They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 43

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

That’s equally true for both of us.
…But I decided not to voice such thoughts aloud.
“I can’t walk if you hold my hand like this.”
“Then shall I carry you?”
He whispered with eyes that wanted nothing more than to pull me into his embrace right then.
“I could carry you on my back. We could return to the Separate Palace in no time.”
Carry me on his back…?
That was somewhat tempting.
I’d never been carried except for transporting the wounded.
But…
‘An intruder has appeared.’
“Elhart, hide yourself.”
Elhart seemed to sense the same presence I had detected.
He nodded once and vanished in an instant, his body moving with practiced speed.
We had agreed beforehand that I would handle the situation if such circumstances arose.
Since I couldn’t even pinpoint Elhart’s location, there was no need to worry about him being discovered.
I quickly threw the black cloak draped over my maid’s uniform into my spatial pouch.
Now I looked like an ordinary maid wandering the Imperial Palace at night.
‘…Fine. Sufficiently suspicious.’
It was right after I hastily adjusted my appearance.
“Ser?”
The intruder emerged from the shadow of the castle wall.
He was none other than the Crown Prince.
An hour had passed since the banquet began.
Sooner than we anticipated, he had left the Banquet Hall.
‘Why on earth did he have to come all the way here.’
I greeted him while concealing my irritation.
“Your Highness, what a surprise to meet you here.”
“Indeed.”
The secluded path outside the Imperial Palace.
‘His destination must be the Tower of Repentance.’
That was the only thing at the end of this path.
“I never expected to encounter you here at this hour.”
The Crown Prince smiled gently.
He was still dressed in his banquet attire.
Gold embroidery gleamed across his black formal uniform, and a thin cloak draped over his shoulders.
His resplendent appearance seemed utterly out of place against the desolate surroundings, like a picture cut from a different painting.
I deliberately looked around as if surveying the area.
“Your Highness as well. The banquet should be in full swing.”
“I stepped out for a breath of fresh air.”
He spoke as though it were nothing.
Even as he did, he took another step closer to me.
“And you, Ser Brin?”
“I’m much the same.”
I gave a slight shrug.
“I wanted to take a walk.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“So you came all the way out to this secluded path?”
“There are so many people trying to provoke me that I ended up here while trying to avoid them.”
My answer seemed plausible enough, for he didn’t press further.
Instead, he slowly swept his gaze over my appearance.
The flat shoes and stockings issued to maids of the Imperial Palace, a simple maid’s dress.
My hair tied back without ornament, and the earrings he had so arbitrarily fastened on me.
It was only for a moment, but I didn’t miss the way the Crown Prince’s gaze lingered on my ears.
“Do these suit me well?”
I deliberately asked him.
There was no way such expensive-looking earrings could match a plain maid’s dress.
“You seem to like them.”
…So he wouldn’t offer hollow flattery about how well they suited me.
I touched the earring lightly with my fingertip.
“Because Your Highness gave them to me.”
The Crown Prince’s lips slowly curved upward.
“I’m pleased to hear you say that.”
His gaze returned, now fixing deeply upon my eyes.
“I wish you had attended the banquet with me today.”
“It turned out to be less entertaining than I expected. I suppose banquets simply aren’t suited to my nature.”
A lie.
Why would I dislike eating, drinking, and enjoying myself?
The problem was only the people gathered there.
“I feel the same way, which is why I escaped as well.”
The Crown Prince gave a light shrug as he spoke.
“And after escaping, you’re going to meet the Crown Princess?”
At my probing question, he hesitated.
“You know what lies at the end of this path.”
“I’ve already looked around that far.”
I spoke with composure.
It was always best to speak of such things first, before suspicion could arise.
“The Tower of Repentance, isn’t it?”
The Crown Prince’s eyes wavered slightly.
It was barely perceptible, yet unmistakably present.
I laughed as though it were nothing.
“It seems the Crown Princess is on your mind.”
“….”
The Crown Prince regarded me quietly.
As if weighing something.
Before long, his expression softened again.
“That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m checking whether you’re truly remorseful for your wrongs.”
He tilted his head as he spoke.
“So that you won’t do anything cruel to Ser again.”
“In that case, I should send you off with a glad heart.”
“Yes. Ser, you should go rest now. If it gets any later, the drunk ones might start wandering about.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you, Your Highness.”
I bent my knees slightly in a bow.
Fortunately, he seemed to have no intention of causing further trouble and accepted my greeting.
I pressed myself against the edge of the path to let the Crown Prince pass.
“By the way, Ser.”
Just as he was about to pass me by, he suddenly stopped before me and turned his head.
“It seems I’m no longer curious about you? You’re not asking anymore.”
He remembered that ‘who are you’ from the banquet day.
As I hesitated on what to do, I decided to just deflect.
“About Your Highness?”
I asked, blinking.
“Yes. If you’ve discovered anything, why don’t you tell me? I’ll give you a reward if you’re right.”
How confident of him.
“I haven’t discovered nothing.”
I smiled meaningfully.
“Your Highness enjoys collecting relics and magical artifacts. You despise deception and find people without fear—like me—intriguing.”
“….”
The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed.
“Where I obtained this information is a secret. Don’t try to find out.”
A brief silence fell.
The Crown Prince’s gaze slowly swept across my face.
Like someone searching for a lie.
“You’ve discovered quite a lot.”
“Haven’t I?”
At this rate, I could expect a reward. I hoped he’d give me more useful magical artifacts.
Seeing the anticipation in my eyes, the Crown Prince chuckled softly.
“Discover more. I’ll have plenty of rewards ready for you.”
Hmph.
Is that so?
“Really?”
“Of course. I wish Ser would take an interest in me.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“Is there anyone who wouldn’t be interested in Your Highness?”
“Yes, there is. Right here, in fact.”
“That can’t be true.”
I spoke with a smile still on my face.
“I’m quite interested in Your Highness, I assure you.”
That was nothing but the truth.
After all, I was busy day and night trying to uncover the Crown Prince’s true identity.
“Then I’m relieved.”
He smiled lightly.
“Return safely then.”
“You as well, Your Highness.”
I bowed once more.
The Crown Prince continued along the path. Fortunately, he didn’t stop this time.
His black cloak slowly vanished into the darkness.
I watched his retreating figure before turning around.
“You can come out now.”
It was a whisper so soft it barely disturbed the silence of the night.
A moment later, wind stirred behind me.
It was Elhart.
….
He stared down at me without saying a word.
‘His expression is strange.’
Somewhat…
menacing.
“What’s wrong?”
I raised my eyebrows.
Elhart said nothing for a moment.
Then he spoke in a low voice.
“…You looked close to him.”
“Close? What do you mean?”
“You and the Crown Prince. You seemed to have grown intimate.”
Ah.
I paused to think.
“Are you jealous?”
Elhart’s jaw tightened.
Looking at him more closely, his expression seemed less angry than melancholic.
“…Let’s head back.”
As the Crown Prince had warned, even this secluded path wouldn’t remain safe much longer.
Drunken revelers searching for trysts would soon be wandering about.
“Right.”
I grabbed his hand just as he turned to leave.
“Why are you just going? You said you’d carry me. Are you canceling because I seem close with the Crown Prince?”
“…!”
He unfastened his cloak with remarkable speed, then quickly dropped to one knee with his back to me.
A clear invitation to climb onto his back.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————