Our Prince is Too Lovely! - Chapter 1 Part 4

The second day of his stay in the Sefera Kingdom was a magnificent sunny day.

The colorful flowers of this southern nation were in full bloom, and even though Adol was melting from this unbearable heat, his beauty was still a match to them. Unfortunately, Adol couldn’t afford to enjoy their beauty under these clothes.

“I’ve been waiting for you, princess.”

Ray escorted him to a courtyard where the king of Sefera, Calva was waiting. Adol had purposely made it so he arrived right at the appointed time.

Among the “The 100 Rules to Live as a Lady” Linol had drummed in him, one was that a lady should be slightly late.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I made you wait here.”

When Adol noticed Calva, he rushed over with quick steps. Seeing Adol’s apologetic face and lowered brows, Calva replied, “It’s fine,” with a smile.

“Time spent waiting for a beautiful princess is no bother. Your hand, princess.”

Damn it…!

His performance as an adorable princess ended up giving Calva a chance to escort him. Even if the two were to meet alone, he wanted to avoid any physical contact at all costs.

(Damn… When I’m concentrating on my act, my judgment on everything else dulls…!)

“…Thank you very much.”

But, it would be suspicious to decline an escort here. Adol maintained his smile through his twitching cheeks and accepted Calva’s hand.

His heart wasn’t lightened at the sight of these flowers he had no interest in. Rather, the sweltering heat from the sun was becoming painful.

“—Do you hate flowers?”

“Eh? No…”

(Oh no, did it show in my face?!)

Calva’s voice brought Adol back to reality. It appeared that Calva noticed that Adol’s mind was focused somewhere else. Adol evaded Calva’s bitter smile.

“Why the long face? …Are you uneasy without Sir Knight by your side?”

Calva remarked as looked at Ray. While Ray wasn’t stuck right by Adol, she still accompanied them from a distance that was still close enough for her to watch them. Still, the remark hit jackpot to Adol.

“Th-that’s … my—my exclusive knight.”

It sounded like an answer yet not truly an answer—that was the kind of response he gave.

This situation wouldn’t allow for any mistakes, but because Calve was talking in such close proximity, Adol was forced to say from the immense pressure.

The one to ease his stress was Ray.

“…My exclusive?”

“Yes. He swore on his sword to me. My bona fide knight.”

Swearing upon one’s sword meant that the knight would remain celibate their whole life and offer their sword to their only master. This tradition had gone quite out of fashion, and there were hardly any knights who swore on their swords anymore.

—Yet, Ray.

She swore on her sword to Adol two years ago. That her life and her arm that wielded this sword would only be for him. That she would become the sword that protects him.

“That’s why I trust him more than anyone. It’s strange, isn’t it?”

Because it concerned Ray, Adol answered as himself.

The idea that he was Linol disappeared from his head. He simply spoke as Adol.

“…Swore on his sword, I see…”

As Calva muttered those words, Adol lifted his face. While the southern nation wasn’t familiar with his country’s ways, a king of a country should be familiar with it.

Calva’s voice seemed to contain some implication, so Adol began to worry that he must have said something strange.

“U-um…?”

When he was about to ask what was wrong, his vision wavered and became distorted.

There was no strength in his legs, and Adol’s breathing became shallow. His short breaths felt hot. He tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt heavy and refused to budge.

“Princess!?”

Calva promptly picked up on Adol’s strange behavior. His voice caused Ray to rush over in a panic.

“Lo…Lady Linol!”

The voices of those two reaching Adol’s ears sounded fuzzy. He had to answer them—was what he thought, but only shallow breaths would leave his lips.

Calva caught Adol as he tumbled forward. He knew in his mind that he had to get away, but his body wouldn’t move.

It was suffocating. The heat inside his body felt like it was crawling around him. It was disgusting.

“There’s an arbor over there. Let’s have her rest there.”

Adol’s eyelids were heavy, and his eyes couldn’t be opened. When he heard Calva say those words, he felt his body be softly lifted into the air.

A little while later, he was laid down somewhere. The hot sensation from the sun on his eyelids went away, and something cold was wiped on his neck.

“Ugh…”

When he finally managed to open his eyes, he saw a worried Ray looking at him. In her hands was a wet handkerchief, so that must have been the cold sensation he felt before.

“Are you fine? Any nausea or dizziness?”

