The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character-Chapter 45: Servant Cedric (11). Things Drawn to Flowers

“Lady Toria. Have you heard the news from Eched?”

“Eched? That’s a name I haven’t heard before.”

“You know, the place where the youngest of House Redvell is said to be staying.”

“Ah. That place. What about it?”

“Well, you see—”

News about Eched spread rapidly across the Kingdom of Birka.

The mere fact that the disgrace of House Redvell had driven out the acting lord and taken over was already shocking. But now she was implementing new policies using the family’s Vision? That was bound to spark interest.

Some focused on how the disgraced daughter’s policies were actually producing results, while others mocked her for using the house’s prized legacy on something so lowly.

House Redvell’s other children, meanwhile, were far from pleased by the situation.

“Claudia’s gone completely insane, hasn’t she? I’m so ashamed I can’t even show my face these days!”

Mira Redvell—the third child and only daughter of the Marquess’s first wife—shouted furiously, her voice thick with irritation.

The second son, Ervin Redvell, flushed red as he jumped in.

“Damn it. That wretch is bringing shame upon the family in every possible way! How could she even think of using the family’s Vision for something so pathetic? Has she no sense of dignity or pride as a noble?”

The Vision of a noble house was a symbol of its identity and history, as well as a practical and powerful weapon.

Whether it be a refined mana cultivation technique, an elevated sword style, or a spell known only to that family, merely possessing such a legacy was enough to place a house far above others.

House Redvell’s blood beasts were among the strongest and most exceptional of all such Visions.

Technically a form of magic, the blood beasts could be wielded even by those who weren’t mages, and their strength scaled with the prowess of their master.

They could be used like well-trained hunting hounds, without risk of betrayal, and even if they died, they could be replenished given enough time. It was hard to imagine a more convenient servant.

Having poured tremendous effort into raising blood beasts powerful enough to rival even sword aura–wielding knights, Ervin was livid to see his mighty creations lumped into the same category as Claudia’s mutts.

“Hmph.”

As his siblings hurled every insult they could at Claudia, the eldest son, Armin Redvell, stayed silent, deep in thought.

Unhappy with his silence, the two younger ones turned to him with frustration.

“Brother, aren’t you going to say something? Are you just going to sit back and watch that bitch run wild?”

“If this goes on, the honor of House Redvell will be trampled. We need to grab that idiot by the collar and stop her madness now!”

Armin gazed at their faces for a moment, then shrugged.

“I understand how you feel. But what exactly are you proposing?”

“Well, {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} we tell her to stop immediately, obviously!”

“You think she’ll listen just because we said so?”

His words silenced them both.

Claudia, the youngest of their generation, was born of a different mother. Though they were siblings in name, there was no real familial affection between them—only barely concealed hostility.

Nice words wouldn’t change anything.

And pressuring her politically wasn’t so simple either. Claudia’s lordship over Eched was, after all, entirely legitimate.

She hadn’t usurped someone else’s seat—it had always been hers. She had simply begun using what had been left idle. Outsiders could gossip all they wanted, but no one had the authority to issue her direct orders.

“There are only two people who can issue a formal command to her: the royal family and the head of our house. But the royals have no reason to suppress her. She’s not in the line of succession, so she’s not a threat. If anything, she benefits them. She’s royal blood, after all. The more influence she gains within Redvell, the more useful she becomes to them.”

“Then... the head of the house should act?”

Neither Armin nor Ervin referred to the Marquess as ‘Father.’ They called him the head—a reflection of how distant and imposing he was to them.

“Yes. If her actions become displeasing, the head will step in. There’d be no need for us to do anything.”

Mira frowned and asked,

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Then it means he sees value in her. He might even back her. You know how generous he is when he sees a worthy investment.”

Armin watched their faces twist with resentment and quietly shook his head.

“In any case, I don’t think there’s anything we can do ourselves. But don’t worry too much. I’m sure it’ll all work out somehow.”

“...Yes.”

“I hope you’re right, Brother.”

He patted them both on the shoulder and turned to leave.

And as he walked away, he thought to himself:

Mira and Ervin have always despised Claudia and her mother. Watching her gain power must be bad enough—but the idea that the head might take an interest in her? They won’t be able to sit still.

Armin had said there was no official way to stop Claudia.

Which also meant—there were unofficial ways to do it.

Such as threatening Claudia physically in a way that would force her to recall her blood beasts from their duties.

It was a short-sighted move. Armin himself would never resort to something like that.

But his siblings? That was another story.

Such precious little siblings, aren’t they?

One cannot love a rival who threatens their place.

But loving someone inferior to you—that’s not so hard.

Thus, Armin loved his younger siblings.

And as for the youngest, who always glared at him with open hostility—he loved her too.

At least... for now.

I hope you stay lovable, little sister.

***

Eched territory, lord’s manor.

The one at the center of all this attention, Claudia Redvell, was engaged in a very cautious and secretive rendezvous.

“...Did you bring the item?”

“Here it is.”

It wasn’t some shady black-market dealer—but rather the maid Neria, who had recently grown quite close to Claudia, handing her an object carefully wrapped in cloth.

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Claudia spoke.

“You weren’t caught, right?”

