CH 67

“…”

“…”

It was the following week after the tumultuous weekend.

Mika and I were frozen in front of a newspaper as we sat in our usual place in the school courtyard.

It was the newspaper written by Miss Yoshino Treille over the weekend, already printed out through whatever contacts she had, and distributed on Monday morning.

Something like this was written in that newspaper.

‘The hidden treasure of Pluvia, the third prince, finally starts moving?’

The third prince, His Highness Nagi, suddenly visits the territory of Marquis Lambert during his summer vacation. As a result, the relocation of the settlement of Rubrum Empire’s refugees which had stagnated in the border city of Edessa was decided. That place has been left to shelter Rubrum Empire’s refugees in its border towns until now, but it seems that the country has decided that it is dangerous. Many merchants from the Rubrum Empire have entered the country as well, but what are the true intentions of the country stirring behind the peace agreement?

In the midst of all this, His Highness Nagi began experimenting with the propagation of magical plants near the place where the refugee settlement was relocated. In order to establish peaceful relations with the Rubrum Empire, His Highness is researching magical plants that can grow in desert conditions. If successful, he plans to offer the technology to cities in the Rubrum Empire while a peace agreement is in place.

Fifth-year student Machina, second son of Marquis Lambert, who guided the inspection, remarked that he was impressed by His Highness Nagi’s keen eye. It seems that reforms are scheduled to proceed in the Lambert territory from now on. The issue of the Rubrum Empire, which has been postponed in the name of a peace agreement, will finally be on the agenda this fall.

Marquis Sauget, who is in charge of diplomacy, was flabbergasted by a succession of comments asking why the Rubrum Empire was leaving their refugees alone in the first place.

‘Prince Nagi’s Secret Tea Party’

The first tea party presided over by His Highness Nagi was held in the greenhouse of the royal castle. The author was honored to participate.

His Highness’ love for magical plants is so deep and his knowledge so extensive that it is no wonder that he began his research on magical plants in the Lambert Territory.

During the tea party, he said that he was concerned and had no other intention than to dance with Duchess Vivienne Ackerson. It was a wonderful dance that attracted many of the noble ladies, but he remarked, “My sister-in-law, Vivienne, is a wonderful person. I’m sure she will support Brother Seth’s reign together with Brother Vincent.” He continued to speak out in favor of Miss Vivienne, the first prince’s faction seems to be only taking a strong stance against the second prince’s faction.

However, perhaps his softly smiling figure could possibly charm even Miss Vivienne? Miss Vivienne is currently in the spotlight for her new beauty business and other things. Then, could His Highness Nagi the third prince, who has begun to show his hidden abilities, be the primary weapon of the first prince faction? Future developments of the two must be observed.

Expect the next issue!

Bonus article

The “Wizard” Renalge Pomfrey is unexpectedly trespassing in the royal castle?! The reason was that he wanted to see the magical plants that His Highness Nagi was growing?! More eccentricities of the enigmatic Renalge Pomfrey are revealed. After being captured by Mika Chardin and imprisoned in the royal castle for a short while, Renalge was safely released the next day on the grounds that he was a friend of His Highness Nagi and the reason that “it was purely caused by an interest in plants”. News related to His Highness Nagi continues. At last, we can’t take our eyes off of him!

“Huh, wait. It includes something I didn’t say.”

“This is something. I thought I had arranged for the incident with Renalge to not be a big deal.”

“How did she know all this stuff?”

That explains why I felt like I was getting more stares from people around me than usual today.

What was written was not wrong, and besides, she had kept the beastman slave thing quiet. I let out a breath of relief.

(It is not written that I was someone of many loves, nor is there any mention of the “evil prince” that might be written in the future.)

As for Renalge, Mika certainly made arrangements so that it wouldn’t be a serious matter. But if it was going to be in the newspaper, it would have been better for us to sneak him back home with his magic circle teleportation. But…this was unexpected.

(It says that I’m a friend of Renalge! This is probably a good thing.)

I’m not sure yet, but it is safe to assume that Miss Yoshino Treille, who was probably an enemy in my first life, is relatively friendly at this point. No, she is a journalist in pursuit of the truth. As long as I don’t do anything evil, I wouldn’t be an enemy…for her.

Still, I am amazed at her amazing information network. Mika also looked a little grim-faced as expected.

We both stared at the newspaper in silence, but then Mika suddenly took a bow. As I was wondering what happened, a shadow fell on the newspaper from above. I looked up and saw pale light blue hair swaying lightly.

“Ahaha! Nagi. Did you read that newspaper?”

“…Ah, brother…”

“I was already surprised when you said that you’re going to hold a tea party. I did not expect that you even invited Miss Treille. You must have been in high spirits.”

