Cedric burst into laughter at the look on Yuri's face.
"Why are you so surprised?"
"No, uh…"
Yuri forced himself to stay composed.
"I was just startled…"
"I was joking."
"Huh?"
"I'm not seeing Ekaterina, I'm seeing her cousin."
"Oh, I-I see…"
The fact that he even felt relieved annoyed him.
After calming his emotions for a moment, Yuri asked Cedric.
"That's great. Since when?"
"She came with Ekaterina to the royal ball back then."
At the time, Yuri had been too focused on Georg and Ekaterina to notice anyone else.
"We exchanged letters after meeting then, and over time, we came to like each other."
"She must be really intelligent."
"She is. Katrina and I really click."
In his previous life, Cedric had never dated or married. Yuri had thought he just wasn't interested in women—but now, suddenly, Cedric had a lover? It was startling.
Was this also a result of him changing history?
Though his mind felt tangled, Yuri congratulated him.
"Congrats, elder brother."
Cedric grinned brightly.
"Thanks. I've talked about you a lot too."
"Really?"
"Even five years ago, Katrina said you were amazing for going at Georg. She said she had a feeling you'd shine in this Allied Army."
"That's not really a big deal. Heh…"
Whoever she was, she seemed like a good person.
"When you visit the Empire, make sure to meet her. She'll be helpful."
"Thanks."
If Katrina was Ekaterina's cousin, then she was also of the imperial family. That kind of connection would be a great asset in the Empire.
Thanks to Cedric, Yuri felt things in the Empire might go more smoothly than expected.
As expected of the eldest brother.
Yuri looked at Cedric with a touch of reverence.
"Thanks. I'm always in your debt."
"No, it's me who's been indebted all this time. I'm finally repaying a bit."
Yuri shook hands with Cedric.
"By the way…"
"Yeah?"
"Your reaction earlier…"
"What reaction?"
"To Ekaterina."
Cedric smiled behind his glasses.
"I've heard Joshua is completely smitten with her. Do you also have feelings for her?"
"No."
"But you were flustered when I mentioned her name. I mean, she is beautiful."
"It was just a surprise to hear that name."
Yuri flatly denied it to the end. Cedric didn't press further, simply chuckling.
"Right, sure. As you should. You're already in a relationship with the princess of the Holy Kingdom…"
Yuri swallowed hard and started coughing. Cedric patted him on the back.
"You alright?"
"Wait, where did you hear that…?"
"That rumor's all over the place."
"What?"
"You know the Empire has long-range communication, right?"
"Uh…"
"When we reported things about the Allied Army, it seems the info that you and the Holy Kingdom's princess are dating got passed along too. That's how the rumor spread."
"Haa…"
You really shouldn't owe anyone anything. He never imagined it would snowball like this.
"It's not true?"
When Yuri explained how the fake relationship had started, Cedric just laughed.
"So that's why you were so shocked to hear Ekaterina's name?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"You're sure you're not interested in either of them?"
"Of course not."
"Then is there someone you do like?"
"Nope."
Yuri grinned and pointed at himself with his thumb.
"I don't bother with love and stuff like that."
It was a needlessly dashing smile.
Cedric stared at him for a moment in silence, then awkwardly nodded.
"Right…"
***
A few days had passed since Yuri returned to the royal palace. A lot had happened since then.
First off, Fiore and Moyong Chan had a duel.
The result was never revealed.
As soon as they met, they greeted each other warmly and headed straight down to the underground training hall. They didn't come out for quite some time.
When they eventually emerged, both looked perfectly fine.
When Yuri asked about the result, neither gave a straight answer. But judging by their reactions, it seemed like Fiore had the upper hand.
After the duel, Fiore acted completely normal, but Moyong Chan would occasionally clench his fists and grab his head in frustration.
That was a clear sign of someone recalling a past mistake.
Yuri was pleased.
Now Moyong Chan had one more reason to stay in Briol.
"Hm…"
While cutting into his steak, Yuri furrowed his brows and looked up.
