Chapter 50
“By the way, I heard you said you wanted to be friends with me. Is that true?”
So he’d heard about that too. Seeing him so cheerful was oddly irritating.
“Yes, that’s right. If Your Highness would allow it.”
The Prince smiled sweetly. With such fine features, he might have been tolerable if he just kept his mouth shut – what a waste.
Instead of responding to the friendship offer, the Prince picked up and set down his teacup with affected casualness, making an aloof assessment.
“The tea tastes much better than last time. Back then it was barely drinkable. Now it’s somewhat acceptable.”
As he spoke, the Prince secretly passed a small piece of paper under the teacup saucer. Moving it quickly to the blind spot on his lap, Ja-hyun glimpsed an address and some text.
[Southern Belzabark]
[The mansion’s doors are open to all who love civilization and culture.]
[XXXX XXXXXXX]
The address was too small to read clearly.
It seemed to be some sort of business card or invitation. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much he could do with it right now. Even if he managed to escape with money, his brother would surely catch and drag him back before long. And then he’d face his brother’s fury.
Leaving would require more careful planning. Ja-hyun met the Prince’s eyes and naturally returned the paper.
The Prince misunderstood this as a rejection and looked puzzled. But that wasn’t the intention behind returning it. The information was already registered in his system window, so there was no need to risk keeping the paper.
[Development detected by trait ‘Author’s Intervention’ – Side quest will occur.]
[Quest Generated!]
[Visit the Southern Belzabark Mansion ▽]
[The mansion’s doors are open to all who love civilization and culture.]
[XXXX XXXXXXX]
[Reward: Modification Points – 1000 points]
The quest details contained the exact address and content written on the small paper card.
“I’d love to see you again. I’d also like to hear about the civilization and culture outside.”
At those words, the Prince’s eyes took on a special gleam. He seemed to have caught the meaning.
“Yes. Let’s do that. Don’t worry.”
Judging by the interest filling the Prince’s expression, he seemed more convinced of the unsavory rumors about his brother. Well, even Ja-hyun had to admit it was quite interesting – the Grand Duke’s heir, presumably confined by the Grand Duke himself, secretly exchanging notes with him.
“Well then… ah yes, friends. We were talking about friendship. Would you grant me the honor of being your first friend?”
Think whatever you want about being the first friend.
“Thank you. The honor is mine.”
However, to manipulate the Prince into signing the contract, he needed to increase their intimacy. The ‘Relationship’ section was still filled with emotions that could hardly be called close.
Last time, he had approached too hastily, thinking the Prince looked stupid, which immediately put him on guard. He wasn’t as simple as he appeared.
Ja-hyun smiled and changed the subject.
“Then would you show your friend some interesting items from outside? I heard you brought some things to show my brother. From what I’ve gathered, they’re related to the railway project you’re pursuing…”
The moment he mentioned that, something unexpected happened. As if he’d learned it at some factory for privileged people, the Prince’s leisurely, irritating smile suddenly vanished as he jumped up and shouted.
“Ah, that!”
Regardless of Ja-hyun’s startled upward glance, the Prince couldn’t contain his excitement as he rambled on.
“That. I can show you that right away. I couldn’t show it properly last time, so I brought it back and requested installation. You can see it anytime you like. Shall we go right now!”
Such an excited expression – what could it be? And that eager attitude about showing it to a complete stranger. Of course, people always got excited about showing off their supposed business items, but this seemed a bit excessive.
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