The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 5

[Episode 5, The Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire]

The Eastern Roman Empire held a certain disdain for us Westerners.

The proud Eastern Romans, who remembered a time when their ancestors viewed Westerners as uncivilized hunters, were now beginning to feel envious as we Westerners prospered.

The Crown Prince, noticing Peter and me struggling to contain our laughter, blushed slightly and said,

“Uncle, please lower your voice. Offer a sincere apology. What is this disgraceful behavior?”

“Your Highness, I apologize for my rudeness. Please forgive me. Such diplomatic discourtesy will not occur again.”

The Eastern Roman royal’s tone became noticeably more humble. He spoke in Latin, of course.

However, a lingering unease remained in my heart, like undissolved powder in a sweet drink.

And so, I harbored a slight grudge.

“Ha, I see our England is considered a mere barony, not a kingdom.”

A resentful remark for being treated rudely by a 13-year-old prince of another nation.

England is not a nation to be trifled with these days.

Even though my family is somewhat dysfunctional, we are among the rising powers!

The Battle of Bouvines, King John’s greatest blunder in the original timeline, hasn’t even happened yet.

We still control significant territories in western France.

Indeed, many nobles within those French territories favored England over France.

Of course, in the feudal era, alliances and loyalties were often transactional.

Our England, which some would later call the Angevin Empire.

Even the current Eastern Roman Emperor, Manuel I, when assessing the rising powers in the West that he needs to be wary of, where does his gaze fall?

Our England, which firmly controls the western part of France.

But why was the apology so swift? What did they hope to gain from England?

“I have a question. Why have guests from the ‘Empire’ come to the British Isles? Especially the Crown Prince, a member of the purple-blooded [a reference to the purple dye reserved for the imperial family] lineage.”

I couldn’t help but be suspicious. Even if they grumbled about the Greek Empire or whatever, the Eastern Roman Empire was still a formidable power.

It was a country that the current Emperor Manuel I had painstakingly restored after it had been weakened by Islamic forces and nearly collapsed.

Of course, they still hadn’t completely driven out the troublesome Sultanate of Rum from Anatolia, their own backyard.

And contrary to the common misconception that the Middle Ages were a dark age, it was also an era of knights who lived and died for romantic ideals.

Perhaps, on the surface, he came to this island nation of England to see me, a rival in love who also sought Princess Agnes’s hand.

But if that were the only reason, would the Eastern Roman royal family need to send even the Crown Prince? I wondered.

Through history lessons at the palace, I was well aware of the situation in the Eastern Roman Empire in the late 12th century.

The Eastern Roman Empire had been steadily recovering its strength thanks to the wise rule of Manuel I.

But many unstable factors remained, including the neighboring Sultanate of Rum.

So, even sending the Crown Prince, the heir apparent…

What message were they trying to send to England, a rising Western power?

It couldn’t be simply a warning: [Don’t interfere with Princess Agnes, who will be our future daughter-in-law!]

“Think about what Prince John did to Princess Agnes. How much trouble that caused me.”

Of course, the Crown Prince didn’t seem inclined to reveal the true reason.

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but that is a matter to be discussed with the King of England.”

“A matter to be discussed with my father? Then I shall take my leave.”

As he turned to depart, he paused.

“Prince John. Are you… truly unaffected when you look at me?”

Crown Prince Alexios’s question was strange.

“I merely hope that the Crown Prince enjoys his time in England.”

As I turned to leave after speaking those words,

“Did I misunderstand? It can’t be.”

I distinctly heard the Crown Prince mutter to himself.

**

My father, Henry II, was preoccupied with various Eastern Roman matters, preventing him from visiting his mistress on the French continent.

And my father’s meeting with the Eastern Roman guests seemed to last an exceptionally long time.

The man referred to as the ‘uncle’ was named Andronikos. What a complicated name.

Even after careful consideration, I couldn’t fathom why the current Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, Manuel I, would send his precious son, Crown Prince Alexios, to the island nation of England.

It was a week later that my father finally summoned me.

“John, it’s been a while.”

I observed Henry II’s face and remarked,

“Father, you seem quite tired.”

“Ha, you’re the only one who shows concern for me, John.”

Henry II, who had lost the affection of our family due to his inability to control his desires.

I was the only one who genuinely worried about the poor king.

After all, I was ‘Safe John,’ lacking any ambition to start a rebellion.

Of course, that didn’t mean I was unconditionally weak or kind.

“It seems that France and England both offer many ‘pleasures’ for Father.”

I was referring to the mistresses he visited nightly.

“Cough…”

I was a dutiful youngest son, even capable of delivering such subtle jabs. And my appearance was quite presentable!

The reason Princess Agnes continued to meet with me while still refusing our engagement must be…

Could it be because of my handsome face?

Of course, I couldn’t boast about being a top student from Seoul National University [a prestigious university in South Korea, used as a metaphor for high achievement].

I was merely an average face compared to the other handsome men in my family.

Honestly, having inherited the good looks of my handsome father, Henry II, and Eleanor, the most beautiful woman in France, I was quite attractive.

So, was that why the Eastern Roman Crown Prince was wary of me?

“The Eastern Roman delegation was rude to you first?”

“Yes.”

Rather than being angry, I had been struggling to suppress my laughter.

“Those Greeks still possess an inflated sense of pride.”

Did he cause a scene in front of my father as well?

Henry II sighed and said,

“I truly don’t understand those Eastern Roman fellows. I have no idea what the old emperor and those shameless Greek nobles are planning.”

“Father, I know nothing of diplomacy.”

Don’t burden me with complicated matters.

