How the Prince Makes Friends - Chapter 284
Only Noblemtl
Episode 284
“That can’t be!”
Lianus slumped down at the words that he could not swing his sword right away. Then he jumped up again and stood in front of Lawrence.
“…Why are you doing this, Ruth?”
“…….”
Lawrence rolled his eyes in embarrassment, but Rianus stared at his older brother, who was a foot taller than him, pressed the top of his head, then turned his head and asked.
“Is it okay if I grow up to be as big as you, hyung?”
“…When the first child grows up to be as big as the first child, he will be able to use a single sword as a longsword.”
“But I’m learning Dual Swords right now?”
“There’s nothing you can do. Just use a normal sword for a while. Your father will take care of it.”
“……?!”
Sedes was surprised by those words. In fact, he had prepared swords as birthday presents for his sons, but they looked too shabby compared to the sword Taekong had given him, so he was wondering if he should exchange them for other gifts.
Of course, my gift was intended to implicitly give Taekong permission to raise his sword in front of me, so his intentions were different from mine, but it was still too shabby compared to the magic sword that turned into an earring and the demon sword that sucked out mana.
‘I’m glad you need it though.’
He smiled contentedly at the perfect coincidence and tried to hand over the gift he had prepared.
“Ahem, it’s nothing special, but… ”
“Well, I’ll give you that later.”
“…….”
But he couldn’t do that again because he was pushed back by Taegong.
‘Are you doing this on purpose?’
Sedes glared at the Grand Duke with narrowed eyes. Then, when he felt that the Grand Duke’s gaze was directed towards him, he quickly opened his eyes wide.
Taegong found it funny to see himself like that, so he gently shook his head. Even though his son’s friend was already in his arms, he picked up the princes and hugged them tightly in his arms.
“My child, it is true that the sword absorbs mana, but if you rely on that and swing it wildly against the sword wrapped around it, it will break before long, so never slack off on your training.”
“Yes! I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Taekong.”
“The same goes for your first child. Unless it’s an emergency, don’t alter or use your earrings in front of others. It will provide a breakthrough in an emergency.”
“Understood, Taegong. I will treasure it.”
Taekong gave the children some advice, then stared at them and started patting their heads.
“Father, if you’re tired, stop bothering the Rexes and go back. You must be so tired, forcing the little ones to stretch out.”
“It’s not that small anymore….”
“I have to go back and close the crack too.”
The Grand Duke sighed as he said this and stood up from his seat. Taegong looked at him and quietly added.
“@#%@#$…….”
I don’t know the details, but judging by the way the Archduke’s expression suddenly crumpled, it didn’t seem like it was a very good thing for him.
“Get up now before I drag you away.”
“…It’s too much.”
Taekong finally got up from his seat, unable to resist the Grand Duke’s urging. He looked full of longing as he held the princes’ hands tightly.
“Little Rex.”
“Yes, Taekong.”
“They say there was a knight who became a sword master.”
“That’s right! It’s my article!”
Lianus shrugged his shoulders, feeling a little proud. Even Tai Gong was showing interest. After all, my knight was the best.
“Then, would you please give me a gift instead?”
* * *
“…Who gave it to you?”
“Your Majesty!”
“…….”
The banquet hall became quiet as the attention that was already focused on the word space became even more focused.
The prince, who had been speaking at the sudden silence, seemed surprised and covered his mouth with his eyes wide open, which was very cute.
The prince glanced around, then came close to me and whispered.
“Taigong told me to give this to Evan. It’s a gift to commemorate becoming a Sword Master.”
“…Has Your Majesty passed away?”
At that question, the prince came closer and whispered.
“You must have been tired. The Archduke dragged you along by force.”
“okay.”
Evan felt a little uneasy. If the Archduke was forcibly dragging him away, he probably wasn’t just tired.
“Oh, but I can’t just give it to you.”
“…yes?”
He can’t just give it to me. Did the cat set some conditions?
“…So, if it’s okay with Sir Evan….”
“……?”
“Um, um…, well….”
The prince fidgeted with his hands, looking at me indifferently. What on earth was he trying to say?
“Right now…, don’t you want to hold a knight inauguration ceremony?”
Evan’s eyes opened wide at the faint voice that could be heard.
