Olivia nodded at Bella’s question.
Bella smiled lightly.
“Your master’s master has been visiting you in the hospital every day. That fruit basket and drink over there were also prepared by your master’s master.”
Bella rambled on without being asked.
Olivia looked over at the fruit basket and juice box on the dresser and then at me.
Her lips trembled.
Looks like she’s revving up her tsundere engine.
Just when I was readying myself for her typical tsundere comments.
“…Is what Bella said really true? You?”
A soft voice poured out of Olivia’s mouth.
A pink blush blossomed on her white cheeks.
Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?
Did she eat something weird?
I felt awkward for no reason.
“…I was just peeking in to see if anything was wrong. Since you jumped out to defend me, it would be a hassle if something went wrong on your end. It could escalate into an international diplomatic issue. That’s the only reason.”
I’m serious.
And the gift wasn’t from me; it was prepared by Han Seo-Jin.
I have no idea how she managed to get a fruit basket and orange juice box that look like something you’d see in a Korean hospital all the way from France.
[Partner. When are you going to be honest?]
The Black Prince babbled nonsense again.
“Idiot, fool…”
Olivia puffed up her cheeks and turned away.
“Hmph.”
Yeah.
That’s the tsundere Olivia I know.
Now there’s a sense of familiar comfort.
I took the orange juice out of the box, opened the cap, and handed it to her.
“Here, drink this. It’ll go bad if you leave it.”
Whap.
Olivia snatched the orange juice from my hand and took a sip.
While fiddling with the empty bottle with a smug expression, she murmured.
“Well, it’s not bad.”
That means she likes it.
I opened another cap for myself and took a sip.
The sweet and sour flavor danced on my tongue.
Just regular orange juice flavor.
“…..”
An awkward silence settled in the hospital room.
The atmosphere got suddenly awkward.
Olivia kept glancing over here.
She chewed on her lips.
[Partner. At times like this, the man should start a conversation with the lady.]
The Black Prince was giving me pointless advice in my head.
Start a conversation first?
What on earth should I say?
Just as I was lost in thought struggling to come up with something to say.
“Hey, you!”
Olivia called out to me.
“I’m only going to say this once, so listen well!”
Her face flushed as she spoke in a low voice.
“Th-thank you… for coming to save me…”
It was my first time hearing a proper thank you from the usually tsundere Olivia.
A sudden laugh burst out of me.
Olivia’s face turned even redder when she saw me laugh.
With her eyes tightly shut, she shouted at me.
“W-w-what?! M-M-M-Miss Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte is sincerely thanking a commoner like you, and all you can do is laugh!! How annoying…”
“Th-thank you sincerely for your appreciation, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte, you commoner! This is so hilarious!! So annoying…”
“Thanks.”
I cut her off mid-sentence.
It wasn’t for her sake.
If Olivia, the second most popular heroine shining in the character popularity contest, was missing, it would greatly hinder my progress in winning over the Messiah.
I did it for myself.
That’s what I must tell myself.
Because I still haven’t found a way to take responsibility for everyone.
By the way, Olivia and Aris are the top two heroines in the original work.
That damned sword spirit, Kusunagi, only won first place because of the failed unification between Olivia and Aris.
Just two votes separated Olivia in second and Kusunagi in first.
When you combine the votes of the second and third place, it far exceeds that of the first.
Moreover, she’s a ridiculously young-looking beautiful girl, so she received overwhelming support from a specific fandom that prefers that type.
What’s so great about that?
Honestly, as someone who loves voluptuous figures, I simply can’t understand it, or rather, I don’t want to.
That’s why I couldn’t accept the popularity contest results.
Anyway, what a creepy bunch.
“No need for that. I was planning to save you from the start, so there’s no need to thank me. And…”
Olivia’s blue eyes widen dramatically.
Her gaze turns toward me.
Feeling awkward, I avoid her eyes and say,
“Thanks for protecting me from William back then.”
The declaration of being a dedicated maid was pretty embarrassing.
But still, it was something she said while thinking of me.
I feel that I should express my gratitude.
Also, for stepping up to protect me against the monster that William had turned into.
[Good job, partner. I’ll give you a compliment this time.]
I didn’t say that to get praised, you know?
