0&1 Ch 22.3

As soon as class ended, I got up from my seat. Edward hadn’t even closed his book yet, but I thought he might get up and come over to me and ask me another strange question.

I closed my book and tucked it under my arm. I got up from my chair. Alex stood behind me. It didn’t even take a minute.

Someone stood up by the window and shouted, “Your Highness!”

It was Pavel Sanson and his group.

I had to leave. I had no choice but to smile and nod.

“Pavel Sanson.”

“I didn’t know Your Highness was taking the same class as me! What a coincidence! Have you had dinner yet? If not, we would love to take you out!” Pavel said, glancing around. He looked smug. He was showing off his connections.

I didn’t care about Pavel’s bragging, but something flashed through my mind.

The academy was a good place to build connections. Pavel’s group was already smiling favorably. If Joffrey accepted their greetings and went to dinner with them, Pavel’s group would become a part of Joffrey’s network.

A sociable Prince who gets along well with everyone. That was Joffrey in the game.

I decided to do the opposite of everything Joffrey did.

The academy was a good place to build connections, but it was also a good place to ruin them.

If I made sure everyone I met thought, ‘Prince Joffrey is a bit…,’ then Joffrey would have no power.

I thought of Grey’s attitude. How did he act when he was being arrogant?

I looked straight at Pavel and raised my chin slightly. I stared at him expressionlessly and scanned him from head to toe.

When someone is looked at like that, they feel that something is wrong. When Grey was silent, people often felt very uneasy.

Pavel’s cheeks flushed. “Your Highness?” 

“…” Not the reaction I wanted.

What did Pavel say? He wanted to treat me to a meal?

“I have refined tastes, so the food at the restaurants around here isn’t suitable for me. Can you find a place that suits my status?” I said arrogantly.

Pavel’s face lit up. ““Of course, Your Highness. You feel the same way I do? The restaurants around the academy are really terrible. But who am I? I am Pavel Sanson, son of the distinguished Sanson family. I have found a place that will satisfy Your Highness.”

“Oh, really?”

“It’s the perfect spot to soothe a tongue that’s suffered through cheap local fare. I hear the chef trained in Sherbet. Not to brag about my own country, but Sherbet cuisine is highly developed.”

Pavel Sanson was eloquent. That wasn’t the response I was hoping for.

“You think that will satisfy me? I eat Sherbet cuisine every day at the palace. Don’t you have anything more original?” I crossed my arms.

“You like Sherbet cuisine? Then you’ll like this place even more. They say they modified the sauce to suit the tastes of the people of this country. The unique flavor is…” Pavel explained happily.

The students who had been listening to our conversation cautiously joined in.

“Your Highness, if you are looking for a good restaurant, there is a restaurant that serves excellent veal just a short carriage ride away.”
“How about duck? I know a place that cooks it so that it is tender and has no gamey flavor.”
“Your Highness, do you like wine? If you give me the opportunity, I would like to invite you to my family’s winery. It goes so well with simple dishes.”

When I came to my senses, I found myself surrounded by a dozen students.

I had underestimated Joffrey’s status. I didn’t know there were so many students with the patience to put up with his arrogance.

Then I had no choice. I had to show them that I was someone who couldn’t be tolerated.

“If that’s what you all want, I have no choice. Where is the restaurant?”

“Your Highness, thank you! You will surely be satisfied.” Pavel was delighted.

“Your Highness, may we join you? We would like to greet you,” The student who had recommended the veal asked. Beside him, his friends looked at him with eager eyes.

“Of course.”
“Thank you!”

It was nothing. I was glad there were many witnesses.

About a dozen students rushed out into the hallway. Only Edward and Idella remained in the classroom.

Edward’s gaze was so cold that it felt like he was stabbing me in the face.

In his eyes, this scene looked like Joffrey was inciting everyone to follow him.

I looked at Alex for comfort.

Alex was calm and expressionless. He looked down at me. “Do you have any orders for me?”

Will you stop Edward if he tries to kill me?

“No.”

“Are you uncomfortable? Should I distance you from the others?”
“No, it’s fine.”

Alex bowed his head. The students around us gasped.

“Excuse me, do you know who he is? You’re Sir Alex Baumkuchen, right?”
“Ah, Sir Baumkuchen! Is that him?”
“Is he really Prince Joffrey’s knight? That’s amazing.”

Alex didn’t respond. But there was a subtle change in his expression.