"Don't people say anything to you?"
"About what?"
Jared was chewing his meat with full cheeks.
"About eating with a prince?"
"Well…"
As Jared hesitated to answer while chewing, Ernando answered in his place.
"You really shouldn't be doing that, Your Highness."
"What, me?"
"Sir Jared is clearly in your camp now, isn't he?"
Ernando wiped his mouth with a napkin as he spoke.
"You even brought him to the Allied Army and trained him. How could he possibly go back to guarding the palace now?"
"That's his business."
At that, Jared looked at Yuri.
"Wow…"
"Why do you look so disappointed again?"
"You really don't care about me, do you? My affiliation changed."
"To what? If not the royal guard, are you becoming a gardener?"
Ernando shook his head.
"With Sir Jared's sense of aesthetics, he'd never do such work."
"Right?"
"Sigh…"
Jared stuffed another huge chunk of meat into his mouth and mumbled.
"I'm now Your Highness's personal guard. Thought it'd be best since you'll be bossing me around anyway."
"Personal guard?"
Yuri smirked. He couldn't stop giggling and bowed his head, snickering.
"That laugh… You're mocking me, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
"You're looking down on Jared, personal guard of the Third Prince?"
"You're guarding me?"
"Sometimes…"
"Alright then, Guard Jared. Train hard."
Jared pointed at Ernando.
"Sir Ernando too."
"My guard?"
"No, your advisory mage."
After the Allied Army disbanded, Fiore had made personnel adjustments for Yuri's convenience. The two were now officially recognized as his close aides.
"Sir Ernando."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"It's an honor to have a mage like you as my advisor."
"It is I who is honored beyond words to serve you, Your Highness."
They bowed their heads to each other.
Jared stuffed a big piece of meat in his mouth, pouting.
"We'll see about that…"
As they enjoyed their lunch, Ena approached Yuri.
"Your Highness."
"Hm?"
"There are many guests."
"Guests?"
"Yes, important people who came to see you."
"Who?"
Yuri tilted his head.
When it came to visitors, at most it would be someone like Guillermo, the vice-president of the Rein Company, but no such meeting had been scheduled.
Jared spoke up.
"Isn't it obvious? Now that Your Highness's reputation is rising, nobles are showing up just to get a glimpse of you."
"Ah-ha."
"I've been blocking visitors so you could rest, but we opened it up starting today."
"Jared, you're more useful than I thought. I officially recognize you as my guard."
"Phew…"
It was a reasonable statement.
Yuri raised the corners of his mouth.
"Really, such simple-minded folks."
Five years ago, after dueling Georg's champion to save Ena, not a single noble had approached Yuri.
Rumors that he had been marked by the imperial family spread, and as the Third Prince with little prospect, he drew no attention.
But as soon as word spread about his performance in the Allied Army, these people began showing up as if nothing had happened.
"Reject them all."
"They're all high-ranking nobles, Your Highness."
"Who's the highest-ranking one?"
"Well…"
"No, let's flip it. Who's the lowest-ranking guest?"
Ena pulled out a sheet of paper from her sleeve and scanned the list.
"Hmm… This one. Fidesz?"
"Fidesz?"
Yuri let out a faint chuckle at the name.
"What brings that guy here?"
Jared tilted his head.
"Sounds familiar…"
"He's a soldier from the Allied Army. A great runner. Ernando, I sent him in the last battle, remember? Don't you recall?"
"Ah, now that you mention it…"
"His hometown's probably far. Did he run all the way here again?"
During the battle with Okua, Yuri had devised a plan to kill the shaman, and Fidesz was the one who had delivered the request to Ernando to prepare magic in advance.
Yuri finished his meal and rose from his seat.
"I'd better go greet my guest."
Ena raised one eyebrow.
"Your Highness."
"Hm?"
"You just said 'guest,' not 'guests,' so I assume you only intend to meet this Fidesz person. Am I right?"
"Spot on. You know me well."
