‘What if I don’t want to?’ was what I wanted to say, but I suddenly thought of Estelle.

Anyhow, Carlix was the male lead of this novel.

I had no intention of getting involved in their relationship, but it would be fine if I just help this man fix his trashy behavior a little, right?

‘Then Estelle’s heart will be less troubled.’

I looked down at Carlix. Even though his gaze was below mine, the arrogant man smiled at me as if he was towering above me.

“I have no choice then, when you’re begging me so much.”

“When did I beg…”

Shut up. I cut off Carlix’s words boldly.

“I will do my best to help change the Crown Prince’s nasty personality.”

─────〔✿〕─────

Carlix’s personality correction work began.

Aka Operation: Turning the Petulant Male Lead into a Human (Petulant – a person or behavior that is irritable in a childish way.) 

“Before we start the correction, Your Highness has a promise to keep.”

“What’s that?”

“First. Even if I said something rather harsh or rude during the correction, it was all part of the adjustment program. Do not take offense or let your personal feelings affect the process.”

Carlix squinted his eyes with a dumbfounded face.

“What? This is– Do you intend to swear at me?”

Flinch.

How did he know?

I looked up, mustering an innocent face as much as I could.

“I don’t know. It’s just an essential part of having a smooth correction class. When a person enthusiastically teaches another person, there are times when he or she says something that is offensive to the other. But if I have to be wary of the Crown Prince every time, it’ll be impossible to do the correction properly.”

“…..”

Carlix looked at me without saying how he accepted my answer and nodded.

“And?”

“Second. Please follow the words I instruct you in good faith, without questioning them.”

Carlix’s response was not good this time.

“Agree to whatever you tell me to do? If you tell me to dance in my underwear at the banquet hall, I have to obediently listen to you?”

Oho, that’ll be pretty fascinating.

I answered with a serious face, hiding my true feelings.

“I don’t know about you, Your Highness, but your common sense is very inconsistent with that of ordinary people. Even more with the thoughts of delicate women. When I tell you what to do, you most likely won’t understand why. I don’t have the confidence to persuade you every time, so I just put the conditions in advance.”

With his chin lifted, Carlix was in deep thought for a moment.

I looked at him, leisurely holding a mug. Anyway, he’ll be the one who will be sorry.

After a while, he nodded.

“Okay. I’ll follow your words.”

Carlix crossed his long legs and looked at me with the most arrogant face in the world.

‘Get off that chair and get down on your knees. That shall be the eye level between you and I.’

I wanted to take him down with those words but I held back my desire to face him, who was unnecessarily arrogant to someone who’s extending her help.

I sat across from Carlix and said,

“First things first, there are countless problems with His Highness, the Crown Prince’s personality…”

Carlix’s eyebrows rose, but I ignored it and continued speaking.

“The first thing that needs to be fixed is your trashy mouth–”

I toned down my words a little.

“You’re too outspoken when you talk to others.”

“That’s weird. I’m the Crown Prince of this empire. Everyone except my father is under me, and do you want me to look them in the eyes and use formal speech to them?”

“I’m not asking you to do that. But it’s better to at least give everyone minimal respect, no matter if they are below you.”

I said to Carlix, who had an indifferent face after listening to all my bullcrap.

“Miss Estelle was very hurt by the Crown Prince’s blunt remarks.”

Carlix’s eyes flinched at the mention of Estelle’s name. As expected, there was no better bait like Estelle to tame this man.

“…..Did I say something to the Saintess?”

“Yes, aside from calling her a saint, not properly addressing her by her name, you have said all sorts of stuff. Like saying how her outfit is shabby. The common people are embarrassed by that because they can’t do anything about it.”

Anger soared in my heart as I spoke.

He’s a real garbage.

Would it make me feel better if I just assassinate him right now?

Carlix said, chagrined.

“It’s just as I see it. I was just telling the truth.”

“Even if it’s true, why do you say those things and make people feel bad? It’s just like now. Your Highness, the Prince feels bad because I said that your personality was trash. Despite of the truth, I didn’t have to point it out and make you feel insulted.”

“…..!”

He opened his eyes wide as if he just realized that.

This was his biggest problem.

