Episode 22: The Mob Prince Saves the Princess of the Neighboring Country
10 months later──
I turned eight years old, and the time when Mom would be assassinated was finally approaching.
In the game, a Dark Elf caused an uprising, trying to use Mom as a figurehead for rebellion, which triggered it all…
But when and where would this uprising take place? What exactly would happen? I didn’t know.
Therefore, I had to devote myself to training every day, so that no matter what happened, no matter what enemies attacked, I would be able to respond.
From early morning, I was practicing my swordsmanship in the Rose Garden.
This place was Mom’s priority, so it was difficult for others to disturb me. The colorful roses in full bloom were also pleasing to the eye.
But today, an intruder came.
“Princess Olivia, how do you like it? This is our Empire’s pride, the Rose Garden.”
“Oh, what a wonderful place!”
“Heh heh, I’m glad you like it. But even the blooming roses can’t compare to Princess Olivia’s beauty.”
Along with those cheesy lines, Prince Astoria, the 10-year-old third prince, arrived.
He excels in Light Attribute magic and is called the “Prince of Light,” and is already becoming the focus of attention of noble ladies.
He was accompanied by a lovely girl of about eight years old in a dress—Princess Olivia of the neighboring country, Macedonia.
Currently, the Celestia Empire was in the middle of a war with two countries, repeating a back-and-forth offensive and defensive battle. The powerful western nation of Macedonia had maintained neutrality, but it would be very troublesome if they turned into an enemy.
Therefore, Emperor Alvaise was trying to promote a political marriage between Princess Olivia and Prince Astoria, in order to form an alliance with Macedonia.
If that’s the case, it would be best to retreat without disturbing their rendezvous. That’s what I thought when it happened.
“You’re a failed Mazoku child. You’re an eyesore, disappear!”
Astoria noticed me and declared haughtily.
I understand that I’m in the way, but this overbearing attitude…
Probably, he wants to show off to Princess Olivia by looking down on me. It’s a common thing for boys in puberty.
“U-Um, Lord Astoria, who is that person…?”
“I apologize for the unpleasant sight. As you may have heard, he is a child my father had with a Mazoku woman for amusement.”
“My name is Luke. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Olivia.”
I decided to just greet Princess Olivia and leave.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Lord Luke. I am Olivia Macedonia.”
Princess Olivia returned an elegant curtsy to me.
“I hope we can get along.”
“Likewise.”
Not having prejudice against me, who has Mazoku blood, she was quite a likable girl.
Digging through my memories, Princess Olivia didn’t appear in the main game.
Considering that her name wasn’t even mentioned, she might lose her life in the intensifying war.
If that’s the case, I felt a little sorry for her.
“Greetings to such a lowly person are unnecessary. Now, let’s go, Princess Olivia.”
Astoria clicked his tongue and tried to forcibly take Princess Olivia’s hand and lead her away.
“Kya, please wait, Lord Astoria!”
Princess Olivia was stumbling.
Seriously, he’s failing as an escort…
Just then, birds passed over their heads, and splattered droppings on Astoria’s face. The Rose Garden was also a resting place for birds.
“…M-My noble and beautiful face!?”
At that moment, Astoria threw away his noble attitude and threw a tantrum.
“I’ll execute them! Unique Magic [Star Arrow]!”
“Eh!?”
Of all things, Astoria fired an attack spell at the birds.
It was his Unique Magic [Star Arrow], which was also the origin of Astoria’s nickname.
The magical light arrows not only annihilated the birds, but also collided with the Imperial Court’s spire.
“Kyaaaaaah!?”
“Dangerous…!”
The spire was broken and fell on top of us.
I made [Dark Edge] burst out from the soles of my feet, and jumped high with the reaction.
“Hagoh!?”
I tackled Astoria away, and rescued Princess Olivia with a princess carry.
Dogaaaaaan!
By a hair’s breadth, the huge spire fell behind us.
Debris scattered, and the Imperial Court became chaotic at once.
I was really taken aback by this.
“Are you injured, Princess Olivia!?”
“Ah, thank you very much, Lord Luke!”
