Episode 83: The Crown Prince (2)
“You are the Crown Prince! When will you stop living so recklessly and start taking responsibility for this country?”
“Reckless? I’m just taking a break, and you’re the only one who sees it as a problem, Father!”
“Drinking and carousing with women is not taking a break! You’re just ruining your life!”
As the argument between the two escalated, Damian felt a wave of discomfort wash over him. The Crown Prince’s attitude and tone reminded him too much of his own past.
“I won’t tolerate this any longer! From today, you’ll start the education necessary for a Crown Prince!”
“Education? You mean sitting with old men and reading books? Even a passing dog would laugh at that!”
“Is that how you speak to your father?”
“I have my own way of doing things, not these outdated methods!”
With that, Crown Prince Oliver Apple shouted and slammed the door behind him as he left.
Once Oliver was gone, the king buried his face in his hands, sighing deeply.
“Sir Damian, I apologize for showing you such an unpleasant scene.”
Damian remained silent. Sometimes, silence was the best response.
“As you can see, the Crown Prince’s behavior is far from ideal. He wasn’t always like this… I don’t know where it all went wrong.”
The king sighed heavily, his face a picture of distress.
“I must ask you to guide the Crown Prince back to the right path.”
It was clear the king had summoned Damian to entrust him with the task of reforming his wayward son. Damian’s reputation had evidently reached the king’s ears.
“I know about your past. I’ve heard how you’ve turned your life around… Could you use that experience to help the Crown Prince?”
The king looked at Damian with pleading eyes, and Damian felt a wave of fatigue.
‘What a bother,’ he thought.
Damian wasn’t particularly eager to accept the task. The Crown Prince’s behavior was too reminiscent of his own past, and the thought of enduring the stress of reforming him was daunting.
Seeing Damian’s hesitation, the king quickly added, “Of course, I wouldn’t ask this of you without offering something in return. If you can guide the Crown Prince, I’ll reward you beyond a mere title of count.”
The king opened a drawer and took out two small vials, each looking as if carved from stone.
“This is Alecto’s Royal Jelly.”
Damian coughed involuntarily, unable to stop even after several attempts.
“Your Majesty! That’s too much!”
Liam Bluegreen, equally shocked, exclaimed in disbelief. His reaction was understandable, as even master-class individuals coveted such an item.
Alecto was an insect-like monster, resembling a giant wasp. Even a single one was more dangerous than most large monsters, and they often swarmed in dozens.
Despite the danger, Alecto was not well-known due to its rarity. Few ever encountered it, and those who sought it might only see it once or twice in a lifetime.
Alecto gained fame when an adventurer accidentally stumbled into its hive and consumed the Royal Jelly inside. Originally used to create queen bees, when consumed by humans, it granted unique abilities: immunity to poison and enhanced regeneration.
The adventurer who consumed it became immune to venomous creatures and could regenerate lost body parts quickly.
Though the amount the king offered was unlikely to provide such dramatic effects, as the adventurer had consumed it to the point of bursting, Damian couldn’t help but be intrigued by the Royal Jelly.
‘It would pair well with the Berserk Elixir.’
The Berserk Elixir was a powerful mana technique but placed a heavy burden on the body. Damian had only used it sparingly due to this drawback.
With the Royal Jelly, he could significantly reduce that burden, potentially unleashing the elixir’s full potential.
“Your Majesty! Please reconsider!”
“If it means changing the Crown Prince, it’s worth it.”
Liam Bluegreen looked at the king with a pained expression.
“Sir Damian, if you accept this task, I’ll give you one vial now. If the Crown Prince changes, you’ll receive the other.”
With such a coveted item before him, refusing would be foolish. Damian quickly knelt and declared, “I may be unworthy, but I will do my utmost to fulfill Your Majesty’s command!”
The king’s face lit up with relief at Damian’s response.
“Thank you! Truly, thank you!”
The king personally helped Damian to his feet, expressing his gratitude.
The king repeatedly thanked Damian before finally letting him leave the study. Damian stepped out, a vial of Royal Jelly safely tucked in his pocket.
“Sir Damian.”
Liam Bluegreen approached him outside.
“What are your plans now? Will you head to your quarters to settle in?”
“No, I plan to meet the Crown Prince and properly introduce myself.”
Liam’s eyes widened slightly at Damian’s response.
“You truly intend to change the Crown Prince.”
“I made a promise to His Majesty, and I intend to keep it.”
