The Prince Secret Wish

Chapter 4: Family Reunion

At the moment when the guards announced the entrance of my father and brother, the attention of all the guests turned to them, waiting for the duke to address a few words to his audience.

"I welcome all my guests, and thank you for opening a space in your busy schedules to attend my dear son's birthday." Said my father as he entered the hall. All the eyes were focus on him. I mean, with his powerful aura, it was hard not to notice him.

Next to him, my brother step up and followed after my father. "Thank you father for your kind words. Just like he said, I thank you all deeply for coming to my coming of age celebration. As the next lord of House Silverheart, I will dedicate myself to making this house more successful than it already is. I hope I can count on the support of all of you."

After Xander finished his speech, the room was filled with applause. Most of the guests were here to create connections with the current and next duke, so obviously they wouldn't leave my brother without compliments and praises. I bet most of the people here want to give their daughters in marriage to increase their influence within the kingdom. Well, that was to be expected, now that Xander is of marriageable age, engagement proposals will rain down on him like a storm.

After all, That's how it is in this world. When you turn fifteen, you can already get married. If you ask me, it's completely crazy. Although, well, that's why I think now because I have memories of my past life on earth. Since before I died, marriage at this age looked normal to me back then.

Although I am still three years from my coming of age ceremony, I highly doubt anyone would want to give their daughter to be my wife. It's not like it matters though, at the end of the day, I don't have the slightest desire to spend the rest of my life with someone, I'll have a calm and carefree life.

My ultimate goal is to curry favor with my family, get some money, and run away from the kingdom. Although that's the plan of living a peaceful life, I can't forget everything I experienced in my past life so easily.

Although thanks to that, I now know how rotten the noble society is. When I was harassed at the royal academy, I could tell that the nobles only care about themselves. As long as you are of any use to them, they will not be kind to you. That became clear when I was molested, even though I was the son of a duke even the sons of a baron teased me. Although there were also those who knew of my condition but were only spectators.

Leaving aside those dark days, I think that in order to have a peaceful and safe life, I will have to go to some village far away from all the problems. Maybe it's a good idea to go to another country. But before thinking so much about the future, for now I have to focus on what I can do now.

A few moments after my brother finished his speech, the nobles came one by one to greet the duke and my brother. In my past life, I didn't even get close to the sight of these two, I just followed Elizabeth's orders to stand in a corner quietly. But being able to speak directly with the duke is an opportunity I won't pass up.

After a few minutes, it was finally my turn. To be completely honest, it's the first time I've talked to my family in a long time. I'm so nervous, my body wants to shake, but I have to keep up my cool act if I want to make my plan work.

"G-greetings, Your Excellency the Duke, dear brother, it is my pleasure to be able to see you on this day of jubilation, may the blessing of the Sun God fall on the day of your coming of age, I pray that your future years bring glory and prosperity to the duchy and the kingdom." I said with the greatest elegance I can muster, and then bowed with all the grace worthy of a son of the duke.

"Thanks...dear brother." Xander said nervously.

Hehe, how was that, amazing, right?

I could tell very easily from Xander's and my father's faces that they were very surprised by my greeting. Well, I don't blame them. That's a classic kingdom greeting. It's rare for a twelve-year-old to be able to say it so fluently. But this is like moving a piece of cake. In my past life I had Spartan training from Elizabeth when it came to etiquette, something like this is no challenge for me. Besides, I'm sure they wouldn't expect shy and frail Andrew to be able to do such a perfect salutation.