Olivia laughs at what I said.
Not her usual exaggerated lady-like laugh, but a fresh, youthful giggle.
“You really are… the universe’s number one fool.”
Olivia naturally calls me a fool with her pretty smile.
I wasn’t expecting it.
Tsundere’s for you.
Just then, as I poured myself another glass of orange juice…
“Excuse me, Lady, Master’s Master.”
Bella, who had been quietly standing like a statue, checks her phone and calls us.
“The Emperor will be coming.”
The Emperor?
What on earth is he coming here for?
“My father?”
“Yes. It seems he has heard that you’ve awakened. The Empress will be accompanying him as well.”
Bella speaks in her usual calm voice.
Suddenly, Olivia’s parents are making an appearance.
It’s already awkward enough; if Olivia’s parents show up, it might get even more awkward.
“I should make a quick exit.”
[Partner? Are you really running away now? This is a golden opportunity to earn points with your uncle and aunt.]
What are you talking about fighting back?
This is ridiculous.
Ignoring the Black Prince’s words, I stand up.
“Well then, I should be going.”
Since I confirmed Olivia’s safety, I should go have some fun outside.
It’s a rare long leave, well, an outing.
Having already achieved the purpose of coming to France, I should have some healing time before I have to endure the tedious school lessons again.
I should enjoy the European trip I couldn’t take before my rebirth.
Just as I was about to leave the hospital room with a light heart…
“The Emperor wishes to see Master’s Master as well.”
Bella’s words grabbed my ankle.
My face froze.
Why on earth would he want to see me all of a sudden?
I can’t even begin to guess why the Emperor is acting like this.
[Partner, I told you to just stay put earlier, didn’t I?]
“I told you to stay put!”
“It’s a bit overwhelming.”
“Don’t even think of running away, my master’s master.”
Bella looks straight at me as she speaks.
“Enjoy it if you can’t escape, partner.”
The Black Prince is fanning the flames by my side.
Since the Emperor specifically designated me, there’s no way to avoid it.
It can’t be helped.
“Fine. I’ll just meet them.”
I sit back down.
Olivia bursts out laughing at that.
I have no idea what’s so funny about it.
I sip my orange juice to calm my burning insides.
“Hey, what if you drink it all? You should leave some for my brother.”
“Shut up.”
As I continue to drink, the orange juice becomes three empty bottles.
“The Emperor is coming!”
As Bella’s voice rings out, the door swings open and the Emperor and Empress walk in.
The French Emperor Albert, a middle-aged man with platinum hair dressed in a luxury suit, and his wife, the curly-haired lady, Gisele.
Behind them are numerous attendants, filling the VIP hospital room that’s larger than any hotel suite.
“Oooh, Olivia! You’re finally awake! Do you know how worried your father has been? Come here, let me hug you, my princess.”
As soon as he sees Olivia, the French Emperor rushes over, shedding tears.
Seeing such a typical, embarrassing, doting father character in a novel makes me sigh.
“Get away from me! Ugh, stupid dad! Gross! I don’t want this!”
Olivia wraps her arms around herself and glares at the Emperor.
The Emperor looks shocked by her reaction.
He plops down, holding his head in his hands and bowing it down.
“I can’t believe this… My Olivia… My Olivia… sniff… my wife…”
“What is wrong with you, acting so shamelessly like this!?”
Slap.
The Emperor screams as the Empress smacks his back.
Is this really the Emperor of France?
“Looks like he’s still the same, being tied down by his wife and doting on Olivia.”
I hear the Black Prince’s satisfied voice.
“Cough cough.”
The Emperor wipes his tears and straightens up.
As if he never cried, he puts on a solemn expression and looks at Olivia.
“According to your wishes, I’ve decided to cancel the marriage alliance with Britain. The international joint investigation found most of William’s charges to be true, so it’s a decision we had to make for the dignity of our empire.”
“Hmph. I wouldn’t feel anything by hearing about such a ‘natural’ outcome.”
Olivia pouts her lips.
“Have you apologized to him?”
“Apologize?”
The Emperor scratches his head in confusion.
Olivia puffs up her cheeks at the sight.
“If you don’t apologize, I won’t talk to you for the rest of my life!”
