Chapter 447: Life 33 - Chapter 4 - A week in the Life of an Imperial Prince

I rolled on the training arena ground to reduce the impact. I still hadn’t an opportunity to go out and hunt something, so I had to keep myself from getting hurt. Amina could heal me, but she had an abysmal MP regeneration rate.

“Your Highness!” My sister Mona cried out for me.

“I’m fine,” I said from the ground before I picked myself up. “Just a few scratches!” At least {Titan Skin}’s damage mitigation worked. I would’ve probably broken a few bones if not for it. Picking my training sword from the ground, I stared at Sir Godfrey, my weapons instructor. “I’m ready for another bout.”

I needed to be fierce and fearless. A man among men. Mom was watching me from the window above, searching for any signs of weakness.

“Let the [Healer] check you,” Godfrey suggested.

I spat. “No. I’m going to defeat you today. I know my body, I’m fine.”

“Come at me, then.”

I {Charged} without System assistance. Roaring my war cry in a rather sharp and girly note, I clashed against the knight’s blade. Centuries wielding weapons led to some skill and the mockery of the Dallas visitor drove me to actually learn the techniques instead of relying on the System. It was rather easy, like re-learning how to ride a bike after a decade without putting one’s foot on the pedal. I found my forms without many vices because the System correction helped with correct posture and movements. I just had to remember how I moved before.

I put my all on the attack but Sir Granville was at the end of the second rank. Even with System assistance, I wouldn’t be able to walk over him without some effort.

He beat me again, trying to make me stand down this time. Again I rolled on the dirt to soak the momentum and lose kinetic energy.

“Again!”

Godfrey looked up and met mom’s gaze. I didn’t need to see to know she nodded to approve. I looked anyway and found her smiling. I can do it “manly”. As I once more went on the offensive against the big knight, the girls and my aides watched me from outside the training grounds.

I rarely moved alone inside the palace complex. I had maids, butlers, valets, escorts, pages, squires attending me. They learned long ago to leave Madge and Mona alone. I was slowly trimming the palace staff to only keep people loyal to me and my mom. Any troublemakers, any bureaucrats, and social climbers that only wished to coast in such a high-ranking staff position were summarily fired.

Sometimes literally. Not because I ordered but because being cast out of one of the Imperial palaces meant you fell from the favor of the Imperial family and was avoided like the plague. Often those that I threw out ended up in the streets or dead. Nobody wanted to hire them, nobody wanted to have business with them, their families disavowed them for fear of retaliation. In this Empire of appearances and reputation, it was an indelible black spot in one’s reputation.

But I couldn’t keep vipers in my own nest. Rhiannon, Marion, Madge, and Mona were here and I needed to keep this place safe for them. I needed to make this a fortress. Impenetrable by anyone but the [Emperor].

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“… back and to your right. Close your left foot to your right foot. Slow down! One, two, three, four! Keep eye contact with your dance partner. Keep distance between your stomachs. I want to see that back straighter than the [Imperial Treasurer], miss Madge!”

We were having dance lessons. The Empire’s dance was quite similar to waltz and I had no difficulty adapting to it.

“And over. Part graciously, greet your dance partner. Mona, you’re up! Try not to step in His Highness’ foot!”

Madge’s ears were red and she breathed big lungfuls as she walked back to the chair to sit. Mona approached with a mischievous smile. I knew she would step on my foot on purpose. Again. But it was easier to keep my focus when dancing with my twin sister. I had a hunch that Madge was Lorna’s reincarnation but it could still be Mona. This suspicion led me to be more inclined to see Madge as a potential romantic partner than my own twin sister.

Of course, the two girls thought they were the twins. They also knew they had zero chances of marrying an [Imperial Prince]. In the Empire, Cinderella would be executed for impersonating a noble. But being a [Prince]’s mistress was still a very good prospect, one most women out there in the capital would gladly dedicate their lives and even murder their husbands in some cases.

As we danced, I sensed Mona’s leg move a bit too far ahead and I knew her foot was coming down on mine. I could dodge but instead, I just pulled her waist closer, causing her to miss my shoe and lose balance. I ended up bending her over her waist, like the sailor photo in Times Square. Then I pulled her back and did a rock and roll spin, holding onto her hand and pulling her spinning back to end in my arms.

As I stared at my sister from inches away, I noticed she was barely breathing. I set her on her feet and let go.

“That was impressive,” Madam Granville clapped her hands. Unsuitable for the ballroom as you got too close to the lady, but impressive nonetheless. Where did you learn this dance move, Your Highness?”

“I didn’t?” I misdirected. “I just improvised.”

“Can you repeat it?” She asked with a lot of interest.

“I don’t know. Can you try to step on my foot again, Mona?” The hidden [Princess] (without a title) sneered and poked her tongue at me as she sauntered to her chair before her legs gave. She was shaking slightly. “Guess it can’t be done, Madam.”

