The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 77

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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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Episode 77
On the way back to my room.
“XX XXXX XXX.”
Pudding let out a string of vulgar curses that did nothing but soil my ears.
“I’m fine, I’m telling you.”
Pudding clamped its mouth shut, looking sorry and forlorn.
“I’m sorry. You got put in danger because of my greed. I don’t even deserve to be your companion. After I tricked you into this contract…….”
“Oh, come on, I was just messing around.”
I scooped Pudding into my arms and stroked its fluffy head soothingly.
“And besides, it makes sense to retrieve something that dangerous.”
Well, ideally, anyway. Though whether I’m actually the kind of person to do that is another question.
“You were sacrificing yourself to save some stranger, after all.”
“Anyone watching would think I had to die to make you happy. I just need to hold out for one more day.”
After coaxing it long enough, we finally arrived at the pristine white palace where I was to be staying.
As I climbed the stairs, I noticed someone standing in front of my room and stopped short.
“What are you doing there?”
Perian turned toward me with a stiffened face.
“Where have you been?”
“For a walk. Do you have a problem with that?”
…….
He simply stared at me with meaningful eyes, saying nothing.
‘He acts friendly one moment and says nasty things the next.’
Lately, Perian seemed to have much he wanted to say but didn’t.
Just then, my room door opened from inside.
Perian, momentarily taken aback, quickly frowned as Kies emerged from the room.
“What are you two making such a racket about out here?”
“Why are you coming out of that room?”
When I’d initially objected to entering the palace, I’d set Kies a condition.
To come to my room at night, slip in undetected—for him, that would be nothing.
‘I shouldn’t have done that.’
I should have just left and ignored the whole arrangement with the Aide, as Kies had suggested.
“Come inside. Now.”
Kies didn’t answer Perian’s question, just grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the door.
“Wait—are you saying the two of you are going to sleep in one room together?”
As Perian grabbed my other wrist, Kies’s gaze flicked downward, then back up.
“Stop that and get inside! Do you want to broadcast to the whole neighborhood that we’re here?”
That was when I heard Dilshard’s voice from within.
I peeked my head in to find Dilshard and Berto already sitting on the sofa.
“……You weren’t going to tell me and just keep the four of you together? Who’s supposed to be protecting me?”
Perian spoke with a wounded tone.
“I was going to get you once they arrived. Let’s just get inside for now.”
I settled the main characters on the sofa and planted my hands on my hips like a stern teacher.
“There are two beds—one in my room, one in Perian’s. I’ll sleep on the sofa, and you two will share, two to a bed.”
“We’re fine, so why don’t you take the bed…….”
“Tsk―”
I shot him a glare sharp as an axe at such thoughtless consideration, and Kies fell silent.
“I’m smaller than you lot. I sleep fine on a sofa. If you don’t do as I say, I’m throwing all of you out.”
They only came because they were worried. There’s no immediate danger.
At least for now, the king seems favorably disposed toward me.
“In that case, I’ll stay in Tatiana’s room…….”
“No.”
This time I shut Dilshard down without breaking a sweat.
I’d seen these fools squabble childishly enough times before.
“We’re drawing lots fairly. Out of the three of you, whoever I pick gets to sleep with Perian.”
“My room is always mine?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
What a ridiculous question.
“If you sleep here too, one of you would have to watch over us two. Why would my two best fighters stay in my room together?”
“Right, that makes sense.”
Perian considered briefly, then nodded as if the logic was sound.
“Well then.”
I scribbled Kies and Dilshard’s names on slips of paper from the desk in the corner and shook them in my covered hand.
‘If the two of them share a room, they’ll fight constantly.’
I felt a bit guilty for rigging it, but one of the two slots was already secretly reserved for Berto.
I thrust my fist forward with a flourish.
The lucky winner was―
“Damn it…….”
Dilshard.
“Count on me, Dilshard.”
Perian grinned widely as he spoke.
‘Looks like those two have gotten quite close.’
Watching warmly, I told them to settle in, then headed for the bath.
The next morning, I woke not on the sofa, but in a bed.
It seemed the two of them had tidied away all traces of their stay before the servants arrived and left my room early.
And the servants, apparently already informed of my visit to the King’s Residence, woke me at dawn and polished every surface of my room until it gleamed.
