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Chapter 75: The Prime Minister Teases
“…I never had any intention of speaking to you, you know?”With a smile that could almost be called playful, Stayle looked at me and Arthur, clearly in a good mood.“I apologize, Prime Minister Gilbert. It was purely by chance that I overheard a conversation I couldn’t ignore.”Arthur, who had been standing beside me, seemed to shrink back slightly, and in a low voice, he muttered, “Hey, now isn’t the time…” But before he could finish, Stayle stepped on his foot. Grimacing in pain, Arthur shot a glare at Stayle.“Don’t worry. If it’s a place to practice, my garden is always available.”Stayle’s smile didn’t falter as he spoke, and he added, “That’s good to hear.” It seemed that Stayle still hadn’t cooled down regarding his anger toward me. But, I thought, maybe that was for the best.“Then, if you don’t mind, could I also accompany you? I’m still unskilled, so I might make a mistake with my form.”His words seemed to suggest that he was indirectly telling me he wanted to fight me with a sword. This kind of rhetoric had been characteristic of him ever since he was adopted. I was impressed by how, at the age of seven, he had tried to protect Princess Pryde from the adults around him. In the past, I would have easily brushed off his sarcastic remarks, careful not to reveal any animosity toward the royal family. But after what happened with Maria, Stayle’s sarcasm, which had only grown more biting, now felt almost endearing. In a way, I wanted to return the favor by sharpening my own verbal sparring. …Of course, I tried to hold back, as Albert would certainly knock me out if he noticed.“Well then, if you wish, I could offer you some lessons in swordsmanship,” I replied with a smile.This was where my mischievous side came out.Stayle, with his eyes now not even pretending to smile, gritted his teeth, and I noticed the vein popping on his forehead. Arthur, standing next to me, took a step back, keeping his distance.“…Why is it that you treat Arthur and Princess Pryde so kindly, yet you always act like this with me?”Stayle muttered under his breath, his gaze simmering with suppressed anger as he glared at me. I returned his stare with a smile.“No, no, not at all. I’m truly grateful to you, Stayle. I will never forget the great debt I owe you.”Saying this in a deliberately cheerful tone, Stayle, apparently provoked, cracked his glass in his hand. He muttered quietly, “Then, why…?” The tone in his voice made me feel a little guilty, so I stopped pretending.“Well, I suppose… because I don’t want you to forgive me so easily.”Both Stayle and Arthur’s expressions changed. I could tell that my words had caught them off guard.I had committed a grave sin, and I had been saved by Princess Pryde’s mercy and Arthur’s unwavering resolve.And Stayle was the only one who hadn’t forgiven me. He was the one who had faced me with his anger, and that anger, just like Arthur’s fists, was something that, in a way, helped save me.For years, I had committed unforgivable deeds… But only Stayle, in his own way, had been there to show me the weight of my mistakes.It seemed Stayle sensed my thoughts, as for once, he stopped wearing his usual dark smile and instead made an expression that seemed almost conflicted. His face twisted in irritation, boredom, and, perhaps, a bit of regret. But before I could dwell on it, he quickly adjusted his glasses with his fingers, lowered his gaze, and then looked up at me with a rare pout on his face.“Whether you wish it or not, it doesn’t matter. I still won’t forgive you. I’ve always hated you.”With that, he took a sip of wine and glared at me.“Ah, thank you. I’ve always admired you, though.”I said this with a smile, and Stayle nearly choked on his wine, his eyes widening in shock as he struggled to swallow. For a few seconds, he seemed frozen in surprise before staring at me, bewildered. Arthur, who had been standing nearby, quickly took the glass from Stayle’s hand and looked between me and Stayle, unsure of what to make of our interaction.The whole scene was so amusing that I couldn’t help but smile genuinely.“It’s like I’m looking at my younger self,” I said, still smiling.As soon as those words left my mouth, an overwhelming aura of killing intent erupted from Stayle. Arthur, sensing the shift, quickly moved to ensure that Stayle’s expression wasn’t visible to others and whispered, “Now’s not the time, Stayle.”“…I’m nothing like you,” Stayle spat, his voice dripping with disdain. He turned his back on me, signaling the end of the conversation, and Arthur lowered his head to me before following Stayle.What I said was the truth. Of course, I knew Stayle wouldn’t appreciate it, but in a way, that made it even more genuine.…My words were sincere. Of course, I knew that Stayle wouldn’t be pleased by them.He truly is like my younger self—just the same age I was when I made mistakes. Clever, precocious, and a bit devious too. However, unlike me, he will never be the type of person who twists and falters. He strives to always do what is right.Above all, from a young age, he has been surrounded by good family, friends, and important people to protect. As long as he doesn’t let go of those bonds, he will surely be fine.When Lady Pryde succeeds as Queen and he becomes the Regent, I will do everything I can to support both of them.That will be my way of repaying him for leading me, along with Lady Pryde and Arthur, to Maria.
Eun: I'll post the next chapter in a few minutes^^
Seriously though, I get where Stayle is coming from...Gilbert was suffering but he was also the "enemy" he did witnessed him spreading those rumors as a kid and all of a sudden he suddenly pledged his vow to Pryde. I'm sure that wasn't what Stayle wanted since years of resentment piled up already. Oh well~ I like the future dynamic and slight teasing of these two.
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