*Birds chirping
The door creeks as the person steps inside the room.
"Good morning, young duke" Mrs. Henderson greets me with a bright smile. "Did you have fun yesterday, young duke?" She starts cleaning my bed.
"…yes, it was a nice experience"
"That's great."
Another person knocks on the door.
"Speak"
"Young master Lewis, the duke is looking for you," Louis said.
I glanced at Mrs. Henderson, and she bowed. "Please take care of yourself, young master, I would tend things here"
I grabbed my benefactor's guns and wore them behind my vest as I looked back at Louis.
"Alright. Let's go, Louis"
"Yes, young master"
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"Sorry for delaying our meeting till now"
"It's nothing. I know the duke had serious matters to attend to and my visit is not planned, the fault is mine"
"Nah, we both had faults."
The guest answered the duke straightly without an inch of nervousness.
'The way he speaks means he's not just someone with common birth.'
They both took their time to converse before the young master Lewis came.
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"Apologies for the delay, Father and our honorable guest," the young master said as he slightly bowed in front
Everyone is shocked at the young master for bowing, while the duke just laughs.
"It's alright, come sit son"
The young master sat beside the duke.
'If you look at the duke and the young duke's face, the body builds, and fashion sense, they're identical. Both white-skinned, tall, black hair, ash eyes, and black suit.'
"It's an undeniable gene" Louis whispered to me.
I could only stop my laughter.
The duke stares at us. Louis and I could only glance away.
"I appreciate how the Welsh household treats me, I'm forever in debt"
The duke smiles, "That's nothing, It's our job after all." Picked up his tea and sipped.
"Gladly" the young master replied.
Everyone in the room stares at him.
'I mean… what?'
"Son, you do know that prestigious people aren't supposed to speak formally to others?"
The duke asked. The young master smiles
"Yes, I know but our guest is someone who has a complexion of royalty."
Everyone other than the duke was shocked again. 'R—royalty?'
"OH! —As expected of my son! You did notice huh."
The duke applauded.
"I didn't expect you'd notice" The guest removed his mask.
"I am the 2nd prince of Laficent kingdom—Prince Howen noir Laficent, it's an honor to meet you, young master Lewis Ein Welsh—The Floyent kingdom's brightest moon" The guest who is a prince introduced himself.
Louis and I bowed as fast as we could.
"It's alright" Prince Howen waved.
"Wait outside" The duke ordered, both Louis and I moved outside the room.
'—heck.'
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"Your eyes are clear as Ice" I replied to him.
The Second prince laughed. "Yes—It is one of the characteristics of a Laficent"
'Right… Ice eyes and that cold air since earlier even though the windows are closed.'
"It's a pleasure to help you Prince"
"Please just Howen, no need for honorifics, after all, I'm just a ran-away visitor here"
"Then please do call me Lewis"
"Alright —Lewis"
Howen smiled.
'That's a warm smile you got there'
"Both of you had the same age that's why I knew you two would easily understand each other." Father explained "I am a busy man so for our prince—Howen, I'll have my son Lewis here to listen to your request. And Lewis, please do help our guest" Father followed.
He stood up and walked towards his table grabbing a lot of papers.
"I Shall continue with my works; I entrust the prince's safety to you son" The duke left elegantly.
'Father… you… you just want to escape!'
"Thank you for accepting me" Howen thanked me again.
'Just how many times did he say he's thankful…? Well, the other one is a synonym though.'
"It's nothing—anyways, can I hear about your request?"
"Right, it's a family problem" he keeps pulling out a lot of rolled paper.
"I see—hmm… Family problem…"
'COME BACK HERE YOU DUKE!'
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"Sir Roderic!"
A cheerful maid calls me from far away.
"Ms. Jannie!" I walk towards her. "Do you need help with something?"
"Ah no, actually earlier morning a few people came looking for you. They're just outside the manor, currently resting in the garden in front of the stables" Ms. Jannie explained.
