The Only Way to Break the Curse is Through Contact with You - Chapter 48
#48
Jarvis, who had been following me at a steady pace, suddenly stopped in his tracks. Then, with a face that showed no sign of surprise, he quickly scanned his surroundings and closed the distance between us. He whispered as he extended his index finger near my lips.
“If you suddenly call me ‘Your Highness,’ won’t everyone be surprised? I’d rather not stand out if possible.”
With his blond hair and numerous accessories adorning his flashy attire, it seemed like he wanted to be more noticeable than anyone else, but I couldn’t understand what he was saying. It was obvious that it would be tiring to keep dealing with him.
“Do you have something to say to me?”
“Well, not really.”
“Then, I’ll be going.”
As I tried to turn away without hesitation, Jarvis grabbed my wrist. Then, with a look of defeat, he released his grip.
“Ah, I grabbed a lady’s wrist without permission in my haste. I apologize.”
His face was sincerely apologetic, unlike his usual mischievous self. The irritation that had suddenly risen in me subsided at the sight.
“It’s okay.”
I responded graciously, and Jarvis placed his right hand near his heart and slightly bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
Even in such circumstances, it was an elegant gesture that clearly belonged to the crown prince.
“But why are you really following me?”
“Well, there’s a place I wish you would accompany me to.”
“I’m a bit busy today. Let’s do it together next time when I have time.”
As I swiftly rejected him and turned away, Jarvis spoke in a low voice.
“Did you forget that you have two wishes left for me?”
“Two wishes? There’s only one.”
As I couldn’t fathom what he was talking about, Jarvis chuckled playfully.
“You used one of them at the imperial banquet back then.”
“Actually, I almost used it.”
“But Your Highness broke the plan1“파투” refers to a situation where something has gone awry, often used in the context of a plan or an event falling through..”
“I broke it?”
“They said you left in the middle and went somewhere else, Your Highness.”
“Well, there must have been a reason for that. Were you disappointed?”
“Not at all.”
“Anyway, since we couldn’t dance in the end, the wish is null and void.”
“Is that…”
Are you kidding me? Even if he’s Jarvis, I can’t say that to the crown prince. I cursed him with my eyes, but he laughed merrily, showing his teeth. My brow furrowed in frustration.
“It’s not that hard, I just need you to pick out something for me.”
“Okay. What should I choose?”
I decided to get it over with quickly. Jarvis immediately followed next to me and whispered as he turned his head slightly.
“But do all the Wheaton knights look that scary?”
“What?”
When I turned my head at his sudden words, the knights, including Milto, who were following me a little away, smiled. I wonder what he meant by saying that they were so scary when they are smiling with the simplest faces in the world, like puppies.
“Huh.”
When I looked at him strangely, Jarvis let out a hallowed laugh.
“Just a moment ago, even that maid was glaring at me fiercely.”
“Lily? You must have mistaken.”
I couldn’t imagine cute Lily glaring fiercely.
“I think you should get your eyes checked.”
“Huh. How frustrating.”
Jarvis made a frustrated expression, looking like he had been wronged.
“More importantly, what should I choose for you? I’m busy, so let’s quickly get it over with.”
“Look. They’re being scary again.”
As he looked at Lily and the knights and pretended to be scared, Jarvis whispered in my ear.
“You seem to be quite beloved.”
“Well, because I’m naturally lovable.”
“You’re right.”
Jarvis nodded his head and agreed, then looked at my expression and smiled as if he found it amusing.
“You said it and now you’re embarrassed. That’s just like you.”
The place Jarvis led me to was a fancy perfume store that was obvious at first glance. As I walked into the store, a variety of perfume scents mixed together and wafted around me. But it didn’t bother me at all and instead felt fragrant. I slowly looked around the shelves while sniffing the scents.
“It’s soon my aunt’s birthday. I would like to give her perfume as a gift. Will you choose it for me?”
“What is your aunt’s taste like?”
Perfumes are such a personal item that it can be difficult to choose as a gift. Jarvis, who had been watching me silently, finally spoke up.
“She looks like a little bird.”
“…What?”
Does every woman in this man’s head turn into an animal? Even his aunt too. Despite my strange look, Jarvis continued to speak.
