Huh, Prince Yggud?

　Makina is confused.
　It seems to be a trend she hadn't anticipated.

"Shut up, Makina. I'm talking to a curse user right now.

　As if on a nail, Prince Hugde took a glance at Miss Currier.

You too, keep your mouth shut until I give you permission, Curie Versteyn. Do you want to continue to live "happily" in this royal capital?

　I signaled to Currier with my eyes.
　Please leave this place to me, he said.
　Currier-san gave me a small nod, despite the uncertainty in his eyes.
　I cleared my throat and hung my head to the prince.

''I'm sorry for the delay in greeting you, Prince Yggd. The candidate for St. Renowthred Academy--''

　Gulp.
　While I was talking, he stepped on my thigh with his foot.

"You already asked me a long time ago. "Don't waste your time on me, prince.
I'm sorry.

　I heard that the first prince of the Holy Royal Family is terribly sickly, so the next Holy King is said to be the second prince, Yggd Renousled.

　Considering the First Prince who was too weak to show his face at the audience, it was understandable that the young and healthy Second Prince was expected to be the next Holy King.

　Incidentally, the third prince, Prince Zerome, is still young compared to his two older brothers, and he is not expected to be as skilled at the festivities as Prince Yggud.

　There is no one else suitable for the role other than Prince Yggud, despite some difficulties in character.
　That's the information I know.

　I've heard that many of the vassals and aristocrats are reluctant to oppose Prince Yggud, fearing that the next Holy King will not be able to keep his eye on them.

　However, perhaps because of this, in recent years, it seems that his unruly behavior has become more and more noticeable.

　The basic information about the current royal family was given to me by the knights.
　So I'm more familiar with the story of the royal family than before.

''You've managed to get into your father's good graces.

　I can't see his face.
　But the air of condescension is palpable.
　No, I'm not saying--.

　Close to hostility?

I don't understand. They're all grateful for this common foreigner of unknown origin who uses a mysterious power called "forbidden curse", but does anyone else find it creepy?　What about all of you?

　The prince asks with amusement.
　An air of troubled reaction flows through the place.
　The fake smiles on the faces of those who were questioned could be seen in their eyes.

I see, so you're learning how to pretend to be harmless in your own way? Hmm, you are lucky to have arrived in this country of good-natured people, aren't you?　And so Cecily Arkwright was duped by that sham of humanity's innocence.

　......................
　Mr. Cecily?

Oh, you moved your shoulder?　He didn't move a muscle, so I thought you were on your knees and passed out from the majesty of this me.
"--

　A sign of Makina's breathlessness.

'But, well, I'll give you credit for maintaining an easy footing like this.

　The prince stamps his foot on my drooping head.

"You should know your place, curse master. I'm a legitimate member of the royal family that has been lined up to become the next Holy King, while you are just a mercenary that has arrived in this country.
You know...

　Currier-san, who radiated sword swallowing, said that and almost stood up.
　At the same time, Makina-san also had an atmosphere where she was about to say some words.

　However, the two stopped their actions.

''Prince.''

　I said those words.

'If there was anything wrong with my attitude, I apologize.
'Ha!　That's quite auspicious, isn't it, forbidding user? What a shame.

　I had heard from Makina-san once that one of the princes was giving Cecily Arkwright the heat.

　As I recall, the name of the prince who is giving the heat is - Prince Zerome.

　He's the third prince.

　Prince Yugud and Mr. Deares.
　Prince Zerome and Cecily-san.

　It seems they are each close in age to each other.

　The Arkwright siblings' grandfather, Gaiden-san, was close to the Holy King, and the siblings of both families had many opportunities to meet each other for a time.
　In the course of those days, Prince Zerome has fallen completely in love with Cecily-san.
　..........................
　Well, I guess it's inevitable for a man to fall in love with Cecily.

　And Prince Yggud is said to be doting on the third prince.
　In other words, Sagara Kurohiko is thought to be Prince Zerome's love interest.

