Chapter 8
I shook off the bothersome Adrian and was heading back to my palace. As I got rid of him, the way he had clung annoyingly to me came to mind.
‘Why hasn’t he been coming around lately?’
Was he supposed to visit often?
Well, if it were really important, wouldn’t a quest appear? My final quest is about my sister anyway—why would I need to get involved with all these men?
Still, that handsome face of his twisting slightly in frustration… it did bother me a little.
The strange thing was that while my sister’s palace was far from the Emperor’s main palace, mine was right next door to it.
“Why are you in such a state, Your Highness?”
Francis couldn’t hold back his curiosity and finally asked. A guard knight who was also the Captain of the Imperial Guard, stationed right beside the Emperor’s palace. Maybe my strongest ally… was actually the Emperor himself.
“I got punished. I guess it’s because I’ve done so many bad things.”
“……”
“Do I look very ugly right now?”
He glanced at my skirt, then at me. Our eyes met, and I shrugged awkwardly. For some reason, he took off his cloak, and I stayed still.
He draped it over my shoulders. My body had been cooling down, so the warmth was a relief.
“Thank you.”
[Quest!] Ask Francis Patella one of the following questions:
-
About Clayton de Lebois
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About Adrian Russell
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About Francis Patella
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About Kiira Fletcher Gabriella Bastian
What’s there to hesitate about?
Number 4.
“Did Kiira and I not get along?”
This time, I asked without looking away. He stopped walking for a moment. With his black cloak removed, only his navy uniform remained. The dark fabric clung to his tall, muscular frame, making him look even broader. Every breath made the muscles in his arms ripple with strength.
Wow… now that I notice, this man is completely ripped. Even the veins in his neck…
“Did Princess Kiira do something like this to you?”
“…No, I took my anger out on other ladies.”
Strangely, he didn’t make a face like he had expected that answer. He just kept his mouth shut.
“You must have had your reasons.”
[Francis Patella]
-
Captain of the Imperial Guard / Affection Level: Unknown ▼
The status window suddenly appeared. Thinking it might be updated, I clicked the arrow.
▼ Feels pity for Princess Gracie.
“I really want to live properly now… but it’s not easy.”
Do I look pitiful? Do I look miserable?
I said it in a voice that sounded like I was holding back tears. His face filled with pity, just as expected.
He fidgeted with his inner pocket like a dog that needed to poop, unsure whether to give me his handkerchief or not. In the end, he didn’t.
“Then why did you abandon Lord de Lebois?”
“Was my biggest mistake choosing Adrian over Clayton?”
That’s a direct shot. If my reputation is trash, there has to be a source.
“Yes.”
The younger sister who stole her elder sister’s man.
And with a face like this? That’s the perfect chew toy for gossip.
“Sir Francis, why do you think I abandoned the Duke of de Lebois?”
He hesitated, looking at me like he couldn’t understand why I’d ask such a thing. Then he spoke carefully, as though seeing me as someone sincerely trying to face my mistakes and live anew. From his expression, it seemed to work.
Hah, so you’re weak to sentiment, huh?
“Your Highness was never the type to be particular about men. The Duke was just one of many, I suppose.”
Damn it—so now I’ve got a history of sleeping around with multiple men too!
It was early morning. When I opened my eyes, instead of the red canopy embroidered with gold thread, a bright blue status window filled my vision.
“Another quest first thing in the morning?”
[Quest!] Find a four-leaf clover in the Emperor’s garden behind the main palace!
p.s. Failure will result in expiration of the status window’s usage period.
Are you kidding me? Then why make a time limit in the first place?!
I was dumbfounded, but I rang the bell rope immediately.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Clothes. Now.”
“Yes!”
Lilfei answered loudly and dressed me quickly.
Thanks to her, I reached the imperial garden in less than half an hour. Despite the rush, it didn’t look rushed.
I crouched on the ground, brushing my hands over three-leaf clovers, the sky brightening overhead as the sun rose.
