The Youngest Prince Of The English Royalty House [EN]: Chapter 9

[Episode 9, Kind Brothers]

For a prince who had nothing, Mortain was like welcome rain in a drought.

Becoming the lord of even a small territory made me realize I was truly living in the Middle Ages.

Of course, I’ll get a real taste of the ‘Middle Ages’ while acting as a lord, but that’s a problem to worry about when my brothers revolt later. Whatever trials come, future John will take care of it.

But there’s more to this gift?

I looked at young King Henry and asked, “Brother Henry, what is it?”

“John, you’ll find out after your wedding mass.”

Brother Henry gave a benevolent smile and didn’t reveal the nature of the gift. A gift that can only be given after the wedding mass… what could it be?

Anyway, Brother Henry, after answering, came to me and stroked my head. It felt strange to be stroked by a handsome man instead of a pretty woman, but I stayed still.

“John, you’ve grown a lot.”

Brother Henry, born in 1155 and 11 years older than me, looked at me with admiring eyes. Seeing him look at me as if I were a little nephew, I was reminded that I was the youngest.

Perhaps my young age protected me from my brothers’ evil schemes.

As I was thinking that, Brother Geoffrey, who had been silent, looked at Brother Henry and said, “Brother, John is a lovely brother who has helped us without us even knowing.”

“Yes, John didn’t forget about us, even while receiving Father’s favor.”

Brother Henry acknowledged it – that I was a good youngest son, not relying on Father and acting out. I, who had nothing to be ashamed of before the heavens, confidently said, “I, John Plantagenet, am Father’s son, but also your brother.”

The stage for the great revolt was in French territory, and at that time I was young. I just listened to the revolt that my brothers and mother caused. As I got older and reached an age where I could participate in politics, I worked hard to ‘mediate’ between my brothers and father. However, I couldn’t directly tell my father to get along with my brothers. But whenever Father provoked my brothers to receive an ‘oath of allegiance,’ I had a hard time preventing Father from crossing the line with my brothers.

“Yes, John, you are our beloved youngest.”

Brother Richard also acknowledged that fact without any hesitation.

As the atmosphere between the brothers improved, Brother Henry looked at the other brothers and said, “My reliable brothers.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Don’t forget. You are my beloved brothers, but ultimately, you are subjects who will serve me.”

“That is perfectly natural, Brother.”

Brother Henry asserted his higher status in front of his other two powerful brothers, Richard and Geoffrey, and we, the brothers, readily acknowledged that fact.

Unless there are unforeseen circumstances, there is only a difference between Brother Henry, who will become the ruler of England and Southern France as Henry III, and Brothers Richard and Geoffrey, who are just powerful royals.

Of course, the two brothers will be thinking of plotting against Brother Henry in their heads, but they won’t reveal their thoughts outwardly because Brother Henry is doing the best right now!

As expected, the history I knew only through writing, like ‘Richard the Lionheart is the best,’ and the history I see before my eyes now were completely different.

‘Is it still Brother Henry’s era after all?’

They may be thinking of stabbing each other in the back at any time, but right now, Brothers Richard and Geoffrey are not challenging Brother Henry’s authority at all.

After showing his brothers ‘This is the eldest son,’ Brother Henry said with a kind face, “Richard, Geoffrey, and John, we are brothers of the same blood.”

Brother Henry, who was softening his words, suddenly started laughing. “Hahaha. I also agree with what you said to your friend, Geoffrey.”

Brother Henry quoted the famous line that the third prince Geoffrey said when someone asked why the Anjou-Plantagenet family [the ruling dynasty of England at the time] was in such a mess: “[Listen well, my friend, the people of our family are born to oppose brother against brother, son against father, and to do their best to harm each other.] Geoffrey, I think the same way.”

The atmosphere was about to turn heavy, but Brother Henry suddenly smiled and said, “But now that the youngest is getting married, we must become even more united. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Brother.”

After saying that, Henry turned to us again and said, “That’s all I have to say as the eldest brother. See you next time.”

