Episode 28: The Prince of Light Loses Everything Trying to Beat Luke
(From Prince Astoria’s Perspective)
“Gahhh!”
“Kyaa!? P-Please stop, Lord Astoria!”
I am Astoria Celestia. The great third prince, son of Emperor Alvaise and Rose of the prestigious Orleans Dukedom.
…And yet, I was defeated by a Mazoku’s child who could only use one magic, and my sword, the very life of a knight, was taken from me.
Even after a night, the anger and humiliation towards that Luke hadn’t cooled, and I was venting my frustration by lashing out at the maids.
“You laughed… y-you laughed at me!?”
“Hiii!?”
The maids who came this morning wore a servile smile as they looked at my depressed state.
It felt like they were mocking me as an incompetent prince who had been defeated by a failure.
“I am the [Prince of Light], born to succeed my father and become a conqueror!”
So, to make those maids understand, I slammed my fist into them.
“Kyaaaaa!”
The maid screamed and rolled away.
“Damn it. I’m so strong. I’m so strong!”
“What are you doing, Astoria!?”
“Mother!”
My mother had arrived.
“Empress Rose!”
The maids hurriedly prostrated themselves.
“I heard you failed to dispose of that Mazoku’s child?”
“I-I apologize, Mother…! Luke took the famous sword I received from grandfather and demanded that I withdraw from being Princess Olivia’s fiancé. If I don’t comply, he’ll expose the fact that I and the Orleans Knights were defeated, in broad daylight!”
My mother’s eyes flashed with a stern light.
“…Are you intending to accept such demands?”
“W-Well…”
I had been strictly taught from a young age that a conqueror must be strong.
To be defeated in a Duel by the likes of Luke and forced to obey his orders was mortifying. Of course, I hated it.
“Luke is just a failure, the opposite of my sister. I received a report that Diana and Gaine helped him, which is why the ambush failed, right? Challenge him to a Duel again, and crush that brat in public…”
“That’s not it, Mother. Even if I were to challenge him to a rematch, I can’t…!”
I absolutely cannot win.
My pride wouldn’t allow me to utter those words.
“Is that you? What’s with that tone? Do you want to be killed here and now, Astoria?”
That night, when Luke threatened me, I was truly terrified of him.
It was a first for me, and my accumulated pride was in tatters.
“…Are you saying you can’t win in a one-on-one fight? Someone of your caliber?”
My mother seemed shocked.
After pondering for a while, she spoke.
“However, if Olivia is taken by Luke, you will become a laughingstock. Your succession to the throne will be hopeless. In that case, you are worthless.”
“S-Such a thing…!”
Being called worthless by my mother made my knees tremble.
If I wasn’t strong enough to overwhelm others with my sword and magic, I had no value in life.
I had been raised to believe that demonstrating the power of a conqueror and inheriting the throne was everything.
“It was obvious from her behavior at the ball that Olivia favors Luke. If we do nothing, that’s what will happen. The women of Macedonia are devoted.”
“Guu…”
“That’s not all. Luke will likely announce the fact that he defeated you and the Orleans Knights to bring you down, once his engagement with Olivia is settled. If that happens, not only you but also the honor of our Orleans Dukedom will fall to the ground!”
T-That was certainly true.
Luke was vying for the throne.
Therefore, he would definitely try to bring me down.
Promises are never kept. Deception is the essence of nobility.
“At this rate, we may end up serving under that lowly Mazoku’s child. Such humiliation is absolutely unacceptable!”
“…T-Then, Mother, what should I do!?”
I clung to my mother.
“I won’t be lenient anymore. I’ll have Luke dealt with by the strongest of the Orleans Knights, the [Four Horsemen of Death]. The problem is Princess Olivia. We must make a move here.”
My mother glared at me sharply.
“Before Princess Olivia returns to her country, take her out hunting and forcefully steal a Kiss. Make her yours, even by force.”
“A Kiss…? But if I do such a thing…”
I might incur Olivia’s wrath.
“Don’t worry. For the royalty of Macedonia, a Kiss is a sacred act of pledging eternal love. If her first Kiss is stolen, the princess will have no choice but to lean towards you. That is the law of that country.”
“I see… To be so knowledgeable about Macedonian customs, as expected of you, Mother!”
“Fufu. Originally, the King of Macedonia was also keen on your engagement with Olivia, so there’s no problem.”
That’s right. Come to think of it, there hasn’t been a girl who hasn’t been fond of me.
Even if I have to force myself a little, I can create a fait accompli.
Since she’ll be mine, Princess Olivia will surely cry with joy.
“I’ll pull some strings and have the Macedonian side invite you to a hunt. That way, Luke won’t be able to interfere. Do it well, Astoria. You are the one who will take the Emperor’s seat!”
“Yes, Mother!”
At this time, neither my mother nor I had any idea that this scheme would backfire and lead to us losing everything.
※※※
Two days later.