As I kept picking through the grass, Francis spoke.
“Why are you out here?”
“If I tell you, will you help me?”
“No.”
Then why even ask, you dumbass?
“You don’t need to help. I was just joking.”
I smiled and sat down fully on the ground, scanning one by one. I used to do this a lot as a kid, searching for four-leaf clovers among rabbit grass. While others went to cram school, I either studied alone or got tutored by college student volunteers sent by the community center.
“You’re looking for a four-leaf clover?”
“Yes.”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“I just suddenly felt like it.”
Francis frowned, then silently unclasped his cloak and handed it back to his subordinate. He sat on the ground beside me and started searching too.
“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t help?”
“Helping you makes things easier for me.”
“Don’t you dislike me, Sir Francis?”
“I do.”
Yeah right. You don’t hate me that much anymore.
We searched for about an hour, covering half the garden, but still hadn’t found one. I was getting tired.
“I found it.”
“What, really?”
He stood, so I did too. I reached out both hands like I was expecting him to give it to me, but he lifted it up out of reach.
“What’s this?”
“Now that I’ve found it, I don’t feel like giving it away.”
What the hell, is this guy insane?
“Fine.”
I sighed and looked back at the ground. Then I heard the sound of him chuckling.
“You’re not going to take it from me?”
“You found it, Sir Francis. Why would I?”
“Then try to take it. If you can snatch it from me, I’ll give it to you.”
“How could I take it from you? I’ll just find another one.”
I turned to leave, but my leg cramped from crouching too long. I wobbled and nearly fell to the ground.
I squeezed my eyes shut—yet instead of crashing down, something caught me.
When I opened them, I saw his hand hovering awkwardly in front of my chest. He had caught me.
“You caught me.”
I grasped his hand to take the clover from between his fingers.
[Quest Complete!] Rewards below ▼
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Status window usage extended by 7 days!
-
Time left until farewell with the status window: 19 days!
Without the status window, I’d feel insecure, so I reluctantly played along. But only a week’s extension? Really?
I exhaled heavily and pulled away. He stood frozen.
“Sir Francis?”
He turned sharply, clearly angry.
“Sorry. I didn’t know you’d get that mad. I’ll give it back.”
“Forget it! Just go, Your Highness!”
Wow, he’s really upset.
“No, actually… I wanted to give it to you, Sir Francis. That’s why I looked for it.”
“…Why?”
“I don’t know. I just wanted to.”
Anyway, I cleared the quest. I didn’t need it anymore.
“Why give him that?”
Startled by the shadow towering over me, I looked back to see a very unwelcome face. Judging by the voice, it could only be Clayton.
[Quest!] Give the clover you obtained to one of the following:
-
Clayton
-
Francis
Number 2.
I handed it to Francis, but both of us seemed unsure what had just happened.
“Why give it to me?”
“Because I looked for it to give to you?”
“Hand it over.”
Clayton held out his hand to Francis. Francis hesitated, then nervously handed it over.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m just taking what’s mine.”
“Thief.”
“What?”
“You’re a thief.”
He didn’t use a weapon, but this was still robbery! No wait—they both have weapons. Armed robbery!
“How am I a thief?”
“Because you stole what I gave to Sir Francis.”
“It’s your fault. Why give it to him in the first place?”
“What does it matter who I give it to? Didn’t you trample my roses last time?!”
I snapped at him, furious. But shameless as ever, he stepped closer. He was a head taller, and just looking up at him was intimidating.
“I told you I wanted a different flower, didn’t I?”
“Oh, so that’s why you took it? You’re really awful.”
I backed away, and suddenly the status window appeared.
[Clayton de Lebois]
-
Duke / Affection Level: Unknown ▼
“I-It was me who gave it to Your Grace!”
And yet this bastard takes Francis’s side? Ungrateful dog!
Annoyed, I clicked the arrow.
▼ Hates Francis Patella.
Are you out of your mind?!
