"Thank you very much. I think everyone will be happy." Sakyurama thanked me politely.
"The nuns really took care of me, and I don't really get to do this kind of thing unless I have an opportunity like this, it's good to be able to give back."
After that, Sakyurama thanked me many times.
She really seems like a good and obedient girl. "When I was watching Charles-sama, I thought..." "Hmm?"
"I always thought that in the royal family, the people around them would take care of everything, but it seems that's not the case." After leaving the store, Sakyurama said that.
"Well, I was raised a little differently than the other princes." "Really?"
"Even though I'm a prince, I'm a commoner. I mean, I have a lot of money now, but I think I lived a more modest life than most commoners back in the day." "Charles-sama did?" She asked, looking surprised. "The other princes lived in the royal palace."
"Yes."
"My mother and I were given a shabby house to live in." "Even though you're a prince?"
"Just to avoid any misunderstanding, it's not like the king was treating us badly or anything. He did provide the bare minimum of support, and that was what my mother wanted." "That's right. I've heard that His Majesty Lelouch is a fine king who values fairness above all else. He's also said to be one of the worthiest rulers in the historic Braidea royal family."
"Such things have reached Sakyura's ears? I'm glad to hear that." "Charles-sama respects his father, don't you?" Sakyurama said after hearing my words.
"Of course. I've seen a lot in the world, but even though he's my father, I don't think there are many men like him." "If you say that much, then he must be a really amazing person. What do you admire about him?" "I think it's because he values fairness the most. I could never imitate that."
I truly believe that.
"Anything else?"
"Also, he's incredibly smart. That trait was most strongly passed down to my brother Claude." "I see."
"My brother is gone. He was only ten years older than me." "Charles-sama..."
Sakyurama looked sad after hearing my story. "Sorry, this is getting a bit sad. Anyway, what I wanted to say is that my father is so much smarter than me."
"He's a father you can be proud of, isn't he." "Yes, that's true." We continued to chat as we walked, but Sakyurama seemed to be interested in a different topic.
And then. "Um, is it okay to ask something like this..." She said with a look of difficulty.
"What's with this sudden fear? I won't get angry, so just ask whatever you want." I spoke as calmly as I could. "Then let me ask you."
Sakyurama said, as if she had made up her mind.
"Will Charles not become king? You're the oldest living prince, right?" "Oh, that's what you're curious about."
Recently, my reputation has not been bad. In fact, I've been praised so highly that it's hard to believe how I've been treated up until now. In terms of sheer popularity alone, it's safe to say that I'm on a completely different level to the other young princes.
For that reason, it's not surprising that Sakyurama thinks this way.
"For someone as great as Charles, it would be no surprise if you were to become king. And yet, there has been no talk of you becoming the successor, so although I felt it was rude, I decided to ask." "......"
Sakyurama's expression clouded over as she must have thought I was angry because I was pondering how to respond. "As I thought, was that a rude question that I shouldn't have asked?"
"No, that's not the case. It's well known that I'm not on the list of candidates." I answered right away.
I could see that Sakyurama was relieved to see that I was acting the same as usual. Although it's still a few years away, several candidates for the next king have been named.
Although the king is not yet old enough to retire, there is an unpleasant precedent of my brothers dying suddenly one after the other.
In case of an emergency, the information was made public as soon as possible to avoid confusion.
My name wasn't present. "It's just as Sakyura said." I continued, pausing there momentarily.
"I can't become king, and I won't. The king knows that." "...If it's not rude, may I ask why?" "I had nine brothers." "Yes, I know."
"I was the best as a hero. I'm sure that's a fact."
"You pushed aside the older princes, right? Isn't that amazing?"As the youngest brother, I was given the least amount of time, I didn't receive the education necessary to become king, so only I was able to use that time to hone my strength.
In that sense, one could say I was cheating, so it's not something to be proud of.
I can't help but think so.
"That's why I can't become king." "...Is it because you're too good a hero?"
"That's not entirely true, but it's not quite wrong either."
It's true that if you want to be a military asset, it's better to go elsewhere than become king.
It's safe to say that once you become king, you never go to battle yourself. Even my father, who excelled in both literature and martial arts, is no exception.
Since ascending to the throne, he has never been to the battlefield.
Although a certain level of military power is necessary to become king, it is a waste of talent in a sense.
The fact that the king himself doesn't need to travel is proof that the situation is not that serious and that there are plenty of human resources, so it's something to be happy about.
"I was too focused on getting stronger. That's why I didn't study at all to become king." "..." Sakyurama listens to me in silence.
"Well, that was also my mother's policy, as she didn't want me to be involved in any position of power." "Excuse me, but where is your mother now?"
"...She's gone, unfortunately." "I'm sorry..." "Don't worry about it. It was years ago."
I answer nonchalantly so she doesn't worry. "A few years before my mother died, I started earning my own living when I was in my teens." "From such a young age? That's amazing."
"Whether it's amazing or not is a different matter, but that was my late mother's policy." "I see."
"I guess she knew she didn't have much longer to live. Looking back on it now, though." "Ah." "I think she wanted me to become independent as soon as possible." "......"
Sakyurama was pondering on what I had said. It seemed she couldn't find the right words to say to me. I continued talking.
"Now I'll tell you about my father." "Yes."
"As you know, Sakyura, my father is the king. He's busy. So busy that it makes your head spin." "Hmm." "Plus, there are nine other queens." "Yes."
"That's why it was rare for both of my parents to be together." "I see." "But even so, they were the best parents in the world to me." "......"
Sakyurama was once again thinking about what I had said. And then, she finally spoke. "Charles-sama." "Yeah."
"I don't have any family by blood." "Ah."
"After hearing your story, I've realized that family is a wonderful thing." "Thank you, Sakyura."
I smiled gently at her for saying that. "But," As I said that, Sakyurama turned her gaze to me.
"Even if you're not related by blood, there are many brothers and sisters for Sakyura who grew up in the same orphanage."
"Yes, that's true. Not everything is perfect, but I think we get along well by working together."
"I'd like to help in that regard, however little I can. As a prince of a country, and as an individual."
"Thank you. I am very happy that someone like Charles is in the royal family."
"It's about raising the children who will carry the country's future. I know he is busy, but I'll talk to my father about it." "Thank you so much."
"I'm happy to hear your thanks, but it's only a matter of course. Besides, the king would definitely listen to me sincerely. That's what I believe." "Yes. I think so too."
"I've gone off topic, so let's get back on track." "Yes."
"I don't treat people coldly, but I do have a tendency to favor those I like. I know it's not a good trait, but I can't seem to fix it." "......"
Sakyurama was silent at my words.
Although it was only for a short time, it's hard to deny that I have that tendency after spending time with me. "This habit is extremely bad for a leader. You could even say it's fatal."
After saying that, I conclude my long story. "That's why I'm not great enough to become king." "......"
Sakyurama couldn't think of a good response to my self-deprecating words. "Have I disappointed you?" I asked. "No."
Sakyurama gazed at me with unwavering, honest eyes. "Whether you become king or not, Charles-sama is a wonderful person."
She said those words to me with the biggest, broadest smile. I won't become king.
It's not that I had any doubts or anything, but Sakyurama's words reassured me that, in my own way, I was definitely walking on the right path.
Chapter length 4162 characters.
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