I came to the forest with my forces, along with Princess Olivia, for a hunt.
The Orleans Knights were on guard around us, preparing for the appearance of dangerous monsters and suspicious individuals. It was a perfect preparation.
Hunting in such an absolutely safe environment was a symbol of power and the highest form of entertainment for the nobility.
“You don’t look happy, Princess Olivia. Do you dislike hunting?”
“…Um, I heard that Lord Luke would be joining us, but what happened?”
Princess Olivia, riding on horseback, asked such a thing of all things.
“My foolish brother seems to have fallen ill. Why don’t we enjoy ourselves to the fullest with me today?”
Luke had gone out to hunt magical beasts with his swordsmanship instructor.
My mother had set up the hunt to coincide with that timing.
Hmph. It’s pathetic for someone with the blood of the Emperor to imitate an adventurer, but this way, Luke won’t be able to interfere.
Besides, my mother sent the strongest assassin.
“Really…? Then, shouldn’t we cut the hunt short and visit Lord Luke? He is the one who saved our lives.”
“Haa…?”
Princess Olivia frowned with worry.
Even though I was trying to entertain her, was she so concerned about Luke?
The blood vessels in my head were about to burst with anger.
Tch. Just because she’s a little cute and a Macedonian princess, she’s getting carried away…
I raised my right hand and gave a signal.
Then, a subordinate hidden in the bushes shot a blowgun dart at the horse Princess Olivia was riding.
“Eh, kyaaaa!?”
“A crisis! The princess’s horse has gone wild!”
Startled by the pain, the horse carrying Princess Olivia began to rampage.
I also spurred my horse and chased after them.
This was a plan to be alone with Princess Olivia.
Princess Olivia was desperately clinging to the horse, trying not to fall off.
Hahaha! This is the punishment for making a fool of me. Serves her right.
“Hyaa!?”
Eventually, unable to endure it any longer, Princess Olivia fell off the horse and rolled on the ground.
“Ahahahaha! We’re finally alone!”
“L-Lord Astoria? W-What are you…?”
I approached Princess Olivia and looked down at her arrogantly.
She was unable to move, perhaps because she had hit her body hard.
Hmph. Before I Kiss her, I’ll make her realize who’s in charge.
“Olivia! You came to the Empire to become my fiancée, yet you’re making eyes at the likes of Luke!”
I stomped on Princess Olivia’s foot with all my might.
“It hurts!? S-Someone…!?”
“No one will come to help you, even if you scream. The Orleans Knights are guarding the surroundings!”
Princess Olivia’s guards were also accompanying her, but I managed to separate them, and they were probably being shut out by the Orleans Knights by now.
“Now, give me a Kiss. I’ll make you my woman!”
“No! Lord Luke!”
Then, of all things, Princess Olivia called out Luke’s name for help.
“H-How dare you make a fool of me like this!”
I exploded with anger.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret! Luke is probably being taken care of by the assassins my mother sent after him as we speak!”
“W-Why would you say such a thing…? Lord Luke saved us at the Rose Garden, didn’t he!?”
Olivia, cheeky as ever, glared back at me sharply.
“Don’t you have any sense of gratitude for that!?”
“Huh? Gratitude? It’s only natural to save my life! Kneeling before me and trying to please me is what he should be doing, isn’t it!?”
I grabbed Olivia’s hair and forcefully pulled her closer.
Olivia resisted with all her might.
“I-It hurts, please stop!”
“If you swear eternal love to me here, I won’t hurt you anymore. Now, say you love Lord Astoria!”
“It’s useless, no matter what you do! My first kiss has already been given to Lord Luke! I am Lord Luke’s fiancée!”
Olivia resolutely refused.
I was stunned by her words, and my vision went dark.
“W-What did you say? Since when…?”
The possibility of me being engaged to Olivia had already been cut off.
If that’s the case, then I’m worthless. My father and mother won’t love me anymore.
More than anything, to be completely defeated by that Luke, not only in swordsmanship and magic, but even in love…
“I will report this incident to my father, the King of Macedonia, when I return home! Prince Astoria is a vile man who tried to assault me! You will be severely punished! You can forget about inheriting the throne!”
“Wh-What…!”
The three letters ‘It’s over’ flashed through my mind.
To think that the plan my mother gave me would completely backfire…
The blood in my whole body boiled with anger.
“Damn it all! I won’t forgive this!”
“No!”
Desperate to take revenge on Olivia, I raised my right fist.
Doing so would only worsen my position, but I could no longer control my emotions.
Why did Olivia choose Luke instead of me?
I really did love Olivia!
The next moment—a dark blade flashed in my vision.
“Gah-gyaaaaah!?”
A sharp pain ran through my right arm, and a large amount of blood splattered. My right arm had been cut off.
“That was [Dark Edge]! Lord Luke!”
“Wh-What…? Luke!?”
I trembled with fear.
Why is he here? N-No way!