The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 62

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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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When I said that, Lina’s eyes widened.

“Since you said it’s an event where I can see the treasury treasures directly, I became interested too. Even menial tasks would be fine!”

“What are you talking about, menial tasks? I can’t make you do such things.”

I smiled slightly and added.

“Actually, the treasures are one thing, but it’s also a chance to see Lina gracefully presiding over the event. I want to celebrate with you, as a friend.”

Lina’s cheeks turned slightly red.

“I actually wanted to invite you too, but I hesitated thinking you might be busy with shop work…”

Lina, who had been mumbling, soon sat closer.

“But it’s really okay? Then I’ll send you a formal invitation this time. With my invitation, you’ll be able to see the treasures from up close.”

“Really? Thank you!”

“But you don’t need to help with work at all! Just comfortably watch and rest at the eve party and the main event. Got it?”

Perfect!

‘This is much better than being staff. It’s a chance to monitor Crodil from close by!’

“Yes, then I’ll go comfortably to ‘watch.'”

“Yeah!”

Whether she knew my intentions or not, Lina smiled brightly.

“Ahem.”

Seeing Ailren clearing his throat outside the door, it was time to go back.

But I pretended not to hear.

I had one more thing to ask.

I wasn’t sure if it was just my imagination, but Lina seemed to be pretending not to hear too.

“Lina. About that pendant you inherited from your mother, why does Count Crodil covet it? What’s his ultimate purpose?”

This point had been suspicious to me all along.

I understood it was a family treasure and sacred object, but what was the reason Crodil was so desperate to steal that pendant?

‘The Empress’s family treasury must have other precious treasures too. So why is he obsessed with the pendant?’

When I asked in a whisper, Lina also lowered her voice.

“This pendant is a symbol of the family head.”

“A symbol of the family head?”

“Yeah. You can only be recognized as the family head if you have this. That’s why Uncle is targeting it.”

Crodil’s motive was immediately understandable.

However, there was still an unresolved question.

“But since you already inherited it, you’re the family head, right? Can the family head change just by stealing the pendant?”

“That’s… I’m not the family head yet.”

When I tilted my head, Lina continued, saying ‘This is a secret.’

“To be recognized as the head of Mother’s family, the Etewyrn family, two things are needed. The pendant and the seal. Usually both are inherited from the predecessor, but.”

Lina lowered her eyes.

“Mother, who was the Empress and the previous family head, only left me this pendant. Along with the words ‘I hope this becomes your guide and key.'”

She said quietly.

“…She must have thought I wasn’t worthy of being the family head.”

Lina’s shoulders drooped.

After losing my words for a moment, I carefully asked.

“Do you know where the seal is?”

“I don’t know. Uncle probably has it. Since Uncle, who only inherited the title, is acting as the family head temporarily.”

Lina, who had been clicking her nails, muttered.

“I don’t really know what kind of place Mother’s family is. I’ve never been to Etewyrn Manor either.”

Lina, taking a breath, looked sad.

“Uncle blocked information, and I only received education about the imperial family as a princess, plus Mother was very ill… so we couldn’t talk much.”

“Lina…”

“What if, what if I’m just being stubborn?”

Tears welled up in Lina’s green eyes.

“What if Mother’s keepsake wasn’t meant for me… What if Mother thought I was insufficient to inherit the family just because I’m the direct descendant, and I’m just being greedy?”

Just as the tears that had filled her eyes were about to fall.

I took Lina’s hand.

“No. That was meant for you, Lina.”

“…How do you know that?”

“The more precious something is, the more you entrust it to someone trustworthy.”

After playfully pointing to myself, I held Lina’s hand tightly and whispered.

“The Empress trusted Lina. That you would protect it well. Just as you have until now, that you could protect it well in the future too. I’ll guarantee that. You know I have good judgment, right?”

The moisture gradually cleared from Lina’s eyes as she looked at me as if enchanted.

“…Thank you. It’s really strange, I feel at peace when I’m with you.”

“I have a bit of a talent for that.”

When I joked around, Lina laughed.