"Oh, those people"
"You knew them? I mean— they won't come looking for you if you didn't know them in the first place"
"Haha, yes that's right. All of them are young master's guests they are here for—"
"WAIT" Ms. Jannie cut me off
"Is there something wrong?"
"IS THAT TRUE?! OH NO—you should have told me! I need to add more refreshments and food for them!" Ms. Jannie runs to the kitchen asking other maids to help her.
"Wait, I'm not done speaking—"
All of them disappeared from my view.
"…that was fast"
'Anyways, I should deliver the news to the young master.'
"Excuse me!"
I called a butler that is currently watering the plants
"What can I help you, Sir Roderic?" He put down the bucket beside the roses.
"Please do tell the young master that he has guests from the neighboring town and currently waiting outside the manor near the stable."
"By all means" he replied while slightly bowing.
I walked towards the stable.
'I'll meet them first then wait for the young master'
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"So, you are saying… your sister—the princess of the Laficent kingdom. Princess Chesil Nair Laficent was sent here as the delegation for the kingdom but it turns out that the king of Floyent is hiding something in the shadow, he plans to marry the princess to someone in Floyent kingdom to control the way of trade within the two countries… and you got all of this information from a really-really-really reliable source." I summarized everything he explained.
'Now I get why the duke keeps pushing this request to me… THIS IS BEYOND THE WELSH CAPABILITIES!'
"YES! —It is true, all of these here in the table are reliable sources!" Howen said with confidence
'Hmmm…'
"If this is true then, why don't you go to the King of Laficent and explain everything? He would order his people to come and get his daughter, right?"
Howen stays quiet for a moment. He stares back at me with worries in his eyes
"No, he can't."
"Why?"
"It is still a delegation, calling back the princess would create a reason for war"
"…That's true"
"And not only that, it is true when I said earlier that these matters are all about our family. When the former queen died, my mother, a maid became the queen, because of powerful people backing her, she is now much more powerful than the king. Also, the reason why chess was sent as a representative was all my mother's ideas. She hated every single child the king had with the former queen, she kept sending them out, selling them to different kingdoms for marriage. In that way, she can have me sit on the throne"
"I see—that's why the princess is here. If that's the case, that means the Queen of Laficent and King of Floyent are working together."
"Yes, Mother promised other kingdoms that if they accepted, they would have the right to own a trade road within the kingdom range"
"Trade road…"
'That's a good offer, after all, to have other countries' trade routes means you have that kingdom by its neck and it would be easy to conquer'
"That's why I came here! I —I want to help chess!" He followed.
"I understand… but forgive me if I might sound rude, Prince Howen. Isn't a good opportunity for you… to sit on the throne."
He was shocked by what I said. He looks down quietly not even moving. I could feel his menacing aura.
'Will my neck fly to the left or the right….'
He suddenly glances back at me.
"You…! Yeah you are right about that. I am the 2nd prince and I have the right to sit on the throne but my brother —The 1st prince, put all his life helping the kingdom prosper! Trained hard to protect the people and be wise in every matter even though he had a hard time sleeping and has always been worn out. He did so well for everyone; I could never betray him!"
He spoke his mind with sincerity. Those words touch something in my heart.
'—Is this how Lewis felt when he declined the throne…'
"As the 2nd prince of the country, how could I rob the throne from someone worthy? I will always stay beside my brother as his right-hand man. Help him just like how he always helped me. Chess and he never discriminated against nor judged my birth. Both of them treated me like a human being! I would do everything in my power to protect them!"
The prince's eyes sparkled with warm light even though his eyes were colored Ice.
'His passion affects me… looking at him, felt like I'm looking at myself. A prince who would support his father and the kingdom although it was paid with betrayal…'
"Alright! I Will help you!"
Prince Howen couldn't stop smiling.
"Thank you!"
"But —how do we start though," I asked.
He scratches his nape looking at me.
"Uhm… I ran here without a plan"
the prince could only laugh nervously.
'Hmm yep —we're still fucked'
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Lewis's face turned pale after I told him I didn't have a single plan with me.
