How the Prince Makes Friends - Chapter 196



Only Noblemtl

Episode 196

“[A fairy tale, what does that mean?]”

Father asked back, wondering if it was an unexpected answer. Various emotions could be read from his face, which could not hide its expression.

Embarrassment, anxiety, anger, guilt.

“[You’re going to take on this duty in my stead…]”

“[no.]”

Dios, who had quickly interrupted his words again, brought out a mushy strawberry cake and offered it to his father.

There were no strawberries, but this was definitely a strawberry cake. In the past, when I was younger, I insisted on it. To be honest, I had long since forgotten how to make it, so I made it roughly, but it didn’t matter. It would be more similar to that day if it was not tasty.

My father looked at it silently and then picked up his fork.

“[The taste… hasn’t changed at all.]”

… You’re saying it’s not tasty? Dios glanced down at the strawberry-less strawberry cake he had made and continued speaking.

“[…300 years ago, a strong demon was summoned to Middle-earth, and in the process of dealing with it, I was gradually assimilated.]”

“[Then…, surely it’s not because of me…….]”

“[Why not? It’s all my father’s fault that I’ve become like this.]”

So, you have to accept me no matter what I am like, because it’s all your fault.

“[I think that’s probably what saved me from oblivion.]”

Since I have a part of you intact, to deny you would be to deny my own existence.

Dios shrugged his shoulders slightly.

“[If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have gone through all that trouble.]”

“[…I’m sorry, Dia.]”

“[yes.]”

That was the end of it. Dios looked at his father, who was starting to eat cake again, and then held out a handkerchief.

“[You’ve not only gotten smaller, but you’ve really become a child?]”

You’re eating it all over your face. Dios said as he wiped the runny cream off his face. It really looked unappetizing.

“[This is…, I guess it’s because I’m following the child. Oh, could you please deliver a letter to the palace? I’m sure they’re worried. I won’t insist on going back right away, so please just deliver the letter first.]”

His father tried to comfort him gently, but Dios responded coldly.

“[Just cut ties with me.]”

“[…yes?]”

Dios looked down at his father, who was frozen stiff.

“[It’s not like it’s a big deal to spread a rumor that the evil demon archduke kidnapped and killed a child.]”

“[…Dia.]”

“[I’m telling you to quit now so you don’t regret it later.]”

“[…….]”

There was no response. It must mean he didn’t want to. However, Dios decided to go out firmly. If it had been before, he might have just watched, but not now. He had already lived with the anxiety that he might be ‘denied’.

I now know how cruel and horrible it is to love something and at the same time have to prepare for its breakup.

“[Requies.]”

“[…….]”

Even when I called him softly, my father didn’t raise his head and just ate the cake in silence. He seemed to really like that lump of flesh.

Dios was troubled. He could never change his mind by sympathizing with his father’s situation. His father was the author who said he would endure it too. There was only one way to persuade his father in this situation.

Dios stubbornly opened his mouth, even though he thought he was being really cruel.

“[…Childhood experiences have a great influence on us as adults.]”

That child will be unhappy because of you.

“[And that’s true even if your memories are erased.]”

The fork stopped abruptly. But soon it started moving again. Even though my story was embarrassing, I sighed as I watched my father eating all the cake I made without leaving a trace.

When I brushed my hair out of frustration, my shortened hair felt light and yet very unfamiliar.

“[That lump of flesh already relies too much on his father. Don’t you know that the side effects of such things will be even worse later when there is a gap in his memory?]”

It won’t be a very pleasant outcome for either the father or the child.

“[If you’re having a hard time, I’ll help you…]”

“[Dia.]”

At that moment, the head that had been deeply bowed was lifted, and eyes that resembled opals looked straight at him. Dios froze for a moment at the sharp and persistent gaze, then pretended to be calm and responded bluntly.

“[…why.]”

“[What happened?]”

“[…….]”

This is why you’re a problem. You see through everything about someone with just a few words.

“[Dia.]”

“[…no.]”

I barely managed to answer the urgent call. I could have just said, “What nonsense are you talking about?” and “Don’t change the subject,” but my throat felt blocked and I couldn’t make a sound.

“[Come here, my little one.]”

“[…….]”

To you, I am still a child. Dios unconsciously approached him and rested his head on his knee. You have become small, but you are still big.

I felt a hand caressing my head right away. Those gentle hands seemed to revive all the emotions I had forgotten for hundreds of years. I had a lot to say.

Father, I am still afraid of my own appearance and cannot face myself in the mirror. I still think I am human, but humans call me a devil.

But, funny enough, I keep holding onto this body to maintain it. I’m afraid that if I go back to being human, I’ll be denied my existence like my father. I want to be like my father, but I don’t want to be.

I resent you for making my body like this, but I also feel endlessly sorry for you for making this a daily routine.

The little boy who used to comfort me with his lyre has grown old and broken, but I am still the same. That is how I came to understand your futility.

So even more so,

“[My opinion remains unchanged.]”

“[…….]”

“[Cut the ties.]”

“[…Dia.]”

There is no way back out.

