The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 111

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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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Chapter 111
Cut.
In that instant, the gentle music flowing through the hall abruptly ceased.
The crowd fell silent, the doors swung wide open, and a Soldier stepped forward with a tense expression.
“His Highness Crown Prince Roel Labdia Lotis has arrived!”
Before the announcement even finished, a familiar boy entered the Banquet Hall with an expressionless face, his footsteps striking the Carpet with measured strides.
As Roel walked in with apparent indifference, his eyes scanning the surroundings slowly, his expression suddenly brightened the moment his gaze met Bunny’s.
“…!”
At the Crown Prince’s radiant expression, the entire assembly fell into stunned silence.
This was hardly surprising—unlike the Emperor, who was known for his carefree and cunning disposition, Roel, the Crown Prince, was famous for being taciturn, arrogant, and nearly expressionless.
Ever since rumors spread that the Crown Prince had risen from his sickbed, people seized every opportunity to attempt conversation with him.
Yet it was common knowledge among those in the know that each attempt was met not with a response, but with a gaze filled with contempt.
Nevertheless, in hopes of catching the eye of the future Emperor, everyone without exception had attended the birthday celebration with generous gifts in hand.
Of course, they had brought their daughters of suitable age along with them.
“Bunny—!”
Roel strode forward with long steps and in an instant stood before Kiriel Yudia. Bunny’s face brightened slightly, and soon her eyes curved into crescents.
“Hi.”
Bunny, nestled in Kiriel’s arms, waved her hands excitedly in greeting.
“Father, I want to come down.”
“You cannot wander about alone, Bunny.”
“I shall take full responsibility for Bunny’s care, Father.”
At Roel’s words, Kiriel looked down at him with a slightly weary expression.
“Father…?”
“Father? Has the Crown Prince perhaps become adopted into the Yudia Ducal House?”
“Or perhaps he’s formed some familial bond….”
“No, if that were the case, wouldn’t Prince Yudia end up with five children without ever marrying?”
“No! Before that, if the situation were so, the Crown Prince wouldn’t be able to remain Crown Prince at all.”
At the bizarre whispers echoing from all directions, Kiriel exhaled a long sigh and set Bunny down before Roel.
Roel quickly grasped Bunny’s hand and began greeting her warmly, asking how she had been.
“That’s not it—isn’t it this?”
“This, you say?”
“You know, that rumor—about how the young lady of the Yudia Ducal House, who summoned the Phoenix, might marry the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince has been visiting the Yudia Ducal House quite frequently….”
“Look, they’re holding hands.”
Bunny, watching Roel laugh cheerfully, glanced around the surroundings.
“Roel, are you alone?”
“Yeah, I came early to see you. Why?”
“Shimung… no, where’s your cousin, your younger brother?”
“My cousin? Ah… you mean Simon?”
At Roel’s words, his eyes narrowing slightly, Bunny nodded. Roel gripped Bunny’s hand a bit more firmly and tilted his head.
“Simon will probably come later. Why are you looking for him?”
“Mm, I have something to discuss with Shimung.”
“What business?”
“It’s a secret.”
Bunny giggled and rubbed beneath her nose, then began whispering softly while bouncing excitedly.
Roel’s eyebrows twitched once.
Roel pressed down on his lips that threatened to protrude and let the corners of his eyes droop downward.
“Is it a secret from me too?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I see….”
Roel, holding Bunny’s hand, exhaled a sigh.
He knew well enough that when it came to Bunny’s affairs, there was a high probability it was something absurd, but whenever she acted so secretively, it stung a little.
“It’s not something dangerous, is it?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“There’s no way I can help?”
Roel grasped Bunny’s hand and lowered his head slightly, bringing his face close.
‘Goodness, so radiant.’
As Roel’s face—growing more radiant with each passing moment, rivaling even the Emperor himself—drew within inches of hers, Bunny pushed his cheek back with her other hand.
“Roel, your face is too close.”
“….”
Roel’s face was pushed back as if by a cat’s paw, and he rubbed his reddened cheek with his hand, nodding.
“It has been a while, Prince Kiriel.”
