Chapter 4

**The Youngest Prince of the Bean Powder House - Chapter 4 (4/205)**

After being rejected by Princess Agnes once again, Prince John, with a sad expression, returned to England. However, to my surprise, I was still in the Kingdom of France.

I had unfinished business to attend to.

I checked the final list and, with a smile, said to the guests, "Everyone has arrived."

"... Everyone has come at the invitation of Prince John."

A Frenchman, trying to look impressive, showed his manners, but I detest such unnatural behavior.

As the president of the sacred gathering of the youngest sons formed in Paris, I must display a grand presence!

"Well, I'm not the heir to the throne, so let's be informal. Honestly, we who are already miserable at home don't need to maintain formalities here, do we?"

"Indeed, Prince John is generous."

"Ah, here, call me Prince Jean!"

Although we held a meeting in Paris, the capital of the Kingdom of France, there were no nobles to keep an eye on me, which was rather sad.

Even though it's a gathering of the youngest sons who are often ridiculed, being so underestimated is painful.

"You've all worked hard."

"Yes, it's been very difficult."

Only those who have been in pain can understand the pain of others, and only the youngest sons can understand the feelings of the youngest sons.

We, who understood each other's feelings so well, drank fresh beer and got drunk.

Drunk on emotions and beer.

"May the youngest sons live forever!"

I raised my glass and said.

- May the youngest sons live forever!

After the toast, we crossed our arms in an X, as in a movie, and said seriously,

"Last-borns forever!"

It was a signal I created.

However, we were not a group of conspirators plotting something sinister.

On the contrary, we were a group of people who were often ridiculed.

Yes, this was just a drinking party.

The meeting was filled with expensive wine from France and beer from England.

It was a gathering where the youngest sons, who were ignored by their older brothers and even illegitimate siblings, came together to have fun.

The essence of this gathering.

"Everyone, let's not lose hope. We can do it."

I said, filled with frustration.

The path of the youngest son is to laugh and move on even when ignored by older brothers.

I felt like crying already.

But I swallowed those feelings, raised my glass, and said cheerfully,

"Even if life as the youngest son deceives us, let's not be discouraged or sad."

"Right!"

"That's true."

"Did we choose to be born as the youngest sons?"

"That's right. We are not sinners."

"Well... They want me to become a priest. They give me a tiny inheritance and say that's it."

"They also want to send me to a monastery because I'm the youngest son."

"Being forced to join the Crusades. I barely managed to escape."

The youngest sons, who always inherit only a small piece of land or a small amount of money, had tears streaming down their faces.

Even if they are the youngest sons of noble families that can easily come to Paris, being sad is still being sad.

"Of course, the reason we are here is not to cause turmoil in our families."

There is no youngest son here plotting to do something to their older brothers with a spear.

I'm on the verge of depression, and if I don't vent, I might really commit a great sin before the Lord.

After the venting session ended,

it was time for the exchange.

- Clap.

"Now, the greatest trade of the great youngest sons begins."

At my words, the merchants brought by the youngest sons started moving busily, and the merchants under my command also moved quickly.

"This is a specialty from our territory."

"This is an antique my older brother generously gave me."

"This is a precious item from our territory."

"Come on, let's sell it quickly."

"We have items to show the guests from England."

Of course, every meeting has an end.

It was time for us to part ways.

The youngest sons, filled with regret, lamented.

"Ah, it's already time."

"Now, I can't be satisfied with just a party."

"I heard there's a grand banquet in Champagne. Are you going there?"

"Why would I go to such a trivial place?"

"This is the real deal."

Despite their reluctance,

it was time to leave.

'At least I gained a lot.'

I heard about the state of affairs in continental Europe from the French and English (Norman) youngest sons and made friends with several of them.

It was finally time to leave France for England.

While my older brothers were enjoying themselves in the comfortable French territories, I had to return to the gloomy England...

Is this the fate of the youngest son?

Ah, the unkind port is calling me.

People have always liked to talk about others, both in the past and now.

Today, as I tasted the pain of rejection, I heard people murmuring behind me.

"It's Prince John! That's him!"

Their voices were raised as if they wanted to be heard.

"He's so handsome."

"But why did Princess Agnes reject his proposal?"

My hearing is too good for my own good.

"Was it the 101st or 200th rejection?"

It's true that it happened dozens of times, but that's a bit exaggerated, isn't it?

"Why doesn't he give up on the princess?"

It's the most effective way to spread my name and purity to the world.

And it's a chance to meet other youngest sons.

As I was about to return to England,

"Prince Philippe is here~"

An uninvited guest arrived.

"John, I heard you were rejected by Agnes. Are you leaving without even saying goodbye to me? How disappointing."

Prince Philippe, the heir to the throne, came to tease me again. Damn French.

"John, because of your 'engagement,' the lords are starting to watch you."

"Me?"

"Yes, they are wary of you proposing to my sister. There are quite a few who are after my beautiful sister."

'Damn scoundrel of Eastern France!'

In my past life, I liked France, but in this life, I wish France would split into several parts.

Of course, most of the western part of the French continent is controlled by our family, so the current France is Eastern France.

