“Well, so it’s you guys.”

The gardeners, ladies-in-waiting, maids, servants, and other related low-ranking nobles… There seemed to be a variety in the mix. If Davey had tried to catch them himself, probably half of them would have run away, so this was good. They were supposed to be working at the palace, but had taken advantage of Davey’s coma and ran away. They were also embezzlement criminals, taking their salaries without paying back a penny.

They looked terrified upon seeing Davey, as the rumor that he had lost his mind had already spread.

“Royal Attendant Bespard.” “Yes, Your Highness.”

“What is the punishment in this case?”

“They are heinous criminals. Originally, the punishment was the beheading of them and their immediate family members,” Bespard replied without hesitation.

The servants, who were tied up, were left in horror.

“Yo… Your Highness! I have committed a terrible crime!” “P… Please spare our lives!”

Most humans were willing to forgive after seeing people tremble and beg for forgiveness. Even if Davey was said to be crazy, he still was a ruler with a soft spot for affection, so the servants probably thought that he might cut them some slack. Or maybe this was their attempt at grasping at straws to live on.

“There’s a funny rumor that's been spreading around the palace recently.”

“What ‘rumor’ are you talking about?”

Ignoring the people begging on their knees, Davey spoke while staring at the royal attendant Bespard, “That I’m crazy for blood.”

“There is a rumor of that sort, yes.” Bespard spoke firmly, as if he could never speak in an evading manner.

Since the priest who came to treat Davey at his palace was slashed by a sword, it wasn’t strange that a rumor like that was going around. It was an immediate punishment without any investigation.

Of course, that was not a good enough reason to do something to Davey. This was basically why Queen Lynesse had only punished Davey with probation and was just quietly watching him. But something else may happen if Davey’s position weakened even more and the unjust ruling got worse with time. For now, all Davey was doing was punishing those who had violated the law.

“Then I must act accordingly.”

Royal Attendant Bespard silently lowered his head, then spoke to the knights who brought these kneeling servants. “Did you hear His Highness’ command?” “Yes!”

“Take them away. They are heinous criminals who dared to embezzle the precious national treasury. Lock them up and don’t even give them water. You will be beheaded in four days!”

“Oh, Mister Royal Attendant!”

“Please don’t kill me!”

Clearly ignoring the begging and crying, Bespard shouted sternly, “They are ones that leeched off the kingdom’s subjects and filled their own bellies. What are you doing?! Take them away!”

After those words, the knights dragged the begging and crying people out. Once that was done, Bespard addressed Davey again. “Then I will take my leave, Your Highness.”

“Did you say that this was an order from Her Majesty the Queen?”

“Yes. She said that she had been looking for those who dared to embezzle the national treasury.”

“That’s freaking ridiculous.”

Bespard was a little shocked at Davey’s words. “Your Highness, please remember your rank and use less profane language, please.”

‘Sorry, pops, but I’ve seen it all now. I remember you used to smile at me often and give me snacks when I was younger.’

“I will pick new people to work and have them here by the afternoon.”

“Put Amy as my personal lady-in-waiting. Since she’s had a lot on her plate, promote her to head of the ladies-in-waiting. And I can give bonuses separate from the palace’s budget, right?” “That’s right.”

“Give her a huge bonus.”

“Your wish is my command.” Bespard politely bowed.

“Oh, and…” Davey stopped the royal attendant, who was about to leave. “Is having a royal audience with my father still unavailable?”

The royal attendant remained silent. “I apologize.”

“Is that the order of my father, or the queen’s?”

Amused by the fact that Davey already had a grasp of the situation, Bespard just laughed it off. “All I do is deliver the orders.”

“Very well. You did well. You can go now.”

At Davey’s words, Bespard silently turned away. A moment later, he paused and spoke quietly, “Your Highness, you must persevere. The palace…”

“Stop, I know what you are going to say. Perseverance… I’ll keep that in mind.” Davey smiled at Bespard, who took his leave without hesitation.

Royal Attendant Bespard was one of the people not associated with Queen Lynesse. Davey knew that his words were not a warning, but more of advice from his years of experience. Surely, he also thought Davey was in a dangerous situation. He thought that Davey was a fearless prince with nothing, but he didn’t know one thing: Davey didn’t have nothing.

* * *

Queen Lynesse was cutting ties, getting rid of things that could potentially be a disgrace, and she was using the deal between her and Davey as an excuse. As she cut off the things that could be damning evidence one by one, she would eventually have nothing to be afraid of someday. That was probably the day that she was aiming for. Originally, Davey thought Queen Lynesse would strike immediately, but she was being quite cautious for whatever reason.

As Davey was quietly reading, Amy entered cautiously. “I have brought you a snack, Your Highness.”

“I’m always grateful.”

Amy’s face flushed as Davey smiled at her. She then said, “Your Highness. His Highness the Fourth Prince and Her Highness the Second Princess have come to the palace.”

“Baris and Winley?”

