The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: The Duke’s Daughter, Brigitte Crowner (2)

“Reason?”

Edwin echoed the girl’s words.

“I-I told you my name!”

When he shouted in frustration, the girl smirked.

“Oh, so that means I should tell you mine too?”

The girl took a step toward Edwin.

Flustered, Edwin stepped back each time she came closer.

“Uh, you’re a little too close…”

“I, you see, am destined to become the Empress.”

“E-Empress?” Edwin’s jaw dropped.

“That’s right. I was born to be Empress.”

The girl lifted her chin proudly.

“So someone who hasn’t even earned a title yet isn’t qualified to ask my name.”

It was a remark that could easily come off as arrogant.

But to the girl, it seemed completely natural.

Even though she was just a child, she looked so noble and dignified that the title of Empress suited her perfectly.

“So.”

The girl pressed her index finger right in the middle of Edwin’s chest as he stared at her, dazed.

“Come find me once you’re strong enough to earn a title.”

The girl smiled brilliantly.

Like midsummer sunlight.

“Then I’ll let you call my name.”

With those final words, the girl turned away without hesitation.

“W-Wait!”

“Consider it an honor! There aren’t many in the Empire who can call my name!”

And with that, the girl disappeared.

Edwin unconsciously lowered his outstretched hand.

The young prince clutched his chest.

“What… I didn’t even run…”

For some reason, his heart was beating faster than usual.

***

Today was the day of the hunting competition hosted by the Emperor.

Edwin didn’t look well.

“Your Highness, are you all right?”

It was understandable. The hunting grounds were crowded with what seemed like every noble in the Empire.

Every time Edwin made eye contact with one of the nobles who had arrived early, he looked away.

“Hey, doesn’t it feel like everyone’s staring at me?”

“It doesn’t seem to be just your imagination.”

In fact, quite a few gazes were fixed in their direction.

From blatant, hostile stares to sneaky, curious glances.

The Third Prince Edwin was undeniably the center of attention here.

‘They must’ve heard the rumor that the Emperor summoned the Third Prince directly.’

Rumors travel faster than galloping horses. Especially in noble society.

The fact that Edwin had caught the Emperor’s attention had likely already reached everyone’s ears.

‘Not that it would be welcome news to them.’

Most of the Empire’s nobles were already divided between the First Prince’s faction and the Second Prince’s faction.

In that situation, the emergence of a third power was inconvenient for both sides.

The Second Consort Helena seemed to feel the same.

She was glaring at them from up ahead alongside her son, Lloyd.

‘Don’t tell me those guys were sent by her too.’

I recalled the ones who now served as fertilizer in Sage’s garden.

‘The Gilbert brothers, the human hunters.’

But they were far too low-class to be connected to someone as refined as the Second Consort.

‘Maybe I should’ve investigated who was behind them before taking them out.’

It seemed my judgment had faltered after going up against scum I hadn’t dealt with in a while.

If I’d known, I would’ve tried making them confess first.

But they were already feeding on the poisonous herbs Sage grew, so regret was pointless now.

As I reflected on my rash actions, someone approached us.

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”

“Sir Philip!”

Edwin’s face lit up at the sight of Vice Commander Philip.

He’d been praising Philip nonstop since their first training session.

It was obvious how thrilled he was.

‘That guy really is one of a kind.’

Philip, even before the other members of the imperial family arrived, walked straight up to Edwin without caring who saw.

He seemed uptight, but moments like this showed he had no prejudices. Truly unique.

“You’re attending too?”

“I may not look it, but I am a count. I couldn’t refuse. The commander said if I didn’t show up again this time, he wouldn’t let it slide.”

Philip glanced around with a displeased look.

“I really hate gatherings like this.”

“But I’m glad you’re here. I was super nervous until a moment ago.”

At the young prince’s words, Philip’s eyes briefly widened, then returned to normal.

“…I’m honored.”

As he turned his head with a polite bow, his eyes met mine.

“It’s been a while, Lady Brown.”

“Yes, well.”

“I was surprised to hear you were coming as an attendant.”

“I see.”

Maybe it was my indifferent response that annoyed him.

