Chapter 9

Youngest Prince of the Cornmeal Family - Chapter 9 (9/205)

To me, who had nothing, Mortein was a gift like rain in a drought.

Though small, becoming the lord of a fief made me truly feel that I was in the Middle Ages.

Of course, I will experience the harsh realities of the real 'Middle Ages' as a lord,

but that's a problem to worry about when my older brothers rebel.

Whatever trials may come, future John will handle them.

But there's another gift on top of this?

I looked at the young King Henry and asked,

"Brother Henry, what is that?"

"John, you'll find out after your wedding mass."

Brother Henry smiled benevolently but didn't reveal the nature of the gift.

A gift that can only be given after the wedding mass.

What could it be?

After saying that, Brother Henry approached me and stroked my head.

It felt strange to be stroked by a handsome man and not a pretty woman,

but I remained composed.

"John, you've grown so much."

Henry, born in 1155 and 11 years older than me, looked at me with pride.

Seeing him look at me as if I were a young nephew,

I felt once again how much of a late-born I was.

Perhaps my young age protected me from my brothers' clutches.

While I was thinking this,

the silent Brother Geoffrey spoke to Brother Henry.

"Brother, John is a beloved younger brother who has unknowingly helped us."

"Yes. John has always supported us, even while receiving his father's favor."

Brother Henry acknowledged that I, the youngest, had not just relied on my father,

but had been a good brother.

With a clear conscience, I said confidently,

"I, John Plantagenet, am my father's son, but also my brothers' younger brother."

The stage of the great rebellion was in the French fiefs, and at that time, I was too young.

I only heard about the rebellion my brothers and mother had started.

But as I grew older and reached an age where I could participate in politics,

I worked hard to 'mediate' between my brothers and father.

However, I couldn't directly ask my father to be friendly with my brothers.

I just tried to prevent my father from provoking my brothers whenever he demanded their oaths of loyalty.

"Yes, John, you are our beloved youngest."

Brother Richard also acknowledged this fact without hesitation.

As the atmosphere among the brothers improved,

Brother Henry looked at the others and said,

"My reliable younger brothers."

-Yes, Brother.

"Remember, you are my beloved brothers, but ultimately, you are my vassals."

-Of course, Brother.

Brother Henry revealed the difference in status before his two powerful younger brothers, Richard and Geoffrey,

and we, the younger brothers, readily accepted it.

If there were no variables, Brother Henry would become Henry III, the ruler of England and western France,

while Richard and Geoffrey would remain powerful royal family members.

Of course, the two brothers would think about overthrowing Brother Henry in their minds,

but they wouldn't show it.

Right now, Brother Henry is doing the best!

Indeed, 'The mighty Lionheart Richard is the best'—that's the history I only knew from books.

The history I see before me is completely different.

'Indeed, it's still Brother Henry's era.'

They might be thinking of betraying each other at any moment,

but right now, Brothers Richard and Geoffrey don't challenge Brother Henry's authority.

After showing the younger brothers 'This is the eldest son,' Brother Henry said kindly,

"Richard, Geoffrey, and John. We are brothers of the same blood."

As he was about to change the subject, Brother Henry suddenly laughed.

"Hahaha. I agree with what you said to your friend, Geoffrey."

Brother Henry mentioned the famous words Brother Geoffrey had said when someone asked why the Anjou-Plantagenet family was in turmoil.

"‘My friend, listen well. The people of our family are born to oppose brother against brother, son against father, and to do their utmost to harm each other.’ Is that right, Geoffrey? I feel the same way."

The atmosphere was about to turn heavy,

but Brother Henry suddenly smiled and said,

"But now that the youngest is getting married, we must be even more united. Do you understand?"

-Yes, Brother.

After saying that, Henry spoke to us again.

"That's all I have to say as the eldest. See you next time."

The meeting among the brothers ended,

and I entered the annex provided by my brothers.

"Has the prince arrived?"

"Loyal English knights, you have worked hard today."

I exchanged warm greetings with the guards.

"Let's go inside, Peter."

"Yes, Prince."

-Tap, tap, tap, tap.

After entering the annex,

I could finally breathe a sigh of relief after putting four leather bags of gold coins into a box.

"It's tough."

"Prince, are you okay?"

"Not really, my brothers are really scary."

"Isn't that natural? They are the ones who started the great rebellion."

Three out of the four princes are monsters.

Of course, I, one of them, am an extremely ordinary prince.

The reason I wasn't harmed today is that I have no complaints against my brothers and live as a polite youngest,

but it's also thanks to Brother Henry, who is trying to strengthen the youngest.

Through today's meeting, I realized that I have now entered the game of thrones.

Feeling depressed, I invited the youngest sons of French and English noble families

and held a celebratory banquet before my wedding mass.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am now the Baron of Mortein."

"Congratulations, Baron of Mortein!"

"I wish I could get a title soon too."

"Damn, being the youngest is tough, sniff sniff."

Of course, listening to the sad laments of the youngest was also part of the job.

As time passed, I held a glass of wine and said to them,

"If you need money, borrow from the Jews."

"Huh?"

Why? Because the French king will soon make a grand decision to seize the Jews' money.

Of course, I didn't tell them that.

"Jews are our Europeans' piggy banks, aren't they?"

"That's right, Prince. They are our piggy banks."

I'm just encouraging irresponsible loans.

Now that I've said what I needed to say,

let's go back to England!

"Peter, let's go back now."

"Yes, Prince."

Just as I finished all the preparations to return to England,

"Wait a moment."

A gentle voice called out.

A woman who looked similar to my sister Agnes, though slightly less beautiful,

my eldest sister-in-law.

She smiled and said,

"John, it's been a while."

