LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: The Third Prince
Chapter 77: The Third Prince
On Tuesday, March 11th, 359th year of the Kingdom’s history, the day after the mock battle. Today marks the beginning of spring break. Luca-sama and I were preparing enthusiastically for a dungeon attack.
“You’ve arrived.”
We received a summons to the special wing of the dormitory. It’s a small palace reserved for the royal family. The current master of this place is none other than Prince Richard, the third prince.
“Your Highness, I hope you are well.”
Luca-sama greeted him with a flat tone. He clearly doesn’t seem pleased.
“You don’t need to be so tense. This is a private place. Relax.”
His Highness seemed to interpret Luca-sama’s indifferent attitude as nervousness. We were offered seats on the sofa, and we settled in. But I couldn’t help but wonder if it’s appropriate for a commoner like me to sit here. The pretext for our invitation was supposed to be to commend yesterday’s mock battle winners, but only we were summoned.
“The victory you achieved yesterday. Do you understand its significance? The earth attribute, which has been deemed unlucky, triumphed over other attributes with overwhelming power. This throws a stone into the remarkable power balance within the aristocratic world.”
He, too, had won in the first year of the high school division. However, it was clearly a gift of favoritism.
“To be blunt, I want you two to join the student council.”
The real reason for His Highness’s summons was recruitment. He is currently the vice president and will serve as the president of the high school division starting in October. However,
“We are inadequate for such a task. We respectfully decline.”
Luca-sama declined promptly and decisively. But…
“Oh. I thought you would surely accept.”
“I am grateful for your kindness in mediating yesterday’s conflict. However, I am a commoner who will eventually fall. It would be inappropriate for me to serve by your side.”
Indeed, he speaks like a noble’s son. A splendid way of speaking. By the way, since I’m originally a commoner, I have neither the right to speak nor the right to refuse.
“I see. I thought you would be a beacon for those of the earth attribute. However…”
As he was about to say more, His Highness was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“…It seems like they’ve just arrived. Come in.”
The door opened quietly, and who walked in, escorted by His Highness’s attendants?
“And Your Highness, I hope you are well…”
The Earl Laquell, who doesn’t seem well at all. Behind him is the butler, Leonard, standing by.
“Oh, I thought you’d come around now. You must have come to congratulate His Highness’s victory. Well?”
“Oh, um, well… Congratulations on your victory, Your Highness! I, uh, as your humble servant, am truly delighted…”
He stumbled over his words, clumsily flattering His Highness.
“Oh, you needn’t bother with me. But more importantly, did you come here to see Luca?”
“Um, y-yes, well… My foolish son has caused you trouble…”
“…Foolish son?”
From there, the earl began to berate Luca like water from a faucet. And shortly after targeting me, he fiercely criticized me three times as much. He must have heard about what happened in yesterday’s mock battle.
“We cannot let such commoners live!”
“But he is, after all, supposed to be Luca’s attendant.”
“We have no such agreement! That fellow is like a rat that sneaked in on his own!”
“Huh?”
I feel like I just heard a resounding response from Luca-sama next to me, as if from the depths of the earth, but maybe it’s just my imagination.
“…I see, I understand the situation. The Laquell family does not recall entering into any employment contract with Alexi.”
“Exactly! He showed up with a fake letter of recommendation, allegedly recommended by my foolish brother Lucien, and instigated my foolish son to stay in the academy, insulting God and committing atrocities!”
“Ah, understood. So, Alexi is currently free. What do you say, Alexi? Would you like to become my attendant?”
“Huh?”
“Your Highness, please reconsider! Alexi is my attendant!”
“Ah, yes…”
“Were you not listening, Earl Laquell? It was Louisson who engaged in dangerous behavior. He challenged Alexi to a match to revoke his victory and exposed everyone in the venue to danger with Flame Explosion. It was Alexi who completely sealed it all with swordsmanship. If he hadn’t defended, your family might have faced extinction. He deserves thanks, not insults. The academy’s decision not to question Louisson’s actions was at least merciful. It would be wise to refrain from any further actions that would tarnish your family’s reputation.”
“…”
The Earl Laquell remained silent with a disgruntled expression. Despite being handsome, he looked quite fierce.
“Well, that’s that. I’ll take care of Alexi’s treatment, so don’t worry.”
“…Thank you very much.”
“Rene, the Earl Laquell is leaving. Escort him to the main gate.”
“Yes.”
The Earl Laquell, still looking downcast, left with his attendant.
“Now then, interested in joining the student council?”
His Highness had a smirk on his face. This guy is dangerous. And now, instead of the Earl Laquell, Luca-sama had a disgruntled expression. In the end, we were roped into the student council under the condition of only after-school activities.
“And you, Alexi. You should have some backing. How about becoming my adopted son?”
“Uh, well, about being adopted… I’d rather not…”
“Well, that’s fine. We still don’t know much about each other. We’ll discuss it later. But for now, to prevent interference in the future, it’s better to have a servant contract. Regis.”
Another attendant, different from the one who escorted the Earl Laquell, brought documents and a pen. They prepared a contract? Scary.
“Your Highness! Alexi is my attendant!”
“Ah, yes, even if you enter into a servant contract with me, you can still remain Luca’s attendant. It’s just to provide support in the background.”
As I listened to their conversation, I glanced through the contract. This is problematic. It casually states employment until after His Highness abdicates or ascends the throne.
“Um, I apologize. I respectfully decline…”
“Oh? That’s too bad.”
His Highness raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“It’s basic to read the contract thoroughly…”
“Haha. I see, you’re a businessman. Understood. We’ll discuss this later.”
Please refrain from discussing it later.
“Alexi… Weren’t you supposed to be my attendant?”
“Well, um… When I was told to go study in the capital, Professor Laquell recommended me to be Luca-sama’s attendant.”
I was allowed into the mansion with a letter of recommendation, but well, it was essentially a brush-off.
“His Highness mentioned it too, but about the tuition fees and salaries…”
“Haha. Luca-sama must also know. Adventurers can make quite a bit, you know?”
I winked at him. But he had a pained expression. He’s a kind-hearted boy.
“So, shall we go to the Commercial Guild now? Luca-sama, you’re going to hire me, right?”
He raised his face slightly. It was a beaming smile that could be written as “Paaaaa☆” in a manga. We formally exchanged employment contracts, and I officially became his attendant.