Refuge in Audacity (Original/Isekai Chapter 7)

"Oooofff!"

The wind was knocked out of me as I fell to the ground again.

"Good job, your Highness. Your foot work had improved and you even managed to almost get a hit on me." Said Jeremy Tailor, my new swordsmanship instructor.

He--and yes it's a he--was "strongly" recommended by General Duchess Verena Westwind. To be more accurate, she more or less threw the guy at me, telling him to stop the "corrupting evil sexy influence" of the Demon Queen from affecting me anymore, and left us both confused and dazed.

I actually felt more sorry for the guy than annoyed. He was one of her General-Lieutenants, and now he was reduced to sword teacher of a royal brat (yeah, I know I'm the brat in question but still). Although his specialty being his defense and massive ability to take a hit, making him an excellent teacher to try sword techniques on. If I actually can land a hit on him in sparring, though.

"Uh-huh, yeah." I asked dryly as I stood up. "How much are you holding back again?"

"Half of my strength, your Highness." He said promptly.

"Bullshit." Was my instant reply.

"Y-y-your Highness, you shouldn't use such crude--"

"Look, Sir Jeremy, just...don't." I shook my head slowly in lieu of not having a clever line to say. "I appreciate some honestly, as I actually do want to improve my Skill level. I don't need some ass-kissers that ends up harming my growth, and I think it should be obvious why." His eyes widened a bit, before he ashamedly looked away.

Damn. I didn't mean to compare him to them. I took a deep breath and let it go. "I'm sorry for that, but I would like your honest opinion, as I would like to get the most out of these lessons."

"No, no. You never need apologize, Prince Aidan. It is my duty and pleasure to serve, and I am sorry for my unintended disrespect." He bowed his head and I waved him off. Let's not waste too much time with decorum, and lose the lesson time, as I have a lot of work after this.

"So?" I asked again.

"...Slow. You are improving, definitely, but I feel you would benefit from these lessons more if it wasn't once a week. At the moment, I don't really need to think in order to beat your attacks."

"Hmm." I nodded. He had a point, but I couldn't spend as much as I would have sufficiently liked on swordsmanship as other lessons took precedence. Governance, magic, sex magic-slash-survival training with Ella (which ever one she felt like at the time). Then there was sitting in on meetings with the Regent, the Prime Minister, Treasurer, Auditor, High Priestess (on the few occasions she visits), and even at times if I am unlucky enough, ambassadors.

A refreshing part of those meetings now, is that General Duke Gabriel Holdfast attends them as Chief of Public Order. The few times he does speak when things get hectic it's like rationality has fell down upon the room and sanity has been restored.

And of course, there is making sure Lachniya is satisfied enough everyday, so she doesn't break down the castle in a sexual raged frenzy. She hasn't done anything, but there were a few instances where I felt like she...implied it. Maybe.

One thing to note is that I haven't seen Natalie in a while. Ella had reassured me that she was fine and just undergoing her new training. Which I guess is fine, as when I first suggested the idea to Natalie, she jumped onto it wholeheartedly. So, I guess, she's safe.

...I miss her though.

There was another thing occupying my thoughts lately, however.

There was a certain obligation of sorts that came with turning 14 years old, for nobles and specially royalty.

Marriage interviews.

Thing is, after my, well, fiery execution of the Almond family, I released a royal statement on why it happened, declaring the Almonds as traitors who had been executed for their crimes of sabotage against the crown.

I had to make a giant royal party, inviting all the nobles--a few where scared shitless and only sent a representative, or their middle son or daughter--most of them came, rationalizing correctly that I wouldn't do something cruel and stupid to them like massacring them, as that would just invite civil war.

"Truly, it ached my heart that I had to end the Almonds as I did, down to the last man, woman or child. But a corruption that took such root needed to removed completely, till no trace is left of it, till nothing can return. I am sorry that it had to be done, but you ladies and gentlemen? I know how virtuous you all are, and without rot the Almonds presence held, you are all free to live without that dark cloud over your heads, to be the best that I know you are."

I gave a "heartfelt" speech about the crimes of the Almonds, and the lines they crossed. At the end, I think they got the message. As long as they don't get too daring and, or ambitious, and push things to the point the Almonds did, I won't have to come at them like the fist of an angry goddess.

Of course, with the loss of the Almonds, some nobles still tried to fill in that "power gap". That "gap" being having the ear of royalty.

No noble family could try--or rather dare--to request themselves be appointed as the new Royal Caretaker, as they didn't want the connotations of the last family to do so be on them. (The Royal Caretaker is something I'll have to assign some time later on down the line.)

Instead, the method that most of them arrived at, to try and influence me without incurring my wrath was, marriage.

The thing about marriage interviews is, I have to go through them an choose a fiancee, or it would lead to annoying problems. Like worry about the future of the royal family's bloodline, which in turn could have nobles starting to scheme who among them could be the next king. Given that my Great Uncle Marcus isn't around, he would have none of that, so he'll either start a civil war, or he'll be king and knock woman up so his child would have the throne while he stays at the borders killing monsters.

There could also be other concerns like alliances, that certain families have with families from other countries. Thus for example, if I marry a daughter from a family, that have an alliance with a family in Gorbon who make belts, that alliance strengthen, while another from a rival family weakens. So, there is that point to consider.

In summary, in order to present a stable image of Ereon's future for nobles and commoners, I need to get hitched.

"Alright," I shook my head to clear it. "One more time." I told Jeremy as I held up my sword for attack.

I decided not to worry about those marriage interviews. After all, how bad could they be?

Personal Info:

Name: Aidan Vealfas Rowan Atlas Chavagner

Titles: Crown Prince of Ereon, Bloody Smile Prince, Future King of Ereon, Master of the Demon Queen, Bringer of Heaven Fiery Wrath

Age: 14

Condition: Busy but okay

Stats:

Strength: 43

Durability: 87

Dexterity: 35

Speed: 39

Mental Calculation: 77

Memory Capacity: 124

Aether Control: 67

Mana Capacity: 55

Skills:

Royal Etiquette:

Swordsmanship:

Kingdom Governance:

Status Magic:

-Sex Magic:

Bedroom Arts:

Presence Detection:

Combat Sense:

Street Fighting:

Knife Catching:

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.

Vengeance Torment: Cold-blooded torture. Pain repaid a hundred fold. The ability to inflict pain and suffering on others without being bother or affected by their screams and tears, or seeing blood and gore.

King's Presence: The air of a ruler. The aura of a leader of men. The ability to captivate attention and project authority to your subjects. When you act like a king, people will listen when you speak, and remember you when you leave.