What Happened When I Gave Everything to the Girl Who Sold Herself as a Prostitute After Losing It All

Chapter 2.1

On the way back from the slave market, I was in a great mood the whole time.

I had finally found one.

A person around my age who would speak to me straight to my face.

And it wasn’t just that she was rebellious.

Her head worked properly.

The core of her words didn’t waver.

Above all, she was really looking at me.

Not at the title of Third Imperial Prince, not at my money, not at my face.

She was trying to see what kind of person I was.

It was the best.

“Your Highness.”

“What is it, Gareth?”

“Your face looks disgusting.”

“I’ll cut your pay.”

“This is already the twelfth time today.”

Gareth, sitting across from me in the carriage, had his usual blank expression.

Right next to him, Fine sat quietly.

The ragged cloth she’d been wearing when I took her out of the cage would’ve been too much, so I’d bought her a cloak on the way. She had it draped over her shoulders and was looking out the window.

She didn’t make a fuss.

She didn’t act scared.

She didn’t bombard me with questions either.

But she wasn’t indifferent.

Every little movement of her eyes was sharp. It felt like she was taking in the layout of the streets, the placement of the soldiers, the number of gates we passed, the quality of the carriage, even the way the driver handled the reins.

Yeah, I’d hit the jackpot with this one.

“Fine.”

“Yes?”

“When we get there, first thing is a bath, food, and a doctor.”

“…That’s a very practical order of priorities.”

“Because daily life matters.”

“I thought royalty usually started with things like giving someone a name or making them swear loyalty.”

“That sounds like a pain.”

“You’re so blunt.”

“You could call it efficient.”

Fine’s lips softened just a tiny bit.

Seeing that, my mood lifted even higher.

Having a real conversation really was wonderful.

After a while, the carriage didn’t head to the main palace but pulled into one of the detached palaces I managed.

Taking her to the main palace would draw too many eyes and be a hassle to explain. Here, only people under my direct control were around.

The moment we passed through the gate, Fine’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“…A detached palace.”

“You figured it out fast.”

“The crest on the outer wall and the guards’ equipment.”

“Correct.”

The carriage stopped.

The door opened, and the maids and servants lined up and bowed their heads.

“Welcome back, Your Highness Leonhardt.”

That was when Fine went completely silent for the first time.

Ah, right.

It probably hit her harder now than when she heard my identity back at the market.

I got out first and held out my hand.

“Come on.”

“…”

After a brief hesitation, she took it.

Her fingertips were surprisingly cold.

The second she stepped down from the carriage, everyone’s eyes turned to her.

Of course they did. The imperial prince had brought back an unknown girl from the market. It would’ve been weirder if they weren’t shaken.

But letting wild rumors spread here would be annoying.

“Let me introduce her.”

I looked around at the servants.

“This is Fine. Starting today, she’s a guest of this detached palace.”

“…A guest.”

The head maid, Maria, widened her eyes the tiniest bit.

“As long as she’s a guest, no one is to treat her like a servant. Don’t give her orders. Treat her with proper respect. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The replies came in perfect unison.

But I could tell from the way their gazes wavered that everyone was confused.

Well, they’d get used to it eventually.

“Maria.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Prepare a bath. A warm meal. And call a doctor. For clothes, just something simple for now—get it ready quickly.”

“Understood.”

“Also, assign two guards. They’re for the guest.”

“…For the guest, Your Highness?”

“Yeah.”

I said it calmly.

“Treat Fine’s safety with the same weight as my own.”

The air froze.

Yeah, I might’ve gone a bit far.

But it was how I really felt.

Fine looked at me.

I couldn’t read what she was thinking.

“Well then.”

I started walking.

“After the bath and meal, let’s talk.”

＊＊＊

One hour later.

I was waiting in the detached palace’s reception room, sipping hot tea that was still steaming.

“She’s taking forever.”

“It is not proper to rush a lady’s preparations.”

Gareth said.

“I’m not rushing. I’m just bored.”

“Normally, this would be the time when you throw out about three documents.”

“Today I’m in a good mood.”

Right as I said that, the door opened.