Princess Olivia, clinging to me, had a face as red as a rose.
I gently lowered the princess to the ground, but she seemed to still cling to me out of fear.
“Ouch…”
I felt a sharp pain in my back. A fragment of scattered debris seemed to have pierced me.
“Lord Luke, are you perhaps injured?”
“No, I’m fine.”
I didn’t want to worry Princess Olivia, who was the victim, so I shook my head.
I always carry the Hi-Potion that Mom made for me, so this level of injury is not a problem.
“Now, I’ll heal you [Heal]!”
Princess Olivia put her hand on my back and applied healing magic to the affected area.
The fragment fell out, the wound closed, and I felt much better. It was quite a skill, considering that the princess had learned it as part of her training.
“Thank you very much, Princess Olivia.”
“N-Not at all. Lord Luke, you are my savior. I am the one who should thank you many times over.”
Princess Olivia gave me a passionate look.
Because she put her hand on my back to heal me, we ended up in a position where we were hugging each other.
This is a little embarrassing.
“Hah, hahiiiii!?”
Astoria, who had crashed into the rose flower bed, was paralyzed with fear.
He seems to be safe, but to release such powerful magic without thinking about the consequences…
He seems to be quite impulsive and quick to get heated.
If Princess Olivia had been injured, the alliance between the two countries would have been ruined at worst.
“Princess!”
“Are you safe!?”
Princess Olivia’s escort knights rushed over with drawn swords.
“Everyone, I’m fine. As you can see, I’m safe thanks to Lord Luke.”
“Oh, t-thank you very much, His Highness Prince Luke!”
“To save the princess… we are all grateful!”
The knights knelt on one knee towards me and expressed their gratitude.
“No, I’m glad Princess Olivia is safe.”
“But why did such an accident happen where the spire fell…?”
“I saw a strong light, but what was it?”
“C-Could it be the work of a third country trying to prevent the alliance between the Empire and the Kingdom!?”
“If that’s the case, it’s a serious matter!”
The knights became agitated, thinking that someone was trying to kill Princess Olivia.
“That’s, well. His Highness Prince Astoria…”
Princess Olivia looked down, as if she was having a hard time saying it.
“Huh? …D-Don’t tell me. Was that His Highness Prince Astoria’s Unique Magic [Star Arrow] just now!?”
“W-Why did such a situation occur?”
“His Highness was apparently angered by a bird pooping on him…”
The Macedonian knights who learned the circumstances were dumbfounded.
“Incredible!”
“To endanger the princess’s life over something like that…!”
“The ‘Prince of Light’ is a disgrace.”
They glared at Astoria with quiet anger.
This is bad… A rift will form between the Empire and the Kingdom.
Whether the two countries had actually formed an alliance was not mentioned in the game, but I had to prevent history from heading in a dangerous direction.
If, by any chance, this caused the Empire to lose the war, Mom and Diana would be in danger.
I have to follow up here…
“I apologize for my brother, Astoria. As one who is listed at the end of the Imperial Family, I apologize many times over.”
“Please, raise your head, Lord Luke!”
Princess Olivia panicked when I apologized.
“Lord Luke, you did nothing wrong. I am safe thanks to you!”
“…Well, Prince Luke is quite a respectable person.”
“It is regrettable that someone like Prince Luke is not given the right to inherit the throne, and that an idiot like Prince Astoria is rampant!”
The knights of Macedonia whispered such rumors among themselves.
It was quite a harsh assessment, but it couldn’t be helped.
“Healing! Hurry and heal me, you slowpokes!”
“Yes! Prince Astoria!”
Astoria, having been pricked all over by rose thorns, was exaggerating and screaming despite not being seriously injured, surrounded by the Imperial Court’s magic division.
Even though he had endangered Princess Olivia, he showed no apology or concern for her whatsoever.
Originally, he should have been the first to do so, but it seemed he was only thinking of himself.
“Ah, if only Prince Luke were the Princess’s fiancé…!”
“M-My, what are you all saying! Lord Luke is troubled!”
Princess Olivia denied it with a bashful look, but her eyes held a hint of sadness.