Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 361 (Part 1):

“So, you’re the knight who just joined without going through any tests, huh?”

The Crown Prince leaned toward Asuka and asked with a meaningful tone.

“Do you have the skills to back it up?”

Asuka’s eyebrows twitched and rose. It was a tone that made him want to retort. Of course, the other party was the Crown Prince.

Asuka, who had lived without much patience or restraint, knew better than to act out in front of the Crown Prince.

Asuka’s lips curled fiercely. “Your Highness, do you know how to wield a sword?”

“Well, a little?”

“Then why not experience it yourself? See if I have the skills or not.”

The Crown Prince’s expression wavered slightly. It was a provoking remark—enough to have Asuka dragged away on the spot.

But before the Crown Prince could respond, Asuka’s fellow knights acted first.

They quickly grabbed Asuka by both shoulders and pulled him back.

“How dare you!”

“We apologize, Your Highness. He’s still adjusting to the knight order, as he hasn’t been here long.”

Ralph bowed his head in apology. Neil whispered into Asuka’s ear.

“Are you out of your mind? How could you act like that in front of the Crown Prince…?”

His gaze now seemed to suspect that Asuka’s attitude wasn’t due to his high status but rather because he was mentally unhinged.

“Let go.”

Asuka irritably shook off his hand. The Crown Prince, still smiling, spoke.

“It’s good to have a temper. But they say smaller dogs bark louder—let’s see which you are.”

At the academy, Asuka’s nickname was ‘The Mad Dog of the Swordsmanship Department.’ The Crown Prince’s tone seemed to hint that he knew something about it.

But the Crown Prince didn’t say anything more. Nor did he punish Asuka.

The Crown Prince was a busy man. He quickly returned to focusing on his paperwork.

“Please, no more trouble. My heart’s practically leaping out of my chest.”

“You need to remember that you’re an Imperial Knight!”

His fellow knights each threw in a word as they passed by. Even the usually good-natured Ralph had a sour expression this time.

Asuka stood guard, feeling the sharp glares of the attendants and his comrades.

No matter how you looked at it, being a guard didn’t suit Asuka’s temperament.

Asuka occasionally felt the Crown Prince’s gaze observing him.

It wasn’t a blatant stare.

Whenever the Crown Prince moved or spoke to someone, he would glance at Asuka subtly.

It wasn’t exactly pleasant, but Asuka had a feeling that the Crown Prince hadn’t chosen him as a guard without some ulterior motive.

‘If he has something to say, he’ll say it eventually.’

Even though they were cousins, this was the first time they had met.

It seemed Asuka’s father didn’t think he was someone who should associate with the Crown Prince.

That’s why they had never met before.

Just as the Crown Prince observed Asuka, Asuka also observed him.

After watching him all day, Asuka realized the Crown Prince was a completely different type of person from himself.

They said the Crown Prince had a very good reputation, and it was easy to see why.

Despite his annoying attitude, the Crown Prince was sharp and spoke with clarity.

Asuka felt a familiar sensation when looking at him. It was an instinctive understanding.

‘It’s that same feeling I get when I’m around someone like Alea or Sian, whose minds work quickly.’

Given that Alea and Sian had always taken the top two spots at the Academy, the Crown Prince must have considerable ability as well.

If Renosa had Michael, the Empire had this Crown Prince.

Asuka didn’t know this, but that was part of the reason why the Farnese Grand Duke had never introduced him to the Crown Prince. Back when Asuka first joined the imperial family, he was naïve and still younger by about four years—he would’ve been no match for the bright and more experienced Crown Prince, who might manipulate him.

And the Crown Prince wasn’t the type to care much for a young cousin who had just joined the imperial family.

As the workday ended and the guards were about to change shifts, the Crown Prince called Asuka over.

“You there, Asuka, was it? I’d like to continue our earlier conversation. Stay behind.”

It was an order. If this were the academy, it would have sounded terrifying. ‘Stay behind,’ indeed.

But Asuka actually liked it. It meant they could talk freely.

Of course, they weren’t close enough for a casual conversation.

And Asuka was an imperial knight who couldn’t disobey his orders.

“Please, be careful with your words.”

“I hope we’ll see you tomorrow safe and sound.”

Asuka’s three fellow knights withdrew, leaving him with uneasy looks and final pieces of advice.

Now, only the Crown Prince, Asuka, and two attendants—bound to silence regarding whatever happened—remained in the room.

Far from any familial warmth, the Crown Prince’s attitude was cold.

His face turned rigid as he looked at Asuka with a haughty expression.

“I had some expectations when I heard you were my uncle’s son. Yet I see no trace of nobility in you.”

Asuka snorted.

“I didn’t grow up with that. I was raised as a commoner. Did you ask me to stay just to pick a fight?”

“You seem to forget who I am, or perhaps you’re mocking me. Duke Farnese wouldn’t care if I punished you, as long as the reason was justified.”

“Are you going to lock me up?”

“How about hanging you upside down in the Imperial knight’s training grounds to make you reflect on your rudeness?”

The Crown Prince suggested it as if he were serious. Asuka couldn’t hide a slight flinch at the idea.

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