They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 28

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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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“Y-Your Majesty…!”
The Cardinal’s stammering made it clear I shouldn’t have seen that.
“Haha, my apologies. An old friend I once knew bore such a striking resemblance that my hand moved of its own accord.”
A lie.
Carterus had never struck Mikhail’s back in such a manner.
Though he’d certainly wanted to plenty of times.
[Kei, shall we have a word?]
[What, what is it? I have nothing to discuss.]
[Five minutes will suffice.]
[Hmph, you said the same last time and then droned on for three hours.]
[Haha, Ser Brin. Would you mind closing that door?]
‘…Rather, I’ve endured Mikhail’s nagging countless times.’
There were even rumors that I’d fled to the Expedition Team to escape the King’s endless lectures.
‘I wasn’t even on the roster, yet I joined abruptly that very morning.’
A clergyman with such a fiery temperament, going about striking people into repentance—Mikhail had every right to scold me.
“Not at all. How could I fault such warmth?”
The Crown Prince quickly composed his expression and offered a faint smile.
The irritation that had lingered moments before vanished without a trace.
“It is an honor to meet you thus. However, this is hardly the audience chamber… It seems Count Bellow has guided us astray.”
A flicker of grievance crossed Count Bellow’s face, but he soon nodded in agreement with the Crown Prince.
“My apologies, Your Majesty. I seem to have lost my way for a moment. His Majesty awaits, so please come with me.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Carterus waved his hand dismissively.
“How could I meet the Empire’s sovereign unprepared? I shall spend this day in prayer to the Goddess, purifying body and spirit, and present myself for an audience tomorrow.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“This aged frame, driven by ambition to hasten its steps, has grown weary.”
Carterus tapped his lower back and coughed roughly.
Yes, truthfully, this feigned illness tactic originated with that old man.
Children always learn the worst habits first.
True to form as my acting mentor, Carterus’s performance was quite convincing.
“Your Majesty! Are you unwell!”
The Cardinal rushed over to support him.
“Haha, an old man with few days remaining is prone to whimsy—you’ve suffered much on my account.”
“What are you saying, Your Majesty…? I shall speak to the Count. Please, go inside and rest.”
It appeared he’d selected the most naive Cardinal as his aide.
“Then I must ask this child for assistance.”
Carterus naturally moved to my side.
“Could you guide this old man?”
“Your Majesty, that maid is….”
“Of course.”
Before the Crown Prince could say anything, I quickly answered first.
“I’ll take good care of His Holiness and escort him safely, Your Highness. There’s no need to worry.”
The Crown Prince’s gaze shifted toward me.
“Ser.”
His firm lips could no longer maintain that smooth smile.
“You’re leaving again like this? Today as well?”
“You said you didn’t want to rush. We can talk about it later.”
In the Crown Prince’s piercing gaze, there was a mixture of hollow resentment.
“…Very well. If that’s what you wish, Ser, then I have no choice but to wait.”
“Heh… I’m sorry for the interruption.”
With those words, Carterus lightly touched my arm, as if urging me to support him.
“Let’s go now. This old man’s legs are aching, and I need to lie down soon….”
When I took hold of Carterus’s arm, the Crown Prince spoke.
“Take care on your way, Ser.”
His farewell sounded like a reminder that my place was by his side.
Instead of answering, I simply nodded and began walking while supporting Carterus.
As I felt the Crown Prince’s gaze following me from behind, Carterus’s pace quickened.
Wasn’t he supposed to be limping?
“Walk a bit slower….”
Speaking as quietly as possible, Carterus came to a brief halt.
He bent his waist and tapped his leg while muttering under his breath.
“I’m worried he might change his mind.”
“It’ll be fine.”
I took hold of Carterus’s arm again, pretending to support him, and slowed my pace compared to before.
“He still wants to look good in front of me.”
With that, we stopped talking and focused on leaving as naturally as possible.
Until Carterus and I disappeared completely from sight as we turned into the building’s shadow, the Crown Prince watched us without taking his eyes away for a single moment.
After barely escaping, we practically ran to the Separate Palace.
Only when we reached the space that had become entirely my domain with Kei’s presence could I finally breathe freely.
“Phew… what kind of person is he? I’m getting goosebumps all over.”
Carterus clicked his tongue.
“Even I think it’s strange, don’t you?”
“Is ‘strange’ really the word to describe this?”
Carterus, having shed the mask of a good-natured old man, thumped his chest.
“I told you to fall in love, not to be helplessly dominated by a man!”
He was clearly nagging me despite knowing full well that my overly conspicuous abilities made it unavoidable.
“And of all people, to someone who looks just like Mikhail?”
“That’s not what matters right now.”
Exasperated by his complaint, Kei suddenly popped out from somewhere and said to Carterus.
“Sir, our captain is just before falling in love.”
“I saw it with my own eyes, clear as day.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. The man the Commander is smitten with is in this building.”
Smitten? Me?
“What? There’s another one besides that guy from earlier?”
“What in the world are you two talking about?”
“Commander, please remain silent for a moment.”
“…?”
Kei and Carterus paid me no mind whatsoever, retreating to a corner where they whispered conspiratorially for quite some time.
Was this right?
The continent’s greatest Information Guild master and the Pope meeting to discuss someone else’s romantic entanglements—was that truly what they should be doing?
They ought to be discussing the continent’s political situation, Bardia’s current state, and the Crown Prince’s true identity.
“What? He drank that bitter, astringent stuff all this time without complaint?”
“That’s what I’m saying. And furthermore….”
….
Fine. Do as you please.
When have you ever listened to me anyway?
In any case, thanks to Carterus, I didn’t need to reveal my power—I escaped the Crown Prince’s grasp unscathed.
‘Perhaps… there was no need for it in the first place.’
If the Crown Prince had known my identity all along.
I carefully retraced the conversation I’d had with him.
In truth, the Crown Prince’s identity didn’t matter.
Even if he really was Mikhail, as Kei suspected, it made no difference.
‘My purpose is already determined.’
If anyone—anyone at all—interfered with my plan to revive Bardia and create a foundation where the Expedition Team and their descendants could live in peace, I would eliminate them without hesitation.
‘The question is why he approached me.’
Even if his confession of affection was sincere, there had to be another reason he sought to draw me to his side.
‘Is he trying to neutralize a variable?’
Perhaps he thought that since the Expedition Team’s existence hindered his continental conquest, all he needed to do was bring me, their commander, under his control.
The loathsome face of the Crown Prince who tried to steal my lips came to mind, and I clenched my teeth.
Hm…?
“What is this?”
A steward bound and kneeling in the corner of the kitchen caught my eye.
“Ah, him? We caught him trying to sneak into the Prince’s quarters.”
“There was an intruder while I was away?”
I examined him with a sharp gaze.
‘That was close. While I was away from the Separate Palace, they targeted Elhart.’
Was it the Crown Prince? Or did the Crown Princess send him to trap me?
But the gagged steward’s face seemed familiar somehow.
‘Ah…?!’
A memory suddenly surfaced.
The intruder was a Steward from the Central Palace who had brought breakfast to Elhart instead of me, acting on the Crown Prince’s orders.
‘Could it have been from that moment?’

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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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