CH 60

After listening to the story, Cedric turned to Renato.

Renato, who was drinking the tea Kane had brewed, noticed his gaze and quietly put down his cup.

"I understand what you're saying. But there's one thing I don't understand. What is the true purpose of His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"As Belle said, you will not be able to help the Marquis de Berkeley alone. I've come to help."

"Would the heir to the empire come alone to another country, even a friendly one, just for that?"

Even if he just sits comfortably, there is a sense of intimidation that cannot be concealed.

But Cedric is not timid at all, and he is so calm that it is hard to believe that he is only eleven years old.

That is why Renato treated Cedric not as a child but as royalty, the second in line of succession to the throne of the kingdom.

"What do you think, Mister Cedric?"

"I have a theory, but I don't have enough information from which to judge it, so I'd rather not say anything definite."

"...you're still eleven years old? That's frightening"

"I am very grateful for the compliment."

Renato was impressed and sipped his tea again.

The light from the window fell softly just where the chair was.

Renato enjoyed the aroma of the tea, which was slightly different from that of the empire, and looked at Mariabelle, who was watching the exchange with a smile on her face next to him.

"If you ask me if there is or isn't a true purpose for coming to the kingdom, sure, there is. But, for me, rescuing Belle's father is more of an afterthought."

"I would like you to tell me what that purpose is."

Seeing Cedric lean forward a little, Renato said "Hmm" and put his hand on his chin.

"I know you want to know, but if you are so eager, they will play you. You should pretend to be a little less interested."

Cedric's cheeks flushed red at the correction.

He is still a child. He may be called a genius, but he doesn't have much experience.

In such a case, it would be better to chat with him without any hesitation, and later on, he would get information from Belle, whom he had known like a sister, rather than from Renato, whom he had never met before.

"Thank you very much for your instruction."

"The most important thing is to have more information than the other party in advance. In today's kingdom, that's not going to be easy."

"I agree. With my current situation, it is difficult to get useful information. If it is within the royal palace, I can manage, but when it comes to foreign countries, I have to go to..."

"I think you are doing well at your age. You will gain experience in the future."

"Thank you very much."

Saying that, Cedric lowered his head again.

"And I think, after all..."

"Your highness Renato's attitude was not that of royalty. This is just like..."

"Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince has come to see the kingdom..."

Cedric looked up and Renato replied with a smile, as if the student he was teaching had given the right answer.

Cedric looked at Mariabelle, who was not surprised by what he had just said, and knew that she had also reached the same conclusion.

"So, is that alright with you, Marie-nee-sama...?"

He asked without thinking because he knew Mariabelle, who had been Edward's fiancée.

So, Cedric couldn't help but ask.

"It is hard to believe that Edward is now acting in a manner befitting a king. If that were the case, Edward would be..."

"I learned things in the empire that I didn't know when I was in this country. And I realised that the way His Highness Edward is, is wrong. No one in the palace disagrees with what His Highness says. But if I really cared about His Highness, I should have admonished him, even if it would have caused him displeasure, as Lord Kane over there did."

At that time, Edward was in the rebellious stage of puberty, and he sometimes did not listen to what others said.

When Mariabelle reminded him of this, Edward, who is by nature an obedient man, would often listen to her, but when Mrs. Dudley saw this, she warned him that his fiancée should not interfere in the affairs of his entourage.

"Perhaps His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the Gallerian Empire has allowed Master Renato to accompany me in order to assess the character of the next king of the kingdom. At present, there are only two heirs to the throne of the kingdom, His Highness Prince Edward and Prince Cedric. They should be easy to spot."

Before coming to the kingdom, Renato often asked her questions about Edward.

At first she thought he was concerned because he used to be engaged to Mariabelle, but if that was the case, he would have asked long ago.

Besides, she was often also asked about the king and Cedric, Edward's cousin.

"Then there would be only one answer to be derived."

Renato nodded in satisfaction at Mariabelle's words.

She was right. "Furthermore, I was told that if the kingdom was to be disrupted by the foolish king, I should quickly take it from him. Fortunately, the princess of royal blood is my new fiancée, so there are no problems about the future... but my feelings for Mariabelle are genuine. I want you to believe that much."

Renato's sincere eyes were as deep and blue as the ocean and filled with love for Mariabelle.