"Sorry, I'm not that bright and only well-versed with swords. I should have thought of this earlier" I felt pathetic.
'A brother and a royal that is useful only on the battlefield…'
I could hear Lewis sigh.
'… He's disappointed isn't he…'
"Don't think like that, you ran away from the kingdom and arrived here with every strength you had. For me you did great to survive, now you can relax. After all, two brains are better than one."
Lewis smiled. His smile made him shine like a moon reflected on the water in the middle of the night.
"Right!" I replied.
Suddenly we heard knocks at the door.
"What is it?" Lewis asked.
"Young master Lewis, Sir Roderic of the knights told me to tell you that you have guests waiting for you from the neighboring town and currently residing outside the manors near the stable." The voice said.
"Oh yeah… right! I'll follow."
"You have visitors? —Forgive me for taking too much of your time! I shall move back to my room,"
I stood up, Lewis stood up too.
"If you don't have anything to do, you can come with me."
"M—me?"
"Uhm, yeah. I mean, there are only two of us here. And also, I thought that as a guest and as a master of the house it's my job to entertain you"
"Ah… alright! B—but. Won't people notice me with this face…" I point towards my face.
"Right! I actually know the magic that could change your appearance, we can use that to hide you. And then you can have fun walking everywhere without being recognized if that's alright with you" Lewis explained.
"A magic that can change my appearance? Sure, sounds fun!"
"Great! —Then excuse me"
A magic circle appears where I was standing. It had the symbol of the moon and the color is gray. A well-known identification of pure-blooded Welsh.
'—Amazing.'
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"Sir Roderic!" the children walk towards Sir Roderic.
"Hello there Sen! How you doing?" Sir Roderic pats the child's head.
"Super well!"
"Glad to hear that!"
Another person walks toward Sir Roderic, it's a man with a scar on his face carrying a girl in his arms.
"Thank you for accepting us" he smiled.
'Even though his face is scary, he's a good person'
"It's nothing! And it's the young master's order." Sir Roderic patted the man's shoulder. "The young master will be coming in anytime"
"Oh—he might be a little late" I spoke.
Sir Roderic glanced at me. "Is the young master busy today?" he asked.
I shrugged my head. "He's talking with a guest with the duke, do you want me to call him over?"
"No need, I already asked a butler to notify him." Sir Roderic sat on a chair, and everyone else followed him.
"Let's all wait for him"
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"Where are we going, Lewis?"
"The butler said that they're waiting at the stable outside the manor"
"Outside? Won't you be attacked if you go outside? You don't even have guards."
I glance at the prince who is currently much more handsome than earlier wtf.
'From white hair that symbolizes the Laficent kingdom, I change his hair color to brunet and made the color of his eyes turn to yellow with tan body skin and now he's fucking handsome. He looks like a man who batted in the sun while covered with sunflowers! —My magic is frightening! I just gave birth to a capable womanizer!'
"Something wrong Lewis?"
"Nope, let's go were nearing the place"
Passing the gates of Welsh, we turned left to the stable where I could view Roderic having fun talking with the villagers.
"Woah, there's a lot of people… Are you building an army?" The prince looks at me, I glance back at him
"Yeah, an army who sells in the middle of the war"
"Oh —they're merchants? Haha, I didn't know"
I could only scratch my head and laugh
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Lewis scratched his head as he laughs
'He's the only person who openly shows disappointment at me and laughs. I like Lewis's sarcasm'
I smiled at him.
A child spotted us.
"Mr. Lewis!" The child pointed.
"The young master!" all of them stood up and approached Lewis.
The two children jumped toward Lewis, he carried both of them
'Woah, that strength.'
"The young master is used to doing that with his little sister and brother" The maid whispered to me.
'She might have mistaken me for another butler but—'
"He's cool" I whispered back.
The maid smiled. "Of course, our young master is super cool!" she gave me drinks and walked away.
I glance back at Lewis smiling at the people.