That’s how the brothers’ meeting ended.

I entered the annex that my brothers provided.

“Has the prince arrived?”

“Loyal knights of England, you have worked hard today as well.”

I exchanged friendly greetings with the escort knights.

“Let’s go inside, Peter.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

*Thud, thud, thud, thud.*

I entered the annex, and only after putting four leather pouches filled with gold coins into the box could I breathe easily.

“It’s difficult.”

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

“I’m not alright; they were really scary brothers.”

“Isn’t that obvious? They are the ones who started the great revolt.”

Three out of the four princes are monsters. Of course, I, one of them, was an extremely ordinary prince.

The reason I wasn’t harmed today is that I have always lived as a polite youngest son who has no complaints about my brothers, but if you know, it’s thanks to Brother Henry, who is trying to give strength to the youngest.

And I realized through today’s meeting that I have now stepped into the game of thrones.

I was in a bad mood, so I invited the youngest sons of French and British noble families and held a commemorative banquet ahead of the wedding mass.

“Everyone, I am now the Count of Mortain.”

“Congratulations, Count of Mortain!”

“We want to receive titles quickly too.”

“Because I’m a miserable youngest son, sob sob.”

Of course, listening to the sad youngest son’s lament was also a job. As time passed, I, holding a glass full of wine, said to them, “Everyone, if you need money, borrow it from the Jews.”

“Yes?”

Why else? Because your French king will soon make a grand decision to rip off the Jews’ money. Of course, I didn’t tell them that fact.

“Aren’t the Jews our Europeans’ money bags anyway?”

“That’s right, Your Highness. Those guys are our money bags.”

I’m just recommending irresponsible loans. I’ve said everything I need to say now. Let’s go back to the homeland!

“Peter, let’s go back now.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I had finished all the preparations to return to England when, “Wait a minute,” a beautiful voice was heard.

Although she is slightly less beautiful, a woman who looks similar to my younger sister Agnes… It’s my first sister-in-law.

She smiled shyly and said, “John, it’s been a while.”

Has it been a while? Ah, I think I saw her once when our mother’s place of exile was changed? I forgot because I was working hard for the future of England.

Now that I’ve become the Count of Mortain, I greeted her politely with medieval etiquette. “Hello, Your Majesty.”

In name, Brother Henry was the co-king of England, which means Brother Henry’s partner was the queen. Of course, I have to treat her politely.

“Oh my! Were we that distant?”

Yes, we were that distant, and you’re pleased with my attitude right now.

“Don’t be awkward; call me sister-in-law. We’re not strangers.”

*Clang.*

My sister-in-law was Princess Marguerite of France. She poked at my weakness. Is she trying to buy me with money? Of course, I like clanging regardless of the amount.

“Sister-in-law.”

I had no choice but to change my title. Then my first sister-in-law looked at me with a proud face and said, “Our Prince John, when did you grow up so much?”

“Hmm, sister-in-law, I’ve grown enough to receive a lord title now. I’m getting married soon too.”

Then Sister-in-law Marguerite said, “I got permission from Henry, so I’ll just get to the point. As the queen of the kingdom, I have prepared a gift for the prince. Here. Give the gift to Prince John.”

I was surprised to see the gift that Sister-in-law Marguerite had prepared. She expected that reaction and smiled brightly and said, “This is a wedding gift from me, the Queen of England, not Henry.”

“… Thank you, sister-in-law.”

I was reluctant, but I thanked her politely. Sister-in-law Marguerite smiled brightly and said, “See you later, John.”

**

I thought on the way back to England: While on the ship, I am who? Count John of Mortain! Even if I’m not a cool duke like my brothers, a count is something. Now I’m walking the path of a proper feudal lord.

“Your territory will be ruled by an agent I send for a while.”

“Yes?”

“Then can Father entrust that scary territory to the youngest son who hasn’t had a wedding mass?”

“Scary territory?”

I expected it. Our father seems worried about me, the youngest son who has just become a lord. Yes, that’s possible. But the next words my father spat out were really like a typical Englishman who lives with hypocrisy.

