The Youngest Member Filming a Parenting Show is Adorable - Chapter 220

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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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Part 2, Chapter 27 (220)
The first thing that caught my eye was a man with vividly burning crimson hair.
When our eyes met, a playful smile spread across Maximilian’s lips.
He waved like an old, familiar friend, then approached me with brisk, confident strides.
“…!”
But then a man stepped forward, blocking Maximilian from view.
Dark, deep black hair. A face that was nearly expressionless, almost taciturn.
Cold yet undeniably handsome, the man was exceptionally tall and broad-shouldered.
A physique honed by countless repetitions of training, movements restrained with discipline, and posture impeccably formal.
Though he made no particular gesture, his gaze alone was so intense it seemed to pull one in.
‘Is Blake also going to ask me for the first dance?’
Judging from the way he was staring directly at me, it seemed likely.
Soon Blake stopped before me, ahead of Maximilian.
But before Blake could even open his mouth, someone naturally wrapped an arm around my waist and drew me close.
“Pel.”
“Hello, Shu. You look absolutely beautiful tonight.”
As I tilted my head back, my vision filled with an overwhelmingly beautiful man with platinum blonde hair—the kind that seemed to absorb all the light in the hall.
Beneath long, delicate lashes, mysterious and alluring jewel-like eyes sparkled.
When Rasifer appeared so suddenly, dressed in a manner so resplendent and elegant that mere words like “beautiful” fell short, a wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Because he had clearly been standing far away just moments before.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
Rasifer asked for the first dance in a way so characteristically him.
Though the atmosphere made dancing with him feel inevitable, strangely it didn’t feel burdensome.
Perhaps it was because of his soft and gentle tone of voice.
“Ah, wait. Wait. It’s not first-come, first-served, is it?”
At that moment, Maximilian interjected playfully.
“I was planning to request the first dance myself. What do you say, my lady?”
Maximilian extended his hand.
A hand made solid through effort.
I could see plainly the past in which he had relentlessly driven himself, blaming his own ordinariness, pushing and pushing again.
‘And I do care for someone like that.’
Rasifer and Maximilian were truly contrasting figures.
A natural-born genius Wizard who could accomplish anything with even minimal effort, and a Crown Prince who, being ordinary, had to build himself from the ground up.
Moreover, Maximilian had received no support whatsoever.
He had to maintain his image as a wastrel, so he had to learn in secret behind closed doors.
“If it’s not first-come, first-served, might you grant me the honor of the first dance?”
I was still deliberating.
A hand clad in rough leather gloves was offered to me with careful hesitation.
“There is something I wish to tell you separately.”
A voice so profoundly deep it seemed distant resonated in my ears.
His voice carried an appeal so compelling I wanted to heed every word, yet simultaneously Rasifer tightened the arm encircling my waist.
“You’re clearly trying to ask for something. Leave Superti alone. Doesn’t she know that once you’re grown, you should handle your own affairs?”
Unlike when addressing me, his tone dripped with malice, each word a sharp barb.
‘Anyone could see he’s spoiling for a fight.’
With so many prominent figures from the Empire gathered in one place, the weight of their stares was suffocating.
Honestly, I felt like I was drowning.
‘So much for simply enjoying a dance.’
Finally accepting the reality of the situation, I closed my eyes gently before opening them again.
“My decision is….”
* * *
Moments later.
I stepped toward the center of the Hall with Maximilian Barateum.
Leaving Rasifer and Blake behind for now.
“Oh, honestly, I never expected you to choose me out of the three. Should I take this as a positive answer regarding marriage?”
“Not at all, so don’t get your hopes up, Maxxi.”
“I was holding out a little hope. What a shame.”
Maximilian Barateum grinned with a roguish expression and placed his hand at my waist.
I could feel an intensely burning gaze from across the room, but I’d pretend not to notice.
“I chose you because I wanted to give you real support. Even if we don’t marry.”
“I expected as much, but it’s still a bitter answer.”
