The Male Lead's Sickly Aide Is My Type - Chapter 20
Translator and Editor: Nana and Nabi
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Chapter 20
On the day of the meeting, Carinne arrived at the palace with an excited heart. Throughout the journey, only one thought occupied her mind.
‘The disgruntled expression on the Duke’s face! Face! Face!’
However, as Carinne made her way down the corridor towards the meeting room, she noticed its emptiness. Iris, the person she was supposed to meet, was nowhere to be found.
Well, perhaps she had arrived too early due to her overflowing anticipation.
Observing the serene atmosphere within the palace, it seemed that the meeting was still underway. Still, it didn’t. She had ample time to spare, so she decided to wait patiently. She only needed to go left until she reached the meeting room.
Engrossed in her own thoughts and humming a cheerful tune, Carinne suddenly heard a faint whimpering sound coming from behind the wall.
“Ouch…”
It sounded similar to the sound she made when she tripped and fell down. In other words, it indicated that someone was in significant pain.
Carinne hurriedly walked around the corner to see who was beyond the wall.
If someone had tripped and fallen, she could offer some assistance.
However, the unexpected figure that awaited her beyond the corner was Archen. He had been leaning against the wall next to the meeting room door, but upon seeing Carinne, he straightened his back, clutching a thick file in his arms.
She rushed over to greet him.
“How have you been?”
“Well, I mean… Princess, I hope you’ve been well.”
“Of course, I’ve been well.”
He asked about her well-being!
Carinne tried her best to maintain composure. Of course, internally, she was screaming, ‘Look at this, everyone! I’m now exchanging greetings with Archen!’
This was a jackpot. Anyone could see that they were friends. No more worrying about how to become closer to Archen!
‘Just wait until the festival is over, and let’s quickly move on to the next stage.’
She enjoyed the sweet moment, spreading the wings of her imagination.
…Though soon, she snapped back to reality.
Carinne widened her eyes and scanned her surroundings.
“I didn’t see anyone who seemed to be in pain. Someone was making groaning sounds, but I couldn’t pinpoint the source.”
“Hmm, I didn’t hear anything.”
Archen replied, raising his glasses with one hand while supporting the file with the other. Could it have been him? Still, he seemed perfectly fine, almost too composed. Except for his slightly pale skin, but well, Archen’s complexion was naturally pale.
In the end, she dismissed her unnecessary concerns, attributing them to her own overexcitement.
While waiting for the Duke, Carinne decided to strike up a conversation with Archen and casually asked a random question.
“The meeting isn’t over yet, I assume?”
She expected a vague response like, ‘Yes, it’s taking quite a while.’ However, Archen surprised her with a precise answer in minutes.
“…It will be over within five minutes.”
She was taken aback by his specific response in minutes.
Did he have a watch nearby? Even though she glanced at the wall, there were only strange paintings and decorations. Or perhaps he was wearing a wristwatch? Nonetheless, his wrist was clean and devoid of any watch.
One strange thing she noticed was the bulging blue veins in his hand that tightly gripped the file as if he was squeezing the documents with all of his heart.
“What are you looking at?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. But how do you know there are five minutes left?”
“…The scheduled time is almost up.”
“I mean, how do you know exactly when it will end?”
“If you wait outside the meeting room every time… you’ll find out.”
Archen responded, although his tone seemed unnatural, it wasn’t something she dwelled on. Nevertheless, he was indeed a smart person.
So, the time was perceived through experience, right?
It was only then did Carinne realized one thing. It meant that while the Duke comfortably sat inside the meeting room, Archen always waited outside?
“That sneaky guy.”
She muttered.
“Pardon?”
“I’m not talking about you.”
So, that was how he treated his aide?
“Still, you could’ve sat somewhere else.”
“I’m comfortable here.”
Archen replied.
“Still…”
Carinne was about to explain how varicose veins might develop when the meeting room door opened, and the nobles came out in a gloomy manner. Each of them had a somber expression, resembling people coming out of a funeral home.
