The Incompetent Bratty Prince is out (4/4 chapters)

 

 

Secret Condition Attached to the Engagement with Xandra

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“And so… I’ve heard that Your Highness Harold wishes to relinquish his royal status and marry into the Chevalier Household…” (Duke)

After I had thoroughly enjoyed the warmth of a mother, the Duke Chevalier asked me with a somewhat complicated expression.

Is it because I monopolized Lady Norma’s attention, and now he’s sulking?

“Yes. I have no lingering attachment to that royal palace or my status as royalty. In fact, I’d rather escape from that place as soon as possible.” (Harold)

I spoke my feelings honestly without hiding anything.

That’s right. There’s nothing I want from that place. It’s all pain and hardship. I don’t want to stay there at all.

“Hmm…” (Duke)

Duke Chevalier opened his narrow eyes and gave me a sharp look. Then, he began to ponder.

Well, for someone like me, an ‘incompetent bratty prince’ and a troublesome person to boot, becoming a son-in-law must be nothing but a burden for Duke Chevalier. Besides, maybe my engagement to Xandra was meant to strengthen relations with King Eibar or had some political motivation behind it. My request would completely ruin such considerations.

“…Otou-sama, what dissatisfaction could you possibly have with Haru-sama marrying into the family?” (Alexandra)

“N-No, it’s not that. I don’t mind welcoming His Higness as my son-in-law, but it might cause some complications.” (Duke)

“Well, like what?” (Alexandra)

“Yes, well…” (Duke)

The Duke Chevalier closed his narrow eyes.

I think they’re closed, right?

He closed his eyes and began to speak slowly.

Apparently, my engagement with Xandra was something that Xandra had strongly desired and, though reluctantly, it was a proposal made by the Chevalier Household. At first, King Eibar showed unusual reluctance toward the idea, but even so, as the largest noble family in the kingdom, Duke Chevalier’s request couldn’t be easily refused. Moreover, forming a marriage bond between the royal family and the Chevalier family had significant benefits in terms of stabilizing internal affairs within the kingdom. In the end, King Eibar accepted the proposal, and Xandra and I were officially engaged. However, there were two conditions attached.

The first condition was that if my relationship with Xandra deteriorated, either of us could freely annul the engagement without facing any consequences. Since Duke Chevalier wasn’t completely on board with the engagement, he agreed to this condition without hesitation. And the other condition was…

“…In the event that Your Highness Harold’s engagement is annulled, Xandra is to be betrothed to another prince.” (Duke)

“…What?” (Harold)

Not only me, but everyone except Duke Chevalier let out a dumbfounded gasp.

What is that supposed to mean? If Xandra breaks off her engagement with me, she has to be engaged to one of the other three princes? Excluding Cardis, who already has a fiancée, does that mean Xandra would be engaged to either Raphael or Wilfred?

“Otou-sama, even as a joke, please refrain from saying such things. Why on earth would I, of all people, need to be engaged to any prince other than Haru-sama… let alone that scum Wilfred?” (Alexandra)

“I understand. I have no intention of allowing you to be engaged to any other prince. If that time ever comes, I will use everything at the Chevalier Household’s disposal to prevent it. However… it is also a fact that we agreed to that condition in order to secure your engagement to His Highness Harold. If we were to break that agreement, we would be the ones at fault. Please understand that.” (Duke)

Duke Chevalier said this, but I still couldn’t quite make sense of everything.

Why did King Eibar attach such a condition in the first place?

“…You don’t have to look at me like that, Your Highness Harold. I understand what you’re getting at. But for some reason, the King insisted that he wouldn’t approve the engagement unless we accepted this condition.” (Duke)

“That’s exactly what I don’t understand. Why is His Majesty so fixated on this? Not only was he unusually opposed to the engagement in the first place, but it’s almost as if he anticipated that Xandra and I would break off our engagement from the beginning.” (Harold)

It feels as though I’m merely a placeholder, and the real fiancé is meant to be one of the other princes.

“I do not know… but if Your Highness leaves the royal palace and joins the Chevalier Household, there is a possibility that His Majesty may take some sort of action. Whether it is to obstruct your entry into our family or impose even stricter conditions, something might happen.” (Duke)

“…” (Harold)

From Duke Chevalier’s standpoint, it was understandable that he would be cautious. And being the most powerful noble in the kingdom, he also knew full well how much of an impact a confrontation with King Eibar could have on the country.

In the game ‘Engage Hazard’, Harold broke off his engagement with Xandra, and Duke Chevalier rebelled, leading to great damage to the kingdom.  Although Wilfred’s efforts minimized the damage, the nation still fell into chaos, and both the economy and public safety deteriorated, as described in the epilogue of the tutorial scenario.

“Then, what if the Chevalier Household simply declared independence from the kingdom?” (Harold)

“!?” (Chevaliers)

My casual remark sent a chill through everyone in the room, except for Cas.

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