an unfortunate change in genre

Part 43

It goes unquestioned that within the romance genre, especially ones that dabble in the tired trope of 'will they, won't they', that at the moment of communication that is necessary for the progression of romance to develop, some external force will interfere and wreak havoc for the poor couple in question.

This standard trope had never before come face to face with Roksu Henituse.

There were very few things in any world, tropes or cliches included, that could face Roksu and come out intact.

"His highness is busy."

The somewhat blase attitude with which Roksu spoke with the aristocrat who had been demanding an audience with the crown prince caught him off guard.

Roksu Henituse was well-regarded, especially after the incident in the Henituse territory, and a close friend of the prince in question, but there was a certain decorum that ought to be respected!

"This is a matter of great urgency!" The noble insisted, glaring down at Roksu as though to assert that yes, he was above him. Not just in height but in status and importance.

Roksu was unimpressed and remained stationed at the door. "Write a note then." He said without a hint of sympathy for their woes.

It helped that he knew why they were there.

This was one of the few scenes that had remained relatively unchanged from the original work. A bunch of disgruntled nobles who were displeased with Alberu's performance at the ball and here to address how they believe he ought to handle matters.

If it were the original work, they would have been summarily dismissed by Alberu as he asserted that his marital situation was not as urgent as the broader struggles their kingdom was facing in the struggle against Arm and the White Star. Roksu was sure that he'd be able to find a good way to dismiss them this time as well.

But he had absolutely no intention of allowing that to be the case here.

Any incident short of death was going to have to wait until morning because Roksu had just about had it with the whole situation.

It made his brother sad, it made his highness sad, and it was just stupid. Was he the only one who thought it was stupid? Clearly. Because he was the only one putting his foot down.

He didn't care what happened behind those doors, he didn't want anything to do with it. The original plot of the novel could suck one of those damn lemons that Ron was so fond of and then face the assassin in a dark alleyway for making Cale upset.

Roksu had no sympathy left over for any of it.

He wanted to live a slacker life and there were just too many obstacles in the way of that very clear and concise goal. All he wanted to do was live his days peacefully without feeling stressed or upset. So of course he had to deal with the dumb White Star because the creep stressed him out. And obviously he needed the monarchy in the kingdom to be stable because he lived in this kingdom. It just went without saying that his brother needed to be happy as well because Roksu wouldn't rest easy if Cale was angsting all day.

Roksu was just a self-centered trashy piece of shit who wanted to live in peace damnit, and these persistent pests were currently directly in the way of that future.

"Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?!" The noble positively boiled over with indignation at the audacity of this mere count's son.

Roksu smiled. A broad and merciless smile that the whole world ought to fear.

He didn't take well to obstacles between him and his ultimate aspirations as a slacker.