After the chaotic situation caused by Benedict’s outburst, I realized I had been under a huge misunderstanding.
Was it just a simple duel!?
I had thought that the First Prince had gone berserk out of jealousy and was trying to take down Arthur!
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In fact, there was such a scenario in the game story! A scenario where the opponent is rendered incapacitated during a duel!
The fairies were all making a fuss, and seeing Arthur bleeding like that made me think of it!
So without thinking about the aftermath, I rushed to the First Prince and blurted out whatever came to my mind, but it turned out the First Prince hadn’t done anything wrong!
“You incompetent prince. You’re such a fool, yet you can’t even explain properly?”
“...I’m sorry for not stopping you. But don’t you think you’re being a little too hasty?”
“But the thing is, are you calling me your toy? I can’t help but be angry seeing some fool playing with me, right?”
Had it been before we became close, I might have felt different. But now, Arthur is just as precious to me as my other friends.
How could I stand by while such a person, who is creepy, gloomy, and overconfident, is getting hit? How could I not jump in to beat him up?
Sigh. Now that I look back, I’m glad I’m sickly Lucy right now. If I were healthy, I would’ve grabbed my mace and charged in.
Letting out a slow sigh of relief, I noticed Arthur, who had turned his head towards the window, his face flushed red.
“Did being treated like a toy make you that happy?”
“No. I—”
“Ah. I’m really worried about this country. A perverted masochist who wants to become a woman’s tool is a prince?”
“That’s not it! You damn brat!”
Arthur, his face bright red with frustration, turned his gaze toward Benedict.
Benedict, who must have interpreted my previous words as “I love papa the most in the world!” showed an air of ease and a leisurely attitude, enjoying his victory.
Is it okay for someone who almost killed royalty out of misunderstanding to look that way?
Well, I guess I’m not one to talk for insulting royalty out of misunderstanding.
“Are you even listening to me!?”
“I understand, so could you please tone it down a bit? I know full well you’re aware of your place and are trying to sweet-talk a fool, right?”
“...What?”
Wow. When the topic of marriage came up before, I wondered if Arthur had feelings for me.
But, I’m still a man mentally. Romance with another man? That’s just too much biologically.
But after thinking it through, I realized there’s no need to worry about it, right?
If Arthur had really liked me, he would never have turned down the marriage talks, would he?
Wow. What a major case of overthinking.
A little brat who loves teasing people, with a personality that’s pretty awful and no feminine traits to speak of, would never develop an interest in me.
“I’ll cheer you on. A combination of a fool and an incompetent prince? It’s a perfect match, don’t you think?”
I expected Arthur to shout back, but instead, he buried his face in his hands and said nothing.
Was it such a shock for him to be found out? But really, we’ve been bickering like this all the time. It’s not hard to notice.
“Right?”
<Don’t ask me for approval.>
<Hmm, I can’t answer that either.>
“...Why? Did I get something wrong? That can’t be it?”
Who else could it be if not Frey? Or maybe Joy, my childhood friend? Or that mischievous Pheibi?
Ugh. Either of them is too precious to give up, but if they’re happy together, what can I do? I’ll just quietly support them from behind.
“Please shut up.”
“Isn’t that too much? Oh, wait, could it be that you, the incompetent prince, are interested in that airhead? You really have weird tastes.”
“Just shut up!”
Why is he so angry? Teenagers are really complicated.
I grumbled as I turned my gaze forward again, spotting Rene, who was looking at Arthur with a somewhat pitying expression.
“You know, I’m not sure if I should say this, but... hang in there, little brother.”
“I don’t want your pity!”
“I know that. But you should be more annoyed. That’s the only way I’ll feel better.”
Although I tried to brush it off lightly, what Benedict and I had just done couldn’t be brushed aside easily.
We had ignored the soldiers' objections and entered the training hall, interrupting the duel between the princes, making insulting remarks toward the First Prince, and almost causing harm to Arthur.
Invasion of the palace, disrespect toward royalty, attempted regicide—there were plenty of charges we could face.
Still, if the kingdom were to push it, they would have no means to act on it. But still, both Grandfather and Garad had advised me to follow Rene, so I quietly followed him.
What was it they said? That following Rene would ruin his reputation as a dirty person?
“Alrn Young Lady.”
Startled by Rene’s insistent voice, I recoiled, and he let out a deep sigh.
“Alright, I understand, Lucy Alrn. Is this good enough?”
He finally returned to his original voice. It was a bit unsettling, but at least it was something I could tolerate.
“I’ll say it outright. I don’t want a marriage talk with someone like you. But I can’t break the command of Queen First...”
“What’s wrong with our Lucy? She’s pretty, cute, kind, and strong...!”
“Foolish Papa.”
“Of course, I’m not thinking of giving Lucy away, but if you insist like that...!”
“Foolish Father. Do you want to be called that forever?”
“I’m sorry!”
After easily subduing Benedict, Rene looked at me with a strange look. What, have you never seen a father who’s obsessed with his daughter?
“Anyway, there’s something I’m tasked with, so I’ll act like I’m cooperating for now, but I hope this gets sorted out.”
