< Chapter 64 - Countdown >
Chapter 64 – Countdown
Jude and Cordelia sat side by side, looking at the invitation, which was written in an elegant handwriting on extremely expensive paper and even had the royal seal on it.
“Uh… I don’t think this is a good idea to take a bath together?”
“Yes, the content has changed a bit from the original story.”
About an hour after finishing the tea party with Crown Princess Daphne.
The summary of the new invitation that Maya brought was as follows.
Let’s go play in the water together two nights later.
With Uder, Dion, and Darian.
‘Well, even so, taking a bath is a bit like that.’
It was an act of exposing one’s naked body to the other, so even though they were of the same sex, it was not something he should do with Cordelia, whom he had only met once.
“It looks like the location is the same… I guess you can think of it as going into a hot spring wearing a swimsuit. Is it some kind of night pool?”
As Uther muttered softly as if talking to himself, Cordelia opened her eyes wide and asked.
“Night pool? What’s that?”
“As the name suggests, it’s a swimming pool that you go to at night. Well, what should I say, if the daytime swimming pool is a playground for the whole family, then the night pool is a playground for adults?”
First of all, there were no children.
Cordelia narrowed her brows at Uther’s ambiguous explanation and became lost in thought, then asked again with a curious expression on her face.
“So it’s like a club?”
“There are places like that, and there are also places like hotel pools that are open at night.”
After saying that, Yuder looked into the distance for a moment as if recalling his memories.
Then Cordelia asked in a tone that had somehow become faster.
“Have you been there? Who did you go with? With a girl? With your girlfriend?”
“uh?”
“Who did you go with?”
Cordelia’s face had become closer.
Then, Yuder instinctively shrugged his shoulders and spoke as if making an excuse without realizing it.
“I… have never been there to play, I just know that it exists.”
“Really?”
“No, really. If you were just pretending to be there, then I wouldn’t know, but there’s no way you’d lie and say you’ve never been there… Janna?”
“Ugh.”
Cordelia’s eyes narrowed, and Uther swallowed dry saliva without realizing it, then smiled brightly. There was no other way.
“What, why are you laughing all of a sudden?”
“Just because? Because I just like it.”
Uther squinted his eyes as Cordelia had done, and smiled slyly. Cordelia, who felt angry for some reason, pinched the back of Uther’s hand. It didn’t hurt much, though.
“Anyway, I guess I should get ready.”
“Ready?”
“I need to buy a swimsuit. I didn’t bring one.”
Because it is winter now.
No, even if it was summer, I don’t think I would have brought a swimsuit.
Who would have ever imagined that I would be swimming and playing with the crown princess?
“It’s convenient to write a check and cash it. Also, prepare for the remaining schedule.”
As Uther counted them one by one, Cordelia, who had been looking at the invitations again, raised her head.
“Ready for the ball?”
“That’s true, but… D-Day is really just around the corner. We need to prepare.”
The plan to stop the Black Moon, which was planning to become the guardian of the nation and cause terrorism throughout the capital, was not yet perfect.
Although the political position of the Duke of Guk was somewhat weakened by the attack of the noble faction, the time of the attack itself was too short, and the Duke of Guk and the Black Moon were not the type to collapse just by exposing a few cases of corruption.
A stronger punch was needed.
“Are you going to commit a third crime?”
“Yes, this is the third and, for the time being, final announcement from the Pink Bomb Phantom Thief.”
The third target had already been decided upon long ago.
It had already been decided what to steal.
“Besides that… there must be other things to prepare, right?
“Oh, I also need to plan an escape route… After all, there are a lot more people to protect than when I was in Langest.”
At that time, it was practically all I had to do was protect Lucas and Cordelia.
But this time, the number of royals to protect was well over ten.
‘Of course… if we simply wanted to prevent the destruction of the barrier, protecting just Princess Daphne would be enough.’
But that was really the worst case scenario.
‘Save as many royals as possible. No, make sure no one dies.’
It’s best to eliminate any victims altogether.
Cordelia would have wanted that too.
“One way or another… it’s going to end up being a big fight, right?”
Cordelia said with a gloomy face.
Even if they succeeded in saving all the royal family members, it would be impossible to avoid any casualties.
‘Bloody struggle.’
The Guardians were going to attack with the intention of killing each other, so in the process of stopping them, casualties were bound to occur among those protecting the royal capital, such as the guards and knights.
‘All we can do is minimize it.’
Disintegrating the Black Moon was also intended to reduce damage.
“Ugh… I feel a little frustrated at times like this. It would be nice if I could just tell you everything so you could understand.”
If the plan to exterminate the royal family by the Duke of Guk could be announced in advance, and the royal family could detain or execute the Duke of Guk.
But it was an impossible story.
Because there was no way people would believe what Uder and Cordelia said.
If you say that the national hero, the Guardian King, is plotting to wipe out the royal family while talking about memories from a past life, who would believe you?
