Chapter 4: Bragger

Chapter 4: Bragger

The next morning arrived, and Sevi's body was sore; really, really sore. Every muscle seemed to protest his movements, a stark reminder of how far he had fallen from his previous peak in his original world.

'Never thought i'll feel this kind of soreness again.'

As he moved towards the window to catch a glimpse of the morning, he spotted a grand carriage pulling up to the castle's gate—today was the day the royal guests arrived.

Just as he was about to prepare himself, there was a soft knock on his door. 

"Young Master Sevi, I've come to assist you with your attire," the person behind the door said politely. 

"You can come in." Sevi replied.

The door swung open to reveal, a young maid with a warm and professional demeanor. She carried a neatly pressed formal outfit and approached Sevi with a friendly smile.

The maid moved efficiently, her practiced hands making quick work of the task. She adjusted his collar, smoothed out any creases, and ensured that every detail of his outfit was perfect. Her touch was gentle but assured, and her attentiveness made Sevi feel a bit more at ease.

"Thank you, uhhh..." Sevi hesitated, momentarily struggling to recall the maid's name. The memory of her name finally surfaced.

"Thank you, Lote," he said, his voice sincere as she made the final adjustments.

Lote paused, her eyes widening slightly. She looked at Sevi with a mix of surprise and cautious optimism. 

"It's... my pleasure, Young Master Sevi," Lote responded, her voice tinged with surprise. "I'm glad to be of help."

Sevi noticed her reaction but chose not to dwell on it. With a nod of appreciation, he straightened his outfit one last time and headed toward the door.

The staff bustled about, preparing for the arrival of Princess Cressida and her entourage. The grand doors were flung open, and Sevi took his place among the welcoming party.

The royal guests arrived in a flurry of elegance and regality. Sevi observed the scene,

'Wow, never thought I'd see something like this... Like having lots of people to welcome. And a carriage? Culture shock..' Sevi thought, realizing of how different this world was from his old life.

He positioned himself in line with the other members of the welcoming party, ready to greet Princess Cressida and the Princes with the proper etiquette.

As the royal guests stepped into the grand hall, Sevi stepped forward with practiced grace and a courteous bow. 

"Welcome, Your Highness. It's an honor to have you here," he said, his voice measured and respectful.

Princess Cressida's gaze lingered on him for a moment, her expression a mix of politeness and distant disapproval. She nodded in acknowledgment but her eyes held a trace of coolness.

"Thank you, Sevi," she replied, her tone polite but unenthusiastic.

'How do I even woo this girl? Like look at that favorability above her head.' Sevi thought as he felt a pang of discomfort at her reaction but maintained his composure. 

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Princess Cressida Everheart (Human)

Favorability: -50/100

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Turning his attention to Prince Croh, who stood beside the princess with his usual air of smug superiority, Sevi's smile tightened.

"Prince Croh, welcome," Sevi said, his voice carrying a hint of restrained hostility. "It's good to see you."

Prince Croh, with his characteristic smirk, responded with an air of superiority. "Ah, Sevi. Always a pleasure. I see you've managed to keep up appearances."

'The friend of the old arrogant young duke... Birds of the same feather, really,' Sevi thought bitterly.

His attention then shifted to Prince Carion, who lingered behind, clearly uncomfortable and wary. Carion's presence was subdued, and he seemed to shrink into the background, his eyes flicking between Sevi and the other royals.

Sevi approached Carion with a softer demeanor, hoping to counteract the negative history between them. 

"Prince Carion," he said, his voice gentle and sincere. "It's a pleasure to have you here."

Carion's eyes narrowed slightly, and he regarded Sevi with visible suspicion. His past interactions with Sevi had been far from pleasant, and he struggled to reconcile the warm tone with the image of the bullying Sevi he remembered.

"Thank you," Carion replied cautiously.

The children moved to the backyard for tea. The garden was beautifully arranged, with tables set for the occasion.

Prince Croh took the lead in the conversation, his voice carrying a note of boastfulness. He leaned back in his chair, his demeanor relaxed but exuding confidence.

"You know," Croh began, his voice brimming with self-satisfaction, "I've recently been honing my swordsmanship. The latest duel I had was a testament to my skill."

He proceeded to talk about the tales of his recent victories in the training grounds. His descriptions were detailed and exaggerated, designed to showcase his prowess and superiority.

"...And then, with a single strike, I disarmed my opponent. It's all about control," Croh said, gesturing animatedly as he recounted the story.

Sevi, following his memories of the old Sevi's role, maintained a facade of admiration. He nodded appreciatively and offered encouraging remarks, though inside he felt a growing discomfort with Croh's arrogance.

'He keeps repeating his so "amazing" achievement. I'm getting bored of it.'

"Impressive, Prince Croh," Sevi said with a practiced smile. "Your skill with the sword truly is remarkable."

Princess Cressida sipped her tea with a detached elegance, her attention drifting between the conversation and the surroundings. She occasionally offered polite nods but seemed otherwise uninterested in the bragging.

Prince Carion, seated quietly beside the group, remained largely silent. His expression was a mix of resignation and discomfort. He kept his gaze lowered, clearly trying to avoid becoming the center of attention.

As the conversation continued, Croh's boasts grew more elaborate. "I've been working on a new technique," he said, clearly relishing the opportunity to display his prowess. "Few can match it."

Then, Croh glanced at Carion with a smirk.

'Uhhh... I know where's this going.' Sevi thought as he saw Croh's smirk.

"I doubt you've had much chance to practice your skills, Carion. Have you?"

Carion's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. He remained silent, not willing to rise to Croh's provocation.

Prince Croh, evidently taking pleasure in the moment, raised his sword slightly towards Carion in a mocking gesture. The blade glinted in the sunlight, and Croh's smirk widened as he made a show of adjusting his stance.

"Care to prove your skills, Carion?" Croh taunted, his tone dripping with disdain.

Carion's eyes flicked to the sword, then back to Croh, his discomfort turning into a mixture of defiance and dread. He gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, struggling to maintain his composure.

Sevi felt a pang of anger at the sight.

'This fvcker... I need to diffuse the situation.' Sevi thought.

"Prince Croh," Sevi said, his voice firm but calm, "perhaps we should focus on the more positive aspects of your recent achievements rather than making comparisons. Mind if you continue?"

Croh's eyes narrowed slightly, but he reluctantly lowered his sword and took a step back.

"Very well," he said with a hint of annoyance. "If you insist."

The conversation shifted back to more neutral topics. Princess Cressida's eyes glinted with intrigue at Sevi's unexpected stance, finding his approach both refreshing and unusual.

Meanwhile, Prince Carion, though he seemed to relax slightly, couldn't entirely shake his suspicion. He watched the interactions closely, still wary of Sevi's motives.

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