Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: A Drunken Day
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Father... was making good on his promise to visit often, stopping by once a week to share a meal with me.
But listening to him talk, it felt like he wasn't entirely in his right mind.
"When I was young, I had three older brothers above me. For the sake of the throne's succession, they were... sent far away, and even now, a few nobles whisper behind my back that I lack legitimacy."
"And yet, you are blessed. There are no pigs who'll wail when you inherit the throne. As long as you grow up without flaws like this, things should go smoothly enough."
Bloody succession struggles...
"An emperor isn't one who wields absolute power. He's one who bears responsibility. You'll understand someday when you grow up."
Early imperial education...
"You must always wield fear and admiration in proper measure. No matter what happens, safeguard your legitimacy."
Mother, unable to bear listening any longer, gracefully set down her utensils and spoke to Father.
"Your Majesty, the Prince hasn't even begun his lessons yet. Such profound advice might unsettle his young mind—I worry it could be too much."
In other words: 'Stop it, you're scaring the kid.'
"Empress, that's not it. I just don't want him to end up like the former First Prince, so I'm giving him some stern words in advance..."
"Dear, eat your meal."
A moment that revealed the family hierarchy.
"...Very well."
'What a unique character...'
From what I gathered, there had been friction over the throne's succession, and his older brothers sounded like real scumbags.
He seemed to hope I wouldn't turn out the same, but don't emperors usually pick the most promising son among the princes or pit them against each other?
I already had one younger prince and one princess below me, and Mother was pregnant.
To change the subject, Mother asked a question.
"Right, what did our little Prince do today? Won't you tell your mother?"
I nodded and answered maturely.
"Yes, Mother. Today, Grandfather taught me how to infuse mana with will, and we tried imbuing mana with physical force. He said I might be ready to form a circle soon."
"Oh...? That's impressive, our Prince!"
Mother, whose mind was mostly occupied with princely matters, the imperial family, and administration, simply took it at face value and moved on.
"Indeed, personal strength is truly vital. It's an excellent tool for projecting charisma."
At that, Mother's eyes sharpened briefly, but she quickly shifted topics.
"Speaking of which, does the Prince have no interest in the sword? You're at that age where you should be running around full of energy."
"Ah, I've been swinging a wooden sword here and there. But since it could strain my joints while I'm still growing, I'm holding off, Mother."
I absolutely had to grow tall.
"...The Prince is already so mature."
Mother looked at me with a bittersweet expression, but there was no helping it. To uncover the imperial family's secrets for the key to longevity, I needed access to the Emperor.
My prediction: I'd probably be named Crown Prince soon enough.
As I mulled over my future plans, Father spoke up.
"Come to think of it, the Founding Festival is approaching. The Prince should be fine standing before the crowds by now."
"Yes, next month already. Preparations are going well, so no need to worry. The Prince's attire is nearly complete too."
"I'll tell the planning department to increase the budget. Use it as you wish."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
And so our cozy(?) family dinner ended. A few weeks later, what was I doing?
Lying there getting a massage, my face slathered in skin-care creams... alongside Father.
"...Your Majesty, with my firefly-like wits, I can't fathom the full moon of Your Majesty's thoughts."
My imperial education had begun in earnest not long ago.
I didn't have any reincarnation cheat to remember everything after one read; I was just cramming like a madman.
"Already starting on noble etiquette? The servants are dismissed, so speak freely."
"Father, do we really need to go this far?"
I usually held my tongue, but after days of scrubbing from dawn till dusk, I was fed up.
The Emperor chuckled softly and replied.
"Then try following the Empress's routine."
"...My apologies."
For reference, Mother was soaking in premium wine, getting each strand of hair tended to, while receiving a facial massage.
I half-thought a horde of bandits had raided the Empress's palace.
"The Prince is clever, so I trust he'll understand. I've always said that in ruling, appearances matter greatly. It's crucial not to give them any openings to criticize, to overwhelm from the start."
"Father, personally, I don't think our imperial looks are lacking."
It was embarrassing to say, but I considered myself handsome.
With hair like fine white yarn, eyes resembling Mother's, golden irises, and well-proportioned nose and mouth—no sharp angles. Staring in the mirror, I sometimes thought I looked like a doll.
Father and Mother were stunning enough to startle anyone at first sight; nine out of ten would call them beauties.
"It's still too hard for the Prince to grasp. Just relax. Polishing your looks with this much money is a profit."
Father seemed more image-conscious than beauty YouTubers from my past life.
"And from today, the Prince should practice smiling."
"Yes..."
'We're not electing emperors based on looks, and it's hereditary, right? What's this, Produce 101?'
But asking more would just mean more hassle, so I decided to relax. No lessons either—great, right?
