Chapter 8
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Translator: Diva
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: They Say an nnn-Year Age Gap Skips Compatibility Checks
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I'm sure the Crown Prince didn't notice me glancing at him. After all, I wasn't the only one stealing looks, and I didn't stare long enough to draw attention.
My mana scent was perfectly contained, too.
"Your Highness, is something wrong?"
The knight followed the Crown Prince's gaze toward me, looking puzzled.
"Hm... no. Must've been my imagination."
Fortunately, the Crown Prince started walking again and passed right by me.
'What the hell just happened?'
I snuck a glance at his retreating figure.
"……."
I took in the vibrant golden hair covering his nape, the broad shoulders wrapped in his white uniform, and his upright gait.
Was it my longing for Mikhail that conjured this illusion?
'No, maybe it was just a fleeting apparition.'
So what if he looked similar?
Was there even a single day when Mikhail's appearance truly mattered to me?
'What matters isn't the shell.'
I turned and resumed walking.
The kitchen was bustling with preparations for lunch.
"You mean the meal for the annex? We've set it aside over there."
Thankfully, the head steward had given proper instructions, and every dish looked absolutely appetizing.
'About time.'
I carefully packed Elhart's share into a large basket and gave the kitchen a quick once-over.
'……!'
Then I spotted something that made my eyes widen.
"Can I take a few of those desserts too?"
Were they for the Central Palace officials?
Cookies, cakes, chocolates, and more emitting a decadent aroma filled a table on one side of the kitchen.
"Ah... go ahead if you'd like."
No one was paying attention to how much an annex maid was taking amid the frenzy.
'Then just one of each kind.'
When was the last time I savored such luxurious scents?
Only after the massive basket was stuffed full did I snap out of it and step away from the dessert table.
'Elhart won't start a rumor that he loves sweets, will he?'
I glanced around cautiously, popped a cookie into my mouth, and slipped out of the kitchen.
'If we'd returned properly, I could've stuffed myself at the banquet.'
What a shame.
I was crossing the hall-sized dining area connected to the kitchen, nearing the entrance, when it happened.
'Why is the Crown Prince here...?'
No one was with the Crown Prince, who stood guarding the door like a sentinel.
'Where are his escort knights?'
A quick scan of the surroundings picked up only his presence.
'His mana scent is definitely different from Mikhail's.'
Still, amid it all, something felt oddly familiar. What could it be...
"Is that cookie tasty?"
The Crown Prince spoke to me as I curtsied and tried to pass.
"...Pardon?"
He's striking up a conversation with a stranger maid over something this trivial?
I hid my suspicions and replied politely.
"Yes, it's delicious."
"No need to look at me like that. I'm not trying to steal your cookie."
No.
That's not why I was on guard at all.
"May I have your name?"
I held back the irreverent urge to say 'I'd rather not.'
The Crown Prince of the Empire could easily find out who I was if he wanted; no need to act suspicious.
"Ser Brin."
"Ser... I see."
The Crown Prince nodded and gave a faint smile.
"Looks like you already know who I am."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Got a moment right now?"
"No."
I answered flatly, then added an excuse a beat late.
"I have to deliver a meal to my charge."
Don't come at me with that Mikhail lookalike face, you Crown Prince creep.
As my fist clenched involuntarily, the Crown Prince gave a wry smile.
"Can't be helped, then. I slipped away from a long meeting and was hoping to grab some refreshments."
...So he just needed an extra pair of hands.
"Shall I fetch someone from the kitchen? Plenty would be thrilled to assist Your Highness."
"Thanks, but no need. I have to head back soon."
Thankfully, he stepped aside without any intention of bothering me further.
"See you next time, Ser."
But if you're stepping aside anyway, give a bit more room.
I nearly elbowed him in the solar plexus squeezing through that narrow gap between him and the door.
After giving the soldiers and knights stationed at the Central Palace outskirts one last sweep with my senses, I returned to the annex.
"Ser...!"
Elhart shot up from the bed as I entered the room.
"Everything okay? No one gave you trouble?"
Facing his worry-filled expression made me chuckle for some reason.
"Of course not."
I proudly hoisted the massive basket for him to see.
"Brought tons of good stuff."
His eyes went wide as he took it.
"What's all this...?"
Watching him, the Crown Prince's face— who resembled my old friend—flitted through my mind.
We were equally near-strangers. He objectively looked more like Elhart, too.
Yet being with Elhart felt more at ease.
Because our mana scents matched?
"Hold on a sec."
I began pulling out my morning's spoils from the palace, stored in my space bag.
A plush carpet unfurled on the floor, followed by an elegant table and two chairs.
"What do you think? Looked nice, so I grabbed 'em."
"Did you get permission?"
"Uh... probably?"
I'd told the head steward I'd take what we needed, so that counts as permission, right?
Elhart eyed me as if to confirm my vague answer, but I just stared right back.
"……."
He broke eye contact first.
"...Looks good."
His ear tips flushed faintly, embarrassed.
"Right?"
Feeling smug, I transferred the food from the basket to the table.
Elhart helped from the side.
"If you haven't eaten, join me."
I sat beside him, playing along.
I'd only planned on a cookie or cake, but he kept pushing plates my way, so I ended up sampling everything.
The Central Palace head chef's skills were impressive; every bite was delicious.
Though compared to years of combat rations force-fed down my throat, what wouldn't taste good?
Once we'd eaten our fill, I asked what had been nagging me.
"Elhart, know anything about Cradion's Crown Prince?"
"Aurell? What's got you curious?"
"Is he a playboy?"
Elhart's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Did he approach you?"
Oh... what a shift in demeanor. Didn't expect that expression from him.
"No, just asking. He was being all chummy with the maids."
Elhart furrowed his brow, lost in thought, before speaking carefully.
"The Crown Prince is shrewd. I doubt he'd be overt about womanizing. But..."
"But...?"
"His crown princess died last year, and he hasn't remarried yet. He might be on the hunt for a bride."
Oh, a widower?
"Best to avoid crossing paths with him."
If he's bride-shopping, it has nothing to do with me.
I'm just a Bardia-born maid, not from Cradion.
"...Ser."
"Yeah?"
Elhart clasped the hand holding my cookie.
"Don't take my words lightly. Stay in the annex for the time being."
"That's a bit tricky."
Anything but the food—I had to fetch that from the Central Palace.
This annex didn't have its own kitchen.
"Is there a real reason you must?"
"The Crown Prince holds real power in Cradion now. As a maid, it'd be hard to refuse whatever he orders."
Fair point.
"If he spots you, he might fall at first sight and make you his bride..."
I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief.
"No way."
"When a man falls in love, he sees nothing else."
"Speaking from experience?"
"……!"
Why's he gaping like that...
An awkward silence fell, broken by a knock at the door.
Elhart yanked his hand away in a fluster just as the door burst open.
I glared at the entrant, who clearly had no manners, and the steward cleared his throat lightly before speaking.
"His Majesty's decree: attend the banquet tomorrow night."
Elhart at the imperial banquet? Did he even have formal attire?
"And Miss Brin as well."
...What?