Chapter 5

The next day, until noon, Slein spent his time in confusion, doing as Monica and the servants told him.

Bathing. Dinner. Sleeping. Waking up. Morning preparations. Breakfast. These daily routines, which he used to do alone, had changed drastically since he became a prince.

During meals, a serving maid stood in the corner of the room, waiting, and Monica, his adjutant, stood by his side with a smile, watching him eat and drink.

Even when bathing, he was assisted by a female servant dedicated to the task. Naturally, he felt embarrassed, but the servant washed his hair and body as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

When it was time to sleep, Monica said, "There are always guards in your bedroom at night, so if you need anything, please tell them," and finally returned to her own room.

The next morning, when he woke up and got dressed, two maids helped him.

This was how the life of a royal seemed to be—constantly surrounded by adjutants, servants, and guards.

After that, he had breakfast under the watchful eyes of Monica and the maids, passed the time until mid-morning, and that's how he ended up here.

"Shall I invite the nobles, Your Highness?"

"Y-Yes, please."

The place was the audience chamber. Slein, standing in front of the throne without sitting on it, nodded nervously at Monica's words.

What Slein was about to do was meet the main nobles who served the House of Hassenvelia directly—those known as the Robed Nobles, who held titles and positions.

After confirming Slein's permission, Monica signaled the guards at the entrance of the audience chamber with a hand gesture. In response, the guards standing on either side of the entrance opened the doors.

On the other side of the doors, the nobles were apparently already waiting. Led by Duke Nordenfelt, the highest-ranking among them, they entered one by one.

They were the pillars of the kingdom, responsible for the administration of the royal domain and the state. Their attire, demeanor, and expressions were all dignified. It was clear that each of them was a prominent figure in the country.

That's why Slein's face tensed with anxiety. The "important people" he wouldn't have been able to speak to a few days ago were now approaching him in a group. It was impossible not to be afraid.

The nobles stopped a few meters away from Slein and lined up horizontally.

Then, they all knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.

"......P-PLEASE LIFT YOUR HEADS..."

The arrangement for this meeting had been explained to Slein by Monica beforehand, and he had practiced it lightly. Slein timidly muttered the lines as planned.

He should have said, "Lift your heads," in a commanding tone, but it was too intimidating to say such a thing in front of this distinguished group.

The expressions of the nobles who stood up at Slein's command varied. Some had smiles that seemed both genuine and forced, while others were completely expressionless and unreadable.

"Your Highness, I am Sergei, Duke Nordenfelt, the Chancellor of the Kingdom."

Duke Nordenfelt, who spoke first and reintroduced himself, had an expressionless face.

After his introduction, the others in line followed.

"I am Sieghart, Count Vogel, the General of the Kingdom's Army."

A muscular and imposing man saluted with a powerful smile.

"I am Elena, Countess Estelgrain, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom."

An elegant woman with deep blue hair bowed gracefully.

"I am Viktor, Viscount Behrendorf, the Commander of the Royal Guard."

Viscount Behrendorf, with his usual mechanical smile, gave a precise salute.

"I am Blanca, the Chief Royal Mage and Honorary Baroness."

A bold-looking woman with a unique hairstyle—short on the left side and long on the right—saluted sharply. Given her position and title, she was clearly a mage.

After that, other high-ranking military and civil officials who served the royal family directly and held titles introduced themselves. Among them was Baron Adraschelme, Monica's father, who introduced himself as the Minister of Agriculture.

To conclude the introductions, Duke Nordenfelt spoke again.

"These are the nobles who serve the House of Hassenvelia directly. As loyal servants of the House of Hassenvelia, we will devote ourselves to the royal family and the kingdom... to Prince Slein Hassenvelia, we pledge unchanging loyalty!"

"Unchanging loyalty to Prince Slein Hassenvelia!"

Everyone repeated the duke's words and bowed their heads to Slein in unison.

"..."

What is this?

Unchanging loyalty. To me. To this me.

Just yesterday, I was just a commoner, and now these nobles who wield power in the country are bowing to me and pledging their loyalty.

What is this? What is this situation?

"......!"

Slein felt nauseous.

I can't do it. I can't become it.

Unable to grasp the situation, feeling it was unreal, he had come here and stood here, doing as he was told.

But now, with these noble people bowing to him, the reality finally hit him.

This is abnormal. For a mere commoner like me to be a prince, let alone a king.

It doesn't matter about my origins or my bloodline. I can't do it. It's a joke.

"Your Highness? Are you feeling unwell?"

Monica, who had been standing by, approached a few steps with a worried expression. Slein stopped her with a hand and covered his mouth with the other, trying hard to suppress his nausea.

He forced himself to keep his throat tight, avoiding the embarrassing prospect of vomiting his breakfast in front of the Robed Nobles, and finally calmed his breathing. With a pale face, he turned to them.

"......S-Sorry. I can't do it. It's impossible for me."

"Ah, Your Highness!"

Monica chased after Slein as he fled the audience chamber.

"......"

Left behind were the nobles, still bowed. They remained in that position for a while, but when Duke Nordenfelt raised his head, the others followed.

"Truly, the future is worrying..."

"He was a commoner until yesterday. It's understandable."

In the somewhat relaxed atmosphere, it was Duke Nordenfelt who spoke first. Viscount Behrendorf responded with a cold expression.

"I also came from poverty, so I can understand how His Highness feels."

With a slightly rough air, the Honorary Baroness Blanca, who had risen to the position of Royal Mage through her magical talent, added her thoughts.

"Hehehe, what a charming prince."

Beside her, Foreign Minister Elena, Countess Estelgrain, let out a seductive smile and commented.

"Countess Estelgrain, do you like His Highness?"

"Yes, I didn't imagine what a commoner prince would be like... but he's quite good, isn't he? Not just charming, but he seems intelligent."

Raising an eyebrow, Viktor asked, and Elena chuckled in response.

"Indeed, he had an intelligent look, as befitting a member of the royal family. Perhaps he has the potential to be a wise ruler."

General Sieghart, Count Vogel, spoke with an amused expression, and Duke Nordenfelt sighed.

"Your impressions of His Highness are all well and good, but the first priority is to get him to be more positive about ascending the throne. For him to become king, his willingness is essential. But at this rate..."

Duke Nordenfelt said almost despairingly. In response, Sieghart moved.

"Then, let's try to persuade the new prince."

"Will you do it?"

"I don't know if I can do it well, but I'll do my best. For the late king's will."

Sieghart said this and slowly walked toward the door through which Slein had run.