Chapter 93

The crown prince’s b41f3d1ea2 smile left me 604bd791f4 momentarily dazed.3835261dc126a54f

It felt different from his 82eb85aff3 hearty laughter earlier.45fc078c79d71ad8

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‘That description about him smiling like a fully bloomed rose when wooing the female lead… it feels just like that.’2f2329bbe35a3478

Shaking off the uneasy feeling 1ecae45970 that crept up on me, 6512d7397f I convinced myself it was 3097296e0f nothing. Why would a male bd198a4761 lead candidate flash that 0134c1b2d6 kind of smile at b162980abc me instead of the 6b456b58f7 female lead?35bf341973267aad

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“I want to repay your kindness somehow.”8a4df82c2f997593

“Huh? Th-that’s okay!” I replied belatedly, still caught up in my thoughts.f31e4c730ea30bf0

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“I mean, you already bought a hundred bottles of the miracle cure.”42470ac67c1ba336

“That was only 100 gold. Isn’t that too little for saving my life?”24e4ef322dbf7811

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“Still…”7ed958383fdb4e3e

“That’s why I have a proposal for you.”960c8545a471dd16

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As I hesitated, the crown 1075881aae prince continued as if waiting 24919d81bd for this moment.43788953cb0bab5d

“A proposal?”11356e6fbd6e33ca

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“Yes. You’re planning to open a shop on Main Street and officially start your Fairy Herb business, right?”290258b8949dc7ff

His words made 63862f88cb my eyes widen 102ca0829e in shock.14f1e819d03bfb2a

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“H-how do you know about that…?”f669a9d7e3710920

“You’ve been visiting Main Street every day since the festival ended.”da945c4ed38a68af

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He was right.a228320566a9415b

Grandpa Gordon probably thought 825ae56fb1 I was wasting gold 66520799c2 like water and just 178fab673a playing around, but I 5b955f37ba was actually quite busy.4056e25091247331

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Still, how did a5ad9c892e the crown prince 6b32c208a9 know something that 025a25a064 even my business 9f2f19f7c1 partner didn’t?c2373947e30edf85

“S-stalker…?!”02f017bd548497b3

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“What nonsense.”008c2993eda8c540

The crown prince looked at 57770b8761 me as if I’d lost 872f2d0a32 my mind.bdba6def4c544a79

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“As part of tracking the entrepreneurship contest participants, any significant real estate activities get reported automatically.”ad7ff9b6d7e0d2d1

“Oh…”cc24614d1bfcbfd6

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Embarrassed, I quickly 8665c8b84b tried to change 57c68706a8 the subject.359020be7fd4c069

“Hm-hm… Stalky, stalky bunny, where are you hopping to…?”18831c5d5e40ee02

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“Couldn’t find a shop to rent, could you?”5d8960edffcc9dac

Thankfully, the crown prince ignored f05aab6684 my nonsense and went straight 406e8f3955 to the point.fadd5ad46a12847c

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I nodded glumly.2d16b040709be7f0

“…No.”4842d9d87a78a280

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“If you want, I can provide one for you. Not just a shop but an entire building.”a15228560a6c158e

“What?! An entire building?!”703fb4c3f1f70477

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My jaw dropped 5ba37533dd as I stared 693cd40608 at the crown d58712beef prince.bdfde9d7b038baa3

Just moments ago, I had wished he would stop meddling with me. But hearing the words “property owner” made me see him in a whole new light.ae486d47d7773353

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‘This is a windfall! I’ve been struggling with 53f5b42c06 funding, and here comes 40d299e856 a miracle!’c243bfb33ed265f9

Sure, accepting it as someone eb11abadcf who saved his life made 9fc88f57fe me feel a little guilty. But… so what?9200127ca3f854a7

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‘I’m already shameless enough as it is!’ad152f1e980981b2

“If you insist on giving it, I won’t refuse…”0d1fed3d183a03da

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“But there’s something I’d like you to do in return.”cc096e6cce7a75e1

“Huh? What is it?”b218363b8e7576c2

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“It’s not difficult…” he trailed off with a sly smile. “I want you to gather useful information from the nobles who visit your shop and help me set up a bit of a slush fund.”1a1ce89e1e8ba760

