CPSMBD Chapter 07

CHAPTER 7

The Crown Prince's Charm

I spent half a day trying desperately to think of what made the Crown Prince charming, but nothing came to mind.

No matter how hard I wracked my brain, I came up empty.

The more I thought about His Highness Friedrich, the only things that surfaced were memories of him criticizing and berating me for my supposedly inadequate work.

I briefly considered borrowing positive traits from other people to fill in the gaps but quickly dismissed the idea. A proper report should only contain objective and truthful information. I couldn't bring myself to fabricate lies.

'Come to think of it, I was once quite smitten with His Highness.'

Of course, after serving the Crown Prince closely for six years, those feelings had long since eroded away into nothingness.

'Back then, I probably could have listed dozens of his charms.'

But what good would that do now? Those feelings were ancient history.

I tried to recall what I had found so appealing about the Crown Prince back then, but it was too far in the past to remember clearly. As a result, I had only managed to write a single line in my report after half a day's work:

"1. He is the Crown Prince."

What was I going to do? At this rate, leaving work on time today seemed impossible. Actually, I might never be able to leave at all. My pride took a serious hit at the thought of having to work overtime because of such a ridiculous report.

Brahe, who was preparing to leave, looked at me curiously.

"Senior, aren't you going home?"

"I haven't finished the report I need to submit to His Highness."

"Huh? But there weren't any reports due today... Wait, don't tell me... the report about His Highness's charms? You still haven't finished that?"

"No. I just can't think of anything."

"You've spent all day on something that should have taken five minutes?"

"What can I do when nothing comes to mind?"

After a moment's consideration, Brahe spoke up.

"Well, can't be helped, Senior. I'll help you."

"His Highness specifically said not to help."

"He said not to say a word. So we just need to keep our mouths shut."

Our eyes met. After two years of working together, Brahe and I could easily understand each other's intentions without words.

"You're the best, Brahe. I couldn't have survived this harsh civil service life for even an hour without you."

"This stays absolutely secret from His Highness Friedrich."

"Of course. I'm counting on you."

Brahe immediately launched into a game of charades. Holding one hand in front of their face, they waved it up and down, showing me the back of their hand.

Ah! I got it!

Thanks to Brahe's help, I could easily fill in the second entry:

"2. He has a face you want to sweep away."

Though I wondered if this could really be considered charm? Apparently, among men, this counted as an attractive trait. Just like what I wanted to do with my brother, men were truly difficult creatures to understand.

Noticing I had completed the second entry, Brahe moved on to the next gesture. They tapped their throat and cleared it with a pointed "ahem."

This was definitely one of the Crown Prince's specialties. I confidently wrote down the third answer:

"3. He has the ability to convey his thoughts without speaking."

Thanks to Brahe, the tangled threads were finally coming loose. I had written down two of the Crown Prince's charms in an instant!

Brahe changed positions for the next hint. Standing straight with their chest puffed out like a bird, they repeatedly bent and stretched their arms and legs.

'Hmm. This one's a bit tricky.'

No wonder the previous gestures had seemed so easy.

After some contemplation, I finally wrote down an answer:

"4. He has strong joints."

Aren't everyone's joints strong at His Highness's age?

It seemed a bit questionable as a charm point, but if Brahe considered it one, then so be it. Come to think of it, His Highness was quite skilled with a sword. He could engage in intense sparring matches with knights without any joint problems, so perhaps it could be considered charming.

In this vast world, there must be some women who find men with good joints attractive.

After writing down the answer, I looked at Brahe.

"Just one more to go."

"What else could there be? I can't think of anything else."

It seemed even Brahe's praise pocket had a bottom.

Still, thanks to Brahe, I had filled in three entries. If I could just squeeze out one more somehow...

That's when General Chief Aide Kuan suddenly stood up.

"I'll help too."

The General Chief Aide stretched one arm up, bent his wrist at a right angle, and waved it horizontally. Then, maintaining that pose, he started hopping in place.

With each hop, the three strands of hair standing up on his crown bounced along with him.

'Ah. The General Chief Aide is truly adorable as always.'

Nodding, I wrote down the answer to his hint:

"5. He's good at high jumping."

This one definitely qualified as charm.

Though I had never once seen His Highness do any high jumping, the General Chief Aide must have witnessed it personally.

'Really, Your Highness. You could have shown me too.'

Then I could have easily written at least one entry.

At any rate, thanks to Brahe and General Chief Aide Kuan's help, I was able to complete the report on the Crown Prince's charms.

"Thank you, Brahe. Thank you, Chief Aide. I finished the report thanks to you both. I wouldn't have been able to go home today without you."

"It's nothing. We should help each other out."

Chief Aide Kuan's shoulders rose proudly to the heavens even as he dismissed it as no big deal.

I was someone who understood courtesy. I couldn't just let their help go unrewarded.

"I'll treat you both to coffee when we get our next paycheck."

Brahe's face lit up.

"Oh! Really?"

"Oh my, you don't need to buy coffee for something like this."

"Ah! I'll take you up on that offer. So just treat me and skip the General Chief Aide."

The General Chief Aide, who had been declining, immediately changed his stance at Brahe's words.

"Ahem, well. May I order the most expensive one?"

"Of course, General Chief Aide."

"Then I'll look forward to payday."

After the excited General Chief Aide and Brahe left for the day, I headed to the Crown Prince's office with the report.

His Highness spent a long time reading what wasn't even a particularly long report.

Then he looked at me with a bright smile.

"Violetta, have I done something wrong to you?"

"No?"

"Then do you have some complaint against me?"

"Not at all."

In truth, I had many complaints, but how could I speak honestly to someone who held complete control over my employment status?

The Crown Prince waved my report, making it flutter.

"Then why did you write the report like this?"

"Because I thought these were Your Highness's charms."

"You weren't just writing whatever came to mind because you were angry at me for making you write such a report?"

"No, absolutely not. This report is based entirely on objective facts."

"Objective facts... Don't tell me you received help from others?"

Oh no! He caught on!

Why does he have to be so perceptive?

But I couldn't tell the truth. I couldn't cause trouble for the General Chief Aide and Brahe who had helped me.

I defended myself desperately.

"No, I didn't."

The Crown Prince stared at me intently before speaking.

"You're lying."

H-how did he know?

"We've worked together for six years. Did you think I wouldn't know when you're lying?"

"..."

"I won't punish you, so answer honestly."

I'm sorry, Brahe. I apologize, General Chief Aide. I'll buy you both two cups of coffee.

I had no choice but to confess the truth.

"Brahe and the Chief Aide didn't say anything at all. They just gave me some slight hints."

"Brahe and Chief Kuan gave you these kinds of hints?"

"Yes."

"Exactly what kind of hints did they give? Explain in detail, don't leave anything out."

I watched His Highness's expression carefully as I began to explain.

"Since Your Highness ordered them not to speak, they showed me through gestures..."

The Crown Prince gave a crooked smile.

"They found a clever way around my order. Show me exactly what hints they gave."

"Do I really have to demonstrate it myself?"

I didn't want to look awkward in front of His Highness. It felt somehow embarrassing.

"Yes. I need to see it with my own eyes to decide who I need to execute."