The old dance teacher stared at me and raised the hem of her dress. “Then dance with me. I’ll make sure to step on your foot with all the sass miss Mona usually displays.”

I indulged and showed her some slick dance moves.

Oh well. Granville was very accommodating with the girls, as they made excellent dance partners. It also meant she didn’t need to pick ladies from lesser nobility to bring into the palace. We were trying to keep ourselves isolated from the gossip mill and curious eyes from the Imperial high society. It would be inevitable that I would have the debutante in the near future and finally meet my trash brothers and the rest of the wicked decadent and corrupted Imperial nobility.

But right now, I wanted to keep my little world as safe as possible.

We finished doing the moves a second time, and I knew Granville had it memorized now. She motion to stop and pointed me to a chair next to the girls. I could tell Madge wanted to do it too but it wasn’t the right time.

“I have decided!” Granville burst out, the usual stern facade is gone. “Your Highness Percival, you’re going to do this dance in your debutante! It will be perfect. There’s a moment when the [Prince] will dance with his mother, the [Concubine-Queen]. Let’s call Her Majesty Rhiannon here, she’ll practice the dance with you from today.”

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The old Lady had a fire in her eyes.

Dancing with mom delighted the weary woman. It prompted me to do my best and put a spin on the lady. Seeing me act like a proper gentleman calmed down her tired nerves and lifted her spirit. Given all my previous mother's issues, it was my personal imperative to make her smile. To brighten up her day. And so I danced.

Madam Granville started to choreograph our debutante dance, even though it was allegedly years away. It would happen six months after I received the System, to give me time to train my Proficiencies and maybe gain some levels. Letting a low-level Royal out in the wild was a death sentence. Ordinarily, that would be true but I was the Old Soul. The reincarnator, the Anomaly. I was sure my HP pool would be in the millions at level zero.

After mom went to sit down, I took Madge through the steps, then Mona again. The women of my life were all smiles, and that warmed my heart.

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“You wished to talk to me, mother. I’m here,” I said as I entered Rhiannon’s sitting room.

“Sit down, my son. We need to talk,” she said harshly and a bit angry. We sat down and the maid served us some tea. “Leave us. Nobody is to enter this room,” mom ordered the young woman.

Once we were alone and the privacy wards were in place, I asked, “What’s the matter?”

“I’ve seen how the servant’s girls look at you. You are a young man and I know you will soon grow curious about them and their bodies.”

Oh, boy. We were having “the talk ™”. I decided to cut it at the root as I replied bluntly, “Are you going to tell me I can’t have sex with them, mom? I know that.” I wouldn’t tell I also knew why.

She opened her mouth to berate me but shut it. When she spoke, she was back in control of her emotions, “Exactly. I’m curious, why are you so certain of it?”

I crossed my arms and sighed as I avoided staring at her for too long. “I’m sorry, could you withdraw the question, mom? I’d rather not lie to you.”

She leaned forward and forced eye contact. “No, I won’t. Tell me, why are you so certain you cannot have relations with them?”

The fairy flew invisibly around the room, probing the wards.

Nenandil’s specialties were Water and Ice magic, but she had no restraints in using other types. She put a wind barrier around us.

It would be enough. “Mom, don’t be shocked. I have an extra layer of security around us, so I’ll say it once and you need to pretend it is okay.” I moved to sit next to her. “I know I can’t have anything physical with them because Mona is my twin sister. And if knowledge of my true gender or her existence leaks, we are all dead. I don’t want it, and neither do you.”

She freaked out completely. “WHAT NONSENSE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, Percival?” She only stopped shouting once she heard herself.

I stood up and grabbed her wrists to keep her from acting up. “Control yourself, mom. We need to work together.” Exchanging a glance with the invisible Nenandil, the fairy confirmed the ward kept the sound of her outburst contained.

“You are a man,” she desperately affirmed.

“A man. A mainly manly man. I know that, mom. I don’t intend to do anything to jeopardize our situation. Calm down. Sit, please. I love you, mom. It hurts my heart to see you hurt like that. All this paranoia, all these lost nights of sleep. I know you regret giving up Mona to be raised by Marion. I’m going to treat those two like ladies. I’m going to keep them here, where it’s safe, and make sure they live happy lives. But who can be happy in this palace if the Lady isn’t? We need you to be strong for all of us, mom.”

I would like to take a Charisma test to convince her. She needed therapy and the System might be the medicine the doctor prescribed. However, I was still locked out for being in a body too young. Rhiannon didn’t reply. I continued.

“Why do you think I submit myself to those repeated beatings by Sir Godfrey? To make you happy. I even rotate which staff is overseeing the training grounds so everyone can see how manly and fierce and brave [Prince] Percival is. Soon you won’t need to worry about this secret being found out. But I cannot go on without you, mom. You are too precious to me.”

