Chapter : 38
The deal with the Crown Prince was successfully concluded.
He extended his hand for a handshake.
“It’s been a while since I met someone who understands the real pleasure of a deal. Everyone I’ve met lately has been nothing but greenhorns who refuse to give up anything of their own while desperately trying to snatch what belongs to others.”
“Oh my, I didn’t realize there were people so shameless. You must have had a hard time.”
I lightly took the Crown Prince’s hand.
“I’m different from that sort of person, so if there’s ever something you want, please remember me first~.”
“Really? Even if what I want from Lady Nacelle is something I don’t possess myself?”
At his question, I looked at him for a moment, then slowly curved my lips into a smile.
“If it’s something even the future master of the Empire doesn’t have, then surely no one in this world could possibly possess it.”
In other words—whatever I wanted, he would be able to provide, so there was no need for him to worry.
The Crown Prince seemed to understand perfectly and grinned back at me.
“As expected, Lady Nacelle, you seem to share some similarities with me.”
“I feel the same, Your Highness—though it’s far too generous of me to say so.”
And for people like us, this kind of moderate business relationship suited us best.
Because we could see through each other’s hidden intentions so well, becoming closer would only be exhausting.
“Mm, Your Highness… did you enjoy your conversation?”
At the languid voice of the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince hurried over to his wife.
“Sorry. You’re feeling sleepy, aren’t you? You could’ve gone to rest first if you were tired.”
“If I’m not by your side, you worry too much… and I like being next to you, too…”
The Crown Princess smiled innocently, her eyes half-lidded.
It was fascinating how closely she matched the original description.
‘The youngest princess of another kingdom, raised with love from everyone, and a pure woman who knows how to give that love in return.’
Just as described, her smile was flawlessly pure.
So different from my own smile, carefully crafted to deceive others.
“Alright, let’s go in now. Come here.”
The Crown Prince naturally scooped up the drowsy Crown Princess in his arms.
Without even glancing in my direction, he gently kissed her forehead and left the reception room.
Watching their retreating figures, I shrugged lightly.
Someone like the Crown Prince really does suit a pure type like her.
There’s no need to rack your brain to figure out what the other person is thinking.
That alone cuts more than half the exhaustion that comes from dealing with people.
Lost in those thoughts, I was just about to leave the reception room myself when—
“Eani.”
“Harten?”
Standing close beside me, he gently wiped my hand with a warm, damp cloth—
the hand I had just used to shake hands with the Crown Prince.
“You worked hard dealing with that sly old fox.”
“Then why are you wiping my hand…?”
“It looked like something dirty got on it.”
Muttering quietly with a frown, he glanced sideways at me.
When our eyes met, the crease between his brows relaxed, and his cheeks flushed red.
“You’re good at negotiating, Eani. Even better than me, and I’ve been in business my whole life.”
“Did it really look that way? I was actually really nervous inside…!”
Of course, that was a lie.
But no matter how much the story claimed I’d lost my memories and my personality had changed, Eani Nacelle was a woman who had lived her entire life within the small society of her family.
For someone like that to be skilled at negotiations would seem… unnatural, wouldn’t it?
Moments like this were always troublesome.
People who had no interest in Eani could be fooled easily, but Harten Seind knew Eani Nacelle’s history far too well.
Still… this man’s judgment is clouded by the curse right now.
If I offered a reasonable excuse, he probably wouldn’t doubt me too much.
Just as I was about to speak—
“You said you had a lot to learn from me.”
Hm? Did I say that?
“But from what I can see, you’re the one with far more to teach.”
“……”
“Just now… you were really amazing.”
Having said that, Harten twisted his large body awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.
I watched the massive man fidget shyly, then asked,
“Harten, what do you think would happen if I suddenly became an excellent swordsman?”
“Huh?”
“Someone who’s never properly held a sword suddenly using one with incredible skill, as if they’d become a completely different person. What would you think?”
Despite the sudden question, he answered seriously after thinking for a moment.
“I’d admire you, thinking you had a hidden talent for the sword.”
“Then what about cooking? If I suddenly became good at cooking?”
“I’d admire you, thinking you were a culinary genius.”
“What if I suddenly knew a lot about herbs? Making medicines I’d never even seen before, without ever having studied them.”
“I’d still admire you, thinking you’re good at everything.”
“Ah…”
I’m exceptionally good at telling flattery apart from sincerity.
And from my perspective, Harten’s words were 100% genuine.
So I’ve reached the point where I don’t even need excuses anymore…
Harten’s curse was far more blind and absolute than I had expected.
Staring at Harten, who was gazing at me with bright, unwavering eyes, I naturally leaned into his arms.
I could hear his heart pounding loudly near my ear.
“E–Eani?”
Harten Seind wasn’t a pure person like the Crown Princess.
But still…
This kind of blind devotion might not be so bad.
With that thought, I closed my eyes while leaning against him.
“I just want to stay like this for a little while.”
“……I’d be fine staying like this forever.”
At my whisper, he replied in a low voice and wrapped his arms tightly around me—
As if he’d never let go.
Tightly.
***
I left the reception room with Harten, but we couldn’t stay together until the end.
“Harten Seind!”
“Where on earth have you been?!”
The Duke and Duchess of Seind approached from afar, their faces filled with anger.
“There are several distinguished guests who came a long way just to see you!”
“Are you trying to shirk your duties as the young duke and slack off?! Come here at once!”
“…Ha.”
Harten let out a deep sigh.
As the heir to the Seind duchy—and the owner of the massive Seind Railway Company, which controlled 70% of the Empire’s railroads—it seemed he had many people he was obligated to meet.
“Eani, come with me.”
Harten naturally reached for me, intending to follow the duke and duchess.
But the Duchess stopped him.
“No! Eani, you go over there!”
She added sharply, sounding incredulous.
“Some investors are waiting because they apparently saw potential in your ridiculous resort!”
“Wow~ really?”
“Tsk tsk. People with no eye for quality.”
“Oh my, it would’ve been so entertaining if you’d said that in front of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Ghk!”
At my words, her face flushed bright red. She shot me a fierce glare before storming off in the opposite direction.
Watching her, I curled my lips into a small smile.
It’s funny how desperately she struggles to tear me down.
I hope she never realizes that every one of those moments brings me pleasure.
If she knew and still showed no reaction, that would be rather boring.
Anyway~ let’s see what kind of investor is interested in this resort.
“Harten, I’ll see you in a bit~.”
“E–Eani—.”
I waved lightly at Harten, who looked like he hated even a moment of separation.
Humming to myself, I headed toward a different reception room than the one where I’d met the Crown Prince.
Inside, three men were waiting for me.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Nacelle!”
A man with healthy bronze-colored skin reached out for a handshake the moment our eyes met.
“My name is Rahiru Edana!”
Edana…!
A surname I knew well.
The brand that created and popularized swimsuits was Edana, after all!
“Congratulations on your engagement… this is my business card…”
A pale-faced man who had been chatting with him stepped forward and handed me his card.
[Aref Newspaper / CEO Yeldo Agehatov]
Another familiar name.
Aref Newspaper was one of the Empire’s three largest newspapers.
And finally—
“So you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting a very long time.”
An elderly man with a white beard sat on the sofa, calmly sipping his tea.
That man is…