Liam seemed pleased with Damian’s resolve, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“In that case, let me guide you. We can chat along the way.”
Damian, unfamiliar with the palace layout, accepted Liam’s offer without protest.
“Forget what I said earlier. It wasn’t because I was reluctant to part with the Royal Jelly.”
As they walked, Liam spoke, still dwelling on his earlier attempt to dissuade the king.
“I’ve already forgotten. And I would have reacted the same way. It’s an extraordinary item, after all.”
Liam laughed heartily at Damian’s response.
“Ha! I suppose it could have seemed that way. But what truly bothered me was that His Majesty offered such a thing for the Crown Prince’s sake.”
Suddenly, Liam’s tone grew serious.
“His Majesty believes the Crown Prince can change, but I disagree.”
Damian listened silently as Liam continued.
“Many have tried before you. They’ve used persuasion, threats, all sorts of methods. But the Crown Prince hasn’t changed at all.”
Liam’s eyes reflected deep fatigue, likely from his own efforts to reform the prince.
“Am I not proof that change is possible?”
“You can say that because you changed. Do you expect the Crown Prince to follow your example? I can’t.”
Liam’s voice was cold, as if he’d given up hope for the prince.
“Our only effort has been to ensure the Crown Prince doesn’t disgrace the royal family, constantly covering up his actions.”
It was strange, Damian thought. If the Crown Prince was such a troublemaker, rumors should have spread. Yet, he’d heard nothing.
This explained why Damian had never heard any gossip about the prince.
“That’s the residence where the Crown Prince stays.”
Liam stopped and pointed to a large building.
“He might not be there. He often leaves the palace.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll find him myself.”
“One more piece of advice: giving up early is also an option.”
Liam patted Damian’s shoulder a few times before leaving, as if he wanted to avoid meeting the Crown Prince himself.
“So, that’s where he is.”
Damian looked up at the residence. It was grand and spacious, befitting a Crown Prince.
He made his way inside.
“Hold on. Who are you to enter so freely?”
A servant stopped Damian as he entered. Damian replied nonchalantly, “I’m Damian Haxen, here to instruct the Crown Prince in swordsmanship.”
“What? What?”
“I’ve come to see the prince. Could you let him know?”
Ignoring the servant, Damian continued inside. The servant, flustered, hurried after him.
“Wait, you can’t go up there. The Crown Prince ordered no one to be let in…”
“Understood. Just follow your orders and let no one in.”
“But, sir? You’re going in…”
The servant couldn’t keep up with Damian’s pace. In no time, Damian Haxen disappeared from view, leaving the servant staring blankly after him.
Having shaken off the servant, Damian headed to the top floor, sensing the Crown Prince’s presence there.
Without knocking, he flung the door open and stepped inside.
“Who are you? I said no one was to come in!”
As soon as the door swung open, a loud shout echoed through the room, accompanied by the pungent stench of alcohol.
Crown Prince Oliver Apple was glaring at Damian, a bottle clutched tightly in his hand.
Who knew how much he had drunk in the meantime? His face was as red as a beet.
“You…?”
The prince squinted, his expression souring as he recognized Damian.
“You’re that guy from earlier, right? The one Sir Liam brought in?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Damian nodded slightly, maintaining a respectful posture.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Damian Haxen. I’ve been appointed as your swordsmanship instructor for the time being.”
At the mention of Damian’s name, a flicker of interest sparked in Oliver Apple’s eyes.
“Damian Haxen? The one they say was a rogue?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“So that’s who my father called in… Ha! Never thought it would be you.”
The prince chuckled, taking a swig directly from the bottle.
“I was curious about what kind of person you’d be. And here you are. Quite the honor, isn’t it?”
“It’s an honor to meet you as well, Your Highness.”
“Don’t give me that nonsense!”
Without warning, the prince hurled the bottle at Damian, who simply tilted his head to dodge it.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused me by tagging along with Sir Liam?”
The prince’s voice rose in anger, but Damian let the words wash over him.
“The Haxen family? I don’t even know where that is! Must be some backwater place, right? Is that why you were so eager to see the capital? Did Sir Liam sweet-talk you into following him here?”
The prince’s tantrum only grew more intense with time.
“Go tell my father! Tell him you’re quitting and heading back immediately! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you regret ever coming here… Wait, what are you pulling out?”
Damian was calmly retrieving a large club from a pocket dimension.
In response to the prince’s question, Damian replied nonchalantly, “Oh, it’s nothing. Please, continue with what you were saying.”