Surviving As the 5th Prince of the Ruined Kingdom

016

Even without a single conversation, my relationship with Reina had unexpectedly improved, and I had intended to learn more about her in detail.

It was just that my priorities had been temporarily pushed back due to understanding [the Directory]’s functions and the subsequent meddling by the Fourth Prince.

“Alfonso, do you know how Reina came to join the Second Knighthood?”

While this was information I could instantly obtain by using [the Library], it would be even better if I could hear it for free.

I looked at Alfonso with anticipation.

“Uh······ I don’t know the details either.”

“Just tell me what you know.”

“During Reina Kyung’s time at the military academy, the 2nd Prince and his knight escorts visited once. There were rumors of a sparring match between some of the top cadets and the knights.”

“So it didn’t actually happen, just rumors?”

“Ah, perhaps.”

“Did a cadet defeat a royal knight? And was the hero Reina Kyung?”

“Many believe so. There are also rumors that the 2nd Prince fell for Reina Kyung at first sight……”

The rest of the gossip didn’t seem worth listening to. I let Alfonso ramble on alone as I became lost in thought.

Using [The Library] would easily reveal the truth, but there was no need to waste RP on it.

The important fact was that the 2nd Prince brought her into his forces, the 2nd Knightly Order. Whether it was due to her talent or beauty didn’t matter much. Likely her talent, I assumed.

Consider it from the 2nd Prince’s perspective.

One of his handpicked knights was in danger of losing her title because of that good-for-nothing brother of his. How would he feel?

‘Not good, surely.’

His own judgment in recruiting Reina Kyung would be called into question.

If her title were truly revoked, the knights under his command would likely have wavering loyalty.

To have an unjustly accused knight under his protection, yet take no action as their lord……

With the 1st Prince as an alternative, defection is the intelligent choice.

Perhaps the 2nd Prince views Akard not as his brother, but as a spy sent by the 1st Prince?

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought.

“Ah…… So the rumor that Reina Kyung has succubus blood and is a half-breed went too far? No need to laugh so derisively. I merely relayed the gossip circulating among the palace staff!”

Alfonso misinterpreted my laughter and pouted petulantly. Whether he was acting or sincere was hard to tell now.

“That’s enough. I’ve learned what I wanted to know. It’s late, you should get some rest too. Ah, and I plan on going out tomorrow, so prepare for that.”

“Out? You mean outside the palace?”

I shook my head.

“No, to the Opal Palace.”

“The Opal Palace? That’s the 2nd Prince’s residence!”

“Ah, should I send word first of my intent to visit?”

“You really intend to meet with the 2nd Prince?”

I ignored Alfonso’s excited questions and glanced at the clock.

Well past midnight.

There was little time to rest before preparing to meet the 2nd Prince. Rubbing my tired eyes, I let out a small sigh.

“But what if the 2nd Prince refuses to see you?”

“………”

Hey, no way.

Let’s think about that when the time comes.

***

In the royal capital of the Lionel Kingdom, Elah Palace, there are numerous separate palaces. Among them, there is a place where pink flowering trees are in full bloom all year round.

The Ceras Palace, the residence of the Second Queen.

A man accompanied by attendants visited that place. His black hair, red eyes, and sharp features made his expression appear extremely cold. His skin was somewhat fairer than most people of the Lionel Kingdom, further accentuating this.

Damian Lionel.

He was the Second Prince of the Lionel Kingdom, engaged in a covert struggle with the First Prince for the throne.

The chief attendant, who led the servants of the Ceras Palace to welcome him, bowed his head.

“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”

“Where is my mother?”

“She is waiting in the reception room.”

“Lead the way.”

Whooosh—

A sudden strong wind blew. The swaying branches scattered pink petals in all directions.

A scene like a painting.

But Damian merely frowned at the petals obstructing his view.

‘I want to cut them all down.’

These were the trees that the Second Queen had brought from her homeland, the Arya Kingdom, and cherished dearly. It was obvious that she would be greatly distressed if even one was harmed.

“This way, please.”

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

His mother, the Second Queen, was waiting there.

With her flawless pale skin and fiery red hair tied up, even though she had just turned forty, she looked no older than her late twenties to anyone who saw her.

“You’re here. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

Instead of having the maids prepare the refreshments, the Second Queen personally brewed tea and served it to Damian. It was a custom of the Arya Kingdom for the host to directly serve guests tea.

“You said you were too busy to come when I called, but today you sent word first.”

“Where did you hide that brat?”

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

The Second Queen smiled faintly and raised her teacup. Seeing this, Damian’s suppressed irritation flared up.

“Akard Lionel. It’s the 4th Prince speaking.”

“You call your brother so informally, it displeases me. But why do you ask me about Akard’s whereabouts?”

“Is there anywhere else for that bastard to hide other than here?”

At his loss of composure, the 2nd Queen clicked her tongue. As she glanced around at the attendants, those whose lives depended on reading the air swiftly bowed and left.

The parlor was left with just the two of them.

“I sent your brother away from the palace for a while before he causes greater trouble. And you still have the habit of raging, I see.”

“……. I apologize. But because of him, a knight I recommended to the 2nd Knightly Order has been sent to a military trial.”

