"Your Highness...! I've been searching for you. To think you would leave the capital without permission and come all the way to the remote Ragbault..."
"Hello, Belton. Isn't it a beautiful day for a stroll? Besides, I have wonderful coffee companions in this town. I ended up staying longer than I intended."
As I say this with a smile, Belton furrows his brow with a look of displeasure.
It's understandable. My name—or rather, my official name is Leyard Lysein. I am publicly known as the First Prince of the Veltrus Kingdom.
But how many times have I sneaked out of the capital like this? I know everyone around me is half-exasperated, but I have things I want to do.
...I understand Belton's feelings, but if I stay cooped up in the stifling royal palace, I won't encounter anything interesting.
The reason I go all the way to this town of Ragbault, so far from the capital, is for a certain reason.
That is because I met Setz, an adventurer who is plain but has strange knowledge. When I talk about coffee with him or hear his unique ideas, it feels like a different wind is blowing than what I've been taught by scholars and courtiers in the royal palace.
"Your Highness, even so, why an adventurer from such a lower-class town...? Considering your position, I would prefer you associate with more noble individuals."
"Belton, please don't be so stiff. As I said earlier, Setz is interesting. The knowledge he possesses is full of ideas that our bureaucrats would never even think of."
When I couldn't help but raise my voice with excitement, Belton narrowed his eyes and sighed, "Oh dear..." But I can't give in on this.
"Even the coffee equipment he mentioned today had such innovative ideas. Well, he said it's a popular method in his hometown, though."
Even so, I can't imagine there's a region where such advanced equipment is common. Well, I like his extremely humble attitude, though.
"Ah, I want someone like him to become my right-hand man in the future."
"Surely, many nobles would object to that...!"
"I know. But isn't that interesting? I wish Setz would come to the royal palace. For example, with my sister, Rosa... Hehe, am I getting ahead of myself?"
As I say this with a wry smile, Belton panics and lowers his voice, "Your Highness, please don't speak so lightly about that...!"
He's always been like this, but this butler values the dignity of the royal family above all else. But because I'm royalty, I want to live unconventionally.
"However, Your Highness. What if you were to get caught up in danger in the town of Ragbault? If the First Prince were to suffer an accidental misfortune, it would affect the dignity of the royal family."
"You worry too much, Belton. I have some self-defense skills, and I'm being cautious of my surroundings just in case. Besides..."
I couldn't help but smile. What comes to mind is the story of the coffee equipment Setz told me earlier, and the ideas for efficiency he told me before. When I think about them, I feel excited.
"Even if something happens in Ragbault, I have a feeling that Setz will take care of it. That man looks plain, but he's strangely reliable."
"Y-You trust him that much...? Oh dear, Your Highness never changes..."
Belton smiles wryly, but he still keeps pace with me. I've been taken care of by this man since I was a child, and I'm grateful that he accompanies me in silence like this.
"Right, Belton. Isn't there a carriage waiting along the road ahead? I'm planning to return to the capital soon. There's something I want to try right away."
"You're going to try to make a prototype of that coffee equipment right away, aren't you? Oh dear, I understand."
Belton sighs but agrees. One way or another, this butler expresses his concerns about what I do, but he always accompanies me. That reliability is a great pillar that supports my freedom.
"Setz probably doesn't even imagine that I'm a prince. If he comes to the capital, I wonder what kind of face he'll make... Hehe."
"Well, he'll be surprised, I'm sure. He might even faint."
"I guess so. Well, I have to thank him properly then. With plenty of coffee prepared. Ah... It would be great if we could drink that delicious coffee together in the royal palace."
Just thinking about it makes my steps lighter.
"Your Highness, the carriage is waiting. Please, this way..."
"Understood. Let's go, Belton."
I follow after the butler, who was walking ahead. After a while, I saw a magnificent carriage parked in the shade of a tree.
With the creaking of wheels, it's time to say goodbye to the town of Ragbault for now. But I'll be back before long. I can't wait to see what new ideas Setz will come up with by then.
That's why I can't wait to see what kind of whirlwind he'll cause if he ever comes to the royal palace in earnest—just imagining it makes my heart flutter with excitement.
"Setz seems to have a strong tendency to dislike standing out, but that's only a matter of time. After all, there's no way a genius like him can remain nameless forever."
Even if he doesn't want to, he can't hide that much talent.
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