Refuge in Audacity (Original/Isekai Chapter 2)
My name is Aidan Vealfas Rowan Atlas Chavagner.
I am 13 years old.
I am the Crown Prince of Ereon.
And I'm bored as fuck.
"And thus again as a future king, is not to use their hand but the table fork in the company of a duke--Are you listening your Highness!?"
I looked at my Royal Caretaker with dead eyes. She was a woman so unpleasant to be around that while only in her 40s, she honestly looks so much older that one can't help but wish that she would just keel over and die already. Oh wait that was just me.
"Yes, I get it, Madam Rhedia. Don't use my hands directly when eating ever, even with sandwiches." Why the fuck am I wasting my time with this shit? At this point the etiquette lessons devolved into repeating stuff but going into details that anyone with any amount of brain cells would figure out. Like being told don't jump steps when climbing stairs, and then being told in detail why climbing every step is important, and why the previous step is important for the current step your on. I got it the first time when you said 'don't just stairs'.
"You mustn't forget the exceptions, my Lord. Which is with your future wife, when you are alone without eye to see any hint of unrefinement in your royal manners, as informality would allow an air of casualness and intimacy between the two of you. Speaking of which," and here we go again. "Several of the Noble Ladies who are candidates to one day be your fiancee are the type that would prefer sweets but also an air of formality, such as Lady Milla Malbruy." And here she's trying to make me memorize the habits and preferences of noble girls who might one day be obligated to sleep with me to be queens. Actually wasn't that the opposite of what she just said?
She's not even covering all the girls who might become my finacee. Just the one who could give her the best connections for retirement and for giving money for her family while I'm raising them them higher in rank. Something I would do 'from the kindness of my heart' for her help in finding me my future wife.
I really wonder why I haven't killed her yet.
William Rockhart. Royal Regent, and my personal adviser.
There were alliances, he told me. Rhedia Almonds family were Royal Caretaker for generations, he said. Allow the Almonds to be our Caretakers means they cousins, the Walnuts (yes that's really their name, and yess I did laugh my ass off the first time I heard it. The lecture afterwards on manners was worth it) in Sequilia, the kingdom south of Ereon by the sea, to keep their trading deals with their fishing company.
Ereon maybe the kingdom with the biggest territory, but most of our money is spent on the military because we stand between other countries and the Dark Region. The territory where demons live.
So we need all the food imports we can get. Thus we can't ignore the Walnuts and their fish. Thus I can't kill this bitch that thinks she has the power to plan my life.
"Your Highness, you mustn't glare like that. A future king must keep an aloof disposition at all times." Ah, I ended up glaring without realizing it. Kinda annoying that it doesn't affect her anymore. "After all, what if your irrational anger were to be misinterpreted by another Noble as intentional. Why it could cause--"
"We're done for the day." I said standing up.
"Your Highness, you can't just ignore--" She moved as if to physically seat me. She knows not to actually do that, but she's been getting bolder lately. Although in truth, she's been getting bolder and bolder all the time over the years.
"I am done listening, and the lesson time itself is done." I casually pointed at the clock without moving my arm.
"Oh, I see." She immediately stood still and clamps her hands in front of her. "Then have a good day, your Highness and don't forget today's lesson."
I bit back my respond that it was useless like the last seven times, and left. At this point my knowledge in Royal Etiquette was Level 5. I knew how to act in situations that were hypothetical even to kings because of how unlikely they were. Like what to do when an Angel and a Devil were to marry (Answer is, burn everything to the ground), which was different from what to do when an Angel and a Demon decided to elope (Almost burn everything to the ground).
At this point, my knowledge on Royal Etiquette on being the Crown Prince is complete and done. Caretaker Rhedia should have left when I was fucking seven years old. Her staying until now was just using some bullshit technicality on refining my training and perfecting it, till I was fifteen, the age of which I must be independent from such training whether was I 'ready or not', so as to deal with the daily ongoings without a 'crutch'.
Basically, the bitch is staying around hoping to mold me, into whatever image suits the higher nobles so they can stay and grow bigger in power. I push aside the thought of killing her.
Regent William. He was my parent's friend, travelling party member on their adventures, and above all a fucking coward.
He had a Skill, Danger Premonition. He instantly knew with great accuracy which actions result in a bad outcome and how much damage it causes.
Forcibly dismissing Rhedia causes political headaches, and potential backlash from "concerned" parties for years to come. Killing her would supposedly be even worse.
