CHAPTER 5 - III -
Well, that conversation with the crown prince proved fruitful. For starters, I think His Highness was some misunderstood person, hated for his ability to push through his demands, no matter what it took. I guess that’s why the nobility of this kingdom was rebelling against his authority.
However, guided by a reasonable person, I guess Prince David had the potential to lead Amaranth into greatness.
“…”
But yes, I think we need to solve the dissent first, before moving ahead.
We better hurry back before Maddie woke up. I’m sure Lily was awake by now and was preparing for work.
Fortunately, by the time I went out of the prince’s study, the maid, Tatiana, was waiting for me outside. Perhaps she understood that I’d be lost inside the royal castle’s labyrinth of hallways, thus, she took it upon herself to guide me out after coming in.
“Sir Kuro, this way please.” The servant then led me to another chamber; this time, there was a cup of coffee and some cookies served on a silver plate, “May I ask you to wait for Her Highness, Princess Jessica?”
“Ah, yes…” Compared to her earlier predisposition towards me, Miss Tatiana had considerably mellowed down. I didn’t want to assume, but she’s more amiable now.
“Oh, and just a word, Sir Kuro.”
“Yes?”
“We rarely serve commoners with coffee and cookies on a silver plate here.” Miss Tatiana told me in a matter-of-fact manner, “It’s only my judgment to do that since you’re a good person and you put the interest of our little princess over your own ambitions.”
“Oh?” Seriously, are the walls of this castle way too thin to allow others to eavesdrop? Well, no matter. As long as it worked in the end…
The maid then took her leave and disappeared.
With the success of this talk, I created a personal connection with the prince, which might prove useful in the coming rounds of negotiations.
When Jessica finally appeared, she was much happier than she was before we came to the castle. I guess she talked to her brother about our conversation. Well, it’s the best that I could do for her situation, and for mine. The only thing that’s left was to tell Maddie what transpired.
“Thanks for standing up to me, Kuro.” she smiled, “Oh, and I still haven’t thanked you for your help when I was suffering from the bloods.”
“Yeah, it’s fine. So, you better live your life according to your wishes.”
Jessica happily agreed to my advice, “Don’t worry, I’ll give my best to be your third wife in the future!”
I almost spat the coffee I was drinking. Did she understand what I have done and told her?
The kitchen princess immediately jumped into her work routine once we arrived back at the Red Diamond palace, cooking up some dishes to prepare for our breakfast and lunch later. Meanwhile, I went to talk to Maddie about my observations after my conversation with the prince. I told her everything, including how it led to that situation, which I think Her Holiness understood well.
While waiting for the food, Lily asked me a confirmatory question at the breakfast table, “So, you also think that his problems arose from his own stubbornness?”
“Yep. The crown prince has a sound mind and reason about governance. However, the nobility might’ve misinterpreted his stubbornness as something that compels them to do his bidding.”
“I see.” Maddie said, “Then we should make him realize that fault of his before the situation blows up into a full rebellion.”
“I’ve been thinking, Maddie,” Lily interjected.
“Yes, what do you got in mind?”
“Well, if the nobles were indeed spinning up stories to cast the crown prince in an unpleasant light, I don’t think the Duke of Braunhauer would easily believe those men.”
Maddie and I listened intently to Lily’s words.
“As far as I know, the Duke of Braunhauer is a shrewd man. You know how true is that, Maddie; we fought him before in the wars of the past. He’s that other commander who kept on harassing our forces in the Dawson Valley.”
“Really? Isn’t the sub-commander during that battle is a man named Earl Norman?”
“Well, the Duke of Braunhauer is Norman Dyke Braunhauer. He is formerly the Earl of Dawson Valley before he was given the Braunhauer fief as his reward.”
