Chapter 25: The Mob Prince Kicks Away the Prince of Light Who Challenged Him to a Duel
Two days later…
I was in the Prison Tower, practicing swordsmanship with Master Gaine. There, the maid Miseria came to me with a letter.
“Lord Luke, I have received a letter from an envoy of Princess Olivia.”
“From the Princess? You’re doing well, as expected of Prince Luke.”
Master Gaine whistled.
I stopped swinging my sword and wiped away the sweat.
“Please don’t tease me, Master.”
“No, seriously, you’d be popular, wouldn’t you? Rena keeps pestering me, saying she wants to meet Luke-kun.”
“Wh-What does it say!? Could it be, an invitation for a date!?”
Diana, who had been reading a Grimoire, jumped up and pressed her face close to mine.
“No, there’s no way that’s possible… Oh!?”
I read through the letter and couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.
‘Lord Luke, I have deep feelings for you.
I will be waiting for you in front of the red rose flower bed in the Rose Garden at midnight tonight.
Please come alone. I will also come alone.
Olivia Macedonia’
“Of all things, an invitation for a midnight rendezvous!?”
Diana screamed, her face bright red.
“Wait, wait… There’s no way something like that would actually happen, right?”
I was surprised for a moment, but this isn’t a romantic comedy light novel. I, who has been without a girlfriend for 37 years including my previous life, knew the reality of things.
“What else could it be!? This is undoubtedly a love letter!”
“I-Is that so…? I asked her to teach me how to dance because I messed up during the dance the other day, could it be that?”
“Please consider the time and place! If that were the case, would there be any need for a secret meeting!?”
Diana insisted, but I still couldn’t believe it.
It’s my first time receiving a love letter from a girl.
“Hahaha. As I thought!”
“She’s trying to switch from Astoria to Brother… What a fickle woman, I-I absolutely won’t allow it!”
Fickle woman, huh… My little sister has been maturing lately, using words like an adult.
I’m a little concerned that her language is somewhat rough, though.
“But… I’m still in a position where my right to the throne hasn’t been recognized.”
I don’t think Princess Olivia would choose me, of all people, as her fiancé.
After all, it’s a matter concerning the alliance between the Empire and the Kingdom. As an illegitimate child, my status is not high enough to match Princess Olivia.
The King of Macedonia would never agree to it.
“No, no, this is a great chance, Prince Luke. The Emperor said that if you make a significant contribution next time, he will recognize you as his official son, right? If you marry the Princess and establish an alliance with Macedonia, he will recognize you as his son, won’t he?”
“That’s true…”
I’d be stealing the credit for the alliance from Astoria.
“If you’re aiming to become Emperor, it’s better to have the support of the Kingdom of Macedonia. Seize the Princess’s heart here and now!”
Master Gaine patted me on the back and laughed cheerfully.
“Hey, Ms. Dandelion. Please don’t say whatever you want. Brother Luke has already pledged his future to Dia!?”
“No, no…”
Even at the age of seven, Diana still said she wanted to marry me.
I’m happy about that, but…
To change the future of ruin, I think it’s certainly a good idea for me to marry Princess Olivia.
If the Kingdom of Macedonia is behind me, the Emperor might not even think about harming Mother.
More than anything, if I don’t boldly seize the opportunity, I won’t be able to obtain the throne.
“Alright. I think I’ll accept Princess Olivia’s invitation.”
I’ve only met Princess Olivia twice, but I think she’s a polite and likeable girl, even though she’s young.
The problem is that I have absolutely no experience dating girls…
I have no choice but to do my best.
“Brother, are you serious!?”
Diana screamed, holding her head.
“Then, Dia will come with you too!”
“Huh…?”
※※※
Midnight.
The Rose Garden, illuminated by the moonlight, possessed a fantastical beauty like a land of fairies.
The rubble of the already collapsed tower has been removed, and although partially damaged, the most famous spot in the Imperial Court has regained its elegance.
Having a secret meeting with a Princess in such a place makes me nervous.
It was Princess Olivia’s request that I come alone, but Diana and Master Gaine were secretly following me.
The problem is that Diana is monitoring me to make sure Princess Olivia doesn’t do anything strange to me.
Haa, I don’t think that’s going to happen…
Even when I told her not to come, she wouldn’t listen, and in the end, I was forced to give in.
I had Master Gaine come along to keep Diana from going wild.
If my little sister were to be rude to Princess Olivia, there’s a risk that it could develop into a diplomatic issue, no joke.
There was already a figure at the appointed place.
Hmm? It feels like it’s taller than Princess Olivia…
“So, you’ve come… You lowly child of the Mazoku!”
Waiting there was Astoria, carrying a drawn sword.
“To try and steal Princess Olivia from me. Insolent, insolent, insolent! Know your place, you failure!”
Astoria’s eyes were bloodshot, and he was completely enraged.
“…Why are you here, Brother Astoria?”
“I found out that Princess Olivia’s maid sent you a letter, and I thought something might be up, so I used a spy to monitor the Princess!”
“Huh?”
He’s like a stalker.
“The Princess snuck out of her bedroom and arrived here an hour ago. And to think, she was in front of the red rose flower bed! Do you even know the meaning of red roses!?”
“No…?”
“‘I love you’! Even though I’m here, I can’t forgive it! What an insult!”
I’m not familiar with romance, so I didn’t know such a meaning.
Was Princess Olivia really going to confess her love to me?
…If that’s the case, then she must have mustered her courage.
I felt affection for her.
“So, where is Princess Olivia?”
If she’s still nearby, I wanted to go and meet her.
“It’s extremely inappropriate for the Princess to be out at night. So, I persuaded her and had her return!”
“…I see. Then, I’ll go back too.”
I’ll send Princess Olivia a letter later. She’s probably worried that she had to call me out and then had to go back.
I turned around to leave.
“Wait! I challenge you to a Duel here!”
At the same time as he said that, Astoria slammed his sword down with great force.
I turned around and blocked it with my sword still in its sheath.
“What…!?”
I expected this to happen when Astoria had a drawn sword…
Seriously, to attack from behind without waiting for my reply, I’m impressed.
“I-It didn’t budge at all?”
Astoria, who thought he could overpower me with brute force, was astonished.
For me, who is always arm wrestling with Master Gaine, Astoria’s power was like child’s play.
“I accept your Duel. The loser will withdraw from Princess Olivia, is that alright?”
“Ridiculous! Die, [Star Arrow]!”
Astoria tried to unleash his Unique Magic from point-blank range.
But just before that, I kneed him in the stomach.
“Gah-blargh!?”
Astoria rolled on the ground, vomiting.
At such a close distance, a kick is faster than a sword or magic. I learned this from Master Gaine as well.
“…Princess Olivia is not worthy of you. I will receive her.”
I declared as I drew my sword.