It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 23 – Father's Worries

“I wonder if Zeke will be alright.”

While eating breakfast, Laura suddenly spoke up.

“Zeke?”

“Hasn’t he changed a bit recently? But he’s still only 12… going on an expedition with the knight order…”

“Mm.”

Zeke certainly had truly changed.

He still overslept as usual, but that was also because he studied until late.

According to Sebastian’s account, his sword and magic skills were considerable, and at night he read books voraciously until sleeping… truly making efforts.

He laughed cheerfully while relaxing the wrinkles gathered between his brows.

“Ha ha, Zeke will be fine. I’m not worried about anything.”

When he smiled at Laura, Tigos stood up.

“Excuse me.”

Saying only that, Tigos left the room.

“Sigh… why can’t Tigos… get along with him, I wonder.”

Laura showed a troubled expression.

Those competing for the throne getting along was impossible.

While thinking that internally, Halt gave Laura gentle words to reassure her.

In the office.

“Your Majesty.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting, tell me.”

Present before him were Sebastian and his close aide Count Toufal.

Toufal was a count with territory near the capital.

A close aide since his own childhood and the friend he trusted most.

Together with Sebastian, they were his eyes and ears.

He decided to have them report immediately.

“Then from me… Lady Hilda apparently headed to Afkad.”

Hilda… his younger brother’s wife… his sister-in-law, so to speak.

He knew she was moving to make Elliott king, but to Afkad?

“What’s her purpose?”

“We don’t know that far, but she apparently took Lady Driema along.”

“Hmm…”

That vixen, what is she thinking?

Of all places, Afkad—he hoped nothing strange would happen.

“Speaking of which, Your Majesty, I hear you sent Prince Zeke toward Afkad. Why again?”

“…Count, you’ve heard about the families attached to Tigos and Elliott, haven’t you?”

“Yes, the Naus and Pibo families teaching swordsmanship and magic are attached to Lord Tigos. The royal pillars Somalia and Ennu families are attached to Lord Elliott, engaged in factional strife.”

Halt frowned while putting his hand to his temple.

“Behind Zeke there’s only the Claudia family. Despite watching Zeke’s response at the party four years ago, many families are still choosing to remain neutral.”

Really, they should just pull him in quickly instead of not even calling out…

“Not parental favoritism, but Zeke is competent despite appearances. However, regarding politics he’s still immature—the person himself is indifferent about factions, somehow. So I’m hoping he’ll experience politics under Marquis Ribauto.”

“I see, Marquis Ribauto is an excellent politician after all.”

“Mm.”

He was hoping to possibly make him an ally, but that was probably too much.

“However… pardon me, but judging from rumors it’s difficult to determine if Prince Zeke is competent or incompetent… I’m certainly not doubting Your Majesty’s discernment, but…”

Though Toufal was unusually confused, Sebastian who watched most closely also endorsed him, and from his own observation he’s definitely not the fool rumors say…probably.

“No problem.”

“Even so, Your Majesty is quite favoring Prince Zeke, but there’s also Prince Tigos.”

Tigos, huh. Certainly I won’t say he’s not excellent. But…

“Ultimately Zeke has the highest succession rights. I’ll favor him accordingly. I’ll keep the count’s concern in mind.”

“Pardon my presumptuousness.”

Still, Toufal looked anxious.

Hmm… why is that?

Despite Zeke showing at the party welcoming the Seiran Kingdom that he wasn’t just a fool, most nobles still thought Zeke was a fool.

And the evaluations from nobles who hadn’t seen him remained unchanged.

There should be some good rumors circulating, yet almost no one believed those rumors.

As if some invisible force was at work.

Hmm, strange.

If they talked or interacted with him directly, their evaluations would flip completely though.

“Sebastian, just to confirm, but Zeke will be alright, won’t he?”

“Yes, the capital knight order is accompanying him. There are those who admire Zeke-sama there, so it certainly won’t turn out badly… however, there was one unexpected matter.”

Sebastian’s tone became hesitant.

“What is it?”

“Normally the vice-captain would go, but unusually Knight Order Captain Beldiha himself went on the expedition. He made a strong request himself, so…”

“Beldiha, you say?”

It was Toufal who reacted strongly to Sebastian’s words.

“Your Majesty, while that man’s sword is the kingdom’s finest, during duty he’s unserious with drinking and napping, brings personal matters into work, and is selfish and moody—how many nobles under his protection suffered harm for offending his mood? Some apparently couldn’t move for a while. He’s only permitted because his ability and achievements are tremendous.”

“…………”

He looked at Sebastian, but Sebastian closed his eyes silently.

“Mm…”

Even if he tried to act now, Zeke and the others had already left the capital.

Too late.

Toufal looked at him worriedly, but he exhaled.

“Zeke will be fine.”

He’d worried when he was a child, but recent Zeke wasn’t a fool.

Surely… probably, likely he’d be fine.

“Halt?”

“No, I’m fine. Not ill.”

“…Pardon me.”

He lowered the hand he’d unconsciously pressed to his chest.

Why does that guy only cause worry?

Looking at Toufal, he hung his head with narrowed eyes.

Probably embarrassed that the old way of addressing him slipped out.

He’d told him except in public places, in such settings calling him by name alone like the old days was fine.

A serious, worrywart man—he genuinely worried about my health.

A trustworthy man.

It would be good if Zeke could make such a friend too…

“There’s no need to worry. Then, next agenda.”

“Yes…”

Several days later.

When an unbelievable bill was delivered to the palace, and moreover addressed to Halt, Halt and Sebastian held their heads.