Recalling what Rook had said, Herscherik let out a sigh in front of the fire. In the end, Solye had granted permission for Herscherik’s trip with the condition that he chose a butler of service to accompany him. Herscherik couldn’t ask the king to compromise any further.
“I wish you could be my butler of service,” Herscherik muttered.
We get along, somehow. I feel relaxed around you...
Herscherik concluded that this was because Kuro knew how Herscherik really was. Given their shocking first encounter and the unique situations in which they’d seen each other after that, Herscherik had shown Kuro a side of him that was neither juvenile nor princely. He always made sure to act his age around his own father, so as to not concern the king. As a result, Herscherik felt uniquely at ease around Kuro. Come to think of it, Ryoko could only be herself when she was alone or only with family. She had always played a character around friends and coworkers because that was an easier way for her to live. Herscherik lost himself in thought for a moment, reminiscing about his previous life.
“Because I’m a useful spy?” Kuro asked.
At Kuro’s sudden question, Herscherik finally turned around to face him. “Huh?” Kuro’s eyes were filled with emotion, just like they were when he had saved Herscherik from the kidnapping. “Why would that matter? It’s because you’re Kuro. Did you only help me because I’m a prince, then?” Herscherik’s eyes were widened.
Kuro fell speechless. He didn’t say another word as he disappeared into the darkness.
What’s up with Kuro...? I mean, I know he could never be my butler of service.
Anyone who served the royal family would have their identity vetted. From what Herscherik could discern from Rook, anyone with the title “of service” worked very closely with the royal family. Traditionally, a non-firstborn noble or an heir of a wealthy merchant would apply for the position, recommendation letter in hand, to increase their reputation. Herscherik doubted that anyone like that would understand what he was trying to do. In fact, who would even choose to apply for a position like that to work for the Seventh Prince, the least valuable member of the royal family and someone who didn’t even have any noble patrons? Just the thought of it made Herscherik depressed, although he was really upset for another reason entirely. Leaving Meria, the person who had raised him, wasn’t going to be easy, even though it was something Herscherik had decided to do on his own.
After ending the discussion with his father, Herscherik spoke to Meria when they were alone. “Meria. I’m sure you’re already aware, but you can’t work here anymore.”
If the fact that she drugged and kidnapped a prince were to come to light, Meria could not avoid prosecution, even with Herscherik’s protection and the fact that she had felt like there was no other choice. Herscherik knew he had to get Meria out of here before her crime came to light.
“I am truly, truly sorry...” Meria groveled on her knees and rubbed her forehead into the carpet.
Herscherik helped her to her feet, shaking his head. “I understand how you feel, Meria. I want to help you. I want to change things. But there’s something I have to make clear...” Now, all sorts of emotions were entangled within Herscherik: loneliness, sorrow, anger directed at his own powerlessness... Those emotions wouldn’t allow Herscherik to hold back what he was about to say. “Father trusted you. And you betrayed that trust... You betrayed my trust, too.”
If she had come to talk to Herscherik, instead of simply kidnapping him, things might have turned out differently. While Herscherik understood that he could not have expected her to come to a four-year-old about her predicament, Meria was the only person Solye had entrusted with his child. “I know you were in a tough position... but that doesn’t justify betraying the people who trusted you.”
Meria sobbed. As she left the room with her head hung low, Herscherik didn’t stop her.
Once both Meria and Kuro were out of the room, Herscherik let out a self-deprecating scoff. “Doesn’t justify betraying their trust, does it...?” Half of what he had said to Meria was directed at himself. He was practically lying to his father right now, too. Herscherik kept all sorts of things hidden from the king, like the knowledge of his previous life and what he did in the middle of the night, in order to play the part of the innocent young prince. “Still...” He was doing it all to protect his father, and everyone else he’d sworn to help. Herscherik tightened his grip on the pocket watch. “I want to protect you...” He understood that it was selfish to feel that way. Even so, Herscherik wished for it. For the wish that Ruseria had entrusted him with.
As those thoughts raced through his mind, Herscherik felt his chest tighten, making it difficult for him to breathe.
The next morning, Rook prepared Herscherik’s breakfast instead of Meria. He was the perfect butler, meticulously serving the meal as he assessed Herscherik’s physical condition after his abduction.
“Prince Herscherik, Your Highness will be appointed a butler of service this afternoon,” Rook declared as Herscherik drank his post-breakfast tea.
“Already?” Herscherik stared at Rook, implying a few other comments like that was quick or don’t I get to interview them?
Rook only returned a gentle smile.
I wonder what kind of person they’ll be... I hope we can get along. His emotions were heavily weighted toward nervousness over excitement. Herscherik downed the rest of his tea as if to swallow his anticipation.
That afternoon, a tall and slender young man appeared. He had his shimmering, pitch-black hair slicked back to reveal his deep, ruby eyes. If he were to smile, that would surely make any girl blush.