Chapter 3: The Ball II (part 2)

From the way my father looked at me—his teeth clenched and his eyes wide open—anyone could see he was furious.  

“A knight is someone who lays down his life for his lord. How many times have I told you that when your lord’s life is in danger, he must be your first priority? Did you forget that?!”  

“No, Father. I remember.”  

In truth, my father had emphasized this repeatedly during my training. 

I couldn’t claim that I had forgotten.  

“Even though you know this, you still prioritize affection? I understand Lady Reina was in danger, but His Highness was mortally wounded! Yet you, barely able to move yourself, chose to act on emotion!”  

This wasn’t just about venting anger. My father’s words were laced with deep emotion. 

Knowing that, I had no excuses.  

“Wait a moment, Duke Addos.”  

Unexpectedly, it was the Crown Prince who interrupted my father’s seemingly endless reprimand.  

“I understand the Duke’s concerns. However, he is still only an aspiring knight. He has yet to swear the knight’s oath.”  

“…That’s true.”  

“And someone who acts selflessly for a friend in a moment of crisis—I find that admirable.”  

“Even so, this is a family matter… Still, thank you, Your Highness.”  

My father slowly bowed his head, and I followed suit. 

No matter the excuses, as the heir to a knightly family and an aspiring knight, my actions were inexcusable. 

In the worst-case scenario, it could have been considered treason.  

Yet, the prince’s fair judgment suggested he would let the matter rest quietly. 

In that moment, our family had clearly gained the Crown Prince’s favor.  

“Very well. Duke Addos, I have one request.”  

“Of course, Your Highness. Anything within my power.”  

“May I speak with your son alone for a moment?”  

The prince’s lips curved into a faint smile.  

***

Leon Aegis Astraia.  

The Crown Prince, first in line to the throne of the Astraia Empire. What kind of person was he?  

In the worldview of “She Heals the Wounded World”, he was described as the greatest genius in history. His strength, intellect, and magical prowess were unmatched. With his innate charisma, he was the most suitable candidate to become the next emperor.  

However, his brilliance came with a flaw.  

He was too perfect.  

His genius made it difficult for him to understand ordinary people, and over time, he grew weary of everything, closing himself off. 

Though he maintained a friendly demeanor, he built walls even against his own family.  

It was the heroine who eventually changed him.  

Admittedly, the setting was predictable, and the story followed a familiar cliche pattern.  

***

“Young Master Ike. You’re 14, the same age as me. May I speak casually?”  

This was entirely unexpected.  

“Of course, Your Highness.”  

This man, who showed little interest in most people, was now asking to speak with me.  

“Ike, feel free to speak comfortably as well. It might be difficult in front of others, but when it’s just the two of us, I’d like you to be at ease.”  

The prince’s smile carried a hint of ulterior motive.  

“As you wish, Your Highness.”  

“Let me explain why I called you here.”  

“Yes.”  

“Ike, I want you to be my friend.”  

“…Pardon?”  

For a moment, my thoughts froze.  

In the original work, Ike and the prince had no relationship whatsoever. There was no mention of friendship or a lord-knight dynamic. Ike was merely a device to highlight Reina’s character.  

So why was the prince speaking to me like this?  

“What do you mean, Your Highness?”  

“Exactly as I said. I want to be friends with you. To be clear, this is a request, not an order. I swear on my name that nothing will happen if you refuse.”  

What answer should I give? How much of the prince’s words were genuine? This was a situation I couldn’t have anticipated.  

“Is it difficult to understand my intention? To put it simply, I want you on my side.”  

The prince smiled slightly and continued.  

“I possess extraordinary talent—more than any of my brothers. I am confident that leading the empire in the future will be for the best. However, talent alone isn’t enough. Nobles have their own agendas, and their support varies. After today’s incident, my faction is in a precarious position.”  

Everything he said was true.  

Still, the current Crown Prince was Leon Aegis Astraia. His overwhelming talent was undeniable.  

“Of course, my position as Crown Prince remains unchanged. This incident isn’t enough to undermine my standing. But if the majority of nobles continue to support my brothers, I could be stripped of my title. A ruler’s role isn’t solely about individual talent.”  

“So you’re seeking allies you can trust?”  

“As I mentioned earlier, people who act for their friends are more trustworthy. If you become my friend—and my knight in the future—I believe you would be a more reliable ally than anyone else.”  

…To be honest, I felt slightly offended.  

What the prince wanted wasn’t a friend. He sought an ally who would sacrifice for him. Ultimately, he was looking for ways to strengthen his faction.  

At this moment, I realized something. 

Perhaps, before he closed himself off, he had been like this all along.  

Because even as he smiled, his eyes remained cold.  

“…I apologize, but I need time to think.”  

“I understand. I’ll look forward to your answer.”  

When I responded with a bow, the prince withdrew gracefully, as if he had anticipated my hesitation. It seemed his request truly wasn’t an order.  

After bowing once more, I rose from the chair and left the room.  

“Ah, I meant what I said about trusting those who act for their friends. Truly.”  

I heard those words as the door closed behind me, but I continued down the hallway without responding.

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