An encounter with the Prince

I did my duties today as a Butler, an exclusive Butler for Ophelia. Today I have nothing to do but investigate the territory, which is already taken care of. 

"S-Sammy! One more time!"

She lost in Jenga. The table was evenly flat, and the surface was not so smooth and yet not so rough. 

With those conditions, I'm pretty sure I'm winning, with my dexterity I'm pretty much unbeatable. 

And I made it so hard to play because I took the two bottom pieces and left the middle piece alone, making it a gamble for Ophelia. 

—tap tap tap

A maid walked towards me but bowed to Ophelia as she closed in. She bent her body and leaned towards my ears. 

"The Crown Prince is visiting in the afternoon"

I looked at the maid and nodded my head, it was already 10 AM and since it's autumn it's not that hot. 

I stood up whilst the maid was leaving and I looked at Ophelia. 

"Lia, the Crown Prince is visiting so we should get you dressed up"

"Eh…"

Ophelia let out an uninterested sigh. She, however, complied. Which was fantastic, as this run will be far from the original. 

I'll make sure that Ophelia will become a hard-to-get girl and that the Prince will go running for her. Since an original loving relationship is a cliche. 

{Bruh}

Anyways, we went back to the mansion as we were in the yard, under the tree. Yes, we were playing Jenga there at Ophelia's request. 

After she went back to her room to tidy herself up I went to start preparing a proper snack and tea leaves to use for the Crown Prince's arrival. 

"Is there no more Misa Cow Milk?"

"Unfortunately no"

Talking to the head chef I was informed we don't have Misa Milk, which is from a Beast called Misa Cow. Misa milk is quite the rich milk used by nobles thanks to its texture. 

I used it for Milk Tea and yes, you could guess after Lennon and Penelope managed to get a taste of it. 

"I'll get some then, please write me a letter."

"Alright," the head chef nodded. 

After receiving the letter I ran out and to the Merchants guild, where I could buy things directly. Unlike the market in the Merchants guild, everything is properly preserved and of high quality. 

I walked Inside and showed my ID since I use the bank here. I bought about 5 gallons and had it stored in a spatial bag. 

After running those errands I went back to the marquisate, I didn't even have the time to see the carriage with the Imperial symbol on it. 

"Oh no—"

"Hey, you!"

When I was about to run off, a Knight with the Imperial symbol on his chest called out to me. 

I can't help but think I'm fucked. 

"The Crown Prince is waiting for you in the carriage"

"No, no! How could I be in the same carriage as the Crown Prince… "

"It's his orders, so please comply"

I'm here for an errand for Pete's sake! But I can't yell that, so I followed courteously and sheepishly. 

{Uh- what the… this is a completely new development, I'm pretty sure the Crown Prince knows you belong in the marquisate so why…}

'Why, what's up?'

{The Crown Prince gathers talents, he has a servant that is a capture target in the game}

'ah'

When the Knights guided me in the carriage, it opened and I sheepishly walked in. In there the shining and dazzling crown Prince was laid before me. 

{That shines! That shine!}

[This shared sense is making my eyes hurt!]

"Samuel Ysmir isn't?"

"Yes your Highness"

"Oh don't be too stiff!" he said while smiling. 

He has this smile plastered on his face all this time, I don't know why but isn't that tiring? Or are you born like that?

"Say, your Ophelia's Butler right?"

Timothy asked. 

"Yes…?"

He already knows that I'm her Butler so why is he asking?

"Say I don't know what kind of gift she'll like so please enlighten me, she always accepts and says the same things when she receives my gifts… it saddens me really"

"Oh-oh! My Lady's standard is certainly high when it comes to receiving gifts"

"What do you mean?"

"She'll like it more if you gave something that you sincerely made with your heart"

"..."

With that, the crown Prince went silent, and his smiling face, which is his poker face, went away. With a finger under his chin, he started wondering. 

"Hmm.. "

I need to go back and fix something so we could receive you properly crown Prince but now I'm here dammit!

"I see. Thank you for that advice"

"it's my pleasure helping the Prince"

And now the rest of the ride was met with an awkward silence. But I can't help but be bothered as the Prince stares at me. 

"Your... Highness?"

"Are you going to enroll at Asella Academy?"

"... Yes?"

"Ophelia… say she always talks about you"

"... " 

I was left speechless, to be talking about another guy In front of her fiancee what is Ophelia doing?!

"I can't help it"

He stared right in my eye, which I received wholeheartedly. 

"What is…?"

"Be jealous"

Why? It's not like I'm going for Ophelia you know!

"Even the Marquis told me…"

I peeked my head up, what did the Marquis say? And why am I receiving this treatment?

"That I shouldn't lose to you."

"Eh?"

The Crown Prince momentarily had an envious gaze then it returned to being a friendly gaze. 

"We're the same age right?"

"I think so"

"Then say, why won't we become friends?"

"E-eh?!" I said in surprise 

However, the Prince only smiled and looked at me as if I'm funny. 

"We're going to see each other from now on"

He then crossed his legs and looked out the window, which is slowly closing to the marquis's mansion. 

"So why won't we become friends?"

"I don't think—"

"Aww c'mon! Don't be so stiff, besides we're the same age, I hate it if I always have to meet people who have to be formal to me!"

The Prince exclaimed, it has a hint of frustration on it. I was caught off guard by the sudden attitude. 

Timothy, knowing what he had just done, coughed and looked at me. 

"Please?"

I just sighed, looks like things are going to be hectic soon.