Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 13.3
No, that’s not possible at Estra Academy.
It’s a compulsory duty for the Awakened… What a crazy setting.
Still, for all his shameless teasing, Prince Isadore seemed to have taken quite a liking to me. That look of curiosity, as if I were some kind of rare animal, was proof enough.
“Did you come today to check on the compensation I mentioned?”
“Yes, something like that.”
“Perfect. I happen to have some free time in my schedule today. Why don’t I tag along with you?”
What did I just hear? I almost blurted out my thoughts without thinking.
“W-Why?”
“As royalty, inspecting the lives of my people is an important duty, you know.”
“Why must you do that with me specifically…?”
“Didn’t you get a nice sum thanks to me? This is the perfect time to treat me.”
If it’s about money, why ask someone who barely has any to treat you? He might as well try to squeeze blood from a rock.
Even when I glared at him with all the resentment I could muster, he didn’t care at all.
“Come to think of it, the head chef who left the palace last year opened a restaurant. His roast pheasant is excellent. Let’s visit while we’re at it.”
District 1… that’s by the riverside…
That shameless prince patted my back as he said it.
Even after that, Prince Isadore, who seemed to find great amusement in teasing me, kept peppering me with questions until he finally stood up, saying we should get going.
All I could do was follow behind, staring blankly at his back like a powerless cadet.
Even as I collected the compensation owed to Hyacine and myself, the prince wouldn’t stop chatting away about this and that.
“Oh, that’s right. Count Lorraine still needs to be interrogated, so we’ve decided to keep him in custody for a while longer. It might take some time, but I’ll make sure nothing happens to him under the table, so don’t worry.”
“If you say so, I’ll trust you.”
“Am I that untrustworthy? I’ll have you know I work tirelessly for this country.”
“People in high positions always say things like that.”
“Just to be sure, you haven’t forgotten who I am, right?”
“Ah.”
Realizing I’d let that slip my mind, I was honestly startled, and the prince looked down at me in disbelief.
I quickly averted my eyes.
Fortunately, he was generous enough not to scold me for my impertinence.
Still, as soon as we stepped outside, he gave me a warning, just in case.
“Even if we’re out on an inspection, don’t go around calling me ‘Your Highness’ in public.”
“Then what should I call you?”
“What do people usually say in times like this?”
He called his aide, issued a few instructions, then repeated the same question.
Finally, deciding that this was the most suitable, he spoke.
“Just call me Lord Isadore.”
“Even so, calling you by name is a bit…”
Every citizen knows that the second prince’s name is Isadore.
The prince’s aide seemed to share my thoughts, rubbing his forehead behind his superior’s back.
“Would something else be better? Maybe we should establish some roles. If I’m going out incognito with a commoner’s government official, as a noble…”
“No, I wasn’t thinking.”
He nodded, satisfied.
“Good, then Lord Isadore it is.”
If anything happens now, I swear I won’t let it go.
I could see my carefully laid plans collapsing right before my eyes, my mind growing more and more distant.
In the end, the ones who rescued me as I was practically dragged out were Acteon and Hyacine.
The two of them spotted me as I was leaving the bank.
“Senior.”
“You’re much later than I expected… Wait, who’s this?”
On the busy street, the annoying prince, Acteon, and my little brother.
Three sets of eyes all tangled together.
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