Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 60: Birthday [2]

’So, that’s her, huh?’

Akamir studied the girl quietly.

’The smartest mind in the kingdom.’

He tilted his head slightly, studying her.

She was taller than most human girls, her long eyelashes accentuating sharp, intelligent eyes.

Her pale skin had a moonlit tone, and her crimson hair flowed down her back in loose waves, held together by a single phoenix-wing-shaped pin.

Unlike other nobles, she wore no excessive jewelry, yet her presence demanded attention.

Her off-shoulder gown was classic and well-fitted, complementing her figure without trying too hard.

Even when still, she carried the air of someone who was always thinking several steps ahead.

Camilla Leo Margret—the daughter of the Head Minister of the Krivos Kingdom.

Her crimson eyes blinked. "Can you hear me?"

Akamir nodded slowly. "Uh... I don’t think we’ve met before."

"Oh, where are my manners?" she said with a polite smile. "My name is Camilla."

"My name is—"

"Who doesn’t know you, Sir Asher?" she interrupted, still smiling. "The fiancé of Princess Inara—"

"Heir of the Vyavan family would be more appropriate," Akamir cut in gently.

"Is that so..." she murmured, her gaze drifting to Ella.

Ella blinked and gave a lazy "kyuu~," curling her tail around Akamir’s neck like a scarf.

Camilla’s eyes lingered on the fox longer than necessary.

"Such a curious creature," she remarked. "I’ve read about void-type spirits, but I never thought I’d actually see one. Especially not one so... tame."

’Like Nayomi said, she is smart.’

Dozens had seen Ella before, but Camilla was the first to recognize her for what she was.

Akamir shook his head. "Tame isn’t the word I’d use."

She just chuckled, grabbing a glass of wine from the table.

"You’re different from what I expected, heir of Vyavan," she said. "I imagined someone more... restrained."

Akamir glanced at her. "What do you mean?"

"The way you were before... you changed," she replied, watching him. "You weren’t always this confident."

"I don’t enjoy small talk," he said flatly. "Get to the point."

"Oh, but I do enjoy it. That’s when people tend to reveal the most."

Akamir stared back at her, saying nothing.

She glanced again at Ella. "How much for the void fox?"

"It’s not for sale," he replied sharply.

"I can offer—"

"I don’t need your money."

"That protective, huh?" she said, tilting her head slightly, her tone more curious than offended. "Interesting."

Ella let out another quiet "kyuu," her galaxy-like eyes narrowing as though she understood every word.

"You act like I asked for a piece of your soul," Camilla said softly. "Is there nothing that would equal her value?"

Akamir turned to face her fully. "Have a great day."

Without waiting for a response, he walked away.

"She acted exactly like we expected," Nayomi said, floating beside him. "She really can’t resist cute things."

"I still don’t understand why you want her attention," Akamir muttered, rubbing his neck. "Your plan is flawed from the start."

"It’s the only way," she replied. "The only way to get the map."

There is an ingredient to create Nayomi’s body, called flesh veins. freēnovelkiss.com

A type of plant that grows in a specific island that is unknown to everyone.

And to reach that island, one needs the map that was in Camilla’s possession.

Nayomi’s plan was crude but simple.

Let Camilla get obsessed with Ella, then get her to take Akamir to wherever she kept her "cute" collection—where the map was likely hidden.

’All in all, she wants me to get kidnap.’

As ridiculous as it sounded, it was the only lead they had. No one knew where Camilla kept the map.

"If your plan fails," Akamir muttered, "we go with mine."

"Yours is to just kill her."

"Still better than whatever you’re doing."

Nayomi pouted, looking away.

Akamir shook his head and scanned the crowd, spotting two familiar faces.

He walked up behind them, placing his hand on their shoulders.

"What’s up," he said casually, looking at Viros. "Enjoying the food?"

Viros smiled nervously. "Boss—!"

"Boss?"

"You are our boss, aren’t you?" Luca chimed in. "You always have been."

"Security—!"

