Chapter 13

Chapter 12

Unwilling Main Cast Gathering - 3

The bomb that everyone at the academy had been passing around, hoping it wouldn't explode in their hands, finally detonated in mine after about two days.

"I am Karl Krasius, the new advisor. It seems we're all old acquaintances. I look forward to working with you."

I looked at the baking club members, now legally under my watchful eye. Louise, who smiled brightly; Erich, who couldn't control his trembling pupils; and Ainter, who, as always, wore a smile. The thought of adding three more to this group made my chest swell with a sense of grandeur.

"Since we'll be seeing each other often, I want to call you by your first names. Is there anyone who would like to take some time to get closer?"

This was a way of saying that I intended to use informal language and asking if anyone objected. I directed this at Ainter, but he simply shook his head with a smile, indicating it was fine. Now, I had a good reason to speak informally with the three new members, which was satisfying.

"Even though I'm the advisor, you don't need to watch what you say around me. If you need anything or if something happens, just let me know, and feel free to be relaxed."

I wrapped up the introduction with some standard, unremarkable words. I had never been a club member, so I didn't really know what an advisor was supposed to do. But from what I heard from the vice-principal, it was mostly a nominal position, just checking to make sure there were no problems.

This was exactly the level of involvement I wanted. Other staff members might go crazy trying to keep an eye on the prince, but I was almost driven mad by the lack of a legitimate reason to do so. I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for who must have taken on this daunting task in the original story without me.

But there's no point in feeling sorry for something that didn't happen. Now that I'm in charge of this den, I looked at Louise, who was happily gazing at the piled-up baking tools and ingredients. Her eyes sparkled so much that the staff member who bought all this would surely be pleased.

Erich, who had been looking at Louise with a warm gaze, met my eyes and awkwardly turned away. I had planned to meet Erich more often since coming to the academy, and now, as his advisor, I had a good reason to do so. This would help improve our awkward relationship, and Erich would be happy about it.

Erich turned away when he met my eyes. He knew there was no need to do so, but his body reacted before his mind. Erich had spent his life under the oppressive gaze of the head of the family. Karl, with eyes similar to the head of the family, was an instinctively intimidating figure.

'I shouldn't be like this.'

When they were younger, Karl and Erich weren't particularly close, but they weren't distant either. With no other siblings, they couldn't afford to keep their distance forever.

Besides, they could now participate in the same club activities with Louise.

'An opportunity to be with Louise during club activities.'

Or, under the pretext of club activities, they could naturally meet at other times.

Even with the strange element of the prince, this opportunity couldn't be missed. Erich, who had almost collapsed upon hearing that Karl would be the advisor, was now more determined than ever. If he couldn't overcome his fear and aversion to Karl, life with Louise would be impossible!

Thus, the love-struck man found the courage to face the trauma that had plagued him for years.

As Erich resolved to move from darkness to light, Ainter wasn't entirely at ease either. The reason was Karl, who was looking at Louise, who had already laid out the ingredients to make cookies, with a curious expression.

'I heard he was coming, but...'

He never imagined they would meet in this capacity. Ainter's smile faltered slightly.

Ainter joining Louise's club was a bold move. While it wasn't uncommon for royal family members to attend the academy, joining a club was unheard of. It was a consideration to avoid burdening other students and the staff who would be in charge of the club, the official reason.

In reality, it was due to the succession disputes among the princes. If a specific prince joined a club and interacted with the noble members, it could create a faction that the prince wouldn't normally have access to. Conversely, the nobles could be forced into a faction and a shared fate by a sudden recognition from another prince.

Therefore, to minimize variables for the princes and avoid unexpected situations for the nobles, royal family members joining clubs was tacitly discouraged. Two years ago, the succession issue was resolved when the first prince was named the crown prince after a fierce rivalry with the second prince.

But suddenly, the third prince, Ainter, who had been lying low, joined a club, breaking the unwritten rule. The crown prince would likely want to hang Ainter by a rope. Ainter, born to the empress, was the last remaining source of instability for the crown prince, who was also the son of the empress.

