Chapter 42

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 42

Chapter Title: The Aide's Acknowledgment

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In truth, when Yulken heard Hilia calling for him, he thought, Here it comes.

Whether positively or negatively.

And with his mind firmly steeled, he headed to the Crown Princess's office.

But when he actually came face-to-face with her, Hilia's expression was strange.

She gazed at him with a subtle smile brimming with an oddly excessive fondness.

At him—Felix Yulken, the man whose tongue was said to be pricklier than a hedgehog!

He was confident and accustomed to making others uncomfortable and uneasy.

But when it came to his own discomfort, he was hopelessly weak.

Moreover, Hilia's gaze was just too bizarre and peculiar.

We're meeting for the first time, and this feels like... excessive friendliness.

The lavish tea spread, the cup of tea she personally handed him—it was enough to make Yulken worry for a moment.

No way... Did she fall for me at first sight because of my looks?

If so, that would be a disaster.

Of course, Yulken had a certain confidence in his own appearance.

But he was aware of the gap between himself and a master who looked anything but human.

That said, everyone has different tastes, right?

That was logical.

Besides, in this first proper meeting, Hilia was looking at him with eyes overflowing with undue favor.

No way, no way... Am I seriously the Duchess Delphin's type?!

If the person in question heard that, they'd probably laugh themselves sick rolling on the floor.

But Yulken didn't know that before his regression, he'd failed an assassination attempt on Ludwig.

He had no idea that his colorful curses against Ludwig and Evangeline had won over Hilia, his prison neighbor and sort-of friend.

He certainly didn't know that this splendid tea spread was the fruit of that encounter.

With no knowledge whatsoever, Yulken could only conclude it was love at first sight.

Thanks to that, he had to sweat bullets in mounting tension.

No, stop! No matter how much she looks like a sweet cotton candy beauty!

Felix Yulken vowed to himself.

I won't let her push this sudden affection on me!

There were reasons everywhere why not.

No matter that I can't accept her as Crown Princess, she's still the one who went through the marriage rites with His Highness Arpad!

The conclusion was clear.

No affairs!

Coming from a low noble family where his mother had suffered due to his father's infidelity, he despised adultery with a passion.

His Highness the Crown Prince's talk of a love marriage might be a lie, but still, no!

He failed to notice how his latest thought sounded suspiciously like an excuse.

As Yulken floundered between embarrassment and this bizarre feeling, Hilia pointed out something completely unexpected.

"Why don't you address me as 'Crown Princess'?"

"You think I don't suit the position of Crown Princess, don't you? That I'll be a stumbling block for His Highness Arpad."

Yulken, who had been lost in foolish thoughts moments ago, snapped to attention.

Oh, right. I came here to declare that, didn't I?

Only then did he remember his original purpose.

Felix Yulken straightened his gaze and faced the woman before him properly once more.

Unable to hide his discomfort and fluster until now, he quickly reverted to his usual secretary self.

And he smoothly deflected Hilia's attack.

"I have no idea what you mean. We haven't even exchanged a few words yet..."

Hilia smirked and shot back.

"And yet you've never once called me 'Crown Princess'."

"...Did I? I hadn't noticed. Thank you for pointing it out."

Yulken replied with a flawless smile that betrayed no openings.

Even so, he stubbornly avoided using the title "Crown Princess" to the end.

That was Yulken's obstinacy.

No matter that His Highness Arpad suddenly went mad and abducted her as his bride, if she wants recognition as Crown Princess, she needs to prove her capability!

That was Yulken's creed.

And Hilia pierced right through that mindset as if she could see it plain as day.

"It's because I haven't shown the ability fitting for Crown Princess yet, right?"

"......"

At this point, Yulken asked honestly.

"Do you perhaps have mind-reading powers?"

Hilia beamed brightly.

"No. It's just... the secretary's meritocracy is famous. And your own abilities are outstanding."

Yulken nodded shamelessly.

"That's true."

Never feigning modesty was another of Yulken's creeds.

That's the courtesy a capable person must uphold!

That was Yulken's philosophy.

And at the same time.

If I pretend to be humble when I'm not, how insulting would that be to truly incapable people!

As if aware even of that, Hilia spoke softly.

"I won't force you. It's only natural that one must demonstrate commensurate ability to rise to such a noble position."

And that Ludwig and Evangeline fell short of that standard was a view shared by both Yulken and Hilia.

