The Royal Fiancé -White Prince - Chapter 1 Part 1
Disclaimer:
I DO NOT OWN THIS WORK, ASUMA RISAI (the author) DOES.
PS. n.o.body owns Shiori either.
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And now, on to the real stuff.
Chapter 1
Pressurage/ Brut Nature
Europe, Ecuratol – a country that is known as the jewel on the sea.
The wedding reception for the future King is taking place in the Royal Palace and entire country is abuzz about the long-awaited week-long royal wedding.
In Ecuratol, gay marriages are recognised and the partner of the eighteen year old (to-be) King is a seventeen year old j.a.panese boy. However, it was an arranged marriage. Under the orders of the former King, Shou’s grandfather, Shou was forced to accept this loveless marriage. Shiori could not help but to pity the young boy who was to be married to Shou. Shiori’s emotions towards Shou, however, was an entirely different story – he could not be more indifferent towards Shou. Shou shares the same father as Shiori, but different mothers. The person whom forcefully set-up this marriage was the previous King, and Shiori’s grandfather. If such an order is followed by any of the next-in-line via marrying the person whom the previous King chose, he will then ascend the throne.
As Shou’s marriage is with the person chosen by the previous King, Shou will indisputably be the next King.
The young boy was probably extremely nervous and his face was slightly pale. In contrast to the fidgety bride, Shiori’s brother, Shou appeared to be much more reliable-looking than before after being engaged to the young boy.
Shiori looked coldly towards Shou, who was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence.
His name is Shiori. Ecuratol. The bridegroom and the next King is Limnio. Shou. Ecuratol – the first son of the current King’s First Wife, who is also Shiori’s younger brother.
The country of Ecuratol and j.a.pan had close bilateral relations for a long time, hence following the Ecuratan tradition, citizens’ middle names are j.a.panese.
“Cheers!”
“May the two of you be blessed!”
Joyous cheers and congratulatory words from foreign guests and delegates filled the main hall. Everyone present was savouring high-quality wine that was produced in Ecuratol.
While Ecuratol may be a small country, it is globally recognised to be a world-cla.s.s wine producing country. The grape wine that Ecuratol produces have been the envy of many other countries as other grape wines are simply incomparable in terms of quality. Wine connoisseurs highly favour wine that is produced in Ecuratol, a country that has a clear and refreshing blue sea.
“With this marriage well under way, Prince Shou’s position as the next King is set in stone.”
“Yes, since Prince Shou is the son of the King’s First Wife, the power rightfully belongs to him.”
The blessings from the guests who were leisurely sipping their wine were all given to Shou.
Shiori, on the other hand, received none despite being Shou’s older brother.
“Shou has always been outstanding. If Shou were to become the next country, this country would definitely become much more prosperous by the day! As expected, Prince Shiori, in contrast, is absolutely unreliable…”
“Shh…!”
One of the guests realised that Shiori was standing behind them and quickly reminded the other guests in a panicked manner to not gossip about Shiori.
The younger brother, a Blanc De Noir (Blanc de Noirs describes a wine produced entirely from black grapes), and the older brother, a Blanc De Blanc (Blanc de Blancs is white champagne made exclusively from white-wine grapes; the phrase Blanc de Blancs is French for “white of whites”. It is, in one regard, the exact opposite of Blanc de Noirs). While they share the same father, who is the current King, they have different mothers.
For the longest of time, everything and every action that Shiori does has always been looked at in comparison to Shou.
However, after today, n.o.body will ever compare Shiori with Shou again.
The person who will inherit the throne would wield great power, thus other royalties will simply be used to contrast and further showcase the King’s great power. People within the Palace are expected to work hard for the King, be willing to give up their own life to the King, and every fibre of their being are considered to be the King’s property.
From today, all Shou needs to do is to give an order, and Shiori would have no choice but to follow his orders. Even if Shou’s orders are against Shiori’s wishes or his own well-being, Shiori is expected to follow these orders without question.
“Shirori.”
“Uncle.”
Upon hearing someone calling out to him, Shiori turned around.
It was Shou’s and his uncle, Kousuke.
Although Kousuke was wearing his suit in a shabby manner, his charm and air of royalty was not diminished by one bit.
While he is their uncle, he is twenty-six years old this year, and is only four years older than Shiori, who is twenty-two years old.
“As expected, you wearing a formal suit makes you breathtakingly beautiful. Even though hundreds of people are gathered here tonight, I could still find you almost immediately.”
“Please refrain from saying more.”
Upon hearing the word ‘beautiful’ being used to describe him, Shiori could not stop himself from frowning in distaste.