“I obtained it while Mister Cedric was away on errands. And I’ve kept it strictly secret from everyone else.”

“You’ve done well. I’ll repay you later.”

“I wish you success in your plan. I’ll take my leave now.”

Maybe caught up in the mood, Neria glanced sharply around the room, then slipped away with soundless footsteps like some kind of assassin.

Watching her leave, Claudia locked her bedroom door and carefully unfolded the cloth bundle Neria had given her.

Inside was a single book.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Roses and Pocketwatches – How Lady Rosellia Captured the Heart of Her Noble Servant

Upon seeing the title on the cover, Claudia swallowed hard.

Then, with trembling hands, she began to read.

Some might wonder what the fuss was about—it was just a romance novel. But to Claudia, this was serious business.

I don’t know why, but if I stay like this... I feel like Cedric will leave. I have to find a way before that happens.

Her contract with Cedric lasted three months.

She hadn’t thought much of it at first, but now, the idea of that time running out had begun to gnaw at her.

If Cedric left after the three months, there would be nothing she could do to stop him.

Of course, logically speaking, when a contract ends, you simply negotiate a new one.

She was Lady Redvell, rising star of the Birkan Kingdom. If she offered excellent terms, what servant would refuse?

But Claudia knew.

Cedric was not someone you could handle with logic.

If he wanted to work, he would. If he didn’t, he’d leave.

And no amount of money or power could ever make him stay.

So Claudia was after a third method.

The key is to make Cedric fall for me, right?

Of course, that wasn’t going to be easy.

The biggest problem?

Claudia had absolutely no idea how to win a man’s heart.

Because, for her, attention from the opposite sex had never been something she worked for—it was just something that happened.

A beauty still in full bloom—like a flower bud yet to open, full of promise.

The social status of a Redvell heiress, and the immense wealth that came with it.

Men who met Claudia tried everything to gain her favor, and until she started living wildly as the infamous troublemaker, it was all just a natural part of her life.

So where would she have ever learned how to seduce someone?

She needed a guidebook to fill in her gaps.

And that guidebook was this romance novel, wildly popular among the noblewomen of the kingdom.

Flip, flip.

Lady Rosellia, born of noble blood, raised like a rose in a glasshouse.

And Clark, the servant who bewildered her with his constant shifts between arrogance, defiance, and deference.

At first, Claudia found the story oddly fitting—as if it had been written about her and Cedric.

But the further she read, the more disheartened she became.

...Is this servant really that popular among noble ladies? Is he supposed to be on Cedric’s level?

A sharp, cool beauty like a well-forged blade?

Still doesn’t beat Cedric’s puppy-like charm with his rare flashes of wildness.

Perfect work ethic, artistic to the point of being mechanical?

Judging by the description, maybe a 0.6 Cedric at best.

Beast-like savagery even toward noble ladies?

Please. Cedric had already called her “worse than comparing you to a dog”—straight to her face.

And then there was the setup—far too contrived.

Turns out he’s not a commoner but a noble, the third son of a northern duke, no less.

At least the author had the sense not to throw in some legitimate heir nonsense. Still, it didn’t add up. What kind of person with that kind of background would willingly work as a servant?

Unless he was a total lunatic who treated servant work like some hobby.

“Hmph. This is useless.”

In the end, Claudia closed the book.

It wasn’t bad as a simple pastime—she might pick it back up later. But it was completely worthless as a manual for wooing Cedric.

Maybe she’d ask Neria to find another book next time.

She was just about to extinguish the lantern when—

Clack.

Someone turned the doorknob to her bedroom.

Claudia instinctively froze.

It was already deep into the night.

For someone to approach a noblewoman’s bedroom at this hour was an outrageous breach of etiquette that could stir up serious scandal.

And to turn the knob without knocking?

That was enough to justify immediate execution.

A cold chill crept up her spine.

Her mind raced.

Stay quiet—or make noise?

Which was safer? If the person outside was what she feared, then what kind of situation would they want to avoid?

She acted.

Woof! Woof woof! Rararral!

The blood beast summoned at her side snarled ferociously and barked loud enough to shake the manor.

Crash!

Her bedroom door burst open.

Three assassins clad in pitch-black cloth stormed inside.

They quickly cut down the snarling blood beast and began scanning the room.

Now it was a race: would they find Claudia first—or would her warning signal bring help?

Unfortunately, for Claudia, the assassins had come more prepared than she expected.

One of them pulled out a sheet of parchment and tore it in half—sending a blast of light straight toward her.

Realizing she’d been found, Claudia bolted from the doorframe where she’d been hiding—and the assassins gave chase.

The moment their hands nearly reached her—

“Apologies for the delay, my lady.”

A familiar voice whispered in her ear—and her body suddenly rose into the air.

What happened next was too fast for Claudia to process.

Her vision spun. A few loud thuds rang out—like someone being kicked away.

And when the spinning stopped, she finally understood the situation.

Her face flushed crimson.

Cedric.

He was holding her like a princess in his arms.

“H-Hey, put me down!”

“I was just about to, since the enemies are dealt with.”

“...Huh?”

Her flailing stopped immediately.

She glanced around with darting eyes.

“...We can’t be sure it’s safe yet, so let’s wait a little.”

“It is safe now.”

“I said wait.”