Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 361 (Part 2):

The Crown Prince, having seized the initiative, smiled again.

“I was curious about the Farnese Grand Duke’s son—my cousin—but I’m disappointed. Maybe your swordsmanship is fine, but in every other aspect, you’re far from the Grand Duke’s level.”

“I’ll respond to that once I’ve met His Majesty the Emperor.”

It was a provocative statement, implying he’d compare the Crown Prince to the Emperor. The Crown Prince chuckled.

“I’ll give you credit for your guts. I like that about you.”

“I don’t like you, Your Highness. I don’t like my father either. Dragging someone away and forcing them here—what are you trying to accomplish?”

Asuka boldly asked. He was already in a ‘whatever happens, happens’ state.

Since confronting his father was useless and he was practically a hostage, maybe provoking the Crown Prince would get him out of here.

Though if he pushed too far, he might end up hanging in the training grounds.

“You want freedom? That doesn’t exist once you’re part of the imperial family. As heir to the Farnese Grand Duke, you should be my right hand in ruling the Empire.”

“I don’t want to be anyone’s right hand.”

“I may not like you, but your mouth is entertaining. And that you have no ambition—that’s interesting.”

That was a rare quality in the palace. In front of the Crown Prince, most people were desperate to make a good impression. Rarity itself was special.

The Crown Prince was intrigued by his cousin’s uniqueness.

From his position as the future ruler of the Empire, even a royal like Duke Farnese’s son was just another piece to be managed.

The Crown Prince immediately issued an order.

“From now on, you’ll serve as my personal guard.”

Asuka’s eyebrows twitched.

He realized that if he did his two-week term as promised, he’d likely still not be released from here.

“Prove your worth. Then, I might grant what you want.”

‘Yeah, right. If I really prove my worth, you’ll never let me go, so how would I get anything I want?’

Saying he might grant them was just a way of saying he wouldn’t.

Asuka knew the way nobles spoke. Royals were no different.

And the more cunning they were, the more they stuck to their own whims, regardless of others’ feelings.

But what could he do? The other party was the Crown Prince.

‘I just need to get Sian out first. Then I’ll figure something out. If it’s just me on my own, I can probably manage an escape somehow, even if they hunt me down later.’

Asuka firmly resolved. Even if he got caught again, he was confident he could escape alone.

A curt reply slipped from Asuka’s lips.

“As you command.”

*

Meanwhile…

After Elaga’s identity was revealed and the commotion died down, the Kudrow mansion regained its peace.

Right after dinner, Ethan Kudrow silently handed something to Helmut.

A crystal orb connected to the Duke of Renosa.

Standing on the balcony, Helmut silently looked down at the object in his hand.

How long had he been standing there? Alea, who had approached unnoticed, spoke to him.

“Were you thinking about contacting the Duke of Renosa?”

“Yes.”

The Duke of Renosa, his father, owed Helmut his life.

While it was natural for a child to save their parent, their relationship wasn’t one where such sentiments applied.

Helmut had never had any interaction with the Duke of Renosa.

He’d heard that although the Grand Duke was a ruler, his temperament was more akin to that of a swordsman.

More like Charlotte than Michael.

Perhaps that was why the Duchess of Renosa doted on Michael.

Parents tend to favor the child who resembles them more.

Regardless, if the Renosa’s Grand Duke was someone more like Charlotte in character, then it was unlikely he would simply ignore the debt he owed Helmut.

It was less about morality and more about Renosa’s honor and duty.

That was probably why this crystal orb had been left behind—if Helmut managed to survive and return, it showed the Grand Duke’s intention to repay that debt somehow.

But could he really be trusted?

Helmut was skeptical.

‘He already abandoned me once.’

Just like his mother. In that sense, he couldn’t expect anything from his father.

Perhaps, like his wife Margret, he valued Renosa’s cause over the debt of saving his life.

Maybe he had planted this crystal orb with Ethan Kudrow to find out quickly if Helmut returned.

‘In any case, there’s no trust between us.’

The existence of this crystal orb should only be taken as a hint of the Duke’s intentions.

Helmut finally spoke.

“I can’t trust him. So, for now, I can’t contact the Duke.”

“You need some leverage, then.”

Alea quickly grasped his intent.

Helmut nodded. To talk to the Duke, he needed leverage.

A conversation with the Duke of Renosa couldn’t just be about repaying a life debt.

Their conversation would have to be a negotiation.

Therefore, Helmut needed something the Duke couldn’t ignore.

There would be a right time to use this crystal orb.

Until then, Helmut intended to keep it on standby.

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