The Incompetent Bratty Prince is out (1/3 chapters)

 

Encountered Favorite Fiancée for Second Time

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Prince Harold. Prince Cardis’s steward has conveyed a request to dine with you tonight.” (Marion)

It had been exactly a month since Marion became my maid. Of all times, she brought me this unwelcome news. By the way, our relationship hadn’t been good this past month. I had been avoiding contact with “Enhaz” characters, but Marion also kept our conversations strictly business-like, clearly avoiding association with my notorious reputation.

She sometimes complained aloud, knowing I could hear. She even clicked her tongue. It was quite unpleasant. Well, it was good that she avoided me like that because it meant I didn’t have to worry about anything unnecessarily.

Huh? Then, why didn’t I fire the maid? That’s stupid… Marion is the main heroine of “Enhaz”, you know? If I did that, I’d only draw more unwanted attention and head closer to a bad ending. I don’t want to trigger unnecessary flags.

Anyway, I need to focus on this dinner with Cardis now. Well, it’s all because Harold was trying to win favor with his mother Margaret that he went all out to flatter Cardis. What a sycophant. In Harold’s memories, Cardis seemed to keep him around perhaps thinking he might be useful as his actual younger brother, but I doubt Cardis’s gaze towards Harold was brotherly at all.

But… Cardis is two years older than me, a freshman at the Royal Academy, right? Even if you’re royalty, the Royal Academy requires boarding, so why is he at the Imperial Palace now? I haven’t met him once since I regained my past life’s memories. I have a bad feeling about this, but refusing might cause even more trouble.

“What will you do?” (Marion)

“Tell them I will join.” (Harold)

“Understood.” (Marion)

With a respectful bow, Marion hurriedly left the room.

Her manners are perfect… though I know she occasionally slacks off at work…

“Oh, right.” (Harold)

I just had a good idea. At the dinner, I’ll pass Marion off to Cardis. That way, I can keep the heroine at a distance and Marion might finally become Cardis’s maid, potentially supporting herself as she’s always wanted. Killing two birds with one stone, right?

“Hehehe… that’s one less worry off my plate.” (Harold)

Well, considering she’s been reassigned after just a month as my maid, everyone probably thinks I’ve displeased her. It’s times like this I’m grateful for being the infamous Harold. It’s painful to say.

“Well then, let’s go.” (Harold)

With that, I left the room and headed to the training grounds. Since regaining my memories from my past life, I had been training diligently every day to avoid getting involved in any events and dying. But…

“The problem is how to get stronger.” (Harold)

In Harold’s memories, this world didn’t have levels like in games. In other words, to max out my abilities, I have to train and get stronger… but…

“I don’t have any magic skills, so how can I increase my magic attack and defense?” (Harold)

Standing in the middle of the training ground, I found myself tilting my head.

Well, for physical skills, normal training should suffice, but for magic-related ones, I understand that using magic is how you train, right? Unfortunately, Harold only possesses physical skills, so there’s no way for me to use magic.

“Hah… I guess I’ll have to acquire a weapon that grants magic skills and train with that…” (Harold)

Some weapons in “Enhaz” have unique skills. If I use a weapon that grants magic skills, maybe I can increase my magic-related abilities. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s worth a try. This world really lacks the concept of levels despite having skills, which feels one-sided. The reverse is also true.

“In any case, what I need to do now is max out my weak physical abilities and become somewhat decent.”

There are ways to do that. There are ways, even if I’d rather not do them.

“Anyway, I’ll give it my all with what I can do now.” (Harold)

I gripped a wooden sword and began practicing earnestly.

 

—

 

“998… 999… 1000!”

After finishing 1000 practice swings, I collapsed on the spot from exhaustion.

I-I’m not exactly fat, but my slightly chubby Harold body is quite demanding…

Casually, I prodded at my protruding belly.

I often wonder why I feel more embarrassed about having a belly that sticks out than being overall chubby. Well, anyway, if I want to tone this sloppy belly, I’ll have to work diligently. Above all, I made a promise to Alexandra.

“In three years, I’ll become a man worthy of her… wait!?” (Harold)

As I tried to get up, I saw a girl with sapphire eyes in my line of sight.

Wait, why is she here!?

“A-Al… Alexandra-dono!?” (Harold)

“Prince Harold, thank you for your hard work.” (Alexandra)

She came closer to me, wiping my sweat with a handkerchief.

“W-what… happened?” (Harold)

“His Majesty the King said ‘you may come to the palace anytime’, so I came to see you, Prince Harold.” (Alexandra)

I’m extremely happy that my favorite fiancée came to visit, but still, her family territory, the House of Duke Chevalier’s territory, is a two-week carriage ride from the capital. It shouldn’t be so easy for her to come here. Above all, even if we’re engaged, I’m Harold, the “incompetent bratty prince”. Unless it’s on King Eibar’s orders, she shouldn’t want to be near me…

“In fact, I’ve received permission from my father, and I’ll be staying at the townhouse in the capital until I enroll in the Royal Academy.” (Alexandra)

“Oh… I see.” (Harold)

In other words, from now on, I’ll be within easy reach of Alexandra anytime I want to see her.

Then, it dawned on me.

She’s here to assess whether I’m suitable as her fiancée and report back to her father, Duke Chevalier, to cancel the engagement. Thinking about that makes me a bit sad, but to avoid a bad ending, I don’t want to break off the engagement with my favorite girl. I can’t afford to let my guard down even for a moment.

That was what I thought, but…

“However… Prince Harold, you’ve been working hard to fulfill your promise from a month ago.” (Alexandra)

“Uh… hahaha…” (Harold)

Surprisingly, Alexandra praised me. It caught me off guard, but how could I not be happy when she said it directly to my face? I was actually really happy.

“I-I’ve not only lacked talent, but I’ve been lazy for so long. To stand by your side as your fiancée in three years, I have to work harder than anyone else.” (Harold)

“Is that so…” (Alexandra)

With that, Alexandra briefly showed a sad expression, but quickly returned to her usual self.

“And… um… if it’s alright with you, could I assist you with your training?” (Alexandra)

“Eh…?” (Harold)

When Alexandra asked me this with her hand on her chest, I couldn’t help but let out a dumbfounded voice.

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