Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Alexander Apple (1)
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After that day, Oliver Apple's behavior changed dramatically.
“Your Highness, it’s time to get up…….”
“Sir Demian! Good morning!”
When Demian came early in the morning to wake Oliver Apple, he was dumbfounded to see that Oliver had already gotten up and even washed his face.
“Didn’t you always tell me, Sir Demian? That one must always start the day early!”
At those words, Demian could only grow even more bewildered.
Oliver Apple had originally been in the habit of lazing in bed until past noon.
No matter how much Demian scolded him, he never fixed it, yet now he had suddenly changed.
“Your Highness, splendid. You’ve finally realized the importance of a regular routine.”
At those words, Oliver Apple’s mouth split into a huge grin.
Even after that, Oliver Apple’s bizarre behavior continued.
“Your Highness, following yesterday, today’s lesson is on the history of the Empire…….”
“I’ve already finished it!”
“Already?”
“How could we discuss continental history without the Empire? I figured you’d assign it anyway, so I did it ahead of time.”
Demian narrowed his eyes sharply as he stared at Oliver Apple.
Oliver Apple was smart, but filthy lazy.
This was the guy who only started studying after getting beaten with a stick for an hour, and now he’d done it on his own?
“……Well done. As expected of Your Highness.”
At Demian’s praise, Oliver Apple’s face melted into a goofy smile.
By now, Demian could guess what Oliver Apple wanted.
Praise.
Oliver Apple was improving his flaws just to receive praise.
‘Was being acknowledged that joyful for him?’
Demian could somewhat empathize with Oliver Apple’s mindset. After all, he had once been a wastrel himself.
‘He must have been lonely, never acknowledged by anyone until now.’
Honestly, it was all something Oliver Apple had brought on himself.
He held the blessed position of crown prince. The king was ready to do anything for his son.
Yet the one who threw away those great conditions and ended up isolated through his wastrel antics was none other than Oliver Apple.
‘I was the same.’
Demian’s past self hadn’t been much different. He blamed only his family, never reflecting on his own actions.
Unaware of how much they loved him or what a burden he was to them.
In any case, Oliver Apple’s change was something to welcome.
Wasn’t the reason Demian stayed in the royal castle to turn Oliver Apple into a proper king?
“Your Highness, you’ve perfectly mastered yesterday’s etiquette lesson! Truly a model for the royal family.”
“Your Highness, you’ve already picked up the swordsmanship I taught you. Now I see you have overflowing talent for physical pursuits as well.”
After that, Demian praised the prince whenever he got the chance. As a bonus, Oliver Apple’s flaws kept getting fixed with every bit of praise he heard.
“Wow, the crown prince is studying on his own……?”
The king was just as shocked by Oliver Apple’s change.
“S-Sir Demian! What in the world happened? The crown prince…… Oliver……!”
“Please calm down. Everything you see before you is real.”
“Huh, huh huh?!”
Having witnessed Oliver Apple’s change with his own eyes, the king rubbed them over and over. Then he grabbed Demian Haksen’s hands and thanked him repeatedly.
“Sir Demian, you truly are the benefactor of my life!”
“I’ve done nothing. It was all thanks to Your Highness’s own efforts.”
“Hahaha! Humble to boot! Oliver, come here!”
At the king’s call, Oliver Apple stepped forward. The king pulled him into a tight embrace with both arms.
“You’re finally walking the right path! Well done! Excellent! As expected of my son!”
Surprise spread across Oliver Apple’s face.
It was probably the first time he’d ever been praised by the king, so he was shocked.
Watching the father and son, Demian felt a rare warmth in his heart.
‘Now if we just resolve the coup, I can head back.’
Oliver Apple’s conduct had improved greatly. Signs of the rift between father and son crumbling were visible.
All that remained was to thwart the coup and stabilize the kingdom.
But as they say, things in the world never go as planned.
Soon, a new incident arose.
* * *
That day, the royal castle’s servants were moving about in unusual frenzy.
Finding it odd, Demian wandered the castle in search of Oliver Apple.
