The Road That Could Never Be Taken Back
The declaration of separation thrust upon him by Princess Elizabeth and Duke’s daughter Milian.
That rumor spread at incredible speed, passing from person to person.
And it changed Julius's standing not only within the Hero's Party, but at the academy as well.
Anyone abandoned by the royal family and the ducal house was treated as though he were already a traitor to the kingdom...
"Look, he's still coming to school."
"Doesn't he understand his position?"
"What an idiot."
"Know your place."
"I feel sorry for his fiancées."
---
They sure said whatever they wanted...
And then, of course, there was always someone like this.
"Hey, you. I never liked you from the start. A guy like you with no royal family or ducal house protecting him? I'll beat the hell out of you myself."
See? Whenever people gather, one of these delusional types always shows up...
Over two meters tall, with a bright red mohawk standing proudly on his head.
His eyebrows were completely shaved off, and he had piercings there.
What is this villain face that perfectly embodies reckless charge-ahead spirit?
He looked straight out of some post-apocalyptic wasteland...
Next time, I'll go find him some spiked shoulder pads.
"Pff... sorry about that. I can't beat you. No chance for me. Ahahaha."
"What're you laughing at, punk?"
"No, no, I'm scared. Ahahaha."
"Oh, is that so? Makes sense. I'm strong, after all. Hyahhaaa!"
"Ahahaha, you really say ‘Hyahhaaa’."
"Yeah. Cool, right?"
"Yes. Absolutely. I was deeply moved. Well then, I'll just walk quietly along the edge, so please let me go..."
"Yeah, later."
He's actually a pretty good guy. Feels like we could've been friends... if not for the mohawk.
That was the better kind. Some nobles were worse.
"Hey, why are you still coming to the academy?"
"Because I'm a student. Haven't graduated yet."
"You think you can survive after being abandoned by the royal family and the ducal house?"
"Hmm... I think I'll probably be fine?"
"Impossible. I'll tell you now. So do as I say..."
"Huh? Why? No thanks."
"I have influence with the royal family. And with the ducal house too. And I'm offering to speak for you..."
"I see. Thanks. I'll just accept the sentiment. Bye."
"Eh? W-wait..."
The third son of a viscount house saying all that? Talk about delusions...
Just as I was thinking that, Milian came out of an empty classroom ahead of me, her face bright red.
The Crown Prince followed after her...
I see... so Duke Alex decided on that.
Milian really was still a Puppet Princess.
Probably, Milian was already...
Well, it's not my concern anymore.
The Hero Party's expeditions continued, but even there my treatment kept getting worse.
Especially from the knights and adventurers serving as shield-bearers.
"The Margrave's heir sure has it easy."
"Seriously. We block the enemies, the Hero and the others kill them. And the Margrave's heir just pulls magic stones out of monsters. Hell, we're carrying the monster materials too..."
They're complaining loud enough for me to hear...
I don't entirely disagree, but that's the role of this Knights Order, isn't it?
It's how you earn your meals.
They're denying their own value.
Well... not that I'll say it.
And while I was taking all that abuse, these idiots were flirting like nothing mattered. Or rather—break off the engagements first, damn it.
---
"Prince Erason, over here..."
"... Yes, try mine too..."
The Giant Mountain duo were feeding him "Here, aaahn" right in front of me.
And over there…
"Princess Elizabeth, please."
"Thank you. As expected of the Hero. You're quite comfortable to sit on. Tonight, you'll get a reward."
The Hero willingly turned himself into a chair.
And the Queen… no, Princess, sat down on him without the slightest hesitation.
At this point, they can do whatever they want.
---
And naturally, the knights and adventurers saw it too.
"Gyahaha... that guy finally got his women stolen."
"Ahahaha, pathetic."
"Just go back to the frontier already."
"They're saying all that and he still won't do anything? Coward."
"If it were me, I couldn't take it."
Fuu...
Even if I was enduring it to break the curse, having the women I once meant to love flirt right in front of me... and being mocked by idiots who meant nothing to me...
Yeah, that hurt more than I'd like to admit.
All I could do was tell myself in my heart:
I'm not sad. I'm not lonely.
---
[Almeria's POV]I heard directly from Princess Elizabeth and Lady Milian that they had returned their daggers to Julius.
Princess Elizabeth told me she was already in love with the Hero, and that they had shared a wonderful night.
And Milian too... with Prince Erason...
If he came for me...
Would I really be able to refuse?
I stroked the dagger Julius had given me as I thought about it...
"Maybe I should have returned the dagger too? But..."
Knock knock.
It seemed someone had come to my room.
"Yes? Who is it?"
"Almeria, it's me... Erason. Is now a bad time?"
Almeria, who had just been thinking of Erason, opened the door with her heart pounding at the sudden appearance of the man himself...
At that moment, I probably had no regrets.
---
............ The next morning, I awoke to sunlight shining through the window, greeting the day in a languid haze............
To be honest, I had admired it. I had been curious.
So even as I blushed over what happened last night, becoming part of the world of adults at last felt strangely unreal...
"Prince Erason... has he returned to his room...?"
I quickly bathed, got dressed, and left my room.
By the window of the now-quiet room its owner had departed from rested the dagger Julius had given me to protect myself, a dagger that had never once been drawn.
The fading light of the Moon Enchanting Flower, which was slowly losing its glow, shone upon it sadly.
As I passed Julius on the stairs leading down to the lower floor of the inn...
My heart gave a single hard thump.
"Good morning, Almeria. So... you chose that path. That's a shame..."
"Eh?"
I didn't catch the last part, but it felt like he was condemning me...
I couldn't look at Julius's face.
After that, being with Prince Erason became natural, as if I were running away from Julius.
And before I could believe it myself, I sank deeper and deeper still.
Yes... to the point where I could never return.
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