Chapter: 628
I found myself staring blankly at the ceiling, still holding the dimmed communication device in my hand.
I felt dizzy. If words had physical weight, it felt like I’d just been smacked in the jaw four times. The shocking sensation traveled all the way from my chin to my brain.
– I heard you’ve returned to your foolish self from four years ago, so I thought I’d reach out. If we spar now, I have a feeling I’d win hands down.
“Ha!”
Just as I recalled Erich’s words, a laugh escaped me.
What a mess of emotions. I never expected my first contact from a friend post-graduation would be this friend, who, out of the blue, threw some insults my way. And not even subtle hints, straight-up smack talk.
It was such an intense exchange that I found myself dazed yet amused. Had anyone ever told a royal they were foolish? Even my father, the King, never used such words with us.
– You fool.
The phrase was running through my head, self-edited for clarity.
Fool. Fool, huh. So now I’m the fool.
‘Well, there was a time when I was that way.’
Objectively speaking, there were indeed moments when I was foolish. No, more accurately, there were times when all of us were idiots together.
About four years ago, during my infatuation with Louise. Until we were kicked out of our group of five—we were the most valiant and confident fools out there.
‘Not that I’m proud of it.’
I brought my head back down and steadied my thoughts.
Erich, who shared those memories and blunders with me, was the one who brought up that four-year-old episode.
– You know well that when someone behaves cluelessly, it’s painful for those around them. We’ve been both the clueless someone and the suffering bystanders.
And it was a statement I couldn’t counter.
Erich was absolutely right. We had been the “someone” causing pain to those around us, and conversely, we had also been on the receiving end. Both roles were no fun, and for a brief moment, I felt the weight of those memories again.
Hence, we vowed never to be that way again. If I, as a prince, were to act clueless, who could stop me? My father and brothers aren’t exactly just sitting around waiting to intervene in my personal affairs.
But now, here I was, twisted enough to get a call from a friend on the other side of the border after a year.
– Ainter and I are on the cusp of getting married, and the prince is running around in a solitary time warp. Are you dreaming of being a great mage who manipulates time instead of a knight? If that’s the case, the title of Marcilio is yours to inherit.
…No matter how I slice it, it feels like Erich is just as turned around as I am.
It’s a strange thing. Though Erich isn’t one for sweet talk, he’s not the type to have others sigh upon hearing his words either. What on earth happened during the time we were apart that turned him into a mouthful of hell?
‘Work can really ruin a person, it seems.’
Scary, the Imperial Assembly.
While I’m not likely to ever attend the assembly, I hope to avoid entering that place for the rest of my life.
– But you’re not the kind of guy who makes the same mistake twice, are you? If you clear your head and look around, you’ll see the errors you’ve made.
And despite his rough words, I wished for the best for my friend, hoping he wouldn’t be tainted by the hellscape.
After being insulted by my friend, I once again swung my sword as I always did.
However, while my body diligently brandished the sword, my mind was far too busy reflecting on the past.
‘What did I even do back then?’
If my friend on the other side of the border has caught wind of this, it indicates that the situation is dire. It’s not about how the news got through, but why it reached him that I should ponder.
I began recalling my actions and words from the past while focusing on relationships—specifically those involving awareness and ultimately, matters concerning my love life.
‘I can’t think of anything too notable.’
Since graduating from the academy, my social circles have hardly been extensive.
Among the many siblings, I only had a regular presence in society because of my older brother, the Crown Prince, and my second brother who loved to indulge, along with my older sister, the belle of the ball. I wasn’t one to actively participate in social gatherings or networking even before entering the academy.
Given that I spent three years at the Imperial Academy rather than an educational institution in Armain, any existing connections I had would have reset in that time.
‘Sure, there are some nobles who followed me to the Imperial Academy…’
But those nobles either just graduated or are still studying. There’s hardly an opportunity to meet up.
If I did have anyone I usually met in the course of my training, it would’ve been Baron Perosa.
“I think if you have a child, consider sending them to the Imperial Academy.”
Baron Perosa…
“I’m alone, and you’re alone too; if others saw us, they’d probably think we’re a couple.”
Baron Perosa…
“Thinking back, aside from family and the pastry club, it seems like the only woman in my life has been Baron Perosa.”
…
‘Hmm.’
It is indeed ridiculous.
The memories of my clumsy past surfaced all too vividly. It’s puzzling why it’s only now that I’m making sense of it all.
‘What a mess.’
