45 – So You Know

For now, I’ve gotten through my audience with Bymark relatively unscathed.

It was, without a doubt, the most dangerous moment of my life, but thanks to Nob AI, I managed to talk my way out of it, or so it seems.

The reward he promised might seem tempting to others.

In modern terms, it would be like offering the position of mayor and a sum of money that a regular office worker couldn’t earn in a lifetime.

But I absolutely cannot accept that offer.

The moment I agree, I’ll have crossed a river with no return.

And to emphasize it again.

I was one of those people who, even sleeping eight hours a day and lazing around the other sixteen, still felt short on leisure time.

I’d already amassed enough wealth to live comfortably without ever working again, so what good would come of chasing after even more?

Moderation in all things, the golden mean – words emphasized by those ancient Chinese philosopher elders.

If I were granted land and a title, becoming a feudal lord, perhaps I could live a life akin to a king, like our Porto.

But I, I envied the life of that acquaintance who made billions in crypto and retired young, far more than the harried existence of a corporate chairman.

I absolutely refused to work.

I would do anything, anything at all, to avoid labor.

See, my intuition was spot on.

His Royal Highness, our king, clearly intended to bestow land upon me as a pretext for assigning me various tasks.

But my salary-skiving DNA, honed from a past life, detected this, and I writhed and twisted myself free.

“Hoo…”

However, I couldn’t claim to have completely evaded the situation, as the king had ordered me to stay at the palace for a week.

It seemed he still had one foot in the door.

Complacency was forbidden.

In any case, perhaps seeking to persuade me by any means necessary, the king treated me with exceptional consideration, offering me the largest of the guest rooms in the palace.

-This VIP suite is usually reserved for visiting dukes or special envoys from the Empire, Art explained.

I knew he held the position of Chief Steward of the Royal Household, roughly in charge of planning and managing royal events, but he was looking after my comfort like one of the servants from my own estate.

Even when I told him he could return to his duties.

-How could I possibly? Although this is the royal palace, to you, it must feel like a rather unfamiliar place. Surely it would be better to have a familiar face around, wouldn’t it? Haha.

He must have received instructions from Vimarc, because he insisted on sticking by my side.

In any event, life in the palace was comfortable.

If I had to rank the times I’d received the most lavish treatment, the only thing that came close was my stay in that seven-star hotel in my past life. But that didn’t compare.

If I’d been treated this well at the Tristi estate, might I be dreaming of becoming the family head by now?

Meals weren’t served at fixed times, but whenever I expressed hunger, servants would bring food. And, I feel sorry to Dalpi, but, honestly, the food here was a bit better.

Of course, I wasn’t trying to disparage Dalpi’s culinary skills.

It was royal fare, after all; they must be using only the finest ingredients.

I rose from the bed.

Looking at the clock, it was now 8:00 AM.

I checked my schedule.

Tonight, there’s naught but the King’s banquet, an appointment with His Majesty, the royals, and a gaggle of officials.

Good then, shall we go house-hunting in earnest?

I meticulously set my hair and donned my finery before stepping into the corridor.

Something I keenly felt at the workshop the other day…

Perhaps it was because Dalphy always saw to my grooming whenever something important arose, but her absence was palpable in moments like these.

Or perhaps, my life—excluding eating, sleeping, changing clothes, and washing—was utterly reliant on Dalphy’s support…

Of course, I could ask the palace servants for help easily enough, but instinctively, I balked at the notion.

“You’re awake, Sir.”

A start.

Art stood waiting at the door.

“Shall I give you a tour of the royal palace? Haha, the Elraim Palace, the very treasure of our Kingdom of Justina, has as many sights to behold as its colossal facade suggests.”

“I have some business in the capital today.”

“Ah, then, I, who know the lay of the land so well, shall guide you with utmost speed and accuracy!”

There’s little as painful as refusing someone who treats me kindly, but sometimes one must be unyielding.

“I deeply appreciate the thought, but I intend to wander alone today. A hood will suffice; no need for an escort.”

I showed him the cloth I carried on my right arm, and Art’s face fell.

I moved at a leisurely pace.

“Achoo…”

I was about to exit the palace grounds when, in the garden, I espied Rivian.

She clutched a book with a familiar title close to her chest as she walked off somewhere.

『The Lady Yearns for a Second Love.』

“…….”

Could one feel this much joy upon seeing a friend after so long?

During my time at the Tristy manor, my sole indulgence was reading trashy novels.

Back in my past life, I loved web novels, and each time I explored the small and large worlds woven into the text, it felt as though the emptiness within me filled up.

So naturally, I read the novels of this world, but, well, they all felt like clichéd and dull classical literature. Something wasn’t enough to satisfy my brain, which was addicted to stimulation and dopamine.

But, that author of the novel Rivian is holding right now…Their works are so damn interesting to read.

It’s as if the author knows the primal joy of writing. They pursue only fun in their novels, so critics’ reviews are not good, I know.

But the public’s reaction is good so the sales are quite high.

I even remember the author’s name. It was Tia, surely.

To think I’d see my ultimate favorite novel here.

