Chapter 39

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 39

Chapter Title: Pending Settlement

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"Pending settlement...?"

April asked, looking puzzled.

Her innocent, clear eyes made his resolve from moments ago waver for an instant, but Kaian clenched his fist tight to steady his shaking heart.

In truth, there was nothing wrong with April saying she wanted to leave. The Duke's household had decided to treat her not as a hostage, but as a guest.

But for some reason, her declaration of independence made his temper flare.

He couldn't figure out why.

Was it because this bizarre woman—who handled tasks with unmatched skill yet made no secret of her disdain whenever work was assigned—might leave and he'd end up at a loss?

Or was it the fear that her presence in the duchy being discovered would drag them into tiresome disputes with the Salt Kingdom?

Or maybe to secure the benefits she could bring?

No, none of that. He didn't care about such things in the first place.

Of course, when April first arrived, he had thought her presence was messing up his plans and causing headaches.

But at some point, he'd started finding her bustling about amusing. When she holed up in her room without emerging, he'd grow curious about what she was up to.

And sometimes, watching her try to look after and help as many people as possible despite not being in a position to care about anyone... it stirred complicated feelings in him.

Kaian couldn't precisely define any of the various emotions he felt watching April.

But one thing was certain.

Above all else, right now.

What bothered him immensely was her leaving the space they shared.

"Exactly what I said. We're settling the pending accounts."

"I-Is there something I haven't settled...?"

Of course not.

So he knew he was being unreasonable...

But the promise to treat her as a 'guest' rather than a prisoner was tied to the honor of the Duke's house. He couldn't just retract it.

In the end, even if it was petty, the surest way to keep April there was just one.

"The first month, since the Princess came here unwillingly, it made sense for us to cover all costs. But from the second month on, wasn't she staying in the Duke's residence of her own volition?"

"Pardon?"

Vroom vroom.

It was like the sound of a robbery kicking into gear echoed in her ears.

Why was this topic even coming up?

The Duke, wearing a light smile, began pressing down on her.

"Now that the Princess has a steady income, she should be well-equipped to cover the pending room and board fees."

Hold on.

Pending room and board?

She gaped like she'd heard some utterly bizarre term.

But the situation was barreling forward, regardless of her will.

"From the second month until now, the Princess has voluntarily enjoyed full room and board in the most luxurious building in the Brail Duchy. Not only that, but she's partaken in every dish and dessert prepared by the territory's most expensive chef, without missing a thing."

A-ah, no. Of course, that much was undeniably true.

'Did I have to starve!?'

As the Duke's words continued, her face grew paler and paler.

"Even the dresses, jewelry, daily necessities... You know well how exorbitant the items used in high noble households are."

"...!"

"If we billed for everything, it'd be at least ten million tri per month—at least eighty million tri including the artists' fees."

What? Eighty million tri!?

"And the recently hired bodyguard knight's fee on top of that..."

"W-Wait a moment."

Separate from her shock at the astronomically exceeding sum, there were no flaws in the calculation.

If anything, it was oddly persuasive.

And seeing the Duke's serious expression—no, that hint of madness—it was clear he had no intention of backing down.

"Weren't you treating me as a guest...?"

"A guest."

Unlike when he'd first brought it up, he now stood imposingly before her shrunken form, leisurely stroking his chin in a way that felt arrogant.

"Let's say we treated you as a guest for one month and deduct that. How many million tri does that leave?"

She immediately started calculating.

'Even subtracting one month, it's seventy million tri. If I empty out all my royalties and curtain profits... I might manage.'

But that would mean her dreams of independence were dead in the water.

Besides, for work convenience, she absolutely had to live in the heart of the Brail Duchy.

And the heart of the duchy?

Considering the safe nighttime security, impeccably maintained roads, proximity to commercial districts, and so on—it was like Gangnam in Korea.

And thinking about current Gangnam real estate prices, the result was...

'No way I can save for a mansion in the duchy center while shelling out ten million tri a month.'

Even assuming business boomed, at least three years.

Three years...?

Her inflated dreams of independence crumbled utterly at the Duke's single statement.

