CPSMBD Chapter 71

Chapter 71

 "Getting worked up only makes you hotter. Calm your mind. Just sit still and feel the breeze coming from outside. You'll feel cooler then."

At my words, Brahe's face soured.

Then she cried out in frustration, "What breeze? Even with the windows open, there's not a hint of wind!"

Truth be told, I had a secret reason for maintaining my composure.

It was because Velasquez was keeping my body cool.

[How is it, Master? Nice and cool?]

'Yes. Perfect.'

[Velasquez is the best, right?]

I quietly gave a thumbs up under my desk.

Had Velasquez ever seemed this lovable before?

This comfort of not sweating a single drop in this heat--

I felt like I could sell my soul to a demon for it.

'Ah, haven't I basically already done that?'

Just then, the bell summoning me to the Crown Prince rang.

"Ah... not... not again..."

I clutched my head in despair.

Over the past few days, that bell had been ringing constantly at all hours.

I turned to Brahe with the most pitiful expression I could muster.

"Brahe, couldn't you go in my place?"

"Not likely! Yesterday I went to the office instead of you and got kicked out immediately. His Highness told me, 'I called for Chief Violeta, not you. Go fetch Chief Violeta at once.'"

"Did I do something wrong to His Highness? Why is he tormenting me like this?"

"What can you do? His Highness saved your life multiple times recently, so you must show your loyalty."

Was it because of the heat? Brahe seemed particularly unsympathetic today.

I got up from my seat and trudged toward the office.

As soon as I opened the door to the office, the Crown Prince issued his command.

A trivial, insignificant command at that.

"Feed me this drink."

The Crown Prince nodded toward a cool beverage sitting on his desk.

Just as I approached the desk and lifted the cup to carry out his order, sudden irritation welled up inside me.

I snapped at the Crown Prince in a sharp voice:

"Your Highness, isn't this too much? Just how much do you plan to work me?"

"Well, what can I do? My arms and back are in tatters from saving you, so I can't move properly. Isn't it only right that you repay my kindness this way?"

"..."

"Or perhaps Chief Violeta doesn't understand duty and gratitude?"

"..."

"Ah. My broken arm is hurting again."

It wasn't broken, just fractured.

Besides, thanks to my attentive care during that time, the Crown Prince hadn't moved his injured arm at all, so why was his condition supposedly getting worse?

This all started a few days ago when I volunteered to help the Crown Prince who could barely move due to his injuries.

That day, when I stopped by the office for a report, I found the Crown Prince struggling with documents.

The Crown Prince was painfully turning pages due to the splint on his arm.

Seeing him, usually so proud and arrogant, struggling to even turn a single page... why did it make me feel so sorry for him?

I stood beside him and turned the pages one by one.

Since I was largely responsible for his injuries, helping with even small things like this seemed like it might ease my guilty conscience a bit.

But the Crown Prince, perhaps due to his pride, strongly refused my help.

"I can handle this perfectly well on my own, so go attend to your own work."

"Your Highness, I know you can handle it perfectly well alone, but I want to help you."

"You want... to help me?"

"Yes."

I nodded vigorously as I spoke.

I figured this was the only way to get the Crown Prince to let go of his stubbornness and accept my help.

"Well, if that's what you want... Fine. Do as you please."

What a relief.

At least I could help the Crown Prince this way.

When the Crown Prince finished reviewing the documents and reached for his seal, I was ready.

After all, a capable employee should anticipate their superior's needs before they're even expressed.

I prepared what he needed before he could ask for it.

When the seal touched the Crown Prince's fingertips as his eyes were still fixed on the documents, he looked up in confusion and glanced around.

Then, seeing that I had presented the seal, he frowned.

"You don't need to go this far..."

"No, this is exactly what I should do."

Similar incidents continued after that.

Soon enough, the Crown Prince, having grown accustomed to the convenience I provided, began calling my name whenever he needed anything.

"Chief Violeta, I need last year's first-half financial records from the Treasury Department..."

"Here they are."

"Chief Vio..."

"Here they are."

"Vio..."

"Here they are."

Eventually, things got to the point where everything he needed was already prepared before he could say a word.

The Crown Prince, who had initially strongly refused my help, quickly changed his tune.

"It's quite convenient having Chief Violetta's help."

After that, the Crown Prince would summon me at every opportunity to run various errands.

Initially, it was something I started voluntarily out of goodwill.

But as they say, when kindness continues, it becomes expected. The Crown Prince worked me ragged without showing even a hint of gratitude.

Of course, I hadn't done it expecting gratitude, but I could feel my irritation slowly rising.

I quietly picked up the glass of cold drink and held it up to the Crown Prince's chin.

After drinking the cold beverage without moving a finger, he issued his next command.

"It's hot. Would you fan me?"

I grabbed the fan while gritting my teeth.

"Harder."

"..."

"Even harder."

"..."

I must have unconsciously made a face. The Crown Prince observed my expression carefully before speaking.

"Why that expression? You're not upset, are you? You said you liked helping me."

I forced a smile and increased my fanning speed.

"Of course not. I'm so happy to be able to help Your Highness. Are you feeling cooler, Your Highness?"

"Yes, quite cool. It feels even cooler when Chief Violeta fans me."

Yes, Your Highness, I'm so glad you're comfortable.

Meanwhile, my arm feels like it's about to fall off.

If it weren't for Velasquez, I might have already lost my mind from the heat and stormed out of the Imperial Palace with my resignation letter.

The Crown Prince, who had been watching me fan diligently, suddenly withdrew his order.

"That's enough. I'm fine now."

Ah. Finally over.

But I was mistaken.

"Using only one arm because of my injury has made my body quite tired. I need to rest for a moment."

How can you be tired when I'm the one doing all the work?

I couldn't understand it.

​The Crown Prince headed toward the sofa in the office.

"You should take a break too."

The Crown Prince pointed to an empty folding chair right next to his desk.

"Your Highness, if you're resting, may I return to my own work?"

"No! I still have many tasks for you."

He suddenly changed his mind after just saying he wanted to rest. After that, the Crown Prince's demands continued endlessly.

Turning pages.

Fetching documents.

Stamping seals.

All the minor, miscellaneous tasks needed for office work.

After fulfilling all the Crown Prince's demands, I dragged my exhausted self back to the Aide's Office.

Following behind me, Head Chamberlain Dominic also entered carrying something.

Dominic served the same cold refreshing drink he had just served to the Crown Prince to everyone in the Aide's Office.

"Here, here, have a cool drink while you work in this heat. While making it for His Highness, I thought of all of you and made extra."

It was a drink made by freezing water mixed with lemon juice and sugar, then finely crushing it and garnishing it with mint.

Just looking at it made the heat feel more bearable.

Taking a sip, the sweet and sour taste filled my mouth.

With Velasquez's cooling effect plus this refreshing drink, it was absolute heaven.

All the frustration from being ordered around by the Crown Prince melted away in an instant.