The Former Prince Who Lost Everything Becomes a Masked Strategist, Dominates from the Shadows, and Vows Revenge - Chapter 4.1

The Night After the Banquet.

That night, after the banquet had ended. The time was 10 PM.

Before going to bed, I had been summoned by my father.

I knocked on the door of the king’s private chamber and called out from the other side.

“Father, you called for me?”

“Ah, Prince Grace! I’ve been waiting for you! Come in.”

“Excuse me.”

As I stepped inside, I saw my father looking over some documents at his desk.

After placing the documents back on the table, he stretched his arms with a yawn, stood up, and approached me.

“I apologize for calling you so suddenly, Prince Grace. I just happened to want to have a conversation with you. Come, sit on the sofa. Hmm… why don’t we talk while playing a board game, just like we used to?”

Saying that, my father took out a board game called Bone Knight from the shelf, where the pieces were represented as soldiers.

As I watched him set up the board and arrange the pieces on the table, I took a seat on the sofa.

Once he finished placing the pieces, he sat down on the opposite sofa, smiled warmly, and moved the knight piece forward.

“Lately, since Cattleya… since the queen passed away, we haven’t had much time to talk alone. Forgive me, Prince Grace. With looking after Aria and arranging the engagement, I’ve burdened you with too much.”

“No, I understand how busy you are, Father.”

Saying that, I moved my knight piece forward as well.

“Despite being at the age when you should be playing, I have you spending your entire day learning swordsmanship and academics… Because you were born as the king’s son, I’ve taken away your freedom. Do you ever regret being born a prince?”

“I don’t. I’m very happy to have been born as your and Mother’s child.”

“Then… have you ever felt lonely? I haven’t been able to spend much time with you lately.”

“I have my friends and my sister. Thanks to them, I’m doing just fine.”

“Good grief, you’re still as mature as ever. You never show any weakness, even to your own father. No… perhaps it’s more accurate to say that you had no choice but to grow up quickly.”

With that, my father let out a short sigh before speaking again.

“This conversation has gotten a bit too sentimental, hasn’t it? My apologies. Anyway, Prince Grace, you’ve always been skilled at this war-strategy board game, Bone Knight, ever since you were a child. Back then, you were so competitive and kept challenging me again and again. It’s a fond memory.”

“That was when I was seven and kept losing to you. But now I’m ten. Things won’t go the same way as before.”

“Hahaha! I hate to break it to you, but I won’t go easy on you just because you’re my son! I am the Knight King, who commands a thousand knights! Even if it’s just a game, I cannot allow myself to lose in strategy!”

Saying so, my father moved another piece.

Smiling, I moved my own piece forward as well.

30 Minutes Later

I had captured all of my father’s pieces, declared checkmate, and won the game.

“W-what…?!”

His eyes widened as he stared at the board in disbelief, then turned his astonished gaze toward me.

Feeling embarrassed by his stare, I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

“Father, you let me win, didn’t you? If so, I… um, I’m sorry.”

“I-I did no such thing!! Prince Grace, you…!!”

He suddenly stood up and gripped my shoulders firmly.

Then, his eyes began to sparkle with excitement.

“Prince Grace! You have the talent of a strategist!! You have even more tactical brilliance than I do!!”

“W-wait, what?! But it’s just a board game! Can you really determine strategic ability from something like this?!”

“This board game is the foundation of military tactics! If you were able to defeat me in it, then you undoubtedly have talent! And at the age of ten, no less! The next king will be a wise ruler! Hahaha!”

“W-wait, Father!? Stop—!”

My father suddenly lifted me by my sides and began spinning me around the room.

“You were worried about not improving your swordsmanship before, but Prince Grace! You are not a swordsman! You are a born strategist! You lead the soldiers and crush the enemy stronghold! I was better at wielding a sword than leading troops, but… I see now! You inherited your intelligence from Cattleya! I can’t wait to see the kingdom you will build in the future!”

“F-Father! My head—! I’m getting dizzy!!!”

“Hahaha!! Around and around you go!! Hahahaha!!!”

And so, for some reason, I was spun around the room by my overenthusiastic father.

But… it felt nice to have this moment with him again.

Somehow, the heavy feeling that had been weighing on my heart since Mother’s passing felt a little lighter.

