SCMBRN Chapter 18

“I have an urgent matter to discuss, so I plan to visit tonight. If this is inconvenient, please reply with a preferred date and time.”

 

I read the concise note, consisting of only two sentences, over and over again.

 

Just in case, I checked the back, but that was all the note contained.

 

“Where’s the compensation? My money?”

 

My mood sank from the sense of betrayal, but soon, the phrase “urgent matter to discuss” started to weigh more heavily on my mind.

 

What could there be that requires me to discuss something with Raynard? Though there was no solid evidence, I had a gut feeling that it wasn’t going to be good.

 

“No, I shouldn’t worry ahead of time.”

 

After all, I’d have to meet Raynard in person to understand the situation.

 

I thought about replying to ask, but I guessed that there might be something difficult to mention in the note. Considering his straightforward personality in the novel, if it were a matter that wouldn’t cause him trouble if known, it would have been written in the note.

 

‘He probably left out the details in case someone intercepted the note and attacked his messenger.’

 

That thought weighed heavily on my chest, as if I were carrying a stone.

 

‘If it’s something that could cause Raynard trouble…’

 

Though I knew little about the Crown Prince, I had one suspicion, but I quickly shook it off.

 

“No, it can’t be. It won’t be. It shouldn’t be.”

 

I sent a reply to Raynard, telling him he could come tonight, and then had to spend the rest of the night in restless anxiety.

 

Time, which usually passed by swiftly when I was idly stretched out, seemed to drag on endlessly that night.

 

The distant sound of an owl hooting echoed through the eerie night.

 

“It’s been a while, Young Lady.”

 

Raynard, the Empire’s future Emperor, appeared before me, wearing his usual confident smile.

 

“Why are you out here in the cold so late?”

 

He easily climbed onto the terrace from a tree near my room and called out to me.

 

I had been pacing on the terrace for about an hour before he arrived.

 

“Good evening, Your Highness! How could I possibly rest when you are visiting?”

 

“Is it because of the note?”

 

“Haha, that’s part of the reason…”

 

The smile on his lips grew wider.

 

“I noticed this last time, but I really like that about you, Young Lady.”

 

His distinct features, even visible in the dark, made my heart flutter.

 

“What part do you like?”

 

“That you’re honestly blunt, but also appropriately humble?”

 

“….”

 

I wouldn’t exactly call it honesty, but humble? It was hardly a romantic sentiment.

 

I guess some high-ranking people liked others who flattered them.

 

‘He said he liked how Aylah was bold and spoke her mind in front of the Crown Prince!’

 

That was allowed because she was the heroine, but if anyone else did that, they’d be in serious trouble.

 

“Well, let’s go inside.”

 

Despite having visited only once, Raynard walked into my room with an air of familiarity.

 

“Please sit comfortably.”

 

For a moment, I wondered if the owner of the room had changed without my knowledge.

 

But just as I thought that, the man settled into the long sofa with a serious expression.

 

“There’s a serious issue. The ‘urgent matter to discuss’ in the note refers to that.”

 

I swallowed hard and asked,

 

“May I ask what the problem is?”

 

“…I can’t sleep again.”

 

After a brief pause, the Crown Prince’s words were nothing short of shocking.

 

“The curse on the bed has resumed.”

 

What! I had hoped this wouldn’t be the case!

 

I asked in a rush,

 

“Are you hearing voices again?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Is it the same as before?”

 

“Yes, everything is exactly the same as last time.”

 

Raynard firmly crushed any remaining vague hope I had.

 

“The curse was never lifted. It just stopped for a while.”

 

“…Oh my god.”

 

“It’s already been two weeks. After spending one night in your bed, I felt incredibly refreshed. I slept soundly the following day and the day after that, with no issues.”

 

The problem began exactly one week after Raynard’s visit.

 

“It was strange, I couldn’t sleep. Normally, I fall asleep quickly, but that night, I tossed and turned.”

 

At that point, he hadn’t suspected the curse had returned.

 

“I thought it was just fatigue from catching up on work.”

 

But unfortunately, the next night, Raynard had to spend even more time counting sheep in bed.

 

“That was just the beginning. The night after that, I couldn’t sleep a wink.”

 

For reference, the curse’s voice had started again two days ago.

 

It was like we were back to square one.

 

“Damn it, why again…”

 

He slammed his fist on the table, and the dull sound echoed through the room. His hand trembled slightly.

 

The emotion in his bloodshot blue eyes wasn’t despair or sorrow.

 

It was rage. A fierce anger directed at the one who had put him through this trial, with no end in sight.

 

“…I see.”