He looked proud.

As expected, he cares about reputation. Knights are usually like that.

When Edward becomes King, I’ll let Alex go.

We headed to the restaurant with Alex escorting us.

The restaurant looked like a high-end restaurant. In fact, its actual name was ‘High-End Restaurant.’ I knew it because that was where Idella and Joffrey went on dates.

Pavel was confident that Joffrey would like it. It was the kind of restaurant where a Prince would bring someone he liked.

A waiter came out to greet us, “How many people are there? Do you have a reservation?”

Pavel said arrogantly, “Show us to the best table.”

That’s not an answer to the question. The waiter seemed to think so too, as he quickly counted the number of people in our group.

“Wow, this restaurant makes guests stand at the door,” one of the students who followed us said.

Was he talking to himself? But everyone here heard him. Pavel’s face turned red.

Nobles are people who cannot tolerate anything that might damage their reputation. I have often seen fights break out because of this.

Are they going to fight?

I took a step back. I didn’t want to get hit by Pavel’s glove.

Sure enough, Pavel was furious. 

“How dare you insult me in front of His Highness? You lazy bastard, go get the manager!”

However, he wasn’t talking to the student who had spoken, but to the waiter.

“I’m sorry, sir. That’s not what I meant…”
“Who wants to hear your excuses? You insolent fool! How dare you talk back!”
“No, I didn’t mean that.”
“Are you saying I’m wrong?”

I looked at him in disbelief, but Pavel sensed my gaze and blushed.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. This isn’t the place for this. I’ll take responsibility!”

“Are you the manager of this restaurant?”
“What?”
“Or are you a Prince?”
“No, Your Highness.”
“What right do you have to punish a citizen of another country?”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Pavel’s forehead turned red. The atmosphere became cold.

The waiter was watching us. Pavel had seized the position of the troublemaker.

He really was a useless character. The atmosphere wasn’t bad considering the circumstances, though. If I pushed Pavel a little more, I could ruin this dinner.

“How many of us are there?” I asked another student, who quickly replied.

“Sixteen, Your Highness.”
“I see. Are there any seats left?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The waiter bowed his head. His voice was trembling. Was he afraid of Pavel?

“Don’t worry about him. He just has a quick temper.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” The waiter was still trembling.

I had no choice. I sent the waiter back inside the restaurant.

As soon as we passed through the front door, the restaurant manager rushed over. He clasped his hands and quickly scanned us. His gaze fixed on me.

“Your Highness Joffrey! It is such an honor to have you at my restaurant.”
“I heard the food is amazing. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I will do my best to meet your expectations.”

Then Pavel shrugged his shoulders and interjected, “This friend recommended this place to His Highness Joffrey. Make sure to tell the chef to serve the special dish from last time. If His Highness likes the chef’s special sauce, I will give him a big reward.“

He didn’t seem like someone who had just been humiliated. How could he recover so quickly?

“Yes, I will be sure to tell him. This way, please. We have cleared the room so that Your Highness can relax.”

They cleared the room because of me? Did the people who were eating first get kicked out?

No one else seemed to care.

Yeah… I guess that I’m playing my part well.

One wall of the room was made entirely of glass. Through the glass wall, one could see the backyard of the dining hall.

There were small white flowers blooming in the grass and green trees. There was also a small pond decorated with pots of herbs and various garden stones.

If I’m not mistaken, I’ve seen that pond somewhere before.

The manager said cheerfully, “Ah! You recognized it! We finished renovating the garden last winter. I heard that Your Highness likes gardens with ponds. If you don’t mind, please take a stroll in the backyard after your meal. It would be an honor if you could take a look at the garden with your discerning eye.”

“I’ll think about it.” 

I don’t have that kind of discerning eye.

This was the third such request I had received this month alone.

Looking back, Pavel was smiling proudly. He really was quick to recover. For some reason, the other nobles were looking at Pavel with admiration.

“I didn’t expect such thorough preparation.” Someone clicked their tongue.

“To be called a friend by Your Highness.”
“I’m jealous.”
“Pavel Sanson, you show-off…”

When did I say he was my friend?

Aren’t you all his friends?

“I thought Your Highness would approve.”

“Yeah, sure. Thanks.” 

I replied absentmindedly, and Pavel Sanson raised his nose even higher and said, “Don’t mention it.”

One of Pavel’s group glared at him with envy.