Chapter 145

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 145

Chapter Title: Bouquets and Departures

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There was no way these guys had all gathered here by sheer coincidence on this exact day and time unless they'd received some divine revelation all at once.

I scowled and asked,

"What is it? Why are you all suddenly here?"

Heyton Ballua cleared his throat with a hem, and Adrian fell silent as if choosing his words carefully. In the end, it was Lionel who spoke up first.

"Because today is the day we give flowers."

"Flowers? ...Ah."

Only then did I nod in realization.

Right. So today was that day.

There was a day when people gave flowers to those they were grateful to or fond of.

It meant they wanted to become even more special to you tomorrow.

Since it's given with intent, it's basically a bribe.

Come to think of it, Adrian, Heyton, and Lionel were all holding bouquets.

Suddenly, an ominous feeling washed over me. After pondering for a moment, I flinched back.

"No way... you guys aren't thinking of giving them to me, are you...?"

As I narrowed my eyes, the three of their expressions shifted.

Heyton turned his head away with a hmph, Lionel flushed red, and Adrian gazed at me with a tender look.

"...You've got a favor to ask!"

"......"

"......"

"......"

I let out a deep sigh and crossed my arms.

"Whatever it is, you scared the hell out of me!"

"......"

"......"

"......"

"I don't accept flowers as bribes. If you want something, cough up something of equal value. Feelings? Those are invisible."

After dispensing that advice which would serve them well in the future, I nodded and sighed.

"I was terrified for a second there, thinking you guys actually liked me. That'd make things awkward as hell. If it were some other young lady, she'd totally misunderstand?"

I let out a hearty heh heh heh, and Lionel's brows drooped pitifully.

"If we like you, does that mean we can't see you anymore?"

"Obviously! Lionel's the Grand Duke's only son, Adrian's a prince, and Heyton, I just plain don't like you."

"Why am I just plain unlikeable?!"

"You hid a bomb in the mock battle arena. You were pretending it was an accident to kill me, right?"

"......"

Heyton averted his gaze. Muttering, "That was on my father's orders... I wouldn't do it even if he told me to now..."

The three fell strangely silent. Growing uneasy again, I took a few steps back.

"No way, you guys don't actually..."

Kyah! I shrieked in horror, and all three spoke at once.

"Are you insane? Why would I like you?"

"Ah, no, milady..."

"We stopped by the market district and heard you were here."

I nodded with a pleased expression.

"Got it, thanks. But I won't take the flowers. Rumors could start flying. Be more careful next time, you foolish little brats. Hahaha!"

"......"

"Yeah."

"......"

Having sorted things out, I waved cheerfully. "Bye!" and headed back to the carriage.

Watching Leblain walk away with a relieved, cheerful expression, the four boys—including Seto—each wore different looks on their faces.

"Who's calling who a foolish little brat..."

Tsking his tongue, Heyton side-eyed Adrian.

"It must sting Your Highness. I get it given the circumstances, but for her to recoil like that from Your Highness—who offers far better terms—might mean she won't consider you at all going forward."

"It'd hurt less than from a guy who can't even meet the basic conditions."

"How long do you think I'll stay like this? Don't assume the future. I'll rise again someday."

Adrian, who'd been staring until Leblain was completely out of sight, finally turned his head.

He glanced at the still sullen Lionel and Seto, then whispered lowly.

"Let's see how far she climbs by saving up that allowance she gives you."

"The allowance is payment for a deal...!"

Heyton, mid-shout, clamped his mouth shut with a flinch.

How does she know about that?

Leblain wouldn't have told her.

Heyton had guessed that the Hopf Merchant Guild—which paid him his allowance—was an under-the-table venture run by Duvered.

No way that cunning Leblain would tip off the prince about Duvered's secrets.

The world had many names for Adrian.

The pitiful abandoned prince.

The unprotected stray cat.

Luerge, forsaken by the gods.

Under pressure from Empress Ybonne and House Marsch, Adrian hadn't even had proper tutors.

Whenever gossips mentioned him, it was always with sneers about whether he'd even live long enough to read.

"...You're not like the rumors, Your Highness."

"......"

"But not wise. What if I run to the Empress's palace and spill everything?"

"Try it."

As Heyton's face hardened, Adrian slowly scanned it.

"It'd be nice if anyone believed you. At least then you wouldn't just be the poor boy gripped by delusions after his father died."