This was unexpected, but it was good news. Davey glanced up at Amy, who nodded and added, “Yes, it seems they have traveled here from the countryside as soon as they heard about your awakening.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“They said that they will be right here after having a royal audience with His Majesty the King.”

“How could I just do nothing? Please prepare refreshments and some aromatic tea, too.”

Smiling joyfully, Amy nodded.

* * *

The current king, Krianes O'Rowane, had one wife and two concubines. His wife was the current queen, Queen Lynesse. The first concubine was Anisha and the second was Alice.

Davey’s mother was supposed to be the queen, but she passed away when he was young. And since then, perhaps due to a political trick or something, all records of Davey’s mother were slowly disappearing. So, the only records left of her were those at the first prince’s palace.

Silently staring at a photograph, Davey looked at the beautiful black-haired woman who held him with a warm smile. Davey seemed full of himself, but he did think his soft features were quite handsome. Just as he took after his mother, his mother also looked stunning with black hair.

“I don’t know who he got it from, but your handsome son is living well.” Davey tried to talk to his mother, but of course, there was no response. “Is your life better there?”

A dead soul became reincarnated after following the orbital path of pilgrimage. Maybe Davey’s late mother had already reincarnated and was living in this world or another. Since there was no way to find her, seeing her again wasn’t an option.

“Just wait for me a bit longer. I can’t just let the guys who killed you die in peace, can I?”

As Davey quietly waited with cookies and tea, he heard two urgent voices.

“Brother Davey!”

“Brother Davey! It’s Winley! I’m here!”

“I’m right here, you two. Come in.”

Davey missed these voices. As he smiled with delight and allowed them to come in, the door flew open and a little boy and girl came running in. They were two children with green hair that suited them well. Fourth Prince Baris, and his twin, the Second Princess Winley, were both 14 years old.

“It’s been a while.”

“Big brother! When I heard that you had woken up, I managed to find time and came here on my horse as fast as I could. What a relief!” Baris shouted cutely.

When Davey ruffled Baris’ hair, Winley approached Davey as if she wanted a pat too. Davey then asked with a big grin, “Have you guys been well?”

The two nodded energetically.

“Of course. I am your younger brother. Nothing about living in the countryside is hard.”

“Ha! Weren’t you the one complaining nonstop?”

“What? How dare you speak to your older brother like that? And didn’t you also complain about the robbers as well?”

“You’re funny! You call someone born five minutes early older?”

“Ha!”

Seeing them bicker and chatter, Davey couldn’t help but smile. They were part of the few who weren’t Davey’s enemies. Just like in the past, they were people Davey trusted.

7. Surprise Attack.

Unlike the stupid, thoughtless Second Prince Carlus, or the creepy Benedict who had a twisted ideology, Baris and Winley were funny enough to make one doubt their royal status. They just seemed like bickering twin brothers and sisters.

The two had loud personalities, and they were now busy growling at each other. They almost forgot that Davey was there. Davey really felt like he was seeing children in their early teens. These guys were only 14; they had time to be childish and to play–well, at least by Davey’s standards.

“I’m glad to hear that you’ve been well. You were so little, and now you’ve grown so much.”

“It’s been six years, after all. After you collapsed, we went straight to the countryside.”

As Baris mumbled, looking somewhat angry, Davey couldn’t help but smile. He said, “Yeah, I roughly know about the situation.” It was safe to say that Queen Lynesse got rid of Baris, who was a distraction when choosing the candidate for the next king. It was also Queen Lynesse who sold over the First Princess Tanya, the First Concubine’s daughter, to a different country without batting an eyelid. Thus, Davey understood why she tried to get rid of the two, who had quite loud personalities.

“And you saw Father?”

“Yes.”

“How is he doing?”

“He looked a little tired. And…” Baris stopped in the middle of his sentence.

At the same time, Winley tilted her head in confusion. “Davey, you have not met Father yet?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Winley frowned at Davey’s remark, as if she didn’t like it. “Oh my…”

The king’s own son woke up from a coma after six years, and it’s been five months. Yet, Davey hasn’t seen his father’s face.

“I’ll probably get to meet him soon.”

“Big brother….”

Baris and Winley were also Davey’s step-siblings, but unlike the Second and Third Princes, these two really liked Davey. It was probably because, like Davey, they were also affectionate. But they were also tenacious and hardworking as well. That was why Davey liked and trusted them; the fact that Baris would be perfect as the next king would always be true.

“How could Her Majesty the Queen be so cold…” Winley reached out to Davey with a tearful face, and Davey hugged her. He silently patted her on the back.

“Are you feeling okay? I saw it on the way here. The palace…”

Davey nodded at Baris, who couldn’t finish his sentence. He explained, “There were people who embezzled the national treasury. Since I caught all of them and dragged them out, things should return to normal soon.”

Listening to Davey, Baris clenched his jaw in anger. “How could they… They knowingly abandoned you! By using the fact you were bedridden!”