Drop!! ～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～ (LN)

Volume 3, Extra 01: The Melancholic Prince

[Vernouxs Perspective]

*STEP STEP*. My footsteps echoed through the corridor that didnt have a speck of dust in it.

It was quiet, but there were palace guards around, so it wasnt like there was no sign of life here. However, nothing was moving, just like artworks, so there were no sounds.

Its excellent that theyre faithfully performing their duties, but I cant help but think that I would get stiff shoulders if I were to do that.

In the corridor which I was walking down, there were two guards at a door. The two guards noticed me and went inside to get verification. The door opened widely as soon as I got there.

Excuse me, Your Highness.

I paid attention to the guards and acted appropriately until the door was closed. As soon as the door closed, I quickly walked up to Gille.

Youre late today.

Gille kept his gaze on the book in his hand and spoke without looking up. Seems like hes in a bad mood for a change. His voice sounded the same as it usually did, but he would usually say something to show his appreciation at this point. But I can guess why he was in a bad mood.

What could I do? Clay caught me.

Did you do something again Vernoux?

Why do you think I did something? He just told me something trifling.

And while we were talking, Clay unwittingly found fault in one thing I said, and it made things worse That was all it was. Well, he was probably angry. It was my bad for wondering just how angry he was.

Clays reactions are pretty interesting, but it was more annoying than Id imagined, so Ill hold back a little from now on. Hes actually more serious than I thought he would be.

But, while I was thinking that, Gille sighed in shock.

Try to get along.

Well, little-by-little. Anyway, its this right? The thing you were waiting for?

Give me a break, I thought as I took out the letter that Dilly had given me yesterday. Gille reacted to the word thisand finally lifted his face from the book. Hes so obvious.

But his expression looked a little different from the fidgety yet calm expression he usually wore as he waited for Dillys letter.

Right now, he was frowning, which showed that he was in a bad mood.

This is the first time Ive seen him receive her letter like this. But I cant blame him since its only for today.

Its probably because Dilly came to the castle the other day. He should be happy that shed visited, since he wants to talk to her as Sylvester.

But when we saw her, she was already going home with Cyrus-dono.

He could have caught up to her if he ran, but, unfortunately, Gille couldnt do that. A calm Prince chasing after a lady hed seen; he probably thought that Dilly would hate him if he did that. Actually, shell probably be attracted to him instead. Probably.

But, if he had talked to her at that time, then he would be in a good mood right now Maybe. I dont know how Dilly would have reacted, so I cant say for sure.

But anyway, he was sulking because he couldnt talk to her.

I should say something, but Gille wasnt taking it out on anyone. I think hes only being sour towards me because Im the only one who knows about this. I can usually put up with his attitude, so I might listen to him. But Ill get angry if he goes too far.

Gille hesitated to open the letter hed received from me, then finally he took the paper knife, that hed received from Dilly, and opened it. He seemed to really like the paper knife, and Ive tried to pick it up from the desk before, but he immediately went to pick it up.

Apparently, he didnt like it when other people touched it.

Arent you glad, Dilly? Hes cherishing it.

Gille took the letter out from the envelope and looked over it nervously, then he relaxed.

Why are you relieved?

Its much better than his stiff expression, but I wanted to ask that because he was different now that hed read the letter.

Gille slowly took his eye off the letter.

Err, it doesnt seem like Dilly will write unpleasant things, so it should be okay I would be bothered if shed written something unpleasant about seeing me.

Well, even Dilly wouldnt write something like that.

I know. She might not have realised that I was there.

Nope. Im sure she did notice you I cant say that even if I thought it. If Gille accepted it as fact, then it was fine.

You worry too much when it comes to Dilly. Be a little more confident.

You look unreliable, I thought, as I advised him. I dont know how effective my words are.

Gille acts magnificently as a Prince, but hes so moody when it comes to Dilly. If he were to act like that on an everyday basis, then it wouldnt do him any good. Gille should understand that the people around him are influenced by his emotions. However, he unexpectedly looked bitter.

Do I look arrogant? Im a little worried.

You know your own position, dont you? If you act stupid, Im going to punch you.

Hes in a position where he cant be carefree. Whats he saying? I glared at him and he awkwardly looked away. Im sure he said that despite already knowing.

Of course, I dont plan on acting arrogant, but I thought I might have acted like that without realising it.

You know

I wonder if he should have made an effort to talk to Dilly at that time after all. I thought, as I put my hand on my forehead.

