Chapter 78

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 78

Chapter Title: The Silver-Haired Savior

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“That should be enough.”

The girl with the blank expression opened her mouth. Even facing the menacing knights, she didn't show the slightest hint of intimidation.

“You wench? How dare you interfere with my punishment? What are you waiting for? Seize her!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The princess's outburst rang out, but Jason couldn't tear his eyes away from the unfamiliar girl.

The princess's guard knight marched toward the girl without hesitation.

But before he could even bare his teeth to intimidate her with his burly frame, a sword was pressed to his throat. It was the female knight protecting the girl.

“Step back.”

It was an astonishing speed in drawing her blade. The princess's knight hadn't even been able to track it with his eyes.

“Does Baldina only have vermin? How dare a lowly bitch butt in here?”

Seeing her guard hesitate only made the princess's face flush redder.

“Who might you be to keep insulting Baldina at every turn? It seems the lady is either a traitor ignorant of her own nation's honor or not from this country at all.”

“W-what? How dare you! I am from the great empire—!”

As the princess fell for the girl's provocation and nearly revealed her identity, Kensington seized her arm and murmured lowly.

“Enough. Have you forgotten where we are, Your Highness?”

No matter what talk swirled behind them, they had to conceal their identities at all costs—the ones responsible for today's chaos.

While silencing the princess, Kensington eyed the silver-haired girl who had appeared out of nowhere with deep suspicion.

“You're such an idiot! We should've just killed her from the start!”

Meanwhile, trapped in the awkward situation, the princess vented her fury by pinching and kicking her guard's shins wildly.

Her fierce kicks nearly brought tears to his eyes, but the guard couldn't utter a word.

“……”

The girl kept her composed expression the whole time, the stark contrast between them plain for all to see.

Princess Angelique scowled fiercely.

“Damn it! This filthy beggar hole—I'm done with it. Let's go!”

Once the enraged princess vanished, a breath of peace finally settled over the street.

“Th-thank you. Tippy and I are safe thanks to you.”

“Pii, piii!”

The baby tiger let out an adorable cry as well.

The girl nodded indifferently, then promptly left the scene.

Jason, who had watched the whole thing as if entranced, hurriedly took off after her.

“Grand Duke, Your Highness? Where are you going?”

He didn't even register the knight calling after him.

Stepping out from the tent, he spotted the girl walking not far ahead.

“Wait—just a moment.”

Jason chased desperately after her. Her silver hair fluttered like silk in the breeze, leaving his mouth inexplicably parched.

“If I may be so bold, might I know the lady's name?”

Her steps didn't falter, her figure slipping away like something he could never grasp, making his palms sweat.

The courage to stand against that tyrant's bullying when no one else would. The calm poise that shut down the arrogant Angelique.

The girl was beautiful—and wise, to boot.

“……”

Please, just stop for a second. Turn back to me.

At the very moment Jason wished it so fervently, the girl's footsteps halted.

Aah, thank goodness. An inexplicable wave of relief washed over his chest.

“The one causing that commotion just now is my cousin sister. She's been spoiled rotten from being raised too indulgently. Allow me to apologize on her behalf.”

It was a gentle, thoughtful voice sure to melt away any wariness.

At last, the girl who had paused turned around.

The instant he met her beautiful green eyes, Jason lost himself.

And in that same moment, a ferocious killing intent grazed his nape.

What was that?

Startled, Jason whipped his head around, scanning his surroundings. It felt as vivid as if an assassin had him in their sights.

But he found no trace of anything and turned his focus back to the girl before him.

In that split second, her wide green eyes quivered with shock. Fear, anger, and some inexplicable regret flashed across them in an instant.

“Lady? Are you all right?”

It was odd. Why was she so startled at the sight of him?

Though taken aback by the swirl of emotions in her eyes, Jason racked his memory for any chance he'd met her before.

No. He wouldn't have forgotten a face like that.

“Lady.”

Jason reached out a hand. He swore there was nothing harsh intended.

Her trembling eyes brimmed with tears hanging so precariously, it looked pitiful...

“I only...”

Smack!

But his outstretched hand was slapped away without mercy.

A sharp sting lingered on the back of his hand. Jason realized she had struck it down.

“It doesn't hurt. Don't worry.”

Jason murmured it unconsciously, trying to reassure her.

By then, the girl had reverted to her impassive face as if nothing had happened.

The shimmer of moisture in her eyes had evaporated long ago. Her pale face was shrouded like a thick veil—impossible to read.

That fleeting glimpse of her true feelings felt so regrettable that Jason clenched his fist without thinking.

If only once more... just look at me with those eyes.

“I had no intention of startling you. I only wanted to apologize for my cousin and, if you'd share your name, offer my thanks—”

Hah. It sounded like a scoff from somewhere.

Had he misheard?

As Jason puzzled over it...

“What good are belated thanks or apologies?”

The girl fired back coldly.

“If you'd been watching from the start, shouldn't you have stopped your cousin yourself? Instead of standing by like it was none of your business.”

“Y-yes...?”

“If you've got that much time on your hands, start by taking a look at yourself—your words and actions don't even match.”

And yet, he was the Grand Duke of the empire.

Born of blood second only to the Emperor himself, no one had ever rebuked him so bluntly to his face.

By the time Jason snapped out of his daze and looked for her again, the girl had already vanished.

From the green building housing Facade's branch office, Angelique's entire commotion had been visible.

“The Fourth Princess hasn't changed a bit. Kazen or Baldina, makes no difference—gotta give her credit for that stubborn streak, at least.”

“Checkmate.”

Cezare's cool voice rang out. He showed no interest whatsoever in the disturbance outside, not even glancing that way.

On the table beside the window where they sat, a chessboard was deep in play.

Black had gobbled up nearly all of White's pieces; few remained.

“Boss, cut me some slack. You're on a total winning streak here.”

Garo pulled a long face, clawing at his hair.

“Whoa, check it—Grand Duke Castulo's out there too. See, Boss?”

As if desperate to divert Cezare's focus, Garo poked his head out the carriage window.

“Looks like he secretly teamed up with the Regent Duke behind the scenes and even dragged Jared along on this Baldina trip.”

“Jason brought Jared?”

Cezare's eyebrow arched faintly. Realization dawned, and a smirk escaped him.

“So my dear cousin brother's finally starting to stretch his legs, huh?”

He pierced straight through Jason's ambitions in an instant.

“Laying low like a dead rat the whole time, but now that you're gone, Boss, he's slinking out and reaching his tentacles inside and outside Kazen. Snag the Regent Duke and Jared, and he won't be so easy to ignore anymore.”

Garo grumbled in annoyance.

“Well, whatever—at least right now, they've gotta play nice with the Fourth Princess, so it ain't all smooth sailing for them... Huh?”

Garo cocked his head.

“Isn't that the princess?”

The hand moving a chess piece froze midair.

Cezare looked up. Through the carriage window, a flash of silver hair flickered before vanishing.

“Did I see wrong? Makes sense—no way she'd be here, right, Boss...?”

When Garo turned around, Cezare had already vacated his seat.

“Dropping chess midway—what the hell!”

Garo yelled at his empty back.

“Argh, checkmate! Checkmate!”