Chapter 93

After finishing my meal with Shina, I returned to my room with Barry.

"Phew. Every time I come back to my room, I feel so reluctant. Shina's room is too far away."

"It's not that far. You walk briskly when you go there, but you dawdle on the way back, which makes it feel more tedious."

"...I just can't bear to leave. I want to spend more time with her."

"You see her every day and at every meal, and you still say that? You'll get scolded by Prince Lute again."

I glared at Barry, who sighed.

"You can meet Kirin while I'm having meals with Shina, can't you?"

"I can, but... she's completely in maid mode and doesn't even glance at me."

"Do you dislike it?"

"No, that's what I like! Her indifferent and devoted attitude! But when Shina's eyes light up at a delicious meal, she shows a gentle face, and I could watch her forever. I want to watch her forever..."

Barry, drooling and speaking passionately, was quite annoying. Poor Kirin, to be infatuated with such a troublesome man.

From my perspective, Kirin seems to have a high opinion of Barry, though Barry himself doesn't seem to feel it. According to Barry, "Her attitude has softened compared to before, but I can't sense any romantic affection. Even if I want to make progress, the atmosphere just doesn't allow it." Still, he believes he is the top choice among the men who flock around Kirin, according to the maids. His rivals are quite formidable, though.

"Still, when did Kirin catch the eye of so many men? She's Shina's dedicated maid and bodyguard, and she's almost always with Shina."

She receives love letters from knights, soldiers, civil servants, and magicians. How did she meet all these men?

"Hahaha. Are you serious? It's because you're the one who carefully selects Shina's visitors, and Kirin acts as a proxy, going to various departments? Ha ha ha ha. Cases involving Shina generate huge profits, so they can't be entrusted to just anyone. Kirin herself has to handle them. Oh, you and your wife are both so oblivious."

Barry's dry laugh made me feel a bit guilty. However, I can't bear the thought of such a cute girl like Shina being exposed to so many men.

"Well, Shina's position is still unstable, so it's not a good idea to increase the number of people she interacts with at this stage. But, Jin-sama, after officially announcing Shina as your fiancée, you won't be able to keep her isolated like this. Do you understand?"

"What? It's dangerous!"

What if some unknown man kidnaps the cute Shina!

"She's going to be a princess. She can't continue living like a caged bird. If she becomes a duchess, social interactions are inevitable."

"But..."

"Are you aware of the progress in Shina's education as a princess? Despite her upbringing, she has a high level of education. While she still needs to improve in manners and dance, overall, she is evaluated as sufficient. As long as she is careful with her straightforwardness, tendency to ignore her surroundings when focused, and lack of awareness of her own value, she can handle social interactions well."

"All I see are reasons for concern. You're saying she should handle social interactions without anyone noticing her charm?"

"Her abilities and the value of her development are significant. Recently, she's grown taller and more womanly, increasing her appeal. Ouch! Don't hit me!"

"It's because you look at Shina with lecherous eyes."

"I don't want to hear that from the lecherous Jin-sama! I'm speaking objectively. Shina has truly become beautiful. With proper nutrition and rest, and the maids' daily efforts, her gestures and posture have improved. In a year, she will be a lady who captivates everyone, with terrifying added value. And her partner is a weakling with only the advantage of being royalty. Ha. I can only see a future where she is kidnapped on her debut into society."

Barry glares at me suspiciously. Will this guy ever respect me?

"Shina is working hard for Jin-sama. She didn't know she would become a duchess, but to be worthy of a royal, she has been working hard, even to the point where her teachers have to hold her back. Jin-sama, to be worthy of her, you need to toughen up and not complain about going out."

Barry stops in front of my room and smirks.

"That's all the advice from your loyal subordinate. As a start to improving, please deal with the venomous snake that has infiltrated your room."

The door creaks open, and a sweet scent wafts out. The room, dimmer than usual, is eerie.

"It's like the castle of a villain in a fairy tale."

"At least pretend to have taken the aphrodisiac? I don't want you to attack immediately."

Scolded by Barry in a whisper, I feel like clicking my tongue. I understand. Gathering evidence is necessary.

Leaving Barry behind, I step into the room, and a rustling sound is heard.

"Prince Jinklett"

In the room filled with a sweet scent, Rana stands in a thin nightgown, a seductive smile on her face. The red nightgown, almost see-through, barely conceals her nearly perfect figure. The rustling sound comes from the thin gold bracelet on her wrist.