Rather, he would have tried to imprison Uther and Cordelia or send them to a mental hospital.
Uther nodded in agreement with Cordelia’s words and placed his hand over Cordelia’s.
“But isn’t that a good thing?”
“what?”
“Because I have a country too.”
Cordelia’s eyes widened at Uther’s words, but she soon smiled and said.
“Hey, you too?”
Are you happy with me? Are you secure?
Yuder nodded at the pitiful look in his eyes.
“Oh, me too.”
If I had been alone, and had to do all these things alone, it would have been much harder and lonelier than it is now.
“First of all, I should have done the pink bomb.”
“It’s not too late, Mr. Black Cloak.”
“Yes, Pink Bomb with White Inside. I will be content with Black Cloak, my sidekick.”
Yuder, smiling brightly as always, stood up and spoke.
“Anyway, let’s go. It’s shopping time, shopping time. If you earn money, shouldn’t you spend it?”
“Hmm… Well, okay. I’ve come to the capital, but I haven’t been able to properly tour the weapon shops there yet. I thought I’d try getting a whip while I’m at it.”
When Cordelia answered with a smile, Uther smiled bitterly.
What do you think of this girl who thinks of a gun store when you suggest going shopping?
“Why? Did I say something weird?”
“No, Princess. You have said it very well. Let us hurry while we are at it.”
“Shall we go now?”
“Why, it’s not even dinner time yet. Why don’t we go to a restaurant while we’re at it? We came all the way to the capital and haven’t had a proper meal yet.”
At Uther’s words, Cordelia turned her head and looked out the window.
Although it was late afternoon, there was still some time left before the sun set.
“Let’s go shopping, have dinner, and go somewhere like a bridge to see the night view.”
“Do you want to eat parfait too?”
“If our princess wishes.”
As Uther smiled brightly, Cordelia nodded her head slightly as if attracted.
But that was just then.
‘Oh, wait.’
How about going shopping, eating dinner, and seeing the night view?
Just the two of us?
No, of course, in fact we hang out together almost every day.
still.
But still, something is wrong with this.
Isn’t it a little different from what we’ve been doing so far?
So, if it’s like this······.
‘Hey, a date?’
Cordelia raised her head at the word that suddenly came to mind, and her eyes met with Uther’s, who was tilting his head and looking at her.
“Cordelia?”
“Huh? Uh… Yeah. Okay, yeah.”
What’s so special about a date?
Maybe.
‘That’s right, we’re engaged.’
Dating is a given.
It’s not strange at all.
Rather, it’s strange that it hasn’t been done until now.
Yeah, that’s right.
Maybe we can go on a date.
‘With Yuderang.’
That was it. Cordelia bit her lip slightly and rolled her eyes upwards to look at Uther again.
The same cheerful face as always and green eyes staring at me intently.
“Anyway, it’s rude.”
“No, I feel like I’m being falsely accused of something right now.”
“joy.”
Cordelia, who felt strangely happy, stood up from her seat and said.
“Okay, let’s go then. If I say I’m going to keep an eye on my sister, I’m sure Father will allow it.”
Since it was inevitable that we would have to be late to see the night view, and the palace gates would close as soon as the sun went down, we had no choice but to stay outside.
“Hmm, it’s not a bad excuse, but I wonder if that’s what Father would want······.”
Adelia and Gail’s surveillance.
Do you really want that?
Wouldn’t you rather hope that they think about it?
“I have strange thoughts again.”
“No, I guess I should say I just tried to empathize with my father.”
“That’s enough nonsense. Then you dress up and come out. I’ll dress up and come out too.”
It felt very new, but it was still our first date.
When Cordelia spoke with her own meaning, Uther responded with an exaggerated greeting as if he was acting in a play.
“I will wait with anticipation.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Cordelia smiled brightly, turned around, and hurried her steps again.
And about 30 minutes.
The carriage carrying Uther and Cordelia passed over the large drawbridge as they hurried as possible to leave the palace before sunset.
&
Salome dress shop, known as the flower of Verden Street, which leads the trend of the royal road.
Madame Salome’s niece, Marlene, who had been working there for three years, looked at the couple in front of her with a pleased face.
‘You’re cute.’
I’m probably in my mid to late teens now.
A girl with vivid red hair and a tall, dashing young man with black hair.
The girl, wearing a fresh white dress and a wide-brimmed white hat, had an expression of curiosity, fear, a little longing, and anticipation mixed in with the unfamiliarity of this large dress shop.
‘It’s an expression that many people make.’
Especially the girls who come from the countryside.
‘She seems like a young lady from a fairly well-to-do family······.’
I could tell just by looking at the white dress she was wearing.
The design was plain, but it was not made of ordinary fabric.
There is a ring on the hand and a brooch on the chest.
This one wasn’t the latest design, but it was clearly something of considerable value.
And above all.
‘You’re so pretty!’
