Chapter 121: Chapter 18. The Market

Life is one big ordeal.

That was the conclusion Philip was forced to draw when a penniless family of marauders forced him to participate in such a humiliating event. No, it was even worse.

The next morning the boy was practically forced out of the house to go to the market with Serge. There was nothing to do and he did not fully understand how he had got there in the first place.

The huge market was in the center of the capital and he could buy almost anything there. Fruit, meat, clothing, and jewelry. Traders also came from foreign countries to sell their goods.

It was the first time Philip had been to a place like this.

And, most importantly, he didn't even have to do anything.

When Serge put the potatoes on the counter as usual and began to sell them, all that was required of the crown prince was to sit next to him on a chair and smile pleasantly. That was Mr. Ridley's business idea.

For the sake of this event, the boy was made to look more or less presentable. Washed, combed, and dressed in more decent clothes. Though Philip resisted to the last, he ended up here anyway.

In any case, to sit in one place and do nothing: was not too difficult a task. But he certainly wasn't going to smile, as Serge had told him, and he sat there with a very confused look on his face the whole way.

However, even such a dissatisfied look did not prevent him from attracting attention to the counter.

Many young girls passed through the market, and they all swooned with delight when they saw Philip. Even middle-aged women and men found themselves interested in such an unusual young man.

— Look, this guy is so handsome~! Surely he's not an aristocrat?

— It's the first time I've seen someone with such beautiful hair! It's like it's shimmering gold!

— I wonder if he's dating this girl!

There was excitement at the Ridley family counter for the first half hour. People crowded among themselves, eager to get a good look at Philip.

The sales, naturally, were also in full swing. As a «bonus» for buying potatoes, Serge offered visitors an extra service. They could hold the guy's hand, or get a smile from him.

The crown prince himself, of course, was far from agreeing to that. But who listened to him anyway…? Searᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Deep down Philip hoped that once he regained his former power, he would undoubtedly take revenge on this family in the first place. After all, it seemed simply inconceivable that some commoners would subject him to such humiliation!

Despite the fact that many people had seen and felt the boy today, no one recognized him as a crown prince. Since the main buyers of the market were commoners, they rarely managed to catch members of the ruling family in person. Therefore, almost no one fully knew what the «deceased» heir to the throne looked like.

The noble families were also found here, but mostly the aristocrats did not appear in person, and instead sent servants to do the shopping. On this basis, Philip's real identity remained undisclosed.

All the potatoes were sold out before noon. And so, Serge returned home much earlier than usual. Philippe walked briskly ahead of her, as he did not intend to linger in the place for a second.

Meanwhile, the girl herself was glad. For the first time in six months they had such high sales. And it remained mostly to the credit of the crown prince.

When they were away from the general crowd, Serge turned to the lad as usual when they were alone.

— Your Highness…! — She exclaimed, catching up with him,» Please wait a moment!

— Ha! No way!

Philippe snorted contemptuously and jerked his shoulder, not about to slow down for her sake. Eventually Serge caught up with him on her own.

— Your Highness! — Pausing to gasp, the girl called once more as they neared each other, «Thank you very much for today!

The boy glared at her angrily.

— Don't you dare remind me of that!

— But…! — She paused.

— But I'll make sure when I'm back on the throne, I'll have you and your family cooked in a cauldron of hell.

Serge smiled weakly.

— Your Highness, I understand that you are a little upset…

— A little upset…?! — Philip burst out,» Are you kidding me?

— But on the plus side! — With this money I can buy you meat.

— Big deal! — What do you take me for if you think I would sell myself for a piece of pork?

— Well… We're all in a bit of a pickle right now.

Philip stomped his foot angrily in annoyance.

— Ah, damn…! Just don't talk to me anymore, you silly girl!

Serge fell silent, and they spent the rest of the road in silence between them. It was obvious that the crown prince should not be annoyed right now.

They had one last dark alleyway to go through before they reached the street where their house was. That was where the boy was in for the biggest trouble of the day.

When Philippe and Serge were in the middle of the dark alley, they suddenly heard footsteps behind them. Many footsteps.

The crown prince instantly turned around.

— Your Highness, aren't you afraid to wander alone in a place like this?

That voice… Not immediately, but Philip vaguely recognized it.

All the more so when the stranger stepped into the glimmer of light and showed his face.

An ordinary aristocrat of unassuming appearance, about his age with brown hair. Behind him was a clump of bodyguards.

Eric Holmes. Baron Holmes' only son.

Philip fell into a stupor, for he absolutely did not expect to meet this type again. Hadn't the wretched boy died the last time…?

The aristocrat, noticing the obvious shock on his face, grinned.

— Your Highness, you seem tense. Are you frightened?

— …

Philip kept silent, his teeth clenched together almost to the point of pain.

— But it's of no importance,» he turned slowly, «Today I shall collect what you owe me.

The menacing knights behind him began to grind their fists defiantly. And Philip realized that the baron's son was going to do to him exactly what he himself had done three years ago.