Chapter Fourteen: Why Did You Come Your Highness Alice Asked, Causing Zeke to Get Angry!

It had been two days since Alice’s father had informed her that Earl Batter’s son would be visiting. It wasn’t Earl’s Batter’s second son, Reinhard Batter, who showed up at Alice’s residence, but rather His Highness Zeke.

“Your Highness? Why did you come?”

“You really are… Is this how you greet a member of the royal family, much less the first prince, when he comes to visit?”

Zeke, perplexed, inquired.

Ops… I’m sorry.

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

“Do not mind. It’s not like this is your first time being rude. Even from the beginning, you were a woman who would drop kick me. In comparison, this isn’t at all rude.”

“I only did that because you were at fault, Your Highness.”

“I am aware. I am sorry about that day.”

Zeke said, bowing his head.

Good, mama is happy that you’re finally being honest. But…

“The crown prince shouldn’t bow his head so easily, Your Highness. It’s the end for you if you’re looked down on!”

“I’m not some yakuza you know… You’re not entirely wrong, though. However, I’d ask you to excuse me for this one time. And you yourself said you weren’t my servant, didn’t you?”

“I did…”

“I won’t do it in front of the people, but I’d like you to accept it when we’re just the two of us. It’s exhausting for me to maintain my princely persona all of the time.”

“If you put it like that…”

If he puts it like that it’s fine, I guess. But why do I have the feeling I’ve heard these lines before? Where was it…

“Ah!”

That’s right! These are lines from the game.

Inside the game Zeke had said something along the lines of, “It is just in front of you that I throw away my princely persona,” revealing his feelings at the time, however, Alice had thought they were quite cheesy…

“I’d also like to correct two points that you made incorrectly. First and foremost, although I am a prince, I am not the crown prince.”

“What about your investiture?”

“I haven’t undergone it yet.”

“Oh…”

With a little nod, Alice said. Zeke, on the other hand, had a somewhat annoyed expression on his face as he looked at her.

What is it?

“I’ll add this just in case there are any misunderstandings, but the reason I haven’t had the investiture yet isn’t because there is a problem with me.  It’s that I’m still young that I haven’t had it done to me yet.”

“……”

“You thought it was because of me didn’t you…”

“Hehehe…”

Alice replied while sticking her tongue out in an attempt to defuse the situation.

I’m sorry… But it’s not like Zeke wasn’t a total dumbass of a prince when I first met him. And it’s also because of my prior knowledge from the game that I assumed he wouldn’t be chosen as the heir.

“Urgh… Why is that face so cute!”

“What?”

“I-It’s nothing!!! In any case, I’m still just seven years old. In addition, money is necessary for the investiture.”

“It’s hard to believe a prince of a kingdom could be so petty…”

“It’s the truth. Well, you could say that those were some of the reasons we decided to postpone it. It was also unclear whether I would be the next king at the time.”

Zeke said with a wry smile. From His Highness’s smile, Alice could tell that he had been through a lot.

“Are you familiar with what’s going on inside the palace, Your Highness?”

“I’d want to say it’s because I’m clever, but it’s so apparent that even a fool could figure it out.  It’s evident that there’s a faction that wants Alen to be king instead of me.”

“Was it that apparent?”

“To be honest, I’m amazed it wasn’t any worse. I’m fortunate to have escaped with no injuries.”

Good grief… Of course, he’ll grow up to be a jerk like that! Any child exposed to the adults’ animosity from an early age, will stray from the proper path!

“However, that all ended yesterday. It was all thanks to me Ma’am Catherine… You know…”

“Getting along?”

“Yea… That.”

“There’s no need to feel embarrassed about it.”

Zeke was having difficulty speaking, and his face was flushed. Alice, on the other hand, found it adorable.

“I-I am not! Ahem… In any case, the royal palace is currently in chaos as a result of this.”

“That’s…”

Knowing Zeke’s personality, I’m sure it was a lot of fun. The guys who looked down on him were undoubtedly astonished to see him suddenly reveal a completely different side. Ahh, that sounds so fun.

“That’s one creepy face, Alice.”

“It’s out of motherly love.”

It’s not fun to only be on the giving end of things.  I work harder to have Zeke accept this motherly feelings of mine. Hehehe!

“What motherly love are you talking about? It’s not as if I expect you to become my parent, I expect you to… Either way. That is primarily why I have come to apologize today.”

“Apologize?”

“Didn’t Duke Salvato tell you that Reinhard is going to be studying with us?”

“Oh…”

He did, but…

“But, Your Highness, that isn’t your fault, isn’t it?

“Directly it isn’t. However, I am still aware that it will cause you inconvenience, therefore I have come to apologize.  Please accept my apologies, Alice.”

Your Highness, that is a wonderful attitude. It is fine, I forgive you.”

I must compliment, His Highness, on his consideration for others’ feelings. However, Your Highness, you should not become a king that only makes his decisions based on people’s feelings. It’s not that being such a king is terrible. However, there must be a balance. Do not fear, Your Highness. I, Todo, who was once known as the Consideration Demon and was well-renowned for being everybody’s friend despite being branded ugly, will raise you to be the best king! Wait… I wasn’t everyone’s friend! I’ll never forgive Kato, the salesperson who called me ugly!

“I also came because I simply wanted to see you.”

“Did you say something?”

“No. It’s nothing. In any case, I believe I’ll be coming every couple of days from now on. That goes for Reinhard as well…”

“Okay. I’m not sure I’ll be able to provide that much hospitality, but…”

“As long as you’re present, it’s alright.”

“I’m pleased to hear that, Your Highness.”

Alice said while giving a warm smile. His Highness, on the other hand, gave her a somewhat irritated glance.

“I said I’d like to correct two points, correct?”

“Two…”

He did say that. The first one was about him not being a crown prince. Then what is the second?

“What is the second one, Your Highness?”

“Precisely that?”

Huh?　

“Didn’t I tell you to call me Zeke instead of Your Highness?”

Turning his slightly flushed face away, Zeke said.

Ahh, I so want to pet him right now. He’s so cute! He’s just like a puppy!

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