The Next Morning.
Having slept more peacefully than ever, I found myself uncharacteristically lost in slumber until the sun had fully risen. If Parna hadn’t come to wake me, I might have stayed asleep until well past noon.
Sitting at the breakfast table, listening to the countess passionately directing the staff, I looked around and asked about Frey’s whereabouts, curious to know if the penalty was still in effect or if it had concluded the previous night.
“She left for the Academy early this morning,” came the reply.
What? Frey?
“What? That blockheaded swordswoman?”
I let out a dry laugh as I was told that she had left hastily, ignoring even the countess’s attempt to stop her, as if fleeing in embarrassment. She was probably mortified by what she’d done last night. Frey has this surprisingly girlish side, after all.
As I returned to the Academy, I correctly guessed that meeting her would be difficult. Even though I intentionally looked around for her, I couldn’t find Frey until lunchtime.
Instead, as the sun reached its peak, Arthur came looking for me, carrying a message from Frey that she wouldn’t be able to see me today.
“It’s not unusual for her to be restless, but today she seemed especially agitated.”
Before I could ask what nonsense he was spouting, he went on about how she practically ran off, and I couldn’t help but laugh, imagining the look on Frey’s face at that moment.
Business...
“Is that all you wanted to say? In that case, please let me enjoy my meal in peace. Seeing the ‘pathetic prince’s’ face ruins my appetite.”
“Regrettably for you, I’m not done. We need to discuss your tasks for tomorrow.”
At the mention of tomorrow’s “tasks,” my appetite vanished entirely. What could he possibly want me to do that requires advance discussion? I’ve committed so many sins against him that I can’t even guess! This is the same guy who, not long ago in the dungeon, loudly declared he’d “discipline” me—and I threw fuel onto that fire!
“If you prefer to finish your meal first, I’ll gladly wait.”
Would the prince be able to eat in this situation?!
“Do you have no empathy at all, pathetic prince? Who could eat after hearing they have some ‘big task’ ahead? Oh, you probably just want to see me sulking while eating, right? Pfft. You’re such a pervert!”
“...I’ll take that as a yes to discussing matters now.”
Arthur clenched his lips, suppressing his irritation, and led me to a private room at the Academy.
Does this mean he has something he can’t discuss in public? Now I’m even more anxious.
“Relax. It’s not bad news for you.”
Arthur shrugged casually, leaning back, which only heightened my unease. Whenever someone says “it’s not bad news,” it always is.
“Let’s get to the point. I’ll give you two options. You’ll choose one, which will be your punishment.”
I knew it!
Not bad news? Yeah, right!
This guy is downright malicious! He’s enjoying giving me choices only to savor watching me carry them out—and if I complain, he’ll say, “Well, it was your choice.”
Maybe my anger was showing, as Arthur raised his hands to placate me.
“Calm down. You can decide after hearing your options.”
True. If his options are actually reasonable, then there’s no need to get upset.
I crossed my arms, signaling him to continue, and Arthur let out a sardonic smile.
Even a third prince is still a prince.
“Enough. Just say it.”
“How long are you planning to drag this out? Indulging your perverted preferences has become exhausting.”
“Haha. Understood. One option is for you to serve as my maid for the day.”
“...Pardon?”
“What?”
“You’ll simply dress as a maid and serve me politely. I won’t ask you to do anything beyond a maid’s duties, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”
After hearing his first option, I promptly restored my mace to its full size and placed it on the desk so Arthur could clearly see its glistening end.
“Pathetic prince, it seems you’ve forgotten that the punishment lasts only one day. If you forget, tomorrow this mace might find its way into your skull, giving your brain a taste of fresh air.”
I said this with a pleasant smile, loaded with intent, watching beads of sweat form on Arthur’s brow.
“Aren’t you overreacting?! Think about it! How could I force you to do something you truly don’t want to?”
Arthur muttered some feeble excuse about not meaning to push me too far, but I wasn’t buying it. I’d learned just last night about the power of penalties. Even my Mesugaki Skill couldn’t counter them, so forcing me to play maid now? Who knows what he’d ask me to do?
“Fine! I’ll tell you the second option! If you dislike the first, just choose this one!”
I silently gripped the mace’s handle, prompting Arthur to go pale as he quickly continued.
“The second option is simple. Instead of a day’s worth of punishment, you just have to teach me how to clear the dungeon.”
Huh?
“What did you say?”
