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 11: This is the "Real Me"

Chapter 11: This is the “Real Me”

“Fufu… Your Highness Ludwig, would you dance with me?”

Of all people, Sophia invited me to dance… Seriously?

After calling me an “ugly orc” and spreading all sorts of rumors about me to neighboring countries, how can she shamelessly ask me to dance?

I want to respond in anger to Sophia’s smiling face.

Just when I started to look a little better from being the “ugly orc,” she comes and invites me like this. Just disappear from my sight, please.

But… my body trembles, and I can’t speak up.

Ludwig’s memories and traumas, until he regains his past self, bind and paralyze me.

“Come on, the next song is about to start.”

As Sophia tried to reach for my hand and approach me, at that moment…

“I apologize. I am the only one who will accompany Louie-sama, His Highness Ludwig, tonight….”

Ilse stepped forward, interrupting Sophia.

While firmly holding our connected hands.

“Oh… you’re His Highness Ludwig’s attendant, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am Ilse Hildebrandt.”

Ilse introduced herself while looking directly at Sophia with a piercing gaze.

However, under normal circumstances, she would be gracefully curtsy and never do anything contrary to etiquette.

But her attitude isn’t one you would direct towards a neighboring princess.

It shows that Ilse is also angry.

All for my sake.

“If that’s the case, you should understand, right? His Highness Ludwig is royalty. You’re nothing but a lowly servant, and you’re simply incompatible.”

“…”

“Besides, I’ve always been hurt by the heartless slander against His Highness. I never imagined that our engagement would end just because of a difference in opinions, only to have it followed by all these complications…”

What audacity this woman has. Does she think the Empire hasn’t caught wind of her slandering?

If that’s the case, she must be living in a fantasy world… 

Come to think of it, Sophia was always living in a fantasy world. As the first heroine to appear in the game, excluding Ilse, her abilities were the lowest among all the heroines. Her intelligence stat was even lower than that of “Berserk Princess Knight” Ophelia.

Well, in that case, it’s not surprising for her to act without thinking.

But even so, I can’t help but find it strange how she was able to study at the Imperial Academy. Could it be… the backdoor admission that was a common problem in my past life? …No, that doesn’t make sense either.

In any case, I have countless doubts about Sophia’s enrollment at the Imperial Academy.

“Don’t you get it yet? You, who are nothing more than the plaything of a nearly bankrupt noblewoman, providing comfort for His Highness Ludwig’s nights, have no right to be here… Kya!”

Before Sophia could finish her sentence, I unconsciously threw the grape juice I was holding at her hideous face. 

Despite being so tense and unable to say a word, unable to move a finger.

“Don’t you dare!”

“W-what are you… Wait, huh…?”

“Don’t you dare! It’s true, two years ago I was the ‘ugly orc’ you insulted! I admit that! But… but my precious Ilse, don’t you dare belittle her!” 

“W-what…”

“She’s an amazing woman who serves me, encourages me, and supports me! Don’t lump her together with someone like you who judges based on appearances and spreads baseless rumors!”

Without flinching under Sophia’s piercing gaze, I shouted purely driven by my emotions. It’s unusual for someone like me, an introvert, to raise my voice like this, so my voice and shoulders tremble uncontrollably.

But I just couldn’t tolerate it. Ilse, who supports and serves me so diligently, being insulted like this.

Moreover, this woman went so far as to investigate Ilse’s background and insult her. Although I am different from the Ludwig in the game scenario, I will never forgive this woman.

And then…

“Your Highness Ludwig, please stop it.”

“…President Eleonora.”

“I saw. Your Highness not only poured juice over a lady without considering the surroundings, but also yelled at her loudly…”

…When she says that, I have no words to respond. Indeed, as the Crown Prince of the Waldberg Empire, my behavior was far from appropriate.

“Moreover, I have witnessed the entire exchange, and it was this woman who acted disrespectfully towards Princess Sophia without regard for her status. If that’s the case, it is the duty of those in charge to punish the subordinate who behaved rudely.”

“…”

I alternated my gaze between Eleonora, who spoke with reason, and Ilse, who bowed her head.

Ilse…

“Hah… So this is what you meant when you told all the students during the entrance ceremony to ‘see the real me’…”

Eleonora covered her forehead with her hand and sighed.

I see… that’s right. I did say that I wanted them to see the “real me.”

In that case…

“…Yes.”

“Huh…?”

“That’s right, this is the ‘real me.’ I can’t stay silent when my precious woman is insulted. Even if she’s a princess from a neighboring country, I absolutely can’t forgive it.”

I gripped Ilse’s hand tightly and declared it clearly.

That’s right… How can I avoid a bad ending if I can’t even protect the heroine who devotes herself to me alone?

After all, what’s the point of being the ‘ugly orc’ crown prince for?

“…If you say you’re disillusioned after seeing the real me, then so be it. As for me, I have no interest in those who use their status and power to insult those beneath them or those who accept it as a matter of course.”

“”………””

“Ilse, let’s go.”

“Ah…”

I took Ilse’s hand and quickly left the venue.

Many students looked at us with disdain, but what do I care?

However…

“…Ah, I messed up, didn’t I…”

In a voice too quiet for Ilse to hear, I mutter to myself.

But my mood was bright.