I Was Reincarnated as a Villain Prince’s Follower, but I Refuse to Be Ruined—Turns Out the Prince Is Surprisingly Competent - Chapter 20

Finally, it was the day before the Hunting Festival.

(This past month really flew by.)

“What are you getting so sentimental for?”

“Oh.”

Rufus spoke with a smile as the two of them ate the dinner Jeremy had brought from home. Now that Rufus could use magic, they weren’t sure if suppressants were still being used, but they kept up the routine just to be safe.

“You were probably thinking about how this lifestyle ends today, weren’t you?”

“Was it that obvious…?”

“You’re far too easy to read. But you have your own room in the palace now. You can come whenever you like from now on.”

“Coming here without a reason is… the palace isn’t really that kind of place.”

“I think coming to see me is a perfectly good reason, don’t you?”

“Understood. If you put it that way, I’ll take you up on the offer.”

“It’s not about favors. You are my friend and my right hand. In that sense, this Hunting Festival was a perfect opportunity. The way people look at you has changed. Now, no one will complain when I officially make you my right-hand man.”

“You were thinking that far ahead?”

“Of course. Naturally, I feel restless when you aren’t around. But making the people of the court remember your face and recognize your worth was also one of my goals.”

(He’s a strategist…!)

Jeremy was impressed. He truly was the talented Second Prince.

“Well, I should head back soon. Let’s do our best tomorrow.”

“Would you stay and sleep in the same room tonight?”

“Is something bothering you? Did the Crown Prince try something?”

“No, it’s not that! I’m just more nervous than usual…”

Rufus spoke shyly, his cheeks turning a faint red. Tomorrow’s Hunting Festival would certainly have a huge impact on Rufus’s future life. It wasn’t strange for him to feel a bit lonely or anxious.

“All right. I’ll stay over tonight then.”

“I’m sorry. I’m always being so selfish.”

“This hardly counts as being selfish. After all, I know what the old Rufus was like.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Rufus gave a wry smile. Jeremy took a shower and changed into the pajamas provided for him. It was early summer, and the nights were starting to get humid. Leaving the balcony door cracked open, Jeremy climbed into Rufus’s bed.

“As expected of a prince’s bed. It’s way more comfortable than mine.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

Rufus said with a hint of a smile.

“I’m serious.”

However, once they actually tried to sleep, Jeremy found it hard to drift off. It was obvious that the Crown Prince would use underhanded methods to interfere with Rufus tomorrow. The royal forest where the festival was held didn’t have as many eyes watching as the palace did. If Rufus fell into a trap, would Jeremy be able to support him properly? He had been polishing his magic skills alongside Rufus to protect him, but his anxiety wouldn’t go away so easily. Jeremy scolded his own wavering heart.

(It’s not about whether I can do it. I have to do it. I absolutely won’t let that trash Crown Prince have his way.)

Just then, Rufus’s voice called out, “Are you awake?”

“I’m awake. I can’t really sleep when I think about tomorrow.”

“Me too. I feel pathetic for being such a coward.”

“That’s not true. It’s just proof that you understand how important tomorrow is.”

“Jeremy.”

“Yeah?”

Sensing Rufus move, Jeremy rolled over to face him. In the darkness, the moonlight filtering in illuminated Rufus’s handsome features. His pale skin seemed to glow faintly. Jeremy felt himself being drawn in.

“…I realized I never told you why I was so obsessed with Chris.”

“You explained it before. You said while everyone else treated you like you were fragile, Chris was different.”

“…That was half true and half a lie.”

“Was it?”

“I realized later… that I was overlapping Chris with you. When we first met, even though I was bossy and acting tough, you treated me normally. Even though you were acting timid.”

Jeremy remembered what was written in the diary.

“That’s true. I almost got chased away once, didn’t I?”

“Yes. But I was lonely, so in the end, I made you stay.”

“That was how we met.”

“I never imagined back then that we would be together for this long. But at some point, you stopped looking at me as just a friend and saw me only as a prince. I was lonely because of that. But Chris was like you were back then. That’s why I did such rude things to him. I dragged him around because of my own twisted feelings. And you were the one who woke me up.”

“I only gave you a little advice.”

“Thanks to that advice, it feels like everything has changed for the better.”

“Yeah. I think so too.”

Rufus’s voice carried a faint trace of a smile.

“No matter what the result is tomorrow, let’s give it our all.”

“Of course. That was the plan from the start.”

Being encouraged by Rufus, the strange hesitation in Jeremy’s heart vanished.