Stop Coming On to Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Are you going to make me get up?”
For a moment, I felt so angry I wanted to fight, but walking along the beach had cleansed my soul so thoroughly that I found it hard to hurl insults or harsh words.
My opponent was a veteran knight. Hold on, just hold on.
I sighed and replied.
“I was just wondering how much longer this place will remain a resort… It really wasn’t anything significant. I only meant you should enjoy the present moment—after all, that’s what I’m doing too.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
I truly wanted to leave, but he was incredibly persistent.
Right—while I sat in my room eating meals handed to me and buried in books, you were risking your life fighting in the Tounbar Mountains.
I frowned, resolving never to blurt out careless remarks again.
The sea breeze atop the hill was rather chilly.
“The Empire has subjugated the Amata tribe, hasn’t it?”
“So?”
“Then the Agael Kingdom, having lost its crucial iron ore import route, will need to find a new one.”
The Amata were a tribe settled at the far end of a tributary of the Tounbar Mountains. Though maintaining a primitive form of statehood, they wielded considerable influence over neighboring nations by mining and trading iron ore.
However, the Agael Kingdom beyond the Tounbar Mountains lured the Amata tribe into severing iron ore trade with the Empire and establishing an exclusive trade agreement with themselves. That was the cause of this war.
Thus, the true adversary in this war was not the Amata tribe but the Agael Kingdom.
While preparing for the Academy entrance exam, I had studied not only history but also current political affairs diligently.
Therefore, these matters were utterly useless to me now.
“Wouldn’t Smailan across the sea be the most likely candidate? Both geographically and considering existing diplomatic relations.”
“What does that have to do with this beach?”
“Well… Jebreon is the Imperial territory closest to the trade route between the Agael Kingdom and Smailan. I saw it on the map hanging in the hotel lobby earlier.”
“…….”
“Considering the Amata war and the ongoing pirate problem in international waters, the Agael Kingdom will likely send warships to protect that vital trade route. By custom, the Empire would then deploy naval forces—and given the location, this place would be ideal…”
I shrugged.
“Then won’t the hotel’s business suffer? No one comes here to relax only to see warships and soldiers outside their windows.”
“…….”
“You probably regret listening, don’t you? Walking along the beach made all sorts of thoughts pop into my head, so I just said whatever came to mind. I’d prefer cherished places stay exactly as they are in my memories, so please forget it.”
Just then, I spotted a man in noble attire climbing up from below the rocky hill—of all things, he had black hair.
Ugh, damn it.
A curse slipped out internally. I must have developed a neurosis about black hair.
Moreover, I had no desire to awkwardly run into some noble and go through the whole routine: “I’m so-and-so of such-and-such house. Oh, please don’t treat me too kindly—I’m a bastard, after all.”
People always showed excessive kindness to the family of the Third Envoy, but once they learned I was a bastard, their faces would sour instantly.
“Are you perhaps skipping your duties? Your knight’s master is coming. Glory to Tagar forever. I hope you recover swiftly.”
I spoke quickly and dashed down the other side of the rocky hill.
‘Glory to Tagar forever.’
It was a greeting reserved for the Imperial family, yet also used to express respect and honor toward soldiers who defended the Empire.
Rocard, having reached the top of the rocky hill, gazed out at the sea alongside Second Prince Greyan. The wind had grown stronger.
“Let’s head back inside. Your wound might worsen.”
“Rocard, who’s staying at the hotel?”
The question sounded utterly indifferent, yet Rocard found it puzzling.
Jebreon Hotel was a private facility funded by the Imperial treasury. There shouldn’t be any guests unless personally invited by the Imperial family.
“My father and Count Roar. The Count arrived this afternoon.”
“Alone?”
“He brought his daughter.”
“The one who entered the Academy this time?”
Rocard gave a faint smile.
“She seems rather young for your opponent, doesn’t she?”
“Drop dead, Rocard.”
Rocard chuckled softly—a sound that blended well with the crashing waves.
“Once the two envoys finalize the draft for postwar compensation negotiations, we should be able to announce it next week.”
“Don’t delay it. Rewards for veterans must be swift and certain.”
“…….”
“Why?”
“The Empress’s court expressed dissatisfaction that Your Highness is recuperating here of all places. They pointed out that since the Amata expeditionary force has been disbanded, as Second Prince you lack the authority to participate in postwar political negotiations.”
Greyan’s twisted smile was fierce.
“……So it’s ‘Just run like a dog’ then.”
“They probably want to reserve the role of smilingly distributing rewards solely for His Highness the First Prince.”
“So the Empire’s army is now my dog, is that it…”
Rocard neither laughed nor replied.
The reason bards loved this war was clear.
The valiant Second Prince, who had taken the field in place of the First Prince—afflicted since youth with a chronic illness—and led the Empire to victory.
And his steadfast friendship with Duke Kaidel, who fought alongside him, performed extraordinary feats of valor, and saved his life.
But that was merely a tale to enchant bards.
The Second Prince bore wounds brushed by death on the battlefield, while the First Prince sought to snatch all credit the moment the war ended, swallowing it whole in one bite.
Though wounds would heal with time, the Second Prince’s future standing would be decided by his conduct now.
He would either return as a hero of war—or become his elder brother’s pawn, unable even to claim his rightful share.
Thus, Greyan’s seemingly casual retort just now carried dangerous tension. Rocard maintained silence, keeping his distance from the prince’s anger, sharpened by injury.