“The English are steadfast, but the French are cunning!”

Yes? What did you say? That’s not something a ‘cunning’ father who has three cunning sons should say.

“Giving the territory is not the end.”

“John! Now you have to live as a real adult with the Claire family as your in-laws after the wedding mass.”

“A real adult?”

“Yes, a real adult. John, now you will leave my arms and experience the harsh storms of the world.”

I was already of adult age, but the word ‘real adult’ that Father said felt bitter on my tongue. He was a different father from others, but how much did Father love me?

Looking at me like that, Father said, “I also made the same expression as you when I heard the definition of ‘real adult.’ At that time, your grandmother, who was my teacher, said this to me.”

After saying that, Father hugged me and said, “You’ll be able to do it. You’ll be able to endure it. We are descendants of the great conqueror William [William the Conqueror, a famous historical figure].”

“Father…”

Father’s eyes turned red, as if he was thinking of his deceased grandmother Matilda. Henry II, who always seemed strong, I realized that he was also someone’s child.

**

After returning, I sighed. “Ha… Life.”

“Why are you sighing so uncharacteristically?”

“I didn’t know when I became the Count of Mortain, but the responsibility is heavy.”

“You have already prepared for everything, Your Highness.”

“That’s right.”

I have to take responsibility for all the results of my choice, and to protect my life in this messed up family, I must not make the wrong choice. It’s scary… The Middle Ages!

“Your Highness, I have collected information about the County of Mortain.”

As expected, Peter. There was information about the current status of the Mortain territory and various nobles. Peter, you’re really reliable!

“You are so thorough in your preparation.”

“If Your Highness and I are to survive, we need accurate information, don’t we?”

I read the report that Peter prepared; my head was complicated and throbbing.

“It’s not easy.”

“Mortain is a territory where you can’t expect productivity.”

“If I had married Princess Agnes, I wouldn’t have had this trouble?”

“If that were the case, the other princes wouldn’t have stayed still. It was clear that they would receive a good territory with the princess’s dowry. The lowlands are the same. You cannot protect that land with your weak foundation. If you think about the future, a small and weak territory will be much better.”

“Yes, Mortain is an ambiguous territory, so my brothers didn’t guard me. Besides, Father said he would send an agent to manage the Mortain territory for a while.”

“Wait, an agent? Then the territory won’t get any worse because the agent will definitely be someone related to the Seven Nobles.”

My father’s closest aides, the Seven Nobles, are friendly to me. From the beginning, they didn’t see me as a son who would aim for the crown and rebel.

“Peter, go and rest. I have something to think about for a while.”

“Your Highness, then I will step down.”

The gift from my sister-in-law is a ceremonial robe made of silk. It’s a gift I like because I feel it’s the kindness of Brother Henry, who sees me in a good light. I’m handsome, so it will suit me very well.

Time passes again, and finally, the day of the wedding mass arrives.

Peter, who paid attention to his attire, came in and said, “Prince John, it’s time.”

“Yes.”

The moment I went outside, I was surprised. Like terrifying horsemen of the apocalypse, Brothers Henry, Richard, and Geoffrey, who give me fear, appeared on horseback. Their momentum was so scary.

‘Father, I realize it now. How did you live like that all along?’

I felt respect for my father, who suppressed the great revolt caused by those brothers.

“Why are you here, brothers?”

“John, we will personally escort you, the groom.”

“Straighten your shoulders and leave it to your brothers.”

“Yes, we are all brothers.”

Young King Henry.

Duke Richard of Normandy.

Duke Geoffrey of Brittany.

Brothers from a messed up family who will devour their brothers born from the same womb if they show weakness, but now, at this moment, they are more kind than anyone else.

Of course, I can’t believe my brothers’ kindness as it is.

“Thank you, Brothers.”

“Giddy up!”

*Heeheeing.*

Me, the groom about to get married, was escorted by the three strongest knights in England. Many people admired that sight. Isn’t this completely the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Location of Mortain.

Mom’s friend’s illegitimate child