“Late settlement…?”
April asked with a puzzled expression.
Seeing her clear, innocent eyes made the decision he had just made hesitate for a moment, but Kaiyan clenched his fists tightly to regain control of his wavering heart.
In fact, there was nothing wrong with April saying she was leaving. The Grand Duchy decided to treat her as a guest, not a hostage.
But something about her talk of independence made her strangely angry.
He couldn't understand why.
Was it because this strange woman, who was exceptional at getting things done, yet was constantly making it clear how much she hated work, was going to leave and perhaps cause him a loss?
Or was it the possibility of being captured by Soult and drawn into an unpleasant conflict if April's presence in the Grand Duchy was discovered?
Or was it about missing out on the benefits that April might bring?
No, it wasn't any of that. Those things weren't important from the beginning.
When April first arrived, he thought her presence was just a headache caused by a failed plan.
But at some point, watching her move around became amusing, and when she isolated herself in her room, he found himself wondering what she was doing.
Sometimes, despite my inability to care about others, seeing her trying to help and care for as many people as possible brought up complicated feelings.
Kaien couldn't pinpoint any of the emotions that came over him as he looked at April pointedly.
But one thing was certain.
At that moment, the undeniable fact was that the thought of her leaving the common place disturbed him greatly.
“Exactly. I'm talking about late settlements.”
“Did I miss some settlement...?”
Of course not.
He knew he was making an excuse...
The promise to treat her as a “guest” and not as a “hostage” was tied to the honor of the Grand Duchy, so it could not be renounced.
In the end, the only sure way to keep her there, even if it meant acting petty, was one thing.
* * *
“In the first month, it was convenient for us to cover all expenses because the princess had come here against her will. But starting from the second month, wasn’t it the princess who voluntarily stayed in the Grand Duchy?”
"Excuse me?"
Vroom vroom.
I felt like I could hear a robbery engine starting up.
Why was this topic raised?
With a slight smile on his face, the Grand Duke began to press on me.
“Now that the princess has a steady income, I thought it would be reasonable for you to pay the overdue costs of accommodation and food.”
Wait a minute.
Have you fallen behind on housing and food costs?
I felt like I had just heard something terrible, and my mouth opened and closed.
But the situation was proceeding without regard to my will.
“From the second month until now, the Princess has covered all expenses for her accommodation and meals in the most luxurious building in the Grand Duchy. Not only that, but you have also enjoyed meals and desserts prepared by the most skilled chefs in the Grand Duchy.”
Well...this is an indisputable fact.
“So I had to starve?!”
The more he talked, the paler my face became.
“Even dresses, accessories, and daily necessities… You are well aware of how expensive the possessions of high-ranking noble families are.”
“…!”
“If we charge for all of this, the amount will be at least 10 million tres per month, and adding the cost of hiring famous artists, it will amount to about 80 million tres.”
What? 80 million tres?!
Not to mention the cost of hiring new bodyguards…
Wait a minute.
Although I felt confused by the far-fetched amount, there was nothing wrong with his calculations.
On the contrary, it seemed strangely convincing.
Looking at the Grand Duke's serious expression – or perhaps that was a hint of madness? -He had no intention of backing down.
“Wasn't I treated like a guest...?”
"a guest."
Unlike before, when I spoke boldly, I was now much smaller, and the Grand Duke was slowly stroking his chin as if relishing his superiority.
I will waive the cost of one month as if you were a guest. How much will it cost?
I started the account immediately.
Even if I deduct one month, 70 million tres… If I exhaust all my returns and profits from the blackout curtains, maybe I can manage somehow…
But if I did, my dream of independence would end.
And I needed to live in the heart of the Grand Duchy to make work easier.
But the heart of the Grand Duchy?
With its excellent security even at night, well-maintained roads, and proximity to commercial areas, it was practically the Gangnam district of South Korea.
Thinking about real estate prices in Gangnam meant…
“There is no way I can save enough money to buy a palace in the heart of the Grand Duchy while I spend 10 million tres every month.”
It will take at least three years, assuming the work goes well.
Three years?!
The Grand Duke's single comment completely shattered my dream of independence.
“This is a complete ant lion’s den.”