　Prince Yggud is hostile to his beloved brother's love interest.
　That theory is conceivable.

　However, I also heard that the reason why Cecily was not a candidate for a bridesmaid when Currier-san ascended the castle in the past was because she avoided meeting Prince Zerome.
　Prince Zerome is an unbalanced type of prince with a reticent personality, but at times he can be unusually pushy.
　It's very possible that Cecily, who found that pushyness to be a problem for her, is avoiding Prince Zerome.
　Hmm.
　Then it looks like there's no pulse on Cecily-san's side either.......

''Tsk.

　Prince Yugud's blatantly sullen tongue.

'As if it wasn't crunchy enough. Are you just a cursed user in name only, or is that actually just a fuddy-duddy?
I'm not sure...

　How do you want me to answer that?
　Or is keeping quiet the right thing to do?

"Machina.

　Hmm?

What kind of discipline does your school have in place for its candidates?

　The point of view turned to Makina-san...?

I mean...?

　Makina looked slightly dismayed.

Don't answer a question with a question. It's not like you to be so intelligent.
I'm sorry.
I'm just asking if it's part of your school's educational philosophy to have students make run-around statements in response to questions from royalty.
Well, I'm not trying to follow that policy, sir.
But the reality is that I'm uncomfortable with the candidates who attend your school. This is so........maybe we should consider various reviews regarding the school in the future. Okay?　This was caused by your naivety as a chief--?


　Prince Yggud took a step back.


''Gu........!

　The reflection of "Sagara Kurohiko" in the eyes, which are mingled with a hint of fright, is a reflection of "Sagara Kurohiko".
　The me reflected in the prince's eyes seemed to be somehow not me.

''---------''
What's... you... you... you're not going to give me that kind of...

　I don't care how they treat me.
　I don't care if they're sarcastic.
　I don't care if I'm sarcastic.
　I don't care if they yell at me.
　I don't care if I am kicked in the head or foot.

　But if you point the finger at Machina-san.

　Even if the person you're dealing with is royalty, it's a different story.

　Whoever they are, it doesn't matter.

　If it's going to be an 'enemy' to me, it will just be.

I'm sure you'll be able to see that is your true nature. The poor Zerome, too. The woman who is called the jewel is only a foolish woman with cloudy eyes--

　..........
　I see.
　You mean to point the finger at me, too?
　You're going to turn on me no matter what.
　All right.
　So....


"Yggd.


　That's when I put my strength into my legs and arms.
　The Holy King appeared again from the door where he had disappeared earlier.

''Chi, Father!
It bothered me that you stayed behind, so I came back to check on you, and I didn't think it was fair to accuse you of being disrespectful to the hero who saved this country.

　The prince begins to excuse himself to the Holy King, who walks up to him with Tukatsuka.

'No, father!　This man--

　The Holy King slapped the prince's cheek with the back of his hand.

'Shame on you, Yggd.'
Father...
By the looks of it, you're not ready to hand over the throne just yet.
...oh, shit!

　The Prince bluntly turns on his heel.

'Let's go, Dearest!'

　Mr. Diares bowed to the Holy King and followed the prince as he left, releasing a grumble.

　The door closed.
　The Holy King took a breath.

''That thing has become too strong for me due to being spoiled and raised.

　The Holy King looks sullen.

When Hugd was growing up, I was in poor health and lay on the floor for a long time, and as a parent, I was unable to give him the proper education. Hence, Yggd's rudeness is my fault as well.

　The Holy King bowed to us.

'As a father, not a king, I apologize for my son's rudeness. I'm sorry.
''No....there is no need for the Holy King to bow like that...''

　My anger, I realized, had completely fizzled out.

　To be honest, I can't say anything when I'm apologized to like this.
　Hmmm.
　There's a lot going on in the Holy King family........
　But, I thought to myself.

..........

　The possibility of Prince Yggd becoming an 'enemy' might be something to keep in mind.