IWBTP 03

Chapter 3

 Expelled from the Royal Family

After the Skill Bestowal Ceremony ended, I was still being hugged by Mother when the king, the Chancellor, the Knight Commander, and the High Priest walked over to us.

Without even looking at us, the king said,

“Alexei, Kyle. I have something to discuss with you. Come to my office.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

The two of them answered and then glanced at me briefly.

They looked apologetic.

Of course they did.

One had received Ruler.

The other had received Sword Saint.

And I had received Catalog Shopping, Hyakkin, and Alchemy.

If I were in their position, I wouldn’t call me either.

Well, maybe I would.

I mean, it might be interesting.

The two of them followed the king and the others.

As I watched them leave, I ran over to Mother.

“Mother, I did it!”

“Did what?”

“I got some really useful skills! Mother, don’t be discouraged and think they’re useless. They’re not useless at all. In fact, they’re so useful they might be too useful! Heh heh heh… Hahahaha!”

“What are you plotting?”

“With these skills, I might be able to get out of here!”

“So that’s what you’re thinking about.”

Mother looked exhausted.

But she was smiling just a little.

“I suppose you will be removed from the succession.”

“Yay!”

“Is that really something to celebrate?”

Of course it was.

Being king sounded like such a hassle.

Why couldn’t I just live a leisurely life?

Then a low voice came from behind us.

“I am not pleased.”

“Father.”

My grandfather rarely showed his anger, but he was angry now.

“Lillis, I was the one who married you into the royal family. The responsibility lies with me.”

“If the royal family considers Rainid unnecessary, I will take him back.”

“Grandfather…”

“And you as well, Lillis.”

Mother’s eyes widened.

“You mean you’ll dissolve my marriage to the royal family?”

“Yes.”

There was a brief silence.

Mother shrugged.

“I don’t mind.”

“Mother?”

“After all, life in the royal palace was boring.”

I couldn’t help bursting out laughing.

Yep.

They really were mother and daughter.

A few days later, we were summoned to the royal castle.

It was the king’s office.

The Chancellor and the High Priest were there as well.

“Rainid.”

The king looked at me.

I felt as though this was the first time I’d properly seen his face.

“Your skills can hardly be considered suitable for a member of the royal family. I cannot recognize you as a candidate for the succession.”

“I see.”

“You’re not surprised?”

“No.”

Because my skills seemed useful.

It was perfectly fine if you people didn’t know that!

The king frowned slightly.

“Second Consort Lillis, I shall dissolve our marriage.”

“Yes!”

Hmm?

That sounded suspiciously like a delighted response.

Mother, please contain yourself.

Stay calm!

“Rainid, you will also be stripped of your status as a member of the royal family.”

“Yes!”

Oops.

I got so excited that I answered far too enthusiastically.

“Rainid, aren’t you angry?”

I tilted my head.

Angry?

Why?

I didn’t want to become king in the first place.

If anything, this was the best possible outcome.

Oops.

I could feel the corners of my mouth rising.

Serious face.

Serious face.

“Ahem. May I ask a question?”

“What is it?”

“Does this mean I don’t have to come to the royal castle anymore?”

The office fell completely silent.

“You may not.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Yaaay!”

I couldn’t help throwing my fist into the air in celebration.

“In that case, I have a few requests of my own.”

“Go ahead.”

“From now on, I will no longer consider His Majesty the king my father. Not that I ever did before.”

“D-do as you please.”

“I won’t come to the royal castle.”

“That’s fine.”

“And I won’t attend any more balls.”

“Do whatever you want.”

Perfect.

The Chancellor and the High Priest came over to make sure everything was in order.

“Lord Rainid, are you truly certain? You will be stripped of your status as a member of the royal family as well.”

The High Priest looked at me with concern.

“I don’t mind. It’s just too much trouble—Ahem, ahem. I simply wish to spend the rest of my life in peace.”

It sounded rather strange coming from a five-year-old.

Huh?

The High Priest looked like he was about to cry.

“I’m completely fine!”

I answered with a huge smile.

What wonderful conditions!

Mother, Grandfather, and I left the office together.

At the end of the long corridor, two people were waiting.

They came running toward us.

“Ray!”

“Wait!”

“Are you all right?”

It was Alexei and Kyle.

“Alex. Kai.”

Kyle clenched his fists in frustration.

“What?”

I tilted my head.

“I’m completely fine.”

“That’s not the point!”

Kyle shouted.

“Ray, you’re our brother!”

“That’s right.”

Alexei looked straight at me.

“Even if you’re no longer royalty, that doesn’t change anything.”

“No matter what kind of skills you have, that doesn’t matter.”

“Yeah.”

“We’re brothers.”

“Forever.”

I couldn’t help laughing.

These two really hadn’t changed at all.

“Yeah. I know.”

Alexei took a small wooden box from inside his clothes.

“Here.”

“What is this?”

“A carrier bird calling box.”

“A calling box?”

“A box for calling carrier birds. I secretly had the magic teacher make it for me. With this, we can send letters to each other even when we’re far apart.”

What an incredible mage.

“Since we’re brothers, we’ll keep in touch from now on, right?”

Everyone smiled.

“Of course!”

“Obviously!”

The three of us hugged and promised to stay in contact.

“Ray, you’d better write to us. Don’t say it’s too much trouble.”

“Hahaha! I know, I know! See you again!”

“Ray!”

“What?”

“If you ever get into trouble, we’ll help you.”

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

“We’ll definitely help you!”

“Yeah.”

“Then what if we’re the ones who get into trouble?”

“I’ll definitely help you.”

“You answered that way too quickly!”

“Because we’re brothers.”

And then we parted ways.

I held the carrier bird calling box tightly against my chest.

A few days later, the time came for us to leave the royal castle.

We departed the royal palace in a carriage.

Mother and Grandfather were sitting across from me.

“Are you really that happy?”

Mother asked.

“Yes! I’m very happy.”

It was an immediate answer.

“The royal palace is a den of intrigue. And it’s boring.”

“I see.”

“We’re going to Grandfather’s territory now, right?”

“Yes.”

“Will I be able to live a leisurely life there?”

Mother and Grandfather looked at each other.

“No.”

“Impossible!”

“What?!”

I had a very bad feeling about this.

“There are magical beasts in the north.”

Mother smiled sweetly.

“Learn swordsmanship and magic.”

This time, it was Grandfather.

“Learn proper etiquette.”

“You need to learn common sense.”

“Mother, I’m perfectly normal.”

“Sigh. The fact that you say that is exactly why I’m worried.”

“…”

W-wait a second.

Hold on.

I got expelled, so why does it sound like my life is about to become busier?

I held my head in my hands inside the carriage.

Apparently, my peaceful life was still a long, long way off.