Chapter 2: Dependable

As a lover, Rodrigo was a faithful man and an admirable prince liked by many. He cared about people. If a friend made a mistake at the cost of their death, he would ask for an apology instead with a glass of wine. He is a man who gives peace of mind to the people. Whenever the people faced hardship, he would turn around and say, “Let’s work harder next time,” rather than laughing at their mistakes.

People worried that dangers may come due to his excessive generosity, but he did not mind it. He was a knight capable of protecting himself. He is the type of man who won’t take for granted those who helped him. 

During the harvesting period, he and the knights would help whenever there was a shortage of labor. He got along well with the destitute compared to the gentry without hesitation. He helped others with a sincere heart and gave generously. 

The king loved him, and the nobles depended on him. He had a lot of work to do.

 Whenever conflict arose between knights and wizards, they requested his help. 

“I fear that what I say would be too much in front of Miss Brigeyere’s presence, so I will refrain from doing so.”

“Aren’t wizards lazy men? The court wizards, in particular, should re-establish their discipline… oh, prince, don’t look at me like that. I know you don’t like quarrels, but in any case, we need to do something about the wizards who only want to enjoy pleasure rather than refining their skills. Their life-long positions are turning them into lazy goats, so why not have them take a test every three years like our knights?”

“Who’s the lazy goat?”

 “Look at all those flesh on your sides. You could—”

“Stop both of you. Let’s talk this out.” 

For hundreds of years, perhaps even longer, the kingdom had to appease the unreasonable stubbornness of the dwarves and Haisens who had burning rivalry.

“I think I should have my fist do the talking instead.”

Though most of their conflicts were always embarrassing and a little childish.

“Those fat dwarves know nothing but eat. I say it’s time to take them down! They spout creationism this, creationism that! No, the most beautiful thing is cleaning! Which is more beautiful, makings things straighter or making dirty things clean? The ‘Superior Dwarf’ book should be banned! Superiority is not in their vocabulary!”

“Then how about publishing the Lord Previr’s ‘Superior Haisen’? The readers who have read both books can judge for themselves who is really superior.”

“Oh! You speak facts.”

Their bitter squabbles had no end and moved around so quickly to the point of confusion. He would then get involved in the conflict between the Morellians and Moscars. 

“It’s only to see who’s stronger, but the Morellians are clearly stronger in interpersonal warfare. Even if the Moscars could put up a fight, it would only be—”

“No, you shouldn’t interpret it like that. Even if they’re lacking, they demonstrate as much wits as the knights do. The Morellians aren’t like that, right?”

“What do you think, Duke?”

He always stuck to the middle ground and resolved issues peacefully so that no one would be offended.

“In front of the Morellians, I will say that they are the strongest, and in front of the Moscars, I will say that they are the strongest. They both have their own strength.”

Then one day, something happened.

Two lords from the southern cities of Gilead and Griegad came to visit.

 The purpose of their visit was, “I’m going to start a struggle, so please be the judge!” The people of Gilead and Griegad had been life-long neighbors who seldom got along. It was of no surprise.  

“During the previous uprising between Casilad and Felgard, you had done a great job mediating the conflict!”

“Yes. You did.”

It was of no surprise that Yvonne didn’t find their request too strange. 

“Please help us fight fairly in the middle. Watch us fire cannons and splurt blood. Please supervise us to make sure that we’re not cheating!”

Conflicts between cities were common and Rodrigo could send them back without worries because there was no reason for a royal family to intervene unless the reason itself was grave. However, Rodrigo had always been more of a pacifist than Yvonne.

“I’ll decide what to do after hearing their explanation.”

But there would be no proper explanation of their quarrel.

“So what happened was…”

“I’ll explain it! I’m sure you’ll only tell lies!”

“You’re full of it! Didn’t you see me talking?”

They argued on and on in front of the prince.

“You’re full of it raising the import tax so needlessly!”

As the explanation drawn out, words like “baseless racist”, “go sleep in h*ll”, “b*stard guy”, “…I’m more of a guy than a b*stard! Screw you, b*stard!”, “smash your head with a pendulum so you won’t be able to see again!” had been thrown around carelessly.

 Yvonne held back her laughter and turned away from them. Her eyes met Rodrigo and raised his eyebrows and mouthed silently, “Don’t make it obvious.”

Yvonne nodded, pretending to cover her lips with her small hand.