Dios swallowed what he wanted to say and lifted his face, which he had been burying, to look straight at his father. Even so, the gazes that met his gaze were extremely affectionate. For some reason, he felt regretful that the caressing hand had stopped, so he grabbed the small hand and placed it on his head, and a light laugh was heard.

“[You’re still a fox, Dia.]”

“[…….]”

Dios ignored it.

“[Dia.]”

“[yes.]”

“[Shall we make a bet?]”

“[A bet…, you say?]”

“[I don’t want to give up, but my little one can’t back down, so let’s come up with a plan.]”

“[……?]”

“[I’ll give you unlimited opportunities. Whenever our opinions differ, you can make a bet. And if you win, I’ll give it up cleanly.]”

How is it? My father said that and smiled.

But Dios did not respond right away. It seemed like the conditions were extremely favorable to him, but his father would not pick a fight he was not confident in.

“[then…….]”

At that moment, the communication port on the table began to flash. It seemed to have quieted down, but it seemed to have started again. At this point, Dios couldn’t help but feel that he had to say something, so he picked up the communication port.

“Rex……”

-Huh? Is this connected?

“……?”

A child’s voice?

Dios’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. The communication port continued to spout out a dumbfounded voice.

-Uh, what should I do? What should I say?

Why on earth is the communication device in that kid’s hand? How on earth do you manage it… … .

Dios’ head was pounding. He was about to disconnect, thinking that he had no choice but to go and see for himself, when a voice came from the other end of the communication port.

-Uh, um, hello, Your Highness.

“…….”

-I’m Neil’s friend, Lian…

“…….”

-Do you have Neil… …?

ha…….

* * *

Lianus stared blankly at the communication port. The connection didn’t seem to be cut off, but there was no answer.

I introduced myself and explained my business properly, but I felt like something was missing.

Then suddenly he remembered that the Archduke had called him something else.

“Oh, it’s little Rex!”

-Phew… … .

Oh, I hear you!

Although it was only a sigh, the sound was clearly audible. Rianus quickly continued speaking before the connection was disconnected.

“I need to get a snack with Neil. Can you send me over?”

-… … .

“I saved the prettiest pudding for Neil.”

-… … .

Of course, even the prettiest ones had holes all over them… … .

Lianus didn’t say anything just in case.

At that moment, a rustling sound was heard beyond the communication port, followed by a welcoming voice.

-Rian.

“Neil!”

I was anxious because I didn’t hear any reply, but I guess it was because I was passing the communication device to my friend!

“Neil, have you had lunch?”

-I ate cake.

“What?! That’s not food! Didn’t the Archduke even prepare food for you?”

Archduke, I didn’t see it like that, it was bad! How could it be like that!

Rianus, upset at the thought of his friend starving, started to run around screaming and then suddenly stopped and froze.

“…Is the Archduke listening too?”

When I asked carefully, I heard Nihil’s soft laughter. Rianus turned pale and quickly made an excuse.

“Oh, oh, Your Highness, it’s not true that I said it was bad. Your Highness is good.”

-… … .

“But still, I promised myself that I would never starve my friend, right? Oh, it’s not that the Archduke starved my friend…, but if I feed him late, it’s not like I starved him…, Oh! If the Archduke is annoyed, I can feed him. Could you please send my friend over?”

Lianus chattered, thinking he had found a good excuse.

“Neil, he likes meat. He likes spicy food, and oh, he likes paprika too. Isn’t that great?”

But, I wish they gave me less paprika. Especially the ones that are lightly grilled on the outside. They taste and feel weird. The carrots that are halfway cooked are… … .

-Rian.

“Uh, huh?”

Lianus unconsciously complained, but when he heard Nihil’s voice, he flinched.

What if I get scolded for being a picky eater?

“Yeah, Neil, it’s not that I don’t eat paprika….”

-Rian.

“huh?”

-Rian.

“huh.”

Nihil just kept repeating Lianus’ name without saying anything else.

Although he was bewildered, Lianus answered the call several times.

-I…….

“huh.”

Nihil was silent for a moment, just letting out a sigh. Just as Rianus picked up the communication port again, wondering if the connection had been lost, he heard mutterings that sounded like a soliloquy.

-Can I go back?

“What? What do you mean? You weren’t going to come back?!”

Lianus shook the communication port, wondering how it could be so, as the feeling of betrayal surged.

-Rian, I’m dizzy.

“Uh, uh? Uh, I’m sorry.”

Startled by the word dizzy, Lianus quickly placed the communication port carefully on the cushion. Soon after, laughter was heard from beyond.

-That’s a lie. I wouldn’t get dizzy if I shook the communication port. I can’t even see it.

“…….”

Why would you tease someone so calmly when you’ve been kidnapped?

As Lianus stuck out his lips for no reason, laughter was heard again. They say you can’t see it, but it’s clear that you can see everything.

-I’m going to keep feeding you paprika.

“huh?”

-I’ll feed you carrots too.

“Uh uh…….”

-Sometimes I might treat you like a baby.

“Not sometimes.”

Lianus grumbled. He must grow taller and stronger quickly so that Nihil will treat him less like a child.

-Is that okay?

At the question that seemed to contain a lot of meaning, Rianus kept his mouth shut for a while and then opened it with difficulty.

“……Come quickly.”

The pudding is all cold.