Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 357

When they heard about the Bardia territory, they reacted in three different ways with interest.

First, Crown Prince David seemed to be taking a big-picture or rather bird's-eye view of things, such as the management of the territory and the relationship with Renalute.

Eventually, however, he struck a chord and said, "I see.

I guess the sense of tension and the level of skill of the knights are different between the frontier and the capital city, where borders with other countries are adjacent. It is also interesting that they are actively trading with other countries such as Barsto and Renalute. I would definitely like to visit these cities sometime in the future.

I'm glad you enjoyed my story, even if it's nothing special."

When I nodded and replied, Kiel turned his curious eyes toward me.

"I'm curious about the sort of 'study' you're giving to the children of the beastmen you've protected in Bardia territory. I would also like to talk to Sandra, Rid's magic teacher, about many other things."

"I'll pass your words on to her as well, I'm sure she'll be pleased. I'm sure she'll be very pleased to hear that."

From the conversation, I tell her my impression of Kiel, the second prince.

Like David, he seems to think on the big picture and from a bird's eye view.

But more than that, I get the feeling that he has a lot of curiosity that comes from a desire for knowledge rather than "magic" .......

He doesn't seem to be so keen on the idea of training with Rubens, but his eyes light up when he talks about the magic he learns from Sandra.

, "Yes, that's right. I'm the second prince, so I'm allowed to do all sorts of things I like. I often read the books in the library, and among them, I especially like the field of magic".

"Magic ...... certainly seems to be a subject that Kiel and Sandra have a lot of expertise in, so it seems like they would get along well."

Probably, Sandra's amount of knowledge in magical studies is one of the highest in the empire.

However, she was marginalized for her talent and kicked out of the institute in the imperial capital.

But I find it ironic that Kiel, the second prince, would say, 'I'd love to meet her.

If Kiel had had the opportunity to speak with Sandra in the imperial capital, she might never have come to Bardia territory.

But then, it is very likely that her mother's treatment would not have gone well, so thank goodness for chance.

Then, Princess Adeel muttered a potty mouth.

'I understand how you feel ...... brother, but I would like to meet Ri's sister, Meldy, Cookie, and Biscuit."

"Thank you. I'll let everyone know about Adi, as I'm sure Meldy and the others will appreciate it."

"'...... yeah. I look forward to that time."

Adi nods cockily, and the cheeks of everyone present crumple.

Yes, if we can get this far into the conversation, will it be all right? I asked David fearfully, thinking so.

'Come to think of it, I met Valerie, the Duchess of Elasenise, when I came to the imperial capital. She was very concerned about David.

'...... you met with her?'

He wrinkled his brow and instantly frowned.

'Ummm, yes. When we arrived at the mansion in the capital, the Dukes of Elasenyse were visiting us. I greeted them there. You frown so much ......"

Without telling them that I was having various conversations with her, I dared to be fawning, and Kiel and Adi began to giggle surreptitiously, "Kuskusu.

Haha. My brother's not very good with Valerie."

'...... yeah. But I think it's terrible to tell a girl with an injured forehead that you 'hate her and don't approve of her as a fiancée. Besides, Valerie is a good girl nowadays".

Hey ......⁉ You two don't have to say anything else!"

David huffed and puffed at his siblings' words and raised his voice a little, but I and Farrah dared to pull a face as if to show.

'Eh,...... did you say such a thing to Valerie?"

"...... David-sama. That's what I thought.

He looked as if he was chewing on a bitter bug, " gu......," but he soon let out a sigh, "hah......."

"Oh, dear. Well then, since we're on the subject, I'll tell Rid a little bit about my relationship with her."

'Yes. Thank you very much," I bailed, and he turned to look around at me.

"By the way, both of you. Adi said earlier that Valerie and I are engaged, but it's just a 'tentative' decision. Please keep it to yourselves."

I understand," Fara and I nodded, and he smiled at us.

"Now, how much do you two know about the factions of the imperial nobility?"

