CPSMBD Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Pat My Head

They ignored my request for help in finding an antidote to the Fairy's Tears.

While they didn't outright refuse, they weren't exactly eager to participate either.

"Do we really need to find an antidote?"

"General Chief Aide Kuan and I are rooting for your romance with His Highness Friedrich!"

The General Chief Aide nodded vigorously in agreement with Brahe's words.

"We should take advantage of this opportunity!"

Just as I was emerging from my thoughts, the office door opened and Secretary Derek burst in with an urgent expression.

"Does anyone know where His Highness Friedrich is? There are urgent documents requiring his signature, but he's not in his office..."

Upon discovering the Crown Prince's desk in the aide's office, Secretary Derek asked with a bewildered expression.

"Your Highness, why are you working here instead of your office?"

"That's..."

I couldn't let Secretary Derek discover His Highness's condition. Before the Crown Prince could speak, I quickly intervened.

"His Highness mentioned he finds it easier to concentrate here, so he'll be working from this office for now."

"That's not—"

As His Highness tried to correct me, I slammed my hand on the desk and jumped to my feet.

"He needs a change of environment!"

Secretary Derek asked quietly with a somewhat sad expression.

"Could it be... you're avoiding me by hiding here?"

"That's not it. I'm here because I've fallen for Violetta."

"Ah... damn it."

The documents in Secretary Derek's hands scattered across the floor with a flutter.

Standing there with a dumbfounded expression, Secretary Derek finally gathered his wits and looked around at the aides for confirmation.

"Is this true?"

"Yes! It's true!"

Brahe, who had been answering enthusiastically, caught my glaring eyes and laughed awkwardly.

"This is incredible! His Highness Friedrich has fallen in love with Chief Aide Violetta! I must spread this joyous news throughout the imperial palace!"

"Wait! Secretary Derek! Just a moment!"

I quickly grabbed Secretary Derek before he could cause any more trouble.

"What's wrong?"

"His Highness's feelings for me must remain secret."

"Why?"

"His Highness doesn't truly love me. This happened because I was the first person he saw after drinking the Fairy's Tears that came as a gift for His Majesty's coronation ceremony."

I briefly explained everything that had transpired.

After hearing my explanation, Secretary Derek spoke with a serious expression.

"Oh dear, oh dear. So His Highness Friedrich loves Chief Aide Violetta, but hasn't yet won her heart?"

That's not the point! How did you even interpret my explanation that way?

His Highness answered Secretary Derek's question seriously.

"Violetta doesn't love me yet, but it won't be long before she falls for me."

I had no strength left to argue.

"Chief Aide Violetta enjoys my humor, doesn't she? Let me share a joke that might help win her over."

"Oh, what is it?"

I was always welcoming of Secretary Derek's humor.

I looked at Secretary Derek with sparkling eyes, eagerly anticipating how he would make me laugh this time.

"Ah, wait! Senior, I don't think you should hear this."

Despite Brahe's attempt to stop him, Secretary Derek opened his mouth.

"Do you know what the sweetest drink in the world is?"

"No, I don't."

"No way..."

Brahe looked at Secretary Derek with horror on his face. Unlike me, who had no idea what the answer might be, Brahe seemed to have caught on.

"It's..."

"No! Please don't, Secretary!"

Brahe screamed and lunged to cover Secretary Derek's mouth, but Secretary Derek was faster. Puckering his lips, he delivered the punchline.

"Your lips."

Ah.

Ah ah.

I hereby retract my statement about Secretary Derek being humorous.

The Crown Prince spoke in an icy voice.

"Remove him from the office immediately."

Brahe and General Chief Aide Kuan grabbed Secretary Derek's arms.

"What? Your Highness Friedrich! You can't! These documents need to be signed today..."

Secretary Derek struggled to break free from their grip, but there was no way his thin frame could overpower Brahe and the General Chief Aide.

Finally, Secretary Derek was dragged out of the aide's office by the two of them.

The Crown Prince asked in a low, ominous voice.

"Surely you don't still think Secretary Derek is humorous?"

"No. I clearly lacked judgment in character."

"Good. I'm glad you've realized it now."

Wait. Did I actually ask Secretary Derek to keep His Highness's infatuation with me a secret?

Ah. I can't even remember anymore.

Rather than struggling to keep it secret, finding the antidote to the Fairy's Tears quickly seemed like the better strategy.

***

By the time I finished my work for the day and came to my senses, General Chief Aide Kuan and Brahe had already left for the day.

Only His Highness Friedrich and I remained alone in the aide's office.

Why are we alone again?

"Aren't you going home, Your Highness?"

"I still have work to complete."

The person who claimed to have work left wasn't actually working, but rather staring intently at my face.

Is staring at my face considered work now?

I decided to ignore it.

'I should just focus on my own tasks.'

I'd grown quite accustomed to His Highness's intense stares over the past few days.

I was now trained enough to concentrate on my work even with the Crown Prince staring at me from right in front of my face.

I took out all the books I'd borrowed from the library and piled them on my desk.

The stack was quite heavy with so many volumes.

I'd been gathering every bit of information about the fairy folk for days to find the antidote.

But today was another dead end.

No matter how thoroughly I searched through the borrowed books, I couldn't find even the smallest clue about the fairy folk's habitat.

As I closed the book with a small sigh, the Crown Prince asked in a concerned voice.

"What's wrong?"

"I need to find where the fairy folk live, but I can't find any information no matter how much I search."

"Why do you need the fairy folk's habitat?"

"Because we need to meet the fairy folk to get the antidote for Your Highness's poisoning."

"I know where they live, the fairy folk's habitat."

I leaned forward toward the Crown Prince, filled with excitement.

"Really?"

They say the darkest place is under the lamp. The person with the answer had been right next to me.

"Yes."

"Where is it?"

In response to my question, the Crown Prince gave a mischievous grin.

"I can't just tell you."

"What? Why not? Then what do I need to do for you to tell me?"

The Crown Prince leaned his head toward me. His silky hair scattered softly before my eyes.

'W-what is this?'

The Crown Prince gazed at me with a gentle smile.

"Pat my head."

'This crafty... w-why is he looking up at me like that?'

Still, I couldn't refuse when he was offering such valuable information in exchange for just patting his head.

I decided to willingly sacrifice one of my hands.

Swallowing hard, I placed my hand on the Crown Prince's hair.

The sensation under my fingertips was softer than I'd expected. I slowly stroked down his hair.

As I continued moving my hand, the Crown Prince seemed pleased, narrowing his eyes with a satisfied smile.

'Wait. Why is my face getting red?'

My ears felt like they were on fire.

Before any stranger thoughts could arise, I quickly withdrew my hand.

"N-now we're even, right?"

The Crown Prince looked at me with displeasure but soon spoke.

"The fairy folk's habitat is in the southern Epola Mountains."