I Was a Royal Palace Knight, But I Turned Out to Be an Omega, So I Had to Resign (BL) - Chapter 7

“Once again, what is the current Queen’s name and her family background?”

“Uh… Princess Irene. She’s from the northern noble family, the Rosenkrantz clan. They’ve been linked to the royal family by marriage for three generations…”

I struggled to pull the information from my memory. Edgar was watching me with a stern look right in front of me.

For the past five days, I’d been studying from morning till night. Right now, I was cramming noble names and family trees into my head. Honestly, my brain felt like it was about to explode.

“Name the heads of the twelve main noble families.”

Again? I sighed silently inside.

“Count Harvey, Duke Rosenkrantz, Baron Muller… hmm…”

“Continue.”

“Marquis Blanchstein, Count Volkner…”

I tried desperately to remember, but I just couldn’t recall the rest. No good—I just couldn’t get it. I really suck at this kind of stuff.

“You can’t remember? This is the absolute basics.”

Edgar sighed heavily.

“Sorry… I’m just bad at this kind of thing…”

I slumped my shoulders. I was trying so hard, but I just couldn’t memorize it. I’ve always been bad at memorization. I’m better at learning things with my body, like how to use a sword.

“That’s enough for today. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

Edgar closed the thick family tree book with a cold expression. I could see the clear disappointment in his eyes.

“Seriously? We’re done? Thank goodness, finally.”

I stretched, cracking my neck as I stood up. Edgar kept his expression blank but stared at me harshly.

“If you can’t even remember the names of the nobles, you’ll only embarrass yourself at the party. Don’t forget, this affects the prince’s reputation.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

I walked to the window. The beautiful view of the royal city spread out before me. Back when I was a knight, I could freely roam under that sky. This big, fancy room feels like a golden prison to me. It’s suffocating.

I suddenly got an idea and called out to Edgar.

“Hey, Edgar.”

“Yes?”

He hadn’t left the room yet. He was calmly sorting through some papers.

“Prince Leon, I haven’t seen him lately.”

It had been five days since I heard about the party, but I hadn’t seen him even once. Since the first day when they told me about the ‘fake engagement,’ Prince Leon hadn’t come to check on me at all.

At my question, Edgar’s expression changed slightly.

“Do you want to see him?”

His tone was different from before—less harsh, with a hint of kindness.

“Uh, no, it’s not that…”

I hurriedly denied it, but it sounded fake.

“I just thought it was strange that we’re supposed to be engaged, yet we haven’t met at all.”

Yeah, it’s just a business arrangement, really.

Well, that’s expected. I was chosen to be the ‘fake’ fiancé so they wouldn’t have to deal with anything complicated. So being treated this way is normal.

Still, I felt a little lonely. Back when I was a knight, I saw him almost every day. Even if it’s fake, I’m trying this hard to study and stuff, so it would be nice if he came to check on me once in a while.

“Is Prince Leon busy?”

Edgar’s expression softened a little at the question.

“Of course. The prince carries many royal duties. Especially lately…”

He hesitated, as if there was something difficult to say.

“Lately?”

“Yes. Since he got engaged to you, he’s become even busier.”

“Wait, because of me?”

I couldn’t help but speak up.

Edgar sighed again. His face went back to serious, but his voice was warmer than usual.

“I’m not sure if I should say this… but you should understand the situation by now.”

He walked to the window and stared out over the city as he spoke.

“Prince Leonhart is in a very delicate position right now.”

“Delicate position?”

“Yes. As you know, he is the third prince. Normally, that means his claim to the throne is weak.”

I nodded. That made sense. The king has three sons, so the third prince wouldn’t normally be in line for the throne.

“But because he is an Alpha and has military achievements and strong support from the people, he’s recently been caught up in a fight for succession.”

“Whoa!”

That was news to me. Prince Leon involved in a succession battle? The guy I know doesn’t seem interested in stuff like that.

Edgar continued with a sharp look.

“The first prince is a Beta. The second prince is also an Alpha but has less fame than Leonhart. So the court is full of complicated power struggles.”

I see, so second genders play a big role here.

This world is actually pretty complex.

Five hundred years ago, a big event called the ‘Great Shift’ happened, and humans developed ‘second genders’: Alpha, Beta, and Omega.

In this Elkrest Kingdom, second genders are very important. Alphas are seen as leaders, Betas as workers, and Omegas… well, they’re looked down on. Male Omegas like me have a really tough time.

In the royal family, being an Alpha is especially preferred. Most past kings were Alphas. So Prince Leon being an Alpha means a lot when it comes to succession.

“Now, because the prince got engaged to you—an Omega noble—the situation has become even more complicated.”

Edgar’s words made me think. So being an Omega and a lower noble like me as his fiancé could threaten his position.

“But it’s just a fake engagement, right? That shouldn’t be a problem…”

“Even if it’s fake, outsiders don’t see it that way. Everything you do as the prince’s fiancé affects his reputation.”

Edgar said strictly. That explains why he’s been so harsh teaching me manners.

“So then, why…?”

I hesitated. Why would he do such a troublesome thing now? Adding extra problems like this isn’t like Prince Leon.

“…Why would Prince Leon get engaged to someone like me?”

Edgar’s expression became complicated. After a moment, he spoke in a softer tone than usual.

“Probably to prepare a position for you close to your former knight role. He’s negotiating to have you officially recognized as a royal guard.”

“Eh…?”

I was stunned by Edgar’s unexpected words. To think Prince Leon was doing something so complicated for me…

Edgar looked straight into my eyes, rare for him, and continued.

“The prince is trying to change the old rule that ‘Omegas can’t be knights.’ It won’t be easy, but he’s looking for a way around it by making you his ‘special fiancé.’”

Edgar’s tone softened, sounding thoughtful.

“The prince doesn’t show it, but he has a big heart. Especially toward you…”

He stopped mid-sentence, narrowing his eyes, as if he wanted to say more. But quickly, his face returned to strictness.

“Well, you should hear the rest from the prince himself.”

I wanted to ask more, but I held back. Now that I knew Prince Leon was working for me, I had to do my best.

“I understand.”

I straightened up, renewed my determination.

“Edgar, please teach me again. I’ll remember it properly this time.”

Edgar looked surprised but soon returned to his usual strict expression.

“That’s a good attitude. Let’s continue then.”

He opened the family tree book again and started teaching with his stern look.

But somehow, his voice sounded just a little softer—and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just my imagination.