“Your flirting has improved. But it’s still the same—you're still that virgin full of desperation.”
“I’m serious. Think about it. If you were me, would you throw away the throne that was already within your grasp?”
I know Rene well enough to understand that he could very well do that. He’s lived his life like a puppet tied to strings, closer to a marionette than a human.
But this is reality, and if he has changed due to some variable, it wouldn’t be too surprising. I’ve seen many people change who I thought were unchangeable.
“I’ve already started taking actions within the palace, assuming that I will inherit the throne. If I delay and spread rumors, the advice will start pouring in from all sides.”
It’s hard to say if Rene has truly changed. On the day I suspect he heard the marriage talk from the Queen, the expression he showed wasn’t fake.
He genuinely seemed to be contemplating giving up the throne, and he showed jealousy toward Arthur, who had taken his place.
“So, until then, cooperate.”
Right now, I clearly see the unease in Rene.
The common denominator in his hidden weaknesses is a tendency to reveal himself when telling lies.
Rene is doing his best to hide it with his acting, but in the face of blessings beyond his control, there are limits.
I wonder if someone like Karia could completely erase these subtle details.
“After all, you probably hate me as much as I do you.”
I can’t tell exactly what’s true and what’s a lie, but I’m certain there’s something going on. Still, there’s no need to cooperate with it.
“Lucy Alrn?”
A sense of déjà vu hit me. This wasn’t my memory, it was probably a fragment of the memories Lucy originally had.
The events between the First Prince and Lucy in the past have become a source of unease that has now captured me.
To truly find out what happened, I thought it would require a visit to that island, but maybe I can just find out directly from this person?
“What is this ‘cooperation’ supposed to be for? If you’re honest, I don’t mind listening.”
“Hah, fine. It’s an excuse to cooperate with you. Is that satisfactory?”
“Wow. You actually said it. Gloomy prince, huh? You’re a hopeless virgin, aren’t you? It’s cute that you’re acting like a little boy.”
“...Stop with that nonsense and just answer.”
“Sure! Did you actually think I’d say yes? No way. If I’m with you, I feel like I’ll catch mold.”
Without saying anything, I sneered at Rene, who was glaring at me.
“Did you really expect me to say yes? Hahah. You’re so naive. Shouldn’t you stay quietly in your mama’s arms?”
“If you’re not going to cooperate, fine. Leave.”
“You’re really getting sharp, huh? Hurt feelings? Are you going to cry once I leave? Maybe if you cry in front of me, I’ll change my mind a little.”
“I don’t do toys. Little brat.”
“Gloomy prince, you’re also a little brat in many ways, aren’t you? If you want to become an adult, you need to try harder.”
With a sly smile, I propped my chin up, and Rene rubbed his forehead.
“Hah, fine. Let’s change the subject. I’ll take your day in exchange for settling the incident at the palace today.”
“Isn’t that too greedy? How hard is it to be with someone like you?”
“It's just one day. A couple of hours will do. Is that good enough?”
“You’re really persistent. I guess I have no choice.”
Anyway, since I’ll need time until I can move properly, I’ll just enjoy this while I can and maybe steal Rene’s wallet.
Hehe. I wonder how much the First Prince’s wealth will allow me to enjoy. I’m so curious!
"Date!?"
Joy, who had jumped up from the desk, was met with Arthur's disappointed gaze. She hesitated, then awkwardly sat back down.
"Is that really true? You and Prince First are going on a date?"
"It was a profitable deal. It was possible because of the Alrn family name."
"That's not the important part! If Prince First and Lucy are together, disaster will strike!"
"...That part, I think it will be fine. I could tell my brother was used to Lucy Alrn’s way of speaking."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"I’m not sure exactly, but that’s what it seemed like."
Hmm. Now that I think about it, Lucy and Prince First did meet a few times in the past, didn’t they? Could that have been the influence...
"I have to stop this! This is like a cliché from a romance novel!"
"Did you lose your mind after learning magic from Erginus?"
"Lucy is my precious friend! No one can take her away! She has to be with me!"
That’s not something you say to someone you treat as a precious friend. Sounds more like something you'd say when you feel like something is being taken from you, doesn't it?
Arthur let out a deep sigh, directing it towards Joy, who was abandoning her usual elegant composure.
"Sigh. Please calm down. Don’t act like a fool just because you're feeling emotional."
"This isn’t the time for that! Arthur! How many romance novels do you think I’ve read!?"
"Is that something to be proud of?"
"If you don’t want to cooperate, fine! I’ll do it alone! Or maybe I’ll ask Pheibi or Rina! They’d cooperate happily!"
"Wait!"
Arthur, who had felt a sense of urgency at Joy’s choice of allies, hurriedly called out.
"We can’t let that happen. It’ll definitely lead to a disaster. It’s like throwing a bomb!"
"Fine! I’ll cooperate! I’ll do it, so please calm down!"
After Arthur begged, Joy nodded in agreement.
Damn it. I have no choice. In order to avoid a situation where a potential heir to the throne dies in the middle of the day, I have to play along with this foolery.