“Marta!”
At that moment, when Marta came into view, Carinne cheerfully called out her name.
“As you said, Princess, the meeting went well.”
Marta briefly stated, passing by her without stopping.
With the sound of her clanking armor, she quickly distanced herself. It reminded her of the early days with Archen. Nevertheless, it was just Marta’s personality. Besides, at least she acknowledged her and referred to her as Princess!
Carinne vigorously waved her hand towards Marta’s retreating figure.
And now, it was time to see the long-awaited Duke Lucas. He appeared last after the King and the other nobles had left the meeting room, wearing a wide smile on his face.
Carinne raised an eyebrow.
‘Where did his wounded pride go…?’
The Duke approached her and Archen at a brisk pace. Before she could utter a word, he spoke first, seeming slightly excited.
“The construction of the annex has been canceled. Just as the Princess said, those gluttonous pigs couldn’t utter a word in front of the King and Marta.”
Ah, that was right. Something like this was written in the novel.
Seeing the Duke gloating over the gluttonous pigs reminded Carinne of something she remembered from the novel.
The Duke had genuine intentions for this country, to the extent that he could be considered Esmeril’s loyalist. Regardless, despite the Duke’s passion, he couldn’t freely pursue his own ambitions because the rest of Esmeril’s nobles, excluding the Duke, were corrupt beyond measure.
Being a powerful Duke of the First Duchy wasn’t enough to single-handedly bring about the desired changes. It must have been a constant struggle for him.
Therefore, when Marta provided her assistance in taking control of the meeting, it must have felt like a breath of fresh air for the Duke. The satisfaction of finally accomplishing something meaningful for him was evident as he enthusiastically expressed his thoughts without realizing the person he was confiding in.
“It’s a good outcome. If we encounter difficult matters in the future that are hard to pass, we should call on Marta.”
Oh no, that wouldn’t work out that easily. Carinne retorted dismissively.
“Since we asked for help once, it’ll be difficult from the second time onwards.”
“Why is that?”
The Duke’s eyes narrowed.
“First of all, now that she has achieved what she wanted, Marta won’t attend the meetings anymore, and the nobles aren’t fools either. If they happen to be taken aback and dragged along the first time, they’ll gather together and resist it every time.”
Gradually, the excitement subsided. The Duke returned to his usual serious expression and nodded as if understanding.
“I see.”
“So, what are your impressions?”
While Carinne had expected so much, it couldn’t end here. If the Duke didn’t show it first, she would provoke or induce a reaction.
“I feel like the people who used to ignore us have been put in their place…”
‘What would he say next? Perhaps he would grimace as if his pride had been hurt and remain silent? Or maybe he would cough awkwardly and avoid eye contact? Or as he was caught off guard, he might respond with arrogance, warning not to get too full of oneself?’
However, all the expectations were proven wrong.
“I apologize.”
He uttered.
…Huh?
“I underestimated you, Princess. Will you accept my apology?”
“….”
Was this still the Duke? Was this a prank… or was he being sarcastic?
However, the Duke appeared more serious than usual. Adding to that, in the gaze he directed towards her, there was no longer the disdain or disgust that used to be there. Instead, it was a gentle look, as if treating a friend.
Caught off guard by the sudden change, Carinne froze for a moment.
‘Life is full of surprises…’
In the end, she accepted the apology.
“Alright. I accept your apology.”
Upon hearing her acceptance of the apology, the Duke smiled satisfactorily. His countenance was still unchangeable as ever, but with a smile, his expression had somewhat improved.
“By the way, I have something to say…”
“Carinne! Duke Lucas! And greetings, Sir Aide!”
Iris came toward them and said so. She came running from a distance, cutting off the Duke’s words.
“Carinne, what happened?”
Carinne gestured with her arms forming a mountain shape, indicating the construction of the separate building, then drew an X to signify its cancellation.
Seeing that, Iris burst into a radiant smile, like a blossoming flower.
