Chapter 15: 15 years old

“Brother, Please do something about her!!”(Shaun)

“Shaun is that the first thing you tell me after I have returned from a long trip?I’d hoped it to be at least a {Welcome back} instead” (Cecil)

During my second year, due to my father, I took a 4 months break during the spring, going to our neighbouring country in order to establish good relations under the pretense of an educational exchange.

Father told me to just do my own things and that would be a good restraint to other companies. Thinking that such a naive way of thinking wouldn’t work, As to not waste the 4 months I’m staying there, Whilst travelling, I gathered information and spread the baits on the import tax and the road maintenance fees. With that, I blackmailed….. Negotiated with a favorable conditions.

At first nobody would pay heed to words from a child such as me and there are also people who just brushed me aside. Although when I started using the information I gathered as a topic, their faces started to turn pale whilst listening to me seriously.

I finally realized that humans are surprisingly sensible creatures as long as you sincerely converse with each other.

Well although before you’re able to sincerely converse with each other you would need to lay some foundation and investigation.

Various things happened and I have returned back to the academy according to schedule, and instead of welcoming me, the first thing my Brother was to rant…. Since I haven’t received any sitrep from my “House sitter” I have no idea on what’s going on currently.

Of course I have received periodic reports, but since our country’s territory is wide, It takes time to receive information on the capital when I’m in the neighbouring countries. The information i can get would also be limited and i wouldn’t be able to hear any recent news.

“….Did Bertia do something interesting again?”

It’s rare for my nonchalant brother to be this flustered

the last report from the “House sitter” includes the plan to making Shaun involved on the preparation of the cultural festival, but even so, I heard there wasn’t too much interesting movement from her.

“It’s not about lady Bertia but Baronnes Heronia”

Looking at Shaun who furrowed his brow unpleasantly, I remembered about the girl who’s only good for her average look.

By the way, instead of being one of my target of interest or protection, She’s more like someone annoying pest that i thought i should remove thus I have little to none information about her.

I just recognize her as [someone acquainted] to my close aides and Bertia.

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“Shaun, I’m sorry but baroness Heronia is out of my jurisdiction”(Cecil)

I declined Shaun who came to ask for my help as if it’s the normal thing to do.

“Can i ask why?”(Shaun)

“I’m the one who wanted to ask why you would ask me for help”

“It’s because everyone’s been saying that you would take care of all the problems as long as someone asked you”

“ … I’m very curious on who is that [everyone] you’re referring to” (Cecil)

“That lady Joanna is feeling restless now. She’s very hurt because she’s been told by baroness heronia that [You’re too uptight and are not worthy of prince Shaun]. Furthermore She told me while crying that seeing me being proactively approached by baroness Heronia made her feel scared that my feeling would change. Seeing her who’s always looking so capable becoming like this made my heart hurt. I thought that i need to do something to protect her…”(Shaun)

Ignoring everything i’ve said, Shaun grasped his fist with a tinge of teardrop on his eyes.

His resolve to protect her is pretty praiseworthy, but relying on me?

Unlike the perfect and un-cute first prince me, Shaun the second prince was pampered by the adults as he’s unable to do things perfectly. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

That’s why, It might be un-inevitable that the unreliable and pampered him would ask for help from someone….. but i still think it’s very shameful as a man to do so.

Well he is way better than last time since lady Joanna who’s educating him had already known the tricks to handle him and had him dancing on top of her hand since then.

As of why, the Shaun from before would think that it’s a given that he should be protected and would never think of protecting anyone.

“If so Shaun, You should try to protect her by yourself. You are the middle schooler’s student council president and this country’s 2nd prince…. besides lady Joanna is your lover too.”(Cecil)

Shaun who looked frustrated while biting his lower lips since he didn’t know how to protect lady Joanna suddenly noticed something was amiss and was surprised.

“Esteemed brother,did you know about our relationship? It’s only been 2 days that we’ve been going out…. as expected from esteemed brother.”(Shaun)

His originally wide eyes went wider as he looked at me suspiciously.

Do I know anything about Shaun and lady Joanna being together?

Of course there’s no way i would know that they already went out.

It’s just somehow i feel that the passionate feelings dwelled in Shaun’s eyes are close to that of being in love. That’s why i tried to hint it out….. hnnn I see so they finally went out together.

With this there’s no more problem on Shaun’s fiancee.

“From now on as a fiancee and partner, you both would be a pillar to our country. There would be lots of trials too. Would you still be asking me for assistance every-time you meet such trials?

If so you won’t be able to protect your loved one and this country”

Shaun can’t always be the pampered kid he is, it’s about time for him to get his act together.

Then i should act accordingly and be strict towards him.

After all I’m his [Elder brother]

“But instead of someone like me won’t things resolve better if someone like you did it…?”(Shaun)

“If so you won’t be able to experience anything thus unable to grow. Besides the one who wanted to protect lady Joanna from baroness Heronia is you right? Are you willing to let another guy be the one to protect her?”

“That … is a little…”(Shaun)

Imagining it, Shaun’s face started to worry unbefitting of his childlike face.

“All the more so, isn’t this the time to show your manliness? She is counting on you right now as your lover you know? How about trying to protect her in your own way. If that doesn’t work out it’s alright to ask for my advice”(Cecil)

With this,I hope Shaun will mature.

Even like this, Shaun did all of his work as the student council president perfectly and he seems to be good at his studies.

His abilities are in itself marvelous, all that he needs is just confidence and the resolve to do it when the time comes.

Besides, even if he failed I can salvage the situation, and lady Joanna seems to be leading the situation so i’m sure she’ll be able to do some follow ups.

Especially since this case is something that lady Joanna has set up as his homework.

I’m sure there is already a plan B put in place.

