Chapter: 595
After Benedict’s rampage turned the situation into a mess, I realized I had fallen into a huge misunderstanding.
Was it just a simple duel!?
I thought the First Prince was rampaging out of jealousy to mess with Arthur!
But there really was something like that in the game’s story! A scenario where you incapacitate your opponent during a duel!
When I saw Arthur bleeding like a fountain and the fairies making a fuss, that thought just popped into my head!
So without thinking about the aftermath, I rushed over to the First Prince and blurted out whatever came to mind, but it turns out the First Prince hadn’t done anything wrong!
“Useless Prince. Can’t you even explain yourself properly, being such a shoddy mess?”
“…I’m sorry for not stopping you. But don’t you think you’re being too hasty?”
“But seriously, Your Highness, you called me your toy? How could I not be angry seeing some idiot play with it?”
If it were before we became friends, maybe I wouldn’t care. But right now, Arthur is as precious to me as any of my other friends.
How can I just stand by while that prick, who thinks every girl just swoons over him if he talks, hits someone like Arthur?
Of course, I charged in with the mindset to take him down!
Haah. Looking back now, I’m glad I’m weak Lucy. If I were in good shape, I would’ve charged in with a mace right away.
As I let out a slow sigh of relief, I noticed Arthur turning his head toward the window, his ears flushed red.
“Were you that happy being treated like a toy?”
“Ah. No, I wasn’t—”
Haah. “I worry for the future of this country. A prince who wants to be a girl’s tool!”
“That’s not it! Damn brat!”
With his face all flushed, Arthur vented his frustration and then glanced towards Benedict.
Benedict, who must have interpreted my earlier words as “I love my Papa more than anything else in the world!” had a relaxed attitude of a winner.
Is it okay for a guy who almost committed regicide through his misunderstanding to show that face?
Well, I can’t say much since I disrespected royalty out of my own delusion, but…
“Are you even listening to me!?”
“I get it, so can you just tone it down a bit? I know that Useless Prince has grasped his place and is fawning over that idiot swordsman.”
“…What?”
Wow. The last time we talked about marriage, I was worried what if Arthur had feelings for me?
But oh yeah, in my mental state, I’m a guy. Dating the same gender is just biologically impossible.
But thinking it through, maybe I shouldn’t have worried at all?
If Arthur really liked me, there’s no way he’d reject a marriage proposal, right?
Wow, I was seriously overthinking it.
There’s no way that kid, who’s so tiny, loves to tease, and has a nasty personality, could harbor any feelings for me.
“I’ll cheer for you hard. A combo of an idiot and useless? Perfect match!”
I expected Arthur to shout something in response, but he buried his face in his hands and didn’t say a word.
Was he really that shocked that I found out? But seriously, with how often we bicker, it’s hard not to notice.
Right?
[Don’t ask for my agreement.]
[Um. I can’t really answer that.]
‘…Why? Am I wrong? There’s no way, right?’
Who else would it be if not Frey? My childhood friend Joy? Maybe Phoebe, who catches my eye for various reasons?
Ugh. Each of them is someone I’d hate to pass on to someone else, but if they’re happy together, what can I do? I’ll just enthusiastically support them from behind.
“Please just shut up.”
“Isn’t this enough? Oh. Don’t tell me, Useless Prince. Do you have a thing for that Sloppy Fox? Your taste is so unique.”
“Just shut up for a second!”
Why is he so mad? Seriously, teenage brats are so troublesome.
Grumbling, I turned my gaze back to the front, where Rene was looking at Arthur with a somewhat pitying expression.
“Brother, I don’t know if I should say this, but, um… stay strong.”
“I don’t want your sympathy!”
“I know that’s why I’m saying it, so get more irritated. That’ll make me feel better.”
I pretended to brush off the comment, but the situation between me and Benedict was not something to laugh off.
We had disregarded the soldiers’ warnings and intruded into the training grounds, butting into the duel of the princes and verbally assaulting the First Prince, nearly injuring Arthur in the process.
Royal trespassing. Disrespect towards royalty. Attempted regicide. And I can list numerous charges based on current events.
If they were to come after us with “So what’s next?” the kingdom wouldn’t exactly have an easy solution, but since both Grandpa and Garad advised that it’s better to follow Rene’s words, I obediently followed behind Rene.
What was it? If I did this, it would tarnish Rene’s reputation as some sleazy character, right?
“Lady Allen.”
I flinched at Rene’s annoying voice and pulled back a bit, and he let out a deep sigh.
“Got it. Lucy Allen. Is this how it’s done?”
Finally, back to his original tone. It feels a bit off, but I can at least listen to this.
“I’ll be blunt. I also refuse to marry a kid like you. I can’t disobey the First Queen’s orders, so…”
“What’s wrong with our Lucy!? She’s pretty, cute, nice, and strong…!”
“Damn Papa.”
“Of course, I have no intention of handing our Lucy over, but the way you’re speaking…!”
“Damn Father. Do you want to be called that for the rest of your life?”
“I’m sorry!”
As I effortlessly subdued Benedict, Rene looked at me with a peculiar gaze. What? Is it his first time seeing someone train a doting father?
