Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Forty

The Third Prince's Offer

ZAIRE LEVIS'S POINT OF VIEW

"Istorya from Faceless Auction House, with Duke Franklin Bernard and Marquess Rolfe Bellmore to attest your identity, because of your service to this kingdom, beginning from saving the survivors from the attack of Kalghaya village that holds great contribution and of profound history with the kingdom, from defending this city of Griselda from attacks of monsters twice, I, Gavin Lewis Granmond, third prince of the kingdom of Magia, in place of my father, King Joseph Grandmond IV, reward you with a noble title of a Baroness. May you serve this kingdom to the benefit of its citizen."

Hah... How the hell did I end up this way? I was just trying to secure my chill life, now I'm a Baroness.

I want to cry rivers but I can't. I must remain calm-

"Aside from that," Gah! It's not over yet! "With persuasion from Marquess Rolfe, I would like to grant you the land of Griselda to man-"

"NO THANK YOU!" I yelled before he can finish the words threatening to escape his mouth. Goddamn it, no thank you! I bowed with my head on the ground, yeah, I look like worshiping him as if he's a god.

"NO THANK YOU!" I yelled before he can finish the words threatening to escape his mouth. Goddamn it, no thank you! I bowed with my head on the ground, yeah, I look like worshiping him as if he's a god. "I am truly thankful for giving me a noble title, however, giving me Griselda is too much for me. I believe Griselda is handled by Marquess Rolfe exceptionally. Please," Damn right I'm begging right now! "Being a Baroness is more than enough for me." Don't go giving me additional work!

The room fell silence but I dare not raise my head, they might pursue placing me as the city lord if I do. Even if I have to bury my head on the ground, I will, if that means being able to stop them.

"Hmm, I'm rather disappointed that you won't accept my offer, Istorya. Should I be worried?" the third prince asked.

Worried. Worried about what? You p*****t, I should be the one worried here!

"I do not understand what you mean by that, third prince."

"You can call me Gavin,"

"Yes, prince Gavin,"

"No, I mean, just Gavin,"

"I'm sorry but that would be inappropriate knowing that you are one of this kingdom's prince, I simply cannot let myself call you informally like that." I say this in a roundabout way but I really don't want to act casual around him, a prince at that, more importantly, I can't be close to him since I've met him before, the comfort room p*****t back in the marquesses mansion!

That one! My goodness, I can't remember what I told him back then but I know I said something I shouldn't have to him. A prince! What the hell. Here I thought I got some luck. Luck my face!

"But I am giving you a special permission to do so?" he asked genuinely curious why I won't call him with his name.

Come on, get the hint already! Ahhh! I want to go home!

"Gavin, that's enough." It's Marquess Rolfe.

"Oh, I see, well then, if uncle says so then I will drop this matter."

THANK GOODNESS!

"Thank you very much for your gracious kindness!" I bowed twice.

After my meeting with the prince, I was told to meet him privately, like, just the two of us in Marquess Rolfe's garden later. I actually don't want to go but I'd rather not be an enemy of the royals, at least for now because I don't have any reason to oppose them except for the fact that the third prince and I met as Jozine under a weird circumstance. Met on the comfort room. Hah, this is so funny that I want to cry.

"Are you all right, my lady?" Elise whispered at me while Blake is with Eufema and the latter is busy conversing with Duke Franklin.

"Yeah, the information from the prince was just too much," I groaned.

"But isn't it great my lady? You've earned your own noble title through your own efforts. And you're still 19!" She exclaimed proudly and happily.

I laugh lightly. "Thank you, Elise," While I appreciate her enthusiasm, my 'efforts' are not meant for this to happen. It was never part of the plan. I guess I can't say anything else since it's basically over and done with. I already accepted the title. Even if I don't want to.

"Istorya, I would like to apologize for having you accept the title. I only believe it's for your own good." It's Duke Franklin. He looked apologetic.

"Oh, no, Duke, I understand your concern for me. I truly appreciate it."

"Truthfully, it would not be good for you if your reject both their rewards, aside from that, the nobles, especially from the capital have heard of your deeds and prestige, they're eyeing you for their own benefits and would do schemes in order to have what you have. This might me selfish of me to say but Griselda's changes because of you is crucial for this city... this kingdom."

I honestly understand what Duke Franklin means. They, him and Marquess Rolfe vouched for my identity that's why even in the face of the third prince I can still wear this mask. Aside from that, as nobles they have their names and reputations to uphold. One wrong move from me and the other nobles can point their fingers at them. I totally understand the duke's concern.

To be given a noble title without seeing my face, it's already a VIP treatment from the kingdom since a noble title is no joke. It can change lives.

I guess I'm still lucky to have just the title as a baroness and not this city. Speaking of which,

"I understand Duke Franklin. By the way, what was that about me being the city lord? What was the marquess thinking?" I asked incredulously.

The city is prosperous as it is so I don't understand why the Marquess would want me to replace him.

"Oh, that?" The duke chuckles, "in all honesty, Rolfe is simply tired of being the city lord and seeing as to how you managed your employees in Faceless, he believed you'd be a much better fit than him. Griselda will be a much better place if you're in charge, is what we believe."

"Even you, duke?" I almost exclaimed.

Oh my gosh, I'm becoming someone great even though I don't want to! And what's with that 'Griselda is a much place' if I'm in charge? No way it will! I can manage Faceless Auction House because it is my business and the number of my employees aren't hundreds and thousands!

"You think too highly of me but Griselda is wondering place as it is. The marquess is putting all his efforts for the city and I believe that even the people would want to lose their wise city lord. The marquess should know of this." I tell the duke with a small smile. If the marquess is not with the p*****t, erm, third prince right now I would tell him this.

Seriously, Marquess Rolfe should give himself some credit! I haven't been in cities as big or even bigger than Griselda but I can tell that this city is one of those city where commoners and vagrants can at least live properly. There might be some bad sides but majority of the citizens respects him, thought, the marquess doesn't seem to know about this.

I talked with the duke some more before I was called by the third prince's retainer.

It's time to hear what the third prince has to say... or should I say, offer?

Heh.