C75
"Don't you like the food?"
I opened my eyes wide at Terence's question.
"No, it's really delicious!"
"Then I'm glad."
While eating with Terence in front of me, I felt my heart sinking. This person is as insightful as a ghost.
The place is a restaurant. Despite its large size, it was just the two of us in this place that Terence had prepared for a secret dinner or meeting.
"Let's be careful. I can't ruin the time Terence has prepared for me."
I tried to enjoy the food as much as possible. The food, in the quaint interior, was amazing. But my mind kept wandering in another direction.
The last time I saw Tara's face remained in my mind. Perhaps Tara will die. It was by far the worst imaginable case.
To date, there is no clear evidence that Tara betrayed Liena. Even if she did, it didn't seem likely that Liena's personality would severely punish Tara, who had not directly harmed her. However...
"Elliot is different."
I was convinced that Tara was a traitor and had an extreme personality.
Once a traitor, always a traitor.
According to that theory, there was a possibility that Tara, who knew a lot of information as one of Liena's limbs, could be eliminated before becoming a major threat.
Indeed, in the novel, Elliot cares so much for Liena that he goes against her wishes several times. It is said that he suffers a serious injury to his nose in the second half and reflects on it.
If things continue like this, Tara could really die. My hands naturally gained strength as I cut the meat. I remembered the face that shyly expressed gratitude to me, or the smile that came running towards me with a big smile after revenge.
I'm not close to Tara. I may not have the will to take risks and help her. My prediction was spectacularly wrong, and Elliot might not have harmed Tara.
However, one fact was certain. I don't want Tara to die. I want to help Tara fulfill the oath she made to me.
"But how?"
The opponent is the genius Elliot. Moreover, he had the favor of Liena, Princess Cassius, and owner of the Iver Merchant Guild. I can't do it alone.
No, my nose is one meter long*. Elliot also showed hostility towards me. Because Liena cried because of me.
(N/T: Expression used to describe a situation where one's own affairs are so urgent and difficult that they cannot afford to help others.)
No matter how much I think about it, I don't understand it. Why is Liena so obsessed with me? In the novel, there wasn't much interest in the stepsister.
It was even hard to say that it was my fault.
Even without that, Liena is already one of the richest people in the empire.
Also, by observing Liena's attitude in court last time, it seemed like it was an emotional matter. Why the hell did Liena make me...? Ah, I have no idea!
"Why don't you jump at me first?"
Even if that were the case, there was no way Elliot could find me if he decided to. What should I do first with Elliot if I want to live safely?
Then, Terence asked.
"As expected, is there something bothering you?"
I was constantly controlling my facial expressions, but did it still show? Although I wasn't as good as Liena, I also had reasonable confidence in my performance. But Terence was surprisingly quick to recognize my feelings.
"Oh, there's nothing to worry about."
"Well. I apologize for reacting."
When I waved my hand, he obediently stepped back.
"Still, if you have any concerns in the future, I hope you can consult without hesitation. Because we are friends."
"... Thank you for your words."
Terence was a good man. So I became even more reluctant to reveal it.
"If he finds out about the situation, he will most likely try to help in some way."
But now I was a prince. I couldn't bother him because he was busy with his own affairs. His help was already well deserved.
I shrugged.
"But aren't you being too kind to me?"
I was thinking of changing the subject with a joke.
"One has to live somewhat calculatingly to a certain extent. Tay is so kind that it's hard."
It was a very funny joke to say that the villain was kind. Terence also smiled.
"Even if you look at me like that, I have a fairly calculating personality."
"Where?"
"Actually, I asked Ethel if she had any concerns because I do. I thought of consulting first and getting help."
"What worries you? Is this a problem I can help you with?"
"Of course."
"I wonder what I can do with the problem that worries even His Highness..."
At this point, I didn't take his words seriously. Because I thought Terence had said this to lighten my mood. But the next moment, his expression became quite serious.
"What do you think I should do to become emperor?"
It was a difficult question that came out of nowhere. I never thought it would be such a political issue.
"Oh, don't feel too pressured. This is a question I ask people I consider my people these days...
"First, we have to deal with Elliot Rudd."