But I couldn't simply live off others in someone's house.
For a moment I flashed the image of Lady Lainey in my mind, but knowing that she had five rabbit-like children to support, I shook my head inwardly.
What should I do then?
"princess."
"…Yes?"
This time, a softer voice reached me.
“When will you pay the overdue accommodation and food costs? I understand that this month’s earnings have already been settled.”
“That's true...”
Smell…
Was I really going to be robbed like this, watching the situation so closely?
There was no escape. If I could refute him, I would do it a hundred times already.
After admitting defeat internally, it raised the white flag.
I will pay tomorrow...
My money, my future!
While my soul was being crushed in real time, the Grand Duke's face looked extremely refreshed.
“Good, one more thing.”
"…Yes."
“The duration of the contract is six months.”
“Six-month contract…?”
He seemed to have gained momentum as his next words came out smoothly.
"The chef mentioned that. They said they would need to contract six months' worth of ingredients in advance to prepare the princess's favorite desserts. So it's only fair that the princess signs a six-month residency contract."
“Ah… okay.”
Having been robbed once before, my frazzled mind couldn't come up with a counterargument.
Thus, another unfair contract was concluded.
"If there is no talk of terminating the contract four months before it expires, it will be automatically renewed. That's all I have to say."
Six month contract, with four months notice of cancellation…
Does this make sense?
But my body was already exhausted, and all I could do was stand there and nod.
The Grand Duke, reassured by my melancholy acceptance, turned to leave. Before he walked away, he glanced at me.
“Princess, do you know what the word ‘poverty’ is spelled backwards?”
"…I?"
“That's right. You are him.”
click.
“…Huh?”
I didn't realize he was kidding me until long after the door had closed.
I didn't explode in anger until after everything was over.
* * *
“Marry Count Ravioli.”
The thundering sound of King Birga's command echoed throughout the room.
"my dad?"
jingle.
Limia was summoned early in the morning, constantly yawning, and fell to her knees in shock.
This cannot happen.
Wasn't her engagement to the ugly Count Ravioli just a show of deterrence for Raiden?
Limia's assumptions, which she had clung to so tightly, were shattered in an instant.
Limia, fully aware that the king's orders could not be easily overruled, pleaded in a desperate tone.
“I'm not ready yet. The engagement hasn't been long yet! Besides, I have patriotic duties to attend to—”
“Enough.”
National duties - those damned national duties!
Berga got up from his seat, losing his patience.
“Since I became involved in state affairs, things have only gotten worse and the problems have accumulated.”
At first, even Berga thought Limia would be competent. He encouraged and supported her as much as he could.
But now, all that was left in him was disappointment and anger towards his only daughter.
“Do you even know how many administrators have resigned? And Sir Le Perec, who has just turned sixty, can't even move anymore, I heard.”
Ha!
The sound of Berga's heavy sigh echoed in Limia's ears.
“All because we were cleaning up your mess!”
Limia's eyes filled with tears when she heard the harsh rebuke.
“Dad...”
Even her pitiful expression – which took full advantage of her beauty – seemed useless now.
With a cold face, Berga passed his judgment again.
“Just get married.”
“I will not marry that man!”
This amount of immaturity was unbelievable.
Berga's anger finally exploded.
“Are you disobeying your father?”
“The Crown Prince of Klitan will take me!”
“Salt Limia!”
Finally, Berga realized the truth of all of Limia's delusions.
He had no idea where to even begin to correct her.
“…The Crown Prince is not a man you should trust easily.”
"He's a great guy! And he's handsome too!"
"What? Have you lost your mind?"
Berga's neck spasmed as he screamed, his veins bulging out.
“Do you even know how many ominous rumors follow him? Rumors that he is connected to dark wizards are spreading widely!”
“This is all slander. The Crown Prince would never do such things!”
“Are you really unaware that he is preparing to turn his sword against Salt?”
But when Berga's eyes met his daughter's, he realized it was already too late.
“…Take the princess away. Lock her up until the wedding, and start training her to become a bride.”
"What? Dad! Dad!"
explosion.
The door closed behind Berga, ignoring Limia's cries. However, as he stood alone, his facial expression grew darker and more anxious.