A slow melody flowed around us.
I moved to its rhythm and whispered.
“Look, it sounds like a dream in a situation like this, but… I still want to experience love. If I’m to marry, that is.”
“I see.”
“The reason I agreed to dance with you first is because I thought a scandal wouldn’t spread too widely with you. I’m sorry for that.”
Given Maximilian Barateum’s reputation for seeing many women, a single dance wouldn’t spark marriage rumors.
And even if it did, it could be quickly dispelled. Besides, no matter how I analyzed it, this was the most politically advantageous choice for both of us in the current situation.
“Clever. I can see how far ahead you were thinking when you chose me.”
“Right. If I dance with you first, it signals that Fasayen views you favorably.”
“Thank you. You’re quite considerate too.”
Maximilian Barateum laughed and spun me in a graceful circle.
Caught in the light, my skirt shimmered and billowed beautifully.
It was such an exquisite dress—a birthday gift—that gasps of admiration erupted from those watching.
After that, Maximilian Barateum fell silent for a long while.
Just as the dance was nearly ending, he hesitantly confessed something to me.
“I’m not dirty.”
“…?”
“I’m… a virgin.”
Oh, that was close.
For a moment, I barely managed to suppress a laugh that nearly escaped. Yet he must have sensed it anyway, for Maximilian Barateum’s ears flushed red.
“It’s true. I don’t have any diseases either. I got tested.”
“Wait, you suddenly got tested for that…?”
“People who suited me took care of it. Obviously, all those people I dated were lies. They were informants.”
The word “virgin” struck my mind so forcefully that I stumbled.
Maximilian Barateum, quick to catch me, muttered seriously.
“I was worried it might be a disqualifying factor.”
“I never even thought about it.”
“Then that’s a relief. I mentioned it because I wondered if knowing that might change something.”
So he was the one playing it cool the whole time!
I giggled, then quickly composed myself and shook my head.
“That’s a shame.”
“Yeah. You’d definitely make a good husband. A good Emperor too. But I still don’t want to marry to avoid something.”
That’s my choice.
I only hesitated until the end because of what the adults said—otherwise, I would have refused from the start.
[The Luck Spirit King ‘■■■■■■’ urgently presents a Quest.]
Quest!
(Contract) Choose a husband
The Luck Spirit King has given you an assignment!
✔
Spouses must share compatible values. Discover ‘Maximilian Barateum’s’ values regarding love and the family he dreams of for the future!
Reward for success
★You did great★ 1 stamp.
In an instant, shimmering text floated before my eyes.
Behind it, Maximilian Barateum was rummaging through his jacket pocket.
“Still, we’re friends, so I should at least celebrate your birthday, right?”
“Then I’m happy about that.”
“I earned this myself and bought it. I actually worked to try to understand commoners.”
Maximilian Barateum, speaking so characteristically, held out a small box.
A member of the Royal Family—not even a noble—working was unthinkable.
It was something I couldn’t even imagine, yet he had done it.
‘This is truly a priceless gift. What Crown Prince in the world would work directly and receive wages to buy a gift?’
A gift’s value lies not in its price, but in the sincerity and heart poured into it.
When I opened the box, inside was red paper inscribed with ancient language in gold leaf.
“Even if darkness deepens on your path, do not fear…?”
“It’s a protective amulet I obtained with difficulty. It protects its owner exactly once. I don’t know what form that protection takes, though.”
“You’re giving this to me? It seems like something you should keep!”
No, really.
I have the protection of the Spirit Kings.
The music had completely stopped by then.
The ballroom’s atmosphere filled again with noise and laughter, but the two of us remained motionless in the center of it all.
Everyone else had returned to their places, yet I remained standing in the center.
Like an actor waiting for the final unspoken line in a scene not yet concluded, words still left unresolved.
Maximilian Barateum stood motionless for a long moment, regarding me, before he withdrew an amulet and placed it directly into my hand.

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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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