Those etiquette lessons where taking up time from other things I could learn. Be it Swordsmanship, Magic, or even learning how to manage the kingdom, the teachers for all those lessons were in someone's pocket or blackmailed, or worst of all, naively stupid and think the Bitch Caretaker's words on my learning speed, and need to not 'overwhelm and stress the young Prince with his workload' to be a valid reason to not advance my curriculum even when I show I understand the material inside and out
Johnny Turben isn't a bad man. He is however frustratingly stupid with his strict focus on follow the material as is in the syllabus schedule without speeding up or slowing down. As soon as I can without having a future problem I'm firing him.
I sighed as I headed to my usual secret room, for stress relief.
As I entered one of the many study rooms in the castle, and then from that room when into several others, I finally reach my destination and smiled as I found my prize. I closed the door behind me, and with a pulse of magic while touching the handle the room was locked.
"O-oh, your Highness, are you lesson done for the day?" The blushing maid stopped in her work, as she stood formally with her head bowed as she addressed me.
Natalie. An orphan who through a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, ended up as one of the many maid for the Royal Castle. Money-wise she's technically set for life, and if she finds a husband, he would likely be someone he would give her a dream life of a house, children and marital bliss.
But well...she's not exactly as innocent as she looks. Virtue-wise I already took that. Sexual knowledge? Well, she prefers trashy books that even I would think are too much. Thankfully that doesn't translate to wanting to do those acts in the bedroom. She keeps her fantasy and reality separate.
"Yes," I walked until I was in her personal space, and rested my hand on the wall next to her head. "And you are done for the day." Natalie was two years older than me, yet we were the same height.
"If that's what my lord wishes." She held her hands to her chest, as she look to the side. She tried to hold back her smile but couldn't, and the red in her face reached her ears.
Honestly, the toughest things about this relationship, was that I had to convince her that I wanted this whole thing to be consensual. None of that 'you can't say no to a noble, doubly so for the Crown Prince' bullshit, as I wasn't for the mood for rape. Even if it's 'technically' not so by this world's standard.
I explained that I wanted this purely for fun, that I would eventually have a wife and it would not be her, and that whenever she eventually quits or retires, I would give her enough money to live her life carefree.
"Yes, your prince commands it." I lean forward and gently took her lips. Her moan felt like it vibrated from her mouth to my cock. She was turned on, her nipple so hard one would notice if they look at her, even with her clothes on. Her body trembled with restrained excitement. My own arousal made me want to ripe her dress off and take her right there.
But I held back and took things slow. Natalie likes the slow seduction, and with her I like to do so as well. Taking things slow, lots of foreplay, and a long way to release while being worth every second of it.
I took her to the bed, letting her undress me as we went. She didn't take her clothes off, oh no, that was my pleasure.
The room we where in was one in-between the library and other study rooms. It was so out of the way and well hidden enough that no one would find it, and even if they did, they wouldn't bother with it. There is also the fact that the Royal Castle is well, Magical. Yes, it deserved the capitalization. The castle is keyed to those of royal blood, allowing me to lock some room, make them hidden and other such functions.
When I'm crown, I should gain the ability to be able to use this castle and change it's structure if I wanted to. It would be like a part of my body, allowing me to move the pieces within it as I please. But for now, the small stuff I can do is enough.
"My, my lord. I'm," she bit her lips, and continued in a lower voice. "I'm close, can, can I please cum?" God she's adorable. It took a quite a while to get her like this. Easily aroused, and quick to climax many times. Admittedly I cheated with magic a few times...okay a lot of times, but the important thing is it makes this time of play all the more enjoyable.
"You would dare reach pleasure before your lord?" I undid her apron and took it off, then unbuttoned her blouse. My other than was under her skirt teasing her pussy through her panties. The little magic pulse sending small heatwaves that light up her nerves, yet end very quickly. The layer of clothes obviously dampening the effect, thus placing her climax further away. "My, my, what greed is this for a lowly servant, to try and out do their lord?" My grin widened, as she looked at me pitifully and gave a cute whine.
"Please your Highness, I'll do anything." She begged and I didn't grant her wish. The look of longing and pleading was just too irresistible on her. I wanted to see it for as much as I can.
"But you already belong to me, Natalie." I said as I leaned down, close to her face but not yet kissing her. "You will do anything I want regardless, so let this be a lesson. Learn patience." I pulled back and continued undressing her while caressing her dripping lower mouth and other sensitive spots, all with ample use of magic to heighten the pleasure.
By the time I got her naked and penetrated her, she orgasmed so hard she fainted.
And then I did that two more times, throughout our time together. Both of us were left smiling with satisfaction.
