Chapter 24

"Here's your letter."

"Shouldn't you be more mindful of your words and actions?"

The stern nanny with dark blue hair seemed to dislike me because of my initial provocation.

That's fine, but I'm honestly scared that the First Prince might do something if she reacts too strongly.

"Hearty, just leave Levan to Ictus. Instead, show me the letter from Diora."

The First Prince, who is eight years old, said something outrageous with a smile.

I handed the letter from Princess Lucisaria to the nanny and quietly retreated to the wall.

This is the best way to minimize damage.

Ictus Totos will use the minimum amount of force to make me unable to move from pain.

It's not just that I'm not good at it; I avoid getting close to him to protect myself.

"Hmm... Hey, Verarel, do you know this herb?"

"This herb is used to make magic recovery potions. Generally, mass-produced herbs are more toxic, and drinking more than three a day can cause a drop in energy and make you collapse."

The First Prince, after reading the letter, called the tutor to explain common knowledge.

I wonder what the princess wrote.

If she wrote something about falling in love and wanting to marry, she could just send a love letter.

Well, if she wrote something, I'd have to black it out before giving it to the First Prince.

"Huh? Oh, the delivery came?"

"Thank you."

A red-haired bear appeared in the room.

Actually, this one is more aware of the strength of beastmen and holds back more than Ictus Totos.

He must have some self-control from being a soldier.

"You're being quiet. Did you already do something?"

When the bear asked, Ictus Totos responded.

"No, Princess Asha ordered me to keep an eye on him, so I'm being cautious."

That's a nasty comment, but it's true.

I've also been told by the Marquis not to overdo it.

It's good to observe the First Prince, and if no information comes out, it's okay to try to draw it out.

But I'm worried about getting hurt.

"I'll leave after I take the letter, so don't mind me."

"I'll write a reply after I do some research today."

The First Prince, while looking at the letter, started to say something troublesome.

"Wow, that's tough, but it's fine, isn't it?"

As soon as I said that a casual reply would be fine, Ictus Totos took a step closer.

Scary!

"It's about the herbs not growing well. I thought about the natural conditions and if there are any studies by predecessors. Even if I write something off-topic..."

"Wow, you're serious. But if that's the case, I'll have to go back and forth to the end of the palace again."

While keeping an eye on Ictus Totos, I complained about my troubles, and the First Prince looked at me.

Then he said with a smile,

"Then, just wait in the blue room with Ictus and Helkoff."

"Sorry, I went too far. Please don't do both."

What a troublesome kid!

He definitely said it knowing I'd hate it!

"Really, you're a bad influence on Princess Asha. Can't you do it with someone else?"

"Hearty, even bad examples can be useful to see what not to do."

That's a harsh comment.

I don't intend to change, though! I'll just push through this!

"Anyway, I don't think there's anything to say about a problem that Lucisaria has been working on for years. The princess is just talking about a field trip to see the herbs."

"Sure, sure. If you hate going back and forth so much, I'll arrange to go directly to the Marquis Strateg's place."

Another scary thing!

Before I could say anything, I was dismissed.

"So, no injuries today, but no significant information either."

After reporting to Marquis Strateg, I opened my hands beside my face.

"Being eager to learn isn't something to criticize. But was there really no difference from usual?"

"There wasn't. The nanny's successful remarriage and separation didn't affect him at all."

This time, the Duke of Eulasion reacted to the idea of giving the First Prince a territory.

The only successful move was the nanny's remarriage and separation.

It seems the viscount family the nanny came from was on the Duke of Eulasion's side, and they selected a suitable partner for her remarriage.

As a result, fewer people were around the First Prince, but they acted as if they didn't know about the plans.

"The nanny was a relative from the beginning. She was very close to him, almost like a mother. I thought he would be upset..."

Marquis Strateg also seemed puzzled.

"Speaking from my experience, if the only mother you have leaves after remarriage, it feels like being abandoned."

"......I see. But the First Prince doesn't seem affected at all."

"Well, maybe it's not fair to compare him to me."

I was a troublemaker as a child, and adults would underestimate me, while my peers would cry.

Honestly, compared to me, the First Prince is a well-behaved child.

"Maybe he's just pretending to be a good child to avoid being abandoned and can't be held back."

"If he can do that without showing any signs, it means he has the emotional control of an adult, not just pretending to be good."

Marquis Strateg seemed unsatisfied.

Does this mean noble children are like that?

I was born in Lucisaria, and my mother worked as a live-in at the castle.

Lucisaria also gathers families who have become single due to widows or husbands working away and provides them with jobs.

So, there were many children my age around me, but my family was the only one with an unmarried mother.

I was aggressive because I didn't want to be looked down upon or mocked.

I feel sorry for my deceased mother now.

But there were also children who pretended to be good.

They suppressed their dislike and convinced themselves they were doing the right thing.

Even they might not know their true feelings, and I doubt others could easily tell.

"Levan, do you think the First Prince has any ulterior motives for continuing the correspondence?"

Marquis Strateg changed the subject.

"He says it's fun. But honestly, I can't tell what the First Prince is thinking."

"I agree."

Still, I'm concerned that our important country, Lucisaria, might suffer because of the First Prince.

If not, I would have left it alone.

"Why did I get so involved?"

"......Don't say it."

We both sighed.

My first impression of the First Prince was that he was creepy.

It has slightly faded over time, but I still feel that occasional creepiness.

What is this feeling that he's a completely different being?

Is it because he seems to fundamentally disregard the things we find meaningful and significant, leading to a sense of rejection?

"Sorry, but I'll have to continue to rely on you."

"As you command."

I dismissed the pointless thoughts and made a theatrical gesture of respect.