Reincarnated as the Legitimate Son of a Duke Family's ~ Just Trying To Live Live My Life Normally, But Somehow I've Got a Harem?~

Chapter 10 : Trying to get closer to him!

After finishing lunch, we will have about thirty minutes of free time.

Since there’s some space in the cafeteria, we decided to have tea there.

“Now then… Let’s answer Merle’s question. Earlier, she said she wanted to know about the human race.”

“Well, I think you’re a little mistaken… but it’s fine.”

“Well, I don’t mind either.”

For some reason, both of them have expressions that don’t quite make sense.

…..Well, never mind.

It’s not great to say something strange and get teased about it again.

“That’s right. Do you have any questions?”

“Well, um, what’s the relationship between Alex-kun, Thor-kun, and Miss Serena? Also, about their backgrounds? I asked before, but I was nervous at the time.”

“I see… Merle is a member of the royal family, right? But you still don’t know about Serena?”

Although I didn’t ask, the conditions for foreign exchange students are generally to be top bloodline relatives of the royal family of their respective races. The reason is simple: the top bloodlines learn from other kingdoms and spread that knowledge throughout their own nation. It’s also to deepen diplomatic ties between nations.

“Well, our kingdom is structured to appear as a monarchy to other nations. However, in reality, the strongest person at that time becomes the king. So, it’s not like everyone else is the same… Of course, strong individuals are respected or revered.”

“I see…”

It seems that they decide the top position based on strength rather than blood ties. This is different from how humans choose their ruler.

That means the exchange students who arrived around the same time probably follow some different cultures too.

“Hmm, interesting. In our country, it’s usually the eldest son of the king who inherits the throne. If we were in your country things would have been completely different… well, never mind.”

“That’s probably for the best. You mentioned Merle, right? It’s better not to bring up that topic in our country.”

“Y-yes, I understand.”

As both of them said, it’s best not to bring it up. It’s an unspoken agreement, but it means even the incompetent can inherit. Not that it’s a bad thing. That way, there won’t be pointless conflicts.

“Before we talk about relationships, let me explain our noble system. Since you probably won’t remember all of it at once, I’ll write it down for you.”

Starting with the king at the top, the hierarchy goes as: Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron, and Knight.

Dukes have royal blood. Marquises are the top rank after the royal family and duke houses and often act as leaders of the nobles.

Below them are Counts, Viscounts, and Barons.

Knights, however, are treated as quasi-nobles without inheritance rights.

“That’s about right, more or less.”

“It’s not like it matters that much. You won’t remember all the details.”

“True, as Thor said. I’m the eldest son of the Misteltein Duchy, which has royal blood.”

“I’m the second son of the Orcus Marquis family. And, well, Alex and I have been childhood friends.”

“I am the first princess of the Arcadia Royal Family. Alex and I… um, you can say that we’re childhood friends.”

“Thor and Serena are cousins and have been friends with me since childhood.”

“Wow, you’re all from such distinguished families? I’m sorry for speaking so casually… I’m just happy to be able to talk to you. From now on, I’ll address you all formally.”

At that line, we exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile. Most likely, we all thought the same thing. She is kind and considerate of others, and she seemed to be getting along well.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m the lazy heir of the Good-for-Nothing Duke family.”

“I’m a second son too. Also, you don’t have to use honorifics with me, Merle-san.”

“That’s right. I’m just a regular princess without any claim to the throne, so it’s fine.”

“Well then, let’s keep it easy going. We don’t like being too formal.”

“Yeah, being easy going is the best.”

“Um, excuse me? Please don’t include me with you guys.”

“Hehehe~, sure.”

“Uh huh, we’re already planning on it, though?”

“Wha—!? Thank you so much!”

After that, Merle relaxed a bit as the tension around her disappeared and she had a lively chat with us.

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[PoV] Thor :

“…Sigh, I wonder what’s going to happen with this?”

As we returned to the classroom after finishing lunch, I watched the two of them walking ahead.

Then, Serena beckoned me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Thor, what do you think? About that change in Alex.”

“Well… I think he’s finally been set free.”

I know… The original him was smart and skilled with the sword. Despite his lazy demeanor, he had a good personality and was popular in a sense. However, his lazy appearance was detested by the nobles. I believed that he did that deliberately… To prevent chaos in the succession rights to the throne. As the second in line for the throne, I thought he intentionally did it to avoid becoming a source of conflict.

“Still, you think the same way, don’t you?”

“Well, while it’s true he would still like to laze around, there’s no longer a need to pretend to be incompetent.”

Now that it’s known that the child born from the Crown Prince’s marriage is most probably going to be a boy, there’s nothing binding him. If a direct heir, a prince, is born, he will automatically move to the third in line for succession. It might not be immediate, but he will gradually gain his freedom.

“Fufu~, that might be true. But, um… Was that also the case for our engagement being called off?”

“Ah, I see. Now that I remember you are the daughter of the first queen.”

King Gyle has two wives, or rather, it’s a custom that he must marry at least two. One is Queen Carla from our house, and the other is Queen Rhea, a countess by birth. Due to the balance of power, the first queen is from a marquis family, while the second queen is from a count’s family. Two daughters were born from the first queen, and the Crown Prince was born from the second queen. The Crown Prince is not that much popular among the nobles and commoners… And that alone brings trouble.

“That’s right…. Do you think Alex had our engagement called off because… Well, because we would become too powerful and influential if we were to marry.”

“Why is your face all red? Just by saying the word ‘marriage’…”

“Ugh, shut up already!”

“You’re still not straightforward with your feelings, huh?”

I know that she has liked Alex for a long time. In fact, she often followed him around. However, it’s true that he’s overly powerful. His father is Duke Leon, known as the Sword Saint, his engagement partner is the eldest daughter of a marquis, and he himself has inherited the black hair and black eyes of this kingdom’s ancestors… It’s just too perfect. The idea of him marrying and inheriting the throne isn’t entirely implausible.

“Ugh… but…!”

“Why don’t you show him that flushed face of yours? Otherwise, he might be taken away by some other girl, you know?”

The two of them, who were walking ahead of us, seemed to get along very well. A warm and pleasant atmosphere could be felt even from here. Well, personally… I prefer seeing Serena and him fooling around like that.

“But… well, the engagement has already been called off.”

“It’s not a big deal, is it? Once the prince is born, he’ll be free. After that, you can make your move. To do that, you need to start pushing forward now.”

“Yeah, you’re right… Alex said that he doesn’t hate me. Alright… I’ll do my best! Alex, wait for me!”

“Hey! Don’t suddenly link your arms with me!”

“Huh, isn’t this fine? Fufu~ Are you embarrassed?”

“My arm’s going to rip off if you pull it that hard! Listen, you’re freakishly strong!”

“What’s with the super strength towards a maiden?”

“Hehe~, they get along so well.”

“What are you looking at?”

Well, it’s good that they’ve made up. I like the current atmosphere between them. Merle is also a good person… Looks like things are going to be fun.

“Thor! Don’t just stand there, help meeee!”

“Alright, alright, I got it.”

Considering my own future, I rushed over to where Alex was to momentarily save him.

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