“Ah…is that so?” Maddie’s face had an expression of dread, “Remembering that time brings me the shivers…”
Hmm…listening to their stories brought that certain aspect of this crisis to light. If the Duke of Braunhauer was crafty enough to make that impression on the Iron Princess, then it must have a certain truth in it. Now if his colleagues were making up stories to make Prince David appear bad, I’m sure he’d take notice of it…
Unless, of course, the Duke of Braunhauer also has a grudge against the prince.
“Well, if it is true, then certainly, the ‘debt’ angle isn’t applicable.” Maddie told me, after reading my thoughts, “The Duke of Braunhauer is the richest noble in Amaranth, with his power and influence here rivaling that of the royal family, that’s why the nobility rallied around him.”
“Don’t you think we should wrap our business here, and head over to the Braunhauer fief as soon as possible?” Lily proposed, looking at me.
However, I’ll leave it to Maddie to decide.
“Hmm…if that’s what you think, then I guess we don’t need to stay here any longer,” Maddie told us.
“Oh? Why?”
“Well, we’re here to find out the cause of the simmering tensions between the royals and the nobility. If you finally identified the root of the problem—that is, the prince’s stubbornness in his demands, then it’s time for us to head to the other side to conduct investigations there as well.”
“Alright, I’ll notify the prince about this.”
“Please do.”
Lily then left the room for a bit to call a paladin to relay our intent to leave for the Braunhauer lands. That left me alone at the breakfast table with Maddie.
Boy, the atmosphere took a sudden awkward turn.
Now that I noticed it, I could feel the sense of irritation in Maddie’s voice. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I guess what I did earlier basically superseded her authority as the one ‘in-charge’ of the negotiations.
Yeah, I think I overstepped my bounds on this one…
“Nah. What you did makes our job easier, so don’t think about it too much.” Maddie read my thoughts, “I’m just kind of annoyed that another girl has entered the competition.”
“Oh, that…” Sorry.
“Nope, don’t be! You only did what you think is right, and for that, I thank you for putting my servants’ well-being first.” Maddie elaborated, “However, of all the girls that would join the competition, it has to be that von Albert girl!”
“Huh? Do you have an awful experience with her?”
This time, I didn’t notice that Lily had already returned. Perhaps she heard a bit of our conversation, so she’s the one who answered, “Well…not necessarily. Princess Jessica is actually gifted with cooking, so there’s no way she would lose, especially in a man’s stomach.”
Oh…of all the things they’d have to worry about that?
“No, you don’t understand, Kuro! It’s von Albert we’re talking about! Even Lily’s cooking isn’t worthy of being compared to her dishes.”
Lily’s face was downcast as well, “I guess, we’ll have to settle being the second and third wives, isn’t it Maddie?”
“No! Kuro is mine first!!”
Well, disregarding that stupid talk, yeah, as someone who tasted her food, the kitchen princess’ dishes were indeed something. So, she’s really not an idiot like she thought she was.
But anyway, Maddie’s anxiety was understandable as well. Although, I think they’re underestimating my resolve…
I quickly reached out and pat Maddie and Lily’s head, “Don’t worry, you two. I’m not some weak-willed person who’s easily swayed by what is given to him. And Maddie, I think I’ve been clear to you this whole time; you’re the girl I intend to marry and be faithful with.”
That put Maddie’s tantrums to a halt. However, Lily would never back down as well…
“What about me, Kuro?”
“Well, I, uh…it’s not that I don’t want to take you as my wife, too. But please understand, it’d take me a while before this kind of custom would sink unto me.”
“Alright, I understand.” Lily calmly agreed.
At least that put out the fire…for now.
This was why I don’t get it when my other male friends would try to have two or three, or more, simultaneous relationships; it’s hard to keep up and balance your attention being given to them. Good thing Maddie and Lily were quite reasonable. Most of the girls weren’t—especially those who often spend time on social media. They had unrealistic expectations placed on their partners and would demand attention ALL the time.
Man…though I’ve been living alone for 25 years now, I never thought being popular with the ladies is this stressful.
