Chapter 13: The Prince's First Adventure

I step onto the bridge of the small shuttle, where Dad is already waiting. His arms are crossed, and his expression is caught somewhere between exasperation and resignation. "Where have you dragged us into this time?" he grumbles.
I glance out the window. The capital sprawls beneath us, its rooftops bathed in the golden hues of dawn. The royal palace looms ahead, growing larger as we approach the exclusive landing pad reserved for high-ranking guests.
As the shuttle touches down with practiced precision, the boarding ramp lowers, revealing our charges for today. Prince Julius stands at the forefront, his usual air of arrogance slightly diminished by a tired scowl. Beside him, Jilk mirrors his mood, looking equally unenthused. In stark contrast, Angelica and Clarice greet us with polite smiles, their expressions betraying a hint of excitement. Further back, a more imposing figure stands—a tall man with a dignified presence, Count Arclight, the famed Sword Saint, with his son, Chris, trailing behind him. Chris, noticeably smaller than the others, shifts nervously under the weight of the situation. He keeps glancing between Julius and me, as if unsure of where to position himself.
Julius scoffs, arms crossed. "I don't see why you're here, Bartfort."
I offer a relaxed shrug. "Don't look at me. I was invited."
Jilk, ever loyal, adds, "It's not like he belongs here. This is an official royal matter."
Before I can respond, Count Arclight speaks up. His voice is even, but there's an undeniable weight to his words. "We appreciate your assistance today, Lord Bartfort. I trust this expedition will be enlightening for all of us." His gaze sharpens slightly as it lands on me. "And I do hope we can cross swords again sometime."
I nod respectfully. "It would be an honor, Count Arclight."
Chris flinches at his father's words but says nothing. He's clearly nervous.
Julius scoffs again. "Let's just get this over with."
With that, we board the shuttle, and I already feel a headache forming as Julius and Jilk continue their grumbling.

The interior of the shuttle is well-furnished, offering comfort befitting its passengers. Not that it does anything to improve the mood. Julius and Jilk waste no time venting their frustrations, their complaints filling the cabin.
"I still don't understand why we have to waste our time on this," Julius mutters, arms crossed. "Lafan territory is insignificant. Whatever assessment needs to be done could have been handled by the Ministry."
Jilk scoffs beside him. "It's obvious why they pushed this onto you, Your Highness. They want to pretend you're learning something while making you entertain a lower noble. What a joke."
I lean back in my seat, already regretting everything. We haven't even arrived, and I already want to throw myself out of this shuttle.
Julius exhales sharply. "And on top of that, we have to suffer his presence as well." His glare shifts to me.

Oh, here we go.
"You've already inserted yourself into our business once. Now, you're doing it again." He glares at me. "Did you come along just to gloat?"
Jilk huffs. "He probably did. After all, he's got the favor of certain people, doesn't he?" His gaze flicks briefly to Angelica and Clarice before returning to me, his expression cold.
I don't even bother responding.
Julius scoffs. "I suppose it makes sense. He doesn't have proper noble responsibilities of his own to worry about, so he enjoys interfering in others' affairs."
Jilk smirks. "And with all that free time, he certainly found ways to play the hero at the ball."
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Right. Because saving Angelica and Clarice from you was somehow an elaborate scheme.
Julius leans back with a sigh. "Honestly, I don't see why he was even invited."
At that, I finally turn to them, offering a dry smile. "Because Lord Arclight wanted someone competent along?"
Julius's expression darkens. "You—"
But before he can launch into another rant, a sharp voice cuts through the cabin. "That's enough." Angelica's tone is firm, leaving no room for argument.
Julius turns to her, his frown deepening. "Angelica, I—"
"Leon was invited here by your queen-mother."
Julius's jaw tightens, but he says nothing.
Clarice, sitting beside Angelica, tilts her head slightly. "Really, Julius, Jilk, you should be grateful. Without him, the ball would have been an even greater disaster for you both."
Jilk's smirk vanishes instantly.
I blink. They actually shut them up.