As I spoke, I intently studied my father’s face.

In response to my honest words,

My father smiled broadly.

“You’re honest as always, John! Yes, you know nothing of diplomacy.”

He said, stroking my head.

“I have made my position clear to the Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire. They will not be rude to you again.”

After the meeting with my father concluded,

I was lost in thought as I gazed at the neither gloomy nor bright sky above London.

I was well aware of how foolish the original King John had been.

Even I, with only a superficial knowledge of English history gained while studying French history, knew it well.

But now that I had become Prince John myself, I began to wonder if Prince John might actually have been a victim of history?

Of course, the foolish mistake of losing all the territories on the French continent deserved condemnation for generations.

But wasn’t he manipulated by the gaslighting of the French and turned the Plantagenet family into a laughingstock?

Regardless, I felt a surge of romantic thoughts as I stepped out into the open air, where a cool breeze was blowing.

“Peter.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Why on earth did those Greek friends come to this rural backwater?”

“It’s not exactly a rural backwater, though.”

“Did I say something wrong?”

Honestly, compared to the western French territories that my brothers were gradually acquiring,

England was a rural backwater.

It wasn’t a place where Eastern Roman guests, brimming with the national pride of a ‘world empire,’ would typically visit.

“Greek bastards! Have they been attacked by Muslims and now need hateful Westerner friends?”

“I wouldn’t say they’re Westerner haters, but you’re right.”

Oh, surprise.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire made a surprise appearance!

“Hasn’t the Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire returned home yet?”

“Hmph, I still have much work to do. Ah, I apologize once again for my rudeness last time.”

The Eastern Roman Crown Prince had become slightly more humble.

I couldn’t quite explain it, but his tone did seem more subdued.

Although our father was the King of England, a monarch with many lovers and a penchant for fighting with his second son, Richard, over a woman, he wouldn’t have resorted to threats like, [If you keep acting this way, I’ll make you truly despise the West!]

Diplomacy is driven by reason, not emotion.

“No, I also had my share of discourtesies.”

The atmosphere improved.

We exchanged a few polite words.

“Let’s go inside now.”

As I was about to part ways with the Crown Prince,

He suddenly accelerated his pace.

“In fact, our Roman Empire is stagnating.”

“Yes?”

The Crown Prince, who had been so arrogant moments before,

Now looked at me with a self-deprecating expression.

It wasn’t something a young Crown Prince should say.

“My father has worked tirelessly, but he has been unable to reclaim the old territory (Anatolia) invaded by the heathens (Muslims). But unlike us, England has gained control of the western part of the French continent.”

Yes, the west of France is England’s prized territory.

Honestly, rebellions did erupt because of those lands flowing with milk and honey.

But so what? Why do we need to dwell on that!

“Why are you telling me this?”

I was surprised by his sudden change of demeanor, his willingness to admit his empire’s struggles and abandon his Western-hating attitude,

But anxiety took precedence.

“I’m pleading with you, my rival in love. The reason I desire Princess Agnes is because our Roman Empire is weakening.”

“Yes?”

As I repeated in confusion, Crown Prince Alexios clenched his fist and declared,

“Actually, I was born too late. That is my fault.”

Somehow, his explanation seemed to be growing increasingly convoluted.

**

Peter silently observed the exchange between Prince John and Crown Prince Alexios of the Eastern Roman Empire.

‘As expected of our prince.’

Though usually playful, Peter served his half-brother John, considering him a kind lord because of it.

Peter had been intelligent from a young age.

[My son, true intelligence is best kept hidden] His birth mother, who was Henry II’s mistress, had worriedly cautioned him.

He quickly understood that his existence was due to Henry II’s attraction to his mother, a noble lady.

He also understood why his noble maternal grandfather had never acknowledged him, not even once.

‘Bastard.’

From birth, he was an illegitimate child, denied legal recognition.

He was aware of the fate of his half-brothers in similar situations.

That was why he had mastered the art of survival, knowing he had to be careful, extremely careful, even at a young age.

He never even considered suicide, which God forbade.

Every day was filled with pain.

He endured those years by subsisting on rye bread given as charity from his maternal family.

A fate destined for the clergy!

Then, a prince approached Peter.

It was his half-brother, Prince John, the seemingly unremarkable youngest prince of the English royal family.

He approached Peter, who was studying in shabby clothes, and declared,

[Like Simon Peter, be my rock, Peter!]

Peter’s life began to change from that moment.

Though the stigma of being an illegitimate child remained,

He was freed from his maternal family, who treated him as a stranger despite their blood relation.

He came to serve a kind and friendly lord.

Smart Peter felt immense gratitude that a legitimate prince had chosen him.

Because he knew it wasn’t an easy decision.

Before he knew it, the sun was setting, and his lord, having finished his conversation with Crown Prince Alexios, returned looking weary.

“Ha, I’m tired.”

Peter, seeing Prince John, inquired,

“Your Highness, did the conversation go well?”

“It went well enough. Anyway, those Greeks are truly troublesome. I thought I was going to die listening to them talk. Peter, quickly bring me some milk, so I can drink it and grow taller.”

“Is there a particular reason you’re so obsessed with height?”

“That way, I can become even more handsome.”

What does growing taller have to do with becoming handsome?

Sometimes he tells stories like this that I can’t understand, but Prince John was a good lord.

[To Brother Godfrey]

So Peter wrote a letter.

The letter was filled with French poems.

But the main point was to convey that he would never become a servant of the Lord [likely a reference to religious service, but also a play on words with ‘lord’].

That’s how the history of England slowly began to change.

Mary de Clare (1)