After signing the deal with the Emperor, I was granted the official role of the duke.
I would have to wait for my 16th birthday for the official banquet, but other than attending the imperial ball, I can do whatever I want as a duke.
The Emperor sent a formal letter at the same time to my bio-donor informing him of the new change. I would later know that the Emperor had previously received multiple complaints about my bio-donor and had grown tired of him a long time ago, Hence why this was approved so quickly. Usually it would take the High Noble Counsil a month to deliberate before issuing a concensus. But the king knew most of the council members would appreciate not having to see my bio-donor again.
Truly a ruler who thinks of his people, right? I call BS.
I only noticed after reviewing the contract that I had agreed to 3 favors, unspecified 3 favors , and I signed that on a magic binding contract nonetheless.
I noticed the Emperor snickering at my plight as the weight of my mistake was about to crush me. He stood up, came to my side and then started to ruffle my hair: "Young one, you are a clever little kitten, but take this as a lesson and always research your opponents bottom line and read every line before signing a contract. I have grown quite fond of you today, so take this as a free lesson. I would like to use my first favor. You have to be friends with my son, Not a yes man or a go with the flow side kick but a friend who would knock some sense into him if needed, can you do that?. Well it's not like you have got a choice, those mana contracts are vicious, you would lose your magic if you don't at least try "
Now please remember, this lunatic who messed up with a kid that was the same age as his own , had only that one child; the crown prince. Again for those who forgot, that is the freaking ML with no emotions. Who just for love would drive this country and this world to ruins. The same ML I vowed to stay clear off , but now I have to be friends with him!! or risk losing magic forever? How can fate be so cruel .
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Ahem, after that bit of breakdown I had at the Emperor's study, I am now fully recovered.
Anyway, the Emperor decided I have to stay at the Palace tonight, a grace not many underage nobels get. And to have the Crown prince join us for dinner, so I would get to start the "friends plan" after introducing me to him .
I was given my own room, which is dangerously close to the crown prince's suite. I noticed that the usual chatter was absent here, usually the maids will be talking, the knights would be jesting with each other, or at least that was how it was in the dukedom. But I have noticed everyone is so quite in the Palace, but extra quite in this part. The maid who brought me here was very meticulous to not make a sound and advised me of the same . Even when I was getting ready , the maids were more worried about the door that they almost didn't pay attention to me .
I was then taken to the dinner room, which was empty at the time and was told to wait there until his Majesty the Emperor and his highness the crown prince arrives. I sat in my seat, minding my own business and mentally pummelling myself for my earlier mistakes when the door opened. I turned to look at the door and I felt I was seeing an angel, a little cutie petotie stood at the door. Dressed in wite and gold Royal attire, with hair as golden as the sun and eyes as red as garnet, but with an stoick and almost robotic expression. He was so cute , the cutest I have ever seen, it took me a second to remember he was the crown prince and proper etiquette was due. I stepped down from my chair and curtsied to him " Your highness, it's my pleasure to lay eyes on you. May the moon always shine its glory upon you" . I waited for what felt like 10 minutes for Jim to absolve me from the curtsey or to respond, but when nothing came I peeked at him, and found that he was still the same as before, he was still in the same position but had a very comical look to his face. He noticed my eyes and as if waking up from a dream he whispered "you can move? And talk? Are you real?" . I didn't understand what he meant , bit I stood straight and answered: " I believe I am very much alive your highness", as it is rude not to answer when a royal talks to you.
The prince walked slowly to my side and then asked "can I touch you?" , that was creepy, even from such a cutie asking that as soon as you meet someone is creepy. Unfortunately I had no choice, I had to become friends with the one, "yes your highness. Feel free to touch" I said with a very forced smile. He then poked my cheek , and kept poking for a few minutes, before saying "I am Alex Estrade von Raymond, you call me Alex. What's your name?".
OK, I am now in a full panic mode , this cute human like robot just said his full name, FULL NAME, the middle name is only meant to be told if you are introducing yourself to royalty or to your significant other. Now that u think about it, did this one ever tell his middle name to the FL? Maybe , but not in the half I have read and definitely not on first sight. OK me, keep your composure, we have got this. "This one is called Ren Ainsteir Challice, your highness", unfortunately as I said, he is royalty and he also stated his middle name, it would be rude not to say mine. But now if feels like introduction in a blind date situation, oh god why did I think of that.
Thankfully the Emperor came in at that time and hence the awkward silence ended."oh I see you met each other , now sit tight and enjoy the meal. Uh.. Alex where are you going? Your seat is on the opposite side ". The king sounded confused as he saw the crown prince taking the seat next to me, Royal tradition is that the crown prince would sit to the monarch's left and guests to his right, but now the prince is sitting on the right and next to me. That is breaking all Royal etiquette on seating, what is wrong with this one tonight?.
''I am OK here, father. You said Ren is here to be my friend, I believe sitting here is more conducive to knowing him". I saw his Majesty's face go from confused to elated and he even gave me a thumbs up. That meal was hands down the most awkward meal of my life. The crown prince kept looking at me throughout the meal. If my eyes land on a dish for more than 2 seconds he would grab the dish for me , and through all this he was silent. The Emperor kept asking him about his day, studies , swordsman training, but he only answered in one word everytime.
By the end of the meal, I was sure I would get indigestion the stress. His Majesty patted me on the head, and said " my son although awkward seems to be very fond of you. Please be nice to him, and since you are staying next to his quarters you two can go back together." . Then he glanced at the prince and started laughing heartily before leaving. I didn't understand why he suddenly started laughing , what I didn't know at the time was the prince kept glaring at the Emperor and his hand on my head, while sending subtle killing intent towards the Emperor.