0&1 Ch 1.3

Grey Cracker was the only son of the Prime Minister. He had become a playmate to the two princes about a year ago, at the Queen’s request.

“My prince needs a friend. I’ve heard the Prime Minister’s son is around the same age.”

What the Queen wanted was ‘a friend for Prince Joffrey,’ but that’s not how things turned out.

Even if just for appearances, the two princes attended the same lessons. If Grey was to be friends with one, he had to get along with the other too.

On the very first day of class, Grey realized he wouldn’t get along with Prince Joffrey.

At eleven years old, Grey had already b(en the target of jealousy many times. Usually from his relatives.

He didn’t care what people of equal or lower status thought about him. No matter how much they barked, it didn’t affect Grey.

After coming to the palace, he soon learned that this attitude extended to those of higher status as well.

The problem was that people in higher positions wouldn’t leave him alone.

Joffrey was the worst of them. He was insecure and cowardly, much like Grey’s cousins. But unlike them, he had the rank and power to make Grey’s life miserable.

Fortunately, Joffrey seemed to envy Edward more than he did Grey,  so Grey hadn’t been a direct target yet. He’d only witnessed Joffrey harassing Edward from the sidelines.

Grey heard about Joffrey’s fall from a horse while eating. The servant delivering the news said that Edward had forced Joffrey onto the horse, which caused the entire mess.

“That’s ridiculous,” Grey snorted to himself.

Who would force someone onto a horse? Grey was willing to bet that the truth was the opposite. Joffrey must have stolen Edward’s horse and ridden it.

Still, Grey was officially Prince Joffrey’s playmate. He couldn’t avoid visiting him.

After passing through a number of guards and attendants, Grey entered Joffrey’s chambers. His residence was well-kept, with many staff members working for him.

A servant announced Grey’s visit.

“Let him in.”

The servant opened the door and Grey stepped inside.

Joffrey didn’t even get up to greet his guest. Grey hadn’t expected much from this Prince, but it was still annoying.

When Joffrey realized he had no chance of beating Grey academically, he began ignoring him. As if to say, ‘I’m a Prince, and you’re just a subject.’

Grey didn’t really care about that. The thought of serving under a Prince like Joffrey was unpleasant, but he couldn’t do anything about the hierarchy he’d been born into. Still, every time Joffrey tried to openly dismiss him, Grey couldn’t help but see the prince as insignificant.

That said, Joffrey usually kept the basics of etiquette. There was no benefit in being rude to the Prime Minister’s son. The Queen had probably told him to behave.

Joffrey himself would have preferred to be rude all the time.

But today, lying in bed without even rising, he clearly wasn’t in a good mood. Grey wasn’t curious about what had upset him.

He should just say hello and leave.

“I heard you fell off a horse. I’m glad it wasn’t serious.” Grey said.

As soon as he said it, he thought his tone might’ve been off.

Was Joffrey going to get angry and tell him not to be sarcastic? Grey hadn’t meant it that way, but Joffrey was always irritable.

Joffrey’s reaction was strange. He widened his eyes and replied like someone hearing news about a stranger.

“I fell off a horse?”
“That’s what I heard. Is that not true?”
”Yes. Um… That’s right. Thanks for coming.

Grey couldn’t believe his ears. The Prince had just thanked him. Did he hit his head when he fell?

Joffrey even said something that sounded like he was concerned for Edward. Grey was dumbfounded. The culprit was pretending to worry about the victim?

It was enough for Joffrey to pretend to be a pitiful child in front of the Queen. She was the kind of person who would believe anything Joffrey said.

Grey had seen exactly how Joffrey manipulated things to trap Edward. This time was no different.

But now he was pretending to care?

“His Majesty values martial training very highly. Since ancient times, riding, hunting, and archery have been virtues of the nobility. Prince Edward inherited His Majesty’s strong physique and even an interest in swordsmanship. His Majesty must be proud.” Grey said, intending to upset him. Joffrey had always been touchy about Edward.

Surely it was about time for Joffrey to lose his temper. Was he going to start yelling?

But he didn’t.

“But no King ever ruled a country from horseback. Being a warmonger isn’t exactly a royal virtue.” Joffrey answered calmly, then pulled his blanket up to his chin.

He spoke clearly, but his expression was gloomy. He suddenly looked like a sick child.

The fire that had been swelling like a balloon in Grey deflated. Was he lying in bed because he was sick? Maybe his condition was worse than he thought.

After greeting Joffrey, Grey left the palace. It wasn’t until he got into the carriage that he remembered Joffrey had brought this on himself.

No matter what nonsense he said, Joffrey was still Joffrey.

Prince Edward would be locked up for a month, punished under the excuse of fixing bad habits and left to rot in his quarters.

It was all because of Joffrey.

Prince Joffrey Biscotti.

In [Love Trap Marriage], Joffrey was the second capture target. Always in second place. He lost to Edward in everything – studies, swordsmanship. No matter how hard he tried, he was always second best.

Every time they faced off in sword class, Joffrey lost.

The heroine, watching from the sidelines, felt a kinship with him. His efforts reminded her of herself. The fact that those efforts never paid off did too.

Despite his inferiority complex, Joffrey was a kind person. He didn’t care about social rank and got along with all sorts of people. His friendships weren’t limited to the academy.

The heroine saw that and came to think he was a good person. But Joffrey never accepted her praise easily.

[I’m not a good person. But… thanks for seeing me that way.]

That’s because the reason Joffrey first approached the heroine was because she was the woman Edward was interested in.

When he confessed that, he told her,

[You can slap me and never see me again if you want.]

I chose to hug him because I wanted to see a good ending.

In any case, Joffrey’s inferiority complex about Edward ran deep.

There were only two princes in the Kingdom: First Prince Edward and Second Prince Joffrey. Edward was born four months earlier, so he was acknowledged as the heir.

Naturally, they had different mothers.

Edward’s mother was of much lower social status. The Queen of the country was Joffrey’s mother. However, as the outstanding heir to the throne, Edward is the obvious choice, so Joffrey grew up constantly being compared to him.