The Ugly Orc Strikes Back ~ Reincarnated as the Cruel Crown Prince of a Twisted Doujin Eroge with No Happy Endings, But as an Inexperienced Guy, Cruel Play is a Hopeless Challenge, So I'll Give My Best to Break the Flags and Strive for Survival ~ - Chapter 05: The Squire Reads Like A Mackerel

Chapter 05: The Squire Reads Like A Mackerel

“…”

In the venue of the palace-hosted banquet, many nobles and young ladies glanced at me from a distance…

Originally, I was already disliked because of the slander spread by Sophia. On top of that, my slender yet well-toned physique inherited from Emperor Otto, my father, stood in stark contrast to the repulsive appearance of that ugly orc. My slim and refined face, with a touch of my late mother’s beauty, must be beyond belief.

Well, I don’t really know what my mother looked like.

Anyway, I’m truly a perpetual bachelor, and in occasions like this, I’m more suitable as a background figure rather than the center of attention. So I try my best to avoid being noticed by the nobles and retreat to inconspicuous places.

“Louie-sama… It’s a farewell party for you today, but… is this alright?”

“Y-yeah, of course.”

Ilse, my diet master, asks with a dissatisfied expression.

She is not wearing her usual maid outfit but a dress with a red theme prepared for the banquet. And of course, everything she is wearing, including the accessories, is a gift from me, her student.

I even requested her to call me by the nickname “Louie” instead of Ludwig… Well, it’s not exactly a nickname; it’s derived from my past life’s name, “Rui Nikaido.”

Well, that just goes to show how much I respect and trust Ilse.

But please, I beg you, refrain from emitting killing intent to every noble who looks at us from a distance. I’m trying my best not to be disliked, and that would only backfire.

“Hahaha, you’ve truly transformed, Ludwig.”

“Father… Thank you very much.”

The Emperor chuckled happily while having a woman on each arm. 

It’s nice that he cares about me, but I think it’s about time he improves his womanizing habits. Frankly, it’s unbecoming.

“For the next three years, it may get lonely… In the Imperial Academy where you will enroll, not only the children of this country’s nobles but also royalty and nobles from other countries will come to study.”

“Yes.”

“Listen carefully. Make the name ‘Crown Prince Ludwig von Waldberg’ known in the academy. And make everyone bow down before you.”

“A-ahahaha…”

I let out a dry smile in response to the Emperor’s words. 

I won’t do anything that would make enemies like that. I intend to be nothing more than a wall during my three years at the Imperial Academy.

Oh, by the way, many might have noticed, but my laughter has been corrected from ‘Dufufu’ to the normal ‘Ahaha.’

According to Ilse, “Such a way of laughing is not befitting of Louie-sama,” and I vividly remember how torturous it was to correct it.

Well, habits and tendencies are quite hard to change.

“Ilse Hildebrandt. You also have to support Ludwig firmly, understood? Day and night, without fail.”

“…Understood.”

Ilse bowed respectfully without expression.

However, I could see a faint vein popping on her forehead, indicating that she was harboring anger from the Emperor’s words. 

Well, I can understand why. No matter how much my appearance has changed from being an orc, the Emperor’s words essentially mean “Serve as a sex slave.”

“Well then, do your best.”

After patting my shoulder, Emperor Otto left the venue along with the women.

“Sigh… Ilse. I’m sorry. My father is…”

“Absolutely. It should go without saying that I serve Louie-sama faithfully.”

Ilse snorted and furrowed her brows. 

Well, the Emperor didn’t mean it in that way.

“Anyway… From next week, let’s do our best at the Imperial Academy.”

“Yes. I will serve you diligently as both your classmate and maid, Louie-sama.”

“Ahahaha…”

Serving as a maid is one thing, but being classmates feels a bit forced… 

Besides, I’m fifteen and Ilse is eighteen. 

I smiled slightly as I watched Ilse, full of enthusiasm, although I felt a bit uneasy.

◇

“Hmm… I guess this will do.”

I nodded satisfactorily as I looked at my uniformed reflection in the mirror. 

Well, it’s hard to believe compared to myself a year ago.

Back then, I was completely like an orc, as everyone said. 

My waist was at least twice… no, three times the size it is now.

“Ahaha… Well, I can understand why Sophia wouldn’t want to be engaged to a hideous monster like an orc…”

Although she said cruel things, considering the situation she was almost forced into with the engagement, I can’t blame her for feeling that way. 

Well, that doesn’t excuse her words or actions. Moreover, the engagement between the Empire’s Crown Prince and the Kingdom’s Princess is a contract between nations.

Yet she focused solely on appearance, uttered such words, and spread slander even to other countries. It undoubtedly damaged the friendly relationship between the two nations.

Thanks to that, my father is putting immense pressure on the Beruga Kingdom, causing them great trouble, and he’s boasting about destroying them in the future… 

“Speaking of which, it’s been said that the Imperial Academy will have foreign royal and noble students… But there’s no way Sophia would come, right…?”

I can’t imagine her having the audacity to pull such a stunt and casually come here for studying. 

Well, if only she had refused more gracefully, she could have attended the most prestigious Imperial Academy in the Western countries. I don’t feel sorry for her… not at all.

While I was thinking about that…

—Knock, knock.

“Louie-sama, are you ready?”

“Yeah… uh…”

I held my breath as I saw Ilse in her uniform.

Well, well, as expected of one of the heroines. She’s… incredibly beautiful.

And with the slightly tight-fitting chest area, it almost feels like she’s cosplaying in a uniform… Isn’t it amazing? The best.

“Um, Louie-sama?”

“Huh!? Ah, no, it’s nothing.”

“I see… I thought you were captivated by me…”

Saying that, Ilse became dejected…

“Ah, um, no, of course, well… it looks really good on you…”

Uh… It’s not that easy for me to come up with clever words just because we’ve gotten closer and I can talk without using honorifics. I’m a hardcore socially awkward guy, a recluse.

“Fufu… It’s fine like this.”

She said with a chuckle and suddenly leaned in closer.

U-um… she’s so close…

“Yes, this should do.”

“Ah, thank you…”

Fixing my tie, Ilse stepped back.

While I feel relieved, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia in the lingering scent of her.