I said things so carelessly back then, but realizing I said them all to one person makes my head spin. They’re the kind of statements that could easily be misinterpreted by anyone listening in.
And finally, guilt rushed in. How awkward must it have made Baron Perosa feel while she was in my presence? What must Villard have thought as he watched his daughter wither away day by day?
I think I’m finally starting to understand. Villard must have told the advisor, and then the advisor relayed this dreadful situation to Erich.
‘Looks like I should apologize first.’
Now that I’m aware of the problem, resolving it should be simple. I can promise Baron Perosa that I won’t unsettle her again and console Villard, who was left exasperated enough to ask a foreigner for assistance.
While I should avoid carelessly thanking or apologizing to my subjects, this time, I genuinely messed up.
With that promise in mind, I awaited Baron Perosa’s arrival, and—
“It’s fine, Your Highness! I’m absolutely okay!”
Indeed, Baron Perosa appeared looking far brighter than before.
“Everyone in Armain knows how compassionate and pleasant you are, Your Highness! You were just joking around to lighten the mood for your sparring partner, how could I take offense to that!”
It felt odd hearing those words from someone who had likely been uncomfortable all along.
“Well, I’m grateful to hear you say that.”
However, asking someone who accepted my apology with great kindness, “Are you really okay?” would be a precarious move. The last thing I want is for Baron Perosa’s newly brightened demeanor to harden again.
So let’s leave it at this. I’ll end my apology here and ensure nothing like this happens again.
Right, that should suffice…
‘But it feels too comfortable.’
Seeing Baron Perosa’s relieved and cheerful expression makes me uneasy.
‘Is she not wishing for something more?’
Having such thoughts in this atmosphere feels insane. I know that well enough.
But I’m a prince. The prince of Armain, a powerhouse right after the Empire, an accomplished warrior who easily surpasses the standard knight level, and honestly, I’m not too shabby to look at either. My current single status doesn’t detract from my suitability as a groom; I’m above an acceptable level.
Yet, as soon as Baron Perosa realized the comments were just misunderstandings, her expression brightened. Even considering the class disparity, there are no lingering regrets on her part.
Why, though? Could it be that the possibility of becoming my partner—which flickered in front of her—doesn’t excite her? I mean, I am the beloved of a noble—what more could she want; it’s not like I’m some nobody!
‘Complicated feelings indeed.’
I felt both humiliation and curiosity. It’s been ages since I felt such intense emotions toward someone since Louise.
“Baron Perosa.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“As I mentioned earlier, I won’t make any statements that could be misinterpreted in the future.”
Repeating what I said, Baron Perosa blinked in confusion but nodded nonetheless.
Right. I will not say anything that could lead to misunderstandings. From this moment on, I’ll ensure it doesn’t happen.
‘This time, it won’t be a misunderstanding.’
Starting now, everything I share with Baron Perosa will be firmly rooted in my intention.
*
I’ve stepped into the Imperial Assembly a few times, but entering the members’ offices has been a rare experience. Definitely the first time since being dispatched from the academy.
Regardless, sitting in this office and looking around brings a weird mix of nostalgia. Perhaps it’s because this office belongs to my brother.
“I’ll be stepping down now.”
“Ugh….”
Or maybe it’s because I’m here in my brother’s office, berating him.
‘Damn it all.’
Gazing at Erich with his head on the floor, I let out a sigh.
It’s been just one day since I sent Erich to Villar. Just a single day, and Villar is already reaching out to thank me for bringing Rutis back to his senses.
Even I was surprised by the speed, so naturally, I went straight to seek Erich. Solving a difficult problem so quickly was truly deserving of praise. Plus, I was curious to learn how he managed to handle Rutis from the ‘77 season.
“Oh, that?”
And upon hearing his explanation, I just about plunged Erich headfirst into the floor.
‘As my friend, you absolute jerk…’
Roughly splashing cold water on my face, I found myself sighing yet again.
Erich had administered a toxic remedy to Rutis. A cure that could easily turn deadly if mishandled.
Seriously, who just up and calls a royal foolish? It was practically a diplomatic incident waiting to happen. Thankfully Rutis took it lightly, and it ended as a simple spat between friends.
‘Something even I wouldn’t dare attempt.’
It was shocking publicly, but personally, I felt indignant. If anyone were to suffer, it ought to be me—Erich was in no position to claim victimhood here. In that context, how dare he hurl insults at Rutis instead of me.
It felt as if Erich was robbing me of the rights I should’ve claimed.
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