The Talentless Wicked Prince Wants To Survive ~ The Only Way For Me, Reincarnated As The Punching Bag Third Prince In A Romance Smartphone RPG, To Live Is To Not Break Off My Engagement With The Duke’s Yandere Daughter Who’s Stronger Than The Heroine~

“Prince Harold, welcome. You have done well to come.”

In the audience chamber, as I knelt in formality, the King of the Capetien Kingdom, Salomon Lambert Salomon de Capetien, spoke words of courtesy to me.

…His name actually had two Salomons in it.

Incidentally, in EnHaza, this king only appeared briefly in an event CG where he was shown suffering from poison. He didn’t even get a name despite being the king, truly an extra among extras. How tragic.

“It is the greatest honor to meet His Majesty, the great King Salomon. Our Kingdom of Dehaubarz earnestly hopes to continue our firm friendship with the Capetien Kingdom.”

Reciting the formal lines I had prepared in advance, I bowed my head once more.

“Good. It has already been twenty years since I ascended the throne of this country. During that time, we have not gone to war, and I am glad that we have built such a relationship as this. Convey to His Majesty Eivar that he has my gratitude.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you very much!”

King Salomon stood, and with his attendants, exited the audience hall.

Phew… with that, I’d finished my most important duty, which was the audience with the king…

“…”

Jean was staring daggers at King Salomon’s back.

Hey, if you make that kind of face so openly, everyone around would figure out your ambition to usurp the throne, you know?

…Well, not that it was any of my business.

“Prince Harold, thank you for your hard work. There will be a banquet tonight in your honor, so please relax in your room until then.”

The ambition that had gleamed in Jean’s eyes moments ago vanished, replaced by a pleasant smile as he spoke.

Yes, yes. I was exhausted anyway, so I’d take him up on that offer.

Then…

“In that case, allow me to escort you to your room! You should be grateful!”

With a chest far too well-developed for a fourteen-year-old, Lisette puffed herself up and declared proudly.

What she was saying, however, wasn’t arrogant at all. Rather, there was nothing wicked about insisting on personally escorting me. She’d completely failed at playing the villainess… What a hopeless case.

“Well then, I’ll gladly accept your kind offer. Sandra, is that all right with you?”

“Of course.”

It seemed Sandra had also gotten a read on Lisette’s personality, smiling as she nodded. I’d been a bit worried she might get jealous, but it looked like there wouldn’t be any problems after all.

“Then let’s go! Follow me!”

“Haah… good grief.”

Seeing Lisette’s enthusiasm, Jean shook his head, but she paid him no mind, cheerfully leading us out of the room.

However…

“Hehe… if you ever get too close to Haru-sama…”

Sandra’s lips curled upward into a grin as she watched Lisette walking ahead.

Sorry. There might be a problem after all.

◇

“And so, I told him! ‘You’d better not underestimate me!’”

“…”

Hi, Harold here.

Right now, Sandra and I were sitting through Lisette’s impromptu one-woman show.

Well, I mean… after she’d shown us to our chambers, she’d kept glancing at us like an abandoned kitten, looking so lonely that I couldn’t resist inviting her for tea.

And then guess what? Lisette’s face had lit up in full bloom, only for her to force herself back into her “villainess” act and say, “If you insist, I suppose I’ll keep you company.”

At this point, she wasn’t a villainess at all, just a total tsundere.

At least in the EnHaza I knew, she wasn’t this blatant. She had a more balanced side as a true “villainess”. What happened to her?

“…Princess Lisette. Forgive my presumption, but as the First Princess, you should show kindness to your servants.”

“What!? M-mind your own business! …B-but, well, if I’m in the mood, I might consider it…”

Rebuked by Sandra’s composed expression, Lisette turned her face away with a huff.

But… ah, look at that mouth. She was grinning.

Well, I understood how she felt.

Before I’d regained my memories from my past life, I’d been the same: ignored by everyone, desperately trying to please people, acting out, and still not being recognized for who I was.

If I recalled, in EnHaza, during Lisette’s main scenario, the protagonist raised her affection by sympathizing with her situation and offering gentle advice. No doubt, Sandra’s affection level in Lisette’s eyes had just skyrocketed.

“Everyone, we should start getting ready soon, or we’ll be late for the evening banquet.”

Monica, who had been silently watching us while cradling Cass, spoke up in her flat tone.

Thank you, Monica. Finally, an excuse to end this one-woman show.

“Yes, that’s right. Princess Lisette, we’ll be looking forward to seeing you at the banquet.”

“Eh!? O-oh… yes. Since you’re the goodwill envoys, of course you’ll be by my side during the banquet. F-fine then, I’ll teach you the proper dining etiquette of the Capetien Kingdom.”

Lisette, who had looked rather dejected, brightened up instantly at my words and once again tried to act the part of a villainess, though she failed spectacularly.

At this point, I believed “hopeless villainess” suited her best.

“Th-then make sure you get ready properly!”

Pointing a finger sharply at us, Lisette declared so, and in high spirits and almost humming to herself, left the room.