Has it been a while?

Ah, I think I saw her once when our mother's place of exile changed?

I had forgotten in the midst of working for England's future.

Now that I've become the Baron of Mortein, I greeted her with medieval courtesy.

"Hello, Queen."

Formally, Brother Henry was the co-king of England,

which means his partner was the queen.

Of course, I had to be polite.

"Oh! Are we that distant?"

Yes, we were.

And you seem pleased with my attitude now.

"Don't be so formal. Call me sister-in-law. We're not strangers."

Ching.

My sister-in-law is Princess Margaret of France.

She hit my weak spot.

Is she trying to buy me with money?

Of course, I like the sound of jingling, regardless of the amount.

"Sister-in-law."

I had no choice but to change the way I addressed her.

Then my eldest sister-in-law looked at me proudly and said,

"Our Prince John. When did you grow so much?"

"Hmm, sister-in-law. I've grown enough to receive a lordship."

And I'll be getting married soon.

Then Sister-in-law Margaret said,

"I have Henry's permission, so I'll get straight to the point."

"As the queen of the kingdom, I have prepared a gift for you. Here, this is for Prince John."

When I saw the gift prepared by Sister-in-law Margaret, I was surprised,

but she smiled and said,

"This is a wedding gift from me, the Queen of England, not from Henry."

"... Sister-in-law, I will accept it gratefully."

Reluctantly, I thanked her politely.

Sister-in-law Margaret smiled and said,

"See you later, John."

**

On the way back to England, I thought.

While on the ship, I am who? John, the Baron of Mortein!

Not as grand as a duke like my brothers, but a baron is still something.

Now I am walking the path of a feudal lord.

"Your fief will be governed by an agent I send for a while."

"Huh?"

"Can your father entrust such a dangerous fief to a youngest son who hasn't had a wedding mass yet?"

"A dangerous fief?"

I had expected it,

but it seems our father is worried about me, a newly minted lord.

That's understandable.

But the next words from my father were

truly a reflection of the British, who are always self-righteous.

"Englishmen are stubborn, but the French are devious!"

What? What did you say?

A 'devious' father who has three 'devious' sons shouldn't say that.

"A fief is not just given."

"John! After your wedding mass, you must live as a true adult with the Clare family as your in-laws."

"A true adult?"

"Yes, a true adult. John, you are leaving my care to face the harsh world."

I was already an adult,

but the word 'true adult' from my father tasted bitter on my tongue.

Despite being a different kind of father, he loved me so much.

Looking at me, my father said,

"I also made that face when I heard the definition of a 'true adult.' My mother, your grandmother and my teacher, said to me,"

After saying that, my father hugged me and said,

"You can do it. You can endure it. We are the descendants of the great conqueror William."

"Father..."

Thinking of the late Grandmother Matilda, my father's eyes turned red.

Even Henry II, who always seemed so strong,

was someone's child.

**

After returning,

I sighed.

"Ah. Life."

"Why are you sighing, which is unbecoming of you?"

"I didn't realize how heavy the responsibility would be when I became the Baron of Mortein."

"You, Prince, have already prepared for everything."

"That's true."

I must take responsibility for all the consequences of my choices.

And to protect my life in this dysfunctional family,

I cannot make the wrong choices.

Scary, the Middle Ages!

"Prince, I have gathered information on the Barony of Mortein."

As expected, Peter.

There was information on the current state of the Mortein fief and various nobles.

Peter, you're always so reliable!

"As expected, you are well-prepared."

"To survive, we need accurate information, don't we?"

After reading the report Peter prepared,

my head ached and felt heavy.

"Not easy."

"Mortein is a fief with no hope of productivity."

"If I had married Princess Agnes, I wouldn't have to go through this."

"If that had happened, the other princes wouldn't have just stood by. They would have received good fiefs through the princess's dowry. The same goes for the lowlands. That land cannot be protected by a weak prince. Thinking about the future, a small and poor fief is much better."

"Right. Mortein is an ambiguous fief, so my brothers didn't see me as a threat. Besides, Father is sending an agent to manage the fief for a while."

"Wait, an agent? If it's one of the Seven Nobles, the fief won't get worse."

The Seven Nobles, my father's closest allies, are friendly to me.

From the beginning, they didn't see me as a son who would rebel and seek the crown.

"Peter, go rest. I need to think for a while."

"Prince, I will take my leave then."

The gift from my sister-in-law is a silk suit.

It's a gift I like.

It feels like a kindness from Brother Henry, who looks favorably upon me.

I'm handsome, so it will suit me very well.

Time passed,

and finally, the day of the wedding mass arrived.

Peter, who was dressed neatly, came in and said,

"Prince John. It's time."

"Right."

The moment I stepped outside,

I was surprised.

Like the terrifying horsemen of the apocalypse,

my brothers Henry, Richard, and Geoffrey, who instilled fear in me, appeared on horseback.

Their presence was so intimidating.

'Father, I understand now. How did you manage all this time?'

I felt admiration for my father, who had suppressed the great rebellion caused by such brothers.

"Why are my brothers here?"

"John, we will personally escort you, the new groom."

"Stand tall and leave it to your brothers."

"Right, we are all brothers."

Young King Henry.

Duke of Normandy, Richard.

Duke of Brittany, Geoffrey.

They are brothers who would eat each other if they showed any weakness,

but right now, they are the most considerate brothers.

Of course, I can't take their kindness at face value.

"Thank you, brothers."

"Let's go!"

-Neigh.

As the new groom about to get married,

I was escorted by the three strongest knights in England.

Many people marveled at the sight.

This is like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

The location of the Mortein region.

My mother's friend's illegitimate child.