 

Feeling the weight of his frustration, I opened my mouth, but he quickly regained his composure.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

 

His embarrassed expression was a sign of discomfort at having revealed his raw emotions.

 

‘He’s really pissed off.’

 

No surprise there. I tend to get irritable and sensitive if I stay up all night.

 

But Raynard, except for the past week, hadn’t had a proper sleep for nearly two months.

 

To make matters worse, just when he thought the curse might have lifted, he was confronted with the crushing reality.

 

My bed, which he had thought was the key to breaking the curse, was only offering a temporary relief, the curse was still ongoing.

 

‘I don’t even want to imagine it.’

 

If I were Raynard, I would be furious at the source of this curse.

 

But there was one problem, my comment might be the origin of the curse tormenting him…

 

‘I can’t let him find out!’

 

Raynard, who had no idea about my secret, seemed concerned when he noticed I had gone silent.

 

“Are you okay? You look pale.”

 

“I’m fine, Your Highness. If anyone should be uneasy, it would be you, who’s suffering from the curse, not me.”

 

“You’re being oddly polite. It feels like you’re hiding something. Even now, and back then.”

 

Raynard’s gaze sharpened.

 

“You’re acting suspicious.”

 

Now that I think about it, Raynard had a reputation for being perceptive. Having dealt with court intrigue, his instincts were finely tuned.

 

“Yes? I… I’m not hiding anything…”

 

As I fumbled for words, the man who had been glaring at me suddenly smirked.

 

“I’m just joking. I thought you were a bit tense, so I was trying to lighten the mood.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“Did I bore you?”

 

“No, if it wasn’t inappropriate, I might have laughed until I almost choked.”

 

“You’re good at flattery.”

 

“That was sincere.”

 

At least, the part about almost choking was sincere.

 

In any case, Raynard then got to the real matter at hand.

 

“I know it’s a hassle, but I need your cooperation until I can figure out how to lift this damn curse. Please.”

 

“Cooperation? What do you mean?”

 

“Obviously, I need you to let me sleep in your bed. On a regular basis.”

 

…As expected.

 

“Of course, I’ll pay you for your trouble. I swear on the honor of the Imperial family and myself.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Will you agree to help me?”

 

“…”

 

I understood. There was only one answer I could give.

 

Raynard hadn’t simply been lucky in securing the position of Crown Prince from the many children of the Emperor.

 

He was fundamentally generous in nature, but when it came to areas he couldn’t concede, he was thorough and ruthless.

 

‘Sleep is one of those areas.’

 

Not just Raynard, but every living creature that needs rest feels the same.

 

In other words, there was no way he would back down if I refused.

 

‘If you can’t avoid it, you might as well enjoy it.’

 

So, if Raynard was still at the stage of ‘asking,’ I had no choice but to cooperate and get my compensation, whether in the form of payment or some other reward.

 

Besides, as the potential cause of the curse, I felt a bit guilty.

 

And above all…

 

‘Our dear Raynard is struggling. I want to help him.’

 

I genuinely liked Raynard, along with the other sub-male leads.

 

This was purely a reader’s feeling. Really!

 

“Yes, Your Highness. If it helps you, I’ll gladly assist.”

 

Hearing my enthusiastic response, Raynard’s lips curled into a smile.

 

“Thank you. This is the most sincere emotion I’ve ever expressed. By the way…”

 

He gazed at my bed with longing eyes.

 

“Can I lie down first? Let’s continue the conversation while I rest.”

 

…He looked even more desperate than when he was courting Aylah in the novel.

 

“That’s it. It feels so warm, like I could fall asleep right now.”

 

After changing, Raynard laid on my bed, and his voice was filled with a dreamy tone.

 

“Good night.”

 

As his eyes began to flutter shut, I greeted him, and he mustered strength to open his eyelids.

 

“Before I sleep, I need to make something clear.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“The compensation I promised you. How would you prefer I give it?”

 

His voice was clear despite his drowsiness.

 

“I was going to ask this in the note, but things turned out like this. It’s probably the most important part for you.”

 

“Oh, I didn’t do this for compensation. Simply helping you is an honor for someone like me.”

 

“Come on, don’t avoid it. Tell me.”

 

“Well, if I must… 10% of the compensation in cash, 30% in Imperial bonds, 30% in gold, and the remaining 30% directly into my bank account.”

 

I quickly listed off the details as if it were second nature.

 

“The bonds should be about to mature in 5 years, and by the way, the bank should be the central bank of the neighboring kingdom, Kelmir.”

 

“…”

 

Raynard’s eyes widened, but I still had more to say.