Chapter 23

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 23

Chapter Title: The Unwelcome Envoy

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“Gasp!”

That instant, I quickly ducked behind the duke's broad back—wide as the Pacific—in case anyone spotted me.

Then, barely poking my head out, I stared up at the sky once more.

But sadly, no matter how many times I blinked and rubbed my eyes, the fact remained: that was the Salt Kingdom's flag flying there.

‘Why are they here...?’

My gaze, frozen in place, naturally drifted downward.

They hadn't noticed us yet, but the cluster of people gathered beneath the flag were all familiar faces.

Especially Count Tonals, standing tall and proud at the front as the envoy's representative—I knew him all too well.

Right then, a long-forgotten memory flashed through my mind.

“Ah, you're Miss April, aren't you?”

“This is His Majesty's...!”

“I know. An unacknowledged bloodline. So no need to treat her like royalty, right?”

Back then, the count's gaze had been laced with blatant contempt.

And the moment he realized I was useful, he'd been on the constant lookout for chances to dump his work on me.

He'd even sweet-talked the clueless Remeia into taking on his tasks.

The man had zero business ethics.

‘Even from a distance, what an obnoxious glare.’

I'd been quietly compiling a list of his corrupt deeds, saving them up to settle the score someday. But now, seeing that ugly mug brought a wave of regret crashing back over all my unfinished revenge.

‘Still, I can't let them catch me.’

Hoo. Taking a deep breath, I tucked my head in like a turtle and stealthily retreated.

Separate from my thirst for payback, I had to hold it in.

With Count Tonals' greed, even a single strand of my hair showing would have him scheming to drag me straight back to Salt.

“Why are you hiding?”

“Well...”

Not only would I lose my comfy bed to stretch out in, but going back to that horrific slave life? Hard pass.

But before I could finish, a sinister smile crept across the Duke of Brail's face.

“Wh-what's with that smile...?”

“I thought you wanted to go back.”

“Hahaha, no way.”

“Then you want to keep living with me?”

No, why phrase it like that? Sure, it wasn't wrong, but...

Conscious of my voice rising, I clamped my mouth shut, switched tactics, and plastered on the saddest expression I could muster.

“No, I mean—not that. Of course I want to return to my homeland and birthplace, Salt... but I can't, so it's just disappointing.”

If I admitted I truly had nowhere to go, this villainous duke would exploit me for real.

“Why can't you?”

“Because I have a duty to uphold my promise to Your Grace.”

“Or I could just say I was protecting a lost princess.”

Are you insane?

“Wh-why go to such lengths with a lie...? Haha.”

My blood ran ice-cold in an instant.

But soon, our eyes met, and he let out a chuckle.

...He was clearly having way too much fun teasing me.

“Let's go for now. To the lodgings provided for us.”

“Huh? Eek!”

My field of vision shot up in a flash.

I only realized the duke had hoisted me over his shoulder after my feet were already dangling in the air.

“You can barely walk properly, so isn't this better?”

“Urk...!”

I bowed my head low to keep my face hidden.

In a normal situation, you'd feel some butterflies or thrill.

‘I'm gonna hurl.’

My stomach, crushed against his rock-hard shoulder, felt like it was demanding to spit out the meal I'd just eaten.

And one more thing.

‘The hammer... it won't slip out, right?’

Worried the leather straps might loosen, I clenched my thighs tight, tears welling up.

Even after riding the Magic Tower's exclusive magic elevator all the way up, we still had to ascend quite a bit further to reach the top floor.

Given the Duke of Brail's prestige, the guest suite they'd provided was gorgeously opulent.

It rivaled the chambers he used back at the ducal estate. Through the massive windows stretched a balcony overlooking a violet sky and the eternal silver moon that hung year-round, weaving a mystical scene so elegant it drew gasps of awe from anyone who beheld it.

Not that it fazed Kaian Brail, who'd seen such vistas countless times.

“Oof, my stomach...”

“Are you being a bit dramatic?”

“Ahaha.”

April's face stiffened awkwardly at what wasn't quite a reprimand.

She always had so much to say in response—it was maddening, and it tempted him to poke at her more.

And before long, an uninvited guest arrived.

Knock knock.

At the sudden knock, Kaian turned and brushed his hand across the desk.

“Tomald Tonals.”

He muttered to himself, and April shot up like a startled rabbit, eyes wide.

“That guy's here?”

“Someone you know?”

“Uh... y-yeah... probably the head of the Salt Kingdom delegation?”

“I see. Looks like he's requesting a meeting.”

“C-can't you refuse?”

“Unless there's pressing business, turning away a foreign envoy is poor etiquette. Even you know that, princess. The neutral Magic Tower serves as a diplomatic bridge for nations far and wide.”

April's already pale face drained to ghostly white.

At that perfect timing, the duke barely stifled a laugh.

Did April Salt realize it? Her every thought and emotion played out plain as day on her face.

He had no clue what was rattling around in that little head of hers, but truth be told, spotting the Salt Kingdom delegation had put Kaian Brail in the most awkward spot.

After all, if word got out about the abducted princess's whereabouts, he'd have no choice but to surrender her.

Yet unexpectedly, April seemed even more eager to avoid them. Maybe more than he was.

Her horrified expression at the sight of Salt's flag was still a sight to behold.

‘No idea why, but it's working in my favor.’

Now that he knew she wasn't the famed Remeia Salt, sending her back might be the proper thing.

But Kaian... personally couldn't stomach handing over a seemingly useful asset for free.

And talk about timing.

For their delegation to show up right when they were together like this.

“Hmm.”

Deciding he'd teased her enough, Kaian tilted his head in mock contemplation.

In truth, he'd already planned to refuse the audience, desperation or no.

That was the moment.

“I don't care anymore!”

April, who'd been sitting at a distance, suddenly bolted toward him.

Then, right before his eyes, she crawled under the desk like it was a performance...

“What exactly are you doing?”

Kaian's voice came out more baffled than anything.

“You said refusing is rude, right?”

“Princess.”

“I'll hole up here quiet as a church mouse, so go ahead with the meeting. Just pretend I'm not even here.”

As always, April Salt had a knack for leaving people utterly speechless.

Just like her amusing reactions to his teasing, he sensed another unexpected twist coming, and the corner of his mouth lifted.

“Very well.”

His mind made up, he tapped the desk twice. The door swung open.

Count Tonals, who'd been pacing anxiously outside, rubbed his hands together like a fly and scurried forward with fawning obsequiousness.

A far cry from the attitude he'd shown April.

“Oh, Your Grace, Duke of Brail! To lay eyes on your radiant countenance in person is the greatest honor for my house. Ha ha ha!”

But in that instant, what caught Kaian's eye was...

April, crammed under the desk, doubled over in a mock retch like she was about to throw up.