It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 18 – A Modest Trigger's Story

“How lovely.”

“The marquis must be proud.”

“What kind of jewel will she become in the future?”

I, Misty Claudia, first set foot in high society at age 7.

Not understanding anything, I just followed behind Father and greeted various people.

I showed the curtsy I’d practiced in the mansion wearing an elegant dress to unfamiliar nobles.

Then everyone smiled happily.

While that was happening, the party participants suddenly murmured.

I felt Father gripping my hand tense up as he gulped.

“Misty, let’s go.”

Father’s steps were a bit awkward.

Who could be waiting?

While thinking that, it appeared before me.

“Your Majesty, good day.”

“Oh, Marquis Red Claudia. So you came too.”

“If it’s a party hosted by Your Majesty, naturally.”

Father stood respectfully.

I’d never seen him before, but I knew this person.

“Mm, is that young lady?”

“Yes, please greet him.”

Pushed from behind, I stepped forward and bowed politely.

“My name is Misty.”

While bowing my head, I glanced up.

Halt Carlaan.

The most noble and high-ranking person in this country.

“This is a polite greeting. Hmm, worthy of your constant boasting.”

He returned a gentle smile.

“Your Majesty, I’m being presumptuous, but isn’t Zeke-sama coming today?”

The moment Father said that name, His Majesty’s eyebrow twitched and his eyes briefly narrowed.

“…Zeke is feeling somewhat unwell. He’s in his room.”

“I see. I’d thought he’d be coming, but if so, it can’t be helped.”

“He’s a bit physically weak. Mm… next year my younger son Tigos will turn 7. I’m thinking of having him participate in a party when his health improves.”

“Understood. I look forward to it.”

“…Mm.”

Saying just that, His Majesty left quickly.

“Good grief, so it’s as the rumors say.”

After His Majesty left, Father muttered quietly.

☆☆☆

One year later.

I turned 8 and attended a party hosted by His Majesty again.

“Misty.”

“Yes, Father.”

In the waiting room, Father crouched down and looked me in the eyes while supporting both my shoulders.

“You’re my pride and joy. You’ll now meet His Majesty and the princes for the first time.”

“Yes.”

“Even if you find Prince Zeke’s words or attitude unpleasant, endure it.”

“…Pardon?”

What is he talking about?

Father stood up and put his hand to his forehead.

“Sigh… why… just a bit more… I understand His Majesty is struggling but… sigh…”

Father sighed repeatedly with a serious face.

I’d never seen Father looking so reluctant.

What kind of person was this Prince Zeke who could cloud Father’s expression so much?

Feeling a trace of anxiety, I headed to the party venue hosted by His Majesty.

The venue was gorgeously decorated as before.

I headed to His Majesty while bowing politely to nobles as before.

My first impression seeing Zeke-sama was that he was a strange person.

The greeting was good, but what was that before when he was waving both hands while looking at the air?

Furthermore, according to His Majesty and the Empress’s words, and also Prince Tigos’s words who seemed intelligent but still retained innocence, he seemed to have quite a lot of problems.

Red hair and eyes, a beautiful face—but unable to dance, study, or do swordsmanship, even getting his teachers to run away from him—so what exactly could he do?

I believe he had first succession rights, but would it be okay?

Someone beyond expectations appeared and I felt anxious.

But…

I tried asking.

“Does Zeke-sama dislike studying?”

Then Prince Zeke said.

“I’m not very fond of studying.”

However.

“But just because I dislike it doesn’t mean I want to become a foolish king ignorant of mathematics, culture, swordsmanship, magic… and politics too. These are necessary things, so I will definitely learn them.”

“…I see.”

After that, the greeting ended.

“Good grief, what a problem.”

In the carriage home, Father groaned while putting his hand to his forehead.

Father apparently didn’t take a liking to Prince Zeke.

“Misty, Prince Tigos will become a fine person in the future.”

“Yes.”

I agreed with Father’s words.

However, Prince Zeke’s words were reverberating in my head.

I also completed studying, etiquette, manners, and magic training daily.

But I’d never found it interesting.

I just did it because it was necessary even though I didn’t like it.

That was similar to my way of thinking.

“Learn because it’s necessary… is it?”

“Even if asked by His Majesty… mm? Did you say something?”

“No, nothing.”

Hidden from Father tilting his head, I smiled slightly.