Chapter 211
My senior seemed to have set her mind on nagging me without a break today.
– You borrowed the Crown Princess’s hand, and there’s no success? Eri, do you even know what debt is?
“Uh, no…”
– Do you know but just pretending?
I instinctively shrank under her sharp gaze.
I was looking down, so I couldn’t see it, but even though I couldn’t really feel her eyes through the communication device, my body remembered and curled up.
Everyone in the world is being fooled. They’re deceived by my senior’s pretenses.
– The Lady and the Duke clashed. In this situation, even the Marquis’s involvement would be buried, so if the Marquis’s daughter stays quiet, will people even pay attention?
“Uh, no…”
– You know this but still say no?
It’s strange. I swear I heard those words earlier, and here they are again.
Every time my senior gives me the play-by-play painful advice disguised as an attack, my mind feels like harvested grain getting thrashed.
‘If I had known this would happen.’
I bit my lip, allowing my senior’s nagging to wash over me. If I had known things would escalate to this point, I would have taken a meteor to the forehead before accepting her help.
If I hadn’t begged my senior for assistance, I would’ve just received some ordinary jeering and been done with it. But now that I’ve asked for help…
My love life has become a hurdle for my senior’s pride. If the Crown Princess is involved but nothing happens, it’s no longer acceptable to her—even if I’m okay with it.
‘Then Marcilio…’
Thinking of Marcilio as the starting point of this fiasco, a sense of injustice welled up inside me. Come on, who could have known the guy would crash the party?
Initially, I planned to approach the Executive Manager at the New Year’s Ball when he came to the Capital. My senior had agreed that my cautious approach was a solid choice.
But with Marcilio’s intrusion, the tables were turned. The Empire’s gaze was suddenly fixed on the Lady and Duke showdown, as well as Marcilio’s companion making their grand appearance after 120 years. It turned out a Marquis’s daughter could easily be dismissed.
– It’s too late now. You dawdled and missed your chance.
I nearly snapped at my senior for adding fuel to the fire, considering she had agreed when I said I’d wait for the New Year’s Ball.
– Why are you looking at me like that?
“Uh, it’s nothing…”
Of course, I averted my gaze at her piercing look.
Yeah, right now isn’t the time to point fingers or complain. Just like my senior said, I’ve already missed the moment.
‘Will I even catch the Executive Manager’s eye?’
Of course, that thought shot through my mind. From the Executive Manager’s perspective, having already been attacked by Marcilio, a new woman’s confession might leave him feeling more bewildered than offended. He might think I was just making fun of him.
– You’re overthinking it again.
Maybe she could read my serious deliberation, for my senior shot me a curt remark.
– If it’s already too late, you need to act quickly; if you keep overthinking, you’ll never move forward.
It’s true, but it’s also a careless remark. Does she think I’m not aware of that?
I want to take my time with it at least to get the button fastened properly; that’s why I’m being so cautious.
‘She thinks everyone is just like her.’
My lips jutted out in irritation. She speaks so casually about possibility like it’s guaranteed, but if the whole world acted as recklessly as she does, it’d be in ruins already.
I mean, this is a person who proposed to a Crown Prince who was almost at death’s door, all because she fell for him. It’s the kind of courage I applaud, but it’s also insanity I can’t emulate.
‘If she’s the ‘virtuous’ type…’
My eyes narrowed. If she’s considered ‘virtuous,’ then I’m a nun.
My senior hides her true nature completely while pretending to be a proper lady. That performance has been so convincing that she’s established herself as the virtuous and wise Crown Princess.
‘What nonsense.’
If she were truly quiet and respectable, would I have stuck around with her? I’m not fond of boring people.
…Actually, come to think of it, she might be even worse than me—
– Eri.
“Didn’t think of anything!”
At the low rumble of her voice, I quickly shook my head.
But in my fluster, I added a useless comment. Saying I hadn’t thought of anything makes it sound like I was thinking something weird after all.
“Don’t worry! I’ve known the Executive Manager for ages. I’m the one who met him first, okay?”
As my senior narrowed her eyes, I quickly countered. I have this bond with him that no one can rival.
This was also a way of reassuring myself. That’s right, I met the Executive Manager before anyone else. Before the Lady, before Marcilio.
There’s no need for concern. I’m already close to the Executive Manager. If I just confess and show my feelings, we can get even closer. He won’t just push me away.
– Hmmm…
“…What now?”
Attempting to hold my head up tall, I faltered at my senior’s unsettling reaction.
After a moment of silence, she cleared her throat a few times, then started to imitate a sobbing voice.
– The Executive Manager liked me first, even though I met him first, waaaah~~!
Hearing that made my hands tremble with frustration.
– That’s something you should say a year from now. How does it feel to hear that in advance?
“Senior!”
This time I genuinely shouted.
– Quiet. My ears are perfectly fine.
My senior responded with a tone as if asking where the dog was barking from, unfazed.
Though, her slightly lifted corners of her mouth were filled with mockery.
‘If only you weren’t the Crown Princess…!’
I felt like tears were about to spill from my eyes, feeling both wronged and aggrieved. If she weren’t the Crown Princess, I would’ve punched her!
…In that case, I’ll just have to take it out on the Second Manager.
*
Eri huffed angrily and irritably ended the communication. It was rude to leave before the Crown Princess, but I figured she deserved it given the emotional shock.
‘She needs to get a grip.’