No matter how long he spent under the sun, his light snow-like skin could not be tanned or become darker. Clothes that were prepared for him usually suited him perfectly due to his skin tone. However, the very same light and soft colour of his skin stabbed at is pride and lowered his self-confidence. While Shiori is relatively tall and fit, he still appeared to be small and fragile as his muscles remained lean no matter how much he exercised. These traits, coupled with his small waist, made it hard for people to a.s.sociate words such as ‘handsome’ with Shiori. To make matters worse, people usually words such as ‘beautiful’, ‘beauty’, and other similar words to describe Shiori since he was young.
“Sigh, this really makes me dumbfounded. I’ve been looking after Shou since he was just a baby…and now, he’s getting married before me!” Kousuke commented lackadaisically while glancing over to Shiori. He continued jestingly,
“I, too, want a cute wife. I guess I’ll just go for Shiori, hmm?”
Although Kousuke appeared loose and nonchalant, Shiori knew that his uncle was much more shrewd and cunning than everyone else.
Shou begun to introduce his new wife, Kairi, to the foreign guests as a formality. When the newlyweds approached the area which Shiori and Kousuke was at, Kousuke called out to them.
“Congrats to you.”
“Thank you.” Shou replied with his soothing deep voice that has made countless of people swoon.
“Hey, Shiori, give some congratulatory words to your younger bro too!”
Under his uncle’s persistent bantering, Shiori raised his head and looked up towards Shou. It was then that Shiori noticed that in the past, both his and Shou’s eight were similar, but now, everything has changed.
‘Congratulations.’
Such a simple word to speak, yet Shiori was unable to say it out to the newlyweds. The word seemed to be stuck in his throat, unable to come out. His throat was dry, and was stinging him, making it very uncomfortable and painful.
“Congratulations, my Lord.”
At the same time Shiori spoke, other guests suddenly came over to greet and congratulate Shou. Shou turned around, and respectfully accepted and replied the guests who were giving him their blessings. Just like that, several guests started crowding around Shou and his wife, and Shou seemed to become so much further away from Shiori as he moved with the crowd. To Shiori, it was as if Shou did not want to bother protecting Shiori’s worthless self-esteem and that Shou made this fact very clear to Shiori.
Shiori clenched his fists tightly.
“Have you not given up on ascending the throne?”
Upon seeing Shiori’s small hand gesture, Kousuke shrugged in surprise, He continued,
“The King’s power is plenty indeed. Those who ascend the throne, when compared to others, seem to be so far away from the ma.s.ses in terms of power…just like heaven and earth.”
From the very beginning, Shiori knew that the right to ascend the throne is with Shou, who was birthed by the King’s First Wife.
Kousuke was even-tempered, and no matter with who – Shou, the King (who is Shou and Shiori’s dad and Kousuke’s elder brother), he has a great relationship with everyone. This is the very reason why he was able to live such a carefree life and not be exploited by others despite being in the Palace.In contrast, Shiori’s relationship with Shou is simply terrible, and is similar to that of rivals, or even that of enemies.
“Just try to get along with Shou.” Were the parting words that Kousuke left for Shiori before disappearing into the bustling crowd.
Soon after he left, a handsome middle-aged man who looked a little seedy went over to where Shiori was. Earl Marlo (I will reconfirm his name) is an influential businessman – he owns a large wine-making company and wine storage area in the country. His status is high enough to require other Earls to give him priority for matters.
“I would like to give my heartfelt congratulations to your younger brother regarding his marriage.”
“……Thank you.”
Since young, Shiori has heard several times about the colourful life of Marlo – his debauchery, and news of his affairs were heard every so often by Shiori. No matter what, Shiori knew that he would never be able to like this man who uses eyes full of vanity when looking at Shiori, as if trying to judge how attractive Shiori is.
“Is Your Highness thinking of settling down soon too?”
“……That is still unconfirmed.” Shiori replied in a manner that was ambiguous with a hint of resignation.
“You really have no freedom when you are a royalty. You might as well marry me, what do you think? You’re still as beautiful as ever, Shiori.”
Seeing a smile that seemed to imply nothing but malicious intent, Shiori could not help but to feel a shiver going down his spine.
As disgusting as Marlo’s proposal may sound, it may well become a reality for Shiori.
Marlo is someone who holds a high status in society, and if the King feels that this influence can be used to benefit the royal family, he might just order Shiori to marry him.
And if Shou orders Shiori to marry Marlo……
At this very moment, a sudden cry of joy and shrieks came from the main hall.
T
Note: This is just a one person thing, so there’s no proof readers or grammar checks and the like. Pardon any errors! Do feel free to point out any mistakes you spot.
Page 8 – Page 14 of the novel