Before either of them can regain their vigor, Lord Arclight clears his throat, drawing the attention of the cabin. He sits composed, his sharp gaze directed at Julius. "Your Highness," he begins, "as this is your expedition, would you kindly remind us of the objectives for today?"
Julius looks reluctant, but under Lord Arclight's expectant gaze, he straightens slightly. "…Our task is threefold," he says, voice stiff. "First, we are to assess the economic state of the Lafan territory."
Lord Arclight nods in approval.
"Second, we must observe the Lafan family's approach to noble duties and lastly, we are to evaluate the territory's usefulness to the kingdom, as well as the family's overall contribution."
There's a brief silence as Julius finishes. Then Lord Arclight gives an approving nod. "Well stated."
He then turns his gaze to the rest of us. "These will not only be His Highness's objectives but yours as well. Consider it an exercise in judgment—one that every noble should be capable of performing."
Julius and Jilk shift slightly, clearly displeased with the notion of sharing their task. I simply nod along. At least that's the farce Milene came up with when we planned this trip.
Dad, who had been quietly observing, finally speaks up. "We're approaching Lafan territory," he announces, standing near the front of the cabin. "Prepare yourselves."

The shuttle lands smoothly on the designated platform outside the Lafan manor.
I think I'll throw up. It's just too much embellishment. Gold accents on the railings, ornamental carvings on the columns, walls—everything. It seems excessive, almost desperate. Like they're trying too hard to prove their nobility.
Viscount Lafan waits for us at the base of the landing pad. His wife stands beside him, wearing far too many jewels. Their children—a son and daughter in their mid-teens—are dressed in fine clothes, but like everything else, there's something… off about them. Their outfits are expensive but clashing, almost as if they were picked based on price rather than taste. They want to be seen as high nobility, but they lack… let's say refinement.
The viscount steps forward, offering a deep bow. "Your Highness, welcome to our humble estate. It is the highest honor to receive you today."
Julius, still irritated from earlier, barely acknowledges him with a nod. "Viscount Lafan."
The viscount turns to Lord Arclight and bows just as deeply. "Count Arclight, it has been too long."
Lord Arclight inclines his head politely. Then the viscount's gaze shifts, and I feel the temperature drop. His expression remains composed, but the moment he locks eyes with my father and me, something flickers in his eyes—displeasure, barely concealed. The viscount forces a smile. "Ah, Baron… Pardon, Viscount Bartfort. I must admit, I was surprised to hear of your presence."
Julius clears his throat, annoyed by the delay. "Shall we move inside?"
"Of course, of course." The viscount gestures toward the entrance. "Please, follow me."

As we walk, the Lafan family stays close to Julius and Lord Arclight, subtly guiding them into conversation. They lavish the prince with praise, showering him with admiration for his "wisdom" in coming to assess their lands personally. Meanwhile, Dad and I are entirely ignored. Angelica and Clarice keep close, their expressions neutral but sharp. They've noticed too.
And something else catches my attention. A single maid stands near the entrance, her uniform more elaborate than necessary—layers of ruffles, delicate lace, all in pristine white. A personal attendant? No… a status symbol. She's not here to work; she's here to be seen.
But besides her, I don't see any other servants. Odd.

The viscount leads us into the receiving room, where the excess continues. The walls are completely covered with gold-framed paintings, and the furniture is so lavish it looks like it belongs in a royal palace rather than a viscount's estate. Again, too much. We take our seats, and the flattery resumes. The viscount's wife praises Julius's "radiant presence," while the son and daughter smile and nod along, adding comments about how inspiring it is to have the prince visit.
I barely listen. My attention is on the layout of the manor. One wing of the estate is blocked off, large partitions set up to hide ongoing construction. From what I can tell, it's a major renovation. So, they're still pouring money into the estate.
At last, Lord Arclight speaks. "Your Highness, how would you like to proceed?"
Julius straightens. "We'll begin with a broad assessment. A survey of the territory from the air."
The viscount tenses slightly. "Wouldn't a formal report suffice?"
Julius shakes his head. "A firsthand account is necessary."
A moment of hesitation. Then, a forced smile. "Of course, Your Highness. My son and daughter will accompany you as guides."

Still no mention of Marie. I frown slightly.

The viscount personally escorts us outside to his waiting shuttle.
It's pompous. Golden trim. Engraved insignias. Pointless embellishments. Even the entrance ramp has decorative carvings. What bad taste.
The interior is just as bad. Plush velvet seats, gilded armrests, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling— Who puts chandeliers in a shuttle? I take a slow breath, forcing my irritation down.
Julius and Jilk take their seats near the front. Angelica and Clarice sit together, poised but observant. The Lafan siblings take their places opposite Julius, radiating arrogance. I remain at the back, arms crossed.
The shuttle hums to life, piloted by a man in an overly decorated uniform, his polished boots practically reflecting the ceiling lights.

