I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 77: The Prince’s Torment 3 [Ernest’s Side]

Alone again in the room, I come back to my senses. Why didn’t I call the guard knights when that suspicious man appeared? As the Crown Prince, I should have been more cautious about letting unknown individuals approach me.

He called it an amulet, but there’s no way he would give such a splendid item without expecting something in return. However, since I don’t know who that man was, I can’t even return it, which is the most troubling part. Putting it in my pocket reluctantly, I leave the room intending to ask the guard knight stationed outside about the man.

“Ernest-sama, His Majesty is soon to announce the end of the evening gathering.”

“I see, understood. Let’s join father.”

At that moment, for some reason, thoughts of the man vanish from my mind, along with what’s in my pocket. Though the evening gathering concludes and disperses, I still wanted to speak with the Saint, especially regarding future matters. However, not only the High Priest but also the Saint herself rejected my request, leaving me to return to my chambers without speaking to her.

The cloak the Saint wore on her shoulders was Vandière’s coat, reminding me of that evening meal. Diane’s smiling face as she talked, the humiliation of that day slowly gnawing at my heart. Unconsciously, I realize I’ve been clutching something in my pocket.

“What is this…?”

I can’t recall when I acquired it. But I understand it’s a charm believed to bestow divine protection. I feel like someone gave it to me, but who was it…? Probably from a noble of my faction, although normally I would be suspicious, for some reason, it feels natural to have it.

I quietly store the charm in the drawer of the desk in the adjoining office to my private room, and from that day on, it becomes a habit to grasp it tightly whenever I feel anxious or resentful.

“Hm? Was it this deep of a color? Nevertheless, it’s beautiful. I wonder if the Saint would be pleased if I gave it to her.”

I should have known in the back of my mind that if I were to give a gift, it should be to Diane. Yet, I find myself strangely fixated on the Saint, as if consumed by desire.

“That’s right, Vandière mentioned going on an expedition to find the mother of the dragon. If I were to accompany them, it might deepen my relationship with the Saint. If Vandière has formed a contract with the dragon’s offspring, then I should form a contract with its mother. That way, my authority as the Crown Prince would be restored.”

Officially, I proposed to my father under the guise of redemption, and he accepted, seemingly pleased with my change of heart. I thought everything would go smoothly, but on the day when the order to search for the dragon’s mother was given, when my father proposed that I accompany them, Vandière refused.

Certainly, I understood that the security of the capital would be compromised, but with no reports of new movements from the side of the evil god, there shouldn’t be a problem even if I and a few guard knights were absent. In that case, why not just leave only Vandière from the Third Knights and entrust the protection of the capital to others? I managed to swallow those words somehow. Yet, Vandière continued without even looking at me.

“This concerns the Crown Prince… no, ultimately, it concerns the protection of all three. At the evening gathering, the Crown Prince seemed particularly interested in the Saint… I merely worried that you might have forgotten the existence of your betrothed.”

“How insolent!”

That was all I could say in the heat of the moment. Honestly, if asked if there were no ulterior motives, I would have been at a loss for words. In fact, deep down, I felt relieved that Diane wasn’t here. But it’s not like I’ve forgotten about her; it’s necessary to assess whether the Saint can be welcomed as a concubine in the future.

“Also, if we’re going to search for Jest’s mother, it might not be wise to bring too many forces. They might mistake us for attackers and prepare for battle, especially since they probably think they’ve lost their son.”

The conversation continued as if I didn’t exist, and ultimately, I ended up staying in the capital. Returning to my room, I grip the amulet as usual, venting the turmoil in my heart.

“Why…! Since Vandière returned from the Taleraan Margrave, nothing has gone well! Since the trial, I’ve been increasingly passing by Diane without having a proper conversation… When was the last time we actually talked?”

Several days later, when the Saint and her companions departed from the capital, I remained behind. Ultimately, I must regain trust through my own efforts, so I should start by doing what I can. Daily training, royal duties as the Crown Prince, and perhaps it’s time to visit the town for inspection since I haven’t done so in a while.

The day after announcing my intention to head to the city streets of the capital, I departed from the castle in a carriage with my guard knights. Despite being the most ordinary carriage heading towards the commoner’s district, it still stood out amidst the dingy ones running through the commoner’s streets.

Though there are slums in the capital, there seems to be a certain level of order, akin to a poor village. When I was young, there were starving children lying by the roadside, but now, I couldn’t find any such children. Though they are poor, the children passing by seemed happy and content.

A sense of pride as a member of the royal family governing this country, and simultaneously, hatred surged within me as I watched those children happier than I. And as usual, I tightly gripped the amulet and realized.

Why do I carry such an item with me? Why do I clutch it every time I harbor negative emotions?

When I realized the absurdity of the situation, a chilling dread washed over me, and the presence of the amulet in my hand felt terrifying. The red gem, which had become much darker than when I first saw it, now appeared ominously sinister.

On the way back, I stopped by the fountain in front of the grand temple, located at the boundary between the merchant and noble districts. I submerged the amulet in the water of the fountain. Surely, in this fountain, influenced by the grand temple, the amulet would be cleansed. Without any evidence, I believed at that moment that it was the right thing to do.