Chapter 101 – Neighboring Country's Idiot Prince

What the hell.

I knew something was off when my brother told me to “go inspect the Saintess pilgrimage.”

Sure, the church’s security could be useful to study, and apparently the new Saintess’s protection is different from before.

I really shouldn’t have let myself get curious and decide to check it out.

Who would’ve thought the escorts and aides I brought along would just abandon me there.

Were they planning to write it off as an accident where I got bitten by a snake in the neighboring country?

“Haa. I’ve told you I’m not interested in the line of succession…”

As I slumped in exhaustion, Brid—my aide disguised as the coachman—patted my shoulder to comfort me.

I was sick and tired of my brother’s paranoid delusion that I was going to kill him.

I’ve told him over and over it’s not true. And how many assassination attempts was this now?

“If I die, my cute little brother will be next on the chopping block, huh…”

Still, I got lucky this time. Or rather, luck’s the only thing I’ve got going for me.

“Saved by the Saintess… I really am blessed.”

“Yes, that was quite the surprise.”

It’s downright disheartening that my only ally here is this frail Brid.

No, actually, having Brid makes me feel secure.

I might look like a sharp, intellectual prince on the outside, but I’m hopeless with a sword, and my magic is barely passable.

I know full well they call me a flashy “idiot prince” behind my back.

“Second Prince Miles Debias. What are your plans from here?”

“We’ll inspect the town’s security, then head back home in broad daylight.”

I had to return as if nothing had happened.

If Father found out my brother had tried to assassinate me, he’d surely force the throne on me.

I didn’t feel confident beating the next batch of assassins—even if they sent kids—but with my luck, I’d manage somehow.

“We have no escorts or aides left. Are you sure you’ll be all right?”

“The ones gunning for me are probably back home toasting to their ‘successful’ hit by now.”

Thank goodness Brid had come along in disguise.

Yep, I really am blessed.

My brother had even provided all the personnel himself, claiming it was an apology for the last assassination attempt.

I was the fool for trusting the whole lot of them outright, but if I’d died, anyone with eyes would know he was behind it.

Who knew my brother was an even bigger idiot than me…

That aside…

“That Saintess was an incredible beauty, wasn’t she?”

“Yes, she was breathtakingly beautiful.”

Brid was staring off in the direction she’d gone, his face lit up with rapture.

“What do I do? I think I’ve fallen for her.”

“Pardon?”

It wasn’t because she’s a Saintess.

That poise, that elegance. No, it was her face that got me.

This was love at first sight—destiny.

“Your Highness, I beg you—no more trouble.”

After finishing our inspection of the town, we headed for the gate to leave. That’s when I spotted a shabby young woman staggering along from the carriage window.

A young woman walking alone in a place like this? How dangerous.

Was the public safety in this kingdom really that good?

Curious, I instructed Brid to call out to her.

“Miss. What are you doing out here?”

“I’m a Saintess too… sob sob…”

A Saintess?

I had no idea what she was babbling about, but a woman wandering alone was dangerous, so I had her sit next to Brid.

I could overhear their conversation.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m a Saintess too. I don’t want Heart stolen from me.”

Saintess delusion syndrome—pretty common among women.

After seeing her, it was understandable.

“I see.”

“It’s not fair that only my twin sister gets to be the Saintess, right?”

She went on like that through her tears.

Twin sister?

“I see.”

“…”

No, Brid! Get more details!

Now I’m really curious. She could be my future sister-in-law, for all I know.

“Brid. Bring her inside.”

“But…”

Brid hesitated, probably worried she might be an assassin, but I couldn’t stand it anymore and had her shown into the carriage proper.

“Whoa—I’ve never seen the inside of a carriage before!”

She’d completely stopped crying and was bouncing around restlessly, her posture all sloppy as she sat.

Hard to believe she was related to that girl.

But up close, her facial features were unmistakably the same.

I observed her closely as she frolicked about, but aside from her face, there wasn’t much resemblance.

“Are you really the Saintess’s twin sister?”

“Uh-huh, for real. If I wore a pretty dress, I could be a Saintess too!”

Hmm, the face really is a match. Maybe she is her twin sister.

Even if it’s a lie, as long as the faces match, who cares?

If I trained her up into a proper lady…

This was purely a proposal. Yes, just a suggestion.

“If you’d like, why not come to my country with me? I’ll prepare all the pretty dresses you want.”

Sounded an awful lot like a kidnapper’s line.

If she wanted to go home, I’d let her. No forcing it—definitely not kidnapping.

Yeah, absolutely not.

“If you give me a dress like Marie’s, I’ll go.”

Marie?

Ah, right—the Saintess’s name.

Surprisingly straightforward. Did my honest face make me seem trustworthy?

Of course, I’m no villain.

“By the way, miss—what’s your name?”

“Lily!”

Marie and Lily.

I see.

“I’ll have as many dresses made as you like and turn Lily into a princess. Oh, by the way—can you read and write?”