When I saw Fine come in accompanied by a maid, I went quiet for a few seconds.

Her hair had been carefully combed, and the ash-silver color glowed softly.

With the dirt washed off, her original fair skin stood out even more.

The dress was a simple rush job, but it suited her lean figure perfectly.

I knew she was good-looking, but she was even better than I expected.

Still, what really caught the eye were those eyes.

Even after being cleaned up and dressed, they hadn’t changed at all.

Quiet, calm, and always watching.

“…What is it?”

Fine asked.

“Nothing. I was just thinking it suits you better than I expected.”

“Your compliments are so blunt.”

“Is today the day everyone says that to me?”

The maid pulled out a chair for her, but before sitting, Fine glanced at me for a moment.

“What?”

“Is it all right for me to sit first?”

“It’s fine.”

“Before royalty?”

“We’re planning to be equals, right?”

“Planning is still just planning.”

“Then start getting used to it from today.”

“…That’s tyrannical.”

“Because I’m royalty.”

Fine let out a small breath and sat down.

Good.

She checked everything, but she didn’t shrink back obediently.

That balance was important.

The meal was brought in.

Warm soup, soft bread, meat dishes, fruit.

Fine reacted to the smell for just a second, then quickly returned to her usual expression.

“Eat.”

“What about poison tasting?”

“It’s already been done.”

“For my sake?”

“I’m eating and drinking the same stuff.”

She stared at the food for a while, then finally picked up the knife and fork.

She must have been starving, but she didn’t devour it.

She ate one bite at a time, swallowing properly.

“You know proper table manners?”

“A little, from a long time ago.”

“Your family was merchants, right?”

“Before we fell, we had some visitors.”

“I see.”

Even the way she ate showed her personality.

She didn’t get messy.

She controlled every single movement herself.

While watching her, I brought up the main topic.

“What did the doctor say?”

I asked Gareth.

“No major illnesses. She has malnutrition and fatigue, but rest and food should bring her back within normal range.”

“Good.”

I turned back to Fine.

“Then let’s talk about what happens from here.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll start with the conclusion. Your little brother and little sister have already been taken into protection.”

“——”

For the first time, Fine’s hand stopped.

Her expression barely moved.

But her eyes shook hard.

“Their location has been confirmed at a rented house in the south of the imperial capital. Meals and a doctor have been arranged, and they’ll be moved to a safe place tonight.”

“…”

“If you want, I can let you meet them tomorrow.”

There was no reply for a while.

Eventually, she slowly set down her fork.

“…Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Are they safe?”

“For now, yes.”

That was the first time she looked down.

I thought she might cry, but she didn’t.

She clasped both hands on her lap, took a few seconds to steady her breathing, then raised her face again.

“Thank you very much.”

“Mm.”

The thanks was so clean and proper that I tensed up a little instead.

I’d learned.

When this girl suddenly became obedient, something was probably up.

“Now, here’s the real part.”

I pulled myself together and continued.

“I’m going to give you three things from now on.”

“Three things.”

“Status, assets, and education.”

“…You’re being pretty generous.”

“Giving them little by little would be boring.”

“Are you deciding this with an entertainment mindset?”

“About half of it.”

“You’re honest.”

Gareth silently pressed his forehead.

“First, status.”

I raised one finger.

“From this very moment, you are my guest and my protected person. You are not a servant. You are not a slave.”

“Yes.”

“Next, assets. I’ll give you funds under your own personal name for the time being. I’ll also set aside separate living expenses for your brother and sister. You decide how to use it.”

“…Personal name.”

“Finally, education. From reading, writing, and arithmetic to etiquette, imperial law, history, politics, swordsmanship, and magic. I’ll provide all the necessary teachers.”

“All of them.”

Fine tilted her head just a little.

“Your Highness.”

“What?”

“What exactly do you intend to make me?”

“What do you mean?”

I answered as if it were obvious.

“Someone I can talk to, right?”

“That’s not the amount of education needed for that.”

“Being equals means that kind of thing.”

If I had money and the other person didn’t, the weight of our words would be off.

If I understood the power structure and the other person didn’t, that wouldn’t be equal either.