It's been two years since I've been reincarnated into this world. I've more or less learned the basics of the language here through listening to stories told by mother or the maids during bedtime. I've also started to read books brought by the maids though I find some difficulty in it considering the language is completely different from japanese.

I tend to practice my reading and speaking by reading these books to Luciana, who, from my observation, is just a normal child. I've thought that since we were twins, that she would also be a reincarnate but apparently not.

Her growth is normal. She started crawling in about a year then started to stand and walk a few months after. She can speak but only single words like "Mama" or "Papa". My latest mission is to get her to say my name but to no avail. I guess "Lucien" is still hard for her to say.

After they feed us food, we are expected to take a nap but most times, I don't feel lethargic so I end up sneaking out. I tried countless times but unfortunately for me, the maid assigned to us is very attentive.

Her name is Valentine. She seems to be in her late forties. With a greyish blonde hair and a face that's started to wrinkle due to old age, she was basically our babysitter.

Valentine was almost always around for as long as I can remember. She was there helping during our birth and now, she directs the other maids on how to tend to our needs. There was even a time when Valentine instructed mother on how to properly carry us which leads me to believe that she has experience in taking care of kids.

I got curious about it so after eating our meal, I decided to ask her about it.

"Ms.Valentine?" I asked.

"No, young prince. Go to sleep." she retorted.

I haven't even said anything yet! Although with the timing of my question, I can't really blame her for acting that way.

"No! I just wanted to ask you a question, if it's alright." I'll try to approach this in a polite manner lest I want to meet the sharp end of her hand.

She let out a deep sigh. "As long as you go to sleep after then it's fine." I guess I really have to go to sleep, huh.

"Do you, have children, by any chance?" I asked.

She looked at me sternly, as if I had asked something forbidden. This woman is scary!

"That isn't a question a kid should be asking. Now go to sleep!" She shouted as she flicked a finger at my forehead.

"Ack!" That hurt like hell! Just what is this woman doing to a two year old kid?! I swear I felt my skull cracked.

As I look back at her, I noticed a pained expression show on her face briefly with tears welling up in her eyes. I really went out of line with that question, huh.

"Ms. Valentine?" I called out to her.

She quickly composed herself to the strict caretaker that she'd been a minute ago. "You're still awake? Kids who don't follow what adults say gets spanked!"

Seriously? Despite being a kid right now, I'm technically a thirty-year old man. I don't want to end this new life from dying of embarassment.

"I just want to ask another question." I replied in a panic.

"Another one of your dumb questions?" She said in an angry tone reminiscent of an angry cartoon character with steam blowing out of their ears.

"W-well.. it's more like a favor." I don't mean to change the subject here but it's been about two years since reincarnating into this world. I really want to see the outside world. I have seen glimpses of the outside whenever I would get carried but I only see the sky which implies we're very high up ourselves.

She didn't say anything this time. Instead, she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, as if to say "Well? Let's hear it."

I need to convince her somehow or I'll be spending the next couple of months to a year still holed up in this room. I'm just about to hit my limit here.

"Um... can you take us outside of this room?" I asked whilst trying my hardest to do puppy dog eyes.

"I can't allow that, young prince. I already said that before, didn't I? Referring to the first time I tried to sneak out.

"Why not?!" I retorted with fake tears welling up in my eyes.

After a deep sigh, she says "Because it's dangerous for the both of you. You two are children of King Argus and Queen Laine."

She continues, "There are many in this castle who are afraid of your potential causing them to do things they shouldn't do."

Potential? Things they shouldn't do? Will assassins be sent my way just because father boasted about me being advanced than most children? It seems this new life is going to be harder than I thought.

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Valentine went closer to me, so close that she's practically on my face. "And this is why you should never EVER sneak out, do you understand?"

That's quite an ominous thing to say, don't you think? But what choice do I have but to follow her order. With a defeated look on my face, I replied "I understand, I'm sorry."

She pulled herself back and stared at my face for a few seconds when she let out another sigh. Damn, this lady just keeps on sighing.

"If you're really persistent on seeing the outside then I shall have a word about it with your mother." she surprisingly said.

"Really?!"

"Yes, but it'll probably be brief."

"Thank you so much Ms. Valentine!" That was a surprise but I guess I'll be seeing the outside world sooner than later.

