The Next Morning.
Having slept more peacefully than ever, I found myself uncharacteristically lost in slumber until the sun had fully risen. If Parna hadn’t co to wake , I might have stayed asleep until well past noon.
Sitting at the breakfast table, listening to the countess passionately directing the staff, I looked around and asked about Frey’s whereabouts, curious to know if the penalty was still in effect or if it had concluded the previous night.
“She left for the Academy early this morning,” ca the reply.
What? Frey?
“What? That blockheaded swordswoman?”
I let out a dry laugh as I was told that she had left hastily, ignoring even the countess’s attempt to stop her, as if fleeing in embarrassnt. She was probably mortified by what she’d done last night. Frey has this surprisingly girlish side, after all.
As I returned to the Academy, I correctly guessed that eting her would be difficult. Even though I intentionally looked around for her, I couldn’t find Frey until lunchti.
Instead, as the sun reached its peak, Arthur ca looking for , carrying a ssage from Frey that she wouldn’t be able to see today.
“It’s not unusual for her to be restless, but today she seed especially agitated.”
Before I could ask what nonsense he was spouting, he went on about how she practically ran off, and I couldn’t help but laugh, imagining the look on Frey’s face at that mont.
Business…
“Is that all you wanted to say? In that case, please let enjoy my al in peace. Seeing the ‘pathetic prince’s’ face ruins my appetite.”
“Regrettably for you, I’m not done. We need to discuss your tasks for tomorrow.”
At the ntion of tomorrow’s “tasks,” my appetite vanished entirely. What could he possibly want to do that requires advance discussion? I’ve committed so many sins against him that I can’t even guess! This is the sa guy who, not long ago in the dungeon, loudly declared he’d “discipline” —and I threw fuel onto that fire!
“If you prefer to finish your al first, I’ll gladly wait.”
Would the prince be able to eat in this situation?!
“Do you have no empathy at all, pathetic prince? Who could eat after hearing they have so ‘big task’ ahead? Oh, you probably just want to see sulking while eating, right? Pfft. You’re such a pervert!”
“...I’ll take that as a yes to discussing matters now.”
Arthur clenched his lips, suppressing his irritation, and led to a private room at the Academy.
Does this an he has sothing he can’t discuss in public? Now I’m even more anxious.
“Relax. It’s not bad news for you.”
Arthur shrugged casually, leaning back, which only heightened my unease. Whenever soone says “it’s not bad news,” it always is.
“Let’s get to the point. I’ll give you two options. You’ll choose one, which will be your punishnt.”
I knew it!
Not bad news? Yeah, right!
This guy is downright malicious! He’s enjoying giving choices only to savor watching carry them out—and if I complain, he’ll say, “Well, it was your choice.”
Maybe my anger was showing, as Arthur raised his hands to placate .
“Calm down. You can decide after hearing your options.”
True. If his options are actually reasonable, then there’s no need to get upset.
I crossed my arms, signaling him to continue, and Arthur let out a sardonic smile.
Even a third prince is still a prince.
“Enough. Just say it.”
“How long are you planning to drag this out? Indulging your perverted preferences has beco exhausting.”
“Haha. Understood. One option is for you to serve as my maid for the day.”
“...Pardon?”
“What?”
“You’ll simply dress as a maid and serve politely. I won’t ask you to do anything beyond a maid’s duties, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”
After hearing his first option, I promptly restored my mace to its full size and placed it on the desk so Arthur could clearly see its glistening end.
“Pathetic prince, it seems you’ve forgotten that the punishnt lasts only one day. If you forget, tomorrow this mace might find its way into your skull, giving your brain a taste of fresh air.”
I said this with a pleasant smile, loaded with intent, watching beads of sweat form on Arthur’s brow.
“Aren’t you overreacting?! Think about it! How could I force you to do sothing you truly don’t want to?”
Arthur muttered so feeble excuse about not aning to push too far, but I wasn’t buying it. I’d learned just last night about the power of penalties. Even my sugaki Skill couldn’t counter them, so forcing to play maid now? Who knows what he’d ask to do?
“Fine! I’ll tell you the second option! If you dislike the first, just choose this one!”
I silently gripped the mace’s handle, prompting Arthur to go pale as he quickly continued.
“The second option is simple. Instead of a day’s worth of punishnt, you just have to teach how to clear the dungeon.”
Huh?
“What did you say?”