"...!"

"I hope you survive Theodor Duvered's clutches, since you're the one who confessed Duvered's secret ventures. Though I wonder if you'll even make it out of the palace alive first."

Adrian walked off upright, pausing to grip Heyton's shoulder firmly.

"Don't cross the line, Young Master. I don't want to do anything Leblain might regret even a little."

Adrian turned and whispered softly before leaving.

Heyton clutched his throbbing shoulder, staring at Adrian's retreating back, and let out a hollow laugh.

The real foolish little brat was Leblain.

Stupid Leblain. Do you even realize what kind of monster's heart you've set ablaze?

Just then, Lionel muttered while fiddling gloomily with his bouquet.

"The bouquet... Maybe she didn't like it because it wasn't pretty?"

Heyton scowled at him.

"What?"

"Maybe pink would've been better! I should go back and get a pink bouquet right now...!"

"......"

Heyton shook his head at Lionel spouting nonsense even now, then walked away.

A few days later. Having finished preparations for the Eton Mine expedition, I opened the carriage door with Henri and Ishak.

Henri and Ishak had anxious looks right up to departure.

"Kiddo, do you really have to go? We can handle it."

"Yeah, Leblain. You don't have to..."

I'd heard that about twenty times yesterday already. I hopped into the carriage first and turned to my brothers.

"Has anyone here besides me touched a mana source?"

No one but me—with my memories of my past life intact—knew what a mana source looked like or what energy it gave off, yet they talked big about retrieving it.

"But it's dangerous. If a child received a spirit's blessing, it means even the nymphs from legends might really exist."

"Leblain, nymphs aren't those cute little fairy-tale pixies. They're more like monsters. Savage, horrific, and cunning."

"Perfect!"

I clapped my hands and beamed innocently, making Ishak frown.

"Why?"

"If they're noble beings chasing justice and goodness, you'd have to win their hearts to find the source, right? But if they're vicious, we can make a deal."

"Huh... Yeah, true."

"Plus, in the worst case, we'd have to take it by force. How do you attack something cute? It's easier to fight if they look ugly."

Thank goodness!

I nodded vigorously, and Ishak brightened. "Ah, right you are. You're so smart, kiddo~!"

"Right?"

The attendant stared at us in disbelief.

"Who'd think milady isn't a true Duvered..."

Dad and Yohan, who'd come to see us off, chuckled, and Henri ruffled my hair with a helpless smile.

As my brothers settled opposite me, Dad draped a robe over my shoulders and said,

"Don't forget the mine conditions."

I'd been warned so many times, I had them memorized by heart. I recalled them.

"What did I say?"

I glanced at the people outside the carriage, mumbling shyly. The conditions were too embarrassing to recite here.

"The conditions."

But they wouldn't let us go without it, so I squeezed my eyes shut and bellowed,

"One: Fists speak faster than words! If they won't listen, punch 'em! Because Dad's waiting at home, pining for his lovely Leblain!"

"And?"

"Two: If it looks like you're losing, run like hell! Don't care if others die. Surviving comes first! Because Dad's waiting at home, longing for his cute Leblain!"

"Last one?"

"Three: Pride's worthless in the face of death! If cornered, beg for your life! Because Dad's waiting at home, day and night, for his pretty Leblain!"

"Good."

Dad and Yohan nodded, while Henri and Ishak snickered.

Dad stroked my head and said,

"Don't let the mine trip drag on. If Marsch catches wind, it'll get dangerous."

That was why Dad couldn't come himself, and why we couldn't use long-distance teleportation circles.

We were posing as a simple outing. Most would assume Dad was keeping me away from prince-guarding duties.

We absolutely can't let Marsch catch on.

If they stole the mana source, Duvered wouldn't beat Marsch for the next seven years.

The landscape had shifted after the Holy Demon War, but for Duvered's independence, we needed to seize the nation's peak as soon as possible.

"We'll be back."

I hugged Dad's neck in farewell, and he patted my back lightly.

"...Yeah."

The carriage door closed, and we left the capital behind.

I closed my eyes and clutched the pouch containing the amethyst I was sure was the devil's passage.

Please help if things get dangerous.

With my aura-user brothers, an elite squad from the knights, and even Zachary along, it was still risky.

We didn't know how powerful these forgotten spirits truly were.

Alright, let's do this.

I had no idea then. What this mine trip would bring me... and what it would take away.