CPSMBD Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The Bet

Summoning demons was strictly forbidden dark magic, and I hadn't even entertained the thought of seeking their aid.

'That leaves only one option - finding the fairy folk...'

The fairy folk were so legendary that even their existence was questionable, with their habitats unknown and encounters nearly impossible.

'Ugh. Where am I supposed to find fairy folk anyway?'

Was there really any way to break the Crown Prince's curse?

'Surely... I won't have to live like this forever?'

I stole a glance at the Crown Prince, who was still watching me with that sickeningly sweet smile. Though he had agreed to take the antidote, he showed absolutely no interest in actually finding it.

Ah. A sigh escaped unbidden from my lips.

The night deepened, and I alone remained trapped in my torment.

***

"Violetta, good morning!"

Like clockwork, the Crown Prince appeared in the Aide Director's office the moment I arrived at work. Despite my countless pleas to refrain from these unnecessary visits, he hadn't listened to a single one.

'Well, when has His Highness ever properly listened to my requests? I'm the fool for expecting anything different.'

Hoping he would leave; I responded with a lackluster expression. "Ah, yes... Not such a good morning, actually."

But regardless of my rebuff, the Crown Prince stood there, beaming.

'Does drinking fairy tears also remove one's ability to read the room?'

Then, with a gentle smile playing at his lips, he revealed what he had been hiding behind his back.

"Here."

It was a single delicate flower.

The eyes of Brahe and General Chief Aide Kuan in the office immediately focused on us. Though they pretended to be absorbed in shuffling papers or taking notes, years of working together had taught me to read their subtle attention.

'Great. At this rate, the entire office staff will figure it out.'

Trying to appear disinterested, I accepted the flower and responded dryly, "I don't understand why you keep using me to deliver flowers to Her Majesty the Empress."

The Crown Prince remained rooted to the spot even after handing over the flower.

"If you're done, please leave. I'm busy."

"I still have something else. Give me your hand."

I finally looked up at his face, which I'd been deliberately avoiding.

"Pardon? Why?"

"Come on."

It was clear he wouldn't leave the office until I extended my hand. Reluctantly, I did so, and he dropped something into my palm.

It was chocolate.

"Oh? This is..."

The Crown Prince despised sweets. Why did he have this chocolate?

"This is the kind you always eat, right?"

Brahe suddenly popped his head between us.

"Oh! That's from your favorite shop, Senior!"

Brahe was right. The chocolate, wrapped in thin silver foil with green striped patterns, was exactly what I would nibble on when stressed at work.

How did he know I liked these?

"Th-thank you."

I hadn't noticed before, but the Crown Prince could be quite attentive to detail.

Brahe's eyes sparkled as they darted between me and His Highness Friedrich.

"Say, could you two possibly... maybe..."

Before Brahe could finish trailing off, the Crown Prince swiftly spoke up. I didn't even have time to stop him.

"Yes. I like Violetta."

"Your Highness!"

My belated attempt at damage control was futile. The Crown Prince's confession had already spread through the room like spilled water.

"I knew it!"

"Oh..."

Brahe and General Chief Aide Kuan exclaimed in unison.

"Your Highness! We agreed to keep this secret from others!"

"I said I would try, not that I wouldn't tell. Besides, why do you keep trying to hide it? My feelings for you aren't a crime."

The Crown Prince questioned me with a genuinely puzzled expression.

"Well, that's true, but..."

Just then, Brahe let out a cheer and turned to General Chief Aide Kuan.

"See? What did I tell you! Quick, hand over those 50 gold pieces."

General  Chief Aide Kuan, wearing a world-weary expression, pulled out the money and handed it to Brahe.

"Wait, were you two betting on His Highness and me?"

"Of course! Things have been quite suspicious between you two lately. And I've got a keen eye for these things, you know. I spotted it right away."

I was dumbfounded. Here I was, wrestling with a life-altering dilemma, and they were casually placing bets.

Brahe, absolutely delighted, asked me, "Oh? Senior, I guess this means you won't be going to those matchmaking sessions anymore?"

The Crown Prince slowly turned to look at me. One corner of his mouth had twisted upward. With a snort, his voice lost all its previous honey-sweet tone.

"Matchmaking?"

His eyes had gone wild with jealousy.

'Brahe, you fool, why do you always slip up at the worst moments?'

Why bring up matchmaking now of all times? He could have mentioned it to me privately later!

"Violetta, you were planning to meet potential suitors behind my back?"

"No, Your Highness, that's not... that was before you started having feelings for me..."

Wait. Why was I making excuses?

Honestly, what?

It's not like there was anything between His Highness and me.

Right now, this was just one-sided love from the Crown Prince!

Why should I feel guilty about attending matchmaking sessions?

Swallowing my indignation, I grumbled while carefully watching the Crown Prince's reaction.

"Honestly, it's not like Your Highness and I are actually seeing each other."

"That may be true, but... You just went to a matchmaking session recently. And now you're already planning another one?"

Brahe jumped in between us again.

"Oh? Aren't you two dating?"

"Are you crazy? Absolutely not!"

At my response, General Chief Aide Kuan shouted in an excited voice.

"See! Didn't I tell you! You should be giving me those 50 gold pieces!"

General Chief Aide Kuan snatched the money from Brahe's grasp and held out his hand.

"Quick, hand over my 50 gold."

Brahe glumly pulled out the money and gave it to General Chief Aide Kuan.

The Crown Prince spoke up.

"While we may not be anything now, who knows what we might become? Right?"

"Not just now, but in the future as well, our relationship will never be anything more than that of ruler and subject."

"Violetta, don't be so quick to decide. You never know what might happen in life."

The Crown Prince finished with a relaxed smile.

'Hey. Weren't you just saying you liked me?'

He showed not a trace of anxiety or tension.

He acted as if my eventually falling in love with him was a foregone conclusion.

'Ugh. How annoying.'

The Crown Prince turned to Brahe and General Chief Aide Kuan.

"By the way, betting on your superior's private life? I'll be confiscating that money."

The Crown Prince approached General Chief Aide  Kuan and extended his hand with a grin.

"Your Highness, couldn't you let it slide just this once?"

"No."

The General Chief Aide looked between Brahe and me, silently pleading for help, but I deliberately avoided his gaze.

Usually, I would have taken General Chief Aide Kuan's side, but this time was different.

Finally, General Chief Aide Kuan handed over the money to the Crown Prince with a dejected expression.

"I'll donate this money to the Welfare Department in you and Brahe's names."

The Crown Prince announced this as if he were doing them a favor while pocketing their confiscated funds.

General Chief Aide Kuan's head drooped dejectedly.

"Well, I have appointments to keep, so I must go. Have a good day, Violetta."

Having dropped this massive bombshell in the Aide Director's office, the Crown Prince sauntered away.

As soon as he left, General Chief Aide Kuan and Brahe's attention focused sharply on me.

The cleanup of this situation had become my responsibility.

I couldn't help but sigh.

Brahe, exhaling sharply through his nose, demanded in an aggrieved voice.

"Are you really, truly not dating Crown Prince Friedrich?"