The Princess is Going on Strike - Chapter 28
Chapter 28
“Can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
Ethan placed his cup down on his saucer and folded his hands together.
“You mentioned before that you’re confident in protecting yourself.”
Ah, I did say that.
I placed the teacup away from my lips and nodded.
“Do you have any other plans in mind?”
“Other plans?”
Now that I think about it, he’s right.
I didn’t have any other plans at the moment. It hasn’t been long since I acknowledged the fact that I returned to the past, and I didn’t have enough time to form a perfect plan. The first thing that I thought of was either hire guards at the mercenary guild to protect me or go to the assassin’s guild to commission them to deal with threats around me… but then there was the question whether it was possible to completely block the influence of the Brixia family.
Rolling his eyes, Ethan wrinkled his brows, rubbed his chin, then nodded.
“If we proceed with this case, your life may be in danger. No matter how much we try to hide your name from it, word of your involvement will leak and it will become difficult to stay in your home.”
That was what I had expected. Which is why I was already looking into where I could stay.
“You don’t have to worry about that. I was planning on submitting a request for protection once the case becomes public. You won’t refuse me, will you?”
“We will protect you, of course. Then, will you naturally leave the mansion once the case opens?”
“For now.”
That was my plan for now, if there were no other changes.
I nodded and wrapped my hands around the teacup. I felt the warmth of the tea and waited for Ethan to respond, but he didn’t say anything. He put a hand on his chin as if contemplating something, then looked down.
Is he unsatisfied by my answer?
“Ethan?”
“Ah, I apologize. As it was an important matter, I was thinking of various things.”
He gave a small sigh as he answered me. It felt that every time his eyes shifted a hint of the color red was seen in them.
Can brown eyes glow red?
It was still noontime, so there was still some time before the sun set. I continued to study his profile when our eyes met. Despite both of us being seated, he had to look down at me at an angle because of our height difference.
“Let’s move on to what will happen later. We should talk about how we’re going to organize and deal with it. Since we can’t take a bite at the big shot right away, you may need to work your way up by starting to cut out from the bottom up. What do you think, Ethan?”
“I agree.”
He took out a booklet from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“What is this?”
“This is a copy of the ledger. I brought it to take a look at it. It was hard for me to take it away because the man kept clinging onto my trousers begging me not to.”
“Pft.”
I looked at Ethan with his unchanging facial expression, smiled, and nodded my head. I sounded like a joke, but for some reason I thought that he was probably serious.
Maybe it’s because of the atmosphere this man creates.
I tapped the table before opening the booklet.
“Let’s begin with the important sections.”
I met his gaze once more, before beginning my explanation.
* * * * * * *
The conversation which started that morning eventually continued until the light of the setting sun shone on the papers that were scattered on the floor. I thought Ethan was only talented in physical activities being a knight commander, but it seemed that he was more intelligent than most public officials after talking with him. He was able to explain certain points that I missed so that I was able to correct the errors. Plus, there were even certain aspects of his proposals to be more plausible. After having a heated discussion with him and coming to the conclusion that my lifelong study of military knowledge still fell short compared to experience on the field, I realized that we had skipped lunchtime. Exhausted, I slumped over the table. I folded my arms, leaned my chin on top of them, and glanced at Ethan.
He has good stamina too.
Ethan was still sitting in an upright position with only his eyes shifting back and forth, reading the papers. The setting sun shone behind his back, giving his body a glowing halo. I was really fond of this sharp nose and jawline, his long neck which was attached to his broad shoulders, and his long, slender fingers. Although it was covered by the table, I knew that he had a firm waist which was able to support his current posture for such a long time. I suddenly recalled what Alissa mentioned before.
Is he what others consider handsome?
It made me wonder at the time why Alissa would flutter about how handsome Ethan was, but after looking at him like this, he did seem quite cool.
“…..Ethan.”
“Yes?”
“Aren’t you tired?”
“I am.”
“Then take a break.”
“I guess I should.”
As if he was waiting for me to say that, Ethan put down the papers he was reading and leaned back. He looked at me with a slightly, relaxed expression, which was completely different from our first meeting where he was on guard.
It has only been a day since we met, but he’s already comfortable around me.
I muttered to myself as I closed my eyes. It was dark and quiet. But I was fond of this serenity. This peaceful, magic-like atmosphere felt as if no one could ever break it, and it helped to calm me down.
“Aerylle.”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
I slowly opened my eyes and saw Ethan slightly slouching over his chair.
“The last day of this year’s festival is a masquerade ball. Are you planning on attending?”
A ball, huh. That means I’ll have to dance, but I’m not confident in my dancing skills.
It’s been over 10 years since I last danced and even then I was mostly dragged around by Sebeth Ludin making it more like we were playing a game rather than dancing.
“…..I haven’t decided yet.”
But why’s he asking me that?
I half-closed my eyes which caused his voice to sound much more clear.
“The Crown Prince said he wanted to invite you, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I can personally tell him for you.”
Now that I think about it, His Highness, Estian the Crown Prince was also a part of our conversation yesterday, wasn’t he? I forgot about him. I should also apologize to him about my outburst.
“Then, I’ll go.”
“Alright.”
Ethan no longer spoke and I completely closed my eyes. Darkness fell over me and I ended up falling asleep. It was strangely comfortable being in the same space as him.
* * * * * * *
Being interested in other people is more troublesome than one would expect. It’s hard enough trying to control your own emotions, but you also need to pay attention to the feelings of others and control your actions. But if you’re being born in an aristocratic society, you have to behave according to how others feel in order to survive. That’s why, instead of showing interest in others, I chose to ignore them all. But since it was impossible to completely avoid them, I would have people by my side who would act in my place. And in the midst of this satisfactory system, I’ve come upon this unique situation.
“…..What is going on?”
Ethan blinked his eyes a few times as he looked at the masked princess who was sleeping quietly in front of him. It had been only one day. One day since he met this person, and they haven’t even had a meal together, yet.
I’ve heard of her before, of course. But instead of her actual name, Aerylle, what I heard was her nickname which was “monster” or “masked princess”.
But that wasn’t what caught Ethan’s attention. He actually thought it was rather bothersome when he heard Velfor talking about Aerylle. Ethan slowly moved his hand. Aerylle’s silver hair spread out over the table like the blooming petals of a flower. He picked up the ends carefully with his fingertips. Her hair was a beautiful silver color, like the moon, which was a color that was easily seen. Aerylle was born with silver hair, a color that even the members of the Brixia family did not have. She was like a mutant. Aerylle. The one who always wore a mask. People were awkward and unfamiliar around her, but to Ethan, this appearance was more familiar to him. He always felt a friendly feeling whenever he looked at her, as if they had known one another for a long time.
I wonder why? It’s not like I’ve known her for long.
Ethan’s hand moved very slowly, running his fingers through her hair, up until it softly touched Aerylle’s mask. He saw her loosen the wrinkles of her brow through the small gap of her mask, before he sighed and turned his head away.
Ah.
Ethan realized he couldn’t recklessly reach out his hand because of a feeling he couldn’t understand.
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