“I… I’m not forcing you…….”
“Yes, I will.”
There was nothing more to hear. The timing of the speech was a bit unexpected, but was there any reason to refuse?
“Sir Evan, I’m not talking about a simple escort knight, but a full-fledged knight under my direct command……”
“Does this mean you want to enter into a subordinate contract?”
“Uh, yeah……”
“I will do it.”
If you enter into a subordination contract, you will no longer be a member of the Royal Knights. You will only serve Rianus de Harpens.
Even if the prince does not inherit the throne and loses the Harpens castle, or if he is suddenly kicked out and becomes a wanderer without receiving a salary or anything like that, it is the same.
Since it was a contract that could not be broken once made until one of the parties died, it was usually made after inheriting the throne, or at the earliest after being appointed crown prince.
“Sir Evan, this is not a normal oath, and you can’t run away later even if you want to.”
“Even if the prince wanted to cut it, he wouldn’t be able to.”
“There’s no way I could cut Sir Evan!”
“Me too. Where would I go leaving my prince behind?”
“…really?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll do it well!”
So, a temporary appointment ceremony was arranged so suddenly. No, it was so humble that it was embarrassing to even call it an appointment ceremony. All we did was exchange a few words.
“I, Evan, swear with my heart that I will be loyal and devoted to my lord, Ryanus.”
Of course, Evan didn’t care. After all, what mattered was that he could now stand by the prince’s side as a knight.
“Okay. Now I can give you the gift!”
“…yes?”
However, the prince seemed to have other intentions for the knighthood ceremony.
“You can open your presents now!”
“…Are the contents black?”
“that’s right!”
Then this unexpected knighthood ceremony made sense. Unless you were a royal knight or a knight directly affiliated with the royal family, you couldn’t carry a sword in the palace.
“Sir Evan, open it quickly. I’m curious too.”
“Ah…, yes.”
Although he was nervous because there were many onlookers, Evan opened the long box one by one. Judging by the size and length of the box, it seemed like it was a true two-hander, but he couldn’t be sure because the box was a bit light compared to its size.
“……?”
But surprisingly, or as expected, the box contained an ordinary True Two-Hander. A familiar bracelet was also included.
“This is…….”
Evan picked up the bracelet first. It was the bracelet that the lynx had given me earlier. I thought I had forgotten it when I was dealing with the captain and the knights of His Majesty disguised as the queen’s knights a while ago, but it seems that the lynx had taken care of it.
Evan put the bracelet on his wrist and picked up the sword. It was so light that it felt strange for a true two-hander.
But regardless, I couldn’t take my eyes off the sword.
The shiny silver-gray blade sometimes appeared black and sometimes white depending on the angle, giving the impression that it resembled a piece of the moon.
‘By the way, how do you carry this big thing?’
I really liked the sword itself. However, the True Two-Hander was not a weapon that could be owned and carried by an individual in the first place.
When I was young, I fought monsters and just wandered around the forest, so it was okay to just put it on my shoulder and walk around, but if I walked around like that inside the castle, I would definitely be treated like a crazy person.
‘Can I just wear it and walk around?’
“Huh? Sir Evan, there’s a note here too.”
Then the prince found something in the box and read it to him.
“When you want to store a sword, put it on the bracelet.”
“…Are you talking about the bracelet?”
Evan did as he was told, though he was puzzled. And at that moment, the moonstone on his bracelet sucked the sword in.
“?!”
No, something like this… … ?
Evan was shocked and cursed Nihil inwardly, but our little cat grabbed my clothes and said.
“Okay, let’s go now.”
“Where…, you say?”
“To Neil!”
“…Where is that guy?”
“The Grand Duke is going there first and waiting for me!”
“…Then, are you really going to the Grand Duke right now…….”
“Yes! In fact, His Majesty opposed it, saying it was dangerous, but he said he would allow it if Sir Evan went along as an escort.”
“…….”
Evan was beginning to have a reasonable suspicion that maybe our little kitty had been hastily appointing me as a knight because she was missing the little stray cat.
* * *
“Kyahahahahaha!”
“Brother, let’s go find our treasure!”
“Revan, it’s rude to search the mansion.”
“Sir Evan, isn’t there a library here? I’m sure there would be many valuable ancient books.”