“Wow, Carinne, thank you! Thanks to Duke, aide, and all of you, we were able to protect the forest. I can’t express how grateful I am to have all of you as my friends!”
She then embraced Carinne tightly and then started hopping around. The next moment, she pulled the Duke, who was standing beside her.
“Let’s all hug together!”
“Just a moment!”
Fortunately, Carinne managed to extricate herself from Iris’ embrace, preventing the four of them from hugging and hopping around in front of the meeting room.
“Earlier, the Duke was about to say something. Shouldn’t we listen to what he has to say?”
“Oh, right? Duke, please speak up!”
Iris, like an attentive dog, politely clasped her hands together and looked up at the Duke.
The Duke, avoiding the burden of her gaze, lifted his chin slightly.
“I have a proposition since I lost the bet. How about I treat you all to dinner?”
Even though he had heard Carinne say that she wouldn’t accept anything, probably through Archen, it seemed that ending the bet in such a manner was not permissible for the Duke’s pride. Regardless of his change in attitude, she was still not interested in him.
She didn’t want to accept his offer, even though a dinner would be welcome because it meant being with the Duke.
“It’s fine.”
“Originally, I had planned to give you the territory beneath the northern mountain range. But since you declined, I have to find another way to compensate. Having dinner together shouldn’t be a burden, right?”
Carinne had sensed it before, but the Duke was subtly persistent.
Oh, and now that she thought about it… if they were to have dinner, it would be at the Duke’s mansion, which meant she could meet Archen there.
Who knew, if things went well, they might even have a meal together at the same table?
Soon, she replied curtly.
“Alright.”
“The lady is also invited.”
“Wow, thank you!”
Iris jumped up and down happily at the Duke’s words.
Though it probably wasn’t his intention, they kept getting entangled as a group of four, resembling the Four Musketeers.
“Then, I’ll send you the invitation soon.”
That was the Duke’s final remark. Archen leaned against the wall, but when the Duke turned away, he stepped off the wall and lightly bowed his head to Carinne and Iris before following behind his master.
Seeing him like that, Carinne was worried about him. Not only that he had been quite silent today, but his complexion didn’t look good and his steps seemed slightly unsteady. Perhaps he was feeling unwell.
She thought she would ask him about it the next time they met, but suddenly Iris pushed her face forward.
“Carinne, I also have something prepared for you.”
Naturally, an uneasy feeling arose within her. What could she be trying to say this time?
“I thought of hosting a casual party.”
Well, it was hard to say. Iris, who couldn’t even get invited to the ball, hosting a party? It seemed like no one would come. Still, seeing Iris happily smiling, she decided to stay silent and go along with it.
“Of course, I plan to invite the Duke and the aide as well!”
Iris emphasized the word ‘aide’ with enthusiasm while winking.
“Do your best!”
“Okay, I’ll do my best!”
Carinne chuckled. When she suddenly remembered Archen, who had touched his forehead and sighed, she understood what he must’ve felt.
“Uh… yes… thanks, Iris.”
She then smiled wryly.
Although she had grown closer to Archen, it was uncertain whether he would reciprocate her feelings. Confessing her feelings was something for the distant future. For now, they had to get through the Ashite Flower Festival without any issues.
“When would be a good time for the party? It’s probably best before the festival, right?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
Carinne responded casually while inwardly thinking about something else.
It was unlikely that the party would be enjoyed by only the four of them, and the probability of the party being canceled was high. Even though she was worried that innocent Iris would be hurt, since there was nothing she could do, she kept her concerns to herself and returned to the mansion.
And after a few days passed, she realized that she was no longer in a position to worry about others’ affairs. She became a nosy person overnight and found herself sitting on the street in a precarious situation.
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Zepelim
Cuida dele, tadinho, esta trabalhando doente 😢
Obrigada pela tradução
Mangagirl4
I’m so happy they’re interacting more! Hopefully archen was ok 😭 thank you for the update!