The following days after I found out that I have been reincarnated as one of the lead protagonists of the book that was meant to educate young nobles, I focused on observing the palace, preparing myself for the day the story will start.
Namely, the arrival of the small Royal Tutor, Heine Wittgenstein.
But first, my schedule tells me that it is time for fencing lessons.
"Prince Leonhard!" A maid calls out to me from outside my room.
"Coming!" I shout in reply, fixing my bangs and adjusting my uniform.
It was never mentioned in Royal Tutor, but apparently Leonhard was friends with the maids, said maids finding him endearing. It was never seen in the book though. I wonder what happened?
"-ince Leonhard? Are you listening?" I jolt in surprise when the maid, whose name is Alina, tapped my shoulder gently.
"Ah! I'm very sorry, can you repeat what you said?" I sheepishly smiled.
Alina sighed in fond exasperation. "I was just tellling his highness that after breakfast, you are to attend Herr Ester's fencing lessons. Then you are expected to greet and attend to Duke Weytler's daughter, Lotte. Your father sincerely requests that you don't skip anything, especially the visit of Lady Lotte."
"Is she one of the candidates to be my betrothed?" I ask the maid, who was shocked at my question.
She sighs in sadness and hangs her head. "I was hoping to not inform you of that, my prince. But yes, if the two of you take to each other, then your father shall arrange the both of you to be engaged."
Well, that is no surprise. What was weird was the fact that at the books, Leonhard had said that he never had an arrangement. Most likely, there were plans, but the ladies that Leo met did not take to him and the plans were cancelled. I never even knew whether Leo was arranged with someone, since the series was still ongoing by the time I died. I wished I knew what was the Professor's past, he said that he tried to kill the king when he was young, and the volume ended there.
After we walked through various corridors, we finally arrived at the dining room.
"I shall leave you here, your highness." Alina bowed. "I shall return thirty minutes later to lead you to the fencing hall."
"I understand, Alina. Thank you." I smile gratefully at the maid.
I nod at the guards, who turned the knobs and opened the door, finding Father, Grandmother, Kai and Bruno already inside and eating.
"Good morning everyone." I smile smoothly, skipping- mimicking Leo's behavior- to the table, pulling back the chair before any maid can, and plopping at the seat, finally letting one of the maids push my chair closer to the table, since my short legs have yet to reach the floor, dangling just above it.
"Good morning, Leo." Father smiles. "Energetic as always, I see."
"Yes, I did hear that aside from my fencing classes today, Lady Lotte is going to be visiting." I smile back, beginning to eat my breakfast.
"Ah, they already informed you of that?" Father tilts his head. "Also, I assumed that you would be less than enthused due to the news. If I may, what changed?"
Ah yes, Leonhard was less than trusting of others due to that blasted tutor. Well, I just need to channel my utmost court mask for this conversation.
I smiled brightly. "Well, I figured that I should start carrying my weight as a royal, instead of treating people badly. My past experiences may be a reason, but it is no excuse for my behavior."
Eins, who I forgot was still here in Weisburg as he was still not of age, unceremonously spat his coffee out in shock.
"Prince Eins!" Ernst, who was already Eins' steward at the time, went to his choking prince's aid.
"Are you okay, Brother Eins?" I turn to my eldest brother with faux sweetness, knowing that I am blatantly giving out clues that I am no longer the same Leonhard they knew.
"Just fine, thank you for asking, Leonhard." Eins replies back, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Knowing the chat ended there, I turn back to resume eating my breakfast, seperating the greens to try to stop the suspicions about my identity.
They must've noticed their second-youngest prince acting weirdly after he bumped his head. I must ease it by deceiving them into thinking that Leonhard willingy done some, and for those where I accidentally let my Queen persona out, I shall play with them with Leo's face.
Due to me being submerged in my thoughts, I haven't realized I finished my food, until I scooped food and nothing came to my lips.
Realizing this, I felt my face heat up. Even worse, Licht saw me.
"Leonie? Are you still asleep? You ate air." He asked, with the behavior of a child. Meaning, he loudly asked this, resulting in the whole table hearing.
"B-Blast you, Licht!" I stammered. "I'll have you know I did it intentionally!"
"That's a weird reason, Leonie." Licht told me.
"Well, maybe he was spacing out, Licht. It's not uncommon." Bruno replied.
"It's still funny though." Licht laughed.
"T-That aside," Father attempts to stop our bickering. "Duke Weytler and Lady Lotte would be arriving at three in the noon. Prepare at least three activities for the both of you, Leonhard."
"You can count on me, Father!" I determinedly replied.
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As I ducked under Bruno's swing, I contemplated what would be the suitable activities for Lady Lotte and I.
Tea Party? Too normal.
Walk in the garden? Hm, I heard from the nobles in my kingdom that they liked seeing flowers. Walk in the Palace Garden, then.
I slammed my fencing sword to Bruno's, making a loud sound.
Bruno then raised his hand suddenly, making our swords rise, and catching me off guard.
As a finishing blow, he pointed his fencing sword at my chest, signifying my loss.
"Are you okay, Leo? You would normally be able to evade the swing technique." Bruno aksed me, lending a hand so I can stand back up.
"I was just thinking of what activities Lady Lotte would like. I only got walking in the garden when she would be arriving in an hour!" I clutched my side bangs in distress.
"Maybe a tea party?" Bruno advised. "I heard that noble ladies like them."
"I thought of that, but I thought that it was too plain..."
"Why not make it extravagant? Leonhard style." Bruno asked.
"Huh? How could I make it extravagant my style and still please her? The only thing I'm good at are physical activities."
"Maybe have a tea party at out treehouse?" Bruno pointed out.
"Huh? That treehouse is ours, plus, it won't be able to be cleaned in time."
"Oh it will be." Bruno smiled. "Have faith in our servants."
Tea Party at our treehouse, then.
After Bruno and I asked our servants to make our treehouse presentable for a tea party, we resumed planning.
"Considering the length of their stay, the two activities should be enough, but we should still prepare a third." Bruno adjusted his glasses.
"What could Lady Lotte like?" I swung myself in thought.
"Perhaps, instead of us preparing a third, why don't you ask her what she would like?" Bruno suggested.
That's it!
"Thank you, brother Bruno! You're amazing!" I squealed, because that was the answer!
"G-Glad to be of help, Leo. Good luck." Bruno smiled.
"Thank you, I'll be sure to secure an engagement for the future of this kingdom!" I tell him.
"We don't expect you to procure an engagement so early, you know?" Father walks up to us, suddenly appearing from behind a bush.
"F-Father?!" We jump in shock.
"Ehehe, sorry about that." Father scratches the back of his neck.
"But, I meant what I said earlier, Leo. You don't need to please Lady Lotte, just play with her, and we'll see how it goes." Father continues.
"Mm. Thanks, Father, Bruno."