ALL NOVEL Chapter 43 – Prince of Starry Stars Kingdom
As Regalus clenched his fists, ready to speak up, a protest voice rang out from the back of the room.
"Even if he's a senior, even if he's the winner, that's rude!"
Siegfried, who had been shielding Althea, pointed sharply at Yugg. Though he tried to conceal her again, it was too late.
Momentarily bewildered, Yugg entered the dressing room with a faint smile, standing beside Siegfried with a respectful bow.
"Your Highness Siegfried, please show me the 'thing' you've been hiding."
—'Thing'—
Both Regalus and Siegfried bristled with anger.
"Sieg, have you met him before? Even though he's in a different grade, that guy...!" Regalus's tone was unusually heated.
"Yeah, even though we're from different countries, we're both from royal families. But when I met him before... he wasn't like this. He seemed more... indifferent, like he didn't care."
"...With you, you mean...? So, that's not good..."
Regalus murmured, his hand on his chin, while Siegfried agreed with his sentiment.
"But, Prince Yugg is currently in his second year, and he seems to have a bit of magical power, so I think he'll go to the magic department. When Althea enters school, he'll be in his fourth year... The regular and magic school buildings are separate, so the chances of them meeting... are low, right?"
Seeking further agreement, Regalus asked confidently, but Siegfried remained silent, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Althea, initially angry, began to worry that her impulsive actions might have led in the wrong direction upon hearing the words "not good" from her brother and His Highness. She stood silently, feeling anxious.
Noticing her state, Siegfried smiled reassuringly, patting her head.
"Don't worry, Althea. We'll protect you no matter what," he said, meeting Regalus's gaze.
Regalus nodded. "...I'm sorry. For speaking in a way that seemed to belittle Father and Brother... I got carried away and spoke rashly... I'm still far from being a lady. I'll do my best to handle situations more maturely in the future."
"No, thank you, Althea. I'm glad you got angry for us. But let's just forget about what happened earlier as if it was a bad dream... Now, I'm sure Mother is waiting, so shall we head back?"
Regalus took Althea's hand, who still looked repentant, and smiled at her before leaving the room.
At the arena entrance, a group of female students gathered.
"Oh, Lord Regalus is here!"
"You were amazing, Lord Regalus!"
They surrounded Regalus, showering him with praise, barely noticing Althea beside him, who felt a bit sidelined by their enthusiasm. Siegfried placed his hands on Althea's shoulders and guided her away from the crowd.
"I was thinking of leaving and joining the family gathering, but with that situation, leaving it to Regalus seems difficult," Siegfried murmured, looking at Regalus.
Following Siegfried's gaze, Althea remarked, "My brother seems to be very popular... Indeed, he's charming, but even though you, Brother Sieg, are also charming, it seems like he is more popular... oh, I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. I can't deny there's some responsibility on my part for Reg's abnormal popularity. In a sense, I feel guilty... but..."
"Eh? What do you mean by that...?"
Althea tried to inquire further, but she noticed female students beginning to crowd around them.
"Anyway, let's head to Lady Monclair's place for now. Reg is used to this, and he'll manage somehow," Siegfried said, holding Althea's hand and leading her away.
"But...?" Althea looked back at her brother, who seemed calm amidst the crowd.
"He seems to be used to it indeed. While it's nice that my brother is so popular, it's a bit lonely..." Althea trailed off, feeling dejected.
Siegfried paused and led her to a secluded spot, lowering his head in apology.
"Sorry, Althea. I said there wasn't any reason on my part, but the fact that Regalus is so popular is partly because I... am distant toward girls."
Althea was taken aback by Siegfried's admission.
"Um... I don't really understand what you're saying...?"
Siegfried explained, "You heard that from Reg? Actually, it's true. I... frankly think I dislike girls."
Althea was surprised but quickly connected the dots. "I see. So that's why Brother Sieg is the cause too."
Siegfried nodded apologetically.
Althea glanced at Regalus before asking, "...Has Brother Regalus ever blamed Brother Sieg for that?"
"No..."
"Haha, that's so like my Big Brother! I understand. Shall we go ahead then? Brother seems fine, and... but... the relationship between him and you, the prince, is wonderful, isn't it?"
Addressing Siegfried unusually as "the prince" and laughing cheerfully, Althea began walking toward her mother's location, with Siegfried following behind with a relieved expression.
