LIGHTNOVELONLINE The Nerd Turned Out To Be The Tyrant
Chapter 116
The princess had a talent for looking down at people while sitting.
She possesses an innate arrogance. It was a power bestowed not from personality or appearance, but from her lineage, making any proposal of kindness soundly considered to others beyond comprehension. Luce, who knew the truth, didn’t get angry. She wasn’t afraid of what would happen if she answered wrong. Just. ‘This is what the deal is right now.’ Even though Princess Aloise is not kind, she at least expects her to be grateful. But she was just as disappointing as the rest. Was everything she saw and learned about her so far like this? Are all nobles like this? Luce put down the teacup and stroked her hair. “There are many other maids who could serve the princess. There’s the person who brought me here, and Louise, whom I met at Ximel’s mansion. Besides, I don’t even know what a maid is supposed to do. If you need a new maid, wouldn’t it be better to choose someone professionally trained?” “Didn’t I say it? I need a maid for Aloise, not for Ximel. I mean I need a maid to work exclusively for me. Work for me and act only for me.” “Just like the princess said, I’m good at lying. What if the princes find out I’m a much worse person than you thought?” “Worthless humility only brings you down. It’s all thought out and decided, so there’s no need for belated modesty. You’re quick-witted, you’re not intimidated by nobles, and you’re even bold enough to tell playful lies in front of my mother. Moreover, you’ve saved me three times. Once in Rodante, twice at the mansion.” Princess Aloise smiled. However, despite hearing her praise, Luce didn’t smile. “The princess has only seen me twice until today.” “Just because you’ve known someone for a long time doesn’t mean you can truly understand them.” “I don’t mean to question your judgment, Princess, but it sounds like you don’t trust the maids of the Ximel’s family enough to have chosen me, someone you’ve only met twice, to be your new maid.” Aloise’s smile slowly disappeared. “If you were an ordinary dedicated maid, you would only need to serve one person. But from what you said, I guess the person I should lie to and not be discouraged is someone other than the princess.” “..You, how did you…” “Who would say that being good at lying is an advantage of being a maid, unless there is another purpose?” Aloise’s throat tightened as if suppressing something. “I don’t want to be in a position where I have to serve the Princess and at the same time turn the entire Duchy of Ximel into an enemy. I’m just a commoner, not strong enough to be used as a shield, and too conspicuous to be used as a spy.” Luce concluded in a monotonous voice. “I mean that I am not someone who can be used and discarded.” At the mention of being discarded, Aloise’s crimson eyes widened. She quickly erased the momentary look of embarrassment from her face, but not before Luce, who had been staring intently at Aloise, saw everything. “T, that’s not it, don’t you know? If, as you said, I have to trust someone like you, then think about the situation I’m in.” “If you want to go against your mother, the Duchess, that’s even more reason not to do this. It would be obvious to everyone that you have ulterior motives.” “That’s…!” “If you want to gain allies in this mansion, Princess, it would be much easier to bribe the other servants. That would be easier to manage, and you wouldn’t need to replace anyone just to keep an eye on me. Plus, you wouldn’t have to worry about which guard might be leaking information to your mother. Although, of course, it’s not going to be easy.” Luce’s words, delivered in a calm and composed tone, hit the nail on the head, reflecting what Aloise had been thinking. Despite her comments about judging character, Luce’s assessment wasn’t wrong. In the upcoming conflicts with the Ximel mansion and even after entering the imperial palace, this woman would be a valuable asset to her. What do you mean by using and discarding? She won’t be abandoned. ‘I was so surprised and happy to find out that she was alive.’ Aloise, who bit her lip a few times, straightened up. “I understand that my proposal… might sound uncomfortable. But you seem to be forgetting one thing. I made you one more offer. It concerns your friend Revinas, whom you care so much about and want to protect.” Luce’s brows narrowed at the name Revinas. “I told you earlier. Just because you’ve known someone for a long time doesn’t mean you know everything about them. That applies to what I’ve gathered about you, but also what you’ve gathered about Revinas.” Aloise, regaining her original composure, spoke to her. “He lost contact and disappeared, right? He wouldn’t have said anything to you.” “How can you be sure?” Realizing she couldn’t have talked about the imperial family, Aloise recalled the day of the private auction. The rumor about the ‘Red-Eyed Prince’ that spread among the Western nobles also reached Aloise’s ears. The prince in the rumors could only be Revinas. The only prince with red eyes is a boy with glasses whom