A delighted “Ah, you know it too!” nearly escaped, but I managed to bite it back.

There probably aren’t many novel addicts as heavy as me, and someone in the princess’s position would likely be reading it not as a fan, but to analyze why people do.

“Hachoo…”

Was she severely afflicted with a cold? She’d been sneezing incessantly since yesterday.

『Shall I diagnose the princess’s ailment for you? If you could somehow acquire her saliva, blood, urine, I could perform a comprehensive examination based on the data I’ve learned thus far…』

I do not wish to live in prison.

『꒰՞ °ᗝ°՞꒱.ᐟ.ᐟ』

The palace must have its own physicians anyway; they’ll surely handle it.

Anyway.

From now, I will go to see the place where I will live with my sister and Dalpi.

It would be nice if Ian came too, but being a knight and all… hmm.

I don’t know if he’ll come along.

My requirements for the house were quite stringent. If it was too big, Dalpi wouldn’t be able to handle it alone, so I was thinking of finding something moderately sized, around 50-60 *pyeong*. (approx. 1778 sq. ft.)

It also had to have a yard, because I wanted to create a garden as close as possible to the Garden of Five Colors.

And it needed to be a secluded place outside the city walls, away from the crowds.

That’s because I prefer a quiet haven located close to convenient facilities.

It would probably be difficult to see a house that meets all my requirements.

So I was also considering buying an empty lot and building the house myself.

With Nob AI, building a house would be a piece of cake.

『Apartments, buildings, even bunkers, all possible!!』

I don’t need such a large building!!

『(っ◞‸◟c)』

Anyway, I pulled on my robe.

Alright, let’s dive in.

*

“Hachoo, has she already left her seat…?”

“Yes, she has. She said she had errands outside today and told me not to follow…”

“I see…”

I’d headed straight for the VIP room as soon as I woke up, but it was a dead end.

“Art says he’s already left,” Livian murmured, her head drooping as she sighed.

She’d intended to use Esther as the inspiration for her next novel’s protagonist.

The moment she considered him, all the creative blocks she’d faced seemed to melt away, a sense of clarity washing over her.

Of course, to brazenly use someone in a novel without their consent was terribly rude. That’s why she’d mustered her courage, even bringing a copy of her book to prove she was a writer…

‘Still, I heard he was staying for at least a week.’

Today wasn’t her only chance.

Disappointed, Livian resigned herself to waiting and turned towards her chambers.

The life of a princess was a busy one.

She held little ambition for the throne.

Perhaps sensing this, her father rigorously trained her elder brother, Troil, as the heir, while showering Livian with affection and allowing her to pursue her passions freely.

He knew she wrote novels and even encouraged her to try, that was Bimark’s way.

However, as second in line to the throne, she was obligated to diligently attend her lessons, in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Furthermore, failing to receive a basic education and tarnishing the royal name would render her unfit to be a princess.

Knowing this, Livian brushed off her tutors’ concerns when she wasn’t feeling well, declaring herself fine and throwing herself into her studies with renewed zeal.

After a hectic day, around five in the afternoon, she found herself taking a brief break from class, strolling through the streets of Lognes with her escort of knights.

Suddenly, she stopped.

‘Lord Esther…?’

Though he wore a hooded cloak, Livian was certain.

After all, she’d stared intently at his face from close range, and such handsome features were a rare sight even in the kingdom.

“Your Highness?”

Her knights looked puzzled, and Livian raised a hand to silence them.

“Hush, just a moment.”

Esther entered a bookshop.

A moment later, as he emerged with a familiar title tucked under his arm, her eyes widened in disbelief.

【A Dangerous Encounter Started in the Academy.】

The book he held was a novel written by Livian herself.

“Huh…?”

Ordinarily, she would have rushed over to arrange a meeting with Esther.

But she found herself rooted to the spot.

While Livian loved her own work, she hadn’t thought it was the type of book Esther would enjoy.

The escape of two lovers from the Academy, forsaking their houses, would hardly be to the liking of such prodigies.

Utter bewilderment was the only possible response.

Surely, he hadn’t imagined it.

Livienne, who had worked with the publisher on every step, from the title to the cover design, wouldn’t mistake her own book.

“Ah-choo…”

Though he couldn’t fathom why.

Ester being a reader of his seemed unlikely.

Perhaps she intended it as a gift for someone?

‘Later, I’ll ask her in passing…’

Livienne would have her chance.

A small soiree was planned for that evening at the palace, a gathering commissioned by His Majesty the King for Ester’s sake.

They could talk then, privately.

“Cough, cough…”

“Princess, are you alright?”

Livienne muffled her mouth and nodded.

She glanced at her hand, furtively withdrawing it, and wiped it with a handkerchief.

Then, she continued towards the palace.

‘I need to rest, even for a little while…’

Consciousness flickered and dimmed.

A sudden, intense dizziness assailed Livienne’s mind.

“Princess!”

Strength deserted her body, senses faded.

She collapsed forward, limp.

“Good heavens…”

The knight, his face grave, placed a hand on Livienne’s brow, which burned like a furnace.