It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 43 – Aftermath

The pleasant weather invited drowsiness. Clouds passed under the dazzling sun, faintly blocking the light.

From a slight distance, I could hear Driema and Larba’s cheerful laughter, and nearby, Debut and Garim were being loudly complained to by Ted about why they hadn’t told him about the raid.

The patch of ground where I lay had a carpet of lush soil and grass, warm and comfortable.

“Beautiful weather…”

Just as I was about to fall asleep, someone sat down beside me.

“You’re not going to the library today? Your clothes will get dirty.”

Sierra deliberately brought a chair and sat down next to me.

“It’s fine, I can just wash the clothes.”

“Do you wash them yourself, Zeke-sama?”

“No, Ted does.”

“You’re leaving it to others.”

Well, of course, I was a prince.

Sierra let out a small sigh and looked toward Larba and the others.

“Thank you for helping my brother. I was worried about what would happen if bringing Driema-sama back failed, too, and he couldn’t return to being the heir.”

“Ah…”

After the rescue, we waited at the mansion for Gaizel to return. Then Larba and Driema asked him to cancel Larba’s disinheritance and restore his position as the next heir. Gaizel said some scolding words and harsh things, but seeing their sincerity, he forgave them.

I think Gaizel probably intended to forgive them from the start.

By the way, when I heard about the party, that “important announcement” ended up being nothing but some vague greeting saying something like “please continue to support the Romash house” or something incomprehensible. Well, that made sense.

And though I was prepared for complaints, none came at all. I didn’t know why.

I heard Hilma returned to the capital too, but was it okay for Driema to stay here…? Well, that wasn’t my concern, so whatever.

“I didn’t really do anything special. In the end, the one who worked hard was Larba.”

If Larba hadn’t been motivated, personally, I had no intention of helping at such a risk.

Thanks to Driema and Larba’s relationship working out, the result was that I sent aid to Elliott’s faction.

Haah… what a mess.

“Hehe… but I think Zeke-sama is amazing. Helping my brother without regard for your position… just like Joshua-sama from ‘Chatting with You.'”

“Hey, hey, stop that. I’m not a perfect superhuman like him.”

Besides, if I were Joshua, wouldn’t countless unreasonable demands and trials come attacking me one after another from now on? Give me a break.

“There you are.”

While we were talking like that, Gaizel came over from the mansion. I immediately stood up and bowed.

“My apologies, Marquis Ribauto.”

“No, no, aren’t you the person of merit this time? I’m grateful you helped my foolish grandson.”

“No, no… it was nothing.”

I really hadn’t helped that much.

However, Gaizel deliberately stroked his white beard while making a troubled expression.

“However, this is troubling.”

“………..?”

“After doing this much, words alone don’t seem sincere enough.”

“No, that’s not the case.”

“No, no, I can’t accept that as a member of the Ribauto house.”

Gaizel was doing things like placing his hand on his chin and going “hmm…” or making stern faces.

Then, doing what seemed like acting as if he’d suddenly thought of something good, he clapped his hands.

“By the way, His Majesty has only one queen, but historically kings have often had not just queens but also concubines. Did you know?”

“Ah… yes. Somewhat.”

I thought there was something written about that in a book on royal history.

“What about it?”

Gaizel went toward Sierra and grabbed her shoulders.

“I know about the Claudia family situation, so I won’t say make her your queen. But if you ever want a concubine, please keep this Sierra in the corner of your memory.”

“Grandfather?! Just the other day you said a fiancé was still too early for me! And yet now not just engagement but concubine?”

“There simply weren’t any decent people nearby. Or are you dissatisfied with Prince Zeke?”

“That’s not the case, but… ah! No, that’s different. I don’t mean it that way.”

“No, no, no…”

While we were having such a conversation, Driema and Larba came over before I knew it.

“Hey, Zeke. We decided.”

“Decided what?”

“If there’s a fight over the throne, we’ll definitely be on your side.”

“Ah… eh?!”

Both of them will side with me?!

“Are you okay with that regarding Elliott? He’s your brother, right?”

“True, I want to support my brother, but if I have to choose between that and repaying this debt, isn’t it obvious?”

“Me too. I’ve been in your care since the monster subjugation. The Ribauto house will fully support Zeke. Grandfather said yesterday that it was fine too.”

“Th-thank you. I’m happy.”

Seriously? Wasn’t this the best possible outcome? Besides, wasn’t this a major achievement?

When I quickly sent a letter to the capital, after a while, orders came down for me to return to the capital.