‘Thorough preparation, like some kind of temperamental tyrant.’
Upon arriving at his palace and following a retainer down the corridor toward the Dining Room, something felt distinctly off about the atmosphere.
There wasn’t any loud noise, exactly, just a certain heavy unease in the air.
“Excuse me…….”
I was just about to open my mouth when I noticed a servant hurrying past with an ashen face.
“Captain?”
Coming from the opposite direction was the Aide—the man who’d come to invite me to the inn.
“Oh, Count. Hello there. Are you—are you alright?!”
Blood was dripping steadily from his forehead.
“I’m fine. It’s nothing serious.”
Nothing serious, except the cloth he was using to stanch the bleeding was soaked through, and blood was running down his hand.
“But what’s going on here?”
“His Majesty asked me to join him for breakfast.”
“I see…….”
The Aide glanced back uneasily at my words before speaking.
“I think it would be best if you returned home today.”
“Why? Has something happened?”
I’d already sensed something was wrong with the palace atmosphere.
“His Majesty seems rather exhausted.”
“Did His Majesty inflict that wound on his own forehead?”
“It was my own carelessness.”
To take the blame himself—what a faithful servant.
“But I made a promise with His Majesty yesterday. If I leave without his permission, wouldn’t that put me in a difficult position?”
My head would end up like his, too.
No—if this man treats even his own people this way, I might just end him right here.
“I’ll tell him that I sent you away.”
“But…….”
The Aide smiled reassuringly at me, blood still trickling down his face.
“His Majesty is not an ill-natured man by nature. This is actually the first time since his ascension that he’s expressed emotion in such a way.”
Since his ascension—could his previous seeming weariness, as if he’d seen everything the world had to offer, be connected to the late king somehow?
It weighed on my mind.
Ever since I revealed the Treasure’s true nature yesterday, something about him seemed to have changed.
The Aide, noticing my concern, spoke in a low voice.
“And truthfully, though it’s been a while, I’ve seen His Majesty in this state many times before. There’s no need to worry too much.”
This man really is good-hearted.
With him saying as much, there’s no point in being modest.
“Thank you. Then I’ll be going now…….”
I was just about to make my escape.
“What are you doing standing there?”
An irritable voice cut through, invasive and sharp.
“Your Majesty.”
The Aide bowed respectfully, and I followed suit with a greeting to Azael.
He wasn’t bloodied like yesterday, but dressed in similarly light clothes, his face hollow and tense—looking distinctly on edge.
Where before he’d been utterly hollow and devoid of emotion, now he seemed filled with rage.
“Tatiana.”
Pudding, concealed from sight, flew to my ear and whispered.
“I feel faint Demonic Energy.”
I glanced sidelong at his chest.
‘Still manageable for now.’
The dangerous moment comes when it glows red.
No one else could see it, but Pudding and I could see the Treasure shining.
“Why are you……. Oh.”
Azael frowned upon seeing me, then let out an exclamation as if remembering something.
“It’s mealtime already.”
The Aide stepped forward and spoke.
“It appears you need rest. I was just about to send the captain back. I’ll handle the morning duties to the best of my ability, so please take care of yourself.”
“Right. I’ll eat and then sleep. Come along.”
“Your Majesty.”
As Azael turned away with a flourish of his robe, the Aide quickly caught up to him.
“Count, anyone watching would think I’m about to devour the Pirate Captain.”
Even without eating me, the atmosphere felt like he might roast me.
“……That was presumptuous of me.”
“Already winning over the Count’s heart, I see. Truly, the Pirate Captain is something special. I’m quite curious to see how you’ll entertain me today. Very curious indeed.”
I’m not a jester, so why does he keep talking like that?
‘This is terrifying.’
I should have told the others about the Treasure yesterday and bolted.
“Now, come along.”
Azael turned and strode ahead alone with long, purposeful steps.
Then the Aide came close and spoke.
“Captain, you must never displease His Majesty. No matter what happens, do not cry. As long as you don’t cry, he won’t kill just anyone.”
So if you cry, he kills anyone—is that what you’re saying?
He seemed even more unhinged, but I had no time to discuss this further with the Aide.
“I’m fine, so please go get that treated right away.”
After reassuring him, I hurried after Azael.

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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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