"I adore you. Please, make me yours..."

Rana extends her slender arms and clings to my body. The room is filled with a fragrant aroma, and she presses her soft body against me.

I stare at Rana silently. The sweet scent in the room and the perfume she wears seem to contain something to bewitch men. As a royal, I have built up resistance to various drugs, so the scent alone has little effect. If I had taken the aphrodisiac, I would have been bewitched by this writhing, repulsive woman. Drugs are terrifying.

"Rana, why are you in this room...?"

"Don't scold me for being immodest. I adore Prince Jinklett so much that I did this. Besides, I feel sorry for Prince Jinklett, who is being deceived by that woman..."

"Deceived?"

Rana rubs her body against mine and looks up at me with her eyes.

"Yes. That false saint is secretly seducing my servant. Today, she wasn't satisfied with just my servant and even involved the guard... It's despicable."

Guard? That weak Biscuit guy? I've heard about Samuel, but now the guard too?

The urge to kill the woman in front of me burns, but I need to keep her alive for now.

"Shina? I can't believe it..."

I pretend to be hurt, kneeling and covering my face with my hands. I can hear Barry's snicker somewhere. What, do you have something to say?

Rana clings to me even more, stroking my head. It's disgusting, but I have to endure.

"Oh, poor Prince Jinklett. I will comfort you. Here, drink this to calm down."

Rana moves away and pours wine into a glass. I bring the glass to my nose and smell it. There's an odd scent mixed with the alcohol. Ah, she's added a stronger aphrodisiac.

This is excellent evidence. Entering a royal's room without permission and offering drugged wine. She's done for. Yes, this is enough.

"Prince Jinklett, drink this. From now on, I will support you."

The woman's eyes gleam. Gold, status, and honor. She can't hide her excitement at what she will gain. What a repulsive sight. No matter how beautiful she looks, being looked at with such greedy eyes only fills me with disgust.

Shina's eyes are always clear and sparkling. Whether she's happy, sad, or struggling, her eyes never lose their beauty. They are filled with the strength to look forward and grasp a happy future without giving up. I can't help but be drawn to such strength and the hidden fragility in her eyes.

Why do I have to deal with this snake-like woman when Shina is being attacked by Rana's servant and guard?

"Hey, Barry, that's enough!"

"Sure, sure, good work, Jin-sama."

I pull Rana away and call out. Barry emerges from the darkness.

"Good job, Jinklett. I'll handle the rest."

Next to him stands Brother Alan with a demonic expression. Wow, he's really angry.

"Out! I detected the aphrodisiac."

Barry's eyes glow with magic as he peers into the glass and gives a thumbs up. The soldiers restraining Rana scream.

"Rude! Don't touch me!"

"Who's being rude, Rana Colts! You have been apprehended for illegally entering a royal's room and drugging the wine!"

Rana pales at Brother Alan's not-so-loud but intimidating voice. A noble lady pampered from birth has probably never been scolded in earnest. The genuine killing intent from Brother Alan, who can make even skilled assassins cower, makes her let out a hoarse scream.

"Leave it to me!"

"Jinklett."

Brother Alan stops me as I grab my sword and start to run.

"What? I need to go to Shina!"

I have to go to Shina. She agreed to be a decoy without hesitation, but she must be scared. I want to reassure her.

"No... You need to improve your acting skills."

"Wha-"

Brother Alan's words make Barry burst out laughing. He shakes and the glass wobbles. A nearby soldier quickly takes the glass from Barry to preserve the important evidence.

"What was that wooden acting? It made my back itch."

"Gah, gah, Alan-sama, that's enough. Jin-sama, he's really trying his best... Hii, hii."

"Really, he's trying his best. That's... unbelievable."

Don't look at your own brother with such disbelief.

"I thought humans had at least some basic acting skills, but apparently not."

"Hii, hii, stop it, Alan-sama! My abs can't take it!"

Brother Alan scolds the writhing Barry.

"This isn't the time to laugh, Barry. We can't leave Jinklett's acting skills as they are. As a royal, he needs to be able to perform at least a little."

"I understand, I understand! I'll add it to Jin-sama's top priorities! Hii, hii, but please, not now. I was holding back my laughter and now you're making me laugh!"

Barry mutters, "Some basic acting skills, hahaha," while twitching. He's not going to be useful for a while.

"Damn, I'm going ahead!"

With a few guards, I run off.

Still, I thought it was a great performance.

What was wrong with it?