"Hey, hey!" Viros quickly stopped him. "Sorry, alright?"

Akamir frowned. "What exactly are you two doing here?"

"We just wanted to eat something nice," Viros said quietly. "Nothing shady."

Akamir stared at him.

Luca leaned in. "Please don’t snitch. They’ll throw us in jail."

Rubbing his temples, Akamir sighed. "How stupid are you two?"

"Pretty," Viros said, grinning. "But at least we’re not doing anything illegal."

"You could get beheaded for sneaking in here."

"We thought—"

"How did you even get inside?" Akamir asked. "What about the pass?"

"...We snuck in," Viros admitted. "Help us, boss, we will be forever grateful."

"Fine. Just go," Akamir said. "Use my name if anyone asks who you are."

Their grim faces quickly brightened up at his words.

"Thank you!" Viros said, shaking his hand vigorously. "I love you, boss."

Saying so, they ran away to eat more.

Nayomi chuckled beside him. "How does it feel to get your first confession?"

"There should be a mute button for you," Akamir muttered. "Weren’t you sulking just now?"

Her eyes widened in realization. "Hmph!"

She puffed her cheeks and turned away.

’Six hundred years old, by the way.’

Akamir shook his head in defeat as he began to walk back to the front gate.

But his step halted as he finally saw her.

Zaina.

She wore a flowing purple gown with a pink scarf draped over her shoulder. A soft pink rose was pinned at her waist.

Her long lavender hair, flowing behind her like waves.

Akamir quickly walked towards her while she noticed him as well.

"Asher—"

"Come with me."

He said, grabbing her wrist and forcing her to move.

Zaina frowned. "What are you doing!?"

Akamir didn’t reply as he brought her to the corner with fewer eyes to notice them.

"Turn around," he said.

"Wha—?"

"Just do it," Akamir urged her to move.

She just sighed and turned around.

Akamir slowly removed her hair from the back, making her flinch in surprise.

"Asher?"

’She was right.’

The back of her dress was tied loosely—one wrong move and it would’ve slipped off entirely.

’So, that’s how her dress falls in the novel.’

Akamir raised his hand and began carefully retying the loose strings of Zaina’s dress.

Noticing it, Zaina also guiltily let him do it.

Her cheeks warming with each breath that brushed against her bare back.

"Your dress might have fallen," Akamir said, tying the strings. "Does your maid hate you or something?"

"....."

Zaina didn’t reply because his words were on point.

"You know, we usually fire the maids for these kinds of mistakes," Akamir said. With a final tug, he secured the strings in place.

"I can’t," Zaina mumbled softly. "She was my mother’s maid."

Akamir took a step back. "And your mother is dead or I don’t see a point in keeping her."

Zaina only glared at him without a word.

Akamir shrugged. "Don’t let this happen again, I won’t be everywhere to help."

He began to walk away, and she guiltily followed.

"...You’re awfully good at this," she murmured, trying to sound casual.

Akamir’s lips twitched, but he kept his mouth silent.

"Are you alone?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

"No." She shook her head. "Arthur was with me before he found his friend."

"I see." Akamir nodded, not speaking again.

"....Thank you," she said. "But next time, maybe warn me before dragging me off like a thief."

"I will think about it." Akamir said, looking at the elevated platform.

’Finally, decided to show yourself, huh?’

Akamir thought as Prince Lucien walked on the platform.

The soft murmurs that had filled the banquet hall dulled into silence.

He reached the center of the elevated platform, his golden robes lined with silver catching the light.

’Still as fake as ever.’

Lucien raised a jeweled goblet, a gracious smile curving on his lips. "Honored guests," he began, voice ringing out smoothly, "Thank you for coming to my birthday."

A polite round of applause followed.

"There are a lot of things that I want to say," Lucien continued, still smiling. "But before that, I have something to announce."

The place once again began to murmur as he lowered his hand.

"I have chosen whom I will marry."

He said, smiling brightly.

"And she is right in this place."

Everyone froze in place.