Should I say that it felt like I was witnessing a doll come to life?
How can the eyes, nose, and mouth be so densely placed on that small face?
And the young man standing next to him.
A handsome man who is clearly a lover or fiancé, just like a painting.
Unlike the girl, he seemed quite familiar with this place and his every action seemed natural. Marlene was drawn to the young man’s face as well as his actions.
‘Be careful.’
From the time I first entered the store until now.
It seemed like he was just walking normally, but Marlene, a veteran, could tell that the young man was always paying attention to the girl’s movements.
And so, the optimized escort that can be deployed.
A flawless escort that can protect the girl anytime, anywhere.
‘More than anything.’
The young man never took his eyes off the girl for a single moment.
Even when he looked away for a moment, he always had the girl in a corner of his vision.
‘There’s a lot of interest.’
Usually, when you go to a dress shop like this, the women get excited and look at the items in detail, while the men take a step back and make a blank expression.
If you ask me how it is, I’ll just say “I like it” and that’s it.
But this couple was a little different.
This is because men were much more enthusiastic than women.
“Ha, that won’t work. The more variations the better anyway.”
The man muttered softly – Uder looked back at Marlene and said.
“Just give me everything from here to here.”
From left end to right end.
About fifteen dresses.
At Uther’s words, Cordelia’s eyes widened and she urgently grabbed Uther’s sleeve.
[Hey! Are you crazy?! Are you crazy?]
[No, why.]
[Overspending Max! Spenders Out! No! Can’t! Absolutely Not!]
Cordelia, who had declared firmly with message magic, looked around urgently and pointed to the dress on display on the other side.
“That one! Just give me one of those!”
If you choose something in between, Yuder might insist again.
It may look a little expensive, but I just have to pick the prettiest one.
But it was at that very moment.
“Oh, as expected of Cordelia.”
“You have good taste.”
Uther and Marlene spoke one after another, and Cordelia could only blink.
“Huh? Your eye for detail…?”
“Yes, it’s the best item in our store.”
Marlene said with a bright smile, and instead of sending a message magic, Uther whispered very softly into Cordelia’s ear.
“That one thing costs more than everything on this wall combined.”
“what?!”
Uther whispered, but Cordelia did not.
Cordelia, who had shouted loudly without realizing it, waved both arms and shouted repeatedly, regardless of whether Marlene was surprised or not.
“Cancel, cancel! Completely cancel! Super cancel!”
Cordelia, who was so surprised that she even babbled nonsense and flinched, stepped hard on Yuder’s foot who was smiling slyly, and Marlene bit her lip to barely keep herself from laughing.
And then another 30 minutes or so.
After purchasing two dresses and three swimsuits to wear in two days, Uder and Cordelia left the dress shop, one looking lively and the other looking completely exhausted.
“It’s clear that the world has gone crazy.”
“Because the dress is too expensive?”
“I feel so stupid.”
Cordelia was the daughter of the Count Chase family, one of the twelve northern houses, and having spent 17 years as a noble, she was accustomed to the ‘aristocratic consumer lifestyle’.
However, there was a limit to the consumption lifestyle of the nobility.
“It’s a total waste. It’s extravagance. Besides, Yuder, you seem to have a bit of a lack of sense of finance. Don’t you know that you shouldn’t spend a lot of money just because you suddenly have a lot of money?”
Cordelia spoke in a slightly preachy tone, continuing to speak as she walked forward.
“Once the consumption tendency rises, it is extremely difficult to lower it again. That is why fallen nobles continue to spend money like before after returning home and end up ruined. It is not that they are stupid – it is just human nature to begin with.”
“Who said that?”
“My school economics teacher.”
At Cordelia’s answer, Uther smiled as if to say, ‘Did you?’ and Cordelia pinched his cheek.
“Anyway, I hate you to death.”
And then again, footsteps.
When I crossed the bridge and entered the long shadows cast by the setting sun.
“Would you like to come out now?”
Cordelia suddenly spoke to the back, and at that moment, Uther also realized.
What Cordelia noticed.
And now even Uther himself knows.
Outside the scope of the senses.
A being that had been left unnoticed until now, as it was located exactly one step away from the boundary net that Uder always spread out, and had been deliberately hiding its presence.
But Cordelia sensed him.
Her intuition, sharper than that of a wild beast, made it possible.
Cordelia turned around, and Uther stood beside her, looking at her.
A man who suddenly became a presence like a ghost.
“Hey, do you have a good feeling?”
A playful face nestled between long, neat, dark blue hair.
“I just happened to see you guys passing by. I followed you to ask you to have a meal together. Uh… I didn’t mean to interrupt you, did I?”
Light Sword Rune Proud.
Commonly known as the best sword.
A man desperate to ruin a happy couple’s date.
The first blacksmith smiled slyly, and Uther and Cordelia – Uther in particular – faced him with a sullen face.
&
< Chapter 64 - Countdown > End