'I once saw nobles who were approached by commoners, the nobles felt disgusted with the commoner's appearance, they beat those people and discriminated against them. Ever since then, I knew that if you aren't rich, people won't respect you… but Lewis can smile and touch them without even showing disgust, he genuinely enjoys being with them… I chose the right person for help'
"Yup, he's super cool." I sip my drink as I approach them
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'That new guy keeps staring at the young master'
"Is he perhaps gay???"
"Who?" Ms. Jannie suddenly appears next to my face.
"OH, GOD! Don't scare me like that"
She laughed as she slapped my back
'—Ouch!'
"If that person is gay, it's a big loss for humanity!" Ms. Jannie seriously glares at me.
"If he is, then let's respect him, we should not be bad to people who understand and accept themself," I spoke. Ms. Jannie nodded her head.
"That's true, I'm glad you're using your mind" she joked.
"HEY!"
"Roderic come we all need to talk" the young master called.
All of us came near him.
"Miss, call for Butler Louis" the young master ordered, Ms. Jannie bowed and walked back to the mansion.
"Let us all wait for the butler, I need you all to meet him."
A minute passed, and butler Louis, head of the Welsh mansion caretakers arrived.
"I heard you have called for me, young master" Louis bowed, and he then stared at the people around the young master. "May I ask who are they?"
"They're those merchants I helped yesterday, I invited them here in the mansion for better employment. Is there a need for manpower in terms of business works?" the young master asked.
"Yes, the duke is having trouble in traveling the specialized goods to the other countries. If it's alright with all of you, we can employ you as legal merchants and would travel protected by exclusive mercenaries of Welsh." Butler Louis suggested.
The merchants cheered. "Thank you, sir!"
Butler Louis smiled.
"That would be great but we can't have them all travel with their children," Young master Lewis said.
'That's true, traveling would be harsh for children'
"Then, we can divide people that are great in terms of merchanting and people that are great in terms of physical strength. There's a lot of work and repairs needed all over the dukedom. Those who would be left here will stay in a house taking care of the children."
"I see… how about the women? They can't do too much heavy work"
"There are also in need of people in gardening, women can take care of the children while helping with the garden of the Welsh."
"Hm…" the young master walks back and forth.
'Is there still something on his mind'
"How about the food?" the young master asked
"Please do not worry young master, these people would be treated the same way as the employee of the Welsh. They would receive their pay every half and end of the month. The food would be delivered by the maids and butlers and they can take some from the farm garden. I would also assure their safety by adding more knight patrols, and they would stay in the same building with the helpers" Louis answered nicely
The young master's face looks satisfied.
"Alright" the young master looks at the people "Follow Louis, he will show you where you can stay. Also, call me if a problem arises" he smiles.
The people bowed "We will devote our lives to you, young master!"
The young master walked away with that guy with brunette hair, I followed them.
'My young master is the coolest!'
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"A—chu!"
"Are you alright Lewis?" Prince Howen asked.
"Ah yes, I'm alright. Might be just the pollens" I rubbed my nose as I looked at the sky.
Prince Howen and I are sitting right now at the bench in the black rose garden of the Welsh. The same bench where I sat on my first day of transmigration.
'This place become my thinking place'
"Where did Roderic go?"
"Oh, you mean the guy that is following us? He was dragged by a maid earlier; he was crying begging her to let go of him" Prince Howen replied.
"...…well, he's a capable man that's why a lot of people depend on him"
"Is he your exclusive knight guard?"
"Uh no… he's my exclusive… coachman???"
Prince Howen laughed.
"I see, even coachmen devote themself to you" Howen teases me.
"Please stop."
"OH—is our cool young master shy with compliments?"
I glared at him, but he still laughed.
"It's not that I'm shy, it's just that I'm not used to it. Also, Roderic is great with swordsmanship so I guess he's a hidden exclusive knight my father ordered to follow me as a coachman"
"So… you didn't have a guard or escorting knight?"
"I mean, I don't need them and they are needed here in the dukedom. I can protect myself."
"Well, it's true, your using magic earlier to me is already evidence that you are a great mage"
"I prefer swords"
"Really? Then have you tried swinging a sword?"
