"Understood," Luke said calmly.
With no other choice, he followed the butler through the castle. His eyes roamed the building in awe this place was far more magnificent than anything he had seen in the game.
he couldn't believe this only Luke personal castle gonna be this huge. All the royal family had their own castle, the king and the queen reside in the main castle. While the prince and princess had their own castle made for them.
The hallway itself had feeling walking in fairy tale, deep blue carpet stretch on his feet, oil painting hung on the wall giving it grand and timeless elegance to the hall.
In the distance, he noticed a few maids chatting while wiping down the furniture. The bright light made them seem almost radiant, their soft laughter ringing like music through the hall. Gold accents on the furniture sparkled, adding to the grandeur. But as soon as one maid caught sight of Luke, she tapped the others making the cheerful laughter died instantly. They hurried back to their work, not daring to meet the prince's gaze.
As he remind when he explore the castle in the game, when the MC Mikhail ventured through the castle, the skies above had turned black under an eternal eclipse. Golden rings were the only source of light in the kingdom the rest was swallowed by darkness. The moon was the only celestial body casting a faint glow, at night while the castle itself had been empty and abandoned.
The only one that moving inside is the guards who once swore loyalty had become mindless, undying puppets wandering the halls.
Luke shook his head, he need focusing on the present. Before he could think further, he needed to know something crucial: what year is this? His survival would depend on it.
"Sir… what year is this?" he asked the butler.
The butler's lips parted slightly, his eyes widening in surprise. He quickly composed himself, closing his eyes as if nothing had happened. Though he wanted to glance at the young prince behind him, he dared not.
"It is the year 3320, era of second cosmos" he said.
Luke barely noticed the butler's reaction, his mind spinning with calculations. The timeline confirmed his suspicion this was not the main timeline of the game. He still had six years before the tragedy unfolded. In the game, Mikhail's journey began in 3321, Luke ascended the throne in 3326, and Mikhail reached Auretemia in 3328.
The main timeline would start in just a year. Where Mikhail gonna start his journey.
A shiver of dread ran through him. He needed to act quickly, relying on the knowledge he had from the game but there were still unknown events to anticipate. The game focused on Mikhail's story, not Luke's, so all he knew about his own actions came from NPC dialogue or any writing about Luke.
The butler halted and turned to face him, bowing slightly. At the momentum Luke stopped walking.
"Your Majesty, your new tutor is inside," the butler said. "Please ensure this one does not quit, as requested by Her Majesty."
"New?" Luke asked, curiosity flickering.
"If I may ask… what happened to the last one?"
The butler's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly. "Your Highness, the last one found you… unintelligent beyond measure. She quit."
Luke internally deadpanned. He could easily imagine the number of lecturers who had cried or turned red in anger at his remarks.
"And what mistake did the last lecturer make?" he asked.
"She gave you a ninety-two."
A 92?
Thscoreeven higher than my score! Luke mentally flinched. The original Luke would have probably will burried.
If the og Luke seen that grade his personal best had been only sixty-two.
Even a flying pig more reasonable than him getting a good grade.
Clearing his throat, he said, "I understand. I won't do anything unusual."
"Before that, young master…" the butler began.
"Yes?"
"Have you taken your medicine?" The butler questioned suddenly.
Luke head tilted slightly. "And why you ask that?"
"You not your usual self."
That question just shocked Luke to the core, he gasped internally it like someone had dishonored his family and his cow.
'Im insulted! '
Isn't that question too brutally honest for asking if someone right in the head or not.
Luke paused for a moment Then realization struck like thunder.
Oh, right… I'm a scum.
In a split second, he adjusted his demeanor, masking any hint of vulnerability like a professional performer.
"Of course I have, you pathetic fool. Even if I hadn't, it's none of your concern," Luke said coldly.
The butler sighed in relief, his face relaxing. "Good to know."
Wait… is he just sighed in relief? And why is he actually glad?
Luke crossed his arms, chin raised. "You fool! Why even ask in the first place?"
The butler remained calm. "It is Her Majesty's order to ensure you take your medicine."
Luke's suspicion faded. The man was only following orders. "Of course I have, as I told you. What kind of medicine is it, anyway?"
"Constipation medicine."
…What?
Luke blinked once then twice absorning the new information.
The supposedly menacing final boss was… actually constipated?
He laughed internally at the thought. They should have made the title poop prince instead of puppet prince.
A ridiculous weakness that hidden from the world.
"Goh!"
He felt like slight tap from behind his head, it's not really hard but it stung for quite some time.
Krrr krrrr
That voice again... But there nothing here. He ignore the small voice he heard, he need to continue.
"If that's all please proceed then, Sebastian." He said coldly.
"But my name is Eric," the butler corrected.
Embarrassment crept across Luke's face, he kept his composure he coughed lightly waving his hand. "Whatever. Just proceed."
As Eric opened the door, sunlight spilled into the room, casting a warm glow despite the chilly air outside. A personal desk, neatly arranged with everything Luke would need for his studies, sat ready. A polished cup set rested on the table, gleaming in the light.
Across from the desk, a perfectly clean black chalkboard stretched wide, and a small wooden oak podium stood between it and Luke's desk.
When the door opened the tutor who's been awaiting for him glanced briefly at the prince before bowing politely, his body tense.
Luke immediately notice the man with medium brown hair the side neatly to the back while the rest of his hair flow freely. The man seem in his late 20,he had quiet elegance in his movement.
"My prince, I have been awaiting your arrival," the man said politely. "I am Celdric Heizer, your private tutor at your service, Your Highness."