Sinister

"And why is that? It's supposed to be the easiest question when you're planning to be his direct competitor, right?" Jerome asked.

"Well, here's the thing. I don't know if he is real or fake. I don't know if you'll get what I mean, but that's that." I replied.

Look, now that I have had a talk with the crown prince and determined that he is the chosen one of this world, I could see this going in two ways. The first option is purely the basic otome isekai route where the protagonist of the original world is basically the most evil person deceiving the people, which is the most likely option in my opinion. I mean, I don't believe that a person could be as pure as the male protagonists in otome isekais. Like, I know that would be possible in a world brewed by an author, but this is no longer that world, so there's that.

But then again, there's the unlikely option of the prince being the purest existence of them all and the ideal male protagonist. Still, highly unlikely to be honest.

"I know what you mean?" Jerome mumbled all of a sudden and since I was lost in my train of thoughts this entire time, I had no idea what he was talking about.

"Huh?"

"You said that you didn't know whether the crown prince was real or fake, right? I feel the same as well. I mean, being the son of THAT couple and having this good of a behavior makes me wonder the same as well." Jerome replied.

"I know, right! He should be a straight up brat at that point, right?" I shrugged as I agreed with what he said.

"Like his younger brother, huh?" Jerome asked.

"Younger brother?"

"Ah, it seems like you haven't met them this time around. The crown prince's blood related younger brothers have all got the bratty behavior that we talked about." Jerome spoke.

"Hmm, then it's all the more weird." I mumbled.

What is the crown prince? Why is he the way he is? Is he putting on a facade to pull the crowd's support towards him so that he could succeed to the throne without any problem? Or is it because he used to live in humbler conditions since his grandfather didn't accept him into the family because he was basically an offspring born out of an affair? Whatever it is, I believe these are the initial stages and I have to keep the crown prince on check. After all, we are supposed to meet each other again.

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Even though Jerome promised me to have a conversation about the travel arrangements on our way back, he never did, which meant that I had to settle myself inside the crappy carriage yet again. And as a person with crippling back problems in my previous life, I really didn't appreciate how the journey went and I decided to give a stern lecture to the people involved about that. And since it seemed like they have taken my words into their heart, I'm all good.

But there were more pressing concerns on my mind at that point. If the crown prince was so good, why did the normal populace hate him and wanted me to take his spot instead? Is it because I proved myself in maintaining the territory or is it because they are worried that the reign of terror would continue, just under a different ruler cuz with crown prince being the Emperor, he would basically be Duke Myghell's puppet? Or is it just that they see something that I don't? Whatever it is, everything's the same as before I guess. I still have the same enemies and I still have the same goal—a peaceful life in between the chaos. That is what I wish for and that is what I'll get!

"My Lord! My Lord!" Once again, my train of thoughts was interrupted by Jerome.

"Lad, you could just call me Nosir, you know? I mean, it wouldn't be weird for me that way." I shrugged as I said that.

"My Lord, there are people around, so I can't do that.* Jerome said as he looked around.

"Ha, whatever. Why did you call for me then?" I asked.

"Well, there are people waiting for you outside the palace. I thought it would be nice if you met up with them." Jerome spoke.

"Ok, cool. Let's move then." I got up as I said that.

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Outside of the mansion gate stood about twenty people. Well, when I say stood, nineteen of them did. And there was one in a carriage looking all haughty. By the looks of it, he seemed like a nobility while others were either his servants or the people from his area of ruling. Whatever it is, I really didn't like the guy's cocky look. It was as if he thought of me as extremely gullible or something and that really pissed me off.

"Grand Duke! How are you doing? I heard that you were bedridden so I came here to meet you." The guy spoke.

Since I haven't gone through all the noble's names and how they were with me, I really didn't know whether he was really on friendly terms with me or not. And now that is the case, I decided to turn towards my reliable friend for help.

"Who is this guy and what relation does this guy have with me?" I asked.

"Well, this guy right here is the Viscount of the Goldholt region, Viscount Kenneth." Jerome replied.

"And is this guy friends with me or something? I mean, he is overly friendly with me and I really don't like it. I mean, if he is friends with me, I guess I can't do anything about that." I shrugged as I said that.

"Nah, he's not your friend. He's like a leech that believes that you are too gullible." Jerome replied.

"Ah, is that so? Doesn't that mean that I can screw him over now, right?" I had a pretty sinister smile as I asked him.

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