Greyan fixed Rocard with a sinister gaze.
“I met a girl here earlier.”
“…….”
“She called you my master when she saw you?”
Rocard met the Second Prince’s jewel-like green eyes.
In those treacherous mountains, Greyan had entrusted his back to him and survived as comrades-in-arms—but Rocard had known from the start that such bonds would inevitably fade.
Above all, Greyan was of Tagar. Suspicion flowed half-mixed in the blood of the Imperial family.
Yet it felt far too soon for the Second Prince to already be chewing over swirling doubts in his heart before his war wounds had even healed.
Perhaps war left more than just visible scars.
Rather than avoiding Greyan’s gaze, Rocard met it with icy composure.
“I swore loyalty to Your Highness, the Second Prince. In return, you chose me as your First Envoy and pledged to share fate with me. Do you already regret that?”
Though Rocard spoke of loyalty, it sounded like a declaration.
Greyan smiled. His eyes, growing colder and more unstable when he smiled, resembled those of his mother—his most formidable political rival.
“Now that I think of it, you’re feline, aren’t you? Then that settles it. Let’s go back.”
Musing that Jebreon Hotel’s cuisine ought to be delicious, Greyan descended the rocky hill with light steps.
Following behind, Rocard decided it was time to have the Second Prince shed that disguise attire.
After escaping the strange man on the beach and returning to the hotel, I found Count Roar and Duke Kaidel in the hallway.
So the Count had come all this way just to meet him.
I froze momentarily, and the Count, spotting me, opened one arm in invitation.
“Returning from a stroll? Pay your respects to Duke Kaidel. This is my daughter, Your Grace.”
“I greet you, Duke Kaidel. I am Rorisha.”
“Oh, the young lady who entered the Academy this time?”
Duke Kaidel asked with a charming smile, and I bit my lip tightly.
No matter how unprecedented the nobles’ interest in the Academy entrance exam, even the Empire’s First Envoy was no exception.
The Count answered first—a remarkably relaxed and natural reply.
“My other daughter.”
Duke Kaidel’s expression didn’t change at all, though as the First Envoy politically opposed to the Count, he surely knew about the Third Envoy’s bastard child.
“Since our business concluded smoothly, Count, would you join my daughter and me for dinner? My son happens to be accompanying me as well.”
Count, Count! No! Father! I said no!
My internal scream was useless. The Count even accepted cheerfully.
“An excellent idea. It’s been quite a while since I last saw young Rocard.”
The Duke sent a servant to fetch his son, then headed to the dining room with us.
With every step, my mind churned like a battlefield, frantically recalling etiquette I’d neglected until now.
I couldn’t fathom why the Count had summoned me to such a gathering.
We entered an upscale private dining room with an antechamber. Just as the pre-dinner drinks arrived, the black-haired man walked in.
“My apologies for being late. Count Roar, it’s an honor. My, you haven’t changed a bit, my lord.”
“The Duke has changed greatly. I never imagined you’d grow so distinguished. Truly worthy of the one who crushed Agael and led the Empire to victory.”
How fortunate I was that I hadn’t yet undergone my coming-of-age ceremony and couldn’t drink—if I’d held a wine glass, I surely would have spilled it.
The black-haired man sitting beside Duke Kaidel was precisely the person I’d once cornered as a harasser in town.
‘Count… I’d rather die right now.’
Duke Kaidel replied with earnest politeness.
“Your praise is too generous. All I did was try my best not to fall off my horse.”
“Modesty too? That’s excessive, Your Grace.”
Everyone laughed at the Count’s jest.
Meanwhile, Duke Kaidel turned his gaze toward me. It was my turn to exchange greetings.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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How sweet are they!! I’m curious how well our ML will come to know Roba. I have a feeling he’ll know more about her than she does herself. And we finally get to hear about the princess Roba will come to support. Roba will be the “little lion cub” she raises. I wonder if she has the intention to rise to the throne. Or if she really has no familial bond to the second prince. I think Roba will come to believe the princess hold romantic feelings towards ML and try to avoid him. ML knows the princess just wants him as a shield and will openly pursue Roba, Roba will just this he’s trying to get her in trouble with the princess. And the princess wouldn’t support ML courting Roba because she using her as protection. And ML wouldn’t like that cause only he can protect Roba, Roba can protect herself tho. This is my guess, I wonder to see if this is accurate or not. They are so cute hhehehe
How sweet are they!! I’m curious how well our ML will come to know Roba. I have a feeling he’ll know more about her than she does herself. And we finally get to hear about the princess Roba will come to support. Roba will be the “little lion cub” she raises. I wonder if she has the intention to rise to the throne. Or if she really has no familial bond to the second prince. I think Roba will come to believe the princess hold romantic feelings towards ML and try to avoid him. ML knows the princess just wants him as a shield and will openly pursue Roba, Roba will just this he’s trying to get her in trouble with the princess. And the princess wouldn’t support ML courting Roba because she using her as protection. And ML wouldn’t like that cause only he can protect Roba, Roba can protect herself tho. This is my guess, I wonder to see if this is accurate or not. They are so cute hhehehe
There is an error!! I spent more than half the chapter trying to figure out who the “earl” was—> it’s her father, “the count”. I’m a little confused, is she back countdom or back in the village? The duke seems very kind. I wonder if the prince will want Roba as an apothecary, and will make the ML bring her to their side.