◇◇◇◇◇

The Next Morning

The chirping of birds gradually awakened my consciousness.

As I opened my eyes and sat up in my canopy bed, a sliver of light pierced through the gap in the curtains, hitting my eyes.

At the same time, a knock came at the door, followed by a voice from the hallway.

“Good morning, Prince Grace. This is Hannah.”

“Ah, good morning, Hannah. You can come in.”

“Excuse me.”

Stepping into the room was a maid with blue hair and an expressionless face.

Familiar with her presence, I smiled and got out of bed, standing in front of the mirror.

With practiced ease, Hannah began undressing me.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I spoke up.

“Hannah, I’m not a child anymore. I’d like to start dressing myself soon…”

“Prince Grace, are you trying to take away my purpose in life?”

“P-purpose?”

“Yes. One of my greatest joys is choosing outfits that will suit you best for the following day. Also… touching the soft skin of a beautiful young boy is another—cough. Never mind. I assure you, I am not a shotacon.”

“You just said everything out loud! This is terrifying! Am I going to be assaulted by my own maid one day?!”

“Your Highness, it is said that nobles often learn about such matters from their personal maids. If you are ever interested, feel free to give me the order. Smile.”

“Don’t just smile at me like that! I’m never doing that!”

While bantering with Hannah, I was eventually dressed in my royal attire.

Looking into the mirror, I saw the reflection of a boy with black hair and red eyes staring back at me.

As I gazed at my own reflection, Hannah spoke softly.

“…I was originally an orphan who collapsed in the slums. Prince Grace and Lady Cattleya took me in and made me a maid. I am forever grateful.”

“That was three years ago… when I was seven and you were fourteen. Mother and I found you while traveling by carriage.”

Hannah gently embraced me from behind and smiled softly.

“Even if the whole world turns against you, I will always be on your side.”

“Thank you, Hannah… Oh, um, also, your chest is pressing against the back of my head.”

“I know.”

Smiling wryly at my ever-eccentric maid, I stepped out of the room with her by my side.

◇◇◇◇◇

After Breakfast

After finishing breakfast in the dining hall, I spent my free time before sword training as usual—reading a book under the tree on the hill.

Since my mother’s grave was here, I often found myself coming back.

Besides, it was quiet, and the gentle breeze felt pleasant, making it the perfect place to read. It was my favorite spot.

“You’re reading here again, Prince Grace.”

Looking up from my book at the voice, I saw Lilliette standing with her hands on her hips, while Alphonse stood beside her, panting.

I smiled at them and greeted them.

“Good morning, both of you. It’s rare to see Lilliette at the castle so early, not just Alphonse.”

“Well, we announced our engagement yesterday, didn’t we? My father got all excited and decided he needed to strengthen ties with His Majesty, so he went to see the king this morning. Honestly, we’re only engaged, and he’s already acting like a fool.”

Lilliette shrugged her shoulders with a sigh.

Then, for some reason, she smirked mischievously and spoke again.

“More importantly… we’re sneaking out of the castle to go to the town! On my way here, I passed by a party of Adamantium-ranked adventurers—the highest tier. They should still be at the Adventurers’ Guild, so let’s go see them.”

She grabbed my hand forcefully, pulling me to my feet.

I hurriedly protested.

“W-wait, Lilliette! Are we really going out alone without any guards?”

“Of course. If we called the soldiers, they’d definitely stop us. Then we wouldn’t be able to go. Now’s our chance, while His Majesty and my father are talking. Let’s go!”

“A-Alphonse! Don’t just stand there—help me stop her!”

“I-I can’t, Prince Grace… I tried earlier, and she pinched my cheek… It really hurt… sniffle…”

Crying over just getting his cheek pinched… And this guy is the grandson of a former knight commander?

“The Lilliette Exploration Squad is setting off!”

And so, Alphonse and I were dragged along by Lilliette as we made our way to the town.

◇◇◇◇◇

The Bustling Town

The streets of the town’s marketplace were filled with people coming and going.

The main road, which stretched from the castle gate to the town’s entrance, was lined with merchants selling various goods. People walked by, browsing the stalls.

Amidst the lively scene, Lilliette walked ahead, humming cheerfully.

Alphonse and I followed behind, wearing expressions of exasperation.

“I’ve always wanted to walk through this town on my own two feet instead of in a carriage. My dream has come true.”