Chapter 27

I was escorted by Kaylan instead of Rodrigo. The decision was because of my theory that later on, Cartina would be undoubtedly disappointed just at the thought of Rodrigo. If we keep making them sad, another big incident may occur.

Also, I enjoyed spending time with Kaylan, Ether and Eyla. The three of them smiled broadly.

“The last occasion was ruined because of Rodrigo, but let’s enjoy this one, Estiya.”

Ether jabbed Kaylan’s side with her elbow to stop him from saying more.

“It’s alright. As long as it’s not in front of Rodrigo, feel free to tell me comfortably.”

Obviously, don’t trash talk him.*

PR/N: Google apparently translated this to: Of course, don’t take a double bath. 

TN: What she said.

I added a light smile. The awkward atmosphere instantly softened.

“By the way, did you see that last time? Erhardt’s mansion and greenhouse facilities?”

“Oh? I know of the greenhouse facilities, but what do you mean mansion?”

Eyla pretended to be oblivious. Ether cleared her throat nervously as I narrowed my eyes.

“…Did you know?” Kaylan inquired. 

There was no mention of their ‘tailing’.

How could I not know, with such a ridiculous carriage, asking to be noticed?

“It’s mine now. That mansion.”

“What’s Estiya’s?”

The three shrieked simultaneously. I saw that their shock was so great that their hips shook, and the weight of Rodrigo’s gift hit me even more.

“It’s all mine.”

So don’t touch it.

There was a subtle warning behind the words.

“Th-then Rodrigo gave you all that?”

Everything aside, it was still an amazing gift that I received. I thought Kaylan would like the news, but he was vexed.

“Brother?”

“What else did he give you?”

Kaylan asked.

“A ruby mine.”

“Argh!”

Kaylan ruffled his hair agitatedly.

“Estiya, give it all back. This brother will work hard and buy you something better.”

Ether and Eyla also jumped in to help.

“Yeah! We can buy a mine in no time if we put our minds to it.”

I didn’t bother asking how he would ‘work hard’ to obtain that fortune. There were many options: threats, murders, scams… Options I don’t approve of.

“That’s alright. The mine, the mansion, and the greenhouse: what Rodrigo gave me is enough.”

The shoulders of the three drooped downwards.

“Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have damaged anything,” Kaylan murmured quietly.

I quickly understood that he was talking about the greenhouse incident.

“I wasn’t aware of what Rodrigo would give me. He’s a man of extraordinary taste in gifts.”

I didn’t intend to brag. I simply implied that they should keep their hands off his possessions because, you never know what he would give me. Kaylan, Ether and Eyla frowned. The situation did not seem to appeal to them.

The banquet at the Imperial Palace was, in a word, splendid. It almost seemed as if it was made to show off the Empire’s power and wealth. The floor was tiled with precious stones. They glistened like galaxies against the chandelier light. The court musicians continued performing calm music. The present nobles gathered in twos and threes, and chatted lightly while moderately tasting the nourishments prepared by the Imperial Palace.

It was when Cartina stepped inside the banquet hall that all sound was eliminated. All eyes turned towards the door in unison. They were drawn to one particular spot.

That was me.

“W-wait a minute, what am I seeing?”

“Wipe your saliva. She’s currently in a relationship with Lord Rodrigo.”

“A goddess!”

“Such words are not nearly enough.”

The men could not keep their jaws from falling.

“Must we separate the upper and lower jaws to get rid of those dirty eyes?”

Kaylan murmured grimly.

“I’m going to have to twist their chins.”

“Rather than that, it would be better to pierce their eyeballs.”

Seething words erupted from both my sides. It was Eyla and Ether.

“Just go, Sisters.”

I hurriedly stepped forward to stop them as they rolled up the hems of their dresses. With that one step, the men let out a long exhale.

Being pretty also turned out to be tiring. Is Rodrigo hiding somewhere?

I looked for Rodrigo around the banquet hall. It seems he was late, since it wasn’t possible for me to miss such a handsome appearance.

“Let’s settle on the quiet side.”

I made my way around, following Kaylan.

“Estiya.”

I was halfway across the banquet hall when I heard someone calling my name from behind. The faces of the women surrounding me flushed red. Everyone was gazing over my shoulder.

Rodrigo is here.

Unlike when I entered, noise erupted upon Rodrigo’s appearance. I slowly turned around. Indeed, this man’s beauty could only be matched by the word ‘insane’. A South Korean male actor CG* would be called a rooster while beside him.

TL/N: CG is used to characterize people who have beautiful faces, attractive enough to not require photoshop

“Welcome, Rodrigo.”

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And that very man is now my lover. He will become a husband someday. This is only temporary until the female protagonist made an appearance. My shoulders stiffened. There was no better accessory than a handsome man, after all.

“May I accompany you now?”

Rodrigo glanced at Kaylan. Kaylan hurriedly fled. He definitely promised Estiya to apologize before. But now he didn’t want to, which was why he was purposely avoiding Rodigo. The same was true of Eyla and Ether. They slowly crept away from Estiya. However, their vigilance against Rodrigo did not abate.

“Well, it’s a pretty good outcome in exchange for a single greenhouse.”

“Please don’t say that.”