"This is going to stir things up…"
"What can you do."
"Sigh…"
Yuri headed for the reception hall near the palace entrance, accompanied by Jared and Ernando.
As he appeared, the royal guard stationed at the entrance saluted loudly.
"Your Highness! Loyalty!"
"Yeah, loyalty."
Yuri's stature had risen thanks to the recent war, especially among knights and soldiers—those in the same line of work.
"Your Highness, you have my respect!"
"Thank you."
Yuri patted the guard's shoulder and stepped inside.
The loud salute stirred a commotion within the crowded hall. The line of visitors stretched far back and was visible even from the entrance.
An attendant approached Yuri and bowed.
"Your Highness, there are far too many guests. We were thinking of dividing them by rank…"
"No."
Yuri shook his head.
"I'll only see one person."
"Pardon?"
"Is that a problem?"
"N-No, of course not. Understood. Might I ask which guest you plan to meet…?"
"Someone named Fidesz…"
Yuri stroked his chin.
"Hmm, but it's no fun to just call him right away…"
***
Fidesz tapped his leg, his face twisted in discomfort.
Running might be his specialty, but after a long campaign, and no proper rest, sprinting all the way to the capital had left his legs aching.
Still, he couldn't sit.
"Hey, you."
"Yes?"
"Go fetch me some water."
"I'm not one of your men, Baron."
"So, you refuse?"
The baron narrowed his eyes.
"Understood…"
Briol's social class system wasn't as rigid as the Empire's, but technically, commoners were expected to obey nobles. And this baron had three knights with him.
Fidesz didn't want unnecessary trouble, so he fetched the water.
"Terrible."
But the baron didn't even take a sip, simply placing the glass on the table.
"So many people here. Even commoner trash like this showing up to meet the prince…"
Compared to the other visiting nobles, the baron was of lower rank. He wasn't given a private waiting room and had to remain in the common hall with Fidesz.
"You."
"Yes?"
"Why are you even here to see the prince?"
"I'm under no obligation to tell you that."
"Insolent brat."
With a jerk of his chin, the baron motioned to one of his knights, who stepped in front of Fidesz.
The knight spoke.
"You'd better show some respect."
Fidesz looked him up and down. Not a single scar.
Though a mere soldier, Fidesz had fought countless battles against orcs. A knight who clearly hadn't seen real combat didn't frighten him at all.
"Yeah, sure."
He answered half-heartedly. The knight's brow twitched.
"Baron, I think I need to teach this one a lesson."
"Let it go. Don't make a scene."
The knight glared at Fidesz once before turning away.
The baron fanned himself as he spoke.
"Can't believe I have to go through all this just to secure a connection. Bloodline really is everything, huh?"
"Yes, sir."
"If I were born royal, I'd be swimming in privilege too. I envy that."
Fidesz gave a small laugh.
Here was someone using his bloodline to torment others, now mocking the Third Prince—someone who had fought on the front lines.
"Because that kid's royalty, he keeps everyone waiting like this…"
He was willing to overlook it up to that point.
"Bet he just watched from the rear and stole all the credit. A young brat like that probably never even fought an orc."
That was when Fidesz sprang to his feet.
"Baron, that's enough."
"What?"
"If you insult His Highness any further, I won't stand for it."
The baron's face turned red.
He shot up and glared at Fidesz.
"Were you eavesdropping? Insolent wretch…"
"You said that nonsense loud enough for everyone to hear. How could I not hear it?"
"Did you just call it nonsense?"
Face contorting in fury, the baron shoved the knight next to him.
"Yeah. Looks like it'll be a while before our turn. Might as well have some entertainment. Cripple him for life. Just say he left early."
The knight stomped forward, but Fidesz didn't back down. He stood his ground.
Even if this led to a trial, Fidesz had no intention of letting it slide.
Glaring past the knight, straight at the baron, Fidesz spoke.
"Insulting His Highness is an insult to the entire Allied Army, you bastard."
[T/L: Read more chapters on Ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]