“A s-slush fund…?”c6cb35ada784688d

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“Yes. Of course, I’m not asking you to use your own money. I’ll provide the initial funds, and you just need to manage them through your shop. Simple, right?”f0bc693501f8a697

“Uh…”1849a89a5663e7a1

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My jaw fell open again.9df56fda7b920752

‘Simple, my foot. Who asks a five-year-old 73fe67796d to do something like ecfe3bff74 that, you lunatic?!’8086e733f9882ad5

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It finally dawned on me why the crown prince had personally hosted the “Children’s Entrepreneurship Contest.”a462454a7a5c0ea3

‘He’s trying to create allies.’53f497b0b218f68d

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I recalled a 5a7acfc125 brief mention of 4c4fa96dd8 this in the 9fb44bc591 original story.a5abf278629e9a39

The description from 0794a7bcdd the original story e9d25635cb resurfaced in my f2fd23d053 mind.74e770835098490d

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[To counter the second prince, the crown prince created trusted allies outside the imperial palace early on. They secretly raised private soldiers, d17caed4e6 laundered funds, and spread rumors af56100bd1 to manipulate the political landscape 986fcf7f4c from the shadows.]93c8e9fe775d29db

‘Well, if you’re a male lead, shady schemes like this are a given.’bef58c2da17f9309

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Even Duke Kallios’s household had fee0e6c786 a similar organization—the Shadow Corps.4e20e8f9dd6d86e4

But the idea of placing a6212ec3f2 me, of all people, in b119603398 such a critical and sensitive 170f1a73e8 position was utterly shocking.3fabc5b7aee95991

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I couldn’t help but cf2217af92 feel a twinge of 3b6f9b8297 pity.d0680dee4840f8a9

How untrustworthy must the crown 36cec9b405 prince find those within the 4a109687cf palace to even consider me 3800c845e7 as an ally?14856fd5dba5be65

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Though I pitied him, 73d15e80e8 my answer was clear: 27dcf5f6be I would refuse. Not only was I not ace6c6644d the ally mentioned in the b6136ddca8 original story, but I had 9401bff817 no intention of getting entangled 9fece82308 with male lead candidates any f0c7c56534 further!b628868582d9fa68

“I… um… I think…”e2e5983d59a73c61

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I was about a23b923729 to reject him 7f9f897bba outright when an 020d85cdea inexplicable unease held 1408156174 me back.5bc77de7fa175f60

‘…Why does something about this feel so wrong?’a1e4f568d30cde29

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As I hesitated, emerald-green f23957c1d4 eyes moved alarmingly close 3438d5aa45 to mine.c1596fdeec07cd69

“Still unsure, Belze?” he asked with a low whisper.997faf05fea3045d

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“Ahhh!” I yelped, startled, and instinctively flung myself backward.57390a7393d1f357

The soft cushions c226049d55 of the sofa 586b64f67e caught me, jolting b5e9677c63 me back to ca828d1e13 my senses. The crown prince chuckled softly 79ea779e26 as he watched me.7c50ca06c9ba6b7c

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“Or did I make it too complicated? Feel free to ask if there’s something you don’t understand.”4c345340a7252b8b

“T-that’s…”f2e5c88ca96909e6

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“Yes, I’m right here.”75df1dd10d1fc27d

He gave me 8991a58340 that sly smile 1d71578574 again, his eyes 61e8aa3e28 curving in amusement.0e5cf7f60e63e491

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‘This sly fox is at it again with that grin!’19bf5998f8b41480

His natural charm was maddening. I stared at him, flustered, before finally blurting out loudly, “I-I refuse!”45f2874929dc1b63

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“Why?”0e24b5b92a11d7d2

The crown prince’s immediate retort took me aback. Ever since the “What are you staring at?” incident, I’d noticed he had a persistent streak.81eb7f973712296f

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Feigning ignorance like a clueless 23b31baaad child seemed like the best 1b1911977a strategy.c7aaca08f2201583

“Uh… What is a slush fund? Belze doesn’t know. It’s too hard for me.”fff9769a7a56818d