Being born with the best diamond spoon in his mouth.

The people around him would look at him and answer ‘Yes,’ to whatever he says.

Therefore, until hearing my words, he had never thought about the feelings of others. So he didn’t have the ability to judge how others would feel if he said something.

Carlix asked with a look of woe.

“So how should I speak in the future?”

I gave him the simplest solution.

“Just shut up.”

“ …What?”

“Oh, sorry. Please don’t mind that. It’s just my usual way of talking.”

“…..”

“Well, I mean, just keep quiet. It would be better if you can smile, but that’s going to be hard for you, so just don’t say anything.”

The world would’ve been a better place if everyone kept quiet than ruining someone’s spirit with disregarding spiteful remarks.

After a while, Carlix nodded.

“Okay. I’ll try to shut up.”

Was there a hidden meaning behind those words?

After that, I told Carlix what he needed to improve.

“Even if you are the prince, you shouldn’t treat others carelessly. Like at my engagement ceremony, you grabbed Miss Estelle’s neck and dragged her out.”

“Aren’t women attracted to wild men?”

“Would the Crown Prince like it if another woman walked by you, wriggling her hips, and said that she’s really wild?”

Carlix didn’t argue with me any more.

I finally gave him a tip on how to become a good-looking man with a good personality.

“This is a really advanced skill. Don’t hold back any positive words to others, such as thank yous and compliments.”

“You don’t know how demeaning it is to say such things so easily.”

“Estelle says that Your Highness is very, very handsome.”

“…!”

“Would she look demeaning by just saying that?”

“…..”

Absolutely not.

I saw the corners of Carlix’s mouth go up in a flash as soon as I mentioned it.

“That’s what a good word does. Just one word, and it makes people feel good. Sometimes, it’s worth more than a thousand gold coins. So say it as much as you can.”

If he stays true to my word, instead of harsh vitriolic remarks towards Estelle, he’ll end up using loving words. (Vitriolic – filled with bitter criticism or malice.)

Like, you’re pretty. You’re cute. You’re beautiful. You’re very lovely.

‘Back when I read the novel, I found the scene where the female lead gets hurt by the vitriolic remarks that the male lead spewed out very interesting, but not now. I’m Estelle’s friend now.’

I hope Estelle doesn’t suffer because of love.

I hope she’ll be happy.

I hope she is loved.

As I thought that, Lucian’s face flashed in my mind.

‘I’m doing a disservice to him now. I’m helping his love rival.’ 

It was strange that I was suddenly very quiet so Carlix squinted his eyes and asked.

“You were chatting so enthusiastically. Why did you lose focus?”

“Don’t mind it. I just thought of another man.”

“Did you leave me to think of another man?”

Carlix studied me with eyes that looked as if it found a strange creature.

Haa, that damn Prince’s disease.

You don’t even assess the situation and just do whatever you wish.

As I looked at him with a sullen face, Carlix shut his mouth, not saying a word.

This was the moment when the correction class saw a sign of progress.

“Anyway, this is all I can do. If you’re careful with what I’ve told you today, you won’t sting anyone with your nasty personality. Well then, please be careful on your way out.”

I said goodbye with the nuance, ‘Let’s not meet again.’, but Carlix’s face was unusual.

He squinted as if the nuance didn’t sink in.

“That’s the end? .”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“It’s futile if you just end it there. Correction requires checking in on me personally until my behavior changes.”

“We’re meeting again?”

“Yeah.”

Carlix arrogantly nodded his head.

I don’t know what’s funny, but there’s a little smile around his eyes.

In the end, a beautiful man was just a beautiful man.

There was something in that arrogant face which looked down on everyone in the world that shook people’s hearts.

But his smile didn’t inspire me one bit.

Because I’ve seen a smile that’s so much brighter than that smile countless times.

So I said firmly.

“I told you earlier. I’m so busy that I don’t have any more spare time for Your Highness.”

“I heard recently that you don’t show up at banquets anymore, so what’s keeping you so busy?”

Where did you hear that rumor!

I smiled and replied,

“Being a young lady does not only involve social activities. What I’m focusing on is a more serious and grave matter than that. Please understand.”

Therefore, please leave!