That alone was enough for Hilia to view Yulken favorably.

"Then you'll understand if I can't obey your orders."

But Hilia wiped her mouth clean.

"That's separate. Whether you acknowledge me as Crown Princess or not, you must follow my commands."

"......"

Felix Yulken. For the first time in his 27 years, he was at a complete loss for words.

* * *

Yulken looked unusually speechless.

Truly unexpected. The guy who kept yapping right up to the guillotine.

In any case, Hilia didn't miss the opening.

She slid the prepared documents right in front of Yulken.

"Take a look."

"...Why this all of a sudden...?"

Yulken seemed to be clinging to his last shred of pride, or perhaps habit.

He was stubbornly holding onto the notion that he couldn't easily accept Hilia, out of sheer stubbornness.

The way to shatter that in one blow was simple.

She smiled and proposed confidently.

"Want to make a bet?"

"A bet out of nowhere?"

For someone with such a cute, seemingly timid impression, Yulken had a tongue sharper than a blade and expressions dirtier than dirt.

Seeing his face crumple, Hilia declared with confidence.

"I'll bet a million castels that after you see these documents, you'll call me 'Crown Princess'."

A million castels was roughly equivalent to Yulken's monthly salary.

"But you don't have the authority to execute the Crown Prince Palace's budget yet, do you?"

In other words, Where's that money coming from?

It was also a warning not to waste the palace budget on such nonsense.

Understanding perfectly, Hilia smiled radiantly.

"Because I'm the head of House Delphin, of course."

"Ah."

Yulken nodded readily.

The news of Hilia successfully reining in Delphin Castle had already spread.

Yulken, in particular, knew more details.

Unlike the rumors, she handled it without His Highness Arpad's help.

Of course, this was a misunderstanding because Yulken didn't know the Mercenary King Gerald was actually Arpad.

From Yulken's perspective, it looked like Hilia had resolved the Delphin matter through her own power alone.

The Mercenary King Gerald is a rude bastard who ignores all approaches from the Crown Prince Palace. How the hell did she hire him?

Naturally, outsiders saw it the same way Yulken did—just as Hilia had anticipated.

Honestly, after the Delphin Castle incident, Yulken had started to reevaluate Hilia a bit.

If he hadn't heard the news beforehand, he might have made excuses to refuse the summons altogether.

Or even if he'd come, he would've ignored her words or slacked off on orders to indirectly snub her.

The fact that he was taking her seriously and on guard now was Yulken's way of acknowledging her, to some extent.

Of course, Hilia wasn't satisfied with that much.

She lifted her head and asked with a brilliant smile.

"So, bet or no?"

Yulken blankly admired Hilia's beauty for a moment, lost in foolish thoughts.

It's rare for someone to look beautiful even with her chin tilted up like that. Her looks are the real deal...

Then he startled and shook his head.

No, that's not it!

Unaware of Yulken's idiotic thoughts, Hilia tried to pull back the documents.

"Well, if you don't want to, no choice."

But the documents didn't budge.

Yulken was holding the other end.

"I didn't say I wouldn't bet."

A million castels, after all. No reason to turn down free money rolling in.

Moreover, Hilia had staked her Delphin family name, guaranteeing she could pay up.

From Yulken's view, it looked like a bet he couldn't lose.

Documents that would make me call her 'Crown Princess' after one look? No way such a thing exists!

Yulken truly believed that.

Hilia laughed cheerfully and let go of the documents she'd been pulling.

In that smile, Yulken nearly lost himself staring at her again.

Finally regaining his senses, he turned his eyes to the documents.

And in the next instant, Yulken's eyes bulged so wide you worried they'd pop out if hit from behind.

"Th-this is...!"

Hilia wore a smile as transparent as spring sunlight on cherry blossoms.

And she kindly added an explanation.

"Of course, you'll have to find the detailed evidence yourself. And there's no guarantee these are all of them."

"But this is...!"

Yulken's hands trembled, crumpling the paper with a rustle.

Hilia smiled confidently and asked.

"But it's useful, right?"

She knew the answer already.

And in the next moment, the response Hilia wanted came from Yulken's mouth.

"Of course, Crown Princess!"

It was the first time since the bride abduction marriage that Felix Yulken—Arpad's most capable aide—had used the title "Crown Princess".

Hilia smiled confidently.

Good. With this, the cleanup inside the Crown Prince Palace is done.