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“Ah.”1e109fd39572d455

To my dismay, 890a5d27b5 he kindly offered 45d85ea5b5 an explanation instead 5f83790a51 of doubting me.32a8e06f9c4eee4e

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“It’s when someone secretly sets aside money. That’s all a slush fund is.”1dcb93cbc321b754

I was taken aback by 77e7a3d52b how casually he described it. Entrusting money to someone like f20ca9bc4a me wasn’t exactly a small 429e8c6408 matter. Surely he should’ve been 62631bfced more cautious.9b09084328241d5d

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‘This won’t do. Time for Plan B!’078e4019959b02ad

“Um… but!” I began.00caa3274fce42bb

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“Yes?”84a69033d392f880

“Isn’t this supposed to be a free gift because I saved your life?”59c4d77d74b48033

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I was essentially asking ef18d5628a why there needed to c636f519f7 be strings attached.6bc0c8e5db65d583

“It is practically free,” he replied, tilting his head thoughtfully. “I’ll provide a building to start your business and funds to manage the slush fund.”6b5091321893b45a

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“…”f7fae7f604fa0f26

“All you have to do is gather a few pieces of information, Belze. It’s a steal, really.”4ec4c1fcbde3e41d

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“…”f55db80c7d6b55fd

“And you know, if you’re too greedy for freebies, you might go bald someday.”54daf1f348b3dff8

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“Th-that’s a terrible thing to say!”c66340da222d305f

The crown prince’s ae23065099 sharp tongue caught f85c0d8a81 me off guard. That line was 020fed4145 something I’d only b645dfeebb ever yelled at 4099cb1b80 a mangy mutt!423a551f4df19245

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As I glared at 9f0867217e him, the crown prince 1399e1e54b laughed lightly, raising his 3e33d15b43 head.b2592d435388066a

“See? Having even one small task is better than nothing. And you won’t go bald if you’re working for it. Right?”cfb13468b3579d13

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“Uh…”9a1c7721eaf9c478

“Jordan, bring it over,” he ordered.26ac248148fc6439

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“Yes, Your Highness!”169a6cbc8a6bda4a

The aide swiftly 2bf8c3c107 moved and placed 780e68316c a document on 51bf85d615 the table before d659e43cab excusing himself.bccf22fc3bef52ec

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“I’ll step out for a moment. Please speak freely.”2f744d3dc68f76f1

It didn’t take 56082de89c long to understand 258d440e40 why the aide f3f9d3be16 had left.95cdafd1e967310b

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“Here. This is a non-disclosure agreement. Just sign here,” the crown prince said, pointing to the bottom of the page.75ebe8e4b79a7025

The situation progressed so 29ca5c81a8 smoothly and naturally that 30088754d2 I found myself dumbfounded, 9008c607e3 staring at both the 0037946436 prince and the document.378f3e671c42cd41

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An NDA? And he expects me 5d9e3f0280 to just sign it?80f86630160b840f

‘What a shameless fox!’6c4ed1f97c55ceb7

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Suppressing the words that threatened 4026aa2b77 to burst out, I maintained 60e727379e my composure. If this was 5b719af294 truly a simple 2f8b6d8618 matter, why go fa43c0133b to the trouble 3e225753a7 of hosting a 52aca1d8c0 contest to find ef49f7c381 candidates?8343bfb7bf7d49c4

‘He’s as slippery as they come. I have to 75458ffde1 stay sharp or a2880cbfe6 I’ll end up e58c653277 stamping my seal e74db5817e without realizing it.’f3f92be1bc143070

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Resolving not to be f867f009a7 fooled, I took a aa475bb1d9 firm stance.80760f1c3a3931a6

“I-I’ll just find a building with my own money!”214cd754694814d1

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“Why? You haven’t found one yet.”89ef7412c1385ef6

“I don’t want to do something scary like secretly stashing money! Belze wants to make money honestly! Besides, the duke said he’d help me!”08c72a99b0a3436d

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Of course, the duke 5a4dba00c2 hadn’t said anything of 2d4c4ce35c the sort. But sometimes, Duke Kallios was cf03c7b56a the perfect shield.82730f88e72cdb50