“Ah, um, I thought I would take the chance to talk to her.”

Brother Seth sat down beside me. Then Mika stood up, bowed, and stood next to Oswald.

I don’t think it’s necessary to be so formal on the school grounds, and now it’s just me and Brother Seth alone on the usual picnic blanket. Brother Seth put his hand on the cloth, brought his face very close to me, and said with a look of dissatisfaction on his face.

“You’re not calling me by name like usual.”

“Please don’t tease me, brother. I know you’re very busy, so um…this is just me trying to do my best in different places for your faction.”

“I know, Nagi. I’m glad that you’re doing it for me.”

He smiled softly at me, and my cheeks flushed.

Brother Seth’s face is the number one beautiful face in the world for me. My heart was pounding.

Brother Seth’s eyes are a strange color, so icy that they appear white at first glance. As I gazed into those beautiful eyes, feeling entranced, a hand gently slid to my cheek. Unlike Mika’s hand, it was smooth and beautiful. He then gently traced my left eyelash with his thumb.

I tilted my head in confusion from that unusual gesture. I heard the voices of female students coming and going in the courtyard.

“B-Brother…?”

“Fufu. We will never know what will lead to something, so it’s better to show that we’re close with each other, isn’t that right?”

“Huh… Ah, yes. That’s true, but still.”

He smiled at me with a slightly mischievous look on his face, and I, weak to the face of my brother, was too embarrassed to look at him and averted my gaze. But…a jerk of his fingertip lifted my chin, and I blinked my eyes in surprise.

Brother Seth smiled at me with a beautiful smile.

“You’re my only cute little brother, Nagi.”

“! Brother, saying it that way is a little… Wait, did something happen?”

“Hmm, nothing much. Nothing at all. I’m the flawless first prince, and you’re my younger brother, Nagi. It’s just that.”

“It’s all so tiring,” he complained, which he sometimes spitted out only in front of me and Oswald.

The same gentle smile as always. An enveloping way of speaking. It was undoubtedly those of Brother Seth, and yet…

(His eyes aren’t smiling… Did I do something wrong? Or did Brother Vincent do something?)

I didn’t notice it in my first life.

But when I recall, I felt that Brother Seth started smiling like this around the time of the purge of Viscount Godin, which I had done in a fit of anger.

His Majesty’s illness. The pressure of being the first prince. The fact that one of his younger brothers is aiming for the throne. And a useless youngest brother. I’m sure a lot of things are on his shoulders. I was worried about what to do, and my eyebrows naturally dropped down.

But when Brother Seth saw my face, he chuckled.

Then his beautiful fingertips reached out and pinched me on the cheek.

“See you later.”

Smiling, Brother Seth walked away with Oswald to where his cronies, the other seniors, were waiting.

I sighed in amazement at his dashing departure.

If only I had the strength to do everything as cool and decisive as my brother. That’s something I’ve thought of many times since I was little, though. My brother was born to be the king of this country. Even if I can’t talk to him about the details, when I have a little more confidence in myself, at least when next year’s epidemic and my research in the Lambert territory take some shape, I will have to talk to my brother properly.

(About the future of this country…)

With this thought in mind, I looked up at Mika’s face, who was still standing beside me.

But…after seeing the look on Mika’s face, my eyes widened.

(Huh?)

It was because Mika was frozen with an expression as if he had seen something unbelievable.

My childhood friend, whom I thought not many things could perturb him, not only froze still with a strange look on his face, he also put his hand on his chin and started mumbling something as if he was deep in thought.

When Mika bit his lip tightly with a serious expression on his face, I called out to him, still feeling surprised.

“…Mika?”

“Ah… Ahh, it’s nothing. I just thought it was a strange thing for him to say…”

“So you heard that. I also thought it was not a good way to say it. But are you alright?”

“Yeah. It must be tough for His Highness Seth. His Majesty is not very healthy, and he has to deal with old people all day, every day.”

Mika’s words made me think deeply, what he said was true.

“Still, there was something strange with him, wasn’t it? Was there any movement on Brother Vincent’s part?”

“Ah…I heard that Jelaire, His Highness Vincent’s knight, is to be engaged to a lady who would have been a part of the first prince faction. Later, he was criticized by the Dukes of Tyndall for threatening the strengthening of the regime against Rubrum.”

I see.

I’m still a burden to Brother Seth, without me being able to create any factions or anything yet.

I shudder to think about my first life. While Brother Seth is suffering so much, Brother Vincent is supposed to be traveling incognito with his girlfriend on winter break and causing a massacre at the Taurus Mine.

But, if it’s only about Jelaire, I’m sure it will be fine.

“It’s almost time for the swordsmanship tournament. Maybe seeing Oswald beat up Jelaire will make us feel a little better.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”