The atmosphere became thicker as the seconds passed.
They keep looking at him like he has offended them or something; maybe that was just in his head because he has never committed a crime yet in this world.
He never says he is a good adult, though. But he won't tarnish this kid's name just like that. Yet.
He gulped down his saliva, trying to think about what he had been doing except acting like himself these past months.
Is that a problem? A child acting maturely is common, right?
Or is it not in this world?
Or is there a taboo in this world? Like, someone who acted differently than before would be experimented on?
Oh no. Oh no!
He screwed.
They will experiment on him. Cut off his limb and torture him mentally and physically.
Drown him again? Ah, maybe this is fine.
But what if they did something else? For example, would they burn him if they knew the truth? Hanging him upside down? Poison him?
Oh no.
He would be in pain. He didn't like that.
Oh no.
"I've made a decision."
Maybe he should run away from the start or find a way to kill himself after he realizes his situation that day.
Damn it! He should have predicted that their actions towards him were just a facade to let his guard down. Is that why Riri always keeps a close eye on him?
He should know that this is not a normal occurrence in a family, after all. He has become soft after receiving their affection.
Oh no! He is doomed!
Is it now too late to run away or make a plan for another drowning?
Maybe he could run away. He has been exercising after all; he could run faster than before; he could try. Yes, a wise plan!
Please do not experiment. They could just interrogate him or something and say that this kid named Michaelis is the one who made this happen. He does not want this to happen at all.
"Michaelis will undergo a proper education as a crown prince starting next week."
He did not hear what had been said properly and shouted his protest.
"NO!"
Silence enveloped the dining room.
Asteric looked at him with concern.
"Are you okay, Micha? Anything wrong?"
Anything wrong? Everything is wrong!
Eh. Wait, what did Asteric say just now? Proper education as a crown prince? Not experimenting? Did his ears deceive him just now?
"Eh no. Can you repeat what you said, Fath—dad?"
His tongue almost slipped. Asteric was throwing a tantrum the other day when he called this emperor as 'father'. He demanded to be called papa like Nasharis did, but he is reluctant to do it.
Of course, it is embarrassing for him to call someone as 'papa'. He had never even called his father like that.
All in all, Zera managed to convince Asteric to just let him call them 'dad' and 'mom'. He is safe from further pestering at that time.
"Oh. I said that I'd decided for you to undergo a proper education as a crown prince. Is that okay with you, or do you want to start the class next month?"
Okay. Yes, this is not unexpected for Michaelis to have a proper education as a crown prince. But he thought that this kid already undergone that kind of education but was just stopped for a moment because of the drowning incident.
So, in truth, his education has not even started yet, but he already has the title of crown prince. Why is that? Is this normal for only a prince in an empire or a kingdom?
"Oh."
That was the only sound he could let out. Actually, he is speechless. Maybe because all this time they did not pester him to act as a proper crown prince, he did not feel the pressure, but now he feels like this is not right.
He is not Michaelis. Maybe he had embraced the name and the life half-heartedly, but he still didn't think he had the right to the position of a crown prince who would be the emperor in the future.
Helenis is much better than him. She is also the oldest child, after all.
"Why not Sister Helenis?"
Helenis and Asteric blinked at him in confusion.
"What are you saying, Micha? You are the first prince."
Helenis stated the obvious.
"Eh, but you are older than me. And more clever. You are more suited to be the future emperor than me."
Now, even Zera looked at him in confusion. Why are they so confused? Is what he did wrong? He was just stating the truth.
The truth is that he didn't want to be a crown prince. It was a hassle, obviously!
"Michaelis."
He and Asteric looked at each other.
"You've proved your worth."
Eh?
"Martha had told me about today."
'Today? We just talked about history, though.'
"Oh yes. Micha and Martha talked about the history book that I've never read before."
Helenis chimed in.
"That's true. Martha said that history is supposed to be taught when you are in your third year in the academy. But Micha already read and understood the history at the ripe age of eight."
Ayo what? He did what? He did not.
"You have also been reading many books about the empire, history, and politics these days. Your personal maid also said that you have begun exercising and doing other things to be more active."
Oh no. He did that because he needed to know about this world, and he was exercising because he wanted an ideal body!
"That's why I thought that you were now interested in becoming a proper crown prince. I did not arrange any classes for you before because I wanted to give you time to play as a child. When you begin your class, your schedule will be full, and we won't even have time together after this."
Asteric tried to be serious, but he could see the slight pout on that handsome face.
He may say that giving this kid time to properly enjoy his childhood is good, but let's be frank here: the imperial family is pampering him too much!
A responsibility as a crown prince is big—too big—for him as a mere citizen who has lived in a democratic nation before. He doesn't want to be a leader. Nu, uh, no!
Why did Martha need to tell Asteric about that simple thing? News sure travels so fast in the palace. He should be subtler in the future. He sometimes forgets that in the palace, there are many eyes and ears, even though a wall is in between.
He forgot because he had been used to living alone since he was young.
He had made his decision. Let's just push the responsibility onto Helenis!
"But sister—"
"Don't worry about me. I don't have the interest to become a crown princess; it's too much work. I'll become old faster if I become one like our dad."
Asteric gave an unamused look at his oldest daughter.
'I am also not interested. Let's be bold right this instant.'
"I also—"
He got cut just before he could finish.
"It's fine, Micha. You can always stop and take a break if all the classes overwhelm you too much."
Zera talked to him for the first time today.
"No, I—"
He got cut again.
"I'm sure you'll be a good leader like Papa, brother!"
Oh no, Nasharis. Don't make those puppy eyes.
"We believe in your capabilities, little brother!"
Don't say that!
"I'm sure you can do it."
No, no. Stop giving him those looks. That kind of look is a push for him.
He lost again. Lost to an enigma called family's affection and support
He should find another way to convince them. But let's do that later. This family won't even listen to him at this moment.