How to Live as the Enemy Prince

When the tailor, Schatten Slake’s gaze fell upon Calian, he dropped the measuring tape in his hands in surprise. Schatten retrieved it from the floor and immediately put it away. He then took out a new tape as anything that had been soiled on the ground wasn’t to be used on the royal family.

Schatten stared at Calian and Yan’s intuition had him feeling uneasy – Schatten’s mouth opened to speak.

“Looking at the prince reminds me of Madame Freya.”

“Slake!”

Anxious, Yan immediately stopped Schatten from speaking. As if he had only realised what he had said upon Yan’s rebuke, Schatten looked flustered and bowed deeply to Calian.

“My deepest apologies, Your Highness.”

Calian was more surprised at the suddenly changed atmosphere and turned towards Yan for an explanation but found Yan bowing even more deeply.

“I’m sorry. I’ll have someone else sent in right away,” the attendant said. Calian furrowed his brows, unsure why they were apologizing and quickly rifled through his old memories.

‘Why do I have to search through these memories? Can’t the information just surface when I think of it?’ Like flipping through a picture book, memories related to this came to mind and his spirits sank.

“Ah…”

The original Calian had trembled at the knowledge that he resembled Freya, and he hated looking at his face in the mirror. For a long time he had suffered because he resembled someone he had not met since birth.

He now understood why Yan was so uneasy about bringing a mirror to Calian. Calian didn’t usually look at his face, and out of nowhere he made a fuss about it.

‘It’s weird that I haven’t been found out yet,’ 

Calian heaved a sigh. Of course he had no feelings for Freya now, but overcoming that much trauma in one morning might have looked suspicious. He was slowly getting his bearings, but he still had to show an ounce of reluctance. He searched for the right words before addressing Schatten.

“Keep doing what you’re doing. You don’t have to explain yourself. I know I look like my mother.”

Both of them were surprised at Calian’s words, but at least it didn’t look like their suspicions were aroused.

“Yes, of course. Let’s get started.”

Schatten, who was sure that he would get chased away, raised himself up and began to carefully measure Calian’s body, while an assistant wrote down the measurements.

After some time, Schatten finished his task and cautiously offered up some advice.

“I think you should eat more, Your Highness. I’m worried because you’re so thin.”

Calian smiled. There was no reason to be offended by something said out of worry. He wasn’t exactly small, but it was true that he was thin.

“Alright.”

Since the measurements were taken more quickly than expected, Calian thought he could take a little rest before dinner, but then the assistant hauled in some thick books. Schatten placed them on the table and opened them up.

“… what?”

One had illustrations of various types of robes, while another had samples of cloth, all of which were different in material and color. There were other books with laces that looked pretty much the same and all kinds of accessories, others with buttons and shoes. That was not even the end of it as the assistant came out with two more books after the first lot.

Calian had a face that was clearly indicating ‘all of this?’ and Schatten seemed to understand because he indicated that they were only getting started.

“Now we have to decide on the design, your highness, please choose a total of four,” 

“–how many suits?”

As the exhaustion was setting in before even starting the task at hand, the memories of the original Calian provided an explanation. 

There were five sets of clothes that needed to be prepared. The ceremonial clothing was already chosen, so there were 4 remaining. 

Calian’s face turned white, ‘You mean I have to pick all of that!?’ 

Bern had never experienced this in his own life. It was his mother the Queen who chose his clothes when he was a child, and after he became a knight, he wore nothing but the knight’s uniform. There was no need to choose other clothes. In addition, Secretia did not have such large and lavish events where one needed to have five sets of clothes at a time.

But now he didn’t have his mother to pick his clothes for him, and he didn’t have a knight’s garb. Yan, seeing his troubled expression, spoke.

“Isn’t your highness very different these days? However, because of the festival preparations, there have been no social events this month, as such, the first appearance of the changed Prince would be his Majesty's birthday festivities.”

“So what you’re saying is, dress up nicely and make a changed first impression?” 

“Yes, your highness,” 

“Right, I understand what you’re saying…”

Calian looked at the array of books covering the table. The mere sight of it made him feel exhausted. Would clothes even attract attention to a weak body that can’t even use mana?

“But I’m not that confident in my selections, you all can choose,” 

‘You’ referred to Yan and the maids that followed Calian – he wanted to push the tiring task on to them but Yan’s eyes widened and his cheeks flushed.

“Would that really be okay?”

“Of course.” Calian nodded and sat down on the sofa.

The war began, their passion lit like a flame.

For the past few days, the maids had followed Calian silently – they had not said a word the entire time but now began to speak up passionately, with the desire to make Calian stand out. 

Calian, who was listening to snippets of the conversation, occasionally threw in his own comments.

“No royal ribbons. Not even a small one.”

There was a moment of disappointment from the servants before they came up with another idea.

“Not too many frills,” Calian interrupted again. 

They didn’t give up. “…How about some lace?”

What the hell are they trying to make? And what were all the beads for?

Eventually, Calian edged himself between them and joined in the war of words. Before mana and aura – he had to stop ‘tasteful frills’ first.