Chapter 6

"First, until now, no one has ever advised me against anything I did within the palace. For the lower-ranking guards and maids, it might be understandable. Although they are not forbidden from speaking to me directly, they would be concerned about being disrespectful. However, even the head of the palace servants, the head maid, and the king's merry companions here have never advised me against my whims. On the contrary, when lower-ranking guards or maids had the courage to advise me, they were scolded for being disrespectful to me and were told, 'You are not at fault and can do anything, so there is no need to listen to such people.' Was this by your order, Your Majesty?"

At my words, the expressions of Grandfather and the Minister became stern.

Of course, this is clearly a deliberate act, and it's not just any act—it's a major betrayal against the first prince, who holds the first place in the line of succession. A proper servant or maid would advise the first prince if he strayed from the right path, but they would never encourage such behavior, no matter who incited them.

But what if the person who gave the order was the top of this country?

Under the pressure of great power, a mere servant cannot defy. If they have a family, they might fear that their parents, siblings, or spouse might be harmed.

Great power can easily make something that exists disappear, and it can even turn something into an accident, as if it were done by no one.

So, I thought, what kind of response would come? The king, with a calm expression, pushed forward the air of having nothing to do with it and answered.

"I don't know about that. I did not give such an order."

As expected of the top of the country. He has a thick skin. He must be used to probing and testing others.

But you said it. You, that's self-incrimination.

"Then, Minister, please question the head of the palace servants and the head maid. If it wasn't by the king's order, we need to investigate why they did such a thing, don't we?"

We won't just brush it off as a coincidence or a misunderstanding.

"If you don't investigate, this is clearly a betrayal against the first in line for the throne. What about the education of the palace staff?"

"Someone, bring the head of the palace servants and the head maid here."

The Minister gave instructions to his servant.

Since the king is the king, he's not that stupid. At worst, he might think that the head of the palace servants and the head maid can be sacrificed like a lizard's tail, but I won't let it end there.

Next, I'll tear off your limbs. Be prepared.

"What about the answers from the king's merry companions? I allow direct answers. It seems the king was unaware of the distortion of my character by the higher-ranking servants in the palace, but you met with me three days ago. You won't say you forgot what happened then, will you?"

Three days ago, a gardener scolded me for picking flowers from the palace garden without permission.

"You shouldn't do such things. If you want flowers, just tell this old man. I will present the most beautiful ones for you, Your Highness."

These merry companions told the gardener, 'It's disrespectful to object to what the prince does,' and made him step back from me.

They probably told the gardener later, 'The first prince has a bad temper, so if you anger him, he might order your dismissal,' or something like that.

I've never had a tantrum or lashed out at others, but it's a matter of who says it. It's a two-for-one strategy to tarnish my reputation and cover up their inhumane behavior.

And they told me, 'Your Highness is a noble person, so you shouldn't dwell on trivial matters. Do as you please, wherever you are.'

At that time, I wasn't the person I am now, so my thoughts were, 'What are they saying?' but my emotions were starting to be influenced by their guidance.

I felt relieved and happy that I wasn't scolded.

Now, if I were in this situation, I would think, 'No, you should have been scolded. It was wrong of me to pick the flowers.'

Just flowers, but still, flowers.

Doing something wrong and not being advised against it, clearly messing up, the king's merry companions.

You thought the questioning was only for the king, didn't you? You thought you were outside the scope, didn't you? Too bad, you're coming with me.

Look, I, a member of the royal family, am allowing direct answers. Answer me.

"Ah... I'm in trouble."

One of the sidekicks, either Hunt or Fuss, with a generally laid-back demeanor, scratched his head and smiled.

"There seems to be some misunderstanding."

"What kind?"

I countered immediately.

In that situation, what misunderstanding could there be?

"What kind of misunderstanding?"

You didn't expect to be pushed further, did you?

Hey, do you still think I'm the same person I was three days ago when we met? Do you think you can easily manipulate me like you did then?

Your attitude, looking down on me, thinking you can handle me casually, really annoys me.

The laid-back sidekick, perhaps intimidated by my direct question, stopped smiling.

"So, Your Highness, you immediately throw a tantrum when something displeases you, don't you?"

"When have I ever thrown a tantrum and lashed out at others?"

Before I became this person, my thoughts and body were not in sync. I was always dazed, and it was unclear whether I was listening to others.

Even if they spread unfounded rumors that I had a bad temper and lashed out, the not-so-bright me would not deny it.

"Wh-what?"

Before the laid-back sidekick could finish, another sidekick with a monocle and a nervous look grabbed a paperweight from the king's desk and punched the laid-back sidekick in the face with it.

Wow, high hostility.

"Wh-what are you doing, Ernst! What are you doing!"

"Shut up. Don't speak. If you make a fuss, I'll hit you again."

The laid-back sidekick, pale with fear, nodded repeatedly at the sidekick with the paperweight.

Seeing this, the sidekick with the monocle put the paperweight back and bowed to me.

"I am deeply sorry. The series of actions taken against Your Highness were our own judgment. We will accept any punishment."

Nice. You're pushing the blame on yourself and leaving the important motives vague.

"Lord Hunt, that's not an answer."

And the Minister is not the kind of person to let that slide.

"What was the motive behind trying to distort Prince Ryugen?"

Of course, he would ask.

The sidekick with the monocle continued with a grim face.

"To make the second prince, the son of the queen, the crown prince."

As expected, that was the answer.

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