Life as a Crown Prince is stressful, but I can find things that make it enjoyable, and my time with Natalie is one of my favorite stress relief activities.
"And thus your Royal Highness that spy girl, Natalie, had been taken away for interrogation. You need not worry anymore about your safety and peace of mind." One of the lead officer knight spoke as he deliver his report.
How did it come to this? It was just after I return from sword practice, that this spun up tale was thrown at me.
"Oh your Highness, it's a good thing that wretched vile girl was taken away quickly, before she could have harmed you." Rhedia wailed dramatically to the side.
Natalie isn't someone who talks, or brags about something private like sex. I explicitly told her not to talk about it with anyone unless it was another maid I was sleeping with. Something I didn't get around to do as having Natalie around was enough.
"To think that that whore, excuse my language, would dare corrupt the Crown Prince. And you Aidan, how could you fall for such, such low standing girl?" Rhedia growled out.
I even made Natalie make a contract spell with me so she doesn't reveal our relationship someone who doesn't already know, so the secret isn't slipped out by accident. She literally can't tell people about us (although on of the condition is that she actually want our relationship). Yet somehow it was found out. Another maid jealous of Natalie for...whatever the fuck is the reason, saw us together talking a reported to Rhedia who naturally overreacted.
"Don't worry your Highness, we'll make sure to, thoroughly interrogate the spy. Any secrets she obtained will be revealed. You can rest easy." I looked at the knight leader. He had a smug smile on his face. Is he proud of his 'accomplishment'? After all, having 'captured' a spy on your resume is bound to impress people. Or does he think I don't see through the bullshit story they were weaving, and he's proud to 'get one over the Royal Prince'?
I knew this knight, I knew his name. Charles. Him and one other were in Rhedia's pocket. Doing errands and other stuff for her. They weren't all that important to the castle's defenses as a whole. Was he hoping for a raise from this? Some promotion, honor and glory?
I kept ignoring Rhedia's rant, and turned my eyes to William far standing behind them. He turned his gaze away in shame. Once again, something that can't be interfered because of a strong possible danger.
"I mean, what kind of king do you want to be Aidan? Some hedonist without any class or royal dignity!?" I turned back to Rhedia at her scream. Did she just forgo all formality and address me by name? I didn't notice that before.
But above all, it was the question she ask that struck me.
What kind of king do I want to be?
I thought about it...and suddenly the emotions I buried and bottled down, blew up.
William Rockhart POV
I'm sorry, Prince Aidan. I'm sorry for being weak.
I kept apologizing in my mind as I looked away. Once everyone leaves I'll apologize to his Highness again.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I'm pathetic and cowardly. That I forced my cowardness on you, Prince Aidan.
But, but I can only see danger. These are the only path were you aren't harmed. Everything else puts you in harm, either now or later.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
"I mean, what kind of king do you want to be Aidan? Some hedonist without any class or royal dignity!?" The Caretaker shouted, and for a moment I felt my fear subside. Anger took it's place, that woman, this conniving snake, even with freedom given to her, that doesn't met she can speak and act to his Royal Highness this way.
For the first time, I drew on my authority as the Crown Regent, and prepared to reprimand her. His Highness is the Crown Prince of Ereon and his disrespect can not stand.
"What kind of King do I want to be, you say?" A cold voice echo in the room.
Just like that all my momentum was lost. No, ripped apart from me. All present attendants and knights could feel a massive shift in the atmosphere of the room.
I looked toward the Crown Prince and saw the rage of a blizzard brewing in his eyes.
"Of course, do you want your reputation to be one of a fool king? A king that has no dignity? Do you realize how badly this could affect the reputation of your future fiancees? Lady Malbury? Lady Hathroth? Lady Quintin?" Caretaker Rhedia continued talking. This idiotic woman was the only one unaware of the danger coming.
My skill came to life, and I looked to where the danger could come to Prince Aidan from.
...What?
There...there was nothing. There was no danger coming toward Prince Aidan. No, there is something in the future and far away, but nothing in the present or near future.
The prince stood up. "What kind of king do I want to be?" He seemed to be speaking to himself, as he looked out the window.
"Have you not listen to what I said? I told you before Aidan, you must always be aware of other speaking. This is why my lessons are important. They should be increase so that catastrophes like what happened today are not repeated."
Everyone looked to the Caretaker like she was insane. Does she not realize the lines she overstepped. More than that, does she not realize the danger that's coming?
"What kind of king do I want to be?" His Highness repeated, his sword was balance on the ground and he held it in place with a finger. His gaze turned to everyone in the room. Everyone straighten and paled as he met their eyes. Prince Aidan's eyes met mine and...
