59
「I-In other words, I thought I wanted
to do my best for my own future!」
It
seemed it was too late even if Candice tried to gloss over it by saying
so. To Valentin, who seemed displeased for some reason, Candice
sent a gaze to Hugo as if asking for help. However, Hugo's
expression remained the same as always, smiling sweetly. An awkward silence
flowed.
「I will not permit outsiders to be
brought into the White Palace without my permission. Even if it is Duke
Radziwill.」
「……!」
「Hugo, bring a few instructors whose
backgrounds are certain and who are uninfluenced by Duke Radziwill.」
「Certainly.」
「Also, contact Rina, who is
recuperating, directly from our end without going through Duke Radziwill.
Tell her that Candice wants to meet her.」
「Yes, sir.」
When
Hugo rang a nearby bell, several maids appeared, and he issued
instructions to multiple people. Then, Valentin, remaining
expressionless, squished and touched Candice's cheeks with both hands.
「This is fine, right? Do not act on your own accord
anymore.」
「Y-Yhes…… uhnderthood! (Understood!)」
It
is hard to speak while having her cheeks pinched. However, she was surprised
that with just a word or two from Valentin, the problems Candice
had been carrying were solved in the blink of an eye. In addition to that, it
came with the bonus that Duke Radziwill could no longer freely enter and
exit the White Palace. Out of joy, Candice wanted to run all
around the room.
（I did it! I don't really understand,
but isn't it the best that Ojiisama needs Otou-sama's permission to meet me? I
can't believe it!）
Out
of sheer happiness, Candice turned toward Valentin. Without even
noticing that the hands pinching her cheeks were removed and that he seemed
displeased, she floated a full-faced smile.
「Thank you very much, Otou-sama! I
will never forget this favor for the rest of my life!」
「……!」
「Because I will continue to do my
best to improve myself from now on.」
Valentin had a surprised face the likes of
which she had never seen before. After a brief silence, Candice tilted
her head. And then she realized her own slip of the tongue.
（I-I unintentionally…… called him
Otou-sama, but I might have offended him.）
Her
feelings were elevated, and she ended up calling him "Otou-sama"
instead of "His Majesty the Emperor".
（That's right, I just have to
apologize! I'll apologize and have him pretend it never happened.）
Thinking
she might be scolded, Candice sent a gaze to him, but his expression had
returned to normal as usual. Deciding now was her chance, she bowed her head
deeply.
「I-I am terribly sorry! Your Majesty
the Emperor.」
「……Say it one more time.」
「Eh……?」
「…………」
「Thank you, very much?」
「Wrong.」
「I am terribly sorr……」
「Wrong.」
As
a result of her thinking, Candice fearfully uttered a certain word.
「……O-Otou-sama?」
「One more time.」
「Otou-sama.」
Even
when Candice repeatedly said it like that, there was no particular
change in Valentin's expression. Candice was bewildered, thinking
she might have made a mistake, but Valentin removed his hands from her
cheeks, turned his back, and walked away.
（Wh-What was the meaning of that just
now, I wonder…… could it be he was checking whether it made him uncomfortable
or not?）
In
the end, she ended up calling him "Otou-sama" just like her inner
voice, but as expected, it might not have been a good idea.
（Next time I absolutely have to call
him His Majesty the Emperor……!）
She will absolutely never be loved. That clung to Candice like a curse. Looking at Hugo while on the verge of crying, Candice saw him smiling in a troubled manner as he said, 「Your cheeks have turned red, haven't they.」
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Tbaum56
Baelee
Christopher Feliciano
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
SD Fox
Taylor King
Z
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----