Chapter 17

Suddenly, Prince Schueler appeared in the prison, and the mages, in a flurry, knelt on the floor and bowed deeply to him.

... But Prince Schueler didn’t even glance at them as he walked past.

... Wow. He doesn’t even acknowledge their presence.

Seeing this, Lina felt uncomfortable and bowed slightly. I don’t really need to do this, but ... walking past without a word is kind of painful.

In the cell where the mages were, there was a beautiful young boy further back. He was a boy of about ten years old, and officially a prince, yet he was in solitary confinement ... yeah, it’s pretty surreal.

“... A ... Big Brother ...”

Prince Egiedilus, who noticed her, got off the bed. He paused for a moment to look at Lina, who was with him, and then showed a complicated expression.

“... You ... have lost weight.”

... That’s the first thing you say!!

Isn’t there something else you could say?

Lina couldn’t help but look distant.

After all, it’s the third time.

I’m tired of hearing it, can’t you just leave me alone?

“... Hey!!”

Prince Egiedilus raised his voice, irritated by Lina’s silence.

“... Watch your mouth, Egiedilus.”

Prince Schueler, who was standing next to him, reprimanded him expressionlessly.

“... S ... S ... Sorry ...”

Prince Egiedilus, scolded by his brother, looked dejected.

Lina felt a bit of a flutter in her heart at the sight of him.

... Because, his dejected look is so puppy-like, it makes my heart flutter.

What he did is unforgivable, but ... that’s not the point!

... He’s super cute!

Thinking about how his younger brother used to get dejected a lot when scolded, Lina pressed her eyes to suppress the lump in her throat.

“... Lina ...?”

Prince Schueler, slightly bending down, called out to her, noticing that she was looking down.

“... I’m sorry ... This is my first time in such a place, so I’m a bit overwhelmed ...”

Lina tried to act as if nothing was wrong.

“... If you were used to it, I’d be worried ... right?”

Prince Schueler chuckled.

Indeed, I don’t want to get used to being in a prison.

“... Um ... Eki? Egiedilus ... Your Highness?”

She turned to Prince Egiedilus and called out to him.

... Yeah. I completely forgot his name.

“... It’s Egiedilus.”

“... Huh? Ekiekirus?”

“Egiedilus!!”

Prince Egiedilus, angry at Lina’s mistake, shouted at her.

... Sorry, no matter how many times I hear it, it doesn’t stick in my head!

“... Can I just call you Egidos?”

Lina said, sounding tired.

There’s no such thing as "that’s fine" when it comes to someone’s name, but I can’t remember it at all.

... *snicker*.

Not only did Lina fail to remember his name, but her casual attitude made Prince Schueler, who was standing next to her, burst out laughing.

“... You ... are an idiot ... You can’t even remember someone’s name ...”

Prince Egiedilus, completely mocking her, said with a sigh of exasperation.

*Snap*!

His mocking tone made her snap, regardless of the time and place.

“... Then! From now on, you have to call me ‘Green Wheat, Raw Rice, Raw Egg’!”

However, her anger was misdirected.

“... Huh?”

Prince Egiedilus’s eyes widened.

He probably didn’t understand what she was saying.

“Green Wheat, Raw Rice, Raw Egg!! Yes!!”

“... What are you talking about ... you?”

Prince Egiedilus was beyond exasperated, completely stunned.

... Yeah. Even though I said it, I don’t know what I’m talking about either.