I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 97

Chapter 94: I’ll Wait for You

After Roy left, Prince Leo rushed into the meeting room with urgency after receiving the summons.

After a brief greeting, Leo glared at Robert, fidgeting in frustration. “Father, I’m no longer that kid from back then! This expedition is my chance to make a name for myself. Why should I follow you into battle?!”

“Idiot!” Robert was a brutish man, and he didn’t hold back even with his own son.

“Facing the dragon clan isn’t a game! If something goes wrong, what happens to the kingdom’s future? Besides, with your skills, you’d only be a liability!”

As long as the green hills remain, one need not worry about firewood.

Robert had courage, but he wasn’t foolish. If the dragon clan’s strength truly exceeded expectations, even if they were annihilated, they could at least ensure the survival of the Lionheart family’s legacy.

Eighteen years ago, Robert was the one left to guard that legacy.

So he understood that at Leo’s hot-blooded age, he couldn’t grasp the bigger picture.

Sure enough, Leo slammed his hands on the table and coldly said, “Charlotte is enough for the kingdom! Eighteen years ago, Brother Leonardo was sent to war and earned honor. Why can’t I…”

“Enough!”

Robert’s furious roar sounded like thunder, shaking the windowpanes and rattling the cups on the tea table.

Even Leo felt a tremor in his heart, left speechless.

Lionheart King Robert’s reddish-brown beard quivered with anger, his slightly weathered brows furrowed as his crimson eyes seemed to blaze with fire. “Charlotte is enough? Do you want to place all the responsibility on your sister? Is that what a brother, what a prince, is supposed to say?!”

“Why can’t I come along?”

“You little brat, just for that comment, I won’t take you!!!”

Leo’s face turned pale, his lips trembling as if he wanted to unleash something.

But under Robert’s fierce gaze, he ultimately said nothing and stormed off, frustration boiling inside him.

Only then did Robert let out a sigh, weary as he rubbed his temples.

“That little brat is really getting more reckless!”

“We should be more tolerant of youth,” Karl offered with a faint smile.

Originally, Karl was more pessimistic about the younger generation, but Roy’s changes had dramatically shifted his outlook.

“What do you think of this kid?” Robert slumped into the only chair in the meeting room, looking thoroughly exhausted.

For him, ruling a kingdom was harder than fighting battles, and raising a son was even tougher than ruling.

“He has good potential, but his temperament still needs refinement.”

Karl’s assessment was quite objective.

In fact, Robert shared the same view.

The firstborn prince, Leonardo, was good at leading troops, but if he were to govern, the kingdom would likely fall apart within a year. That’s why he was sent to guard the Desperate Defense Line.

As for Charlotte, although she had extraordinary talent, she was still young, and as a father, Robert didn’t want to burden his only daughter with the weight of the kingdom.

Only Leo, though he was not as capable of leading troops as Leonardo and lacked Charlotte’s exceptional talent, combined the strengths of both. He had a decent mind and was proficient in political maneuvering, making him the best bet for ensuring the kingdom’s long-term stability during peaceful times.

Though Robert never voiced it, he was quite hopeful about Leo’s potential and regarded him as the most worthy heir to cultivate.

But…

“Needs refinement? Hmph, with his inability to judge situations, he’ll need at least another ten years!”

Robert viewed Leo as still too immature for the responsibility.

——————————————————

Back in his room, gazing at the majestic main hall of the Sunset Red Castle, adorned with rubies, Leo’s dark feelings churned even more.

He had known this outcome all along.

Compared to his brother and sister, he was the least expected.

Robert never treated him with the same respect he showed Leonardo or showered him with affection like he did with Charlotte.

What Robert left him was always disdain and shouting.

But precisely because of this, Leo could anticipate every move his father made, setting everything in order.

“Ha, I don’t need your charity.”

Leo extended his hand toward the imposing main hall outside the window, gripping it tightly, a twisted, unsettling smile appearing on his face.

“I will obtain everything I desire with my own hands!”

————————————————

“Knowledge!”

As Roy spoke his name, the official responsible for registration and Charlotte, who stood by, both froze in shock.

Well, it seems he’s impressed by his own naming talent.

After all, the uncouth people of the kingdom, just like those hot-blooded youths, keep recycling the same names. They probably can’t understand my pursuit of culture and wisdom!

“Your Highness Roy, that name will be recorded in the family tree and history. Are you sure you want to name it that?” the official hesitated, unsure.

“Uh, are you sure you don’t want to think again…” Charlotte also wore a complicated expression.

Roy waved his hand decisively, cutting them off. “No, it’s this one!”

“I’m not just naming it randomly; it’s based on a famous saying—knowledge is power! It embodies culture and strength, isn’t that wonderful?” Roy affectionately stroked the griffin’s head, completely lost in his own world.

The Golden-Winged Griffin made a silly noise, not understanding the human language, but simply found the sound delightful.

Faced with Roy’s resolute attitude, the young official could only helplessly jot down the name of the first Golden-Winged Griffin in the history of the kingdom.

Cheese.

Honestly, Charlotte almost laughed.

Her own Cake was already ridiculous enough, and now he had to add a Cheese! The kingdom’s dignity was practically in shambles!

But seeing Roy’s proud and serious expression, she ultimately exercised her upbringing as a lady of the royal family, biting her lip and stifling her laughter.

After registering the name of the Golden-Winged Griffin, they returned to the meeting room, where Karl had finished his discussions.

Charlotte escorted Roy to the palace doors, and the two young people paused in tandem.

Karl thoughtfully moved the accompanying guards to the other side, giving them privacy.

“Don’t forget our promise,” Charlotte said, her eyes dimmed slightly, but she still tried to lift her chin, putting on her usual haughty stance.

“…We clearly agreed that I would accompany you for a dance, but I seem to be the one breaking the promise all the time,” Roy self-deprecatingly smirked, feeling a hint of guilt.

As a princess continually let down, it was remarkable that Charlotte wasn’t angry.

But Charlotte pretended to be nonchalant and waved her hand: “There’s no helping it.”

“After all, the kingdom is in turmoil, and it’s not the time for a ball.”

Charlotte’s gaze became serious, her majestic red hair catching the wind, making the princess appear like a beautiful crimson flower under the summer sun—stunning and noble yet stern and breathtaking.

“I am a royal daughter, and you are the son of a marquis. We both have responsibilities to bear. While the citizens fight at the front, how can we enjoy ourselves at a ball?”

The determination and brilliance in the girl’s eyes made Leo feel a flutter, a mix of admiration and pity.

He somewhat understood why people respected this princess.

However, fundamentally, she was just a年轻 girl, yet she had to bear the heavy burden of the monarchy; how could that be easy for her?

The hopeful smile from when they parted the night before was firmly burned into Roy’s heart.

Right now, Charlotte was merely hiding her loneliness and disappointment deep inside her heart.

Charlotte put on a commanding air, as if wanting to say something graceful: “So…”

“So, once everything is over, I’ll definitely make up for that dance,” Roy preemptively flashed her a smile, leaving that promise behind.

Charlotte was momentarily taken aback.

Then, Roy turned and stepped onto the carriage with Karl.

As the breeze rustled, the gravity lifted, and Charlotte hugged her hair, smirking shyly, her face flushed, and her gaze softened.

With both reluctance and hope, the girl gazed longingly in the direction Roy departed, awkwardly yet softly muttering.

“Idiot.”

“I’ll wait for you.”