The Princeliest Prince of All - Chapter 8
“Do you think the palace is your playground?”
“Isn’t it too much that I can’t even eat in peace anymore? Are you a tyrant or what?”
Sera clattered her utensils loudly.
It was bad enough having to watch someone dry heave three times a day before meals, but now she had to share the dining table with him too.
Sera had completely forgotten her past transgressions and only focused on the unfairness of the contract.
Leonard struggled to suppress his urge to vomit at the sight of the sauce splattered on the white tablecloth.
In addition to physical contact, Sera had a knack for testing Leonard’s patience in various ways.
In a way, she was a very effective maid.
But.
“Don’t you think you’re not afraid of me enough?”
“I’m desperate to get fired.”
“If your head is cut off, you’ll be quiet.”
At Leonard’s stern words, Sera’s shoulders slumped.
Leonard had retorted strongly because he didn’t want to lose, but he didn’t actually want to crush Sera’s spirit.
Leonard needed someone like Sera, who had no concept of respect and acted in such an unbelievable manner.
For years, his servants had adjusted everything to his whims.
Even if he now told them to do something dirty, they wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Only someone like Sera, who selectively pushed boundaries, could manage it.
Even though Sera talked back and rebelled, she had a sly, loyal side that didn’t bother him too much.
Leonard pondered.
He knew he should reward a useful subordinate, but it was still uncomfortable.
“…Fine, go ahead. But watch your mouth.”
“Yes! Thank you!”
Sera’s face lit up like the sun.
It was a completely different expression from her usual look in the morning, as if she were barely alive going to work.
Leonard felt a twinge of irritation and wanted to take back his words.
But he couldn’t.
Even a villain couldn’t spit on a face like that.
That afternoon, Sera was unusually cooperative.
She hovered around Leonard, touching his hair or collar lightly while he worked.
Messing up the neatly organized documents was also part of her job.
To Leonard, it felt like having a mischievous pet around.
Finally, the promised time came, and Sera left the office without looking back.
After a moment of consideration, Leonard called for Evan.
“You called for me?”
“Follow Sera Brandt without being noticed. Bring her back if she does anything foolish.”
“Yes, sir.”
Evan left the room immediately.
Alone, Leonard took off his gloves and pulled out the handkerchief from his pocket.
It had become a habit to hold the handkerchief with his bare hands whenever he had the chance.
It was the only thing that wasn’t his own that he could touch easily.
In reality, Sera had only made it, but Leonard had kept it, so it was practically his anyway.
So, this was not at all special. Not even slightly.
Leonard clenched his fist, crumpling the white handkerchief.
* * *
The reward break had a great effect.
Sera was still full of energy the next morning.
So much so that Leonard had to tell her to stop touching things.
And then the promised morning break came.
“I’m off now!”
“Wait.”
Just as Sera was about to leave the office like the wind, Leonard stopped her.
“I have business there too, so I’ll go with you.”
“Huh?”
Sera’s eyes widened.
The prince never left his palace bunker except when summoned by the emperor or empress.
The fact that he had business at Leticia’s palace was surprising.
Leonard narrowed his eyes at Sera’s reaction.
“Why? Do you have something to hide?”
“I’m just going to see the garden!”
“Fine. Let’s go see the garden.”
Sera had no excuse to refuse.
Feeling uneasy, she headed to the princess’s palace with Leonard.
Of course, Leonard didn’t actually have any business with Leticia.
He was just bothered by something Evan had reported yesterday.
Sera had spent the entire hour in the garden without entering the palace.
And Leticia had been having tea there.
Leonard couldn’t help but suspect that Sera might be following someone’s orders, whether it benefited him or not.
As they walked side by side, Sera saw servants passing by and quickly linked her arm with Leonard’s.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m doing my job. Someone might see us and tell the empress, yeah?”
Sera held Leonard’s arm tighter as he tried to pull away.
Thanks to their efforts, Leonard had improved to the point where he didn’t immediately vomit when not touching bare skin.
He still felt nauseous and had headaches, though.
Even Sera was surprised at Leonard’s fast progress.
If it could be resolved this easily, why didn’t it get better in the original story?
Anyway, since Leonard’s recovery wasn’t bad for her, she decided to cooperate actively.
Leonard felt uncomfortable with this situation.
Touching him while they were in his own palace was clearly for training, but this… this felt like genuine physical affection.
