Chloe, The Thief Lady

Chapter 9: Bad Things to do at Night (1)

Translated by Hikaru & Mel

Edited by Mel

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“What’s wrong with you this time?”

 

Rayleigh frowned at Chloe’s shabby appearance, which was unlike yesterday.

 

“I feel like throwing up a little.”

 

“…Why?”

 

“The main job is busy.”

 

Chloe approached, glaringly, and almost fell down on the table. She worked hard to process paperwork before the moon rose. In the end, she had to read the same sentence eight times, as the letters passed through without being comprehended. She really wanted to cry. Chloe made a pledge as she got up. Let’s never get behind in the paperwork even if she dies of pain. Let’s finish what she has to do today, even if she dies. Tomorrow’s going to be full of tomorrow. The thrill of the moment when she left the duchy with her signature on the last document! It was the first time that the road to the Imperial Palace was so exciting.

 

Chloe suddenly raised her head and smiled as she bashfully looked at Rayleigh, who frowned lightly. Maybe it was because she was in a good mood, Rayleigh looked very nice.

 

“Your Highness, you are beautiful.”

 

“I haven’t heard about a fever going around…”

 

“A plague?”

 

“…Is there something wrong with your ears?”

 

Rayleigh openly saw Chloe as a madman. He was keenly aware of how much Chloe’s distrust and hate toward Theodore after the ‘Illuminem’ incident. The dagger was aimed at him the moment she sensed an abnormality. The moment he faced a blade that was aimed straight at him, Rayleigh felt worse than if he had been stabbed in his chest. He hasn’t gained any of her trust, because he is the ‘Theodore’ that she was so sick of. By the way, Roy, who despises Theodore so much, would compliment me…? Rayleigh squinted his eyes to guard against the limp Chloe. Will Chloe not know the meaning of those eyes?

 

“Huh, nevermind. There is no compliment between us. So where should I go?”

 

Chloe raised herself up with her mouth curled.

 

“Can you go?”

 

“Why can’t I go when I’m not even sick anymore? Don’t tell me you’re going to give me another document that says genealogy or anything. I won’t read it today even if you beat me up. I can’t read.”

 

“What if you have to see it?”

 

“Huh. What if I don’t see it through, Your Highness?”

 

Now she was very fed up with documents. To Chloe, who was contemplating, Rayleigh gave a strange look.

 

“Then, it can’t be helped. It’s a shame, but I’ll have to throw away the guard shift times, locations, and internal maps.”

 

“What? Your Highness! Highness! Actually, I’m a glutton for punishment.”

 

Busy to finish her words, Chloe grinned and reached out. Rayleigh didn’t hide his bewilderment at Chloe’s sudden change of attitude. Chloe smiled broadly, opening her mouth wide, pretending not to see Rayleigh’s expression.

 

“Please, come on.”

 

An hour later, Chloe was running through a street packed with the capital’s high-end townhouses. The place she would be going to visit today was Baron Clant. Townhouse streets are usually filled with more than a Count. The main source of income for aristocrats is land tax. Usually, the title was an indicator of the family’s wealth because they would be given a territory suited to the title. The baron, the lowest of the noble classes, has such a big mansion here?

 

“Wow. I think this is bigger than my house.”

 

Standing on the fence, Chloe was amazed by the gorgeous view of Baron Clant’s townhouse. Indeed, you need to have this amount of money to earn a title, right? Hmph. With a small snort, Chloe pulled out the paper she had in her arms and began to check it against the baron’s work.

 

“The Baron’s dressing room is here… Let’s see…then is the Lady’s dressing room this way?”

 

She was nauseous when she saw the writing, but somehow it was so catchy and fun.

 

“This is why people do bad things…?”

 

Even this is half legal because the crown price’s approval has been given.

 

“Where shall we begin, then?”

 

Chloe’s deep blue eyes glistened mischievously as she looked at the Baron’s townhouse.

 

“After…”

 

****

 

Putting down the papers he was holding, Rayleigh slowly tilted his head back. After looking at the documents for hours without break, his eyes were stiff and tired. It seemed a little better if he pressed his eyelids firmly with his cold hand.

 

Now that the Duke of Arne was also away, there were no families that could stop Gillot, so their behavior became more blatant and more persistent. Just this week, he was in a  ruckus asking for approval for three dismissal orders. The people who were mentioned were related to the emperor’s side family, the ‘Theodore’ family, so they could actually stop it, but this was a special case. Usually, the dismissal order issued by Count Gillot is highly likely to be fulfilled. Especially when it’s a supporter of Rayleigh’s.

 

Everyday, he felt like he was crossing a river with a frozen surface full of ice. It’s obvious that the cracks spread from the tip of his toes in each step, but he’s already in the middle, so he can’t go back or stop. In the end, it was clear what the only option left for Rayleigh. Advance unconditionally. To survive without fail.

 

Rayleigh had a faint memory of sleeping properly at night. Because the isolation started when he was young, it has been a routine for Rayleigh to work all night long. Even with empty words, he couldn’t look good when he stayed up every night. His face, suffering from lack of sleep and tension, looks very sensitive even when he stays still. It’s not something people would like to look at but…

 

“Your Highness, you are beautiful.”

 

“Uh.”

 

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Maybe it was because he heard something unexpected. Instead of scolding the guilty man who dared to judge the Crown Prince, he was embarrassed and said silly things.

 

“What is this fever…”

 

Later, a sigh of different meaning erupted. However, Rayleigh’s long, deep sighing face was obviously brighter and softer than before.