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

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When I returned to the capital, I was treated right away.

I thought I’d be taken to a healing magician, but that didn’t happen—they just normally applied medicine.

“Sebas, I totally thought you’d take me to those people in the capital who heal injuries.”

I indirectly said to take me there, but Sebas closed his eyes and shook his head sideways.

“Zeke-sama, you injured yourself by hurting yourself. True, there is an amazing healing magician in the capital called the Saint, but she is busy, and unless you’re His Majesty, it’s impossible to be seen preferentially.”

Huh, a saint.

That’s probably the healing magician Beldiha mentioned who even heals serious injuries.

What kind of person is she? She wasn’t in the game.

“Wait, is my position that weak? I’m a prince, you know?”

“With all due respect, as advice I must say that Zeke-sama is not very respected as a prince.”

“…………”

I feel like I’ve been told something similar before.

Wait, I’m still not respected?

“Am I that unpopular? Why? I’ve been going to quite a few parties and doing my share of work, right?”

Maybe as a kid, but haven’t I been working pretty hard lately?

“Zeke-sama.”

“What?”

“Zeke-sama, His Majesty is still active and proactively appears at national events.”

“O-oh. That’s right.”

Father is really energetic, isn’t he?

Normally at this point when I’m 15, the pattern is for the king to be sickly, but just last week he normally ate four pieces of bread separate from soup and herb-roasted chicken.

“Also, Rubert is making external rounds as Zeke-sama’s proxy. In other words, people outside don’t even know Zeke-sama’s face and have only heard about your abilities through talk.”

Only through talk… isn’t that a bad thing?

“Hey, I’ve been thinking this for a while, but isn’t someone spreading bad rumors about me?”

I think my reputation isn’t improving way too much.

“Zeke-sama, people are fundamentally creatures who love gossip.”

“O-oh. What’s this all of a sudden?”

“Especially gossip about those in power or superiors is a favorite, and if you can hear three parts good news out of ten, you’re lucky.”

“Um… meaning?”

When I urged him to continue, Sebas smiled.

“It’s not someone. Everyone is saying bad things about Zeke-sama.”

“Hey! Isn’t that bad!?”

What do you mean everyone!? Clarify exactly who everyone is!!

And what was all that effort from childhood for!?

Sebas, don’t laugh while looking at me! This isn’t funny at all!!

“Now now, even so, the number of people who appreciate Zeke-sama is certainly increasing, and apparently good rumors are being spread too.”

“Mm…”

“Surely, if you appear publicly more in the future, the number of supporters will increase. Let’s work hard steadily.”

“…Got it.”

Well, it’s true I’m still a student, so that’s about right.

The real battle is after graduation, I guess.

“Then it can’t be helped.”

“Yes, and His Majesty said to bring you once treatment is finished.”

“Got it.”

When I went to the office with Sebas, Count Tufal and Father were waiting inside the room.

Father was leaning back in a fluffy chair.

“You came.”

“Yes, what business might this be?”

When I raised my face, documents were ostentatiously placed on the desk.

“What’s this?”

“I received a report. I heard you were injured.”

That’s fast information!

“That’s right, I was careless.”

“I see, be more careful next time.”

Father was smiling, unusually.

Huh, why are you smiling?

Your son is quite injured, you know.

Well, I can’t make such a retort though.

“I heard you broke the limbs of those who attacked. You didn’t take their lives.”

“Yes, because Misty stopped me. But even so, breaking their limbs was going too far… True, there are healing magicians in the capital, but— ‘What are you saying?'”

The suddenly interjected words made me stop with my mouth open.

Father was smiling, but his narrowed eyes were a bit scary.

“Nominally, within the academy where status differences are abolished, it may be somewhat permitted. But outside the academy, why did you spare the lives of those scoundrels who attacked royalty… moreover, the one with first succession rights?”

“…Huh.”

I was at a loss for words at the unexpected question.

Count Tufal stood silently to the side, and Sebas was further back with his eyes closed and head down.

Wait, did I choose the wrong option?

Cold sweat ran down my spine.

The most heart-stopping silence in the kingdom dominated the room.

“Zeke.”

“Y-yes.”

“A ruler’s qualities are determined by whether they can make ruthless decisions when necessary. Benevolence and softness are different. Engrave this in your heart.”

“Understood.”

I was scolded. Wait, haven’t I been getting scolded constantly?

I feel like Father didn’t scold me this much when I was a kid, so am I really that bad?

Am I not suited to be a prince…?

Father exhaled once before clasping both hands on the desk.

“However, rest assured, those who were injured this time will not do anything again. It’s good that they were all lower nobles. Don’t you think so?”

What does that mean?

I raised my face to ask about the intention, saw Father’s eyes, and immediately lowered my gaze.

Whoa, Father is super scary.

His eyes were glittering with murderous intent—isn’t he pretty angry?

What did he really do? I’m really curious but I can’t ask! I strongly feel an aura that I shouldn’t ask.

Father, don’t change your expression like a hundred faces.

I really don’t know what you’re thinking…

“I-I heard there was one person from a count family?”

“What of it?”

“N-nothing! I appreciate your consideration.”

That’s all I can say anymore.

Dear Father,

That smile is very scary.

Please don’t direct it at your beloved son like some last boss.

Respectfully yours

☆☆☆

In the office after Zeke left—

Halt leaned back in his chair.

“That guy is still too soft. More tiring than government affairs.”

“For all that, you seem to care about him quite a bit. It seems His Majesty doesn’t say very harsh things to Prince Elliott?”

“They’re on different levels.”

He doesn’t say which one is the subject, but Tufal nods as if convinced.

“I hear he’s excellent.”

“His abilities are fair. But his qualities are far inferior.”

While saying this, Halt picked up one document.

“However, Misty Claudia stopped Zeke… not Larba Ribauto.”

While placing his elbow on the desk, he tapped around his temple with his index finger.

“Count.”

“Yes.”

“Put someone on Misty Claudia.”

At those words, Sebas, who had been expressionless until then, looked at Halt in surprise, and likewise Tufal looked at Halt while narrowing his eyes.

“Are you serious?”

“Do you think it’s a joke?”

“No, but Prince Zeke will…”

“Haha, don’t worry. They don’t need to get unnecessarily close. Just watch.”

For now… that is.

The small words muttered at the end echoed in the quiet room.