Chapter 78: Prince Rodel’s Frenzy I
In the Aiwood Kingdom, the life of Rodel Aiwood, the Third Prince, began adorned with blessings. His father was the King of the Aiwood Kingdom, and although his mother was a concubine, she was a princess from the friendly Geisel Empire. Rodel was born of a chosen lineage, a thoroughbred.
As a bridge between the two nations, Rodel enjoyed the favor of the current power holder, Queen Dowager, and had lived without any hardships. He was overflowing with magical talent, and he believed himself to be such an exceptional individual that being the Third Prince was a waste of his potential.
“Damn it… me, under house arrest? How dare a mere teacher from the academy do this to me…!”
Despite his lofty thoughts, Rodel was currently confined to a villa as punishment. The incident that led to this was his attempt to make advances on a certain female student.
That female student was the fiancée of one of his classmates. During lunch break, she had come to the classroom of the Magic Department Year 1 Class D to meet her fiancé, but it was there that Rodel had taken an interest in her. Though she lacked flamboyance, she possessed a simple, delicate charm. While she might not be worthy of being Rodel’s bride, she was just the right kind of girl to toy with for a little amusement.
Thus, he called out to her. He ordered her to entertain him during lunch break, to serve him as his guest.
However, for some reason, the classmate, the male fiancée, had flown into a rage. He attempted to stop Rodel’s actions and even grabbed him by the arm. Rodel didn’t know the boy’s name, but he remembered that he was the son of a lower noble family. Even though he was a noble, it was intolerable for someone of such low status to lay hands on him. Therefore, Rodel retaliated with Fire Magic. The fact that he didn’t take the boy’s life was his only mercy.
(And yet… why must I be the one to face punishment!? I am Rodel Aiwood, favored by the great Queen Dowager!?)
“Damn it!”
Rodel slammed his fist on the table. A maid standing in the corner of the room flinched, but he paid her no mind.
It was utterly humiliating to be punished by a mere academy teacher. To make matters worse, he had also been sternly reprimanded not only by his father, the King, but also by his brothers. This only served to further fuel Rodel’s irritation.
(I can tolerate my father’s reprimand, as he is the King. But I cannot stand being looked down upon by my older brother, who is only my elder by birth…!)
Rodel had two brothers, but he had never considered them superior. Their mother was a duchess, while Rodel’s mother was a concubine and a princess of a neighboring country. In other words, Rodel’s bloodline was superior. He was the one who should rightfully become the next king, not his brothers, who possessed no talents whatsoever.
(They are merely the sons of a duchess. Neither of them has any significant magical talent. They may be somewhat competent in politics and martial arts, but… those are the duties of vassals! They are not the talents required of a ruler!)
Rodel clenched his fists and slammed the table once more.
In his heart, he vowed to himself that he would turn the tables one day. He would push aside his eldest brother, who presumptuously claimed the title of Crown Prince, and his second brother, who was merely born a little earlier, and reclaim his rightful position. He was the one truly deserving of becoming the next king. Surely, those around him thought the same.
“Your Highness Rodel, Marquis Aiger has arrived.”
A knock echoed on the door, and a familiar butler peeked in. Rodel didn’t bother to remember the names of the servants, but he recognized this butler as one who had also served the Queen Dowager.
“Forgive my intrusion… Your Highness Rodel, it has been a while.”
The figure that entered was one of Rodel’s supporters, a long-serving minister of the kingdom… Marquis Aiger. The elderly man, already over sixty, entered the room leaning on a cane.
“You’ve come, Aiger.”
“Yes… I heard that Your Highness has been placed under house arrest by the academy, and I couldn’t sit idly by. Truly, how foolish of the academy’s teachers to disregard one who is to be the successor of the esteemed Queen Dowager…!”
Aiger shook his head in lament, and Rodel nodded in agreement. “Exactly!”
“The academy is utterly incompetent! They seem to have no idea who should rule this country… Once I take my rightful place, I will enact reforms!”
“I shall support you until that time… I will take it upon myself to urge the academy to lift your punishment as soon as possible.”
“Ah, I’m counting on you.”
Aiger was not only a marquis but also one of the directors involved in the academy’s operations. While the teachers had basic discretion, he was an influential figure who could not be ignored.
“And… investigate the person who dared to restrain me.”
“Restrained you, Your Highness? Was it one of the teachers?”
“No… there was a cowardly individual who used a Smoke Screen to ambush me. I couldn’t see his face, but to knock me unconscious with a surprise attack… he must be a high-ranking noble.”
Rodel was furious not only about the punishment he received but also about being knocked unconscious by someone. The person who had used the despicable tactic of a Smoke Screen had dared to bring him to his knees and cast a spell to render him unconscious.
(This is an affront against the one with the most noble blood in the kingdom… utterly unforgivable! I will find him and have him executed along with his family…!)
“Understood. I will look into it.”
“Thank you.”
Rodel seethed with intense hatred in his heart, issuing his orders with bitterness.
No matter how many punishments he received, Rodel would never reflect on his actions. This was because he believed himself to be the most noble and righteous being above all.
However, Rodel was unaware of the truth. The Marquis Aiger, bowing respectfully before him, was loyal not to Rodel himself but to the Queen Dowager. Not only Aiger, but the majority of those who pledged their loyalty to Rodel were looking at the Queen Dowager behind him, not at Rodel.
It would be some time before Rodel realized that he was merely a fox borrowing the tiger’s might.
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