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Chapter : 07
Pin, who had been tapping her fingers on the desk to a steady rhythm, finally spoke.
“Of course, Marquis Johan Veloster is perfect in both looks and title. There’s nothing lacking in him. But…”
“….”
“Realistically, he doesn’t stand a chance with His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Mm.”
Heaven nodded slightly and resumed eating her sandwich.
My head tilted crookedly.
‘What…?’
Was she criticizing Johan right in front of me?
As Johan’s number one fan who came into this world to raise him, I felt offended.
In sheer disbelief, I crossed my arms.
“No, that can’t be right. Why dismiss even the slightest possibility?”
“Huh? No, it’s just realistic.”
“Things might work out if he tries. Even if Miss Violet Bringer likes the Crown Prince, her heart could turn if she experiences the Marquis’s devotion.”
“….”
“Marquis Veloster is flawless no matter who you compare him to. Even you have to admit that, right?”
Pin couldn’t argue with me.
She just stared at me blankly, as if thinking, ‘Why is she acting like that…?’
At that moment, Lian, who had been standing next to me, spoke.
“Center Chief, do you have personal feelings for Marquis Veloster?”
It was the first time I’d heard him say something like that since coming to work… and it hit me like a blow.
‘Is that guy crazy?’
He was so sharp today that he hit people with pure facts.
Naturally, I tried to play it off.
“W-What are you talking about? I don’t even know Marquis Veloster.”
Lian, who had been looking at me with unreadable eyes, shrugged.
“I just thought you got defensive when I compared the Crown Prince to the Marquis.”
“What…? I don’t have any personal feelings! None at all.”
“….”
“If I had personal feelings, I wouldn’t have accepted the request in the first place.”
Even as I made excuses, I felt guilty.
‘Well… actually, I did take the request because of personal feelings.’
I couldn’t resist the gaze of my favorite…
Worried that my lie might be discovered, I glanced toward the other staff.
But the employees, who had been alternating their gaze between Lian and me, quickly averted their eyes.
‘What’s with them? They did the same thing a few days ago.’
Were they hiding something from me…?
Isadora, who had cleared her throat, changed the topic.
“Although the advance payment is a waste… I believe it’s best to cancel the request.”
“….”
“Honestly, this has no chance of success. It’s because Miss Violet Bringer likes someone like the Crown Prince.”
“….”
“A ‘standard’ has already been set.”
Lian’s gaze, which had been on me, shifted to Isadora.
“What do you mean by ‘someone like the Crown Prince’?”
And then he asked an out-of-the-blue question.
‘Does he really not know?’
Ah, right… Lian is from the kingdom, so he might not know much about the Crown Prince.
I could already tell because he didn’t use the honorific “His Royal Highness” when referring to him.
Isadora answered.
“It literally means a person of high rank.”
Adjusting her glasses, she stood and walked with her usual brisk steps to the movable whiteboard.
“I’m sure the rest of you know this, but it seems the youngest here doesn’t, so I’ll explain.”
Isadora wrote on the board:
On the left: “A”
On the right: “B”
“Miss Violet Bringer is 18 years old. Now that she’s an adult, she would be considering marriage.”
“….”
“So alongside emotional attraction, she will look at the conditions a man meets. These conditions can be broadly divided into six categories.”
Raising her left hand, Isadora extended her index finger.
“Let’s analyze them one by one. First, appearance.”
“….”
“Marquis Johan Veloster is handsome.”
No further explanation was given.
I was shocked.
‘What…? Johan’s looks end with just “handsome”?’
Dora, what’s wrong with your eyes?
‘How can anyone look at that divine, dazzling silver-haired, blue-eyed ultra-handsome guy and just call him “handsome”?’
I shot her a laser glare, but she seemed oblivious.
She continued.
“As for the Crown Prince… I’m not sure. I’ve never even seen a portrait.”
She drew a question mark between A and B.
I visualized the cover of The Crown Prince’s Diary in my head.
‘Hmm, Castilian is…’
But it had been too long since I read it, so I didn’t remember clearly.
All I knew was he had blonde hair, red eyes, and a killer physique…
‘But I can’t say that out loud.’
The possessed version of me kept silent.
Isadora’s voice came again.
“Second, personality.”
“….”
“Marquis Veloster is widely praised for his character. As for the Crown Prince, I can’t say for sure.”
“….”
“However, since he has been chosen as the next ruler, it can be assumed he possesses a noble character.”
She drew two circles beneath A and B.
“Third, wealth.”
“….”
“Marquis Veloster is rich. He already proved it by offering a combined 100,000 gold in the request.”
“….”
“But…”
Her voice trailed off, and she drew a circle under B.
It was much bigger than the one she drew for “personality.”
‘No matter how much I love Johan, in terms of wealth, royalty wins hands down.’
Maintaining her usual expressionless face, Isadora continued.
“Fourth, family.”
“….”
“Marquis Veloster’s documents list three younger sisters. Since he’s a person of great character, he must be kind to his family as well.”
“….”
“Meanwhile, the Crown Prince has one younger brother.”
Heaven, scratching her head, interjected.
“It’s true that men with sisters understand women better.”
“No, the Marquis is different.”
Pin sharply pointed out.
“If he understood women that well, why would he come to a dating consultation center?”
That was perfectly accurate.
‘Right… Johan is great with his sisters but hopeless at romance.’
I remembered all 120 chapters of Johan failing to approach Milaila.
Isadora drew a triangle between A and B and continued.
“Fifth, reputation. As mentioned, Marquis Veloster has a good reputation.”
“….”
“But as a woman, I side with the Crown Prince.”
The chalk screeched across the board as she marked a circle under B.
I couldn’t help but ask.
“Why? Is there bad gossip about Marquis Veloster?”
Of course, there would be no negative talk about kind Johan.
I felt Lian glance at me.
Isadora shook her head.
“That’s not the reason.”
“….”
“We commoners hear various rumors about the nobility. We enjoy gossip about those in high places.”
“….”
“Marquis Veloster’s rumors were all good. He is kind to everyone and naturally considerate.”
“….”
“But when you consider it not as a human being but from a woman’s perspective, it’s different.”
“….”
“If my husband were ever the subject of another woman’s talk for any reason, it would bother me. So I believe it’s better to have the Crown Prince, who has no interactions with anyone, than a Marquis who is kind to all.”
I couldn’t hide my blank expression.
‘Makes sense…’
It’s like saying it’s better to have a (handsome) introvert who’s kind only to me than a popular, outgoing guy.
‘That doesn’t mean Johan is bad at all.’
Taking a breath, Isadora spoke again.
“Finally, sixth, title.”
Through her glasses, I saw Isadora’s eyes briefly straighten.
Without a word, she drew a circle under B. She drew once, then went over it again.
Pin and Heaven both nodded in agreement.
“Of course.”
“Mm.”
I bit my lip.
‘Johan… how many times have you died today…’
My favorite was being brutally beaten with facts.
‘Violet, it’s your fault.’
Why, out of all men, do you have to like the Crown Prince?
Lian, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
“So does everyone think the Crown Prince is better?”
“Right?”
Heaven confirmed as she put the last piece of her sandwich in her mouth.
Isadora and Pin also nodded.
Lian’s gaze shifted toward me.
“What about you, Center Chief?”
