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Belle Poupée_ARCHIVE_C3:CHAPTER 3. Paradise

 

3. Paradise



"What on earth are you? Don’t look at me like that!"

"Because you’re so beautiful."

"—Tch! Stop lying! I’m nothing like that! …I hate it so much, it makes me want to tear it all out. You, too, deep down, must think it’s creepy…!"

Gilbert released his grip from Leticia and disappeared through a partition, heading toward a door in the back. The door that several men and women had passed through.

His claim of not having touched any of the women was just a kind lie to Leticia. In truth, perhaps Gilbert was waiting for someone in that room.

Leticia kneeled on the sofa, her gaze fixed on the door through which Gilbert had disappeared.

She wasn’t narrow-minded enough to be bothered by a little infidelity. She understood that he had lived a life where he couldn’t survive without holding on to something.

「So… the cursed prince, huh?」

A traitor who sought to overthrow the kingdom, an abnormal man who poisoned his own siblings to seize the throne, a foolish king who started a war over his love for a princess.

All the royals who caused the downfall of the nation were born with eyes that glowed a deep crimson, an anomaly.

Even if both of their parents had ordinary eyes, a mutation would occasionally appear in their bloodline, cropping up with terrifying regularity. At first, people laughed it off as a coincidence, but as it continued, they began to fear it.

Thus, those born with blood-red eyes were eventually called cursed children.

「Silly. I’ve looked into it. All it amounts to is poor emotional control. If you hold the reins and show care, there shouldn’t be any problem. Calling it a curse, though... well, that’s just ridiculous. Why can’t they understand that treating them like a delicate object only makes it worse?」

Leticia let out an irritated breath and readjusted herself on the sofa.

"Now, now, Belle-sama, Gilbert-sama will be back soon. Until then, I’ll be happy to keep you company. Please, relax and make yourself comfortable."

"That’s so unfair, Ari-nee! I want to take care of Belle-sama too!"

"Ah, but I was called to the table. When Gilbert-sama arrived, everyone gathered on their own, and I’m sure Belle-sama was surprised as well."

"Hmph!"

"Alright, everyone, back to work."

Ari-chan clapped her hands, and the women around them returned to their duties one by one.

Leticia would have been happy to stay in this private harem-like setting, but she couldn’t disrupt the work. Reluctantly, she watched them go.

Among all the beautiful women gathered in the shop, Ari-chan stood out.

With her composed posture, graceful gestures, and popularity, she was a top-ranking attraction in the establishment, the leader of the group. Having her by Leticia’s side was perfectly fine.

Leticia had long forgotten her initial purpose, deciding instead to fully enjoy the experience the shop had to offer.

"Normally, I wouldn’t sit at the table unless I was specifically invited, but Gilbert-sama is an important benefactor to this place. That’s why everyone gathers whenever he’s here."

"Yes, yes! Before Gilbert-sama came, things were quite bleak here, Belle-sama!"

The woman who had been speaking to Ari-chan earlier sat beside Leticia and began fiddling with her hair. She had reddish-brown hair and an innocent face with a youthful charm.

She was the opposite type to Ari-chan. And that was perfectly fine.

"Laura."

"Well, it wouldn’t be right for Belle-sama to be alone with only one companion! And, you know, since Gilbert-sama isn’t very forthcoming, we need to earn some goodwill with him! I’m sure Belle-sama wants to hear more about Gilbert-sama too, right?"

With a swift motion, Laura pierced a strawberry with a fork and, with practiced ease, held it up to Leticia’s lips, offering her the sweetest part. Laura certainly knew what she was doing.

Leticia bit into the strawberry without hesitation. The slight tartness and the melting sweetness filled her mouth, and it was absolutely delicious.

"Ahh! You ate it!"

"Laura? What do you think you’re doing with Belle-sama?"

"Ari-nee, you’ve been feeding Belle-sama fruit with that same big smile, one after the other."

"…Well, because she’s just so incredibly cute."

Ari-chan shyly rubbed her hands together, clearly embarrassed.

「But I think it’s you two who are cute.」

Leticia waited until their attention was diverted, then licked her lips playfully.

Well, since they offered to tell her more about Gilbert, she might as well take advantage of their kindness. She lightly tugged at Laura’s sleeve and tilted her head, looking up at her.

"Would you tell me more?"

"—Belle-sama! If you wish… I’ll do anything! More! Please, rely on me as much as you need!"

"Calm down! Even though Belle-sama is as lovely and charming as she is, she’s from the Orlesian Duke’s family! She’s someone we shouldn’t be so familiar with!"

Laura, almost ready to throw herself at Leticia in excitement, was held back with one hand by Ari-chan, who stepped in to protect Leticia. It had been a long time since Leticia had been so cared for.

She’d been treated like a delicate object, boxed up and suffocated by the pressures of society. That was painful, but Leticia, despite being called Belle Poupée, was far from fragile. She had the courage to stand firm, her resolve far stronger than any knight.

Even though she was outwardly delicate, she had no problem facing any crisis alone.

And so, within the Orlesian family, Leticia had been allowed the freedom to act on her own without restrictions, and unless something extreme occurred, she didn’t even need a bodyguard.

So, it wasn’t unusual that there were no Orlesian guards present at this gathering. It was common practice. But what was unexpected was that there were no guards accompanying Gilbert either.

No matter how grand the National Founding Ceremony might be, the second prince was still out in public. It would be common sense to have at least a few guards, even if it meant making exceptions.

That’s why she noticed.

It was almost as if they wished for an untimely death to befall him…

「Well, I can always act as his bodyguard if needed.」

Leticia glanced at the door. There was no sign of Gilbert returning. She wanted him within her line of sight, but interfering too much would be a nuisance.

It was a delicate balance.



 

EUNIE: WANNA KNOW WHAT GILBERT'S DOING BEHIND THE CLOSED DOOR!!! COULD HE BE---!!



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