You gotta be kidding me.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor stares blankly for a moment before responding with a trembling voice.
“Ah, I got it. I can just do it, can’t I…”
“Do it right now!”
“Cough cough. Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
The Emperor calls out to me.
Was that directed at me?
“Did you call me?”
“Um… I think I heard about your actions in a distorted way and misunderstood a lot. I should apologize for that… You are completely different from the person in the rumors I heard. And…”
“You should also say thank you! For recognizing you as my brother’s heir!”
Olivia chimes in from the side.
It’s scary. Such a tsundere.
“…Thank you. For saving my lovely daughter, Olivia, from such the worst man. I genuinely admire your courage to come all the way from the Far East to save my daughter, even if it risks turning France and Britain into enemies.”
The Emperor hesitates before continuing.
“Let’s not drag this out any longer.”
“And while I don’t really want to admit it, having seen you wielding Durandal and mastering the White Flame Sword Technique and the Black Radiance Sword Technique, I’ll acknowledge you. You are the rightful owner of Durandal and the heir to Raul.”
The Emperor slightly bows his head to me.
It’s a bit excessive, and Olivia is urging him from the side, but it’s not a bad compliment.
[Haha, partner. Congratulations. Thanks to our lovely little sister, we’re racking up points with the royal family comfortably, aren’t we?]
The Black Prince chimes in my head.
If I don’t accept this in this situation, I’ll be the weird one.
“Understood. I accept your apologies, thanks, and acknowledgment.”
So, I decided to accept.
It works to my advantage, after all.
I’m not dumb enough to reject the feast Olivia prepared for me.
“Thank you. But that doesn’t mean I acknowledge you as a suitor for the Bonaparte royal family just yet! Olivia, think again. No matter how I look at it, he isn’t the one. How many women are around, and why on earth would I want him…?”
Suddenly, what’s this about being a suitor?
Is it a specialty of characters like Shinozaki Ichiro and those cringe-worthy dads in light novels to jump to conclusions?
Why do they love making someone their son-in-law so much?
I don’t want to change my last name to Shinozaki, and I don’t want to go with Bonaparte either.
Even before and after reincarnation, my surname will forever be the immortal Kim.
It’s a ridiculous sight to be drinking Kimchi Soup when they’re not even offering any dumplings.
I click my tongue.
“Sh-shut up!! W-what does my father know!!”
Olivia yells, her face flushed red as she squeezes her eyes shut.
“But…”
The Emperor is sweating coldly, looking flustered.
Click.
Olivia places her hand on her chest and says,
“Listen well, Father. I’m absolutely confident I can win this competition. So, don’t say such unnecessary things again. Got it? I’m his number one maid, or rather, his zero maid!”
Olivia speaks with unnecessary confidence and a proud tone.
Seeing this, the Emperor reluctantly nods with a look of hopeless resignation.
“Fine… I got it. Olivia.”
The Emperor’s gaze turns to me.
“If my daughter cries, I’ll kill you, Kim Deok-Sung. Got it?”
Just listen to that voice. It’s chilling.
[I’ll kill you too, partner.]
The Black Prince joins in with his own threat.
How am I supposed to live with this fear?
Sighing internally, I nod.
“Yes, understood. Let’s go with that.”
“I can’t believe it. To Olivia, all men besides me are wolves. I’ll keep an eye on you.”
The Emperor looks at me with a significant tone.
The dad of the heroine must necessarily be a cringeworthy character in this damned light novel world.
“…Ugh… Fool… Idiot…”
Beside me, Olivia groans.
She was just talking fine a moment ago. What’s with the sudden change?
It seems the Emperor has finished speaking, as he closes his mouth, and instead, the Empress comes forward handing each of us a letter embellished with gold leaf.
“This is an invitation to the royal ball. Both of you must attend.”
A ball?
Is it one of those dance parties you often see in fantasy novels?
“Well then, I’ll take this one and be on my way. I had planned to visit once Olivia was stable, but she insisted, so here we are. I hope I’m not bothering you. Olivia and Mr. Kim Deok-Sung, please rest comfortably.”
“No! I’m not going! No! Olivia! Don’t you want to see your father more?”
“Come on! You idiot!”
The Empress elegantly whines, dragging the Emperor along with her servants as they exit.
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