Damn Family

Albert Shehenian Peselros.

In simpler terms, he is the Crown Prince of the Imperial Crown of the Peselros Empire.

He’s not just some character next in line after the emperor. He’s a complex figure, a future emperor who stands out even amidst competition for the throne. A war hero who has won every battle since the times of the Great Imperial Unification.

His mere game description showed his overwhelming presence. This led me to make a rule while playing the game: never turn him into an enemy.

“Such a person… coming to my sickroom…”

I should probably be on edge.

I’ve never been down this path before and don’t recall meeting him in my sickroom.

If choices appear, I need to be careful.

I cautiously asked him, “May I ask why such a distinguished person would visit such a humble place? Your Highness.”

It wasn’t improper etiquette. Given the situation, I did everything by the book.

Yet, Albert looked rather grim.

After a sigh, he said, “Carsein. I told you, formalities aren’t needed. Of course, there are those who would use them as leverage, but that doesn’t apply to you.”

“But, Your Highness.”

“I don’t want to be an incompetent Crown Prince who makes wounds fester by being polite to someone who was injured trying to save others.”

Albert waved his finger in the air as if telling me to relax.

“If you don’t listen, I’ll wake up your fiancée and suggest something.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Harnier mentioned she’d be furious when she wakes up.”

“…”

That’s quite a predicament.

Reluctantly, I accepted the Crown Prince’s order.

“…Understood.”

“Ha ha. Yes, that’s right. Though I secretly want to wake her up. I wonder how Carsein would react if Young Lady Harnier gave him a beating.”

What?

I stared at him with disbelief, and he laughed heartily.

“Either way, it’s unexpected.”

Given Albert’s status as Crown Prince, I was on edge, waiting for a choice to appear.

But, no reaction came as expected.

No choices appeared, and I almost thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

Honestly, I was surprised.

The strong-willed Crown Prince who suppresses nobles, the extraordinary war hero, and the emperor with charisma, all boiled down to a simple request to not be polite to a patient.

While similar to what I imagined, it was vastly different.

“Like an older brother to both the student council president and vice-president.”

He had the capability and social skills.

It reminded me of someone.

Our first meeting was during a sports meet.

And our second was when I was hospitalized after that sports meet.

It felt oddly fitting.

“Um. Let’s wrap up the small talk. Shall we get to the point? Carsein.”

“Yes. Please go on.”

“What do you plan to do next, Carsein?”

“What do I plan to do? First, recover, then leave the hospital—”

“Again, gather money like before to travel somewhere?”

My heart skipped a beat.

“Why would I leave the Bargrand Duke’s house?”

“Hmm. If you insist on dodging, there’s nothing I can do.”

No choices appeared. No change in affinity.

But this pointed out a clear issue.

“The economy of two territories that were at rock bottom is already within the top ten of the empire. Yet, the source of your spending remains unknown. So, it’s reasonable to assume you’re gathering funds to leave.”

“…”

“The Bargrand family isn’t short on money. They even refused their allowance. You prepared everything alone, as if starting anew. That was enough for me to put two and two together. Don’t you think so?”

Damn. I messed up.

Yes. Times have changed. I’m still a noble.

I tried to leave with all the money I could gather from the dukedom, but my frugal habits left a trail.

Hearing such insightful remarks, I swallowed hard.

“What exactly are you implying?”

“I came here with a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes. While I may not know as much about Arshien or Florence, I know enough about your family situation.”

Albert held up his finger as if to point at me.

“How about marrying Arshien?”

The question was odd.

For a moment, I couldn’t say anything.

A marriage to the princess?

This was absurd.

But.

“Hmm. You’ve had plenty of time to think. I’d like to hear your answer.”

The Crown Prince asked seriously.

I snapped back to reality and replied, “Are you serious?”

“Whether I am or not, I couldn’t think of a better offer.”

Even saying something like that.

My head spun.

I couldn’t tell where things went wrong.

First, I needed to sort this out.

“Why bring this up?”

“I don’t mind if you’re saving money. But your plans are troubling from my perspective.”

“Troubling?”

“Yes. You’re a survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos.”

“…”

They know about my past?

…No. It’s strange if they don’t.

“You’re quick. Yes. As someone who fought on the front lines, I couldn’t help but know your background. When the monsters attacked, I was already on the battlefield. I know you’re a descendant of the Kingdom of Wederos.”

Right. In-game, Albert is a warrior who fights on the front lines.

As a war hero, he wouldn’t have remained idle during the monster attack.

Now I understand.

“Because I’m a survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos, the nobles might despise me and try to eliminate me. Is that why you propose marriage to Princess Arshien, for protection from the royal family?”

“Ho. You’ve already figured that out. I heard you were sharp, but this is beyond imagination.”

Albert rubbed his chin and smiled.

“But that’s not all, Carsein.”

“Not all?”

“Yes. There’s no safer place than the royal family for you. But there’s another reason.”

Another reason?

I couldn’t fathom what it could be.

As I pondered, Albert pointed at me with his index finger.

“You, Carsein.”