“…This is my first visit, Karus.”
“Isn’t there something like a magic book?”
“…This is my first time too, Sir Cayenne.”
“I think the Grand Duke’s palace is bigger than mine.”
“That’s because this is the real palace, Noah.”
“Aryl, Grand Duke, I have heard that you are under various spells. Please hold my hand tightly, lest you get lost.”
“yes!”
“…….”
Aspel felt a complex feeling as he watched the Archduke, who was noisy and even frantic. Although there were quite a few servants, they were all walking around without making a sound because they were all concerned about the Archduke’s mood.
Even these little kids… … .
“I…….”
At that moment, a child approached me. It was the second prince who had suddenly fallen onto the Grand Duke’s desk one day and shocked the aides.
“What is it, Prince?”
“Do you know where Neil is?”
“…Neil…, ah.”
Aspel tilted his head at the unfamiliar yet familiar name, then suddenly remembered something and straightened his head.
“That’s what you said, Master. Since the name isn’t used here, I couldn’t remember it right away.”
“Uh… Do you happen to use the name Requies here?”
“…Do you know that name?”
Aspel was secretly surprised. It was a name that even they could not say lightly. It was a name that he had not told them directly, and that they had only heard from the Archduke.
“He said that was the name the baby gave him.”
“baby……?”
Aspel tilted his head again. A baby… Are you perhaps referring to the Archduke’s anima?
“Rian.”
At that moment, the young Taekong appeared without a trace. He was holding a baby in his arms.
“…….”
“…….”
Aspel, who realized the baby’s identity, immediately lowered his eyes.
I decided to slowly back away from that place because I didn’t know if I would get my eyes gouged out if I stayed there any longer.
Of course, Lianus ran happily towards Nihil without even realizing that Aspel, who was next to him, had disappeared.
“Neil!”
“Happy birthday, Rian. And you too, Pink.”
“thank you!”
“Thank you.”
“…Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, baby. You’re wearing a pretty dress today! Are you wearing matching clothes with us?”
“…….”
“Rian, I made it. I put a lot of care into making this ribbon in particular.”
“…! There’s nothing Neil can’t do! He really suits babies!”
Although the baby’s expression wasn’t very good, Lianus praised him earnestly. It wasn’t an empty remark. He was very cute.
“Prince, here’s a birthday present for you!”
“happy birthday!”
The birthday party went smoothly. There were some minor incidents, such as Miss Kara going missing for a moment in the middle, Revan running into a wolf and almost getting eaten, and Aryl calling Nihil an angel, which freaked out the servants here, but Lianus thought it was the coolest birthday party in his eight years.
“Rian, this is my birthday present to you. I made it myself.”
“……!”
Lianus was surprised to see a large glass bottle held out in front of him. Inside was a colorful candies. My friend had been busy recently, so he probably didn’t have much time to make such things.
“Thank you! Can I try it now?”
“huh.”
Without hesitation, Rianus picked up a yellow candy that looked like lemon flavor and popped it into his mouth.
The candy was very sweet and sour and delicious.
“Rian, you’d better swallow it before it melts.”
“…cellar?”
“There’s a tonic inside.”
“…….”
Gulp.
Lianus swallowed the candy without hesitation, because a bitter smell was rising from it.
“You have to eat one every day without fail.”
“Ugh……”
“If you eat all of it, I’ll fill you up again. If you eat it consistently, your body will definitely become stronger.”
“…thank you.”
Although he felt a little betrayed by the fact that the candy was medicine, Lianus smiled bashfully at his friend’s sincere affection. He must be the only pharmacist in the world who would coat each person with candy to administer bitter medicine.
“Okay, this is a pink gift.”
“…Do I have one too?”
Lawrence’s eyes widened at the gift box being offered to him. It had only been a short time since we became friends…
“I made that myself too.”
“……!”
Lawrence, who had never received a gift that was anything like his own, untied the ribbon tied around the box with some anticipation.
What did you make? Is it something to eat?
But when Lawrence opened the box, he couldn’t help but pause at the sight of the pink that filled it.
“This is…….”
“Isn’t it cute?”
Lawrence carefully took out the fluffy, pink object that was stuffed neatly into the box. It was long and curly, just like… .
“…Are those pink earthworms?”