Chapter Six: Father, leave this to me!

“The aristocratic society is complicated and strange. Many things can surprise you… But I never imagined I’d be at a loss for words…”

“…I apologize for barging in so abruptly, Duke Salvato.”

“Don’t be concerned… My daughter is the one who is to blame, regardless of how you look at it… That’s all well and good, but…”

Lind Salvato, Alice’s father, said as he fixed his attention on her. He was a gorgeous man with chiseled features. 

He’s handsome, but… How should I say it… He has this calm fatherly aura about him. Like he’s always level-headed… Like those smart-looking gangsters, you see from time to time.

“…Alice, just what were you thinking? No matter how you look at it, this is kidnapping.”

“No. It was by mutual agreement.”

“Your Highness, your opinion?”

“It wasn’t mutual at all, Duke Salvato. I was forcefully dragged…”

“It was by mutual agreement. You could have simply brushed off my hand if you had desired to, Your Highness. You’re stronger than me, after all. But, because you just let me bring you here, I assume it’s a mutual agreement.”

“…This is just absurd…”

Lind sighed. 

You can’t deny that it’s logical, though!

“Your Highness, I’ll make a report on what happened on your behalf. I would, however, like to know your decision. Will you be staying here?”

“I’m not sure…”

“He is!”

“Hey! Why are you the one answering?!”

“Because I’m going to be teaching you, Your Highness! You’ll just get stupider if I leave you alone!”

“Stupider?! You’re being impolite!”

“I have already received permission from His Majesty! I’m not going to hold anything back when it comes to disciplining you from now on!”

“Disciplining?!”

“…Good grief. Alice, that’s enough. Please, Your Highness, retire to the guest-chamber for the day. I’ll have someone guide you. Jim.”

“…Yes.”

“Please guide His Highness to the guest-chamber.”

“Understood.”

After that, the butler Jim bowed to His Highness and directed him to the guest-chamber. Lind turned to face Alice after seeing them off.

“Alice, why did you do this?”

With a piercing glance, he inquired, sending shivers down Alice’s spine. 

This is the same as that time. The time when my boss scolded me while smiling after I made a mistake!

“Because…”

“Even though he is your fiancé, His Highness is the kingdom’s crowned prince. Isn’t it a significant concern that the Crown Prince was kidnapped by one of his servants? Even without that, His Highness is currently facing a lot of criticism.

“…It’s because…”

“Because what?”

“He just seemed so sad. He doesn’t even have a private tutor, and his relationship with His Majesty’s second wife is also…”

Lind let out a heavy sigh as he heard Alice mention that.

“So His Highness informed you about it. You are right.”

“So His Highness’s relationship with his stepmother really is…”

“That isn’t something I can discuss.”

“…”

“That aside. It’s likely still difficult for you to comprehend, but I agreed to have you marry His Highness after much consideration.”

“Mary told me that His Majesty had sounded you out, father.”

“…”

“Father?”

“…When did you learn the phrase sound out? It’s not something you’d use regularly.”

“Well… I read it in a book! A book!!!”

“…”

“…”

“…Okay then. Listen here, Alice. I indeed spoke with the royal family. One of the reasons I agreed to the marriage was because His Highness Zeke’s situation is not particularly favorable. I planned on becoming a shield for him because our family is one of the most influential in the kingdom. Another reason is that having his kid would elevate you to the status of queen.”

“It’s a political marriage; after all, something like this is only natural.”

“However… I accepted it primarily because you like His Highness. His Highness has never known love. It’s made worse by the fact that he’s just seven years old. That is why I felt that if you showered His Highness with love, he would be able to overcome his sorrow.”

Lind said, sighed, and then spoke again.

“…I never expected you to bring him home.”

“Hihi…”

“What’s that face? In any case, it’s all right. You’ve already brought him here, so that’s the end of that. And living in the royal palace is probably not beneficial for His Highness’ mental health.”

Lind said and stood up from his seat.

“I’m going to sleep. It would be best if you also did the same. Do not stay up late, okay? Also, make sure to look after His Highness.”

“You make it sound as though I’ve brought a pet home with me, father!”

“That would’ve been preferable. After all, His Highness will take my precious daughter away from me at some point.”

“Are you a tsundere, Father?”

“A tsundere? What does that mean?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t mind me. Well, then I’d better get going. Good night, father!”

“Alice, wait! I forgot to ask you the most important thing.”

“What is that?”

“You stated that you would educate His Highness. However, to teach, one must first be proficient at the said discipline.”

“That’s…”

“You’re still seven years old. There isn’t a single disciple that you’re proficient at. What exactly do you think you’ll be able to teach to His Highness?”

“…”

Urgh… He’s right. I’m still a seven-year-old child. What should I do…  I can’t simply tell him that I’ve been reincarnated here, that I’m his age, and that children’s studies are no problem! Although given the world-building of Waku Academy, I may just be able to get away with it…

“Does this mean I’ll be able to teach him something I’m good at?”

I guess I can still use this.

“Oh? What will you teach him then?”

“How to be a king.”

“You know, that’s even more difficult than typical subjects… Only His Majesty can teach that.”

True, only the king can educate others to be kings. However…

“I’ll teach him how to be the king the people desire. If the king were like this, I’d be happy; if the king were like that, I’d be sad, and so on. Those are the things that I’ll teach His Highness.”

“You know, if the king just listens to the people’s opinions, the kingdom will stagnate.”

“Whether he listens or not is entirely up to him… It’s preferable to being completely unfamiliar with them.”

“…”

“…”

“You’ve changed Alice… Are you really seven? I feel like I’m talking with an adult… Like someone has taken over your body.”

As he focused on Alice, Lind remarked. 

This isn’t good!

“Ever since I became His Highness’ fiancée, I feel like I’ve awoken.”

It’s not like I’m lying. I did awaken to the knowledge of my previous life…

“Hmph… Well, let’s leave it at that.”

“I know I suggested it, but, father, are you truly alright with it?”

“I consented to you marrying him in the hopes that you could at least somewhat alleviate his loneliness. I’ll have someone else teach him the main subjects. You focus on teaching him how to become a king that the people desire.”

“Okay!”

Could you leave it to me? With my endless Otoge experience, you could say I’m the best of the best when it comes to the prince route!

“Why did I just feel shivers run down my spine…? In any case. Alice. I leave this to you.”

“Thank you!”

Alice answered with a wide grin on her face.

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