CPSMBD Chapter 11

Chapter 11 The Crown Prince’s Apology

The Crown Prince rubbed his brow with a troubled expression and hastily spoke.

"Ah, no, that was just something that slipped out. Since when have you ever listened to what I say, Chief?"

Just as I thought - he remembered. With his excellent memory, there was no way His Highness could have forgotten that incident.

"I'm going to start listening from now on."

"And you had to start with that particular statement?"

"Yes."

As I maintained unwavering eye contact with the Crown Prince, he finally confessed the truth.

"Fine! You're right. Do you think it's easy finding capable people? So don't even dream about meeting men. Understood?"

There. This kind of honesty was much better.

The Head Chamberlain cautiously brought over the cape and draped it across the Crown Prince's shoulders, then examined the hem of his trousers. Of course, both his ears were perked up, keenly attuned to the Crown Prince's words.

'Sigh, what's the point of saying more? It's all in the past now. It was my mistake for telling Prince Friedrich directly about going on blind dates.'

I decided to focus solely on my duties as an aide. I made a firm resolution never to divulge details of my personal life to the Crown Prince again.

That's when I noticed the cape draped over the Crown Prince's shoulders was precariously close to slipping off. I had no choice but to step in to secure it.

I approached the Crown Prince's side and carefully began tying the cape's strings. Being mindful not to touch his body made it difficult to tie a proper knot.

Suddenly, the Crown Prince grabbed my fidgeting hands.

'Huh? Did His Highness just take my hand? How?'

Given my thorough understanding of the Crown Prince's notorious aversion to physical contact with women, I couldn't quite comprehend the current situation.

The Crown Prince pulled my hand and pressed it firmly against himself.

"Are you afraid you'll die if you touch me?"

Had the Crown Prince's gynophobia been cured without my knowledge?

Well, if he was fine with it...

Unlike before, I quickly worked with my hands, no longer concerned about touching the Crown Prince's body.

"It's not me - Your Highness is the one who despises contact with women."

I muttered while stealing glances at the Crown Prince's expression. At the same time, I noticed his eyes widening slightly.

"How... did you know about that?"

"I've served Your Highness for six years now. How could I not know? And it's not just me - everyone in the aide's office knows. They just don't mention it."

"...I see."

"Actually, I've known for quite a while."

"When did you find out?"

"The day after I was appointed as an aide."

"The day after? I don't think I was that obvious about it to be noticed within a day."

The Crown Prince wore a somewhat sheepish expression.

"When I stumbled on the stairs and fell, Your Highness dodged away from me."

"I... did?"

"You stepped back with such a grimace on your face. Thanks to that, I ended up rolling across the floor in front of all the palace staff. The way Your Highness looked down at me with those cold eyes... I nearly burst into tears right there."

That commotion helped me finally let go of any lingering feelings I had for the Crown Prince.

Of course, the fact that he had completely forgotten his past promise to propose to me was another major reason.

"Wait. Violetta, Chief. About that incident..."

"It's fine. It was a long time ago, and I understand why now. Chief Aide Kuan comforted me and explained that Your Highness likely has gynophobia."

After that, I made sure to never touch the Crown Prince, even by accident.

Head Chamberlain Dominic lightly chided the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, that was too harsh. Not helping a lady when she fell..."

"I don't remember that at all."

Playing innocent, are we? I put on my most pitiful expression.

"The story spread throughout the palace, and I couldn't even lift my head for ages."

"Ah, I remember! You even got a nickname - 'The Palace Bouncing Ball.' So that was you, Chief Violetta?"

I nodded at the Chamberlain's question.

"...Yes. That was me."

"It was during a major imperial event, if I recall... When was it? I can't quite remember."

"It was Foundation Day."

"That's right! You rolled right out through the banquet hall doors. I never knew a person could roll like that. Hahaha!"

Head Chamberlain Dominic laughed heartily, slapping his knee as if it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen.

"Head Chamberlain... Is my humiliation that amusing to you?"

Noticing my chilly demeanor, Dominic immediately stopped laughing.

"Ahem. Hmm. My apologies, Chief Violetta."

After that incident, I developed quite a thick skin that rarely fazed at anything.

Perhaps the Crown Prince had foreseen this and intended to toughen up the new recruit.

But his apology came as quite a surprise.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. It was six years ago. Your Highness didn't do anything wrong. You didn't push me - you just didn't catch me. There's no law saying you must catch someone who's falling..."

"No, that's not what I..."

The Crown Prince was at a loss for words. This uncertain behavior was also new.

'You're showing quite a few new sides today.'

I could feel the Crown Prince's gaze studying my reaction.

How unusual for someone who normally paid no mind to others' opinions.

After finishing the knot and securing it with a brooch, I quickly withdrew my hands from the Crown Prince's shoulders.

Head Chamberlain Dominic made final adjustments to the Crown Prince's attire and commented,

"The sleeves and trouser hems are a bit short, but otherwise it's not bad."

"'Not bad' isn't good enough. With imperial nobles, foreign ambassadors, and royalty attending, it needs to be perfect."

I stepped back to examine the Crown Prince thoroughly.

"Um, Chief Violetta. About that time..."

The Crown Prince tried to say something, but I had more pressing matters.

"Your Highness, please turn around once."

The Crown Prince, who had been about to speak, spread his arms and slowly turned in place.

As Dominic had said, it wasn't bad, but something was lacking.

"Isn't it a bit underwhelming?"

"Indeed, what should we do..."

"What if we add gold embroidery to the cape and change the buttons to gold? We still have a few days, so the tailor shop should be able to make the modifications."

"Oh! Excellent idea, Chief Violetta!"

"Then I'll look into suitable tailors. I'll send you the address, Head Chamberlain - could you please have His Highness's clothes sent there?"

"Yes, of course. That's one outfit sorted."

"Yes, thank goodness. I've instructed Brahe to find more outfits - hopefully we can secure at least one more spare."

"We should have an extra set ready in case anything happens at the banquet."

"Indeed."

Where should we entrust His Highness's newly acquired outfit?

I paced anxiously.

My mind raced, searching for a solution.

"Viol... Chief..."

His Highness seemed to be saying something, but it didn't properly register in my mind.

All my attention was focused on quietly voicing the tasks I needed to accomplish.

"First, contact all the suitable tailors... If any have availability, we'll entrust it to them. But if there were no casualties at Fairdale Tailors, it would be much better to leave His Highness's formal wear with them. They already have His Highness's measurements, so they can adjust the sleeve and hem lengths. Yes, let's do that!"

"Let me... formally... apologize again. That day wasn't intentional..."

"I'm busy, so I'll be going now. Chamberlain, I'll send a telegram about where to send the clothes!"

"Viol... Chief... Aide...?"

In my haste, I rattled off everything I needed to say and quickly left the dressing room.

So I didn't see the Crown Prince's dumbfounded expression as he stared at the door I'd just exited through.

Nor did I hear the conversation that passed between the Chamberlain and His Highness after I left.

"Did the Chief just ignore me?"

"It wouldn't be the first time, would it? Why act surprised now? Hurry and change - we need to get these clothes to the tailor."