“She has hair that resembles a bright moonlit night sky, eyes with a mysterious story behind them that can’t be spoken of, and lips that reveal pretty gums when she smiles despite her playful manner of speaking.”
The person Jarvis was describing as his aunt seemed just like me. It wasn’t just a delusion, as he looked at me with a scrutinizing gaze and continued speaking.
“Contrary to the rumors, she has a kind and affectionate personality. And the more she treats me like dirt, the more charming she becomes. She’s cuter the more I see her.”
Jarvis ended his playful remarks with a smile.
“Did your aunt happen to resemble a canary?”
“You’re quicker than I thought.”
He was definitely messing with me. I forced a smile while suppressing my anger.
“I think the greatest gift to your aunt would be for His Royal Highness to be out of her sight.”
“Pfft.”
Jarvis burst out laughing at my words, finding them amusing for some reason. I felt the eyes of the people inside the perfume store gathering on us. I became embarrassed because of Jarvis who wouldn’t stop laughing and took a few steps away from him. As I looked towards the entrance, considering running away, Jarvis blocked my path and said with a voice that still hadn’t stopped laughing.
“It’s true that it’s my aunt’s birthday. But I know her taste in perfume.”
“Then I guess I don’t have to stay.”
I turned to leave, but he stopped me.
“I want to give you a gift.”
“I don’t wear perfume.”
“Still, choose one. Grant it as my wish.”
“Really?”
There was no reason to refuse when he said he would spend the money, and even deduct his wishes. And as much as I wanted. Jarvis extended his hand as if to say so. I confidently picked up one perfume after another. When I came to my senses, the shop assistants were placing a basket filled with so much perfume on the checkout counter that they couldn’t even lift it with both hands.
Thinking it was too much, I glanced around and Jarvis had an indifferent expression on his face. After all, this kind of luxury was nothing to the crown prince of a nation.
“995 gold, please.”
The shop assistant, who had been grumbling while calculating, had a surprised expression at the announced price and I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
‘No, even if I chose a lot, does it make sense for it to be 995 gold?!’
It wasn’t like it was made of pure gold, and 1000 gold was equivalent to 100 million won. This was definitely a rip-off!
Lily, who had been watching from afar and running towards us, stopped in her tracks and looked at Jarvis tapping my back with a displeased expression.
“Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine.”
“I didn’t eat anything, so why do I suddenly feel nauseous?”
As if finding it strange, Jarvis tilted his head and placed one of the perfume bottles he was holding on the checkout counter.
“This too. I hope you can wrap this as a gift.”
“Yes. Including Oduitte Franc de Floral2I don’t know how to translate it but it’s 오뒤뜨 프랑 드 휘로랄, it will be a total of 1000 gold.”
“That works perfectly.”
Jarvis smiled as if he was satisfied with the exact number. He took out his wallet from his pocket, but I grabbed his hand as he unfolded it.
“Just a moment, Your Highness…”
Jarvis gave me a look that meant not to call him ‘Your Highness’ in front of people.
“I… I mean, Jarvis. Can I take out a few?”
“Why?”
“It’s too expensive and I feel burdened.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
As if saying that this wasn’t much of a burden, Jarvis shrugged his shoulders.
‘Even so, does it make sense for perfume to cost 1000 gold? What kind of money nonsense is this!’
I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud and instead conveyed it through my gaze, but unlike me, Jarvis didn’t seem to understand. In the end, I had to watch him write a blank check worth 1000 gold.
By the time we left the perfume shop, I was already mentally exhausted. The thought of the perfumes that would be delivered to the townhouse made my shoulders tense. I felt like I had been taken advantage of instead of taking advantage of someone else.
“I think I should go back to the townhouse now. I’m so tired.”
“Why don’t we go to the street festival together today?”
“A festival?”
The word ‘festival’ seemed to perk up my ears. The hand that had been deliberately touching my forehead in pain went down. Since I had never been to a festival in my lifetime, my curiosity arose.
Translator
- 1“파투” refers to a situation where something has gone awry, often used in the context of a plan or an event falling through.
- 2I don’t know how to translate it but it’s 오뒤뜨 프랑 드 휘로랄