Chapter 29.2: Theodore’s Story from Roland’s Perspective (Part One)
From that day on, whenever something didn’t go my way, I took it out on Theodore. Surprisingly, the adults didn’t stop me. It seemed that the Count Kieza family had made a request to the school and Duke Oberti’s family, stating that they didn’t need to interfere with my actions. Even my father, who should have heard about my behavior from my guards, respected the Kieza family’s wishes and didn’t reprimand me.
It was a young girl who finally put an end to my misconduct in that environment. She was the first princess, Esterize, who was only five years old at the time.
She beat me up with surprising strength, despite her small stature, for my unjustified violence against Theodore. Even with my trained body, her merciless fists were so painful that tears streamed down my face.
However, no matter how you think about it, I am stronger than Her Highness. That’s why. . .Theodore should have felt more pain.
If you’re strong, is it okay to hit people? Then, you can’t complain about anything I do to you, right?
Do you think it might be right? Or is it just inevitable if the other person is strong?
Experiencing the injustice firsthand and being advised by a girl two years younger than me, I finally understood how pathetic I was.
Your power is not meant for doing things like this.
My goal was to be recognized by my father and become the king’s consort, and I had lived my life by becoming stronger to achieve that. That’s why I hated Theodore, who was getting in the way of that.
However, in reality, one becomes stronger to protect this country from the threat of monsters. Power is meant to be used to defend oneself from malice and to save loved ones. It is not meant to harm the friends we should fight alongside.
Even for someone as foolish as me, who only now understands such obvious things, the princess bestowed upon me a precious healing magic. And afterwards… I learned from my father that she had collapsed due to running out of magical power.
The next day, not just going through the motions of apologizing because she was the princess, but because I genuinely felt remorse, I apologized to Theodore once again.
“I’m really sorry. It’s not something that can be forgiven just by apologizing, but. . .”
“It’s okay. You’re not the only foolish one. I kept complaining without knowing anything. . .I want to punch myself from yesterday.”
I was surprised when he said that and easily forgave me.
“Also, I have something to apologize to you for. I want to be able to protect Princess Esterize with my own hands. . .so I take back what I said about not wanting to become the king’s consort. I won’t let anyone, of course, including you, take that position away from me.”
Theodore’s eyes, which had looked lost like a lost child on the way home just yesterday, were now filled with a strong will as he looked straight at me.
It seemed that Theodore had also received healing magic from the princess. The scars that should have been there because of me were nowhere to be found. Perhaps something had moved his heart at that time.
On the other hand, I realized that with my current nature, I was not suitable to be the princess’s husband, so I gave up my desire to become the king’s consort. I told my father what I had done to Theodore so far, as well as what had happened yesterday, and apologized to Theodore before telling him that I wanted to become the princess’s loyal retainer, not the king’s consort. I took a hard punch, but he apologized to me for cornering me with his own obsession and was happy that he had repented.
“I’m sorry for making the declaration, but I’ve already given up on becoming the king’s consort.”
“That’s your choice, but don’t stop training. It’s better to have as many strong people as possible to protect Princess Esterize. I thought I was making an effort, but. . .I realized it wasn’t enough.”
“Of course.”
Even though I didn’t need to be told, I replied immediately. He was a guy who was not very likable and made me angry, but his impression changed completely as he smiled refreshingly and held out his hand.
“Let’s do our best together.”
“Yeah.”
This was the moment when we became rivals in a good way, unlike before.
Three years later, as promised, Theodore’s training was recognized, and he was engaged to the Crown Princess at an unprecedented speed.
The strongest man of his generation and the next queen, their engagement was based solely on their titles, without any consideration for their personalities or compatibility. However, Theodore and the Crown Princess fell in love with each other as if it were a grand romance. Well, in reality, Theodore had already had feelings for the Crown Princess, but he was unaware of it. He insisted that his admiration for her was purely out of loyalty.
Anyway, seeing the Crown Princess and Theodore getting along so well, I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it was. I hope the two of them, along with the path they lead, Acardi, will be happy forever. I want to be one of the swords that protects their happiness.
That was my wish, but. . .