I quietly caressed the communication device. Teasing a junior about her painful crush is sad, but it’s a necessary process.
She’s clearly in a tight spot now. Yet, seeing her dawdling means she’s likely clinging to some shred of hope.
‘She believes in destiny or something.’
She’s aware she’s in a crisis. She knows she needs to act fast. Eri isn’t a foolish child; she’s just a bit unique.
But it is precisely that lack of action that reveals the faint hope she’s clinging to—an advantage of having spent time with the Executive Manager. She doesn’t even realize that it’s a vain hope.
‘Is she being dumb?’
I found myself really pondering that question. Has she become so blinded by love that her head is in the clouds?
What a pity. Why make such a big deal over love?
‘She just needs to confess.’
When you like someone, you just go for it, right? I can’t fathom her hesitation.
“Se-se-senior! The Executive Manager, the Executive Manager!”
For a moment, I envisioned the future. Eri wailing as if the world was ending, sobbing uncontrollably. Ultimately, unable to connect with the Executive Manager, she’d be left at a wedding, watching from afar.
“I liked him first…”
Then I could picture her, hollow-eyed, gnawing on her nails.
‘It’s so vivid.’
It’s dizzying. The clarity of that visual is almost staggering. Just how easy it is to imagine suggests a likely future.
‘It can’t be helped.’
With a light sigh, I activated the communication device. Given that I’ve helped even a single time, I’m as entangled in Eri’s love life as she is.
Even if I hadn’t assisted, I couldn’t let the impending disaster of my junior’s future go unchecked.
“Hehe, I hope to find someone to spend my life with, just like you did, senior.”
A few years back, when everyone gasped in shock and opposed, even my father hesitated and said maybe I should reconsider, that proposal came about.
Amidst all that, Eri was nearly the only one to support and encourage me. Honestly, I found some courage because of her.
My precious junior, having received kindness, now it’s time for me to return it.
‘He’s a lucky man.’
Thinking of the Executive Manager brought a smile to my face. While Eri may not fit the mold of a typical noble lady, she has her unique charm. Besides, she’s kind-hearted and has a lot of love to give.
Even if Eri was the only one in his life, that would still be a blessing; but with a Lady and a Duke? Maybe Enen truly blessed him.
Of course, he can’t compare to my husband, the Crown Prince.
– Your Highness?
“Your Highness.”
And not long after fiddling with the communication device, the Crown Prince answered.
“Did I perhaps disturb you at a busy time?”
– No, Your Highness. I wouldn’t dare interrupt your precious time for me.
I met the Crown Prince’s smile with my own. I noticed the paperwork in his hands subtly lowering from view, but I pretended not to see.
I know it’s slightly bothersome to contact the Crown Prince with personal matters, but what can I do? This is my rightful claim!
“Your Highness, it seems like I haven’t given you anything on this happy day you appeared in this world. If you have any wishes, feel free to tell me.”
He had promised me this at my birthday banquet not long ago. I’m simply fulfilling that promise.
“Your Highness, I have a favor to ask.”
“Speak. I shall grant you anything.”
A senior who even enlisted my father and husband to help her junior’s love life. There’s probably no other senior like this in the world.
*
Have I finally gone mad?
“Your Highness, I beg your pardon, but there’s so much noise, I couldn’t hear what you said.”
– Oh dear, looks like I called at a busy time for the Information Manager.
But despite my tangled emotions, the Crown Prince remained so calm.
– The diligence and loyalty of the Information Manager are truly exemplary and worthy of emulation by all. I should offer a meal to such a faithful minister, don’t you think?
‘Is he insane?’
I nearly yelled instinctively. I can’t believe the nonsense coming out of his mouth right now.
A meal? Neither of us is in a sentimental enough state to care about that right now. It’s way better to avoid each other’s faces than sit around sharing a meal. The fact that I’m facing him means something’s already gone wrong.
And he thinks it’s appropriate to suggest dinner right now? At this very moment when I’m at the heart of the turmoil? Inviting me to the Capital ignited by the Marcilio incident?
‘He isn’t being sincere.’
If it had been someone else, I might have considered the slightest chance of him genuinely wanting a meal. Perhaps they really could have been free at this time.
But not this guy. There’s no way he’s inviting me for some trivial reason.
“Your Highness, if I may…”
I paused my lips, searching for the right words.
“Isn’t it likely that I would receive disapproving glances rather than setting an example if I went to the Capital while being this stretched thin?”
I crafted a refusal that rolled off the tongue. Honestly, I wanted to scream, “Enough with your nonsense, Your Highness!” but that would be utterly impossible.
Gingerly covering my true sentiment, the actual message was that I didn’t want to be seen at the Capital during such a chaotic time.
“I have vowed not to set foot in the Capital until after the New Year’s Ball.”
This time I spoke with more conviction. No way am I going, you jerk.
In truth, I was wavering a bit on whether to go because of the Wise Duke’s words, but hearing this from him gave me all the resolve I needed. Something is bound to escalate once I step out. Absolutely no way!
– Your intent is admirable; it’s a lesson that all subordinates should learn from.
Despite my desperate refusal, the Crown Prince simply smiled.
– But my Information Manager, I have something to say to you.
“Your command.”
– One should not make promises they can’t keep casually.
Shit.
At that, my fists clenched. This isn’t a suggestion to come, this is a notification.
‘Making promises I can’t keep?’
Had it not been for you, I would have been perfectly capable of keeping that promise…!
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