“Crown Prince! What an honor to meet you!”
The moment Bunny stepped away, people began swarming from all directions, surrounding Kiriel Yudia, and now Bunny found herself being pushed backward through the crowd.
That wasn’t all.
Those who had been watching carefully because of Kiriel Yudia rushed toward him the instant the Crown Prince moved away from Kiriel Yudia.
“Eek?!”
“Bunny…!”
Roel, flustered, reached out his hand toward Bunny.
“Roel…!”
After being squeezed from this side and that, Bunny found herself standing alone in the middle of the empty Banquet Hall.
Bunny looked around.
Hah.
‘Freedom.’
I had finally escaped my constraints and become free.
Perhaps I had climbed the second step of adulthood.
Growl.
My body bouncing with excitement, I glanced left and right before heading toward the place overflowing with food.
* * *
“That’s right, the clothes from Twins Boutique are incredibly popular these days. I’ve heard the waiting list is at least a year now. There are rumors that custom-made dresses are booked solid for three, even four years.”
“My, is it really that exclusive? How impressive that you ordered from there, Miss Shalone. I’m so envious.”
“I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been dying to visit that place myself.”
“No, no. Your uncle gave us a wonderful opportunity.”
“Next time, would you mind introducing us as well?”
“Ah, that’s difficult to promise outright… but I’ll mention it to Uncle Kiriel and see what he says.”
Shalone spoke with a smile, her gaze drifting downward slowly.
‘I had no idea that girl was the reason we could visit Twins Boutique without a reservation….’
I hadn’t known that the Udiah Duchy was the investor providing business support to Twins Boutique either.
Thanks to that connection, both Shalone and Bunny received an abundance of gifts from Madam Robelia that far exceeded what they deserved. And I’d even heard Her Majesty the Empress mention that the dresses were handed over at an unbelievable price.
‘…If Bunny asks, he’d grant her wish immediately.’
But then again.
Would he even listen to my request?
‘The Witch said that Kiriel Yudia follows his brother very closely, so he’d treat me well too….’
It wasn’t that he wouldn’t help, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Bunny always held the upper hand.
Of course, I understood the reason.
Bunny was… impossible to look away from. The moment you took your eyes off her, she’d inevitably cause some strange incident.
Still, the fortunate part was that once I revealed myself to be a member of the Udiah Duchy, the young ladies who had been somewhat distant suddenly welcomed her into their conversation quite easily.
“Oh, by the way, I heard that everyone in the Udiah Duchy possesses sacred relics or holy water. Do you have them as well, Miss?”
As the atmosphere grew warm and friendly, Shalone snapped out of her reverie and nodded with a bright smile.
Matching the conversation to topics the young ladies her age enjoyed, the discussion flowed as naturally as water.
The hot topics among young ladies these days were new dresses and latest products, and… engagement announcements of their peers circulating from various places.
And they seemed quite curious about the reclusive Udiah Duchy as well.
“I haven’t undergone the Summoning Ceremony yet. The ceremony is scheduled for a month from now.”
“Ah yes, I think I heard it’s only held once a year.”
“The daughter of the heroic Dios… You’re sure to summon something extraordinary!”
“By the way, is it true that a bastard from the Branch Families summoned a Phoenix?”
When someone spoke with a hint of laughter, Shalone froze. Bunny had been quite clear about it.
Whether the bird that played fetch with Allen every full moon, retrieving the ball Bunny threw, was truly a Phoenix, I wasn’t sure, but everyone in the Udiah Duchy called that red bird the Phoenix.
Shalone nodded slowly.
“Yes, I don’t know the details, but that’s what I’ve heard.”
“How infuriating. A mere bastard, relying on just one Phoenix, monopolizing Prince Kiriel and acting so presumptuously.”
“My, look at that. The lowborn stench of a bastard truly cannot be washed away, can it?”
Watching the young ladies giggle and laugh, Shalone turned her head to look at Bunny and sighed inwardly.
Seeing the crowd gathered around Kiriel Yudia, it appeared Bunny had separated from him and was now free.
‘What on earth is she doing over there…?’
Shalone’s mouth fell slightly open.

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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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