I was afraid that Rodrigo would present me with another bizarre gift, so I hurriedly stopped him. Rodrigo chuckled. A fresh breeze passed as he smiled casually. It felt like peace had been situated after a long time. However, that peace did not last long.

“Lady Estiya.”

Oh, that sleazy bastard.

I turned around, a forced smile on my face. The Crown Prince Detheus and Princess Delia approached us. Detheus’s snake-like eyes swept me up and down. I got goosebumps.

Detheus reached out his hand, asking for my hand. His tenacious gaze affirmed my suspicion that he would kiss the back of my hand. How many young ladies would be able to refuse the hand that the Crown Prince held out? Everyone was staring at me.

I reluctantly raised my hand. The Crown Prince gazed at me with anticipation. I swore I could read this guy’s black mind.

Oh, I really don’t want to do this. If I could give money in exchange for my refusal, I’d throw billions. I shuddered at the notion of Detheus’s dirty lips touching me.

It was then.

Tuk.

“…What’s this?”

Detheus’s words trembled thinly. His voice was filled with a mixture of panic and irritation. Rodrigo placed his hand over the hand of Detheus! I stared blankly at Rodrigo.

“That is a hand.”

“I mean, what does this mean?”

“Ah! Well, Your Highness wants to kiss the back of her hand, so why not mine?”

Rodrigo chuckled. His smile was frigid. The banquet hall was in turmoil. Detheus gazed at Rodrigo, his expression filled with astonishment and wonder over how much of a madman Rodrigo was. His feelings were fully relatable. Rodrigo’s actions were beyond shocking.

“Why, don’t you like men’s hands?”

“Look, Sir Rodrigo. This is not an issue of gender…”

“Is it written in the etiquette books that men are not allowed to be kissed on the back of their hands? I’ve never heard of that.”

Rodrigo’s right. Nowhere in aristocratic etiquette was it ever stated that a kiss on the back of the hand was a greeting only accessible to women. In fact, such a greeting was made to present a formal greeting to the Emperor.

The only problem with Rodrigo’s behavior is that his status is lower than that of Detheus’s.

But Detheus failed to point that out. Detheus’s expression was distorted like that of a grilled squid.

Pfft.

Eventually, I burst into laughter. Detheus’s expression, which looked like he chewed poop, was truly a masterpiece.

“That is rude, Young Lady Estiya.”

Delia glared at me while revealing her discomfort.

Hmm? Me?

I was dumbfounded. It was impolite to laugh, but was it not Rodrigo who first committed a rude act? If you are going to criticize me, do it to Rodrigo first. Why me? Even if you are blinded by love, you stand corrected.

Rather, are you trying to pick a fight?

There was no avoiding a fight in Cartina’s dictionary. However, it would not be well-thought to jump at the Imperial Daughter in a place with many eyes. I think Rodrigo should assist me. I ignored Delia and turned to Rodrigo.

“Yes, Rodrigo, you were rude. Aren’t you leaving my hand unattended for too long?”

I naturally pulled on Rodrigo’s collar to move the hand that was placed in Detheus’s grasp. Rodrigo raised his eyebrows, and then creased his eyes and smiled. I heard a crackling sound somewhere as I observed his smile which melted away all ice. Delia and Detheus’s masks were broken.

I decided to leave quickly while Detheus and Delia were still speechless. I crossed my arms with Rodrigo’s.

“Have a good time, His Majesty the Crown Prince and Her Majesty the Princess.”

We quickly moved away from Detheus and Delia. Rodrigo laughed as our distance widened to a certain extent. It was a mischievous laugh.

“Were you having fun when I was that surprised?”

When Rodrigo placed his large palm in the Prince’s hand, I was not the only one shocked. The Prince’s escorts, aware of Detheus’s furious personality, were also nervous. The banquet hall was almost converted into a battlefield. As my expression darkened, Rodrigo skillfully changed the subject.

“The music is playing. Why don’t we dance properly this time?”

I rested my hand on Rodrigo’s shoulder without a second thought, because Detheus and Delia were waiting for an opportunity to jump in.

They wouldn’t chase after us to the point of stopping a song. I might just dance until the end of the banquet.

“I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

Rodrigo nodded lightly. Perhaps because we worked together last time, I and Rodrigo were able to match each other’s pace much more comfortably. The song wasn’t too fast. It was a perfect tempo for a conversation.

“I have a question.”

“Ask anything.”

“You don’t like men, do you?”

Rodrigo’s face clearly showed displeasure.

“I don’t.”

He replied.

I think I just heard him clench his teeth.

“I understand. I’m just asking for confirmation.”

I must be insane, trying to see if this was a BL in a R19 male-oriented hardcore.

It was more of an impossible possibility.

Rodrigo is clearly heterosexual. However, unlike his usual self, this straight man asked the Crown Prince for a kiss, so I couldn’t help but wonder. But I’m sure that’s not the case. I need to find the female protagonist, help them both achieve peace of mind, and get them an island to be together.

“What are you thinking?”

Asked Rodrigo.

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“I wasn’t thinking of anything.”

“It’s obvious that you’re lying.”

“Can you tell a lie by magic?”

“Sure.”

Rodrigo grabbed me by the waist, lifted me lightly, and swirled around. He continued what he was saying and set me down gently so I could properly land on the ground.