touchnovel Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Chapter 93The translation up to the final chapter (Chapter 158) has been completed; you can purchase them to read in advance. Pledging via Ko-fi for a cheaper bundle is still available. If you're unsure what it is about, please visit our Ko-fi page for details or reach out to us via Discord.
The beginning of July.
After the beginning of summer, Lubon became a bit hot.
“This is a contract to enter the cosmetics store. I will leave it here.”
“Thank you, Sienna.”
“I ground this with blueberries and ice. Hopefully it’ll make it easier to work in the hot weather.”
“Thank you too, Rebecca.”
“Thank you for the drink.”
Lark and I, who were sitting on the sofa, answered at the same time.
For a long time after Sienna and Rebecca had left, the only sounds in the office were the flipping of papers and the snapping of pen nibs.
As I relaxed my tired body and looked sideways, I saw Lark with a profound expression.
“Pfft.”
He turned when I laughed.
“What is it?”
“I thought we were excellent business partners.”
“What do you mean?” Lark raised his eyebrows.
Putting down the contract I was looking at, I took a sip of blueberry juice and said, “Who would guess that Your Highness and I have this kind of relationship?”
“What kind of relationship is this?”
“A grown-up man and woman are alone in a room, but they’re just busy working?”
“Mm.”
Burying myself deeply on the sofa, I chuckled.
“There are a lot of ladies who got sick because you kissed the back of my hand at the tournament. Everyone seems to be suspicious, which is very unfortunate.”
From what I’ve heard, ‘Madame Ruby’ has as many anti-fans as fans.
A woman who might be a commoner or an aristocrat dared to make a fling with the crown prince, everyone’s favorite.
Well, it was nothing special to me, who had been used to envy and jealousy...
“Hmm, that is definitely unfortunate. Come to think of it, there are many fans of Madame Ruby who are suffering the same way,” Lark, who was stroking his chin, added. “Right now, even within our knights. A few days ago, a guy from the 3rd Order of the Imperial Knights, whom I had no business with, came and asked if I was dating Madame Ruby.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Everyone seems to be writing a novel in their heads.”
Lark put down the papers he was holding, put his hands together, and cupped his chin. He muttered thoughtfully, “Isn’t it a bit unfair to be misunderstood? Why don’t we make their doubts a reality?”
“... What?”
Looking back at me, he said, “Let the grown-up man and woman alone in a room have a relationship that meets everyone’s expectations?”
“...”
As I blinked, Lark smiled and lightly touched my forehead. “Just kidding.” And then he picked up his papers again and concentrated.
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
“Sure. I won’t hit you back.”
No, I didn’t mean to say that I wanted revenge...
I asked while staring at Lark, who was looking at the documents pretending to be casual, “What are you busy doing these days?”
“Looking for the shaman.”
“The shaman? Are you talking about the one who sold the drug to Princess Lisbeth?”
“Yeah. You said they’d never get caught in the future you saw—”
“The future could change.”
“Yes, like you said, I’m suspicious of someone.”
“Oh my, who is it?”
“I’ll investigate a little more, and when I’m certain, I’ll let you know.”
“The investigation must not be completed yet, Your Majesty. This is not a single crime. There must be someone behind it,” Lark, who had come to the emperor with a pale face two days later, protested.
“The testimonies are consistent, and all the evidence is in the hands of the investigation team, so what’s the problem?” the emperor asked disapprovingly.
“The reason for the crime is too loose to say that she deliberately sold poison out of hatred for the aristocrats.”
“...”
“I mean, the culprit deliberately delivered poison to the 1st Princess. There must be someone who ordered this.”
“So who is behind it?”
Lark’s mouth fell shut at the emperor’s question.
“Have you found anything out about the person behind while you were the head of the investigation for over half a year? Have you found any useful evidence?”
“Give me a little more time—”
“Fool.” The emperor spat and added, “What have you from half a year investigation that has not progressed? The stigma of being an incompetent prince? Do you actually doubt that they were really aiming for the 1st Princess?”
“...”
“Whether there was a hidden culprit or not, it is perfect for you that the perpetrator confessed. Now that Lisbeth and Princess Diollus have been cleared of charges.”
Lark clenched his fists. It was a problem for him instead.
He had blocked Nathan’s demonic hand from reaching out to Rubette in the name of isolation...
“If you are really suspicious of this case, you can do a slow and private investigation. Now that Princess Diollus’ quarantine can be lifted, you should concentrate on preparing for your wedding for the time being.”
“... What?” Lark frowned at the sudden remark of the emperor. “What do you mean?”
The emperor, who avoided his gaze, slowly lifted the teacup from the table and tilted it.
“I sent a marriage proposal to Diollus.”
“What are you talking about...”
“You have already pacified half of the nobles in the council to pass that absurd marriage law amendment.” The emperor’s sharp gaze turned to Lark. “Did you think I would lose if you pushed on with the noble subjects as your backers?”
“Sigh.” Lark, who grieved, covered his eyes and swallowed his anger.
As soon as the sentence was lifted, he sent a proposal to the Diollus Duchy without even discussing a word with his son, Lark, who was the real party...
“A marriage proposal sent without prior agreement. It will feel like a threat to them.”
“It can’t be helped if they feel that way.”
“Your Majesty, why are you doing this?”
“You started first.”
“...”
Lark, silent while sharing fierce glances, soon bowed toward the emperor.
“... I’ll be right back.”
He was thinking about how to explain the marriage proposal that was suddenly sent to Duke Diollus and Rubette.
“You punk!”
As if he had recognized Lark’s true intentions, the emperor, who jumped up, strode forward and grabbed him.
“What’s wrong with you!? Why does someone who has never been moved keep trying to go astray!?”
“...”
“I have no intention of approving that absurd law! Wake up!”
“The marriage law is not an issue to discuss right now. First of all, I will contact the ducal family first.”
“No, you have to wait for a call. If you get a reply from Diollus, proceed with the wedding within this year.”
“I have never discussed this matter with Princess Rubetria, nor have I heard her opinion. This is an absurd imperial tyranny.”
“It would be nice to simplify the national wedding by bringing in the empress without having to bother multiple times.”
“Your Majesty!” Lark finally exploded in front of the emperor, who didn’t listen to him and only said what he wanted to say. “I have no intention of proceeding with a national marriage until the marriage law issue is finalized! Why-“
The moment his excited voice rose fiercely, at the same time.
Slap—!
The emperor’s powerful hand struck Lark’s face fiercely. The gold on his finger had cut his cheek, leaving a line of reddish scar.