“…I think, I’m fine.”

When he attempted to get up from the bench, Ray supported his body. She immediately brought a cup of cold water to his mouth.

“Please drink some water.”

It appeared that the original plan was for them to rest in this arbor after their stroll through the garden. While Adol’s consciousness was hazy, drinks and water to cool down his body were brought over.

Seeing how worried Ray was, Adol regretted underestimating the southern climate.

“…Now then, I cleared out the people.”

Adol appeared to have completely returned to his sense after drinking several cups of water, so Calva opened his mouth.

“Can I ask why you’re here, Prince Adolbert?”

His real name that shouldn’t have been said was said, and Adol immediately turned pale.

He recalled being held when he collapsed. He also remembered being carried after that. However, that shouldn’t have been enough—was him being optimistic, but it seemed he couldn’t be that way.

“Wh-what are you talking about? Why say my brother’s name?”

He smiled and tilted his head in a desperate attempt to cover things up, but his discomposure created large holes in his acting.

(H-he found out…!?)

A dread similar to fear ran through Adol’s head.

“You don’t need to pretend to be Princess Linolarth anymore. Be it a man or woman, I can tell from a touch.”

“T-touc…!? Where the hell did you touch, pervert?!”

Adol’s panic and discomposure were blown away by that outrageous statement.

He reflexively hugged himself and screamed like a girl.

“Rude. Isn’t it obvious that bone structure differs between men and women?”

Adol wanted to ask what a stupid thing to say, felt like his body was in danger, and distanced himself from Calva.

He couldn’t understand since it shouldn’t be that easy to determine such just from bone structure.

“Oh, and there was also that. ‘Swore on his sword,’ right?”

“Huh?”

Calva’s chuckle confused Adol.

“I’ve heard of knights who swear on their swords to the princes of Hausenland, but I’ve never heard of one doing it for a princess. Moreover, no other knights have sworn to the royal family for several decades now.”

Adol’s face stiffened, realizing what he had done.

He was completely negligent, thinking that these details of Hauseland’s customs wouldn’t have reached Sefera.

“Lord Adol…”

Adol wanted to wholeheartedly apologize when he heard Ray’s astonished voice, but it was his mistake no matter how he looked at it.

(I really blew it…!!)

Of course, he didn’t think there was any chance of him ever being found out. But, still, he didn’t imagine that after all the effort and work he put in, he would be discovered this quickly.

(My effort!? Even though I put so much effort into cross-dressing, everything was for nothing?!)

What was the point of the blood-soaked training he received from Linol!?

“Oh, but you were perfect appearance-wise. I was completely deceived.”

“That…doesn’t make me very happy though…”

Calva was greatly impressed, but Adol dropped his shoulders as he let out a sigh.

Calva didn’t seem like he was enjoying this nor was he irritated by this.

Adol was incapable of expressing himself without words or gestures, so he couldn’t keep up his disguise. In that case, he needed to apologize in good faith.

“—First, an apology. What I’ve done is inexcusable, Your Majesty.”

Adol was about to stand up and properly bow when Calva held up a hand to stop him.

“I don’t mind. Though you are a man, it didn’t change that you were a feast for my eyes! I love all that is beautiful.”

“Sigh…”

(It’s fine because I was beautiful even though I’m a man… Just how far does this man’s tastes go?)

Calva was rather upfront with his eccentric tastes, so Adol was completely taken aback.

As he fixed his posture, Adol looked at Calva.

“Let me revise my introduction. I am Adolbert. I hail from Hausenland and am Linolarth’s older brother.”

Seeing Adol’s straight posture, Calva also presented himself as the king.

“So, why has the prince come here? The princess should have been the one invited.”

Now that Adol’s identity had been found out, this was surely the question to be asked.

In the first place, Adol was never good at telling lies. With his cover blown, he could only speak truthfully now.

“…Because I have these circumstances that require me to come to Sefera no matter what.”

“Hoh? …Circumstances? Would you mind telling me them?”

“Since I have deceived Your Majesty, I have determined I must tell you the truth.”

Adol’s clear response made Calva narrow his eyes in intrigue.

“Trials are assigned to candidates to become the crown prince in Hausenland. One of my trials was to obtain the right to trade the pearls that come from Sefera.”

Neighboring countries should be aware of these trials for the candidates to become crown prince.

What Adol needed to discuss was the contents of his trial.