"That's…"
I grasp my hand. "I guess I did"
"What— why you aren't sure?"
'Oh, fck—'
"I mean... I guess you haven't heard but I had an accident days ago, and I lost some of my memories so I can't quite remember if I do hold a sword"
'Benefactor body is a lot weaker than what I expected. When I used magic to defeat those monsters, I felt a slight recoil as if my mana was emptied. Thank God, it only affects me for seconds.'
"Then—I'll teach you"
"—Eh?"
"I'm the second prince of the Laficent kingdom. I'm the crown prince's right-hand man and the one taking care of the knight's training. I can teach you how to swing a sword."
Prince Howen looked at me desperately.
'I can't decline. Even though Prince Howen doesn't say it, I know that he feels useless because he thinks that he is a burden to the Welsh. Anyways, it is also a great opportunity to put some stamina on the benefactors' bodies, with stamina I can hold a sword and use magic at the same time, just like when I'm in my real body. I can also protect the Welsh family.'
"You've been silent for a while, is that a, no?" Prince Howen looks sad.
"Of course not! I'm just thinking if tomorrow morning would sound great to start our training because I promised my brother and sister that we would go viewing outside the dukedom today"
I could see that Prince Howen was happy.
"Sure, we can meet tomorrow morning then!" he stood up and I followed.
"Do you know the way to your room? Do you need help with the way?"
"Don't worry, I have a good memory and I already remember where my room was. I'll take a rest for today. Oh—by the way, will or when would this magic disappear?"
He pointed at his face.
'Ah right, I forgot to explain'
"When I chant magic to your body, I put it on the earrings you are wearing. If you tap it thrice your original appearance will come back and if you tap it four times your disguise will be activated"
"Why not just two taps?"
"It's a countermeasure if someone suddenly touches your earrings"
"Oh, I see! I understand! Thanks, Lewis. I'll see you tomorrow!" Prince Howen ran away.
"Will he be alright?"
"—Sir Lewis! Young master!" A voice called for me from the other side.
It was Roderic standing beside a carriage.
".…Indeed, an exclusive coachman."
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"Sir Lewis! Young master!" Sir Roderic calls the young duke's attention.
"You like being with the young master," I asked.
Sir Roderic looks back at me, "He's the coolest young master, right?" his eyes sparkle.
"Can't deny that after all, that I witnessed earlier. The way he handles the situation, the young master looks exactly like the duke"
"Right! Also, other dukedom heirs had trash personalities! But of course, the young master's friends are an exemption."
Every maid and butler nodded in agreement.
'We can't deny that the Welsh dukedom is the greatest even though this dukedom is the farthest from the royal capital and also covered with two big mountains. The Welsh family treats every person as a human being while the other kingdom…. Geez, I don't even want to remember what happened to the other maids and butlers who made a slight mistake and got their heads—Ekk! Scary'
Young master approaches us.
"Hope I'm not late" he smiles.
"It's illegal to have that face" I whispered to the other maids, and all of them nodded again.
"Brother!" The two young masters, lady Melissa and lord Niven.
Young Duke Lewis patted their heads.
"Come inside the carriage, Sir Roderic would be your coachman and the knights would be accompanying you for today," the duchess said.
The six knights kneeled in front. "We will take utmost care for the safety of our lords and lady!"
The duchess chuckles. "Glad to hear that! Well then, go on! Have fun you three."
The three masters hop inside the carriage.
"We will be back," Young Duke Lewis said and closed the door.
The carriage moved assisted by the knights.
"Hope they will have fun!" the duchess said as she watched them "Is this the feeling when your children left you after getting married?"
She then stares at the blue sky with a serious face.
"The sky is… chaotic"
'Chaotic…?'
"Madam it's time for breakfast, the duke is waiting for you" Mrs. Henderson cut in.
"Oh right! I forgot. The breakfast is quite late today, I'm hoping those three would look for a restaurant later" The duchess laughs and smiles as she walks towards the mansion.