Episode 34
* * *
Crown Prince Helios was portrayed as one of the original protagonist’s rivals in this novel.
Please don’t question why the male lead has so many rivals; it’s the nature of the novel, initially a male-oriented fantasy tale focused on skillfully defeating these villains one by one.
Among these rivals and villains, Crown Prince Helios stood out as a particularly formidable human.
His skills were not to be underestimated, and Roman, though somewhat lazy, would have dismissed them without much thought. Yet in his hands, they were used to bring him good fortune and power.
However, the making of this new villain was made from a single point. The real issue lay in the crown prince’s personality.
Even when young, certain characters in books left a lasting impression, and Crown Prince Helios was no exception.
He exuded an arrogance that made those beneath him feel like insects.
While his power justified his confidence, his personality was one nobody would desire to encounter.
In reality, such individuals excelled the most at causing trouble.
“Brother! Quickly bow your head!”
Laiya pleaded, gently tugging the hem of my brother’s sleeve.
“This servant greets the second star of the Imperial Family, who inherited the spirit of the Red Lion. This servant is Laiya BlackWinter.”
Laiya couldn’t fathom why this young and new villain had wandered to this deserted place without a single attendant.
Associating with him would undoubtedly lead to trouble.
“Are you a direct descendant of the BlackWinter lineage?”
The crown prince ignored her greeting as he inquired.
“Yes, I am.”
“I didn’t know the BlackWinter’s had a daughter… Haa…”
The crown prince muttered to himself as the little girl paid no heed to his confused remarks.
It would be best to return promptly, like that Roman guy suggested.
“It was an honor to meet you. Then we—”
“Wait!”
Why is he stopping us? Why is he singling us out?
Though Laiya flinched to a stop, she considered fleeing if the opportunity presented itself, gently grabbing Roy’s hand as she tried to spot an opportunity.
“A while ago, the person beside you seemed to emit an unusual energy. Are you Kyle Blackwinter?”
What nonsense is he spouting? Has he never seen Kyle?
“It’s strange. I heard he has blue eyes. Who are you?”
The crown prince spoke in a harsh and arrogant manner, seemingly unaware that we couldn’t afford trouble right now.
Perhaps his family is searching for him. I wonder what would happen when his guards finally locate this little runaway.
Laiya planned to introduce Roy calmly and then guide him back a few steps away.
Or, at least, she attempted to.
“No. They say Kyle Blackwinter is a perfectionist; he wouldn’t associate with someone like a half penny”
“…”
“Hmm? Do you disagree? Am I wrong? I overheard your conversation earlier; it seems you haven’t learned much about swords.”
The crown prince casually remarked, displaying a remarkable arrogance that came from a lifetime of indifference to others, as if unaware that a frog could die from an inadvertently thrown stone.
“Brother!”
Laiya swiftly raised her hand, signaling the danger ahead should her brother take action.
From the corner of her eye, the little girl saw Roy barely restraining himself from advancing.
“Why? Do you want to intervene? Like this?”
The sight of Roy with bloodshot eyes left Laiya nervous, yet also moved and sympathetic.
“Your Highness, as you mentioned, I am a child who never learned the art of the sword from the BlackWinter family, so what you said is not entirely wrong.”
“…”
“Ro— Roy!”
Laiya tightly held Roy’s hand, asking if he was okay.
“And this is ‘Roy Blackwinter,’ my third brother.”
“Oh, third? Not Kyle Blackwinter. Is there an age gap between you and your siblings?”
“Yes, we are younger than my first brother.”
“Hmm Roy, it’s a name I’ve never heard of. Maybe I was wrong to say that he was a worthless guy.”
My family’s black puppy…
This sister has everything planned out, don’t worry.
Laiya thought of a clever way to put that arrogant jerk in his place.
She moistened her lips.
There is a way to appropriately utilize the crown prince’s temper and teach him a lesson. Heh.
“Is my third brother really so insignificant?”
Laiya continued speaking calmly.
“Your Highness, in BlackWinter, only the strong can say such things.”
“What?”
“As you said, Your Highness has also set foot in BlackWinter, so wouldn’t it be reasonable for you to follow the rules of this BlackWinter family?”
With an in-depth understanding of his personality from reading the novel, perhaps more than the crown prince knows himself, Laiya had a plan.
Actually, I didn’t originally intend to do this.
However, if I don’t come up with a strategy, it seems like my black kitten will attack at any moment. I have to handle this villain well.
Laiya smirked.
“Our family’s rule is that those who do not have the ability to use their tongues should keep their mouths shut and follow the hierarchy of power.”
“Haha! How fun! If it was a provocation, it worked very well.”
The crown prince grinned, sheathed his drawn sword, and approached the little girl menacingly.
“Then should there be a rule in BlackWinter that allows the weak to get away even if they make a mess of it?”
Although he was smiling, he had a cruel face that could not be said to be that of a child.
Instead of answering the crown prince, Laiya slowly turned her head and stared at Roy.