“Pathetic prince, could you repeat that? Your voice was so grating I accidentally ignored it.”
“I said, teach your dungeon-clearing techniques!”
…
Arthur, you idiot!
If that’s what you wanted, you should have said so sooner!
Where should I start? What should I teach first?
I’m so excited that my mind’s going into overdrive with ideas!
Right, let’s begin with the various dungeon chanics.
“I an, you may not want to share your knowledge…”
“What are you babbling about?”
“Oh, pathetic prince, you’re hilarious.”
When a novice volunteers to be coached, there’s no way an expert would refuse!
If an expert says no, they’re not a real expert!
True experts are the ones who bombard others with research until they’re thoroughly exhausted.
“Just tell what the brief punishnt is!”
“I don’t want to waste any more ti, so let’s get to the brief punishnt.”
If coaching a clueless newbie cos with a cost, I’ll gladly pay it!
What are you planning to make do?
Say it!
Do you want to kneel and apologize?
Or wear a maid outfit and do a moe-moe pose?
“My intention was to get a sincere apology from you, followed by a light smack on the head to wrap things up.”
“That’s it?”
“Puhaha! Is that all? Pathetic prince, you have such a petty mind.”
Normally, I’d never agree to sothing like this, thanks to the sugaki Skill, but right now, I’m free to bow my head as many tis as necessary! This is what it ans to be an adult!
“Then, is that your choice?”
“Yes! Since….”
“So, this is how you want to be apologized to? You really know how to make yourself look pitiable.”
“...You have quite the attitude for soone who’s about to apologize.”
Arthur sighed, probably realizing this was dragging on, and gestured for to get on with it.
This was a proposal I was more than happy to accept. Better to get it over with now than to spend all day worrying about him changing his mind.
I got up and stood in front of him.
Alright, here goes.
Admit defeat, apologize for my usual behavior, and take a smack on the head. Simple!
Let’s get this over with so I can grab lunch.
Just as I was about to go through the motions of apologizing, a ssage appeared before my eyes.
[You will convey ‘sincerity’ during the apology.]
Sincerity?
Pathetic god, what’s this about?
I get that Arthur requested a “sincere” apology, but isn’t that just a figure of speech?
“Hurry up, Lucy Allen. Didn’t you say it was no big deal? Get it done, so I can smack you.”
Arthur raised his fist impatiently, prompting yet another ssage to appear, detailing the penalties if I didn’t comply.
Fine! I get it! I don’t fully understand, but I’ll apologize anyway!
When I think about it, I’ve got a lot to apologize for.
“I’m sorry for always being rude.”
Even if he’s not close to the throne, Arthur still carries royal blood. He’s overlooked my many transgressions, but I’ve undoubtedly leaned on his leniency.
“I’m sorry for not thanking you more often for your help.”
Our first encounter may not have been ideal, but ever since then, Arthur’s always co to my aid whenever I was in trouble.
Even if the sugaki Skill was partly to bla, I definitely owed him thanks.
“I’m sorry for constantly calling you pathetic.”
It’s clear from his efforts alone that Arthur isn’t pathetic. Training in both swordsmanship and magic without falling behind in either makes him worthy of being called a genius.
And yet, all I ever did was insult his efforts.
“And…sniff…I’m sorry for calling you ‘pathetic,’ knowing how much it hurts you.”
I know full well how much pain that word brings Arthur.
As I reflected on all this, my emotions overwheld , and my vision blurred with tears.
Damn it. So this is what “sincerity” ans!
Once emotions took hold, I couldn’t stop myself.
I was barely able to speak through my tears when the door burst open.
“Third Prince! We heard you took the lady…”
“Prince Arthur, even if you made a bet…”
Joy and Faivy, of all people.
They picked the perfect mont for a misunderstanding.
I wanted to explain, but I couldn’t stop sobbing enough to form coherent words.
Damn it, when will this penalty end?!
“...What is the aning of this, Third Prince…Arthur?”
“It’s not what it looks like, Joy! Whatever you’re thinking, it’s a misunderstanding!”
“Would you kindly clarify? I, as a holy knight, shall judge this in the na of the goddess.”
“Lady Saint?! Wait! Calm down and hear out!”
With a loud slam, the door closed, and soon, Arthur’s voice filled the room with indignant screams.
Watching everything unfold, I finally understood sothing I’d once heard: when a normally kind person gets angry, it’s truly terrifying.
…Maybe I should tone down my teasing from now on.
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