Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 16

016

Even though I hadn’t had a single conversation with Reina, our relationship had unexpectedly improved, so I had intended to find out more about her.

However, understanding the [Registry]’s functions and then dealing with the Fourth Prince’s schemes had pushed it down my priority list.

“Alphonso, do you know how Lady Reina joined the Second Order of Knights?”

I could find out instantly using the [Library], but it’s always better to get information for free.

I looked at Alphonso with anticipation.

“Well… I don’t know the details.”

“Just tell me what you know.”

“When Lady Reina was at the academy, the Second Prince and his escort knights visited. There was a rumor that a mock battle took place between some of the top students and the escort knights.”

Not ‘there was,’ but ‘there was a rumor’?

Ah, perhaps.

“Did a student happen to defeat a royal knight? And that student was Lady Reina?”

“Many people think so. Besides that, there’s also a rumor that the Second Prince fell in love with Lady Reina at first sight…”

I didn’t need to hear the rest of the story. I let Alphonso ramble on as I pondered.

It would be simple to find out the truth using the [Library], but there was no need to waste RP [Resource Points, a form of in-game currency or power].

The important thing is that the Second Prince brought her into his faction, the Second Order of Knights. Whether the reason was Lady Reina’s talent or beauty doesn’t really matter. Although, I’d guess it was because of her talent.

Let’s think from the Second Prince’s perspective.

One of the knights he personally selected is in danger of having her title stripped because of his good-for-nothing younger brother. Would he be happy about that?

‘Of course not.’

His own ability to scout talent would be questioned.

If her title were actually revoked, wouldn’t the knights watching feel uneasy?

A liege who does nothing while one of his knights is falsely accused under his protection…

The First Prince is a good alternative, and desertion is a matter of intelligence.

Maybe the Second Prince thinks of me, Acard, not as his brother but as a spy sent by the First Prince?

I chuckled without realizing it.

“Ah… I guess the idea that Lady Reina is a half-demon with succubus blood was too far-fetched, right? You didn’t have to laugh like that. I was just passing on rumors circulating among the royal staff!”

Alphonso, who had been talking to himself, misinterpreted my laughter and made a sulky face. I can’t tell anymore if he’s acting or being genuine.

“It’s fine. I know enough. It’s late, so you should go and rest. Oh, I’m planning to go out tomorrow, so prepare in advance.”

“Yes? Go out? You mean outside the palace?”

I shook my head.

“No, to the Opal Palace.”

“The Opal Palace? If it’s the Opal Palace… that’s the Second Prince’s residence!”

“Ah, I should probably let him know I’m coming first.”

“Are you really going to see the Second Prince?”

I ignored Alphonso’s excited question and glanced at the clock.

It was well past midnight.

I didn’t have time to sleep if I wanted to prepare for the meeting with the Second Prince. I rubbed my tired eyes and sighed softly.

“But what if the Second Prince refuses to meet you?”

“……”

Well, surely not.

I decided to think about that when the time came.

***

Within the Lionel Kingdom’s royal palace, Elach Palace, there are numerous detached palaces. Among them is a place with trees that bloom with light pink flowers all year round.

Seras Palace, the residence of the Second Queen.

A man accompanied by attendants visited the palace. Black hair, red eyes, and sharp features made his impression extremely cold. This was especially so because of his pale skin, which was unusual for the people of the Lionel Kingdom.

Damian Lionel.

The Second Prince of the Lionel Kingdom, who was engaged in a secret power struggle with the First Prince for the throne.

The chief attendant, who had come out to greet him, leading the staff of Seras Palace, bowed his head.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

“Where is my mother?”

“She is waiting in the reception room.”

“Lead the way.”

Whoosh-

Suddenly, a strong wind blew. The swaying branches scattered light pink petals everywhere.

A scene like a painting.

However, Damian only frowned at the petals obscuring his vision.

‘I want to cut them all down.’

These were trees that the Second Queen had brought from her homeland, the Kingdom of Arya, and cherished dearly. If even one tree was damaged, things would get very difficult.

“This way, please.”

After the wind subsided, Damian followed the chief attendant to the reception room.

His mother, the Second Queen, was waiting.

Her white skin was flawless, and her fiery red hair was piled up high. Although she was just over 40, she looked no more than her late 20s to anyone.

“You’ve come. Wait just a moment.”

A tea table that maids should have prepared. The Second Queen personally brewed tea and handed it to Damian. It was a custom of the Kingdom of Arya for the host to serve tea to the guest directly.

“When I call, you say you’re too busy to come, but today you sent word in advance.”

“Where are you hiding that bastard?”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

The Second Queen smiled as she lifted her teacup. Damian’s irritation, which he had been holding back, soared at the sight.

“Acard Lionel. I’m talking about the Fourth Prince.”

“It doesn’t feel good when you call your brother like you’re calling someone else. But, I don’t know why you’re asking me about Acard’s whereabouts.”

“Isn’t this the only place he can hide!”

The Second Queen clicked her tongue at his loss of composure. When she glanced around at the people nearby, those who knew their place quickly bowed their heads and left.

The reception room was left with just the two of them.

“Your brother was sent out of the palace for a while before he caused any more trouble. By the way, you still have a habit of getting angry easily.”

“…… I’m sorry. But! Because of that bastard, a knight I recommended to the Second Order of Knights has been handed over to a military tribunal.”

“You mean the child who just stood by and watched while your brother was being beaten one-sidedly.”

“Thanks to that, my reputation is in tatters. The knights’ morale is terrible. I think there’s even talk of stripping her of her knighthood. Was that on your orders?”

The Second Queen savored the tea she was holding without answering.

