Father, I Won’t Do Anything

‘All that effort has finally borne fruit.’

Rosian had endured relentless training under Elia’s tutelage, rolling and groveling endlessly.

Elia showed no leniency simply because he was her son – if anything, she was even harsher on him.

-You must work twice as hard to match what you’ve accomplished thus far.

When Rosian declared his intent to properly master swordsmanship, Elia had warned the road ahead would only grow more arduous.

And her words proved true. To Elia, Rosian’s tender age of twelve mattered little.

All that mattered was the depth of his resolution.

-Your results will reveal the extent of your zeal.

Countless times, Rosian had wanted to give up.

His innate nature leaned far closer to idleness and indulgence.

Yet whenever such thoughts arose, he would steel his wavering heart by reflecting upon Jaina.

‘Despite being even younger than me, Miss Jaina fearlessly plunged into those flames to save others.’

Recalling his own powerless inaction at the time made his fists clench involuntarily, ashamed of his own pathetic helplessness.

Through sheer, grueling perseverance, Rosian finally attained the skill to contend with seasoned knights.

‘So a bit of mischief can be excused, no?’

Having defiantly challenged Elia and Mikael even from a younger age, Rosian held little fear of actual combat now.

‘It feels nice to receive Miss Jaina’s praise.’

Remaining oblivious to Rosian’s feigned frailty as he leaned against her, Jaina continued patting his back before regarding his face with a smile:

“You’ve changed quite a bit since we first met, Your Highness.”

“Even Miss Jaina notices?”

Rosian beamed like a flower in bloom.

Beholding his newfound maturity, Jaina could truly envision him as the Empire’s Crown Prince.

‘Lacking the proper catalyst until now, he’s finally manifesting his protagonist persona from the novels.’

“This is all thanks to you, Miss Jaina.”

“Me?”

“I started training because I became concerned for Miss Jaina’s well-being.”

Though his wording seemed peculiar, Jaina could discern Rosian’s ears gradually reddening.

“As a dragon, you must remain inconspicuous among humans while living far longer lives, correct?”

Uncharacteristically somber, Rosian continued:

“Remember when you rushed into that burning building? I was utterly distraught, frantic with worry yet powerless to act. It was then that I truly understood the feeling of one’s heart plummeting.”

“…”

“I had wondered why Mikael cherished you so deeply, but before I knew it, I found myself harboring similar sentiments. Thoughts of you would constantly surface, filling me with concern, prioritizing you above all others… Looking back…”

Scratching his flushed cheek sheepishly, Rosian’s entire face had turned beet red.

And reflected in his eyes was none other than Jaina herself.

“I actually…”

Ducking his head in embarrassment, Rosian seemed on the verge of confessing something before a mocking voice interrupted:

“What’s this, were you about to profess your love?”

“Arnen.”

Snapping his head up, Rosian creased his elegant brows into a frown – a stark contrast to his expression when gazing at Jaina.

* * *

Apart from his deceased child, Emperor Erga of the Delaide Empire had two living offspring – his eldest daughter Princess Elia, and his youngest son Prince Kelvent.

Unlike Elia, who displayed prodigious talents in both scholarly and martial pursuits from an early age, Kelvent gained notoriety for vastly different reasons – his questionable character and frail constitution.

-The succession is far better suited to Princess Elia.

Thus, the nobles advocated for Elia’s ascension as the next ruler. As the eldest and most capable, even Emperor Erga raised no objections.

However, a problem remained.

If Elia became Empress, her only child Rosian would naturally inherit the Crown Prince title – yet Rosian took after his mother in no conceivable way.

Moreover, Elia herself held little interest in wielding power. She believed she could contribute to the Empire through other means without assuming the throne.

-His Majesty the Emperor remains hale.

Concerned about the constraints of being Crown Princess, Elia continuously deferred the position to focus on her duties as knight commander.

Even so, most assumed the succession would inevitably pass to Elia.

But Kelvent and his supporters thought differently.

They began harboring ambitions for the throne themselves.

-Prince Rosian lacks the requisites to rule. Princess Elia should adopt her nephew as Crown Prince instead. But Prince Kelvent’s claim would better preserve the line of succession, would it not?

-Prince Kelvent has been gaining the people’s support lately as well.

Of course, such foolish notions only existed among Kelvent’s dim-witted circle, as the Emperor never seriously considered him.

-Arnen, you shall succeed me after I become Emperor.

Yet oblivious to this reality, Kelvent would summon his son Arnen with a greedy smile, dreaming of his future ascension.

And his sycophants would eagerly chime in with their support.