'This is a total ant hell.'

But she couldn't just crash anywhere either.

Lady Rainy's face briefly flashed in her mind, but recalling her five rabbit-like children she supported, April shook her head inwardly.

So what was she supposed to do?

"Princess."

"...Yes?"

This time, a softer voice reached her.

"When will you settle the pending room and board? I understand this month's earnings are already accounted for."

"Th-That's true, but..."

Sob sob...

Was she really going to lose everything with her eyes wide open?

But there was no escaping it. If she could counter his words, she would've done so a hundred times over by now.

In the end, inwardly admitting defeat, she raised the white flag first.

"By tomorrow... I'll pay."

My money, my future!

Unlike her, whose soul felt like it was being threshed in real time, the Duke's face was refreshingly bright.

"Good. One more thing."

"...Yes."

"The contract period is six months."

"Six months... contract?"

Riding the momentum, his next words flowed smoothly.

"Our head chef said so. For the desserts the Princess frequents, he needs to contract six months' worth of ingredients at once. So it only seems fair for the Princess to sign a six-month boarding contract too."

"Ah... Yes."

Her mind, already robbed once, couldn't muster a rebuttal.

And so, another unfair contract was sealed.

"If there's no notice of termination four months before the contract ends, it auto-renews. That's all from me."

Six-month contract, four months' notice...

Was this even right?

But with all strength drained from her body, all she could do was stand there and nod.

Confirming her glum agreement, the Duke turned to leave, but glanced back at her once more.

"Princess. Do you know what 'poor' spelled backwards is?"

"...Poor?"

"Right. That's you."

Click.

"...Huh?"

Only after the door closed and much time passed did she realize it was a taunt.

By then, her belated anger spilled out to an empty room.

"Marry Count Ravioli."

King Berga's thunderous command struck.

"F-Father?"

Thud.

Remeia, summoned from morning and yawning nonstop, collapsed to her knees in shock.

'No way.'

Wasn't her engagement to the foolish Count Ravioli just a showy jab at Raiden?

Remeia's ironclad assumption crumbled in an instant.

Knowing the King's orders rarely changed once given, she pleaded desperately.

"I-I'm not ready yet. It's only been a short while since the engagement! Besides, I have state affairs to manage..."

"Exactly."

State affairs, those damn state affairs!

At last, Berga's fraying patience snapped completely, and he rose from his seat.

"Ever since you stuck your hand in state affairs, the workload has piled up like a mountain."

At first, he'd thought Remeia could handle it.

He'd even encouraged and covered for her.

But now, all that remained for Berga was disappointment and anger toward his one remaining daughter.

"Do you know how many administrators have resigned? Sir Ruberic, who just turned sixty, can't even move anymore."

Ha!

A heavy sigh rang sharply in Remeia's ears.

"All because of the messes you've caused!"

Tears welled up in Remeia's eyes at the stinging rebuke.

"F-Father..."

She tried deploying her beautiful looks for a pitiful expression, but it seemed useless now.

Berga, with a cold face, issued one final notice.

"Just get married."

"I can't marry that man!"

Could naivety go this far?

Berga's pent-up rage finally erupted in a roar.

"Are you defying your father's command!?"

"The Crown Prince of Kletan will take me in!"

"Remeia Salt!"

Only then did Berga see through every illusion Remeia harbored.

He couldn't even grasp where to begin correcting her.

"...You mustn't trust the Crown Prince blindly."

"He's wonderful! And so handsome too!"

"What? Have you truly lost your mind?"

Berga flew into a vein-popping rage.

"Do you know the sinister rumors trailing the Crown Prince? Whispers of him colluding with black mages circulate darkly—his reputation is that infamous."

"It's all slander. His Highness wouldn't do such things!"

"Do you truly not know he's pointing his sword at our Salt Kingdom?"

But the moment their eyes met, the King realized it was too late to turn back.

"...Bring the Princess out. Confine her until the wedding and make her take bridal lessons."

"What? Father! Father!"

Bang.

The door closed behind Berga, ignoring Remeia's wails. But left alone, his expression only grew darker.