Indeed, after the second prince and the empress fell from power following the crown prince's appointment, the investigation department's blade, which had been cutting down the second prince's faction, turned to the third prince. Even with the emperor's tacit approval and the crown prince's orders, the third prince couldn't stop the blade.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince was pleased with your silence."

Karl Krasius, who led the investigation department and stormed the third prince's palace at the age of 19, was a rising star in the empire. He sat across from Ainter in the reception room and spoke calmly.

"Your Highness's decision to remain silent and not side with the second prince until the end was a wise one."

Karl's smile made Ainter smile bitterly. He had been shouted at by his mother, the empress, asking whose child he was, and received angry glances from his half-brother, the second prince. Despite this, Ainter remained silent. That's why he survived even after the second prince met a mysterious death and the empress was effectively under house arrest.

"The Crown Prince does not wish for any more disturbances in the royal family."

"Although I am not the Crown Prince and my mother is different, we share the same father. How could I have a different intention?"

"Indeed, you are wise."

A warning to keep quiet or face consequences, and a brief acknowledgment. With that, Karl stood up without hesitation, a mask-like smile on his face.

"I apologize for the disturbance in your palace. The investigation found no issues. It seems your reputation was maligned by jealous individuals. I will punish them and apologize on their behalf."

"That is possible. I understand."

After that, Ainter lived a low-profile life as the crown prince had warned. Even when the second prince's faction was brutally crushed by the investigation department, and even when his maternal family, the Aisilon Marquess, was swept away, Ainter remained silent. This allowed him to survive and continue living.

But his life changed when he met a girl. While walking through the academy with his entourage of "followers," Ainter noticed a girl with pink hair. It was a whim. Ainter, who had intended to keep a low profile as the crown prince wished, spoke to her.

"Lu, Louise Nierad!"

The girl, Louise, trembled as she answered the prince's question. Ainter continued to meet Louise, and over time, she began to relax and treat him more casually. Ainter felt a warmth he had never felt before.

It started as a whim and lasted for a short time, but the depth of their connection was genuine. Ainter was proud of this. That's why, when he heard that Louise was looking for club members, he signed up without hesitation. This could lead to the crown prince taking action again, and Karl, standing before him, could turn into the crown prince's blade to deal with Ainter.

But Ainter moved forward. This time, he didn't want to remain silent. As he looked at Louise, who had flour on her face, and Karl standing beside her, Ainter's eyes filled with determination.

'Am I doing well...?'

Watching Louise work diligently, I couldn't help but wonder. I would need to have experience in baking to know if she was doing well. I could only watch and hope she was doing fine. The tools seemed sufficient, so there shouldn't be any problems.

I glanced at the small oven nearby. In this fantasy world, all sorts of tools operate with magic. It was amusing to see surveillance devices and tracking equipment in the investigation department's warehouse. I would have been disappointed if there wasn't an oven.

As I stared at the oven, my gaze met Ainter's. He still wore a smile, making it hard to read his thoughts. It was the first time since the third prince's palace two years ago.

'I was too harsh on him.'

In this world, adulthood begins at 17, but Ainter was only 15 when I first met him. Even if it was the crown prince's order, I might have put too much pressure on a 15-year-old.

Two years ago, after the events in the north and the crown prince's victory in the succession dispute, the imperial administration was in dire need of personnel. Those who survived and proved their abilities were promoted rapidly, including the minister and me. The minister seemed to have become more irritable since then.

...No, he was already a carrier of the anger virus before his promotion. I almost romanticized it.

Anyway, after the events in the north and my unexpected promotion to the head of the investigation department, I was in a twisted and unstable state. This led to emotional decision-making in my work, and I put unnecessary pressure on Ainter. The crown prince seemed satisfied, but he was a pervert.

Erich and Ainter. I couldn't help but wonder why this club was filled with people I felt guilty towards. Feeling a mix of emotions, I looked at the club members and met Louise's gaze. She tilted her head, wondering why I was looking at her.

At least I haven't wronged you. If anything, you should feel sorry for me.

If you weren't a capybara... I wouldn't be here.

Author's Note

I managed to publish another chapter today. I need to set a specific time for daily updates, but it's not easy with my lack of experience. I'll keep trying.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, Airfry and Sanghanolive, for your support!