Then she smiled beautifully.
“That’s right, brother. What do you think?”
Roy gritted his teeth.
“The third son?”
“That’s right, Your Highness.”
Instead of answering, the crown prince unsheathed his sword.
The first characteristic of the crown prince Laiya knew of was that he was extremely hot-tempered.
It didn’t seem any different from when she was young, and he proved it with that sword.
And the second characteristic… Hehe. His pride is very strong.
Kaang!
Roy’s words became true.
The game was decided in an instant.
To be honest, even Laiya was surprised by the quick outcome, but instead of showing it, she smiled brightly.
“What should we do about this? Your Highness doesn’t have the ability to back up your words?”
“I—I… something is wrong! This can’t be happening!”
The arrogant expression on his youthful face suddenly became a mess.
“Then, shall we go outside and talk about it? You lost to a Prince of BlackWinter, whose name is not even known to the outside world, by a single blow, so let’s find out why?”
[T/N: Outside world— hasn’t debuted in society yet.]
“…”
“It’s okay to compete one more time. Ah, if you tell me again, my brother can prove it.”
Either way, Laiya covered her little mouth with her dainty hand and burst into childish giggles.
“I was saying that if you feel wronged, it’s okay to go somewhere and talk about it.”
“…”
The third characteristic of the crown prince is that he is overflowing with pride and self-love for his talents and abilities, which he wraps around his entire body in a show of arrogance and narcissism.
Since this villain has the talent, it’s not like he didn’t feel the overwhelming difference in ability.
“Everyone, shut up! I made a mistake!”
Whether he shouted or not, Laiya stared at the crown prince with a smile on her face.
Even if we compete again, the result will be the same.
…but this young narcissist would never do anything to lose face.
To put it simply, it is foam yarn.
He was a human being who lived and died based on his taste and nature.
[T/N: He is his own strength and weakness.]
“If His Highness the Crown Prince speaks first, I will tell it as it is to my father and to my entire family.”
In the original work, when the crown prince appeared in front of the main character, he was an arrogant person who thought the world was beneath his feet, never accepting defeat.
Then, after a crushing defeat, he was so embarrassed having lost to the main character.
It didn’t seem any different now.
Even now, rather than bringing in the knights or the guards to punish her for being insulted, he was astonished to hear of his own weaknesses.
Rather, he chose to throw a tantrum, not bearing the thought that his loss was because he lacked.
“Shut up, shut up! If you even tell me even a single word more, I will kill you!”
Can’t help it, little crown prince baby.
You want to try to keep my mouth shut so that the thing you hate the most won’t become a reality.
Even if I stop, it won’t take away what has already been brought to light.
Do you understand?
It’s a truly childish response, but it worked for this guy.
“Oh, if what you saw today is heard by someone else, I won’t leave you alone!”
The crown prince was a person who hated losing more than dying, this trait followed him even when he was about to ascend to the throne later.
But what about when he was young? Can he overcome it?
If it’s this severe now, it’ll be even worse. His habit of shifting the blame for his faults would never improve in the future if he doesn’t acknowledge it now.
Sure enough, the face looking up at the pair of siblings had turned red.
He was a handsome boy, but he wasn’t particularly inspiring at this moment.
Who would gossip about this to someone they met for the first time? Won’t that make us trash too?
“Let’s go, brother.”
“Ahh! Wait! You! Did you say that silent boy’s name was Roy BlackWinter?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Laiya turned her head and smiled.
Anyway, once you are born into this world and decide to change your fate, the enemy and your side are bound to become clear.
I was willing to embrace a number of those who might become my future enemies.
“I am honored that you remember this servant’s name. Okay then, goodbye.”
We need to leave now before my third brother goes back for round two.
* * *
“…”
On the way back, they walked in silence.
Actually, Laiya’s legs hurt a little because they were walking too fast, but she didn’t have time to worry about it.
Oh sh*t. Now I’ve done it!
Why’d I do that? Why’d I do that?! How dare I mess with the character of a guy who is supposed to be a huge hotheaded idiot in the book.
Now my heart is pounding because of what I have done.
The blood flowing through her veins has retreated to the point where Laiya could barely feel the pain in her legs.
Well, of course, it was something I did with determination, but just thinking about it and putting it into action are two different things.
“Ah… Brother… Haa…”
Laiya stopped for a moment and took a small, deep breath.
Roy seemed to think nothing of it and was following her calmly, holding her hand.
The same goes for not greeting the crown prince earlier, as well as for showing dissatisfaction.
Secretly— No, it’s just my brother’s strong heart.
Anyway, I was really surprised.
Our black dog can beat the ‘Imperial Mad Dog’?
Of course, the Imperial Mad Dog was just a nickname in the book, and there’s a long time left before it became what he looked like in the book.
What was surprising was that it was amazing.
And we got through it without using profane language, right? Roy really finished it in 3 swings of his sword! Ahh! Hehe!
As Laiya watched their battle, her mouth dropped open in awe of her brother’s might.