"Now go to sleep, young prince."

"I will!" and with that, she went out of the room leaving me and Luciana who's asleep despite the considerable noise that conversation made.

Still, it seems there are people who wants me gone, but why? I've heard from the other maids gossiping with each other that I apparently pose a threat to my older siblings.

This royal stuff is really a pain though. I have no desire to inherit the crown anyway. I guess I'll just have to tone down being a genius and start acting my own age.

Valentine York

Prince Lucien tried to sneak off again. It's always something with this kid, I swear. As if being born as twins isn't odd enough, it seems Prince Lucien possesses incredible intellectual prowess making him a threat to his older siblings' succession to the throne.

Both Queen Ferris and Queen Pria seem to be the most intimidated of all though which I find silly. I guess that's part of being royalty, something that I'll never understand, being born to low nobility.

Earlier, after eating their meals, Prince Lucien caught me off guard with his question. Not only did it came out of nowhere, children normally don't ask questions like that. Just another thing that adds to the oddness of the prince.

Children, huh... It's been a while since I last visited my family back home. I wonder how the residents of Yorktown are doing? How are my parents faring these days and him... I wonder how he's doing now. Part of the reason why I haven't visited for a while now is because of him. No, no... I musn't think that.

I really should focus on my work and right now, it is to take care of the prince and the princess.

Prince Lucien is adamant on wanting to wander around the castle grounds. I told him that it's close to impossible as there are people out there who wants to harm him and his sister. There are no lies there and yet, why did I told him that I'll talk to Queen Laine about that matter?

Laine Arlay, the young princess from the kingdom of Arcadia. Despite being as young as 21 years old, she's a proficient swordswoman.

In the few years that I've known her, I've found out that she's fearless yet easy to agitate, strong yet a bit lacking up there, if you know what I mean.

After coming to the castle and becoming Queen Consort, we were all shocked at the sight that befell us. Our new queen was unladylike and lacked manners that royalty should possess.

I ended up becoming one of her teachers and that's where I got to know her. Despite her crassness, she's of pure heart unlike the other queens.

If I were to tell her that her son is asking to go around exploring the place, she'll surely approve of it. Most likely without security and she'll probably say that she can handle it if things go south.

Oh no! Why must things be this way.

As I was wondering around the castle in search of that distinct purple hair, I have spotted Queen Laine at the courtyard where the kingdom's soldiers are training. It seems she'd never lost her love for sword fighting as she spars with a soldier who is afraid to strike back, fearing that he might injure the queen.

The sparring seems to exhaust her as she was short of breath. Even so, I approached her with the intention of bringing up Prince Lucien's wish.

"Your majesty", I greeted her with a bow.

"Stop that, Valentine. Didn't I tell you to just call me Laine?" As always, this queen of ours doesn't understand that she is royalty.

"Your majesty, please remember what I taught you." I retorted.

She didn't utter a word... or it actually looks more like she couldn't.

It seems she does remember our lessons. Especially when I'd pinch her ear when she'd purposefully fail something.

Oh, that's right!

"Your majesty, prince Lucien was asking if him and Luciana could be taken out of their room." I'm really hoping she'd decline. Make things way easier for all of us.

"Hmm...." she was lost in thought.

"I'll allow it!" she exclaimed.

.....

I knew this was a bad idea.

"But my queen, it isn't safe. Surely, you know of this as well?" I retorted.

"It should be fine, Valentine. I can protect them both." she said with a smile brimming with confidence.

"Haaaah..." I let out a deep sigh. "As you wish, my queen."

"Well, that settles it. We'll wander around the castle tomorrow. You'd better get ready Ms. Valentine."

...... huh? Why do I have to get ready as well?

"Um.. why me as well?" I asked with a dumbfounded look sprawled across my face.

"Well, Lucien can walk just fine but someone needs to carry Luciana." she replied. "I can't strike my sword at the enemy if I carry her." she says as she starts to swing her sword in the air.

She went back into sword practice as I was left standing there processing what I was just told.

That woman! As if bringing out the prince and princess isn't bad enough, now I'm getting mixed up in this too!

I have to get ready for tomorrow. Perhaps I should visit the armory and get myself those armors the knights would wear.