Chapter 8: Chapter 4-1
Author's note : Back to Francis's POV
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Since yesterday, I had not seen any maids or butlers around in this Palace, even the auntie who always takes care of me disappeared. To be honest, I don't really need any maids or butlers to take care of me, since I can more or less walk by myself now, I can also do my basic needs on my own, if I need any help, there is Tristan whom I can turn to. Even if there are no maids or butlers, it doesn't affect my life that much. I asked Tristan to carry me around the garden this morning, since I am unfamiliar with this place. Also, I need to think about how to persuade the King and the Queen not to arrange my marriage so soon. Actually I don't mind having a fiancee now or 2 years later, as long as it is not Beryl then I'm fine with anyone. The best choice available right now, to ensure that I'll have a bright future, is to avoid myself from the original plot, and stay away as far as possible from Beryl, Caesar and other love interests. But if I don't convince the King and Queen now, it would be late, as in the game, the King decided this engagement when Francis was 5 years old, means that I only have less than a year to think of some good reasons to persuade them. Of course it is impossible for me to think about it alone, so I invited Tristan to have a conversation with me.
" What do you think I should say to convince the King and Queen to postpone my engagement plan ? " I start the conversation straight-forward like that, since I don't want to waste my time saying about unimportant things.
" Huh ?? " He looked so confused, it's alright. Since no one has never mentioned that some noble daughters will be engaged to me, it's not surprise for him to be so puzzled.
" You know that I'm a Prince of a Kingdom, right ? The King will need to decide my future bride sooner or later. " I hope that this is enough for him to understand. Good, it seems that he is less confused now. I shall continue, " But I don't want to have a fiancee at this age, I'm still a kid. So what do you think I should say to persuade the King and Queen ? "
Tristan doesn't say anything, seems like he is thinking very hard. Actually, I have the option of doing the dogeza to beg them to cancel that idea of having me engaged with someone, but I will lose my face, so no. Tristan also knows that the King and the First Prince don't really like me, and the Queen only put me after the First Prince. In the original game, there weren't such details as ' the Second Prince was isolated ' or ' the Second Prince was treated unfairly ' . I wonder why I need to suffer like this. Was there something that I did which cause the plot to change that I'm not aware of ? Oops, I went too far from the topic that I need to discuss today.
" I think that ' because Young prince is still small ' is a valid reason. " Tristan gave a suggestion. Not too bad, but not convincing enough.
" I also thought of that before, but there are many noble children who are engaged at young age. So this is not really a strong reason. "
" So why don't you just straight-away say that you don't want to get married. " ..... Both of them might take it as a joke, or I am just being stubborn though.
" Not possible. "
" This is so tough. Why don't you just let everything go with the flow ? " Tristan complained. I also want to let it go, but if I do so I will die. Tristan continued, " But the King and Queen don't really care about you, they might not get you a fiancee though. Don't worry so much, Young Prince. " Brilliant. Why didn't I think about this ? The story plot somewhat changed, so it might also affect the problem if I will have Beryl as my fiancee or not.
" That was such a brilliant thinking Tristan ! Since they hate me they might not get me a fiancee, even I cannot think of that. You are really far beyond my expectation. " Tristan is such a capable and strong person, but I've just discovered that he is also a wise man. If he continues to be like this, I'm sure he will get a higher title in the future. Since this problem was somewhat solved, I shall move on to the next one.
" Tristan, I have one more thing to ask you. Please teach me how to swing a sword properly. " This is the second most important thing, protecting myself. Even though some details of the plot has changed, there are still some of them who are remained the same. In the future, Francis will encountered a lot of different dangerous challenges, so I ought to learn to protect myself now just in case I may get lost in the forest.
" Young Prince, are you sure ? " Tristan sounds hesitated, it's dangerous for a little child to hold a sharp object after all. " You might get hurt very bad, just like you legs injuries. "
" I know, but I still want to learn it properly. I don't think the King will hire any teacher to teach me sword skills though. " Base on the way they treat me now, the King and Queen don't seem like they will hire tutors for me, since noble kids usually get private tutor at age of 5, but I'm not in the good terms with the people whom called my 'Mom' and 'Dad'. Just to safeguard my future, I need to at least learn some basic skills when using a sword.
" I can teach you, but I'm not as a good teacher as Shawn. Don't get me wrong, but I want the best for you, Young Prince, thats why I highly recommended Shawn. " So Shawn is better Tristan, I see. Then I will ask Shawn to teach me. But his shift is usually at night when I'm at sleep, and when I'm awake, he's sleeping. How to learn from him ?
" Actually, I can change my shift with Shawn, so you will have more time with him during the day.
" Really ? Thank you. It had been hard for you since I demand so much. " I felt quite guilty for asking a lot from him, but I cannot give him back anything. If I become rich in the future, I will properly pay you back Tristan.
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" Hi !!! Young Prince !!! " I heard from Tristan that this guy is a bit loud, but I don't expect him to be that loud.
" It's already very late at night, don't make noise please. " Actually the whole Palace only have Shawn and I, Tristan had gone back to the guards' dormitory.
" I heard that you want to learn sword from me ? Just warn you a little, the training is going to be very harsh. And my way of teaching is way more different than the others. "
" I see. " I'm so sleepy, I cannot hear what he is saying anymore. I only remembered that the training is going to be very harsh. I don't mind harsh training, only with my previous body, but this body is still injured, it might take a longer time for me to actually finish everything.
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Th morning is up again, today will be the first day I train my sword with Shawn. He said that since I'm a little kid, I need to have a bigger portion of breakfast since my energy drains quite fast. The guards in the dinning are no longer surprise with my appearance anymore. They have gotten used to the fact that the Second Prince comes here to eat everyday. I ate a lot more than normal for today's breakfast, since Shawn advised me to do it. I am very excited for this lesson, since I've never swing a sword before. So Shawn, please treat me well today !!!
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