Chapter 29 (1/2)

Translator: Jawbrie

“Hey, Chris. It’s almost time for the Foundation Festival.”

“That’s right.”

It was the day before, and I was talking with Charles in my room. It was just the two of us now. I invited him here and we were talking about nothing in particular. That was all it was, but recently I have been looking forward to talking with Charles much more than I had before. I could feel myself growing happier when the day of his planned visits drew nearer. I think it was due to Mishuli’s advice that we were able to take this step to become closer.

And on this long-awaited day of his visit, we began to talk about the festival that was around the corner.

“Speaking of the Foundation Festival, won’t you have certain duties as part of the royal family?”

The Foundation Festival was an annual celebration of this country. As they would be a part of the ceremonies, the royal family -who were representatives of the country- should have the busiest schedule. The intricacies of it all could not compare to anything I did, as I was still a ways off from having any public duties.

In fact, Charles nodded at my words.

“Yes. It is such a hassle.”

“Charles. It’s good that you are honest, but sometimes I worry about what that means for your future.”

I laughed wryly at Charles, who already had a glowering expression over the things he would need to do. It was likely that he acted this way in the palace as well. This was why he was being made to marry into a duke’s house in spite of being in line for the throne.

Well, Charles did not seem to care about that loss, and I didn’t hate this side of him either.

He now had the most sullen face as if he was thinking about whatever rehearsals he had undergone for the festival.

“But I can’t help it if it’s so very, very bothersome. Hey, Chris. Listen. You have to memorize so much in just one day, you know? And I have to change my clothes five times a day? And I have to move around to different places? And they want me to do all of this with a smile! It is completely wrong and bothersome.”

“It is not wrong or bothersome. It is the proper thing to do.”

“But…”

What he had just said about how good manners were strange or wrong was, if anything, something a commoner would think. While I was a genius who had knowledge from a past life, it was most odd that someone like Charles, who was young and never really left his palace cage, could hold such a free idea.

“Well, isn’t it strange to spend time on things that don’t matter?”

“It does matter. At least, it will leave an impression on someone. Do you not understand that these events and customs may look stupid, but they are actually really important?”

Even more so when they were for the country. Charles must observe them as part of the royal family.

However, this was not the kind of argument that would satisfy the heart of a seven-year-old boy.

“…I don’t know.”

“I see. You don’t know.”

I had a lot of pride in my status as a noble, so I had no objections to fulfilling any of my duties. After all, I was noble. Even if I was going along with the flow of what had been decided and what was asked of me, I believed that doing it with pride was the way a noble should live.

Yet Charles would find such a small responsibility as this to be bothersome. Indeed, he was not very suitable to be part of the royal family. But he was born into it and it could not be changed. And perhaps this was Charles’ great misfortune.

If that were the case, then there was only one thing that I could do.

“Well, for now, just do your best. Charles.”

Support.

I can’t help you, but you better put some effort into it. There was cynicism in those words. It might look a little thoughtless compared to my previous attempt to persuade him. But I did put all of my heart into those words of encouragement.

Charles looked taken aback for a second but then smiled.

“…Okay. If you say so, I’ll try to do my best.”