He eventually spotted him hiding in a corner of the garden.
“Your Highness, what are you doing here?”
At Demian’s voice, Oliver Apple flinched in surprise and turned to him.
“Sir Demian……!”
“Did I say it was okay to run off when you don’t feel like studying? Did I say it wasn’t?”
“N-No, that’s not it! I was studying right here!”
Oliver Apple shouted, wildly shaking the book in his hand.
“Then why were you hiding in such an out-of-the-way spot?”
“I wasn’t hiding…….”
Oliver Apple let out a sigh and changed his words.
“……Yes, you’re right. I was hiding.”
“Why on earth?”
“……Today’s the day that person returns.”
That person?
As Demian felt puzzled, a bureaucrat’s voice came from behind.
“Your Highness Oliver! There you are! His Excellency Alexander will arrive at the castle soon! Let’s hurry!”
At the bureaucrat’s words, Oliver Apple’s eyes shook violently. He let out a deep sigh and said,
“……Got it. I’ll be right there.”
Hearing the reply, the bureaucrat left immediately.
“Who is His Excellency Alexander?”
“……My uncle. The king’s brother.”
King’s brother.
In other words, the king’s younger sibling.
“You’re avoiding your uncle?”
“He’s uncomfortable in many ways…….”
Oliver Apple gave a wry smile in response to Demian’s question.
“Sir Demian, I’ll be elsewhere for a bit, so don’t tell the others…….”
At that, Demian scowled.
He didn’t know the full details of why Oliver Apple was avoiding his uncle.
But dodging a family elder in this situation? That wasn’t fitting for a crown prince.
From Demian’s position of raising Oliver into an exemplary crown prince, it was unacceptable.
“Cut the nonsense and go greet your uncle.”
At Demian’s firm reply, Oliver Apple’s shoulders slumped.
* * *
Demian dragged Oliver Apple to the castle gates. Many nobles had already gathered there.
“Urgh.”
Even now, Oliver Apple’s expression remained the same. But thanks to Demian, he couldn’t bring himself to say he wanted to leave.
“His Excellency Alexander is returning sooner than expected.”
“It seems he’s wiped out all the bandit groups in the meantime.”
“Impressive. The local lords couldn’t manage it for months.”
Demian listened to the nobles’ chatter. Thanks to that, he got a rough idea of who Alexander was.
“His Excellency Alexander is entering!”
With someone’s shout, a group of knights began riding through the gates.
A thick stench of sweat and dirt wafted in. They’d clearly come straight from battle. Their armor was dented and caked in mud.
It wasn’t a pretty sight. Yet not a single person frowned.
‘They look seasoned.’
Demian thought as he observed the knights. Experienced knights could wield power beyond their realm.
‘Hm?’
But one among the knights exuded a peculiar aura.
Demian’s gaze shifted to the knight at the very front. The middle-aged man carried an extraordinary presence.
‘High-class? No, not quite—there are too many deficiencies for that…….’
The middle-aged knight looked back at Demian. Or rather, right next to him, precisely.
The middle-aged knight pulled his reins. He stopped right in front of Demian.
“Well, well. Isn’t this my nephew?”
The middle-aged knight addressed Oliver Apple. Oliver forced a smile and replied,
“U-Uncle…… hello…….”
At Oliver Apple’s greeting, the middle-aged knight—Alexander Apple—grinned.
“I’m always fine, of course. And my nephew…… well, no need to say it. You’re always holed up in the castle, after all.”
At Alexander Apple’s words, the knights burst into loud laughter. Even some bureaucrats chuckled.
“Didn’t I tell you? At your age, you need to get out there. Don’t you know the saying that suffering in youth is something you seek out?”
“I-I’ve heard it…….”
“And yet you waste your time so pathetically? Know some shame in front of your subjects.”
“I-I’m sorry…….”
Oliver Apple flinched and fumbled at every word from Alexander Apple.
Even as a third party, Demian couldn’t help but feel displeased.
No matter that he was a family elder, to publicly berate his nephew—the crown prince no less—in front of so many people?
“And who’s the young man beside you…….”
