CHAPTER SEVEN – A ROYAL PRINCE WITHOUT MAGIC AFFINITY
'From this day onwards, I am now Laurence Jules von Truman. You gave me a second chance to live, and you let my previous memories still be intact together with your past and future memories. For that, thank you.'
Dark Phoenix, who goes now by the name Laurence, cringe at the last statement that he said with his mind because the words such as "thank you" and "sorry" aren't in his vocabulary.
However, he would only make an exception for this one.
'But… the original owner is a magical wastrel and on top of that, an abandoned prince as well? What kind of sh*t life does he live into?'
This might be the reason why the silver-haired man asked a favor for him in the first place.
'Since it's like this then, I'll live my life as Laurence since he is the one who gave me a chance to live, and I do owe him a lot.'
If the people within the Underworld Realm heard the words that came into his mouth, they won't believe it. They would only think that Dark Phoenix has been possessed.
As soon as he finished looking through the memories of the previous owner of the body he occupied, a sudden voice rang came through his mind.
« …. "Why is this wastrel doing in here? Also, he didn't even know where he is. Is he seeking attention?" … »
Huh?
Dark Phoenix, now Laurence, immediately opened his eyes as he looked around for the source of the voice that he had heard.
'Am I hallucinating or something? Where did that voice come from?'
Laurence looked once again at the beautiful woman still kneeling in front of him, observing her.
« …. "The hell is this wastrel child doing?! Why is the disgrace of the Truman Royal household even doing in here in the first place?!" …. »
'Wow! Woman, you have a sharp mind for you to trash talk about me! You got some nerves!'
He didn't know if he would be mad or would laugh at the woman's thoughts about him.
That got him off-guard.
Wait a second.
« …. "I am doing him a favor not to embarrass him in front of these people since he is still a prince. How dare this wastrel child think about me, the dignified Duchess from the Albert household!" …. »
'Oh? So that's why she is trash-talking about me in her thoughts because this beautiful woman called herself a "dignified Duchess" from the Albert household.'
However, this seems to puzzle him even more.
'Why am I hearing her thoughts anyway? The original Laurence is a magical wastrel, right?'
He didn't know what to think anymore about this newfound ability that he discovered but that's not the issue for now as he had more pressing matters at hand.
He looked through once again at the original's memory for information about the woman.
« …. JASMINE LORRAINE ALBERT, the Duchess from Albert household. His husband's name is Duke Xavier Eron Albert. The Albert Dukedom is one of the Imperial Charter Faction of Truman Empire… »
'So that's why she is too arrogant because of her husband's reputation within the Empire that she feels like she's the superior one.'
« …. She's from the Yurikov household as the Eldest Young Lady. She married off to the Albert household due to political marriage. She had two sons and one daughter. The first son is around 14 years old, and the second son is 10 years old… »
As soon as he recollects the original's memory about the Duchess, he smirks upon discovering something that can benefit him in the future.
'Look what we have here. Isn't this going to be fun? Never would I have expected to gain some useful information beforehand.'
Who would have thought that Duchess Albert is hiding some secrets that no one could have known within the society?
Dark Phoenix didn't dwell too much on how the original owner got his hands with this information, but he would think about that later.
Laurence could tell by looking at the kneeling Duchess, that the woman must be running out of her patience.
'It only means one thing. This woman is one of the loyal subjects of the Imperial Family and that's why she's giving me some face. Hmmm…. I like her attitude because she knows her place.'
However, Laurence won't forgive the Duchess for disrespecting him behind his back!
But Laurence couldn't punish the Duchess recklessly since the woman only badmouthing him from her thoughts and he doesn't have evidence to back up those claims.
Also, he doesn't have real authority within the noble society. Laurence might be a prince, but his title as a royal prince is nothing but a name only.
He felt hopeless for the first time in his life.
'Talking about those "not favored child trope" that falls into my situation. Just great!'
With that thought, ignoring the gazes from the people around them, he went toward where Duchess Albert still kneeling for about an hour or so, he held the woman's arms and smiled at her innocently.
"This humble prince apologizes for the behavior that I showed to you. Can I trouble for Madam to walk me through the restroom? I need to clean my hands if you notice"
For some reason, the Duchess felt discomfort about the Prince's statement.
She felt that something is different from the Fifth Prince in front of her than the Fifth Prince before.
The Fifth Prince is known as a magical wastrel as he didn't have an affinity when he presented himself to the Temple when he was five years old.
Since then, the Fifth Prince became an introvert and didn't attend such gatherings because of the silent insults that is thrown into his back.
Some nobles and even their children had tried to humiliate the Fifth Prince before but as a result, it backfired.
Why was that? It's because the Fifth Prince has the backing of the Crown Prince of Truman Empire who had a lot of supporters within his hands.
That's why no one has tried to harm the Fifth Prince, although there are some who are brave enough to harm him in any case possible.
Just what happen right now.
The Duchess knew that the Fifth Prince had almost been assassinated within her territory and if the Crown Prince knew about this matter, the Crown Prince won't let this slide.
Laurence, on the other hand, noticed the discomfort of the Duchess because of his request and he knew that the woman would find ways to make an excuse.
'It doesn't matter. I just want to get the hell out of here. It makes me sick to be with these people who are nothing but hypocrites!'
« …. "Hmph! This child wants me to accompany him to the restroom?! Who the hell does he think he is?! He's just a disgrace and a wastrel abandoned Prince! … »
Laurence's crystal blue eyes darkened but quickly restrain from bursting out since there are a lot of people that are watching them.
He knew that these people are enjoying the scene, and no one had ever tried to intervene with them.
Laurence knew that these people are waiting for him to embarrass himself.
However, Laurence wouldn't let these people have their fun as he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of it.
'I'll get back to you, Duchess Albert! For now, let's just play.'