“Pathetic prince, could you repeat that? Your voice was so grating I accidentally ignored it.”
“I said, teach me your dungeon-clearing techniques!”
...
Arthur, you idiot!
If that’s what you wanted, you should have said so sooner!
Where should I start? What should I teach first?
I’m so excited that my mind’s going into overdrive with ideas!
Right, let’s begin with the various dungeon mechanics.
“I mean, you may not want to share your knowledge...”
“What are you babbling about?”
“Oh, pathetic prince, you’re hilarious.”
When a novice volunteers to be coached, there’s no way an expert would refuse!
If an expert says no, they’re not a real expert!
True experts are the ones who bombard others with research until they’re thoroughly exhausted.
“Just tell me what the brief punishment is!”
“I don’t want to waste any more time, so let’s get to the brief punishment.”
If coaching a clueless newbie comes with a cost, I’ll gladly pay it!
What are you planning to make me do?
Say it!
Do you want me to kneel and apologize?
Or wear a maid outfit and do a moe-moe pose?
“My intention was to get a sincere apology from you, followed by a light smack on the head to wrap things up.”
“That’s it?”
“Puhaha! Is that all? Pathetic prince, you have such a petty mind.”
Normally, I’d never agree to something like this, thanks to the Mesugaki Skill, but right now, I’m free to bow my head as many times as necessary! This is what it means to be an adult!
“Then, is that your choice?”
“Yes! Since....”
“So, this is how you want to be apologized to? You really know how to make yourself look pitiable.”
“...You have quite the attitude for someone who’s about to apologize.”
Arthur sighed, probably realizing this was dragging on, and gestured for me to get on with it.
This was a proposal I was more than happy to accept. Better to get it over with now than to spend all day worrying about him changing his mind.
I got up and stood in front of him.
Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.
Alright, here goes.
Admit defeat, apologize for my usual behavior, and take a smack on the head. Simple!
Let’s get this over with so I can grab lunch.
Just as I was about to go through the motions of apologizing, a message appeared before my eyes.
[You will convey ‘sincerity’ during the apology.]
Sincerity?
Pathetic god, what’s this about?
I get that Arthur requested a “sincere” apology, but isn’t that just a figure of speech?
“Hurry up, Lucy Allen. Didn’t you say it was no big deal? Get it done, so I can smack you.”
Arthur raised his fist impatiently, prompting yet another message to appear, detailing the penalties if I didn’t comply.
Fine! I get it! I don’t fully understand, but I’ll apologize anyway!
When I think about it, I’ve got a lot to apologize for.
“I’m sorry for always being rude.”
Even if he’s not close to the throne, Arthur still carries royal blood. He’s overlooked my many transgressions, but I’ve undoubtedly leaned on his leniency.
“I’m sorry for not thanking you more often for your help.”
Our first encounter may not have been ideal, but ever since then, Arthur’s always come to my aid whenever I was in trouble.
Even if the Mesugaki Skill was partly to blame, I definitely owed him thanks.
“I’m sorry for constantly calling you pathetic.”
It’s clear from his efforts alone that Arthur isn’t pathetic. Training in both swordsmanship and magic without falling behind in either makes him worthy of being called a genius.
And yet, all I ever did was insult his efforts.
“And...sniff...I’m sorry for calling you ‘pathetic,’ knowing how much it hurts you.”
I know full well how much pain that word brings Arthur.
As I reflected on all this, my emotions overwhelmed me, and my vision blurred with tears.
Damn it. So this is what “sincerity” means!
Once emotions took hold, I couldn’t stop myself.
I was barely able to speak through my tears when the door burst open.
“Third Prince! We heard you took the lady...”
“Prince Arthur, even if you made a bet...”
Joy and Faivy, of all people.
They picked the perfect moment for a misunderstanding.
I wanted to explain, but I couldn’t stop sobbing enough to form coherent words.
Damn it, when will this penalty end?!
“...What is the meaning of this, Third Prince...Arthur?”
“It’s not what it looks like, Joy! Whatever you’re thinking, it’s a misunderstanding!”
“Would you kindly clarify? I, as a holy knight, shall judge this in the name of the goddess.”
“Lady Saint?! Wait! Calm down and hear me out!”
With a loud slam, the door closed, and soon, Arthur’s voice filled the room with indignant screams.
Watching everything unfold, I finally understood something I’d once heard: when a normally kind person gets angry, it’s truly terrifying.
...Maybe I should tone down my teasing from now on.