**Chapter 62: The Foolish Prince Was Just as Rumored**
(So, Rodel Aiwood… is he really that foolish prince everyone talks about!?)
Hearing the angry voice of the blonde boy, Rest’s eyes widened. He knew the name well, but this was the first time he had encountered him in person. Before enrolling, his stepfather, Marquis Rosemary, had warned him about this troublesome individual.
“Listen closely, Rest. Among the nobility and royalty, there are many who require caution, but the foremost among them is the Third Prince Rodel.”
According to the marquis, Rodel was an arrogant and haughty individual, far from the image of a wise ruler one would expect from the son of the renowned king. He looked down on those around him, boasted incessantly, and believed that as a prince, he could do anything without consequence. To make matters worse, he had a notorious reputation for being a womanizer—forcing himself on maids in the palace and nearly causing diplomatic incidents by pursuing foreign princesses visiting for negotiations. The list of troubles he had caused was endless. Yet, he possessed remarkable magical talent, which only inflated his pride further, leading him to believe he was a superior being, a chosen genius.
“Listen, Rest! If that foolish prince tries to lay a hand on any of the girls, stop him by any means necessary! If it comes to the worst, I will take full responsibility, even if it means killing him!”
“Wait… killing him would be a bit extreme, don’t you think…?”
Rest had chuckled at the marquis’s words, but now that he faced the foolish prince himself, he understood the urge to want to strike him down.
(His tone is different, but he has a slight resemblance to my foolish older brother… I can see why one might feel justified in giving him a punch or two…)
“What’s the matter, commoner? Get out of the classroom at once! Did you not hear me say that I will be joining Class A?”
Rodel frowned, clearly displeased. Beside him, a nervous-looking, small boy adjusted his glasses repeatedly, while a large, bald-headed boy gripped the sword hanging from his belt. Could it be that they would draw their weapons if he didn’t comply?
(This is bad… What should I do in this situation?)
Faced with the three intimidating boys standing before him, Rest let out a frustrated sigh. This was quite troublesome. He was at a loss for how to handle it. If it were Cedric, he would have punched him without hesitation, but this was the Third Prince. He couldn’t resort to violence.
“What are you dawdling for? I said to stand up and leave!”
“Are you defying His Highness the Prince!? Hurry up and get out!”
“If you refuse to obey His Highness’s command…!”
(How annoying… Who are these lackeys?)
As the two henchmen raised their voices, Rest decided to stand up from his chair.
(So, what’s the right course of action here?)
Casually glancing around, he noticed his classmates avoiding eye contact, clearly not wanting to get involved. He understood their feelings; if he were in their position, he would likely do the same.
(I guess I have no choice… I’ll try to reason with him first?)
“I sincerely apologize, Your Highness, Third Prince Rodel… I did not expect to have the honor of meeting you in a place like this, so my reaction was delayed.”
Rest stood up and bowed gracefully. It was a perfect bow, taught by Diable, executed with such refinement that he wouldn’t embarrass himself even in high society.
“Oh…?”
Rodel’s eyes widened in surprise at the polished nobleman’s greeting.
“…You’re not a commoner, are you?”
“Yes, I am technically a commoner.”
“Then hurry up and follow my orders. You belong in Class D. Move quickly.”
“With all due respect, may I ask… have you obtained permission from the teachers to change classes?”
“Hmph… I said to do it, so I don’t need permission from some teacher.”
“In that case, please obtain permission first. There are procedures to follow. Once the proper steps are completed, I will move to Class D.”
“You…! Are you defying His Highness Rodel!?”
The large boy grabbed Rest by the collar, lifting him off the ground so that his toes barely touched the floor.
(Huh… he’s surprisingly strong…)
He didn’t look like a mage, but perhaps he was from the Knight Department? His thick arms and large physique spoke of a man who had trained hard as a warrior.
“Exactly! Why should His Highness Rodel have to seek permission from a mere teacher!?”
The small boy with glasses chimed in, his voice shrill and annoying. He looked every bit the part of a petty lackey.
(Just as the rumors said, logic doesn’t work on this type… What should I do? If Viola and Primula come back from the restroom now, they’ll definitely confront Rodel.)
If the two of them… and Yuri saw this scene, they would undoubtedly rush to Rodel and protest.
(It’s clear that the prince and his lackeys are in the wrong, but I don’t want to stir up trouble. I don’t want them getting involved with this prince.)
For now, he decided to pretend to comply and stepped out of the classroom. Then… he would report this incident to the teachers afterward and let them handle it.
“Understood. Then I shall do as you say…”
“Hey! What are you doing!?”
Just as Rest was about to surrender, a sharp voice echoed through the classroom. The owner of the voice was a girl who had just entered. For a brief moment, Rest felt a jolt of surprise, but the newcomer was neither Viola, Primula, nor Yuri.
“Celestine…!”
Rodel clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Standing at the entrance of the classroom was Celestine Crocus, the Duke’s daughter and Rodel’s fiancée.