After all she’s good enough to make me want her as my subordinate.

“B…. But…”(Shaun)

“But?”(Cecil)

In my opinion, it’s ridiculous to be worried about this “homework” which has already been planned out perfectly for him to solve. But since Shaun has not noticed this, he must still be feeling uneasy to solve this on his own.

To a certain part of females, his uneasiness might seem ”cute and charismatic” but as a prince of a country, i wonder about that.

I furrowed my brow while waiting for him to continue.

Shaun who looked like a small puppy being scolded, peeked at my expressions with upturned eyes as he opened his mouth slowly.

“Even i have paid attention numerous times and tried my best to keep my distance from her, but she never listened. Insisting that she is the best candidate to join the student council, she kept looking down and pester lady Joanna and the other noblewoman, whilst acting like she is some kind of damsel in distress and cried in front of the onlookers….. Especially it got much worse during the times you’re absent. I tried my best to smooth things over everytime, but with some retarded reasoning, she made it look like i’m actually on her side. It made me to don’t know what is right anymore.”

I feel relieved to see Shaun with tears on the edge of his eyes did actually tried his best to solve the situation in his own way.

From what i heard from Bertia, This year’s number one target seems to be Shaun. I’m sure he’s in a similar position to the me 2 years ago.

No, from what i deduced from Shaun’s story, The more things happened outside of the scenario, the more troublesome things get.

Because Shaun has that soft side on him, he [ignoring],[eluding],[not associating] is not an option. He should be quite racking his brain on how to deal with her.

“Besides, Elder brother, it’s not completely unrelated to you, you know? After all the no. 1 target of her attack seems to be lady Bertia. Lady Joanna might look strict, but she’s kind on the inside. Even though she is troubled with her own problems, when she looks at Bertia her heart ache more. I couldn’t stand looking at her being heart strucken like that.

“….Bertia is the main target of her attack? how did things become like that?”

As soon as i hear Bertia’s name,my brow twitched a little.

It’s that baroness Heronia that has been meddling with a lot of noble ladies we’re talking about right here.

Of course she’ll be meddling with the self proclaimed [Villainess], but i never expected it to be especially bad for Bertia.

I overlooked that a little

Bertia is my fiancee and of course is within my [Jurisdiction].

You should protect your beloved yourselfs. Shaun who tried his best to do so but with no avail started to lighten his expression once I started to lend an ear to him.

I’m sorry to disappoint you but, I’ll be lending a hand to his [Homework].

Even so it is only to the point that Shaun could protect his lover himselfs and I can ascertain the situation of my fiancee and help if it is needed.

In the first place, lady Joanna could possibly take care of someone like baroness Heronia as easy as grasping her hand, but instead of doing that, she used such a roundabout way and asked help from Shaun by giving him this [Homework].

If I take care of things perfectly, instead of being happy, she would be extremely furious.

“I may not know what the reason is, but I’ve heard that various rumours about Lady Bertia destroying baroness Heronia’s belongings; looking down on her; asking the other lady to isolate her; and being corrupted like her father marquis Nochesse; being spread around.

“Not [Spread around ] but [Being spread around] ?” (Cecil)

(TN :I may not have phrased it properly but shaun said that someone is spreading the rumour instead of the rumour spreading by mouth to mouth.)

“Yes, it’s [Being spread around]”(Shaun)

…… Doesn’t that mean that she tried to spread bad rumours about Bertia, but got found out and now it became a rumour?

She is just digging her own grave….

What are you actually trying to achieve, baroness Heronia…

“Lady Bertia is actually very famous among the middle schoolers. And those who admire her started to have negative impression on lady Heronia. Especially the member’s of [Bertia loving society]. They are enraged and the friction with baroness Heronia is getting more and more common……… and the person on top of that is lady Joanna.

Lady Joanna sure is aggressive for someone who cried for being distressed…

I’m sure, her character setting in front of Shaun is [Although i’m afraid, i tried to act tough].

Well nevertheless, during the times of my absence, quite a lot of troubles did happen in the middle school section.

On top of that, Bertia is in the middle of all of that….. I might need to observe the situation and gather some information on this.

“I see… hmmm then, I’ll be taking a look. Like Shaun who’s protecting lady Joanna, i also need to protect my own fiancee”(Cecil)

Shaun heaved a sigh of relief.

Seeing that, i might need to give him some warnings.

“But, i’ll only help on [problems related to Bertia]. I say it again, you need to protect your own lovers. Besides it is also the student council’s job to settle dispute between students. Shaun is already not on the side who needs protection anymore so you need to get your act together.”(Cecil)

I erased my smile and stared at Shaun seriously.

Shaun who relaxed started fidgeting.

He looked determined, and replied with a [Yes].

Yeah, he has a good expression on him now.

He started to look like a [Man] now.

OchHDF-san: ~Oh my gawd Shaun is growing up.

“Now then, since i need to pack things up, let’s just leave it at here today.”(Cecil)

Sending a glance behind, my attendant have stopped their hands due to the second prince visiting.

In the first place, there is no need for me as the crown prince to tidy my things up, but since someone with a high nobility have visited, my attendant’s can’t continue their work.

As long as Shaun is here, there is no way that they could tidy up this room.

“I’m sorry to trouble you when you have just gotten back, Esteemed Brother”(Shaun)

Having got a little leeway, Shaun looked at our surroundings and smiled wryly.

“No problem, i also am happy to see you after so long” (Cecil)

“Oh yeah…”(Shaun)

“Is there anything else?” (Cecil)

“Esteemed brother, welcome back. I’ve been waiting for your safe return” (Shaun)

I smiled to reply.

“Yeah, i’m back. I’m glad that you’re doing fine too”(Cecil)