“I see. But, if that’s the case, you could have formally requested a visit, no?”

Adol knew that he would be asked that.

With a bitter smile, Adol told the honest truth.

If he couldn’t get Calva on his side, this trial would be over.

“It’s exactly as you’ve said. However, I am currently in competition with my cousin for the title of crown prince, so…I am short on time.”

Adol answered as he recalled his cousin, Harland. The man was 4 years older and undoubtedly the picture-perfect image of a young noble. He excelled in combat, possessed a keen mind, and was both well-mannered and tall.

Adol slightly disliked that cousin who naturally possessed everything Adol wanted—he couldn’t help but feel envious. But, now was different. He stopped being envious.

He didn’t have to be like others. He had someone who told me he could be the way he was.

That was why Adol wanted to be a king like himself.

Harland was a wall he must overcome. Harland was a rival he must defeat.

“Do you want to be king that badly? I don’t think you really have to.”

Calva looked at Adol as if closely observing him and crossed his arms. The tone of his voice as he asked a question was filled with interest and curiosity.

Adol clenched his fists tightly on top of his knees. Then, he looked at Ray for a moment. She remained standing in the corner like a guard, showing no signs of opening her mouth.

“Because I have a reason to become king.”

Adol said decisively. His blue eyes held the power to pierce as they looked at Calva.

Calva grinned broadly at Adol.

 

“Then, Prince Adolbert, shall we make a deal?”

 

Calva’s tone was certainly not stern, but Adol’s muscles naturally tensed.

“…A deal?”

As long as he didn’t know what was being proposed, he couldn’t do something foolish like immediately agree. Calva gave a satisfied laugh at Adol’s cautious response.

Are you truly determined to become king?—was what Calva’s face was saying.

“It’s true that my nation’s pearls have gained popularity and notoriety recently. But, they cannot be quickly mass-produced and thus cannot be easily circulated.”

Adol knew from the beginning that pearls weren’t a commodity that could be mass-produced. But, that didn’t mean he could just give up like this.

Calva tapped the table with his fingertip.

“Furthermore, the area the pearls are produced is located in the territory of an aristocrat named Bargrass. We aren’t on very good terms. I cannot guarantee the exportation of pearls to Hausenland by my own discretion.”

“I see. Then, what should I search for from this Sir Bargrass?”

When Adol asked this, Calva opened his eyes wide. He probably didn’t expect this response.

Adol thought that Calva’s roundabout conversation was his way of asking for his help, but it appeared that his guess was correct. He wasn’t trained by Linol for nothing.

“Thanks for understanding so quickly.”

Seeing Calva smile in delight made Adol feel relieved.

“I’d appreciate it if you can continue with matters on that side.”

Adol couldn’t waste time. He had to finish this trial as soon as possible. Because he still had 4 more to go through.

“It’s the perfect time since there are plans for you to observe the production area, correct? If you can get ahold of Bargrass’ weaknesses and inform me, I’ll export the pearls Hausenland.”

“…Weaknesses, you say?”

Adol’s face darkened at this quite dangerous conversation.

Not only was he bad at deceiving people, but he also couldn’t threaten them.

“He’s a thorn in my side. He’s been doing some bad things on the side since the former king’s time.”

“Since the former king’s time…”

“By the time I ascended the throne, I had practically all the corrupt aristocrats punished. But, I couldn’t get any good evidence on him—and that’s where you come in.”

“Is he truly someone you cannot catch?”

If the man was doing evil things, then Adol might not have to hold back. But, he couldn’t fully eliminate the possibility that this was exactly what Calva wanted.

“It’s clear that he accumulated dirty money. I’ve already confirmed that he had dealings with a very nasty bunch.”

“But, you have no solid proof, right?”

“Right. We only have circumstantial proof. Of course, his citizens don’t value him highly. He had taken too much of their money. He’s a thoroughly black-hearted, sly old man.”

It still wasn’t enough to declare that Bargrass had stained his hands in evil.

Though, it was more like a gray close to black.

“Having only circumstantial evidence lacks in slightly in persuasiveness I believe.”

“Pointing that out hurts. I don’t mind if you decide after you see, but…”

Calva said “but” at the end Calva with a suggestive laugh.

“Similar folk understand each other, Prince Adolbert.”

—Did that mean he should also view Calva as a black-hearted, sly man?

 

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