Leon sat up in the ridiculously large bed again, his hands clutching the soft sheets. His mind was still spinning. The silver-haired stranger staring back at him in the mirror had barely become a familiar face, and now… this.
He slumped back against the headboard, still processing the idea that he was now Prince Lucien Valmont, the third prince of the Kingdom of Faeos. He had been an ordinary chef—well, at least that was ordinary by his standards—before waking up in this strange world with a ridiculous set of memories and a "royal" title.
"Okay, calm down. Stay cool, Leon… or Lucien… or whatever." He muttered to himself, trying to get a grip.
But then, as if the universe had decided to keep him on the fast track to insanity, the familiar, obnoxious glow of a floating screen appeared in front of him.
[Quest Alert!]
[Quest Title: The Prince's Struggle for Sanity]
[Quest Objective: Maintain your royal composure and avoid suspicion from your staff.]
[Quest Description: Your behavior has been erratic, and rumors are already beginning to spread. Avoid embarrassing yourself further to prevent being declared insane and sent to the mental asylum.]
[Reward: Keep your freedom, gain the ability to talk like a normal prince.]
Leon stared at the screen, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.
"Oh, come on! I didn't even sign up for this!" he groaned, shaking his head. "And what do they mean, 'gain the ability to talk like a normal prince'? What's wrong with how I speak?"
But before he could dwell further, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Your Highness?" Elise's voice echoed from outside. "The physician is on their way."
Leon froze, wide-eyed. He immediately jumped out of bed and straightened his posture. "Oh no, no, no! I can't be sent to a mental asylum! I'm a chef! I cook, I chop, I… wait, no, I don't cook anymore, I'm a prince! A terrible prince!"
Panic rushed through him like a tidal wave. He glanced around the room, searching for something to hold onto, but it was just more silk, more gold, and more things that made him feel like he was trapped.
I can't blow this. If they think I'm mad… I'm done. No more freedom, no more cooking...
Leon paced back and forth, wringing his hands. He couldn't help but think about how rashly he had acted in front of Elise. Sure, the whole "I'm a chef and not a prince" thing was funny in a ridiculous sense, but it was way too suspicious now. If word got around that the prince was acting like a commoner… well, the mental asylum wouldn't be far behind.
"I need to act normal," he whispered to himself, "I need to act like I fit in, or I'm screwed."
A bead of sweat formed on his forehead as he attempted to calm himself. He cleared his throat. Prince Lucien was supposed to be composed, regal, and eloquent. A true embodiment of royal manners.
Right. Right. This is nothing. I'm a prince! I can do this. I've handled critical moments in a kitchen, I can handle this!
With his mind made up, he straightened his back and practiced his "royal voice" in the mirror, each word coming out stilted at first. "Ahem… Good morning, Elise." He cleared his throat again, this time even louder. "No, no, no… too stiff. More… casual. Like a prince who's just too comfortable with his royal self."
He took a deep breath and tried again. "Good morning, Elise. I trust all is well in the kingdom today?"
A slight nod. Much better.
But then, another screen appeared.
[Quest Update: You have unlocked a "Royal Performance Skill" — Acting Like a Prince (Level 1).]
[Acting Like a Prince (Level 1): A skill that allows you to not make a fool of yourself in front of others. Use wisely.]
Leon blinked. "Wait, I get skills now too?"
Another knock on the door. Elise entered before he could react, her expression concerned. "Your Highness, are you feeling better? You seemed… a little off earlier."
Leon stood up tall, chest out, attempting to exude as much confidence as he could muster. He gave a smile—a smile that was half-pained and half-confident. "Of course, I'm feeling fine, Elise. Absolutely splendid!" He tried his best to sound as natural as possible. "You know me, always pushing through, eh?"
Elise blinked, her face filled with surprise. "Y-You do seem better now, Your Highness. But... there's something about your eyes…"
Leon froze. Oh no. Did she catch on? Does my acting suck that badly?
Before he could respond, Elise cleared her throat. "Well, Your Highness, the physician is waiting outside. I'll take you to them now."
"Right! Lead the way!" Leon said, much too enthusiastically. He quickly followed her down the corridor, trying to remind himself to walk with dignity—royal dignity. He had to avoid looking like he was about to trip over his own feet.
As they made their way to the physician, Leon tried to adjust his posture. He was walking like a prince, talking like a prince—but not thinking like a prince—which was starting to feel like a disaster in the making.
The physician, a middle-aged man with a thin mustache and piercing gray eyes, stood by the door, already eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and professionalism. He raised an eyebrow when Leon entered the room.
"Your Highness, how do you feel today?" the physician asked with an air of practiced formality.
Leon tried to appear as calm as possible, nodding with exaggerated seriousness. "I feel quite fine, thank you. My body... it simply needed rest. The stress of royal duties, you understand."
The physician stared at him for a moment, then tilted his head slightly. "I see. Rest is important, of course. But your earlier symptoms... they were quite unusual. You're sure you're not feeling confused in any way? You're not... well…" He hesitated, looking Leon over. "… acting strangely?"
Strangely? Leon panicked internally. This is it. This is where they send me away to the asylum.
Leon smiled, doing his best to sound as princely as possible. "I assure you, doctor, I am perfectly fine. The only thing strange about me right now is this kingdom's obsession with unnecessary formality!" He chuckled nervously, adding a wink for effect. "Royal titles… you know, they really are a burden."
The physician's expression didn't change. "Well… perhaps I should prescribe a bit more rest, Your Highness. Or perhaps, some relaxation time in the royal gardens."
"Ah! That sounds splendid," Leon said with an over-exuberant nod. "I could use some fresh air! A royal stroll, perhaps, to clear my mind. Yes, yes, that would be perfect."
The physician nodded slowly. "Very well, Your Highness. I'll arrange for that immediately. But I suggest not overexerting yourself just yet. You've been quite ill, after all."
Leon bowed slightly. "Thank you, doctor. Your wisdom is invaluable. I'll be sure to rest and regain my strength."
As the physician left, Elise shot him an awkward glance. "You're… okay, right, Your Highness?"
Leon glanced at her and smiled, the awkwardness hitting him harder than expected. "Of course. I'm perfect. Just a prince… living the dream"
The maid stared at him, still unsure, but gave a curt nod. "Very well, Your Highness. I'll prepare your afternoon walk then."
As she left, Leon sighed in relief.
So far, so good. But he couldn't shake the feeling that his acting skills were far from perfected. A prince? He was winging it.
This royal life was going to be harder than the most difficult soufflé he'd ever made.
To Be Continued...