“Ah… I forgot about him,” the crown prince muttered, his expression darkening slightly.ef25ad3b16961e32

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“The duke even offered to provide you a building… I suppose that makes sense, seeing how he’s followed you even here.”c9b797d57021e4db

Muttering to himself, the crown c89ac90f22 prince eventually pulled the document d5b93d28e3 back, clearly dissatisfied.65d2ae180c7ab5ed

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“Fine, then. It can’t be helped.”21fb40ae608fa706

“My apologies!”da4b57b7ec7eb6c6

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“In that case, I’ll give this to another winner.”b97b0fbafaf4b732

I froze mid-bow 4dc156b65f at his words.96e89dfea7a34558

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“Another winner…?”258442c9c5291362

“Yes.”5627ed61fc8f6d5d

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The crown prince smiled smugly. “Someone who was originally in second place, but I’m thinking of promoting them to first.”3112c9aedf4a3d03

“That’s not fair!”368431394af8e03b

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“Why not? I’m the host.”4c96f398b8dd1d50

“Ugh…”90d0b6c7dc6d3d06

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“Relax. I’m not taking your first place away, just awarding it jointly.”066428c21893cbe6

That was a c7b41307d0 relief, though it c57da90eff still left a 72ae62f73b sour taste in 30c1de3f81 my mouth. Going from sole winner to 2b415a3bf6 sharing the title felt like b90e5e55aa being given something only to 3cb4541062 have it taken away again.20f169316bf26978

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‘Tch!’c08942b99e5f1418

Pouting, I puffed out f597a10bff my cheeks in frustration.9a495e74ce358819

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Seeing this, the crown prince leaned in and said in a low voice, “If you want to be the sole winner, you just have to team up with me.”2b059a2c970200ae

“No thanks!” I snapped.ee5acf9889da275e

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“Adorable,” he teased, grinning.1ec695398c13950a

‘What’s with this guy? Is flirting his second nature? Do it with the 05da1b0317 female lead, not me!’2a6232ab9f668b6b

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Just then, a knock 328cad3a6f interrupted us.30ba5ae0fc1e88f2

“Your Highness,” the aide called, re-entering with a serious expression.471c43848bb5a844

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“What is it?”f4e1a8ea9a065222

“We just received an urgent message from another winner.”5fb2254bd3010912

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“A message?”8cfd79c97f57d424

“Yes. The Galagos trading fleet encountered a kraken on their return voyage, so they won’t be able to attend today.”06e9c1fb0cbd903b

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“A kraken? That’s unusual. They’ve been quiet for a while.”b53f6a009aa37cf9

It seemed the crown prince was discussing the joint awardee. He asked indifferently, “Was there any significant damage or injuries?”ad2491365737d94e

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“No, fortunately not.”e4b638b1edc1ce8c

“Good. Did they request any assistance?”a26a1e47943d2b0b

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The conversation was 9475a85170 open, so I 3c0bc83ae2 listened curiously. While it appeared the 584f09dbf3 incident was resolved without 0b77fd1750 major issues, something about 45f8904e36 the name struck a 91488eb682 chord.548da356faa52e8d

‘Galagos… why does that sound familiar?’0e4559365a009243

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As I racked d701ad771e my brain, a 283c7c5c6f name flashed vividly 3beb9c4260 in my mind.91b678525faa0a1f

“Adolf Galagos?!” I exclaimed.f8870c25d1acf9e6

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Both the crown 3a5b3b6095 prince and his a3dcce80d5 aide turned to a1bf50fad8 me in surprise.fc2f174b7cf1ce0e

“How do you… know the other winner’s name?” the crown prince asked.3e31b94ab2b0401f

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‘How could I have forgotten that cursed name?’d1c25806fd2f128b

Adolf Galagos.2f2d72c3326de6fc

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In my previous life, he df8ad80abd was the one who had 428b68fa2d handed me the poison meant 342db6564d to kill Diana.3070da2dca090e40

He was also one of ece3ff2810 the crown prince’s most trusted 7394b4e635 aides.10f618baa8103782

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