“The child said that while your brother was being beaten one-sidedly, he merely watched.”

“Thanks to that, my reputation is in tatters. The knights’ morale is no better. There’s even talk of stripping him of his knighthood, was that by your order, Your Majesty?”

The 2nd Queen gave no answer, only sipping the tea she held.

“It’s quite the insult not to even touch the teacup prepared by the host.”

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

“And your mother hails from the Aryan Kingdom.”

Eventually, Damian brought the distasteful teacup to his lips and took a sip.

“……. Now, please answer my question.”

“I had said I would induct that child into the 2nd Knightly Order as he seemed to have the makings of a fine blade.”

“With enough tempering, I judged he could become a keen blade capable of besting even the 1st Prince.”

“But he’s drifting about in the 2nd Order?”

“It’s because of something that happened before she was inducted. Given time, I can straighten it out.”

“I also hear the child is a blade without a hilt. Quite different from regular folk?”

“……..”

At the 2nd Queen’s final words, Damian shut his mouth tightly.

In his honest heart, he could not envision Reina swearing fealty to him at all.

“Still, expelling her from the 2nd Order is unacceptable. Even a blade without a hilt can be sharp. The 1st Prince’s side may well snatch her up later to use against me.”

“You have the look of one eyeing a stray kitten you wanted to raise as a child. I recall you coming back in tears, all scratched up.”

“Mother!”

“Fear not. Once the royal trial ends smoothly, the child will face only light disciplining. I’ll tell Akard as well. I wonder what magnificent hilt she’ll be given. If it fails, discard her without regret. Ensure the 1st Prince cannot have her either.”

Damian downed the now cold tea in one gulp.

Despite being well past his coming-of-age, he still could not fully emerge from under the 2nd Queen’s skirts, reality chafing that this should not be so.

Without the funds sent from the 2nd Queen’s homeland, the Aryan Kingdom, his succession to the throne would be as good as forfeit.

Damian could not believe how bitter the aftertaste of the tea he had just swallowed was.

“This is the last time. I don’t know how many times the nobles and knights who supported me have wavered because of that good-for-nothing brother.”

At his firm statement, the Second Queen gave a wry smile.

***

Returning to his residence, the Opal Palace, Damian took off his coat and tossed it to his attendant before speaking.

“Is he here?”

“He is waiting in the reception room.”

Damian nodded and headed towards the reception room. He recalled the message he had received during breakfast that morning.

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

In the past, such a report would not have even reached him. To Damian, the Ghost Prince of the Emerald Palace was less important than the stable keeper of the Opal Palace.

– How much free time do I have?

– You have about 30 minutes of rest after meeting the Second Queen.

– Let him come then.

That’s why Damian had readily granted the visit.

Recently, news of Evan had frequently reached his ears. Just a few days ago, he had even beaten up the good-for-nothing brother.

He couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to the Ghost Prince to change him so much. He could spare 30 minutes to satisfy that curiosity.

When Damian visited the Second Queen’s residence, the reception room was wide open, as was customary when a lower-ranking person waited for a higher-ranking one.

Evan, who had been waiting after receiving the message, bowed his head towards Damian.

“It has been a long time, Brother Damian.”

“You, Evan?”

Damian, who had not seen Evan’s appearance for a very long time, could not hide his surprise. He could not find the Ghost Prince he had in his mind.

A black-haired, black-eyed young man was looking straight into his eyes with an upright gaze.

The frail child who would avert his eyes even if their gazes met, with a face like a starving dog, no longer existed.

“You’ve changed so much that I didn’t recognize you.”

“Thank you.”

Evan did not bother to add any lengthy words. He sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs, as Damian chuckled.

“Sit down. Since we don’t have much time, tell me your business quickly.”

After sitting down, Evan glanced around before speaking.

“Before that, could you dismiss the others?”

“Hoho…… What kind of secret are you going to tell? Everyone here already knows what happened between you and that good-for-nothing brother, so you can speak freely. Of course, the result of the royal trial may not reflect the facts as they are.”

“Still, I ask you.”

Damian’s interest waned at Evan’s expressionless reaction to his own grumbling.

“How boring. Everyone leave. Including you, Lord Gilbert.”

“I cannot, Your Highness!”

“Does Lord Gilbert think that rascal can harm me? Stop nagging and get out.”

“…Understood.”

The knights guarding Damian and his attendants quickly left the reception room. Alfonso, who had been rolling his eyes behind Evan, also quietly followed them.

“Now, tell me. Your story had better be interesting enough to make up for disturbing my rest time.”

In other words, be prepared if it’s not worth it.

“I need your help with the upcoming royal trial.”

“You’re already getting boring. Why should I lend you my strength?”

“Will you keep carrying the burden of being the 4th Prince who constantly tarnishes your reputation, Brother Damian, whenever people forget about it?”

“So the rumor that you’ve gone mad after a major head injury was true. You want me to disown my brother from the same mother?”

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

“How is it different from me being shunned by a mother of different birth and the 4th Prince being disowned by a father of different birth?”

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

“Are you saying that good-for-nothing is actually a cuckoo chick raised in the royal family?”

“You didn’t know? I thought everyone knew but kept quiet about it.”

Damian let out a hollow laugh at Evan’s innocent response.