Alexander Apple’s gaze turned to Demian. His eyes widened slightly.
“You must be Demian Haksen. Right?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. It’s an honor to be recognized.”
Demian replied curtly. Alexander Apple examined him with growing interest.
“Not content with reaching mid-class at such a young age, you even helped the Church take down a dangerous black mage? I thought the rumors exaggerated…… but seeing you, it all seems true.”
“You overpraise me.”
“But I hear you’re still unattached? Is that true?”
“Yes.”
At Demian’s answer, Alexander Apple clicked his tongue.
“Foolish. Utterly foolish. Well, youths your age are all like that. Overconfident in their abilities.”
Demian felt a surge of displeasure at those words. He didn’t show it, given the occasion.
“Sir Demian, some advice from a senior in life. Find a liege to serve as soon as possible. Talented knights must secure a home base quickly.”
As if it had just occurred to him, Alexander Apple snapped his fingers.
“Sir Dunbyol, don’t we have an opening in our White Spear Knights right now?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“Sir Demian, join our White Spear Knights. No need to thank me. Taking in talent like you is a joy for me as well.”
At that, Demian couldn’t help but let out a scoff.
Deciding on his own, judging on his own.
Alexander Apple was exactly the type of person Demian Haksen despised most.
“Your Excellency, I’m sorry, but I have no desire to join anywhere yet.”
“That’s the problem with you young ones. Didn’t I say not to overrate your abilities? A knight is one who serves his lord, after all…….”
“I know my own abilities well.”
His irritation and displeasure had reached an unbearable level.
Demian swept his gaze over Alexander Apple and the knights behind him before speaking.
“It doesn’t seem like an appealing place.”
For a moment, silence fell. Then the knights erupted in fury.
“How dare this brat talk so recklessly!”
“Draw your sword! I’ll teach you some manners!”
At that point, Alexander Apple raised a hand, and the knights fell silent.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a bold young man.”
Unlike the knights, Alexander Apple didn’t look angry. He seemed calm, even.
But Demian could see it—the rage burning deep in Alexander Apple’s eyes.
“If that’s your will, so be it.”
Alexander Apple turned away without regret. The knights followed him.
“S-Sir Demian! How could you say that?!”
The moment Alexander Apple left, Oliver Apple grabbed Demian and shouted.
“In front of so many people, you humiliated my uncle……!”
“He seemed fine with it.”
Demian replied innocently, though he knew otherwise.
“By the way, His Excellency Alexander seems awfully popular.”
Considering the bureaucrats’ reactions when he entered the castle, it was no ordinary popularity.
“Whenever the kingdom faces trouble, Uncle steps up first. That’s why he has so many followers.”
As he spoke, Oliver Apple cast an envious glance at the departing Alexander Apple.
“Plus, he showed sword talent from childhood, so he has tons of knights following him. Enough to form his own order.”
“Impressive.”
“Did you know? Sir Liam Bluegreen is Uncle’s disciple. Uncle learned the sword from the Bluegreen Marquis family.”
This was an unexpected connection.
“Your Highness!”
Just then, a bureaucrat ran up to Oliver Apple.
“Two hours from now, His Excellency Alexander will have an audience with His Majesty the King. Your Highness should attend as well, so prepare in advance.”
At those words, Oliver Apple’s expression hardened once more.
“Understood. I’ll bring His Highness along.”
Demian said to the bureaucrat. Oliver Apple shot him a look of utter betrayal.
“S-Sir Demian……? I’d really rather not attend if possible…….”
“Your Highness, you mustn’t be stubborn over nothing.”
Demian stated firmly. Oliver Apple pouted sullenly.
‘Something feels off.’
The reason Demian was here was to stop the impending coup.
In his previous life, the coup led to the castle’s assault and the king’s death.
Oliver Apple ascended hastily, shaking the Apple Kingdom to its core.
That was the extent of Demian’s knowledge. He didn’t know who attacked or the details—the Apple royal family had covered it up.
‘For the victimized royals to cover it up instead…….’
Demian stared intently in the direction Alexander Apple had vanished.