Kays Translations

Chapter 39: Days Immersed in Reversi

Tauro was originally supposed to teach the prince Reversi once a week, but the schedule was abruptly increased to three times a week.

The prince had strongly insisted on it.

On the remaining days, Tauro divided the high-ranking nobles and their children into several groups and taught each group on an assigned day.

At first, Tauro had been worried.

Their instructor was a ten-year-old child and, worse in their eyes, a commoner.

He hadn’t expected them to take his instruction seriously. However, teaching the most senior nobles, the prime minister himself, and Fifth Prince Fleue gave him considerable prestige, so hardly anyone caused trouble.

One day, while instructing the prince, their usual conversation over a game turned to Fleue’s circumstances.

“This is a kingdom ruled by humans, so people view me as an outsider because I’m a half-elf. I’m not treated carelessly because my mother belongs to the elven royal family of an allied nation. But unless I earn everyone’s recognition, they’ll always handle me like something fragile. That’s why I want to defeat Prime Minister Barriera at Reversi and make everyone acknowledge me.”

It was a sudden confession.

“And what do you want to do once they acknowledge you?”

Tauro wanted to hear the prince’s true feelings.

“Nothing in particular. I don’t want to become the heir. My elder brothers are admirable men, and I would be content to support them in the future. But I want at least one thing I can do better than other people, so that I can have confidence in myself!”

I see. So defeating the prime minister isn’t merely about refusing to lose.

Tauro gained new respect for the prince.

From then on, he put even more effort into the lessons, and Fleue’s skill improved rapidly.

During that time, several things also happened to Tauro.

First, he had the carriage replaced.

The royal carriage attracted far too much attention.

At the same time, he was forced to change inns.

Being collected and returned in a royal carriage had transformed the inn’s treatment of him.

The staff had already been courteous because Tauro had been introduced by one of their regular clients, the Garfish Trading Company. Once a royal carriage appeared, however, they realized he was no ordinary guest. They moved Tauro and Mina into their finest rooms, and the innkeeper himself began waiting on Tauro.

Unable to bear any more, Tauro changed inns under the pretext of moving closer to the castle.

“The innkeeper looked terribly sad.”

Mina recalled after they had moved.

“I feel bad about it, but with that kind of treatment, I really had no choice.”

Tauro smiled wryly.

Sebas, the prince’s aide, had recommended their current inn, but Tauro had booked it himself, so the service remained normal.

Despite the unusual pairing of a ten-year-old child and his bodyguard, the staff welcomed them without complaint. Tauro considered it a fine establishment that didn’t change its manner according to the guest.

It was, however, a luxurious inn near the castle and therefore extremely expensive. Sebas had thoughtfully arranged for the royal family to pay the bill through the Garfish Trading Company.

Sebas really was capable!

“Sebas” had merely been the nickname Tauro invented because he didn’t know the man’s name. One day, however, while thanking him for recommending the inn and arranging payment, Tauro accidentally called him “Sebas.”

The man looked puzzled. Of course he did; as far as the man Tauro had provisionally dubbed Sebas knew, Tauro had just addressed someone else.

“I don’t recall introducing myself to you, Master Satou. Did His Highness tell you my name?”

Wait, your name really is Sebas!?

The real Sebas looked puzzled, Tauro looked astonished, and Mina had no idea what was happening.

An awkward silence followed, and Tauro ultimately pretended he had heard the name from the prince.

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