Chapter 7

The Youngest Prince of the Pea Family - Chapter 7 (7/205)

‘Surprisingly, he resembles SeiX from a Japanese anime.’

Anyway, she is a beautiful woman with delicate features and luscious blonde hair, but the sharp look in her eyes now suggests that she thinks poorly of me.

However, I already knew the reason why this woman dislikes me.

This is the medieval era.

To put it in terms of Greek and Roman mythology:

It's an era where the strong Hercules who can catch lions stands out more than the gentle Orpheus who plays the lute.

In this age, a sturdy man who can protect a woman is more favored than a delicate man who sings well.

The reason is that the medieval era had poor public safety and frequent wars.

In such a world, the romance of a knight is a luxury that only a strong knight who has survived countless battles can enjoy.

In that sense, my appearance might not be to her liking.

The young count's younger sister looked at me intently and said,

"Prince, I would be really sad if my future husband were weaker than me."

"Mary, that's impolite!"

Mary's brother pretended to be angry.

But I wasn't bothered by Mary's words at all.

"Do I really not appeal to you that much?"

"Then let's settle it with a duel."

In response to my provocation,

Mary smiled for the first time and said,

"Prince, I'm a bit excited. How about a duel with wooden swords?"

"Sounds good."

Of course, the count looked worried and said,

"Prince, are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Don't worry. I am a descendant of the great conqueror. And a duel with wooden swords is safe, isn't it?"

Seeing my positive attitude,

the count pretended to sigh and

agreed to our comical duel.

"Begin."

The moment the wooden swords moved,

I saw it.

Mary, who viewed me as just a lute player, looked at me with a condescending gaze, treating the duel as a mere lesson.

‘Then it's good for me.’

She was completely off guard!

She had already lost to me before the duel even began.

The moment my hidden strength turned from a safe zone to a dangerous zone,

I blocked Mary's first attack.

At the moment she was shocked,

I quickly counterattacked and pointed the tip of my wooden sword at her neck.

The match was over with that.

"..."

The process of the duel is not important.

It's about winning.

Compared to the terrifying sword skills of my brother Richard and the occasional amazing sword skills of my father, Henry II,

Mary's sword skills were so cute that I could laugh and enjoy them.

Mary, the beautiful blonde, looked at me with an expression that said,

"Is the youngest prince, who seemed so weak, actually hiding his strength?"

She still couldn't accept the reality,

staring blankly at my wooden sword.

No matter how beautiful she is,

the world of competition is ruthless.

How could the descendant of a Viking who used to chew gum not know this?

Anyway, I said,

"I'm disappointed, Mary."

I was truly disappointed in Mary.

I won this match easily because Mary didn't take it seriously from the start.

She must have looked down on me.

But even if she had taken it seriously, I would have won.

People just think I'm a weak youngest son who enjoys medieval ballads.

Is our family so easy to underestimate?

Our grandmother is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Norman family, who inherited the blood of William the Conqueror.

Our grandfather was the successor of the Anjou family, who survived the struggles of the treacherous French nobles.

My father, Henry II, born from the union of the Norman and Anjou families,

did not tolerate a ‘weak’ son, even one he doted on.

He was a cruel father who pushed even me through Richard.

Moreover, in my previous life, in the 21st century when World War III broke out, I had experience killing people.

When I picked up a sword, I became a dangerous zone.

"..."

Mary still couldn't recover from the shock and couldn't continue speaking.

"Prince, why did you deceive me?"

"Before that, Miss Mary, let me ask you one thing."

"What is it?"

"Since when."

"Since when what?"

"Since when did you start thinking I couldn't use a sword?"

"Th... That..."

Seeing her flustered, I smiled and said,

"You were off guard. If you had taken the duel seriously, I would have lost."

Don't worry, I won't hurt you, miss.

I'm in the safe zone now.

At that moment,

clap clap clap.

The spectators started clapping.

Unexpected twists always excite people.

Seeing that the lute-playing Prince John actually had skills,

the people were moved and clapped.

"Better than expected, Prince."

The young count, who is also my future brother-in-law, Lord Hartford, was satisfied.

Yes, that's settled.

Feeling the afterglow of victory,

Lord Hartford said,

"As I mentioned earlier, our Clare family welcomes Prince John. This marriage is also welcome."

The Clare family had long desired a royal connection,

and the Plantagenet royal family also wanted the Clare family.

It was a fated match.

At the banquet hosted by the Clare family, Lord Hartford looked at me holding a glass of wine imported from Gascony and said,

"I was surprised by many things today. Your sword skills and your drinking capacity."

While I was strong with the sword, I was also strong with alcohol.

In my previous life, I was known as a heavy drinker, and in this life, I am just as strong with alcohol.

In such a good atmosphere,

Lord Hartford asked me a surprise question.

"I'm curious what Prince John will bestow upon our family."

Of course, I had already decided on the answer.

"I will become the sword arm of the Clare family."

I will provide a justification for their central advancement.

"..."

Lord Hartford, his retainers, and Mary were surprised by my answer.

