Chapter Five: The Despicable Prince? (1)
“Who allowed you to interfere?”
...Oh this little one! For him to scream like that instead of thanking me for saving him. But, how could a nanny express her anger in front of a prince? I reluctantly bowed to him.
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't lie. You're not really sorry.”
It was a remark so sharp it made me cringe.
(He's smarter than he looks.)
The third prince, Edwin, is full of surprises. He fearlessly rushed towards those larger than him, and now spoke what was on his mind without hesitation.
(I thought they called him the “Despicable Prince” because he was a coward... but this...)
I looked at the boy as he fixed his sharp gaze in my eyes.
(He may look like an angel, but that's only from the outside.)
Then he asked me with a frown:
“The wicked witch said you wouldn’t come today because you were sick. Was that a lie?”
Wicked witch?
The little princess also used this description. The brothers seem to have animosity towards the head butler.
“It was just a mild headache, and I've recovered now. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
I bowed politely, but something wasn't right. He was staring at me with an annoyed face.
“Is something wrong, Your Highness?”
He tilted his head slightly:
“For some reason... you look different than usual.”
“Really? And in what way?”
“Utter than usual.”
“…?!”
I was almost at a loss for words at this sudden insult.
“…Your Highness, have I done anything wrong to you?”
“Stop pretending to be near me. It’s annoying.”
I tried to remain calm, but his responses were very hurtful.
“Even if you came at Emma’s recommendation, I wouldn’t trust you.”
whatever?
I narrowed my eyes as I remembered the butler’s words: that she was brought here on the recommendation of Mrs. Conrad. So her full name is “Emma Conrad”?
(Emma Conrad...?)
The name sounded strangely familiar. I furrowed my brow without realizing it.
(No...no way. It must just be a similarity of names. The surname is different anyway.)
Edwin interrupted my thoughts with a sharp voice:
“You're on the evil witch's side anyway. I know everything.”
His reaction was unexpected and confusing.
(At his age, it is natural for him to trust and depend on the nanny. Apparently the original “Rachel Brown” was not a good nanny at all.)
(Even the butler didn't like me either. What was this nanny doing that made everyone hate her in just two weeks?)
I put on a puzzled look on my face and bowed submissively. As long as I stay here, I have to do my part properly.
“Your Highness, I am only here to serve you as a governess.”
“Huh!”
He crossed his arms and sneered.
“That's a lie. I bet the evil witch sent you here.”
“….”
“She just wants to take me back and lock me back in my ward.”
(Does the head butler have the right to place a prince under house arrest?)
I put the question aside and bowed silently. In such situations, silence is the best answer.
He kept staring at me before suddenly asking:
“Anyway, how did you know what happened a while ago?”
“What do you mean, Your Highness?”
He shouted angrily:
“How did you know they were cheating?!”
“I just saw it.”
I remembered Jill's failed moves. The trick with the orange boy started from the second round. If he had used it from the beginning, the opponent would not have recognized the game.
(They thought I would fall into the trap like the prince.)
But they didn't know that I deliberately made myself appear deceived in the second round.
(Buffers. Who do they think they're fooling with a trick like that?)
I clicked my tongue sarcastically, remembering the professional con artists I knew in the city alleys. In front of their quick fingers, Gale's skill was nothing more than a water insect flopping on the surface of a pond.
But Edwin was not convinced, so he pursed his lips and said:
“You're lying. I didn't see anything.”
“This was probably your first time, Your Highness, witnessing such a trick. It is not surprising that you did not notice.”
He raised his eyebrow:
“So, you've seen things like this a lot?”
“Yes… maybe.”
“How? Do nobles see such things often?”
My eyes met his innocent ones. Despite their toughness and full of suspicion, I glimpsed their hidden innocence. I've never had eyes like this.
I remembered the place where I spent my life.
(This kid wouldn't last half a day in there.)
In that place, no one survived unless he became a cunning trickster. And I was no exception.
“I've only seen her a few times on the streets.”
She smiled at him gently, as if it was normal.
“His movements were much slower than those I saw.”
“So you weren't very skilled?”
He said frustratedly.
“It was natural for Your Highness to fall into the trap...”
“I did not fall into the trap! Don’t be arrogant with me when you are worse than me!”
...this child. Would a light hit do the trick? I clenched my hands trying to restrain myself.
(If it became known that the nanny hit the prince, she would have been fired immediately.)
Then his words were not far from the truth.
She stared at him for a while, then smiled brightly:
“Your Highness, do you know something?”
"What?"
“When you see someone ugly, it means your heart is ugly.”
He blinked in surprise, then his face turned red:
“Are you saying that my heart is ugly?! Are you insulting me, when I am a prince?!”
Children are still children.
She smiled at him softly:
“No, Your Highness, but honest advice... to have a good heart.”
Then I gently added:
“I am your nanny, after all.”
His eyes flared with anger and he shouted:
“Don't be philosophizing! I hate people like you more than anything! Understand?!”
He pointed his finger at me arrogantly.
(How impolite.)
(I, too, cannot stand arrogant boys.)
I pretended to smile while hiding my anger.
He stared at me for a long time, then snatched the bracelet from my hand and ran towards the palace without a word of thanks. I raised my eyebrows in surprise:
“What's wrong with him?”
elsewhere
“Sir?”
The man was immersed in his thoughts, until he forgot to answer his follower's call. He was thinking about what he had just seen.
He raised his hand to his chest.
Gray hair a little messy, a skirt fluttering in the wind, and dark aquamarine green eyes.
That “something” that had easily jumped over a wall taller than her was distinctive enough to catch his attention.
And to feel his gaze even though he hid in the shadows… was impressive.
“I'm curious.”
A slight smile appeared on his lips. As for his assistant, Oliver Green, his eyebrows furrowed.
“Sir...did something happen to your head?”
As soon as he said that, he received a blow to the head.
"Ugh! This hurts!"
“A slap is the best cure for insolent servants.”
Oliver covered his head and grumbled:
“I was worried because you suddenly disappeared, and now you're back and you don't say anything!”
“Am I someone someone should be worried about?”
“Sir, even if you were thrown into the middle of a desert, you would still be alive... but still...”
Oliver stopped talking. Seeing his leader so calm made his worry meaningless.
He was wearing dark black clothes as if they were shrouded in darkness itself, and his strength overflowed from his head to his toes. His bright golden eyes, like those of a predator, could terrify anyone.
“Huh, anyway, we're in the heart of enemy territory.”
Oliver sighed as he faced those intense gazes that he was not yet accustomed to.
“Please don’t do anything that attracts attention.”
His commander gave a lazy smile, causing Oliver to stare at him suspiciously.
“Sir, no.”
The man raised an eyebrow: “What?”
Oliver said sternly:
“I don't know what's on your mind, but… whatever it is, don't.”
He looked at his commander with narrow eyes:
“Every time I see you with that face, I feel like my life is shortening.”
“You're worrying unnecessarily.”
The man turned his neck lazily and stared coldly in front of him.
"Don't worry. I know my priorities."
Oliver said, sighing.
“This means that you will complete your tasks first... and then do whatever you want.”
The man smiled wickedly:
“I like my smart lieutenant.”
Oliver gasped anxiously:
“Sir, are you still looking for that woman?”
He lowered his voice and said seriously:
“I mean… Kayla Angel.”