CPSMBD Chapter 05

CHAPTER 5

Chief Violetta's caliber

"Stop, stop, STOP!"

For some unknown reason, the Crown Prince's face was twisted with displeasure.

I pouted and glared at him. Why did he have to barge in and ruin the pleasant atmosphere? I wished he would just disappear.

"This is absolutely ridiculous. You're both out of your minds!"

Well then, why not just leave?

I couldn't understand why he insisted on sitting there, staring at us both with such obvious disapproval. Neither Lord Dale nor I were forcing His Highness to stay.

'Besides, who in this empire could possibly block Crown Prince Friedrich's path?'

His presence here was entirely of his own volition.

After taking a deep breath, the Crown Prince spoke again.

"You said you're Lord Dale?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Dale... I was under the impression that Count Dale had no sons."

"I'm not his direct descendant. Count Dale is my uncle."

"So, you're from a humble family."

"Your Highness, please wait—!"

"Be quiet."

Dismissing my protest, the Crown Prince continued his interrogation of Lord Dale.

"What do you do in the Imperial Ministry of Magic?"

"I manage and register magical artifacts."

"A mage in administration... I suppose your magical aptitude isn't particularly impressive."

"..."

His Highness took a sip of tea and smiled coldly.

I secretly glanced at Lord Dale. His previously cheerful expression had hardened into something rigid and uncomfortable.

Lord Dale spoke, his voice notably less confident than before.

"...I don't believe ability or background are what matter most when two people meet. Isn't there something more important?"

Exactly!

I nodded vigorously in agreement with Lord Dale.

"And what would that be?"

"The feelings they have for each other—"

The Crown Prince snickered. Lord Dale flinched and fell silent mid-sentence.

"That's something only someone like you would say. Chief Violetta is a valuable talent. She's indispensable to the Royal Advisory Office. She's also one of my cherished subordinates."

Oh really? You think of me that way?

From the way you work me like a slave, I never would have guessed you cherished me at all.

"The position of Chief Aide who attends to me personally isn't something just anyone can obtain. It's only possible for someone as exceptional and impeccable as Violetta. I can't let such a person go to just anyone."

My superior was saying things even my own parents wouldn't say.

Unable to hold back any longer, I spoke up.

"Your Highness, this is overstepping. Why are you interfering with my private life?"

The Crown Prince looked at me with disapproving eyes.

"Why wouldn't I? Someone of Chief Violetta's caliber is practically family to the royal household. And in my eyes, as someone who considers the Chief like family, that man falls far short."

"...?"

Apparently, I had become the Crown Prince's family member without my knowledge.

'Since when did I become Your Highness's family?'

The Imperial Palace was just my workplace. Crown Prince Friedrich was my superior, nothing more, nothing less.

Ah. Maybe he means like a "family-like" company atmosphere?

'Still, since when does a superior get to choose who their employee dates?'

"Therefore, I cannot approve of you dating Chief Violetta. Do you understand?"

This interference was beyond ridiculous.

***

"So! Senior, how did yesterday's blind date go? Did it go well? The guy was nice, right?"

Brahe's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Unfortunately, I couldn't give him the answer he wanted.

"No. It was a complete disaster."

Brahe's eyes widened at my response.

"What? Why? Wasn't Lord Failum your type?"

"I liked him."

"Then why...?"

"His Highness ruined everything."

"His Highness? What does Crown Prince Friedrich have to do with your blind date?"

"His Highness showed up at my blind date yesterday."

"What? Why would His Highness be at your... Oh, did you run into him by chance?"

"No."

"Then how did His Highness know where you were having your blind date?"

Before I could answer, the very person who had ruined my blind date chimed in.

"I asked around."

Speak of the devil.

The Crown Prince was suddenly leaning against the advisory office doorway, though I hadn't noticed him arrive.

"You really... Do you truly think that man is suitable?"

"Yes! He's handsome, tall, capable, and romantic. He's perfect in every way!"

"How strange. You see me every day at the palace, yet you think that man is handsome?"

Brahe's jaw dropped as he listened to our exchange.

"Well, Your Highness is certainly outstanding too, but Lord Failum is quite handsome in his own right. And he's a good person..."

"Good? What exactly is good about him? The first meeting was quite a spectacle. Going on about wanting to swim in Chief Violetta's deep eyes, comparing her to the moon in the sky... When I called him crazy, he admitted he was indeed crazy about the Chief. And those looks he was giving – sickeningly sweet, like butter spread too thick."

"What? Lord Failum said... things like that?"

Brahe's eyes grew even wider in disbelief.

"Yes. He was quite strange."

"I didn't think he was strange at all! If anything, he seemed like a wonderful person."

Brahe nodded in agreement with my words.

"Right? When you fall in love at first sight, it's natural to—"

Brahe's enthusiastic nodding came to an abrupt halt when his eyes met the Crown Prince's. He quickly changed his tune.

"...Come to think of it, maybe it was a bit strange after all."

But other people's opinions didn't matter.

Shouldn't my opinion, as the person directly involved, be the most important?

"But I found him romantic and wonderful."

The Crown Prince cut me off decisively.

"There was nothing romantic about it. That man is absolutely out of the question."

"If I think he's fine, why are you saying he's not?"

"That's..."

The Crown Prince hesitated, carefully choosing his words before speaking again.

"After working together for six years, there's a certain bond between us. I can't just stand by and watch you end up with some strange man. Someone who only speaks pretty words isn't a good man."

Brahe nodded along with the Crown Prince's words.

"That's true. Given all the time Senior and Your Highness have spent together, it's natural for you to be concerned. Though he's not a bad person, really. I think he could have been good for Senior..."

The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow at Brahe's comments.

"Not at all. They're completely incompatible."

At the Crown Prince's firm declaration, Brahe immediately backed down.

"Right. Your Highness is correct. They seem totally incompatible."

"How would you know that, Your Highness? You only just met Lord Dale yesterday."

"Even a brief meeting can reveal plenty. Besides, after watching you for six years, don't you think I understand your personality by now?"

"But Your Highness, this is clearly an abuse of authority."

"Abuse of authority? I'm saying this because I'm worried about you. You'll actually thank me later for stopping this. I'll accept your gratitude in advance."

I wasn't thankful at all.

"Then I'll consider this matter settled."

Says who? How dare he decide my personal matters on his own!

I had absolutely no intention of ending things with Lord Dale like this.

The Crown Prince's fierce opposition only fired up my determination more.

As soon as His Highness left the room, I would contact Lord Dale immediately...

The Crown Prince, who had been heading toward the exit, suddenly whirled around.

"Chief, let me say this one more time – that man is no good, so don't even speak to him. Starting today, sending personal telegrams during work hours is also forbidden."

After issuing this unreasonable order, the Crown Prince, who was about to leave the advisory office, ran into General Chief Aide Kuan, who was just arriving for work.