“Try it. Not touching the teacup prepared by the host is a great insult.”

“That’s a custom of the Kingdom of Arya. I am a prince of the Lionel Kingdom.”

“And your mother is from the Kingdom of Arya.”

Damian eventually took the teacup with a displeased expression and took a sip.

“…… Now, please answer my question.”

“I said that child seemed like she could become a pretty good sword, so I was going to have her join the Second Order of Knights.”

“If given enough time to temper, I judged that she could become a sharp sword to stab the First Prince.”

“But she’s just drifting around in the Second Order of Knights?”

“It’s because of what happened before she joined. I can sort it out over time.”

“I also heard that child is a sword without a hilt. She’s a little different from ordinary people, isn’t she?”

“……”

Damian pursed his lips at the Second Queen’s last words.

To be honest, he couldn’t picture Reina swearing allegiance to him at all.

“Still, it doesn’t make sense to expel her from the Second Order of Knights. Even if she’s a sword without a hilt, she’s still sharp. The First Prince might snatch her up and stab me later.”

“You’re looking at her with the same eyes you used to look at the stray cat you wanted to raise when you were young. I remember how you used to come back all scratched up and crying, haha.”

“Mother!”

“Don’t worry. Once the royal trial is over safely, that child will be dealt with with a light punishment. I’ll talk to Acard as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of wonderful hilt he’ll make. If you fail, don’t have any regrets and dispose of her. Make sure the First Prince’s side can’t have her either.”

Damian poured the cold tea into his mouth in one gulp.

Even though he had long since come of age, he was still unable to completely escape from the Second Queen’s apron strings, and he couldn’t help but feel suffocated by the reality that he shouldn’t.

Without the funds sent from the Second Queen’s home country, the Kingdom of Arya, the succession to the throne would be as good as gone.

Damian couldn’t help but feel that the aftertaste of the tea that had passed down his throat was so bitter.

“This is the last time. I don’t know how many times it’s been that nobles and knights who supported me have been shaken by that good-for-nothing brother of yours.”

The Second Queen gave a bitter smile at his assertion.

***

Damian returned to his residence, the Opal Palace. He took off his coat and tossed it to the servant as he opened his mouth.

“Where is he?”

“He is waiting in the reception room.”

Damian nodded and moved towards the reception room. He recalled the message he had heard during breakfast this morning.

– Your Highness, a message has arrived from Emerald Palace. The Fifth Prince wishes to see you.

A report that would not have even reached his ears in the past. For Damian, the ghost prince of Emerald Palace was less important than the stable keeper of Opal Palace.

– What time is available?

– After visiting the Second Queen, you have about 30 minutes of rest.

– Tell him to come then.

That’s why Damian had readily allowed the visit.

Recently, Damian had been hearing news about Evan quite often. Moreover, just a few days ago, he had even beaten up his good-for-nothing brother.

He couldn’t help but wonder how that ghost prince had changed. He could invest 30 minutes to satisfy that curiosity.

When Damian visited the Second Queen’s residence, the reception room was wide open. It was customary for subordinates to wait for superiors.

Evan, who had been contacted and was waiting, bowed his head towards Damian.

“It’s been a while, Brother Damian.”

“You’re, Evan?”

Damian couldn’t help but be amazed when he saw Evan’s appearance after a long time. He couldn’t find the image of the ghost prince that had been in his head.

A boy with black hair and black eyes was looking him in the eye with an upright gaze.

The weak child who used to avert his eyes at the slightest glance with a miserable puppy-like face no longer existed.

“You’ve changed beyond recognition in the meantime. I didn’t recognize you.”

“Thank you.”

Evan didn’t bother to add any lengthy words. Damian chuckled and sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs.

“Sit down. We don’t have much time, so tell me what you want quickly.”

Evan sat down and glanced around before opening his mouth.

“Before that, could you dismiss the people?”

“Hoo… What kind of secret story are you trying to tell? Anyway, everyone here knows what happened between you and that good-for-nothing bastard, so you can just speak comfortably. Of course, the results of the royal trial won’t reflect those facts.”

“Still, I ask you to.”

Damian’s interest waned at Evan’s expression, which showed no reaction to his sarcasm.

“You’re no fun. Everyone, step back. Sir Gilbert too.”

“That won’t do, Your Highness!”

“Sir Gilbert, do you think that guy might harm me? Stop nagging and get out.”

“…… I understand.”

Damian’s attendants, including his escort knight, quickly left the reception room. Alphonso, who had been rolling his eyes behind Evan, quietly followed them.

“Now, tell me. I hope it’s an interesting story, considering you’ve interrupted my rest time.”

In other words, if it wasn’t worth it, be prepared.

“I would like you to help me with the upcoming royal trial.”

“It’s already starting to get boring. Why should I lend you my strength?”

“Are you still planning to keep the Fourth Prince, who chips away at Brother Damian’s reputation every time he gets a chance?”

“The rumor that he hit his head hard and became strange was true. Are you telling me to abandon my brother who came from the same womb as my mother?”

Evan glanced at the tightly closed door of the reception room before opening his mouth with an indifferent expression.

“Isn’t it no different to abandon me, who has a different mother, and to abandon the Fourth Prince, who has a different father?”

For a moment, Damian couldn’t understand what Evan was saying. Soon, his eyes turned cold as he grasped the subtext.

“Are you now saying that that good-for-nothing bastard is a cuckoo chick [a bird known for laying its eggs in other birds’ nests] raised in the royal family?”

“Didn’t you know? I thought everyone knew and was just keeping it quiet.”

Damian let out a hollow laugh at Evan’s brazen reply.