Philip’s tone suddenly took on a sharper edge.

“Well, it’s a difficult setting for a nanny, but I hope you can support His Highness properly.”

“I’ve always supported him well. You don’t need to worry.”

Of course, I wasn’t someone who would be shaken by such childish remarks.

“…Then I’m glad to hear that. Your Highness, I’ll return to my post now.”

Perhaps noticing the awkwardness between us, Edwin hurriedly waved at Philip.

“Yeah, go ahead!”

“Then.”

Philip gave a light nod and vanished into the crowd.

Meanwhile, the nobles became even more flustered by Philip’s appearance.

“Wasn’t that Sir Philip just now?”

“The vice commander of the Gloria Knights…”

“They say he’s the Duke of Crowner’s closest aide. I didn’t expect him to be so young…”

“He’s a commoner who earned the title of count purely through merit. Quite something.”

“Do you really think it was purely merit? The Duke must have backed him…”

“But why would someone like that approach the Third Prince…?”

They murmured, speculating about the relationship between the Third Prince and the vice commander.

Edwin’s shoulders slumped further.

As I was wondering how to cheer him up, a loud voice rang out nearby.

“Duke Crowner, it’s been a while!”

“Your Grace, do you remember me? My son participated in the campaign at the Erania Mountains…”

“It’s an honor to meet the Sword of the Empire!”

It was the arrival of the Sword of the Empire, Duke Crowner.

Whether on the battlefield or at a social event, Duke Crowner’s presence was always commanding.

He nodded slightly with a pleasant smile in response to the nobles’ greetings.

Even that small gesture had them reacting as if they’d been granted immense favor.

I wondered if they realized he actually found them terribly annoying.

“Oh!”

At that moment, Edwin let out a small gasp.

“What is it, Your Highness?”

“Well…”

He looked like a restless puppy that needed to pee.

‘What’s with him all of a sudden?’

I turned to follow his gaze.

There was a young girl.

She looked like a spring rose, perfectly suited to today’s bright weather.

Riding a snow-white horse, she held her head high and avoided looking at anyone.

“That’s the Duke’s daughter. I wonder what brings her here.”

“She must have come to see him off. They’re known to be close.”

“Even though daughters don’t belong to the family once they marry, the Duke sure dotes on her.”

“Careful what you say. If he hears that, you’ll be in trouble.”

The Duke’s daughter.

So that’s the one Sage mentioned.

She had the same fierce, indifferent gaze as Jerome—truly his blood.

But aside from that, she had none of his features. Her delicate, charming face suggested she’d grow into a great beauty.

It must be the late Duchess’s genes doing their best for the next generation.

“Well, either way, she’s the next Empress, so we’d better watch our tongues.”

“Nothing’s been decided yet. If the First Prince ascends the throne, it’ll all come to nothing.”

“You never know.”

Just then, I overheard a conversation as some nobles passed by.

“To be honest, there’s no blood relation between the Duke’s daughter and the First Prince. So even if he becomes Emperor, she could still be Empress.”

It seemed even among the nobles, it was an open secret that Jerome wasn’t the legitimate heir.

Still, to bring it up so openly in his presence… were they shameless or just rude?

Either way, you had to hand it to the nobles. Always pretending to be refined while acting like this.

‘Well, maybe it’s not about status. Talking trash behind someone’s back is just human nature.’

I looked at them with quiet disdain.

“Still, marrying your cousin? That’s a bit much.”

“Come on, it’s not illegal here. They’re barely related anyway.”

“Seriously! It’s been ages since consanguineous marriages were taboo! I can’t believe someone who dotes on his daughter like that Duke would allow it.”

“You never know with people. Among the noblewomen, it’s already a given that she’ll be Empress no matter who takes the throne.”

“If that’s true, then…”

The nobles glanced toward Jerome with disgust.

“I didn’t expect that from Duke Crowner.”

They were gossiping over rumors that might not even be true.

‘And right in front of a child, no less.’

I turned away from them and looked back at Edwin.

He was still squirming and staring in the Duke’s daughter’s direction.

At this point, I had no choice but to ask.

“Your Highness, do you know the Duke’s daughter?”