Oh fuck.
He grabbed his sword and started walking toward the Royal Caretaker. The knight leader beside her took a step back.
Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck.
"What kind of king indeed."
"Yes, if you listen to me, you will be a great king, Lord Aidan."
He stood in front of Rhedia who gave a half bow (already completely forgoing her lessons and letting her stupid arrogance get to her head). It was a massive breach in protocol and disrespectful to royalties. Within the throne room once a royal subject comes to stand in front of you, you are to bow down till they signal for you to stand. Still, I don't think it would matter anymore.
"I finally figured out my problem."
"Aaa..."
Everyone expected it. Everyone dreaded and anticipated it. But none expected that it would actually happen.
"Whaa..."
The blade cleaned went through the old caretaker's stomach. The blood traced it's way along the sword and dripped down toward the end.
"I am the one who will one day be king, and I've been far too forgiving of the impudence around me."
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!
"Do you...understand...what you've done...?" Even now that stupid woman didn't understand her mortality?
"You asked me what kind of king I wanted to be." The blade in Rhedia's stomach twisted.
"Gah!" Rhedia started coughing up blood. "All of this...for a...maid."
"Yes." He snarled through clinched teeth. "My maid, my possession, and that makes this personal. This is my answer and my retaliation."
I could see the magic aura surrounding his Highness raising his strength beyond human ability, and another around the sword making it far sharper and deadlier.
"I will be an Uncontrolled King." With a lift the sword crave upward into Rhedia Almond's body. "A free and wild king." Another pull upward and it sliced into her the bottom of her lung. "A king that shapes the world, rather than let it dictate his path." The prince tighten his grip and tense his arm muscles. The magic aura around him hummed in their intensity. "And above all, a king that isn't a puppet!" He slashed upward, cutting through the caretaker's heart, shoulder and ripping the blade from her body.
The wide gap gushed blood like a fountain before the corpse fell over to pain the floor around it red.
He's exactly like a late Queen Arianna!
It was at this moment that I realized--even in my panic at the present and the future--that for the first time in a long time, I wasn't afraid.
I looked at my handy work and then at my bloodied sword.
The rage was still there, but I felt an underling calm.
"Now then. William!" My loud growl caused everyone to flinch, but William was the one shook most of all. Good. "Lead the way to where Natalie is. All the knights involved in her 'investigation'? Execute them."
"B-but they were just following orders!" The Regent tried to protest.
"Not my orders, and not yours." It sounded like a question but I didn't intended it to be. William shook his head frantically to confirm his innocence. ...Well, he's not completely innocent. "As for the rest of you, Rhedia Almond died valiantly to stop an assassination attempt on me. Her family is to be compensated and greatly rewarded for her bravery, then cut all ties with them."
"B-b-but--"
"Do not question me right now, William!" That shut him up. Everyone else nodded. Good, and now for the finale. "Let me be clear, Jacoub," I looked to the script who had some paper he was delivering when all this happened. "Albert," the financial accountant that came with Jacoub to clarity some points in his friend's report. "Justin," a guard knight. "Gosh," the other guard knight. "Merria," a maid whose around. "I know and remember all your names and faces." They all paled. Good. "I know the names and faces of every person in this castle, so know this, if rumors of what happened spread around. I will end you." They looked like they were about to piss themselves. Good job, me.
"William," I turned to my Regent. "Let's go." I passed the knight leader, deliberately acting like I forgot him, then stopped.
"James, son of Cadron." I heard him nearly cry. I turn my face, looking him directly in the eye, convey all my wrath at him. "If you do not kill yourself by the time I leave this room, I will end your bloodline."
I walked forward. William still shaking, walked besides me.
Before I left the room, I heard flesh being cut, and blood being spilled freely. There were cries and gasps and a thud of a body falling.
Good. Tracking down his family and killing them, would have been an annoying waste of time and resources.
Personal Info:
Name: Aidan Vealfas Rowan Atlas Chavagner
Titles: Crown Prince of Ereon, Bloody Smile Prince
Age: 13
Condition: Irritated
Stats:
Strength: 13
Durability: 10
Dexterity: 14
Speed: 13
Mental Calculation: 37
Memory Capacity: 100
Aether Control: 23
Mana Capacity: 11
Skills:
Royal Etiquette:
Swordsmanship:
Kingdom Governance:
Status Magic:
Traits:
Firm Stride: A leap of faith. The confidence of madmen. The ability to not hesitate once a decision is made, and to walk forward with open eyes.