They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 54

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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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I felt a wave of heat wash over my entire face at his words.
‘No, this won’t do!’
If I nodded in agreement to his subtle seduction, the morning would vanish in an instant.
This wasn’t the time for this…!
“J-just… wash me again later.”
“Later?”
It was far too difficult to push away his sparkling eyes and tilted head, so I squeezed my eyes shut.
“How much later are you talking about?”
Elhart’s voice came from very close by.
As if he were whispering with his lips pressed against my ear.
Though I quickly realized it wasn’t an illusion.
I could distinctly feel him gently nibbling at my earlobe.
His hot breath burrowed into my ear.
That same ravenous desire that had brought me such exquisite pleasure all night long seemed ready to consume me entirely right now.
Swallowed whole in a single gulp.
“Tonight…!”
In the end, I had no choice but to give him the answer he wanted.
“Then, yes, let’s do that.”
I thought I heard something like laughter.
When I opened my eyes abruptly, his face was right in front of mine.
In his golden eyes, which gazed intently into mine, roiled a savage desire he hadn’t quite managed to suppress.
His gaze was one of such longing that even taking a single step back would have been a miracle.
“Since we’ve made a promise, I suppose I should let you go.”
“Yes, I’ll wash up and come right back.”
The moment my hands were free, I quickly strode toward the bathroom.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest.
My face was probably flushed as red as an apple right now.
My entire body was burning with heat.
‘Does he know what he’s doing, or is it pure instinct?’
It seemed the Nightmare King would need to learn seduction techniques from Elhart.
No matter how you looked at it, Elhart was several steps ahead.
As I entered the bathroom, traces from last night suddenly caught my eye, and like Elhart before, I buried my face in my palms.
“He’s truly a harmful man.”
I muttered this and quickly cleaned up what I could.
I washed my body once more, which had become completely marked and stained.
Though it only made me blush even deeper.
When I emerged from the bathroom, Kei was waiting in the room.
His expression was as impassive as always, but there was a hint of tension in his eyes.
“Commander.”
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
Kei nodded and spoke.
“We have a visitor.”
“Who is it?”
“The Crown Prince, Your Highness.”
Oh.
‘Coming directly like this—my luck is turning around.’
A smile spread across my lips. Kei’s mouth curved upward as well, as if pleased.
“All that effort preparing the reception room has paid off.”
How much trouble Kei and Bella had gone through, rushing to construct it according to my plans.
“Indeed. I’ve already sent word to the Pope.”
“That was fast?”
“You’re planning to do that reckless thing today anyway.”
Kei’s assessment was accurate.
“Once the Pope arrives, I’ll serve tea. Until then, please exchange pleasantries.”
“Understood.”
After finishing my consultation with Kei, I turned to look at Elhart.
“What will you do?”
“Are you giving me a choice?”
“Of course. Though if you find it difficult to restrain yourself, it might be better to stay in your room.”
The reception room Kei and I had created in the Separate Palace allowed us to observe everything happening inside through a secret passage.
We would be able to hear the conversation clearly as well.
We’d built it in preparation for the moment the Crown Prince might burst into the Separate Palace, though I hadn’t expected to use it this quickly.
Since Carterus had agreed to come and watch over us, there would be no danger even in the worst case.
‘Though I have no intention of doing anything that reckless.’
Kei was cautious by nature, and that was one of his greatest strengths, so I would quietly defer to him.
“…You won’t rush out recklessly. Not unless you’re in danger.”
“Fine, then.”
It bothered me somewhat that Elhart would be watching my conversation with the Crown Prince, but perhaps it was better than him worrying alone without seeing.
With that, I sent Elhart ahead to the secret passage, then dressed in a maid’s uniform and came downstairs.
“Good morning, Ser Brin.”
It would have been a truly good morning if I didn’t have to see that nauseating smile so early in the day.
I clicked my tongue inwardly as I guided the Crown Prince.
The reception room was located next to the First Floor Dining Hall.
Morning sunlight poured through the wide windows, illuminating the spacious room brilliantly.
“Here it is. It’s been decorated quite nicely.”
The Crown Prince standing in that light still appeared excessively neat and perfect.
His golden hair was arranged without a single strand out of place, and a smile that seemed kind to everyone was fixed on his face.
To anyone’s eyes, he looked like a prince who had just stepped out of a fairy tale.
He filled the emptiness that my lack of family left behind.
Like my dear friend Mikhail, who had been close and intimate, returning to life.
I gazed at his face in silence for a moment before opening my mouth.
“It’s all thanks to Your Highness’s thoughtful consideration.”
Most of the furnishings decorating the Reception Room had been brought from the Crown Prince’s Palace.
Though I’d also acquired a considerable amount by requesting it from the Central Palace.
“I never expected you to visit the Separate Palace in person.”
“There’s something I urgently wanted to tell you.”
The Crown Prince answered with perfect naturalness.
His gaze remained fixed solely on me from beginning to end.
As if no one else existed in this room.
I smiled lightly and spoke.
“Is that so? Then please, sit and tell me.”
I gestured toward the chair across from me, and the Crown Prince obediently took his seat.
Once Kei confirmed we were seated, he excused himself to fetch tea, returning shortly with a teapot.
It seemed Carterus must have sprinted at full speed the moment he heard the news.
Judging by how quickly the arrival notice reached us.
‘He didn’t need to rush like that.’
I wondered if his knees were holding up alright, given his age.
“I regretted not having a longer conversation last night.”
The Crown Prince’s movements remained elegant and composed.
Yet his eyes gleamed with barely contained excitement.
I didn’t miss that.
‘He’s eager to speak now and can barely contain himself.’
It was exactly as I’d anticipated.
Given his nature, I knew he would react precisely this way.
He wouldn’t be able to bear not knowing how I’d respond once he revealed his true identity.
I poured the tea and asked.
“So, what is it you wanted to tell me?”
The Crown Prince gazed at me for a moment.
His eyes held a peculiar mixture of anticipation.
“Ser Brin.”
He spoke softly.
“Aren’t you curious about who I am?”
I paused, my hand halting as I reached for the teacup.
Then I slowly tilted my head.
“Who you are, Your Highness?”
“Yes.”
The Crown Prince smiled.
“You might have already guessed, perhaps.”
He paused briefly.
Staring directly into my eyes.
There was a peculiar certainty in that gaze.
I knew exactly what that certainty meant.
‘He must be dying to tell me.’
I set down my teacup.
He opened his mouth.
“Actually, I….”
“I know.”
In that instant, his words died on his lips.
The room fell silent for a moment.
The Crown Prince’s eyes wavered slightly.
“…What did you just say?”
I spoke with an unbothered expression.
“Who you are.”
And I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his.
“I already know.”
A suffocating silence hung in the air.
Mocking the anticipation swelling in his eyes, I added in a perfectly composed voice.
“You’re Mikhail.”
The Crown Prince said nothing for a moment.
He simply stared at me with wide, unblinking eyes.

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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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