The Lafan estate is surrounded by a small but well-maintained town. From the shuttle's windows, we see modest but orderly streets, a functioning market, and a population that—at first glance—appears well-dressed. Beyond the town, farms stretch outward in neat parcels, golden crops swaying in the wind. Here and there, hamlets dot the landscape, clustered homes sitting in organized little pockets. Small woodlands strategically break the view, making it impossible to see too far beyond the estate's reach. It all looks adequate. Not extravagant, but respectable for commoners.
The brother gestures smoothly. "This, Your Highness, is the heart of our domain. Our family has spent generations ensuring its prosperity."
Julius, seeing exactly what he expects, nods in satisfaction. "I look forward to seeing more."
Clarice studies the fields, her gaze lingering on the roads. "The land seems productive."
They're only showing us what they want us to see. Enough of this. I push off my seat, stepping forward. "Let's see the rest."

The atmosphere shifts. The brother doesn't bother hiding his disinterest. "You are free to observe whatever His Highness wishes."
The sister smiles politely. A noblewoman's empty smile. "We will ensure that every aspect of our great domain meets the prince's satisfaction."
I frown. Of course, to them, I don't matter. Julius, however, matters very much. I glance at him, expecting him to ignore this entirely. Instead, his lips twitch in amusement. I narrow my eyes. So that's how it is, huh?
I cross my arms and turn toward Julius. "What do you think, Your Highness? Satisfied?" Maybe he gets the double meaning.
Julius tilts his head, watching me struggle. He doesn't even answer me. But after flying in circles, focusing on different details every time—he gets annoyed. "Actually, I'd like to see the borders."
The Lafan siblings stiffen. The brother clears his throat. "Your Highness, there is little of note beyond the central district. It would be a waste of time—"
Julius raises an eyebrow. "Are you saying it's a waste of time for the crown prince to see his own kingdom?"
The Lafans freeze.
Clarice and Angelica exchange glances.
The sister recovers quickly, her smile turning softer. "Your Highness, we only wished to spare you the inconvenience."
Julius hums, unimpressed. "Then let me decide whether or not it's an inconvenience."
The siblings are cornered. They can't outright refuse Julius. Still, they try. The brother hesitates. "There is little to see, Your Highness. The true beauty of our land is right here."
Julius taps his fingers against his armrest. "And what lies beyond this beauty?"
"…The less developed regions," the brother admits carefully.
Julius watches them for a moment longer. Then, deciding he's had enough of their dodging, he turns toward the pilot. "Take us to the edges."
The pilot hesitates, glancing toward his masters. The Lafan siblings say nothing. He exhales through his nose, then obeys.

The shuttle veers off course, heading toward the fringes. And just like that—the illusion shatters.
The pristine streets vanish. The paved roads wither into dirt paths. Then uneven trails.
Homes shrink. Their walls patched with scraps. Entire towns have folded in on themselves. Only a handful of occupied buildings remain, surrounded by ruins.
Fields lie barren.
The shuttle grows eerily silent. Even Jilk, who had been entertained by my mistreatment earlier, watches with quiet unease.
Julius's brow furrows. "What is this?"
The Lafan siblings are pale. Their smiles are gone. They try to recover. "It is—"
Julius interrupts. "Why does it look like this?"
The brother struggles to find words. "These… these are the less developed areas, Your Highness."
Julius's brow furrows. "Less developed?"
The Lafan sister forces a smile. "Our focus has always been on maintaining the estate's prosperity. The borders have…"
She falls silent. Because she doesn't have an answer. Because she has never cared to ask.
Their silence drags.
And that's when the pilot speaks. His voice is flat. Professional. But there's a sharpness beneath it. "The outskirts have been pawned off too many times."
All eyes snap to him.
Julius frowns. "Explain."
The pilot doesn't look away from the controls. "The viscounts have been exchanging money for the right to extract taxes and goods from these regions for a set amount of time. Over and over again. Most of the outskirts no longer truly belong to the Lafan family. They've been sold, resold, and left to rot."
Julius's lips press into a thin line.
Angelica's hands curl into fists. "So this is what they've done?"
Clarice, quieter but no less intense, murmurs, "Then no one has any reason to improve it. Because the land might change hands again."
Jilk frowns. "…But the estate itself is marvelous."
The pilot lets out a small laugh. "Of course it is. Where do you think all the money goes?"
No one looks at the Lafan siblings.
They don't defend themselves. They don't deny it. Because they can't.
Julius exhales slowly. "…Take us back."
The pilot obeys without question.
The return flight is silent.

If that's how they treat everything out of sight… What about Marie?

A/N

No long spiel today. Just wanna get it out. This is part of a longer chapter that I've spilt. Hopefully Ch. 14 comes out soonish, since it's far along.

Oh, and thanks for all the replies again.

Like always, please comment if there is anything on your mind. All non shitposts are appreciated.