I looked at them and said nonchalantly,

"Didn't you all expect this?"

People, your acting is too obvious.

The duel was just a pastime for the Clare family's young lady.

The moment my father, Henry II, agreed to my intentions and wrote to Lord Hartford,

this marriage was already decided.

The duel was just a formality for the entertainment.

A few days later, I went on a date with Mary.

"Lady Mary, is this what love is?"

"This is how our family does love. So don't go easy on me this time."

Now, Mary, who had become a challenger with a wooden sword, persistently wanted a rematch.

The medieval era was truly difficult.

**

After a long time, when I requested a meeting, Henry II said,

"Finally, you understand. Your proposal to the French princess wasn't genuine."

"That was just a pastime to spread my name."

I had spread the image of Prince John in love to various countries.

"Your name?"

"Father, a youngest son with three great older brothers is bound to be overshadowed. But now, the world knows my name along with Princess Agnes."

"Now your brothers will see you as a rival, not a beloved younger brother."

Despite my father's words,

I didn't change my expression.

"I think I'll become even more beloved by my brothers. A youngest son who hides his ambition is sinister, but a youngest son who openly shows a small desire is how cute."

I hope so.

**

This is the Norman territory in France.

With the news that the youngest, John, was about to get married, the married older brothers gathered.

Henry, the young king of England and western France.

Richard, the Duke of Gascony, who is expanding his influence through territories bordering France.

Jeffrey, the ruthless and cunning ruler of the northwest.

The brothers who united against their indifferent father, Henry II, during the Great Revolt,

are now engaged in invisible battles.

They gathered for the youngest, John's, marriage.

"Clare family. They're useful but ambiguous. Our youngest is quite cunning."

The young king, Henry, was pleased.

In a sense, the youngest showing ambition is a significant move.

By considering marriage with them,

John was publicly declaring his intention to use external military power as his own.

But as the future king of England, the young king, Henry,

wasn't particularly upset.

'A new variable has entered the game.'

He was even relieved, as he could see the youngest's purpose.

"Big brother, you're mistaken. John never hid it."

Jeffrey said casually.

The rulers of England, who inherited Norman blood, are not as timid as the French.

Especially the princes who have already committed treason.

Jeffrey smiled.

He could see exactly how the proud older brother, Henry, viewed John.

The appearance of a new figure to check Richard and Jeffrey, that figure is the youngest brother, John.

"I also agree with Jeffrey. John never hid his ambition. He kept it within bounds."

The young king, Henry, said to his brothers.

"What gift should we give our beloved youngest? Ah, that will do."

When the young king, Henry, mentioned the gift,

"It's a good gift."

"John will love it."

Richard and Jeffrey barely suppressed their laughter.

It was a fitting gift for the youngest.

**

My marriage news became a major topic in England. The union of the Clare family's young lady and Prince John signified the birth of a new power.

Of course, it was just a new connection.

What was needed now was the support of the clergy.

"I want the support of the clergy, but it's too early to gain the support of my teacher's faction. How can they trust me, who is as cunning as the clergy?"

In the late 12th century,

the clergy were another power in this era.

They were not just powerful in religion,

but also in politics!

Of course, their power could threaten the king's authority.

But should they be rejected just because they are a threat?

The biggest reason the original John failed was not just his arrogant personality,

but his weak base of support.

Most importantly, the original John didn't understand people's hearts.

'He didn't trust even those who followed him, so it's natural he lost to Philip.'

At that moment, I thought of someone who could be a focal point for the English Catholic faction.

"But there is someone who can introduce me to the clergy. Sir Godfrey, the first bastard son."

Of course, Godfrey is a knight, not a clergyman. The problem is that he is very close to the clergy.

As I said this, I observed Peter's reaction.

Then Peter said,

"Prince, please wait a moment. I am already in contact with Sir Godfrey."

"Of course, Peter."

"Before that, there is something you need to do, Prince."

"What is it?"

"Untangle the knot."

A few days later, after finishing my lesson, I had a private meeting with my teacher.

Thomas Becket.

I didn't know much about English history,

so he was unfamiliar to me.

But I could tell,

he was a born politician.

After all, there are no high-ranking medieval clergy who are not political.

That's why he fell out with my father, Henry II!

Peter said I needed to reconcile my teacher and Henry II, and I agreed.

There must have been a lot of resentment, but it's time to untangle it after all these years.

"Teacher, I have a heartfelt request."

"Speak."

Even as I used the word 'heartfelt,' my teacher's expression didn't change.

"Can you now forget the past and reconcile with my father?"

"Hahaha."

The phrase often used to introduce melodramas, ironically, is forgiveness and reconciliation.

Of course, this forgiveness and reconciliation were needed by Henry II.

But my teacher laughed at my words.

Is forgiveness and reconciliation too difficult for the English version of Song Si-yeol?

At that moment,

after laughing for a while, my teacher showed a reaction I never expected.

"Sniff, I expected you to say this, Prince."

He suddenly started crying.

I found it, my love.