“…”

“An able person like you leaving for another country would be a huge loss for the empire.”

He retracted his finger and continued.

“After reviving Rusmaier and Shatren, thwarting the Waglew faction’s rebellion, and proving yourself as a martial artist, even if any talent emerged in the empire, they couldn’t catch up to you. How could we lose such a person?”

So.

He wants to keep me in the royal family by proposing marriage to his younger sister?

“Forgive me. I don’t possess such abilities.”

“How modest.”

“You overestimate me, Your Highness.”

“Hardly. It seems you have knowledge several dimensions above mine. The theories you displayed when revitalizing Shatren’s soil are beyond this world’s standards. Even with all the nobles’ collective wisdom and magical advancements, such precise theories couldn’t exist in this era. This is something I, as Crown Prince, am confident about.”

…

It’s inevitable.

Modern knowledge is on a completely different level compared to this era’s.

“Even as the Crown Prince, could I have come up with a method to revive Shatren and Rusmaier if all the nobles pooled their minds?”

“…”

“Clearly, you underestimate your own talents, Carsein.”

– Min-hyuk, you clearly underestimate your own talents.

Hearing this praise, which bordered on adoration, I felt a bit dazed.

“Why do you think it’s similar?”

“So, what do you think of my proposal? Do you need more time to think?”

*Bing!*

Albert proposes.

*Do you accept?*

[1. Yes.]

[2. No.]

For the first time in our conversation, a choice window popped up.

This must be because it affects another plan.

But my answer is set.

“I decline. It conflicts with my goals.”

My goal has always been to solve things on my own and escape.

My aim is to solve everything myself and leave that place with pride.

I didn’t want to rely on anyone else.

“Hmm. Arshien is quite beautiful.”

“That’s not the point.”

Well, it’s not necessary, but it can be used.

“Harnier looks prettier to me.”

“Oh? Insulting the royal family’s appearance?”

“What can I do if she looks prettiest to me? I saved her by throwing myself in harm’s way. My fiancée is Harnier.”

Actually, I find Harnier more attractive than Arshien.

If she ever decided to pursue me, I’d likely waver.

Albert sighed, showing disappointment, though part of it seemed playful.

“If that’s truly your wish, I won’t stop you. But be cautious. The nobles ostracize the people of the west not out of hatred, but fear of their strength.”

“…”

“Don’t do anything that could expose you. Otherwise… I can’t guarantee anything. You understand what I mean, right?”

“…Yes. I’ll remember.”

Like Pollox or Talpon, Albert gave similar advice.

The nobles’ fear stems from their power.

They don’t shun the people of the west because of hatred, but out of fear.

If my origins are exposed or if they learn of the power of the Kingdom of Wederos,

they will do everything to take my life.

“As Dead Trigger, I may not know, but being cautious can’t hurt.”

In this world, the Kingdom of Wederos is a threat to them.

I’ve seen countless articles speculating on potential rebellions.

“Good luck.”

He lightly patted my shoulder and left the room.

Soon after, a hazy status window appeared.

[Albert Shehenian Peselros]

With clear text, a white box for affinity appeared.

…Same here.

Like Heron or Sheiden, it didn’t show actual numbers.

*Bing!*

Albert’s affinity has activated!

[Albert Shehenian Peselros]

[Affinity: 90%]

With sufficient affinity, some royal family protections now apply!

“…”

How did this happen?

Really.

“Huh?”

The blanket’s position is slightly different.

…I didn’t move. So.

“Good luck… Could it be?”

That guy was smiling as he left!

Was that comment meant to be sarcastic?

“Damn.”

I swallowed hard and finally spoke.

“Hey… Harnier?”

At my voice, Harnier’s shoulder twitched.

She was definitely awake—

*Bam!*

…Huh?

Suddenly, I was pushed onto the bed and my eyes were covered.

“Wha, what? Harnier?”

“Don’t say a word.”

“Eek! It hurts!”

“Didn’t I tell you not to speak?”

“…”

I couldn’t tell when she started awake, but staying silent was best.

***

I couldn’t tell when I fell asleep, but waking up to voices in the room made me open my eyes.

When I woke up, Carsein and the Crown Prince were talking.

I wanted to bow, but I couldn’t.

“Stay still.”

The Crown Prince’s orders left me no choice.

Harnier followed his instructions, but involuntarily, my body trembled.

When the discussion turned to comparing me to Arshien and marriage,

my heart sank.

Then came that sentence.

“Harnier looks prettier to me.”

My face flushed instantly.

“Oh? Insulting the royal family’s beauty?”

“What can I do if she looks prettiest to me? I saved her by throwing myself in harm’s way. My fiancée is Harnier.”

Her heart raced with each strike.

To hide my blushing face, I had to pretend to sleep.

But it didn’t last long.

“Hey… Harnier?”

When Carsein caught me pretending to sleep,

*Bam!*

“Wha, what? Harnier?”

“Don’t say a word.”

“Eek! It hurts!”

“Didn’t I tell you not to speak?”

Unable to bear the embarrassment, I covered his eyes to hide my red face.

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