“…To all the new students, I offer my congratulations, hoping that you will learn many things at this Royal Academy and grow into individuals who will support the kingdom in the future.”
As a current student and a member of the Student Council, I listened to the address by Raphael, the Student Council President.
Next to me was Sandra, my wife and fellow Student Council member.
Today is April 5th.
For me, the ‘Incompetent Rascal Prince’ and stepping stone of ‘Engage Hazard,’ it is a fateful day.
As expected, I received a notice to ‘assemble in the throne room,’ and I am scheduled to head to the Royal Palace after the entrance ceremony.
“Lord Hal, I will accompany you.”
“Yes. Of course, that’s what I intend.”
The moment I showed her the notice from the Royal Palace, Sandra insisted on accompanying me.
This is the place where I will break off our engagement with her, so I knew this would happen.
…No, that’s not right.
Sandra is coming with me for my sake.
“With that, we will conclude the entrance ceremony.”
The long speeches by the headmaster and guests finally ended, and I took Sandra’s hand and left the auditorium.
Behind us was Monica, my Personal Maid, and more importantly, in my uniform’s inner pocket was Caz, transformed into a miniature-sized ‘Jet-Black Shield Caspary.’
Surrounded by so many ‘Precious Things,’ there is nothing to fear.
Then.
“Hey, Harold.”
It was Raphael who called out to me.
“You’re going to the Royal Palace now, right? Why don’t we go together?”
“Well…”
I put my hand to my mouth and pondered Raphael’s suggestion.
“I understand. Sandra and the others will be accompanying me, but is that alright?”
“Ah, I don’t mind.”
And so, we headed to the Royal Palace in a carriage with Raphael.
“By the way, where is Brother Cardis?”
“Who knows? I didn’t originally intend to invite him, and I’m sure he’s heading there alone.”
Raphael gave a wry smile and shrugged.
Well, they were originally rivals, and considering Margaret’s situation, it’s probably something Raphael doesn’t care about.
“More importantly… I wonder what His Majesty the King’s business is.”
“Ah, haha…”
It’s a rather difficult topic to answer.
I can’t exactly tell Raphael that King Aival is going to say, ‘Whoever brings the World’s Greatest Fiancée will be the next king.’
“Since all of us princes have been summoned, I’m sure it’s an important matter. Or perhaps it’s about Wilfred’s case, which hasn’t been fully resolved yet.”
“………………….”
Wilfred died suspiciously in Kaditt Tower, where he was confined, and the motives and plans for my attempted assassination and Christia’s brainwashing were buried in darkness.
On the other hand, there are still unresolved issues.
That is the treatment of Samantha, the Third Queen.
Samantha gained her position and power within the Royal Palace because of the existence of Wilfred, the Fourth Prince, so now that she has lost that, her only reason to remain in the Royal Palace is the King’s favor.
Even that will quickly disappear if the King gets tired of her, so she must be trembling with fear right now.
“Well, Margaret, who he hated the most, is now completely like that. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Samantha remaining as the Third Queen.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
I couldn’t help but turn away and feign ignorance at Raphael, who was looking at me with a somewhat smirking expression.
I’m the reason Margaret broke down, so I can’t really say anything…
“Well, enough chatter. It seems we’ve arrived at the Royal Palace.”
The carriage pulled up to the entrance, and I escorted Sandra and Monica out. Then, we all made our way to the throne room.
“That is…”
Next to Cardis, who had already arrived, was an unfamiliar man about the same age as me.
I see… he is Owen, the replacement(…) for Wilfred.
“Who are you? Why are you in this throne room?”
“Tch… I don’t know. It’s not like I want to be here.”
Owen clicked his tongue and turned away from Raphael’s question, answering as if spitting out the words.
His attitude and way of speaking are certainly far from those of royalty.
At that moment.
“Everyone is here.”
King Aival appeared, accompanied by chamberlains, ministers, and Minister Olson.
However, judging from the expressions of the ministers, they seemed quite dissatisfied.
Was this due to Owen being the King’s Illegitimate Child, or was it due to hearing the declaration that was about to be made?
In any case, the answer will soon be revealed.
“…Harold. Lady Alexandra was waiting in front of the throne room.”
“Yes. She said she was worried about me, so she followed me here. She is truly a fiancée too good for me.”
Correctly speaking, she is not my fiancée, but my wife.
“I see… then let’s get to the main topic. First, Owen, raise your face.”
“………………….”
Perhaps he was intimidated by the King, Owen raised his face with a solemn expression.
His eyes were darting around, and he seemed nervous.
“That man’s name is Owen Well Dehauvalz. He is my Illegitimate Child, and he will be your brother.”
“What!?”
Cardis and Raphael gasped as they were suddenly told such a fact, and they looked at Owen.
On the other hand, Owen wore a somewhat awkward expression. He probably heard about the fact beforehand.
Me? I knew from the beginning thanks to Monica’s investigation, so I’m calmly… no, I’m pretending to be surprised just like Cardis and the others.
“From this, Owen will be officially recognized as the Fourth Prince, and he will be granted the Right of Succession.”
“………………….”
Unable to accept it, but unable to object, Cardis and the others fell silent.
Looking at them, the ministers also had faces as if they had swallowed bitter bugs, so the reason for their displeasure was indeed this matter.
“Next.”
“What!? Your Majesty, there’s more!?”
It was the minister who interrupted.
It seems that they were only told about Owen’s origins.
Then, they will be even more surprised after this.
“Minister, be silent.”
“B-but…”
“Everyone, listen carefully.”
King Aival silenced the minister and continued.
And then.
“Regarding my successor… whoever brings the World’s Greatest Fiancée will be the next king.”
Finally, the main story of ‘Engage Hazard’ has begun.
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