𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟗: (𝐊𝐲𝐥𝐞)
The first two weeks were persistent, but Prince Heines has stopped approaching the princess,
And almost a month and a half has passed.
I was on guard when Prince Heines and Eliza were together,
But nothing has happened so far.
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Is he really not plotting anything?
I do feel uneasy, but I haven’t placed any shadows in the detached palace.
I didn’t know about the conversations and actions within the detached palace, and all I could do was continue to be on guard.
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When I had Chris’ younger brother report on his actions at the academy,
He said that Prince Heines and Eliza are close together like lovers.
Seeing that, the young lords around Eliza have decreased to three.
Even the young lords who were hoping to be Eliza’s bridegrooms must have thought they would lose to the prince.
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. . .When I heard that my half-brother Ilia was among the remaining three, I felt like I was going to lose my strength.
Even if he can’t become a bridegroom, does he want to be near Eliza?
The remaining three are calling Eliza “princess.”
She is, after all, the granddaughter of His Majesty, so it is acceptable within limits if not in public.
Whether the academy is a public place or not. . .it’s barely permissible or not.
I really don’t know what Ilia is thinking.
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The morning classes ended, and I moved to the cafeteria for lunch.
On the way, I was called from behind and stopped.
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“Um. . .third brother!”
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I involuntarily stopped at the nostalgic call.
Even though I’m on duty as an escort knight, it’s against the rules to stop me for personal matters.
And yet, to call out without understanding that. . .
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As I was about to ignore it and walk away, the princess stopped me.
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“Kyle, it seems there’s something he needs.
We’ll go ahead. Come back after you’ve heard what he wants.”
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“Understood.”
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Speaking of which, he was near Eliza.
He might know something.
Chris’ glance seemed to say to find out information.
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. . .Even though he’s my half-brother, this is the first time we’ve spoken.
With no choice, I turned to face Ilia, who called me.
Ilia・Ahrens. The Margrave’s fourth son and nominally my brother.
I had never even seen his face, let alone had a conversation as brothers.
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His black hair tied in one, and a small, slightly plump figure.
He doesn’t resemble my tall father or elder brothers at all.
I think his round black eyes are just like his mother.
I was hated enough to be driven away just by approaching my stepmother.
What does he want from me?
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“What do you want?”
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“A letter has arrived from Father. . .
Um, why won’t you recommend me to the civil officials?”
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Ah, that’s what it’s about.
I told my father that I had left Margrave’s family to become royal.
Probably because of that, he was told to give up getting a recommendation from me.
I should explain that, but I had something else to say.
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“The recommendation for civil officials. . .Even if I did it, it’s impossible.”
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“Why is that!”
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“All the school’s grades are submitted to the royal palace.
Your grades, even in the B classroom, were near the bottom.
You have little magical power, and you can hardly use magic.
You’re not good at swordsmanship, and you often miss simulated battles without notice.
You frequently skip classes to have tea with young ladies.”
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The grades alone were insufficient, but above all, his attitude in class was poor.
He tends to skip classes he’s weak at, such as magic and swordsmanship,
And he would even leave other classes to go for tea if told by Eliza.
Even if I recommended him, there’s no way he would be hired.
It’s strange to think he can become a civil official with such grades.
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I thought he would give up if I told him honestly, but Ilia tilted his head.
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“Eh? That’s why I asked you, the third brother, for a recommendation?
I wouldn’t ask if I could be hired as a civil official normally.”
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“Huh? Why do you think you’ll be accepted if I recommend you?
There’s no way you’ll be hired if you don’t have the skills.”
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“What are you talking about?
Taking on the distasteful task of guarding the Ineligible Princess,
Even His Majesty would surely indulge that much whim, wouldn’t he?”
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Ah, that’s right.
Being close to Eliza means thinking of the princess as the Ineligible Princess.
You probably don’t know anyone among the civil officials of the Eastern Palace,
And you are likely avoided by those who study earnestly at the academy.
You are believing Eliza’s words without knowing the truth.
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“The princess is not the Ineligible Princess as rumored,
And there’s no way His Majesty would listen to such a meaningless whim.
You should give up on becoming a civil official.
Besides, in this situation, it’s doubtful if you can even graduate.
You should attend classes earnestly without skipping them.”
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“. . .”
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“Understand? Don’t think this can go on forever.”
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Ilia, who had been laughing carelessly, fell silent, so I thought he must have taken it seriously.
There’s still time.
If he continues to skip classes with Eliza, he will fail the year.
I thought it was good that he realized this before it happened. But,
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“After all. . .does the third elder brother hate me?”
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“What?”
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“My mother said so.
The third elder brother is of a different bloodline, so you’re different from us siblings
He said not to approach because he hates what belongs to the Margrave’s territory.
I thought that was not true….”
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“What are you talking about?”
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“It’s fine! I was wrong to rely on the third elder brother.
I should have asked Princess Eliza directly. Excuse me!!”
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“W, Wait!”
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After speaking his piece, Ilia turned around and ran away.
The shock of what was said was too much for me, and I couldn’t follow him.
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Do I hate what belongs to the Margrave’s territory. . .?
That’s not it. Perhaps the one I hated was my stepmother.
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Not only was my extended hand not taken,
But I was misunderstood as trying to push her away.
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“. . .Again and again. . .I’m such a fool.”
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Though I was shocked, I wasn’t hurt as much as I thought.
But now, I thought I might finally be able to sever ties with my identity as the third son of the Margrave.
