Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 379 (Part 2):

“Oh, really? Well, Charlotte is the top student at Greta Academy, so…” Asuka replied lightly.

Asuka brushed it off lightly, thinking it was merely a matter of recognizing talent. The crown prince had shown interest in Sian, who was second in his class.

Grand Duke Farnese sighed inwardly and decided to make it clear to him.

“He believes the Duchess of Renosa would make a suitable empress.”

At that moment, Asuka froze.

“He said he’d like to get to know her better if she doesn’t have anyone else.”

Asuka’s reaction was explosive.

“…What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is the Crown Prince insane? Doesn’t he even know why Charlotte came to the Empire?”

Grand Duke Farnese quietly warned him.

“Watch your tongue. Would you address His Highness like that in front of him?”

Even for a member of the royal family, such words could land him in prison.

“No, my cousin, whom I’ve never even met, is trying to steal my girl, and you expect me to use honorifics? What did you say to him? Are you just going to let this happen?”

Asuka’s face was filled with the desire to punch the Crown Prince.

Seeing him seething with anger, Grand Duke Farnese calmly assessed how serious this matter was.

“I told him it was her choice. And strictly speaking, you and the Duchess of Renosa are merely senior and junior.”

In other words, there was no moral issue.

But that was too objective a statement for a father to make.

Asuka, who had already firmly and baselessly convinced himself that he and Charlotte were something more, didn’t back down.

Hadn’t they shared life and death in the Forest of Roots!

“So, you’re saying he should just go for it? Are you siding with the Crown Prince over your own son?”

“If His Highness truly desires her, there’s nothing I can do to stop him. I can’t kidnap the Duchess of Renosa and force her to be with you, can I?”

When Grand Duke Farnese pressed him, Asuka slightly relented.

“That’s… not what I meant.”

“If you manage to win her heart, the problem solves itself. After all, you’ve known her longer, and with your newfound noble status, social standing won’t be a barrier. I would say you have the advantage.”

“Th-That’s true, I guess.”

Grand Duke Farnese’s calm reasoning made Asuka nod. In many ways, he did feel he had the upper hand.

Additionally, the Crown Prince was far weaker—shockingly so. He was so delicate that one could imagine him wearing a dress without anyone batting an eye. Granted, he possessed the cultured air and dignity befitting the future emperor, but he was still a frail sort.

“In that case, I suggest you calm your anger and show her how much you’ve changed,” Grand Duke Farnese said.

“…That might make sense.”

Asuka was naturally self-centered.

Encouraged by his father’s words, Asuka concluded that he had the upper hand and ended the conversation.

Having calmed the storm that had hit him with just a few words, Grand Duke Farnese, with some concern, began to think of ways to help his son.

Asuka, who had returned to his room and sunk into deep thought, soon boiled over with anger again.

‘Even so, this guy has no loyalty!’

Filled with rage, Asuka went to see the Crown Prince.

Surprisingly, the crown prince readily accepted his sudden visit.

“Asuka, what brings you here?”

Faced with the crown prince’s friendly smile, Asuka was momentarily confused.

The crown prince’s expression showed no trace of guilt or discomfort.

‘I even saved his life. Surely he wouldn’t make a move on Charlotte? Maybe he doesn’t know, or Father misunderstood?’

He got straight to the point.

“I heard you’re interested in the Duchess of Renosa.”

“That’s right.”

The Crown Prince’s immediate affirmation left Asuka momentarily speechless.

He gritted his teeth and said, “Is it okay to hit on your cousin’s girl like this?”

He still had enough sense to remember that he was talking to the Crown Prince.

“Strictly speaking, she isn’t your girl, nor are the two of you in any official relationship. We also don’t know how she feels about you. She might even prefer me”.

Confidence radiated from him, the assurance of someone who had been popular his entire life. He was, after all, the Empire’s highest-status prince, blessed with good looks, refinement, and all the qualities befitting royalty. And marrying him would make one Crown Princess, with the prospect of becoming Empress someday. Every advantage lay with him.

Asuka pretended to be serious.

“If you get rejected, it’ll be a huge embarrassment. I’m just worried about you, Your Highness.”

But the Crown Prince brushed that aside with an easy smile.

“Thank you for your concern, but you needn’t worry. Unless, of course, you’re afraid you’ll lose if she has the freedom to choose. Ultimately, the decision rests with the lady in question, wouldn’t you agree?”

At those words, Asuka’s expression twisted in outrage.

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