There's no need to reveal such inner thoughts.

"Ha ha ha, it's a misunderstanding!"

"Is it? I heard..."

The talkative Frenchman started his speech.

But I laughed heartily at Prince Philippe's continuous gibberish.

In my heart,

'You French nobles' youngest sons are quite capable.'

I barely managed to hold back my laughter.

Among those youngest sons, many were loyal to Philippe and betrayed the original King John.

Of course, only I know this fact.

Be careful, Philippe. Or should I say, future Philippe II!

Anyway, after parting ways with the ridiculous Philippe, I returned to England.

Looking at the gloomy weather here,

I understood why my father, mother, and older brothers liked the French territories.

The terrible rumor that Prince John was rejected by the French princess would spread like a folk tale, from mouth to mouth.

But because the rumor spread so quickly, I received a letter from my mother, who was in exile in Chinon.

'The damn Henry moved my exile location because he's afraid of me, but Mom believes in her son.'

My mother's lament that her exile location would change to Salisbury Castle.

I don't know who needs comfort more.

I'll just leave my mother in Chinon. It's too much trouble to change the exile location again.

My father also lives a tiring life.

It's a harmonious family filled with true love.

"Prince, your expression looks a bit evil."

"It's not an evil expression, it's a sad one."

My heart aches for my son.

Anyway, I declared to the world.

On my way, I secured some emergency funds. Of course, I am still a safe John who has failed in love.

"A... Agnes..."

"Why don't you just give up?"

"I'll succeed next time. Don't worry, Peter!"

"Will you?"

What I needed to do now was to build a foundation without making enemies.

At 13 years old in European terms (middle school age in Korean terms), what could I do?

I am a poor lamb, thinking about the future of this sweet-smelling bean powder family.

**

The 66-year-old John, who returned to England, had to meet his loving father.

Our great father, Henry II, looked at his proud youngest son, who had been rejected by the French princess, and barely managed to hold back his laughter.

"Ah, son! I'm glad you returned safely."

"Are you really glad?"

My father, whose soul was already with his mistress in the French territory, showed no sincerity at all.

"Huh?"

"Really?"

I repeated the same words.

This is how I doubted my father's sincerity.

"It seems you've grown up, and I'm not as interested anymore."

"It's because of your older brother."

"Oh!"

Looking at my father's aging face, my heart ached a little.

Is it because I'm a filial son?

No, it's because my older brothers are such passionate filial sons!

Honestly, I think my older brothers, if given the chance,

would not hesitate to inherit the throne.

But I am a safe John.

A cute youngest son who loves peace.

"I don't even have a territory. Can you increase my allowance?"

It was so safe.

"Hehe, this kid! Grow up a bit, John!"

"But... I can't help it with silk."

The Asian soul inside me cried out.

I wanted Song Dynasty silk!

**

While wearing the latest fashionable clothes made of Song Dynasty silk,

a guest from the Eastern Roman Empire arrived.

They came through Genoa, the Holy Roman Empire, Savoy, and France to our island nation.

What could they be thinking?

Of course, as a mere youngest prince, it had nothing to do with me...

"This is Alexios, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire."

It was not related to me.

Why did the Crown Prince come here?

"Welcome to England."

But I hid my thoughts and spoke politely in Latin, the international language.

However, I did not expect it.

"Prince John! You are a coward."

The Crown Prince suddenly had a fit.

Did this kid go crazy from eating English food? The English cuisine is actually quite good.

I was puzzled but remained calm.

"Me?"

"xxxx. xxxxx"

Then the young Crown Prince screamed like an ancient Greek.

But I don't know Greek.

I thought he would speak French, the common language of the West.

Suddenly, the Crown Prince started speaking in French, trying to look impressive,

"I am Alexios, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire. You are just a prince of Britain, but I am the heir to the empire."

His tone was full of resentment, but I was surprised by something else.

What? You can speak French?

-Creepy.

As the Crown Prince of the 'Roman Empire,' I didn't expect him to know the language of the barbarian Franks.

"I hate you so much, John, that I learned French."

"Huh?"

"Do not shake the heart of my love, Agnes."

Why is the Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire so excited?

"When did I?"

I was rejected by Princess Agnes, remember?

Greeks are strange, indeed.

"Your Highness, Westerners are indeed rude."

Then a servant by the Crown Prince's side raised his voice.

"Uncle, have you forgotten why we came to this island nation? And the cause of it!"

"Your Highness, your words are too harsh. I was unfairly dragged to this backwater."

The one who responded to the rude comment was not me, but the Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire.

After that, the two of them engaged in a heated debate, using gestures and tone typical of Greeks.

The problem was

managing my expression.

"Peter. Oh, I miss my mother so much."

"You are doing well, Prince."

The two arguing were too intense.

Greek gestures.

Greek tone.

Greek expressions.

How could I endure this?

'Mother, are you well in exile?'

I thought of my mother, Eleanor, who was exiled for inciting rebellion.

'Mother, are you well there?'

Of course, I wasn't really missing her.

The Crown Prince of the Eastern Roman Empire