Chapter 151: Princess Pudding Smackdown
“Welcome, Prince Lucas.”
Viscount Drephon bowed respectfully, and Prince Lucas responded naturally with a gentle smile.
“It has been a while, Uncle. Thank you for arranging such a welcoming reception today.”
“Not at all, I have merely fulfilled my duty as a vassal. …Still, I was surprised. Not only by your sudden visit, but to think Her Highness Princess Lucretia was with you as well. I had heard she had been bedridden with illness for a long time.”
Viscount Drephon looked at Merry, disguised as Lucretia, with a surprised expression. I see, so her public persona is that of a sickly person…
The number of people who have met the current Lucretia might be far fewer than I think. In that case, Merry should be able to fulfill her role as a body double well enough.
“Yes. Fortunately, she seems to be feeling better lately. We took this opportunity to visit so she could pay respects at her mother’s grave.”
“I see, to visit her mother’s grave.” Viscount Drephon nodded as if in understanding. It couldn’t have just been my imagination that he looked somewhat relieved.
Well, of course, he’d be freaked out if royalty suddenly showed up in his territory without prior notice… Just as I was thinking that, Viscount Drephon’s expression gradually clouded over. He looked somewhat awkward.
I wonder if something’s wrong…?
“Well, actually, there’s a slight problem.”
“A problem?”
“Yes. Actually, the mountain path leading to the cemetery collapsed due to last month’s long rains. We are rushing the repairs, but unfortunately, our domain suffers from a chronic labor shortage… We’ve received reports from the site that it will take at least another week before it’s passable.”
“Hmm, a week, is it…” Prince Lucas brought his right fist to his mouth as if deep in thought. From the way he spoke on the ship here, he was planning to finish the grave visit today or tomorrow and return to the Royal Capital. But with this, his schedule will be thrown off significantly.
The longer he’s absent, the more it will likely affect the Succession War for the Right of Succession. I can’t imagine how much a one-week extension of their stay will affect things, but there’s no doubt it won’t be for the better.
“Understood. We shall also provide personnel for the repairs from our side. We’ve come all this way; we can’t very well return without visiting the grave.”
“We are most grateful, Your Highness.”
“Shall we discuss this over our meal right away? …That’s right, Lucretia. This is a good opportunity. You should go and enjoy interacting with others your age.”
Saying that, Prince Lucas gently pushed Merry, disguised as Lucretia, on the back, guiding her towards us.
“Is it alright?”
“Yes, go on.”
Urged on, Merry came trotting over to us. Did he think her identity would be exposed if she stayed near Viscount Drephon any longer? Or was there some other intention? Just as I was wondering about that, I saw the corners of Prince Lucas’s mouth turn up in a smile.
Immediately after, Merry, who had run over, clung tightly to my arm—hey, what the!?
“Me… Your Highness Princess Lucretia!?”
“I appoint you as my Escort!”
Escort!?
The surroundings buzzed as Lucretia (Merry in disguise) suddenly clung to me.
“Damn him, not satisfied with just Lady Lily and Lady Lecty…!”
“When did Her Highness Princess Lucretia fall prey to his venomous fangs!”
“The pairing with Rouge-kyun is the strongest!”
The hate directed at me is rapidly increasing!?
“Huuuugh? When did you get so close to Her Highness Princess Lucretia, I wonder~?” Rouge asked me with a sweet smile, veins throbbing on her forehead. No, even if you ask me, I want to know too! I don’t remember doing anything to make her this attached to me… …Come to think of it, I think I gave her a cookie…? Was I taming her with food!?
“Mmph!” Rouge’s smile vanished, and she puffed out her cheeks, then clung to my other free arm as if to compete with Merry. Thanks to that, both my arms were restrained, and I couldn’t move.
Rouge and Lucretia. I never thought I’d be clung to by both of them at the same time. My brain feels like it’s glitching and about to break.
When I looked towards Lily and Lecty, who were nearby, seeking help,
“Lecty, should we perhaps cling to his legs…?”
“I think sandwiching him from the front and back would also be good…!”
This is bad. If I don’t do something myself before those two make a move, things will get out of control!
“P-Princess Lucretia? Um, clinging to someone of the opposite sex in public is unseemly, you know?” When I gently cautioned her, Merry obediently replied, “Oka~ay,” and let go of my arm.
Meanwhile, as for the real Lucretia, she said, “I’m not the opposite sex right now. I’m the same sex!” and refused to let go, hugging my arm tightly. What an unreasonable princess.
For now, since one of my arms was free, I decided to dedicate myself to being Merry’s escort as she wished. Though, that just meant following Merry around the tables laden with a wide variety of dishes, buffet-style, and enjoying ourselves.
“Hey, make sure you eat your vegetables too!” Rouge admonished Merry, who was eating nothing but pudding and cookies. To this mother-like scolding, Merry went “Mmph~” and puffed her cheeks while putting salad on her plate.
She’s surprisingly obedient, this girl. Also, when she puffs her cheeks looking dissatisfied, she looks exactly like the real Lucretia.
…So I can’t help but imagine. If I were to become family with Lucretia and we had a daughter, wouldn’t we have exchanges like this every day? Surprisingly, Lucretia seems like she’d become a dependable mother.
“Ah! You’re trying to sneak pudding again! Geez, Hugh, you say something to her too!”
“Yeah, first off, how about you let go of my arm, Rouge?”
At least for now, she’s still a spoiled princess.