I Was Reincarnated as a Villain Prince’s Follower, but I Refuse to Be Ruined—Turns Out the Prince Is Surprisingly Competent - Chapter 8

After school a few days later, Rufus came to pick Jeremy up at his classroom as usual. By now, it was a familiar sight, but it felt a bit embarrassing, like being picked up by a parent. Not that he hated it, though.

“Your Highness, I told you that you don’t have to come every single time. I can go to you…”

To be honest, Jeremy was troubled by all the attention. Lately, students interested in Rufus—ranging from those who sincerely wanted to be friends to calculating social climbers wanting a royal connection—had been constantly trying to get close to Jeremy. He turned them all down, of course.

“My classes always finish earlier than yours, so I come to get you. That is all. More importantly…”

Rufus grabbed Jeremy’s right hand and leaned in so close it looked like he was about to kiss it.

“Wait…!?”

Behind him, Jeremy heard the girls remaining in the classroom let out high-pitched squeals of “Kyaa!”

“It seems you are wearing it today as well.”

“…Yes. Definitely. Since I was scolded about it before.”

The day after his birthday, Rufus had sniffed him in the same way and scolded him, asking, “Why aren’t you wearing that perfume?” Jeremy had replied that since it was a gift from Rufus, he wanted to save it for special days. But Rufus told him, “Wear it every day until it becomes a habit,” and he had worn it ever since.

“That wasn’t a scolding. It was advice.”

“Right, of course.”

Jeremy left the classroom with Rufus.

“Do you have plans today?”

“Not particularly. Are we having tea with Chris again?”

“I’m sorry for the short notice, but I’d like you to come to the Royal Palace.”

“The… Royal Palace…”

After the incident with the Crown Prince, Jeremy didn’t really want to go near the palace.

“…Is it for a tea party?”

“It is for a different matter today.”

Rarely for him, Rufus was being vague.

“A different matter at the Palace? That sounds a bit scary.”

“Don’t worry, no one is going to eat you. So, can you come? If you have errands, we can make it another day. I know it’s sudden.”

“It’s fine. I’ll go.”

The phrase “different matter” made him a little anxious, but the current Rufus would never do anything to harm him. Jeremy climbed into the carriage with Rufus and headed toward the Royal Palace.

(I hope we don’t run into the Crown Prince today.)

Praying silently, Jeremy stepped out of the carriage. Rufus said something to a maid and then led Jeremy deep into the palace. Courtiers passing by bowed to Rufus and looked curiously at Jeremy, who was shrinking back behind him. Jeremy was so nervous that he bowed to every courtier they passed. Rufus let out an exasperated sigh.

“There is no need to do that. Hold your head up high,” Rufus warned him.

“But I’m not on the same level as them, Your Highness.”

Some of the courtiers were from high-ranking noble families.

“You are my friend. Besides, my brother’s followers don’t care at all about the courtiers.”

“…Those people are just too arrogant. Or they’re like ‘the fox borrowing the tiger’s authority.'”

“Pfft.”

Rufus burst out laughing, caught off guard.

“True. If we become like them, it’s all over. But there’s no need to be unnecessarily humble either. As long as you have basic manners, that’s enough. Besides, don’t forget you are here as a guest today.”

Talking like that, they reached a pair of grand, decorated doors. Two Royal Guards in magnificent armor stood watch. Seeing Rufus, one of the soldiers went inside. After a short while, an elderly man came out.

“His Majesty is currently speaking with the Prime Minister. Please wait a moment.”

They were shown into a small waiting room. Jeremy felt like his heart was about to stop.

“Your Highness, did that man just say ‘His Majesty’…?!”

“Yes. The person you are about to meet is my father.”

“I-I definitely didn’t hear anything about that…!”

Jeremy panicked, his mind spinning.

“If I’m meeting the King, please say so clearly beforehand!”

“I can’t exactly throw my father’s name around in public for security reasons. Besides, would you have said yes if I told you?”