“Anyway, I have some orders, so I’m pretending to try, but I actually hope this whole talk falls apart.”
“You’re getting better at your flattery this time. But the pity smell still lingers.”
“I’m serious. Think about it. Would you throw away a crown you already have for something like this?”
I know Rene well enough that he could do that. Having lived his whole life tied with a cord, he’s closer to being a puppet in a puppet show than to a person.
However, this is reality, and if variables caused Rene to change, it wouldn’t be too surprising. I’ve seen plenty of people I knew transform into something different.
“My faction in the palace is already preparing for my coronation. If I drag things out and spread rumors, they’ll start whispering around.”
There are aspects that prevent me from firmly concluding that he’s changed. On the day when I suspect he heard about the marriage proposal from the First Queen, the expression he showed was definitely genuine.
He genuinely considered giving up the throne and showed jealousy toward Arthur, who took his spot.
“Therefore, cooperate until then.”
More than anything, the sense of dissonance in Rene’s demeanor caught my eye.
Common traits that show he doesn’t want to be discovered are certainly phenomena that appear when lying.
Rene is doing his best to hide it with his acting, but before a blessing beyond recognition, there can only be so many limits.
I wonder if someone like Karia could erase even the finest details like this.
“Anyway, you don’t like me either, right?”
I can’t distinguish precisely where the truth lies or where the lies begin, but it’s clear there’s some agenda behind this. But there’s no need for me to play along.
“Lucy Allen?”
I felt a sense of déjà vu. It’s not my memory. It must be fragments of memories originally held by Lucy.
What happened between the First Prince and Lucy in the past has manifested as dissonance holding me captive.
To truly discover exactly what happened, I figured the only way was to visit that island, but why not simply ask this person directly?
“What’s the excuse for cooperation? If you tell me honestly, I’d have no reason to turn it down, you know?”
“Ha. Fine. It’s an excuse to spend time with you. Is that enough to satisfy you?”
“Wow. I didn’t think you’d actually say it if I told you to. The gloomy prince is just a sloppy sob when it comes to love. How cute.”
“…Stop babbling nonsense and just answer me.”
“Okay! Did you expect me to say yes? I don’t want to! Being with you feels like it’s going to mold!”
With a sharp glare, I smirked at Rene.
“Did you expect anything else? Puhahaha. Is this how naive you are? You should just stay tucked in your mama’s embrace!”
“If you’re not going to cooperate, then fine. Get lost.”
“Your voice is so sharp suddenly. Did I hurt your feelings? Planning to cry after I leave, huh? Why not just cry your eyes out in front of me? It sounds fun.”
“Playing with toys is not my thing, brat.”
“But you’re also a brat in many ways, gloomy prince, aren’t you? You need to struggle a bit more if you want to become an adult.”
Resting my chin on my hand as I grinned, Rene rubbed his forehead.
“Ha. Alright. Let’s change the subject. In exchange for resolving what happened in the palace today, I’ll take a day from you.”
“You’re being a bit greedy. Do you have any idea how hard it is to be with someone like you?”
“Just a day means two hours at most. Is that good?”
“Since you’re so desperately clinging, I guess I have no choice.”
Anyway, since I’ll need time before I can move properly, I’ll just have to have fun picking Rene’s pocket while I rest.
Hehehe. I wonder how far the First Prince’s riches can stretch. So curious!
*
“Date!?”
Joy shot up from her seat, slamming the desk as she locked eyes with Arthur’s dumbfounded gaze before she awkwardly sat back down.
“Is that really true? You and the First Prince are going on a date with Lucy?!”
“It was quite worthwhile. It’s only possible because of the Allen family name.”
“That’s not the important point! If the First Prince and Lucy are together, disaster is bound to occur!”
“…On that matter, it should be fine. My brother seems used to Lucy Allen’s way of speaking.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I don’t know the specifics. Just the impression I got.”
Hmm. Now that I think about it, there were a few occasions where Lucy and the First Prince met in the social circle, right? Maybe it’s because of those…
“We have to stop this! This is too much of a romance novel cliché!”
“Did you lose your mind learning magic from Lord Erginius?”
“Lucy is my precious friend! I can’t let anyone take her away! She has to stay by my side!”
Isn’t that something one says when they think they’re about to lose a precious friend, not when they’re treating them like a tool?
Arthur let out a sigh in exasperation as he watched Joy toss aside her noble demeanor.
“Haah. Please just calm down. Don’t let the excitement get to you and do something stupid.”
“This isn’t the time to say that! Arthur! How many romance novels do you think I’ve read!?”
“Is that something to brag about?”
“If you don’t want to cooperate, fine! I’ll take action by myself! No, I’m sure Phoebe or Lina would gladly help out.”
“Wait! Just a second!”
Feeling a sense of urgency at Joy’s mention of those names, Arthur hurriedly raised his voice.
Those names are a no-go. An accident will definitely happen. It’s no different from throwing in a bomb!
“Got it! Then let’s cooperate! I’ll help so just please calm down!”
When Arthur begged, Joy nodded her head.
Damn it. There’s no way around it. I have to go along with this idiot’s antics even just to prevent the heir from dying in broad daylight.
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