-Prince Rosian is truly unrestrained compared to Princess Elia’s son.

-Indeed. Prince Kelvent and Prince Arnen are both such well-behaved young masters.

Then one day, Rosian abruptly seemed to come to his senses, diligently applying himself to swordsmanship and academics.

As people began praising the previously wayward prince for finally maturing, Kelvent and Arnen could no longer conceal their resentment as the succession once again appeared destined for Elia.

The two blamed Rosian for this reversal of fortunes.

‘If not for that brat Rosian… I could have been Crown Prince… What does he have that I lack?’

Since Elia had her child later in life, Arnen was the same age as his cousin Rosian.

‘We’re the same age as cousins, yet our status differs so drastically. I’m the Emperor’s grandson too!’

From then on, Arnen seized every opportunity to provoke Rosian.

Today, having learned of a social gathering, he came specifically to confront Rosian.

“Rosian Delaide, I thought you’d finally stopped chasing after girls’ skirts?”

“Says the one who follows my tail?”

Rosian snorted derisively at Arnen, his earlier blush entirely vanished.

Incensed by Rosian’s nonchalant demeanor, Arnen grit his teeth.

“When have I ever done such a thing? I’m merely concerned about your debauched antics besmirching the imperial family!”

“Arnen. How long do you intend to pester me? I’ve no interest in men. Especially not a dim-witted cousin like you.”

“Don’t get too full of yourself, Rosian!”

“Don’t get too full of yourself, Rosian!”

“Stop mimicking me!”

“Stop mimicking me!”

“Arrgghh!”

“Arrgghh!”

Rosian burst into raucous laughter at Arnen’s childish tantrum.

“Arnen, don’t be jealous just because I don’t give you attention. You have your own quirky charm, I suppose.”

“You’re always like this!”

“In any case, you didn’t come chasing after me, did you?”

“Of course not!”

“Then we’ll be on our way. You can stay and play here. Farewell.”

Taking Jaina’s hand, Rosian turned to leave. As Arnen watched their retreating figures, a realization suddenly struck him.

‘He won’t be getting away so easily…’

Normally, Rosian would have playfully taunted him until Arnen fled in exasperation.

‘To depart so swiftly, it’s as if he doesn’t want me to see that girl…’

Arnen recalled a report he had received from a maid.

-A child currently residing at the Magic Tower is attending a social gathering with Princess Elia. Rumor has it she’s acquainted with Tower Lord Diamid as well, even accompanying him to a concert performance.

A child under the patronage of two such formidable figures… coupled with Rosian’s conspicuous interest in her.

“I can’t simply retreat here.”

Of course, he had done well to tail Rosian.

That renowned idler and philanderer was suddenly applying himself wholeheartedly to swordsmanship before procuring a girl worthy of personal escorting?

Only a fool would overlook such developments.

‘She must be a woman Rosian fancies. Not a bad face either. If I can steal her heart away, Rosian will come groveling in regret.’

Chuckling ominously, Arnen retrieved a communication crystal from his pocket.

“You lot, doff your knightly garbs and disguise yourselves as thugs before coming here.”

—Yes, Your Highness? Whatever do you mean by that request?

“I’m well aware you’ve been tailing me in secret, no doubt on Father’s orders to escort me? Just hurry here before I lose patience.”

Conventional wisdom dictates that for any young maiden, a dashing prince subduing villains is the epitome of gallantry, is it not?

How long had he awaited this chance? The urgently summoned guards, now disguised as ruffians, snapped to attention before him.

“But Your Highness, why must we disguise ourselves as thugs?”

“Enough prattle, just follow my instructions. Do you see that girl over there?”

As Arnen pointed towards Jaina, the guards exchanged troubled looks before nodding hesitantly.

“You lot are going to threaten and intimidate her. Understood? Don’t stop until she’s cowering in tears.”

“Y-Your Highness. That seems rather excessive. She’s just a young child at a glance…”

“Who asked for your opinion?!”

Arnen violently kicked the guard who had spoken, his sluggish attack leaving them unable to evade their prince’s strike.

“…!”

The kicked guard’s face contorted in agony.

“So you see, I’ll interject like a heroic paladin amidst your ‘dastardly’ act.”

Though his comrades gazed at him pityingly, they could do nothing to dissuade him.

“Did you all understand? Nod if you comprehended my instructions!”

“Yes, we understand, Your Highness!”

“Imbeciles. I have to raise my voice for you cretins to listen.”

After preparing his unwitting accomplices, Arnen concealed himself behind a wall to await the opportune moment.