“W-Well…”

He probably would have refused, saying it was impossible.

“That’s why I didn’t mention it.”

“Hiee…”

Jeremy put his head in his hands. What on earth was he called here for? Was it about Chris? Even though the Villain Prince had reformed, the things he did in the past wouldn’t disappear.

“Relax. If he intended to scold or punish you, my father wouldn’t go out of his way to meet you.”

“…T-That’s true.”

Having been a commoner in his past life and a second son of a Baron in this one, this was all way too much pressure.

“If he asks you something, answer. Otherwise, just smile and nod. That will be enough.”

“That’s the hard part…!”

“Don’t look so pathetic. If anything happens, I will do the talking.”

Thanks to those words, Jeremy managed to calm down a little. After a while, the elderly man reappeared and guided them into the inner room, saying, “Both of you, please come in.”

As soon as they entered, Rufus stopped, placed his right hand over his left chest, and gave a deep, formal bow. Jeremy followed his lead.

“I hope His Majesty is in good health…”

“No need for stiff greetings. Both of you, stand up.”

King Azremi III smiled gently.

“I don’t intend to have a stiff conversation today.”

The King appeared to be in his forties. As Rufus’s father, he was a handsome, mature man with deep features.

(They look exactly alike. I can see why His Majesty dotes on the Prince.)

At the King’s invitation, they sat on the sofa. An attendant immediately brought tea and snacks. However, Jeremy was so stiff he didn’t have the mental energy to even touch the tea.

“What is the matter, Jeremy? Do you dislike tea?”

The King spoke casually to ease the tension, but it had the opposite effect.

“N-No! Not at all…!”

Jeremy took a sip of the tea. Because of his nerves, he couldn’t taste a thing. Rufus leaned forward.

“Father, let us get to the point.”

“Ah, right. Jeremy.”

“Y-Yes!”

Jeremy straightened his back, and the King smiled.

“I heard from Rufus himself that his improved reputation is all thanks to your advice. I wanted to thank you personally.”

“No, please, I don’t deserve any thanks…”

Jeremy felt awkward. He had only done it to prevent his own destruction.

“I only recently learned that my son has been selfish and caused you much trouble and effort. It is my own failing for being so busy with state affairs that I didn’t pay attention to my child’s growth.”

“Your Majesty is the pillar of this country. It’s only natural that you can’t see everything.”

“That is why I am lucky that someone like you is by my son’s side. Thank you.”

“Those words are far too kind…!”

Jeremy bowed his head repeatedly.

“If there is anything you want, just say it.”

“! No, I don’t need anything. To begin with, my advice was just about trivial things. It was the Prince himself who reflected on his actions and changed his attitude!”

When Jeremy declined so humbly, the King smiled.

“Just as Rufus said. Jeremy is modest and lacks greed.”

“Father. I believe you now understand what kind of person Jeremy is. Please, I ask for your permission for him to accompany me.”

“Hmm, yes. I like Jeremy too. Very well. I give my permission.”

“Thank you very much.”

(Permission to accompany? To where?)

Jeremy was lost, unable to follow the conversation.

“Um, excuse me, but what are you talking about…?”

“I have been ordered to inspect the royal territories as the King’s representative. That’s the topic,” Rufus said matter-of-factly.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“I’m telling you now. I couldn’t talk about it until the permission was granted.”

(Has his old pushiness come back a little bit?!)

“That’s so sudden.”

“I’m sorry. But this isn’t a bad deal for you either. Think of it as a practice run for when you work as my right-hand man in the future…”

“Your Highness, you’re getting way ahead of yourself! This is also the first I’ve heard about working as your right-hand man!?”

“Do you dislike the idea?”

Rufus stared at him intensely with a serious face. He wasn’t angry, but his dissatisfaction was clear. Jeremy looked away from the sheer power in his eyes.

“…It’s not that I dislike it. I just haven’t ever thought about the future.”

