Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 374 (Part 2):

It was late morning, just after breakfast. The Crown Prince stood in the garden attached to the palace.

His appearance screamed *‘I am the Crown Prince!’*—a flamboyant hunting outfit with little practicality. Deep blue fabric adorned with golden threads and gemstones, topped with a feathered hunting hat.

‘This guy’s all show. If he weren’t born into the imperial family, he’d have squandered his fortune on flashy nonsense.’

Still, there was no denying that the extravagant attire suited his striking features.

When the Crown Prince glanced at them, Asuka and Helmut immediately bowed.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince smiled—a smirk that could only be described as *‘sly.’*
“They say you’re receiving an education. Looks like it’s paying off. It’s about time you started acting more like royalty.”

His gaze immediately fixed on Helmut, his sharp eyes narrowing as they scrutinized him.
“So, this is the guest staying at the Grand Duke Farnese’s residence?”

“My name is Helmut.”

Helmut’s greeting was brief. The Crown Prince’s gaze lingered on him, studying him intently.

‘Indeed, he’s no ordinary person. Could it be the bloodline of Renosa?’

Someone of the Crown Prince’s status had spent his entire life surrounded by people eager to please him. Such behavior was so familiar to him that it rarely left an impression.

That was why Asuka had caught his attention.

But Asuka was too rough-edged—not the untamed wildness of an unbroken horse, but more like a jagged stone among smooth pebbles. His sharp edges made him stand out.

Likely, Asuka’s attitude wouldn’t change much, even in front of the Emperor. But given his status as royalty and a skilled swordsman, it was something the Crown Prince could tolerate.

It wasn’t that Asuka looked down on his superiors—it was simply his nature. And that uniqueness was enough to intrigue the Crown Prince.

But Helmut was different from Asuka.

Like Asuka, Helmut hadn’t been raised as royalty, yet noble bloodlines always seemed to reveal themselves. There was no trace of servility or even modesty in him. Without flaunting or deliberately presenting himself, he exuded a strange confidence and an almost oppressive aura that seemed to weigh down those around him.

If refined further, it could become the dignity of a ruler.

But the fact that Helmut displayed such an attitude so naturally intrigued the Crown Prince. It was both insolent and arrogant, yet ironically, it appealed to him.

Michael, too, had possessed a peculiar arrogance beneath his seemingly gentle demeanor, speech, and actions. But that hadn’t aligned with the Crown Prince’s image of the Grand Duke of Renosa.

The Grand Duke of Renosa was nothing like Michael. Though the Crown Prince had never met Charlotte, the Grand Duke’s daughter, he held high expectations for her.

While the successor of Renosa was determined by the Grand Duke, the empire could subtly influence the decision. After all, their lineage originated from the imperial family.

But today, upon meeting Helmut, the Crown Prince understood. Unconsciously, words slipped from his lips.
“You resemble him.”

The Grand Duke of Renosa—a figure the Crown Prince had seen only a few times, yet one whose presence had left an indelible mark. Helmut’s appearance and demeanor mirrored the Crown Prince’s mental image of the Renosa heir almost perfectly.

‘Though unlike the Grand Duke, Helmut seems more dangerous than I imagined.’

If Asuka was a jagged stone, Helmut was like a sword—chaotic, lawless, and capable of cutting down anyone according to his will. A sword was far more dangerous than a stone, and the extent of that danger remained to be seen.

Everyone present understood whom the Crown Prince referred to when he said “resemble.” It was clear that the Crown Prince knew about Helmut.

Shifting his gaze away from Helmut, the Crown Prince asked casually,
“Do you know why I’m dressed like this and standing here?”

“As if you’re hunting sparrows in the garden,” Asuka replied sarcastically, aware of the Crown Prince’s lackluster swordsmanship. Forced to attend against his will, Asuka’s resentment simmered.

The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow.
“You should know that I’m quite close with the Grand Duchess of Farnese. Whether you’ve been properly educated or not depends on me.”

Asuka flinched and clamped his mouth shut. With a single word, the Crown Prince could make life difficult for him.

“And you’re mistaken—I’m quite skilled at hunting. Despite appearances, my archery rivals anyone’s.”

Doubt flickered across Asuka’s face.

But reflecting on it, the Crown Prince was well aware of his own shortcomings in swordsmanship. Self-awareness, at least, wasn’t lacking.

“As you know, the recent incident prevents me from going out to hunt. So, I’ve arranged something similar to stay active.”

The Crown Prince gestured toward the distance.
“I’ve set up targets over there. Why don’t we have a little archery contest? There’ll be a prize for the winner.”

“There are only three of us. Isn’t the competition a bit too low?” Asuka asked, already assuming he’d win.

The Crown Prince spoke in a subtle tone.
“Three? Let me clarify—today’s guests aren’t limited to just you two.”

Asuka frowned.
“Who else is coming?”

“Well, you might recognize them—if your memory serves you well.”

Soon, Asuka and Helmut discovered exactly who else the Crown Prince had invited.

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