I could comfort her because I had similar experiences myself.

I also had memories from my past life of trying to protect the necklace I received from Grandfather.

‘The past me had no one to comfort me, but I’m glad I can at least comfort Lina.’

Speaking of which, the seal.

‘It seems like Crodil intercepted the seal in the middle.’

If the Empress was going to give it, she would have given everything, not just the pendant, right?

As I was thinking, I suddenly heard Ailren’s presence outside the door.

Looking at the clock, it was much later than scheduled. I tactfully stood up.

“Well, I should go now, Lina! Today was really fun. And this, it’s nothing much, but thank you for inviting me.”

I hurriedly took out the gift I had brought from the attic.

“Dried flowers… Nothing much? They’re really pretty.”

They were Grandfather’s dried flowers.

She seemed to like them, so that’s a relief, I thought as I was about to turn around.

“Wait!”

I had half-opened the door when Lina called out.

When I turned around, she held out her hand with a slightly flushed face.

“Here. I said I’d give you storage fees, right? It’s the promised 1 gold.”

What Lina held in her hand was 1 gold.

Yes, it was 1 gold, but…

“This is a commemorative coin for His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday! There are only a hundred in the world with His Majesty’s personal signature!”

“Really, I don’t think so? Look closely. I just picked this up rolling around in my room?”

“Even looking closely, it’s a commemorative coin! This is worth at least five million gold…!”

“Ah, I shouldn’t have told you to look closely. I forgot that you’re an appraisal expert, Elisha.”

“This is too much! It’s not even the amount we originally agreed on!”

“I didn’t specify exactly what kind of 1 gold it was, did I?”

Lina, who had completely silenced me, smiled and slipped the commemorative coin into my bag.

Then.

“Thank you. For everything.”

She hugged me tightly.

“Let’s meet again next time, Elisha.”

Is this okay? Won’t Ailren behind me kick me for daring to touch the princess?

While I was thinking in an awkward position, Lina stepped back and smiled brightly.

“Yes, see you next time, Lina!”

“Yeah. Count Airen, please take good care of my friend.”

I left the Imperial Palace feeling dazed.

After passing through the maze and getting in the carriage, I took out the commemorative coin.

‘Oh, there’s a note attached to the back of the coin.’

I’ll contact you through Count Airen. If you have anything to tell me, you can tell Count Airen.

A number that seemed to be Ailren’s direct telegraph line was also written down.

‘Still, Ailren is definitely on Lina’s side, isn’t he? That’s a relief.’

As I was thinking, I felt a piercing gaze.

Ailren was staring at me intently.

Literally, it was a gaze that felt like it would bore right through me.

‘Was the hug really the problem after all…!’

But I wasn’t the one who hugged first!

Her Highness was the one who hugged me!

Feeling wronged inside, I quickly got out as soon as we arrived at the pawnshop.

“Then please be careful on your way, Sir Knight!”

But Ailren followed me into the pawnshop.

Then he just quietly stared at me without saying a word.

No matter how much protecting Her Highness is your job, you’re being too obvious about it.

I opened my mouth with a slightly complaining tone.

“Fine, I understand. From now on, I’ll be tactful and quickly avoid Her Highness so I don’t touch her…”

But the words that came out of Ailren’s mouth were completely different from what I had imagined.

“I apologize.”

And furthermore.

“I thought now was the time to offer the apology I had been putting off. Once again, I’m sorry.”

Ailren was bowing his head.

“I have misunderstood you all this time. I groundlessly condemned you, thinking you had other purposes or ulterior motives, and though I was following orders, I treated you with prejudice. …I also caused you harm.”

“No, wait, that’s…”

“For this, as the Captain of the Royal Knights, and as Ailen Hugo Radeian personally, I will fulfill my material and spiritual obligations to you.”

It was a very proper, clear, and systematic apology, but I had a bad feeling about this.

So…

“What do you mean by fulfilling your obligations…?”

“Yes. I will take responsibility for you.”

“Whaaaat?!”

That’s too much, you!

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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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