In Gilles position, it shouldnt be difficult for him to talk to the girl he likes. Then, of all things, he had to meet the exceptional Dilly. Hes fascinated by a very difficult lady.

Your personality doesnt change, no matter if you look like GilleorSylvester. You dont have to start worrying about it now. Dilly interacts normally with Gille.

Well, I know but

Get a hold of yourself.

I tried to say things that would ease his mind, but I dont know how effective it was. Gille stayed quiet as he looked down and read the letter. Did he get it? I hope he did.

Itll be fine if he did.

However, my thoughts only lasted for a moment because Gilles expression gradually got grimmer.

Say, Vernoux.

What?

He said that in a stiff voice, so Dilly must have written something strange again, I thought as I spoke questioningly.

Im just confirming this You dont want Dilly as your wife, right?

Hah?

For a moment, I doubted whether my ears had gone bad.

Sorry, could you repeat that?

You dont want Dilly as your wife, right?

They were the same words as before. It seems like I hadnt heard him wrong after all.

Whyre you suddenly asking that? Did she write something about that in the letter?

I want to question her about what kind of annoying things she wrote in her letter.

She often writes about how people always think that she is doing things for you.

Haah?

She wrote that when she asked the Earl about a present for me, he thought that she wanted to get you something. Now, Cyrus asked her if she was writing letters to you. And people are questioning whether you have plans to get engaged to Earl Hales daughter.

Stop there.

I stopped him from talking when I heard a name Id never expected to hear. I never thought that Dilly would be so honest in her letters. Im sure the last thing was just him reading too much into it.

Well, if its about Lady Hazel, then its not surprising for Gille to misunderstand if he heard about her from Myles and the others But I never thought that I would hear her name here. And I have to dissolve this topic quickly.

But I can see why the Earl and Cyrus were under that impression.

It cant be helped. Gillehas never sent a letter directly to Dilly. If you were to send her a letter as Sylvester, then it might be considered as a national proposal. Do you get it?

I dont think it would get that out of hand, but people will notice that he cares about Dilly, since hes not sending letters to other ladies. Do you think Dilly would just quietly agree to it if you do something like that? The answer is no.

I know

You know that but you look like you hate it, Your Highness Sylvester. I turned the conversation away from Lady Hazel as I teased him in my mind. Phew, that was a close one.

If you get it then come to terms with it.

But, when I look at Gille, I thought, you could use the royal name a little. It seems like he doesnt want to use his power as a royal, but hes not getting anywhere like this. According to Gille, the Earl refuses to let his daughter visit the castle because shes shy and immature.

That doesnt sound like Dilly, so if Gille insists on meeting her, then the Earl probably wouldnt refuse to let them meet once. Im sure Gille knows that But he doesnt want to order the Earl. His weird pride is getting in his way.

Even I dont know why shes avoiding Sylvester, so I cant give him my full support. If I had to say something, then I want to tell him to quickly tell her that GilleisSylvester. I dont think Dilly would attack him No, I cant say it after all. The damage would be too great for him.

Its better for him to decide things on his own.

But there is something I want to tell him.

Anyway, would you care if I complained about it?

If you do care, then it cant be helped. You should just act the way you want to act.

Are first loves this annoying? I thought and realised that Ive never heard Gille clearly say that he likes Dilly. Well, its not hard to tell from the way he acts.

When I thought that, I remembered that Dilly had given me something.

I forgot. This is a gift from Dilly.

Huh?

She was worried that you seem tired.

I said as I gave him the tea can from Dilly.

He went blank, so I pushed it into his hand, and he stared at it.

This is from Dilly? For me?

Yeah.

I couldnt find the words to say to Gille as he stared at the can as if he was trying to open a hole into it. Gille finally looked up from the can and seemed to be in an extremely pleasant mood.

Vernoux-sama, shall we have tea?

Oh? Youre going to serve that?

This guy, is he forgetting that he was in a sour mood before?

I havent eaten many sweets here, so I gladly accepted his offer. The sweets at Dillys house are delicious, but I also have no complaints about the sweets in the castle.

I wonder what it tastes like.

Gille?

I tilted my head in curiosity since Gille had suddenly gone silent. He looked mystified.

Youre drinking your usual tea Vernoux.

It seems like he doesnt want to share the things he gets from Dilly. I shrugged since he was acting like a child. I can taste it when I get home.

(I also got it, you know? I just havent tried it yet.)

Of course, I intend to keep that a secret from Gille.

Translator: Blushy

Editor: SenjiQ