"The Marquis Berluti is the leading innovator. The Duke Burns is the leading conservative faction. I have heard that the Bardia family and the Kelvin family of frontier counts belong to the neutral faction."

When Fara answered the question, all the royal family members rolled their eyes a little.

'You are erudite when you told me that Fara was married from Renalute. That's definitely the understanding. But the royal family has always been close to being conservative or neutral. In terms of power, the two factions are in competition, but I would say that the conservatives are always stronger. That's why my engagement to Valerie and I was quickly tentatively decided."

"I see. I see. So the imperial aristocracy is not a monolithic entity either".

I nodded in understanding.

"I see. But sometimes the two factions can come up with a better opinion. It is important that we are not monolithic, but that we are all aiming at the same thing."

As might be expected of royalty who spend time in the capital, Kiel and Addy nodded their heads in agreement, showing that they understand their position.

And here's the important thing: The woman who will be my 'wife' will eventually become the 'empress. This means that her words and deeds carry with them a certain amount of responsibility. I think Valerie would be the worst match for me in that respect. ......When she said she was worried about me, didn't she also tell you about our encounter?"

I assume he is referring to Valerie's temper tantrum when she first met him.

To which I responded, "Yes,"

"Yes, Valerie did tell me about that time, . She was sorry for what she had done. Besides, if David told her about it, wouldn't she try to improve the situation?"

"Rid, you are very kind. But people do not change their nature so easily. Unless a person is reincarnated".

I was tempted to say, "I am reincarnated," but I held my ground.

Addie, who was watching and listening to the exchange, shook her head and said, "

"Brother, you're not being honest. The other day, when Valerie and I studied together, she got mad at me for making a smug face, but I was impressed that she was smarter than I thought."

". That's right, my brother. Valerie made you eat her disgusting home-cooked snacks, but you finished them while screaming in agony. Even though she got drenched, Valerie was glad that she didn't get soaked. ......You're always looking out for her in one way or another."

"Well, that's just the least I can do as the ...... crown prince. Well, I may have gone a little overboard,......, but anyway, I don't recognize her as my fiancée."

With that he crossed his arms and turned away with a pout.

To summarize, David seems to have decided that Valerie is not fit to be Empress due to his position as Crown Prince.

However, he seems to have noticed that she is working hard.

If anything, maybe he's gotten stubborn and can't back down.

This situation may turn around depending on Valerie's efforts.

"I understand. Then, I will tell her to become a person worthy of the Empress."

"Huh. ......, have it your way."

Just as David let out a sigh of exasperation, there was a knock at the door of his room.

When he answered, Melia, Her Majesty Matilda's personal maid, entered the room.

Ladies and gentlemen. Their Majesties wish to come back here, is everything all right?"

Yes. ...... do the two of you have anything in particular to say?

"Yes, we do. It has been a very productive time."

David checked the expressions on the faces of everyone present and then shifted his gaze to Melia.

I understand. Let Father and the others know that everything is okay."

Melia bows and leaves the room.

Shortly thereafter, David looked back at her and smirked.

"I am looking forward to seeing the development of the Bardia territory and Rid's future activities. As the Crown Prince of the Magnolia Empire, I have high expectations for you. I hope you will be a good friend to me."

Saying this, he quickly held out his hand to me.

I nodded, taking his hand in mine.

"I am honored. I would like to be friends with David in the future, too."

Thus ended my chat with the children of the royal family.

David's intention when he said, 'I too would like to take this opportunity to deepen our friendship,' must have been his way of assessing 'me' in his own way.

And, judging from his current words and actions, it is highly likely that he recognized me as a 'friend'.

Although David was very young, I got the impression that he had a strong sense of public person as a member of the royal family.

That may be why he had a cold attitude and words toward Valerie, whom he judged as not worthy of being an empress.

But now that I understood that he had such a way of thinking, I felt a little that I might have seen a little possibility that the relationship between David and Valerie could be improved somehow. ......