12: Chapter 7.1 Let’s keep the window well closed.
12: Chapter 7.1 Let’s keep the window well closed.
After coming out of the training ground and washing myself clean, I sat on the chair in my room.
Lily, who was now used to it, was carefully drying my hair.
I entrusted my hair to Lily with a sullen expression.
‘Wasn’t this a Full-talent Body from a Reincarnation Privilege…
I’m sure the Boss Crown Prince appeared holding a sword.’ As I muttered, unable to accept that I was a clumsy person, Lily, who noticed the dark cloud hanging over my head, asked me.
“Oh?
Imperial Prince, why the expression?
Did something happen?” “Hmm…
Lily, I’m feeling that the world isn’t as easy as I expected.” Lily pondered this, then, as if she understood, she smiled and brought up her own story.
“Imperial Prince, you know, right?
That I was originally supposed to join the Knight Order?” “I know.
Come to think of it, you were supposed to join the Knight Order, weren’t you, Lily?” “Yes, that’s right.
I was so surprised when I heard my post had been changed…
Without even a gap to compose myself, the Imperial Etiquette Education nearly gave my head a cramp.” I felt sorry for Lily, who had gotten swept up in the Imperial Family’s affairs.
“…Sorry.” “Oh my?
Imperial Prince, you shouldn’t apologize so easily.
You are the one who will lead the Empire in the future, hehe.” At that, Lily spoke, gently brushing my hair with an expression that said she found me cute.
“I was flustered back then, but I like it much better now.
My body isn’t tired, and although they said the politics within the Imperial Castle are severe, it doesn’t seem to be the case.
And above all, I get to serve such a cute Imperial Prince.” Embarrassed by Lily’s kindness, I stayed quiet, and then Lily spoke up.
“Ah, right, that’s not what I meant to say.
Imperial Prince, to be honest, I wasn’t very talented with the sword when I was young either.” “Weren’t you the youngest to join the Imperial Knights?
How could that be?” “Hmm…
The first time I held a sword was when I was 8.
I had two older sisters, and my second older sister was married off to another noble when she was 12.” A common picture in the medieval era.
Marrying off a young daughter for the family’s benefit is something that still happens somewhere even now.
“The day before my sister went to the noble house, she held me and sobbed so much…
I can still vividly see her getting into the carriage with empty eyes.” “…” “It was from then on.
I swung a sword like a madwoman to scar my body and create calluses, as if it was the last lifeline I had left.
If I saw something, I’d grab it and swing like crazy.
It was hard at first…
My mother held a whip, and my father looked at me as if I were pathetic.” “Wasn’t it hard?” “It was hard…
But still, I didn’t let go of the sword.
But you know what?
It became fun as I kept doing it.
I didn’t have any distracting thoughts.
The Knight Commander of the family who taught me in secret back then told me that I wasn’t talented.
But I kept swinging it.
At some point, the reason didn’t matter much anymore.
And before I knew it, I had joined the Imperial Knights and met His Royal Highness the Imperial Prince like this, hehe.” “…” “Imperial Prince, talent is important, but there’s nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it.
Even someone like me managed to join the Imperial Knights, and as the youngest at that.
So no matter what anyone says, believe in yourself.
I’ll guarantee it.
You can do it, Imperial Prince.” Lily whispered affectionately and gave me a warm hug.
It feels like, beyond a simple employment relationship, Lily has become a part of my family.
To love me this much when we’re not even related by blood.
“Lily, when I become the Emperor, I’ll make you the very exemplar of a successful woman!
Look forward to it, I’ll let you live in splendor!” “Oh my?
Hehe…
Then I’ll have to look even better for our Imperial Prince~ For today’s meal, I’ll have them bring what you like.” I feel like I’m gaining more and more in my hands, but what does it matter?
It’s natural to get stronger the more weight you carry as you move forward.
I will not let go of a single thing; I will embrace it all and live a long, healthy life.
*** At that time, inside the Imperial Palace office, the Commander of the Imperial Knights and the Emperor were sitting across from each other, drinking tea.
For a knight having an audience with the Emperor, his posture was insolent, but the Emperor across from him sipped his tea as if he didn’t mind.
“If he didn’t look exactly like you, I would’ve thought he was a picked up child from somewhere.” Words that would’ve made the subjects clutch their necks and faint while muttering about ‘Insult to the Imperial Family’ or ‘the status of the Imperial House,’ poured out casually.
The Emperor just raised an eyebrow as if used to it and answered.
“…Is it that bad?” “Yeah.
He’s supposed to be a magic genius, right?
Just have him learn the basics of swordsmanship and have him go all-in on magic.
The kid handles his own body as if it’s awkward, you know?
Like a patient who’s been lying on a sickbed his whole life.
Anyway, I’ll make sure his body is sturdy, so tell him to work hard on his magic.
That’s enough, isn’t it?” “Well…
That should be enough.
The era ahead isn’t one where martial power is that important.” “Right.
I, too, found it so lovely to see my own child holding a pencil rather than a sword.
The problem is he goes crazy whenever he sees a sword…
Why do you think we went through all that extreme suffering?
It was so the kids would die less.” Maxim smiled bitterly as he recalled the past.
“That’s right…
Back then, my head grew hot with pity for the subjects.” The Emperor’s expression also darkened as if thinking of the past.
At that, Maxim made a dissatisfied expression.
“…What on earth happened to you back then?
As soon as you became the Crown Prince, you turned into an old man who has seen it all.
You had a bit of a fiery side back then, so it was fun to be around you.
But now…
Tsk, tsk.” But the answer that came back was simply indifferent.