“But you won’t be able to inherit the Baron’s house. Our country does not allow the division of inheritance. Once you graduate, you must either support yourself or become your brother’s vassal. It’s one or the other.”

Presented with those choices, Jeremy would choose to support himself without hesitation. Serving a man like his brother would be no different from working at the “black company” from his previous life.

“Jeremy, I—”

“Rufus, calm down. Jeremy, there’s no need to be on guard. It’s just an inspection; you’ll just be touring the territory. The air is fresh in the countryside. Just go with the feeling of a vacation. Rufus will write the reports. All you have to do is help with small tasks,” the King said.

“I’ll think about it. When do I need to give an answer?”

“The departure is in ten days. It’s fine if you give an answer three days before then. Now, I must excuse myself. I have many small errands to attend to today.”

As the King stood up, Jeremy and Rufus stood and bowed to see him off. Once they were alone, Rufus bowed his head to Jeremy.

“I’m sorry for earlier. I rushed too much. Forgive me.”

“No. I understand that Your Highness said those things because you were thinking about my future.”

“I see,” Rufus said, let out a sigh of relief.

“Also, regarding the inspection—if you’re okay with me, I will go with you.”

“You can think about it more. There is still time. If you are just worried about me, then—”

“Please don’t worry. That’s not why I agreed. I’m just happy to be relied on by you.”

Those were his honest feelings.

“…I see. I’m glad you accepted.”

Rufus gave a pure, innocent smile.

“!”

Jeremy’s heart gave a small, quick thump.

(This inspection story never appeared in the original book. This must be a new event caused by the Prince changing. These kinds of things might keep happening, so I should get used to it.)

“I’ll send you home in the carriage.”

As they left the room and walked down the corridor, they ran into the Crown Prince and his group.

“Ugh.”

A small sound escaped Jeremy’s lips. At that moment, Rufus gently squeezed his hand.

“!? ”

It was as if he was telling Jeremy not to worry. He only held it for a second before letting go, but the size and warmth of his hand lingered on Jeremy’s left hand, making him flustered. Rufus stepped forward and bowed.

“Crown Prince, I hope you are well.”

“Hmph. Another pointless tea party?”

The followers laughed along with Raven’s comment. However, Rufus remained calm, a gentle smile on his lips. Seeing that composed expression seemed to annoy Raven, and his mocking sneer turned into a frown.

“What’s with that face?”

“I was having an audience with His Majesty.”

“With His Majesty? Why would he see someone like you…?”

“It was about the inspection. Jeremy will be accompanying me on my tour. His Majesty has given his approval.”

Raven’s lip curled into a sneer.

“It seems you’ve gotten better at acting like a good boy lately. And as soon as an inspection comes up, you’re the first to volunteer. Don’t tell me you’re planning to earn some achievements and aim for the position of Crown Prince? Hahaha, give it up. No matter what achievements you earn, it’s useless for someone with lowly blood like yours!”

(Seriously, this guy! Can’t he speak without being an absolute jerk?!)

As Jeremy clenched his fists, Rufus glanced at him out of the corner of his eye to stop him.

“…I haven’t thought of such a thing for even a moment. I simply wish to fulfill my duty as a member of the Royal Family. It is an important royal territory, after all.”

“True. It’s a territory that will be mine eventually. Try your best not to be a disgrace to the family any more than you already are.”

“Your Highness. His face is already so dirty there’s no room for more stains,” a follower said pointedly.

“No doubt about that!”

“I am honored by the Crown Prince’s concern. I will fulfill my duty on this inspection properly.”

“Let’s go.”

Raven spoke to his followers and walked away.

“…Those people never change,” Jeremy spat out. If a man like that was the future King, the country’s future was dark.

“It’s a waste of time to care about them,” Rufus muttered coldly and started walking. Looking at his cold expression, it seemed he truly didn’t care about the Crown Prince at all.