CPSMBD Chapter 04

Maomai
Aug 25
6 min read

CHAPTER 4

The moment Dale responded to my question; his words took me by surprise.

"You're always the first to rush to the palace when problems arise, aren't you?"

"Y-yes, that's right?"

"I've seen you several times, Miss Violetta, hurrying through the imperial palace to

handle various incidents. I've always found it admirable. You're like a warrior commanding the battlefield. Your charisma is so powerful that even your opponent’s crumble before you."

I was amazed that my frantic running around could be interpreted so nobly!

Each moment of our conversation brought new surprises.

I wanted to applaud Lord Dale's gift for expression.

"Thank you, Lord Dale. I've never received such high praise before."

"High praise? Anyone who has seen you immersed in your work would think the same."

Well, I'm not so sure about that.

The staff in the aide's office only ever said things like how pitiful I looked or how I

seemed about to die from overwork.

Given his continuous stream of compliments, it was clear that Lord Dale had taken a liking to me.

As dinner was drawing to a close, suddenly there was a commotion at the restaurant entrance.

Several waiters were seen rushing toward the door.

"What could be happening?"

At my question, Lord Dale immediately stood up.

"I'll go find out."

When he returned, there was a hint of excitement in his expression.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived at this restaurant."

"What? Prince Friedrich?"

"Yes. This place must be quite renowned for His Highness to dine here. With the

Crown Prince as a patron, it will become even more difficult to get reservations."

"Y-yes, indeed."

Why would the Crown Prince come here?

A cold sweat ran down my back.

'Surely not. It can't be. It couldn't be.'

Surely His Highness hadn't come here to catch me.

I hadn't disobeyed any orders.

I had merely used my allotted dinner time for this matchmaking meeting.

But my instincts kept whispering.

They told me to leave before the Crown Prince discovered my presence here.

"Since His Highness is your direct superior, shouldn't we at least pay our respects?"

I jumped up from my seat and spoke hastily.

"Oh, no! There's no need for that... I'm sorry, but I must go now. I need to return to the palace for overtime work."

Lord Dale's eyebrows drooped at my words.

"How disappointing. The time spent with you, Miss Violetta, has been so enjoyable it felt like mere moments. If only we could spend more time together."

"I enjoyed meeting you too, Lord Dale. If there's another opportunity..."

Just as I was agreeing with Lord Dale's words and turning my head.

My eyes met directly with the Crown Prince's, who stood in the middle of the restaurant.

His predatory gaze, like that of a hunter who had found his prey, pierced through me sharply.

The corner of the Crown Prince's mouth slowly curled upward.

'I need to run away right now.'

But sadly, my feet wouldn't move.

Like trapped prey, I couldn't budge an inch.

With each step the Crown Prince took, he drew rapidly closer to our table.

The moment he finally stopped in front of me, I knew instinctively.

That this matchmaking meeting had been completely ruined.

***

"So this is where you were."

I quickly fled to Lord Dale's side, having been caught half-standing.

'If I accidentally touch His Highness while lurking around him...'

I didn't even want to imagine what would happen.

On my first day at work, when I knew nothing, I had made the mistake of stumbling toward the Crown Prince after twisting my ankle.

Naturally expecting him to catch me, the Crown Prince had instead deftly twisted

his body to avoid me.

Having lost my balance with nothing to hold onto, I had fallen flat on the floor. I still couldn't forget the way he had looked down at me then.

'To deliberately avoid me and then pretend to be surprised...'

Since then, I had made every effort to avoid even accidentally touching the Crown Prince.

Now I vaguely understood that His Highness avoided women in general, but back then, I had been deeply hurt.

'How much I regretted bringing up old memories during the commissioning ceremony, thinking he was avoiding me because of what I had said to him that day.'

As I moved to the opposite side, the Crown Prince smiled broadly and gestured toward a seat.

"Sit."

His attitude was like that of the restaurant's owner. A quick-witted waiter cleared the plates and brought tea.

The Crown Prince tilted his head slightly upward.

Exuding royal pride from head to toe, he was the very embodiment of arrogance.

"Your Highness, what brings you here...?"

"As a superior, how could I remain idle when I heard my subordinate was having a matchmaking meeting?"

Since when have you been so concerned about your subordinates? I swallowed the words that had risen to my throat.

The Crown Prince stared intently at Lord Dale without saying a word.

It was such an intense gaze that it could bore holes.

Lord Dale, uncomfortable under the scrutiny, spoke first.

"Your Highness, if you have something to ask..."

"And you are?"

"Ah, pardon my late introduction. I am Failum Dale of the Imperial Ministry of

Magic, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince looked Dale up and down, then frowned.

"You don't seem like Chief Violetta's type."

What? Why is he acting like this?

He must be crazy.

The Crown Prince was being openly hostile to my matchmaking partner.

'Could it be... is he scolding Lord Dale because I ignored orders and came to this matchmaking meeting?'

It was all my fault.

He was clearly warning me through Lord Dale about leaving the palace against orders.

If he was displeased that a subordinate who had been ordered to stand by had left the palace, shouldn't he confront the person directly?

'Why are you tormenting Lord Dale, who has nothing to do with this?'

The only thing I could do now was defend Lord Dale.

"He is my type. I like him. He's tall and handsome."

"Thank you."

Lord Dale bowed slightly to me with a flushed face.

The Crown Prince's fingers tapped the table irritably.

"So, what are your thoughts after meeting my Chief Aide?"

"She is beautiful. Like the moon hanging in the sky, so noble and elegant. I cannot express what an honor it is to share this moment with Miss Violetta. The moment I saw her, though my eyes were blinded by her beauty, how could I complain? It is my own fault for daring to gaze upon Miss Violetta."

Lord Dale confessed his feelings for me with sparkling eyes.

The Crown Prince's hand, which had been propping up his chin, slipped.

The smile that had been constantly on his face had disappeared.

Lord Dale's praise for me continued.

"I wish to flounder in Miss Violetta's eyes, as deep and vast as an emerald sea. Though I cannot swim and might not resurface, what does it matter? Surely Miss Violetta, with her heart as vast as the ocean, would rescue me."

The Crown Prince looked at Lord Dale with eyes full of shock.

"You... you're completely mad."

"Yes, Your Highness. It seems I have indeed gone mad for Miss Violetta."

"Yes, mad. Truly mad."

The Crown Prince shook his head and clutched his forehead with one hand, groaning as if he had a headache.

Then he muttered in a low voice.

"...This wasn't even something I needed to interfere with."

Though it was too quiet to hear properly, it didn't matter.

I was too busy clasping my hands together and savoring Lord Dale's words.

"I'm overwhelmed with emotion. Lord Dale's beautiful poetry, I could listen to it

forever. Even a bard couldn't be this sweeter."

The Crown Prince's tapping fingers suddenly stopped.