OPMC 10

Chapter 10

However, she was not a docile crane.

“But I’m the only one who knows the exact location. I’ll tell you properly later after I see how you help me.”

Wait, just a moment ago you said I wasn’t helping and told me to go back, and now this? What kind of contradictory nonsense is that!

“Hey!”

“I need insurance too. In case you go and make a mess and suddenly disappear back to your world, I can’t have that happen. If you really want to go back, you have to help me properly. And…”

“And what?”

I replied irritably. Then Lumi averted her eyes slightly and muttered,

“It would be troublesome if you tried to kidnap me thinking you were taking me with you.”

I gaped.

So, because I know the way home, she’s worried I might drag her there by force?

My face flushed with disbelief, but Lumi calmly took out a hand mirror and checked her face.

“Phew, I can’t let my makeup get ruined.”

“Hah!”

I was dumbfounded by that remark, and Lumi gave me a haughty side-eye.

“Jin. I’ve improved quite a bit, haven’t I? Nowadays, going outside is fun. Meeting people is fun too.”

“Yeah. You are brighter than before.”

I agreed, at least on that point. Clearly, Lumi’s depression had improved a lot.

But I didn’t add that it was all thanks to living Elfriede’s life.

Lumi put on her gloves again and picked up her clutch.

“Please, Muzel. You have to properly seduce Evangeline. Even just getting the Crown Prince to fall isn’t easy.”

“Even for a villainess in a body-swapping story, it wasn’t easy?”

“Don’t tease me. I’m doing my best too, you know?”

I tried not to, but the sarcastic comment slipped out.

“I guess it’s because Evangeline is the one designed for the Crown Prince to fall in love with. The original story’s plot isn’t as easy as a body-swap story.”

I said that, but Lumi didn’t argue; she just continued talking about her own point.

“Evangeline would fall in love just by breathing next to the male lead. So we can’t let her get near Klaus, ever.”

Damn, I lost control of the conversation. I reluctantly changed the topic slightly.

“Alright, alright. By the way, do you have any plans? The male lead hasn’t had any schedule to meet you since the greenhouse tea time.”

“How do you know that? Muzel, in the original novel, you’re just a supporting male following the heroine.”

Lumi’s eyes widened. I straightened my neck and smiled proudly.

“Hmph, I’m the Crown Prince’s aide, you know.”

“So you know all of the Crown Prince’s schedule?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

Something felt ominous. I quickly added,

“But the Chamberlain knows it in more detail than I do. I often go out on duty, and on holidays the palace is empty, so I’m not always with the male lead.”

“Hmm…”

Lumi looked thoughtful.

Could it be that she’s also trying to become an aide? No way, right? An aide isn’t anyone’s pet dog…

Soon, Lumi lifted her head and smiled.

“Hehe, I’ll contact you again soon. I hope the next time we meet, there will be some proper progress.”

Lumi turned sharply, lifted the long hem of her skirt slightly, and left the chapel.

I stood there, dumbfounded.

“What’s with her?”

Just a few minutes ago, she was telling me not to treat her like a subordinate, and now she’s back in Princess Elfriede mode.

I thought her depression had improved from the body swap, but now she seems to have princess syndrome.

“Still, this is much better than being gloomy, Lumi.”

Even though she’s living as Elfriede, she at least looks like a living, breathing person. Honestly, I never thought I’d see such an energetic Lumi.

But is leaving her here really what’s best for her? I don’t know. Which choice truly protects Lumi more?

The ominous feeling soon became reality.

As usual, I was organizing reports at Klaus’s desk when the Chamberlain’s voice rang out.

“Your Highness, the Empress has arrived.”

“Huh? Mother?”

I quickly stepped aside. Soon, with the rustle of long skirts, a beautiful and elegant middle-aged woman entered.

“What brings you here, Mother? It’s rare for you to come at this hour.”

“Oh, it’s not for anything urgent. Just…”

The Empress’s brown eyes flicked toward me, as if I being there was inconvenient.