These last two sentences were an absolute truth. If not for Rhiannon, I would hightail it away from the Empire with the two girls and live a life of adventure in Auvanini. Far from Windemere because the Empire didn’t need a pretext to attempt to expand beyond their own continent.

The weakened woman broke down in tears, “Who else knows?”

“You and Marion, obviously. Then there’s Amina and I. Amina is from Raswaria, I don’t know if you are aware.”

She sniffled and I wiped her tears with my handkerchief, “I knew Amina for a long time before I came to this cursed Empire.”

“Then she’s truly loyal, isn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“That makes four. And if it leaks, all of us are going to die along with the girls. Heck, the [Emperor] might order his mages to burn down this palace until it's slag with everyone inside.”

“Don’t give that monster any ideas,” she let out a rueful chuckle.

I made her sit back on her spot, then sat next to her. “Trust me, mom. I’ll make you proud. I’ll be a man among men as you desire. I’ll keep my sisters… Don’t look at me like that. Both girls are my sisters. You can’t even be sure which one is your daughter.”

“Please. Mona has my mom’s face.”

“And that is a danger in itself. We need to take control of this palace, mom. Really take control. Expel or purge everyone we cannot trust, and replace with people who will be loyal to us and only us. Will you put your faith in me?”

It all hinges on Rhiannon. The [Concubine-Queen] nodded. She sobbed a bit more, but I could tell she was gathering her wits.

“Good. Now, drink your tea and calm down. Trust me, mom. I’ll do everything in my power to keep our family safe. You, me, Marion, and the girls.”

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After leaving my mom’s chambers, I went for a walk around the palace and was waylaid by Amina half an hour later. The [Healer] took me to one of the many rooms and locked us inside. It was one of the trophy rooms, decorated with memorabilia from all over the conquered kingdoms that merged with the empire. Maps, suits of armor, weapons, treasures.

“What have you talked about with Her Majesty?” She demanded. “Why is she so upset?”

Damn. I thought she would be okay but Rhiannon’s paranoia grew too large.

“Mind your words, Amina. I’m a [Prince] of the Empire. I have you in the highest regard but please show some decorum.”

She froze for a moment and let go of my clothes. “You still need to answer me.”

“And I will. No need for violence. I told her how I know my secret. That I’m not entirely a man.”

She slapped me. “Don’t spout nonsense! The [Emperor] examined you. He declared you a [Prince].”

“Yet he didn’t examine me as closely as either you or the girl you murdered that same day,” I pointed out.

I realized Amina didn’t know about Mona being my twin sister. Why would she? The only ones who knew a baby was taken from one room to the next where the two women who gave birth at the same time and the mage who carried said baby to the other side.

“I remember everything, Amina. Do you want me to retell the conversation between you two?”

She did. I repeated each and every word and action from the moment they entered to when she took me to the milkmaid. The blood drained from Amina’s skin, leaving her livid and pale as a ghost. Minus the transparent part.

“You are a danger to Her Majesty’s life. I should kill you now and make sure she lives!” Amina roared but didn’t outright attack.

“Oh? I guess your pledge of loyalty the other day was a fluke then. Very well. If it is for my mother’s sake, here,” I walked to one of the suits of armor and drew the sword it was holding. I tested the edge and it was the real deal. “Here, take this sword. I hope you know how to behead someone. I offer you my neck, for the sake of Rhiannon’s happiness, Amina.” I handed her the sword, pommel pointing at her. “And I’m sure Rhiannon will be very happy knowing her son has been murdered by the person she trusted the most. Please, go ahead.”

Amina stared at me, unable to believe I would surrender this easily. But I knew she wouldn’t commit the deed, and even if she did, the sun was shining outside and Nenandil was ready next to us. At worst she would force me to enter {Cyst Hibernation}, the break-even scenario would have me killing her and getting my Emergency Activation.

Fortunately, she opted for the rational choice. The sword clattered on the marble floor (the whole palace seemed made of marble) as she let go of it and took two steps backward.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I have no idea what took over me,” shaken, Amina fell on her knees.

Calm as the autumn evening outside, I took the sword back to its place with the suit of armor and helped her back on her feet.

“Tomorrow, you will pledge yourself, body and soul, again to me. And I expect you to use that brain of yours to think, instead of spouting the same self-righteous nonsense you did today. Rhiannon trusts you’ll keep me safe, Amina. I’ll tell you this only once, this time. I’m not a tool. Not your tool, not the Empire’s tool. Don’t be mistaken. I could very well make that prophecy reality if I wanted, without disclosing my gender. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. But don’t make this mistake again. Ever. I like you but I won’t hesitate to remove you if you are not helpful. And I’m doing this for Rhiannon’s sake.”

“He burned Raswaria! He killed everyone,” Amina tried to justify her deeds.

I stared at her until she regained control of her emotions. “Did you ever hear the saying, ‘Vengeance is a dish best served cold’? Good. Then please, don’t stoke the fires. Take care of my mother, obey my orders, and we will avenge Raswaria one day.”