is so destroyed now that it’s about to scatter, so I can’t even guarantee that.’

Still, it was true that Claude’s influence had been strong lately and Shuel’s spirit had been broken.

In the original story too, Claude persistently kept Shuel in check until he, the legitimate prince, finally ascended to the crown prince position.

In such a situation, thinking that she couldn’t make Shuel suffer more by saying mean things to Claude, Chloe added this.

“Yes. I’m of course happy that Her Majesty the Empress looks favorably upon me, but this matter is an honor not only for me but also for my family.”

In short, she clearly stated that this wasn’t an action taken because of personal feelings toward Shuel, but a choice made for the benefits that would fall to her.

***

The treaty ceremony between the Magic Tower and the Luzhiere Imperial Family was held grandly.

Now the Emperor of the Luzhiere Empire would be able to bring in battle mages at a slightly cheaper price, and the Magic Tower would be able to act with impunity with a powerful nation backing them.

The time had come when weak mages no longer had to tremble in fear of being hunted.

“His Highness Prince Shuel Siclamene and Duchess Chloe Garnet are entering!”

The two coordinated with sky blue as their accent color, with Shuel wearing an overall black suit and Chloe wearing an overall white and splendid dress.

‘It’s nice that the clothes are moderately coordinated while each person’s individuality is preserved.’

Thinking this, Chloe clicked her heels as she entered the venue of the treaty ceremony.

Eshir wasn’t there.

‘Why isn’t he here? I definitely thought he would be the current Tower Master’s closest aide.’

While feeling puzzled, Chloe secretly prayed that Shuel would be the only royal family member participating in this treaty celebration party.

And.

“Her Majesty Empress Mivelche and Duke Claude are entering!”

‘I knew this would happen.’

As if to show off, betraying Chloe’s expectations, Claude and the Empress attended together.

Chloe had heard that only Shuel would attend, but it seemed the personnel had changed in the meantime.

The Empress wore a beautiful golden dress and Claude wore beautiful formal wear centered on white with blue as an accent.

‘More importantly, why are you brazenly wearing the blue that Shuel and I coordinated as our accent color? This is really annoying.’

Though she had appeared with Shuel, Chloe became disgruntled at the situation where she ended up wearing couple outfits with Claude as well, but since she couldn’t show it at such a good occasion, she quietly clapped and watched the treaty ceremony.

And when the atmosphere became a bit more relaxed, Claude began approaching Chloe with gleaming eyes like a hawk that had spotted its prey.

The direction was too clear to mistake.

The two were now wearing identical white clothes with blue accents.

Meeting in this situation?

‘Are you planning to create a scandal? Don’t come over!’

Chloe tried to slowly move away from her spot, but Claude’s walking speed was much faster.

Just at the moment when the Duke was about to reach her.

Shuel, who had been Chloe’s partner today, naturally wrapped his arm around Chloe’s waist and asked.

“I should dance one song with my partner. What do you think, Duchess?”

At this quick and perceptive relief pitcher, Chloe accepted without declining.

“I think that’s a really! great idea, Your Highness.”

Saying that, Chloe took Shuel’s hand and headed to the dance hall, and Claude, who had missed his target by a hair’s breadth, stopped in place and glared at Chloe.

Bothered by that gaze, Chloe kept glancing toward Claude.

‘Why are you making it so obvious? Just naturally go talk to someone else.’

Wouldn’t this really create some ridiculous scandal between Claude and Chloe?

Just as she was thinking that, something warm touched Chloe’s neck.

It was Shuel.

“While you’re with me,”

He bent his waist and brought his neck to Chloe’s nape, then whispered softly.

“Focus only on me.”

“Your Highness…”

Chloe looked at Shuel with trembling green eyes, and Shuel’s atmosphere, which had seemed slightly cool until just before, immediately softened.

“The time is too precious to waste worrying about the Duke who bothered you.”

Shuel spoke in the gentlest manner and whispered affectionately to Chloe.

“Don’t worry needlessly and enjoy the party.”

Since Shuel’s words were certainly right, Chloe naturally danced following Shuel’s lead.

But this series of situations… seemed to be clearly visible to other people too!

Starting the very next day, an unprecedented scandal involving Chloe, Shuel, and Claude began spreading enthusiastically through the minstrels.

For Chloe, this was something she absolutely never wanted.

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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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