Klaus seemed to notice as well, but he shook his head.

“If it’s not confidential, it would be better for my aide to hear as well. That way, we don’t have to repeat ourselves.”

“If you say so.”

The Empress looked uneasy but ultimately brought up her request with me present.

“Colin, how about adding another aide for you?”

“Pardon?”

Both Klaus and I looked shocked.

“Suddenly adding another aide? You know I’m extremely careful when taking in personnel, Mother.”

“Oh, it’s not a suspicious person.”

The Empress quickly added, glancing at me again before hesitantly continuing,

“The person I recommend is Princess Elfriede. She’s grown up under her family’s protection and never known hardship, and she wants to gain various social experiences.”

I almost burst out laughing.

She must have been quite envious when she heard my story in the sanctuary that day.

Being closest to Klaus, in a position to know all his actions, must have looked so good to Lumi.

It was all my fault. I had carelessly spoken in front of her.

I couldn’t laugh, but Klaus snickered on my behalf.

“Hah, even the effort to find a job is part of social experience, and she asked you to arrange it with your mother?”

“Well, she tried in her own way, didn’t she? A noble princess can’t go around the market looking for jobs.”

Klaus shook his head.

“One aide—Muzel here—is enough. Too many attendants only make management harder.”

I didn’t dare interrupt their conversation, so I quietly observed the situation with my eyes.

The Empress pleaded again.

“Is it really a big deal to go from one to two? Think of the dignity of your mother asking, Colin.”

“I’m sorry, Mother. I already meet Princess Elfriede frequently in private. If she joined official duties as well, what would the other ministers think? It’s impossible.”

Klaus’s stubbornness was formidable. Despite the Empress’s earnest request, he firmly refused.

In the end, the Empress lost.

“How cruel, Colin.”

She left, showing her displeasure with a cold wind.

Klaus pressed his hands to his forehead.

“Unbelievable.”

I quietly sighed as the one responsible for this situation.

The fact that I’m helping Lumi seduce the Crown Prince must remain a secret.

If Klaus found out, I’d be removed as an aide, and Lumi would be marked as disliked.

Klaus leaned deeply into his chair.

“Suddenly my aide? Why is she doing something she didn’t before?”

“….”

I silently listened to his complaints. I wanted to sympathize, but Lumi is my friend.

Then Klaus’s purple eyes turned to me.

“When you met the princess before, what did she say?”

The spotlight turned to me. Hesitation would make him suspicious, so I answered as simply and quickly as possible.

“She told me to serve Your Highness well.”

“Just that?”

His gaze tightened, and I lowered my head.

“Yes. Her tone was a bit strong, though…”

“Did she threaten you to report my schedule?”

“Huh? No, she didn’t.”

Uh-oh. The mood shifted oddly.

I hesitated. Should I honestly tell Klaus about Lumi’s feelings, or pretend I don’t know?

After all, it’s not exactly polite for a third party to speak on someone else’s behalf about who likes whom.

Especially since Klaus is displeased about Lumi asking for a position as an aide.

I thought it’s best to stay quiet.

“Seems I’ve been taken lightly.”

Klaus’s expression, gritting his teeth, was serious.

Keeping silent might not be good for either me or Lumi. If I get it wrong, Lumi might look like a shameless person threatening the Crown Prince’s aide.

I had no choice. Even if it’s not polite to Lumi, I need to handle the situation first.

“Actually, the princess has feelings for Your Highness. Since I’m your only aide, she probably wanted to leave a strong impression on me as well.”

“….”

Klaus fell silent.

He didn’t seem completely unaware. This sharp man must have noticed Lumi’s unusual behavior.

I continued anxiously.

“But I swear, Princess Elfriede has never given her any information about Your Highness.”

Though she is planning to seduce Evangeline.

Klaus sighed deeply.

“Alright. That must be why Mother acted.”

“Is there a particular reason the princess makes you uncomfortable?”

I asked carefully, and he shook his head slightly.