The Life of Maria Lewellin - Chapter 21

“It’s because running in a skirt is uncomfortable. I can’t even breath in this properly.”

[Why are you running?]

“…I just want to exercise.”

I thought he would laugh at me once I told him my reason. But Glick only sat next to the tree without answering.

“Then I’ll be back halfway around.”

I was about to start, but Glick interrupted me again.

[That?]

“That?”

[My snack.]

Somehow, it feels like that he’s not talking about the real snack so I asked Glick carefully.

“You mean Ruri?”

[……]

I see. Seeing that there’s no answer, I must be right.

_{(t/n: Oh nooo he’s calling her his snack sksjajajks poor Ruri. )}

“She’s taking a nap.”

After we finished eating lunch, Ruri sat in the sunlight and began to doze off. I need to leave so I asked Chloe to take a look at her while I was gone since she didn’t responded when I called her name.

I sat in front of Glick, smiling.

“Do you want to see her?”

[I don’t want to see her.]

You’re reactions are different from what you’re saying though.

But I didn’t say anything because he’ll surely be upset if I told him the truth.

So I reached out and stroked Glick’s head instead.

“You shouldn’t call Ruri a snack. You promised me that you wouldn’t eat her, right?”

[………]

“Ruri says you’re really cool, Glick. So call her by her name, too. Okay?”

There was no answer, but I think that meant “yes.” I smiled gladly and rubbed his head one more time.

I think that’s enough training Glick for today.

“Yosh. “

I put my hands on my knees and put pressure on them as I stand.

“Then I’ll be back halfway around.”

Then Glick raised himself from his position.

[I’ll run too.]

“Okay!”

I’m glad to hear that.

I started running again on the grass, and after some time, Glick suddenly passed by me in a flash as he ran energetically.

“Awesome… “

I was struck in awe. Obviously, Glick’s movements were 100 percent synchronized with predators chasing prey in the wild.

I didn’t dare to catch up and ran slowly, adjusting my pace. I wasn’t running that fast, but it’s still hard.

After a while, I finally reached the target point. Glick who took another lap earlier was already sitting down before me, resting.

“Haaaa… haaaa… “

As I approached him while breathing heavily, Glick, who was sitting in the shade under the tree, looked at me with a pathetic look once again.

[So slow.]

“Hyuk, Haaah….Glick, you’re fast.”

[You’re just slow. I ran gently.]

Liar. I saw you jump and run at full speed.

“Do you want to drink water?”

[I want to eat.]

“Then let’s go back for today.”

Glick complied with me without a hitch. I was thirsty too. I was thinking of getting a water first, but Glick suddenly stood up.

That surprised me!

“What’s wrong, Glick?”

[Someone is coming.]

“Who’s coming?”

[I hear footsteps. Very small.]

“……really? “

I felt a faint sense of uneasiness. No one has ever been here while I was in charge of Glick when I’m taking him on a walk.

My eyes were filled with anxiety. I was looking at the door with a nervous face, and Glick’s voice continued.

[It’s Ains.]

Ains? Does that mean he’s coming?

After a while, the door opened. Then to my surprise, I could really see Ains standing there.

“What brings you here, your highness? “

“I went to the detached palace, but they said you were here. But…”

What is it? Why did you stop talking?’

“What’s wrong with your dress?”

“Yes? “

A look of bewilderment was directed at me. I lowered my head following his gaze.

“Mommy! “

I screamed unintentionally. My skirt is still tucked into my self-made shorts.

What the hell?!

“Could you turn around for a moment, please?”

I don’t know if Ains was in a state of limbo but he didn’t seem to heard what I just said. He just looked at me as if he’s looking at a rare animal, and I tucked-out out the skirt with an awkward smile.

I meaninglessly tried to straightened the wrinkled area. In the meantime, Ains’ eyes were still fixed on me.

“What in the world were you doing?”

“Running. My skirt is fluttering and it’s troublesome, so I used some temporary measures.”

[I’ve lost my eyes.]

The abrupt voice belonged to Glick. I gave him a side glance. Then I looked back at Ains.

“What brings you here, by the way?”

“….I have something to say.”

To who, me?

Fortunately, I didn’t ask. I’m the only one here after all.

“How much more time do you have left for the walk?”

“I was just about to go back.

“Good. Let’s go, Glick.”

After reaching out and stroking Glick’s head, Ains moved on first.

Then, he looked back at me and gave me a look as if he wants me to follow him.

What else could I do? If you come, you come, if you go, you should go.

I brushed off my wrinkled skirt one more time and followed Ains out of the walking ground.

Late questions filled my mind as I watched his wide back as we walked.