"Hehe."
Polished to a shine, I smiled at the mirror. For the record, I hadn't lost my mind; I was practicing smiles.
"Haha, hehe, hm!"
I'm no actor or idol... Probably practicing expressions for banquets. As I filled my self-loathing gauge staring at the mirror, Lily knocked.
"Your Highness, may I come in?"
"Lily, perfect timing. Come sit here."
"What is it?"
Lily set the tea tray on the table and sat before me.
I tried several smiles in front of her, then asked her opinion.
"Lily, which of these looks best on me?"
"Hoo... haa..."
"...Lily?"
Her eyes glazed over, and she hugged me fiercely right there.
"Kyaaah! Your Highness is too cute! It's been so long since I saw your smile— I still remember you beaming like a baby, so adorable~!"
"Eek! Lily! Stop... stop!! This is insolent—let go, mmph...!"
Lily crushed me to her chest, screaming in rapture. True to her knight background, her strength was insane.
Lily was disqualified for lack of objectivity.
After that, I went to Mother. Asking the servants felt embarrassing, and they'd just say nice things. Father... I just didn't want to show him.
The Prince's Palace and Empress's Palace were close anyway, and kids show off to their parents, right?
Heading there with attendants, Mother opened the door before I could knock.
"Oh, my Prince at this hour? Shall we sleep together tonight?"
"Mother, I'm practicing smiles. Could you take a look?"
"Hm...? What practice?"
"Smiling. Father told me to practice."
"Hmm, Father did? That man... Alright, give it a try."
I showcased variations mixing three eye shapes and four mouth shapes.
My goal: that idol ending-smile trend from the internet once! Behold my 3x4=12 expressions!
Mother's eyes welled up slightly, and she gently pulled me into her arms.
"It feels like yesterday you were beaming so purely in my lap, and now you're so grown... Mommy loves you, my son."
The Empress spoke as if sending off a grown son to marriage, and my own eyes misted unexpectedly. Especially since in my past life...
[I... sometimes resent you... No! What am I saying... That's not it, Mom, I'm sorry, sob sob... I'm sorry for not giving birth to you healthy...]
A foreign feeling I'd never known before left me speechless.
"Son... Shall we sleep together tonight?"
"Yes... Mom."
That night, I slept with Mother. Embarrassing at my age, but so what? Good is good.
And so the Founding Festival began. Dressed to the nines, our dazzlingly adorned family awaited the opening ceremony in the palace.
"Empress... you're too beautiful... Such a pity you're pregnant."
"Oh my, you too."
Their good marriage was worth celebrating, but nausea welled up—I felt like I'd seen something I shouldn't.
Watching parents' affections is always torture.
Glancing at them with jaded eyes, we boarded an open-top ornate carriage and waited for the gates to open.
As I spaced out idly, Father whispered.
"Prince, don't be overwhelmed."
Then the gates blocking the sunlight swung open, brilliant light pouring down. Knights in white armor lining both sides drew their swords in unison, thrusting them skyward.
The crowds' cheers on either side made my limbs tingle.
They cheered with varied faces and expressions, every gaze fixed on us.
-Waaahhh!
-Long live Emperor His Majesty!
-Long live Empress Her Majesty!
-Long live Prince His Highness!
Some called out fervently with furrowed brows; others whistled wildly.
Overwhelmed by their vibrancy and energy, Father smiled faintly and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Try smiling. Wave a little too."
I smiled and waved; the cheers intensified.
As I stood dazed...
"This is why appearances matter—why we must be more beautiful, stronger, and wiser than them."
"Everything is about legitimacy: 'I rule you because I am superior.'"
"Even if we're not superior, we must pretend. Even if not stronger, we must act it."
"Once prestige starts crumbling, rebuilding it takes double the effort."
"Don't be charmed by them, pity them. The seat you'll ascend to one day will demand sacrificing the few for the many, dozens or hundreds of times over."
Don't be charmed—that hit home.
The crowds' eyes sparkled with hope, looking blissful.
Overwhelmed by the aura of thousands, yet their vitality was so sweet, it reaffirmed my position.
"Even if plague strikes, war erupts, crops fail, rains don't come, or crime rises—they seek us."
"In hardship and adversity, they weep to gods, then curse the world."
"Remember: the world they lean on, breathe in, live in—that's the one we rule."
Attention I'd never received bedridden.
The heat contrasting my drab, empty hospital room felt burdensome; their expectations choked me.
Hatching from that 'dark hospital room' egg, reincarnation gifted me these brilliant colors.
As I'd received a miracle, I wanted to repay them.
After today, I wouldn't—couldn't—treat this place as just a game.
They lived, breathed, moved, and thought.