Aloise saw in the North Tower while wandering around the palace when she was young. To make sure, Aloise left the auction and headed north. The red-eyed Revinas she met again was like a sculpture. It wasn’t due to his handsome appearance but because his eyes held no emotion. In fact, his previous appearance with green eyes at the Duke Ximel had seemed more human-like. At 15, Aloise despised the idea of an unwanted marriage. However, if she absolutely had to marry, if it was inevitable, she thought it might be better to marry the prince of the Northern Tower, who seemed quiet and might allow her to live quietly rather than Delmar, the obvious choice her mother preferred. It was a vague form of escape. At 18, Aloise still despised the idea of an unwanted marriage. She still believed choosing Levina over Delmar would be better, but her reasons had changed. It wasn’t just about living quietly anymore; it was because she believed Delmar, being weak, would be used as a tool by her mother, whereas Revinas wouldn’t let that happen. ‘The reason my mother wants to make me the prince’s wife and even an empress is because she wants to influence the entire empire beyond the West. In that process, no matter how I’m pushed, hurt, or even sacrificed, she’ll think nothing of it. That’s why… I can’t let her. For my own sake, and for my mother’s, I have to stop her before the backlash hits.’ Since Aloise referred to the empress as ‘Her Majesty the King Regent,’ she was often invited to tea time with her. Although the Empress was very fond of Aloise, she occasionally showed signs of disappointment with her family to which she belonged. ‘She probably thinks I’m not suitable to be Delmar’s wife. But it would be a waste to leave me alone, being from the Empress’s faction. So, you’re planning to use me as a check against Revinas for Delmar’s sake.’ The problem was the negotiation with Revinas. Who would easily believe it if Ximel’s daughter suggested breaking Ximel together? Her offer would be seen as a trap or a cunning scheme, even in the most favorable light. But what if Revinas’s only friend was by her side? And what if that friend of hers is friendly towards her? ‘Just that fact alone would make negotiations easier. Even if he thinks it’s a trap, he’ll have no choice but to take my hand.’ Of course, she had no intention of immediately revealing Revinas’s identity to Luce. The more cards she held during their conversation, the better it was. A twinge of guilt for aiding in deception briefly crossed her mind, though it had started on the other side. She was merely cooperating. Aloise composed her expression. “I know how Revinas’ family behaves. These are things you cannot know, as you are neither a noble nor a maid.” “….” “So be my person. If you do that, I can give your friend back to you.” Luce remained silent. Aloise leaned closer. “I wish I had brought up this conversation first. I was actually worried about you. There was a fire in Xenon Village, and after that, I heard no news of you. I thought… It was something my mother had done. So, I felt sorry for you and realized I couldn’t continue to ignore my mother’s actions. Your situation made me open my eyes clearly, fortunately.” “I see.” “You changed your appearance because you felt threatened in the duchy, Lucette. She is such a scary person. I really want to get away from my mother, and I hope you can help me.” “…Did you say appearance?” “Your hair color. It was originally red, but it was changed, right?” As soon as Aloise finished speaking, Luce’s face crumpled in pain as she touched her forehead. Surprised, Aloise jerked her body back. “What’s wrong with you?” Luce, who saw Aloise retreating for a long time, swallowed her groans and muttered. “You thought I experienced a fire.” “Yeah, that’s how I received the report…” “But even so, you’re saying it’s fortunate.” Aloise didn’t easily understand Luce’s words. “What does that mean?” “If you truly empathize with my situation, you can’t say you realized it because of that incident… Think about it, Princess. Are you really fortunate because I survived? What the princess was really worried about was whether your mother would have done something like that.” “How can you talk like that! I’m…!” Aloise’s face turned white as she looked back at her words. Luce let out a bitter laugh and rose from her seat, pressing her hand to her forehead “I’ll take my leave now, Princess. I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline the offer to become your maid. My dream is to become a pharmacist, but I think it would be difficult to hold both jobs.” “Lucette.” “And… if you’re looking for someone you can trust and rely on, don’t just look for a ‘maid’. There must be better words for it.” Luce left without looking back. Aloise, who was left behind, looked at the medicine cabinet filled with medicine on the table and understood Luce’s last words. Hello! You can also buy the advanced chapter in Ko-fi now, just click the ko-fi button and look for the title of the novel in shop. Thank you for your support!
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