Unlike me, who had a lot of free times, Ains said he was very busy. But why on earth did he come all the way here at this hour?

◆◇◆◇◆◇

*clatter*

The teacup touched the platter and made a small noise. Thanks to a series of constant drinking, my glass was almost empty already.

He said he had something to say, but Ains, who sat opposite me, kept silent.

I waited patiently instead of urging because his expression seemed serious.

…you’re not even going to make a deal now, are you?

Come to think of it, there’s no other reason to find me other than that. I shouldn’t have done that…should I have stashed the gold bars somewhere else?

Anxiety suddenly surged in my chest. As soon as I was about to speak out, thinking that he must have waited quite a long time for this, but Ains finally opened his mouth after keeping a long silence.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

“A… favor? “

I asked back at his unexpected remark.

Even though the scene where I asked Ains for something was familiar, I wondered if there was anything he could ask me to do.

“What is it?”

“…….”

Ains was silent again. He hesitated incoherently, and then, as if he had made up his mind, looked me in the eye and brought up his words.

“A ball will soon happen in the palace. I want you to be my partner then.”

“…….partner? “

I remembered the topic of the ladies I heard in the teahouse yesterday. I’m sure they said thar there will be a ball in the palace. In addition, Chloe’s words came to mind when she told me that it would be the Crown Prince’s birthday soon.

Combining the two facts, I asked Ains with caution.

“Are you asking me to be your partner for your birthday party?”

Then, Ains looked surprised.

“You knew?”

“Yes, by chance. But…..aren’t there many young ladies who want to dance with you?”

It is obvious that he is a single, handsome, and talented prince, who is in full bloom. He’s definitely an embodiment of every girls’ dream.

‘Why are you suddenly asking me for such a favor when there must be so many young ladies who dying to be held by you?’

As I looked at him curiously, Ains answered belatedly.

“……That’s right. I won’t deny that.”

I could see that my face was getting dark. It was a thought-provoking look, and I could easily guess the situation.

Something must have happened last year. That’s why he’s probably planning to use me as a shield.

_{(t/n:Ohhh sharp…)}

Hmm

I looked at Ains quietly.

If I had thought a little bit, I might have said yes because I was fascinated by the word “ball”.

But this world is not just some cliche romance novel. There’s no reason for me to be caught up in a whirlpool of political strife and conspiracy, plus knowing how scary the jealousy of women were…

After finishing up the rest of the tea, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Why?”

Why? What don’t you ask that to yourself?

I answered with a hidden and quite careful mind.

“It’s too much for me. As you know, I’m just a commoner. If I become your partner, I’ll be in a big trouble.”

Perhaps because my desperate attempt of saving myself, I have been able to speak like a master of eloquence.

Ains seemed a little flustered, but he quickly retorted my words with a straight face.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“No, I’m sure it will. I’ve never danced before, let alone at a ball. And with all due respect…It’s also strange that your highness is suddenly ask me to be your partner. After all, there are many young ladies who want to dance with you.”

I’m really tempted and curious about the Imperial Palace ball, but my safety was more important than that.

On the one hand, I was actually curious. Why is Ains making such a favor to me?

I could hear a long sigh then he faced me with a determined look.

“You’re more keen than you look.”

That was rude.

“What I’m about to say should be listened with one ear and then let slipped to the other. “

_{(t/n: meaning he wants her to forget about it later)}

“Yes, of course.”

“There’s a woman the Empress pushes as my fiancée.”

My ears flinched at the moment. Is it a political ploy that I only heard of?

I listened attentively to Ains with my heart pounding.

“I’m barely holding the it down… But if I dance with her this year, I’ll be put in a lot of pressure like the Senate wanted. “

It was not hard to infer what he meant by pressure. They want him to marry her.

The mood got a little quiet in a moment. I looked at Ains quietly.

The man in front of me is the crown prince of the country. Wealth, power, honor, and even a universally acclaimed appearance. There’s no doubt that he has everything.

Compared to that, I wasn’t even a supporting actor. It was not a subject to pity at all, but I still felt a little sad.

‘I guess this country also uses marriage as one of its political means.’

Ains who probably has been educated to be the next ruler since he was a child, knows how heavy the crown is. And of course, a woman who can bear the weight together with him will also rise to the throne of the Crown Princess.

With the empress’ recommendation and the support of the senate, it is clear that the lady is the eulogy of a family of considerable power.

However, if he was reluctant to marry, he surely have a good reason.

◈◆◈◆◈◆

Maria is so cool here! She deduced his situation so easily. And the fact that she disagreed, that probably just made the prince fall for her. Maybe not fall, just made him trust her more, but still, we have a long way to go.