New third novel, The Incompetent Bratty Prince, is out (2/3 chapters)

 

 

Encountered Favorite Heroine (Not Really)

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Is this really okay?” (Harold)

“Y-Yes! Your Highness Harold is even more handsome than usual today!” (??)

The servants were praising me with all their might, but this outfit clearly didn’t suit me. A ceremonial dress with shoulder pads based on white, adorned with a bunch of flashy and tacky accessories.

If this game has a ‘charm’ stat, equipping this would instantly debuff it. Maybe it would suit the protagonist or a rival character, but unfortunately, I’m just a sidekick character who always gets beaten up. There’s nothing to turn a negative into a positive here.

“N-No, this outfit is no good! Get me something else!” (Harold)

“Y-Yes, Your Highness! R-right away!” (??)

They must have thought I was angry because I had shouted at him and refused. The servants turned pale and hurriedly started preparing a different outfit.

Now that I think about it, Harold always dressed like this in “Enhaz.” Maybe the servants prepared it out of consideration. I feel bad now. That being said, today’s meeting is so important it could determine my life or death. I can’t afford to fail, so I’ll allow myself to be a bit selfish.

“Yes… Yes! This is it!” (Harold)

“W-we are glad you like it…” (??)

Seeing me nod in satisfaction after changing outfits, the servants looked relieved.

With this modest and clean look, she might have a slightly better impression of me… or so I hope.

“Oh, I forgot my handkerchief.” (Harold)

I told the maid, and she got me a handkerchief.

“Ahaha… This brings back memories.” (Harold)

I smiled at the handkerchief embroidered with a dragon.

I… or rather, Harold before I regained my memories of my past life, had this memory from his childhood. I gave the same handkerchief to a beautiful boy with a bob cut who was crying, locked up in a room in the royal palace. I never got his name, but I wonder if that boy is still doing well…

“Well, it’s almost time…” (??)

“Oh, it’s already that time?” (Harold)

Oops, now’s not the time to be lost in thought.

I hurriedly made my way to the meeting room where the king was waiting. And then…

“Oh, Harold. I’ve been waiting.” (??)

“M-My apologies.” (Harold)

The one who smiled upon seeing me was the king and my father, “Eibar Weir Dehaubalz”.

From what I saw, he seemed dignified yet kind, but I don’t know what had gone wrong with this man, but 3 years later he summoned the four princes, including me, and said something like, “Whoever brings him the best fiancé in the world will be the next king”. He may look sane, but you never know when he might lose his mind, so I can’t let my guard down until the main story of “Enhaz” begins.

“Harold, what’s wrong?” (Eibar)

“Huh!? Oh, no, I just got a bit nervous…” (Harold)

Damn, I was spacing out a bit. I need to concentrate.

As I collected myself, a middle-aged man and a young girl sitting across from King Eibar slowly stood up.

“Prince Harold, it’s an honor to meet you.” (??)

The girl curtsied gracefully.

Her name is Alexandra ob Chevalier. She has long, lustrous platinum blonde hair, sapphire-like blue eyes, and soft-looking cherry-colored lips that stand out against her clear white skin. She is the daughter of the Duke of Chevalier, the largest noble family owning one-third of the Dehaubalz Kingdom’s territory, and until the main story of “Enhaz” begins, she was my fiancée. In the main story of “Enhaz,” Harold, following King Eibal’s declaration, immediately breaks off the engagement with Alexandra, doing something incredibly rude. He says he will find a better fiancée than her.

Of course, the Duke of Chevalier is furious and, along with her brother and their faction of nobles, revolts against the kingdom. The kingdom faces a crisis from the start, but the protagonist resolves it, gaining recognition and meeting one of the main heroines. In short, this is where Harold’s role as the sacrificial pawn begins. Incidentally, the Duke of Chevalier is executed for treason, and Alexandra is also executed. All because she was engaged to the worst Harold.

There’s a tutorial scenario showing Harold breaking off the engagement, and Alexandra appears in the game. But… in my previous life, despite being a tragic beauty, she was my favorite over all the other heroines. Even though she only had one still image and no expression variations. Even though her dialogue was just ellipses, and she didn’t even have a voice actor. Still, it didn’t matter to me who fell in love at first sight.

From the day I learned about her, I played the tutorial dozens of times just for that one scene, sent daily emails to the distribution label requesting her appearance as DLC, posted daily praises of her on social media once a day. If there was a post of negative comments about her, I would immediately crush it but… I never had the chance. Her role was too minor.

That’s how much I loved Alexandra. So, now, being unable to say anything out of awe and nervousness is understandable. I’ve always been terrible at talking to girls anyway.

“…It seems Your Highness Harold does not find my daughter to his liking.” (??)

“!? M-My apologies! Lady Alexandra is so beautiful that I… well, I got nervous…” (Harold)

Duke Chevalier glared at me, and I hastily apologized. Of course, there was no lie in my words.

“Hahahaha! I see, I see! I’m glad to hear that!” (Eibar)

“…………………………..” (Alexandra)

Contrary to the delighted King Eibal, Duke Chevalier, despite his daughter being complimented, didn’t hide his displeasure. It seemed that he opposed my engagement with Alexandra, but that was understandable given my reputation.

“Indeed! It would be easier for both of you to talk if we weren’t here. Harold, show Lady Alexandra around the palace.” (Eibar)

“Yes.” (Harold)

I nodded to the king and approached Alexandra.

“L-Lady Alexandra, please…!? ” (Harold)

“Oh…”  (Alexandra)

“!?” (Harold)

Despite being the Third Prince, I knelt before her and offered my right hand… but I bit my tongue, ruining it. However, my action seemed unexpected, as Duke Chevalier’s eyes, usually narrow and unreadable, widened in surprise.

“Ahem… shall we?” (Harold)

“Yes…” (Alexandra)

I cleared my throat to cover up my blunder and, feeling the warmth of her small hand gently placed in mine. Then, we left the reception room under the watchful eyes of the king and the duke.

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