5 Years Old Q of Hearts (Part 2)

After flying about for a while, we could see a beautiful garden. Somehow there was this high class feeling about it, so the important people might be there. I headed in the direction of the garden. In the centre of the garden was a white fountain surrounded by roses in full bloom. Red, white, pink flowers of beautiful colours were mixed together.

Suddenly, I felt like I heard a voice, so I looked down, and when I did, I saw the figure of a child about our age. They were a small boy with beautiful blonde hair, and surrounding him were a group of boys dressed like nobles. The boys surrounding him might be a little older. But for a group of children playing together, things looked a little strange.

Is that, bullying

One of the children grabbed the small blonde boy by the collar, and the other boys started cackling. It was a revolting scene. Before long, the surrounding boys began to push the blonde child around. I cant watch this.

Will you save that boy?

As though he was waiting for this timing, Achille whispered in my ear. I reflexively got goosebumps. This kid aimed for my ear on purpose, didnt he? But I cant object to his words. Im anti-bullying!

Is it okay to go down? Wont I get you mixed up in it, Achille?

Its fine, but? That blondie is probably a kid from the royal family It might be a good chance for me to establish contact with him.

What a mercenary child! Ive misjudged him. But now is not the time to be stunned at Achille. I have to save that child.

The blonde child accidentally fell on his butt. At this rate, he might start getting hit or kicked. As one of the children was about to try and mount him, I got in their way, still on the broom.

Heyy! Stop thaat!

The child who was trying to mount him got hit in the butt by the broom handle. Because of the impact, the bully fell over. He immediately got back up, red faced and rubbing his butt painfully.

What the heck is with you!? Whered you come from!?

Thats my line, you damned brat! Ganging up on a little kid to bully him. Dont you feel embarrassed!?

While I replied sharply, Achille helped the blonde child up.

Shaddup! Stop meddling, you bitch!

Yeah! Yeah!

One of the large kids near me turned my way and tried to hit me.

Geh-

Right now Im a feeble little five year old. Close combat isnt my thing. I immediately used magic to defend. At my actions, the surrounding kids widened their eyes in surprise. It seems that children who can use magic at my age are rare.

Take thiiis!

I tried to use some light offensive magic, but for some reason smoke came out of my hands and just disappeared. Did I fail?

Oh?[/Are?] My magic wont come out

Except for those in security, nobody can use offensive class magic without permission here.

The one who spoke was the blonde child. What the heck? Thats super inconvenient. Is it because its the castle?

Camille, the broom!

I came back to my senses at Achilles voice. While stopping the children with defensive magic, I straddled the broom. Right now the priority is to get away from here. While urging the blonde child to get on the broom, Achille got on as well behind him.

Were ready!

Alright!

With Achilles voice as the sign, I levitated the broom, and steadily rose at a fast speed. The dumbfounded bullies gazed up vacantly. What stupid expressions. Serves you right. While laughing, Kekeke, I flew a lap above their heads to provoke them.

Lets return to the Magicians Building Father might have returned.

Yeah.

I turned around, and headed back to the Magic Building. But still, the broom has gotten slow. Three people are riding on it, so thats natural though. Its like when the basket on your bicycle has a lot of drinks packed into it.

We could see the window of the Magic Building now. Im glad that it wasnt too far. Having 3 people ride this is a little bit much It might be necessary to have more practice, and further improvements to the broom. We unsteadily entered through the target window, and landed.

Ahhh, Im tired. That was heavy.

After returning the broom to where I found it, I collapsed on the sofa. Achille was looking my way with an astonished expression, but Im tired so it cant be helped.

Are you okay?

The blonde child peered in on my face. Uwahh, hes a bishounen too. A bishounen with the sure-fire combo of blonde hair and green eyes, hes like a prince.

Thank you for saving me, you two. Im Royce Garnet, the first prince of this country.

Prince? Roiss?

Royce Garnet he said? That moment, all the blood in my body boiled. Royce-sama ROYCE-SAMAAAAAAAAAAA!?

Speaking frankly, Im a huge fan of his.

Hes one of the love interests in Carte Jouer, the future K of Hearts. And he was the love interest character that I adored the most.

Royces route was standard among standard routes, but while I was playing the game, my heart was struck countless times by his smile. Royce who shouldered the pressure of being the first prince as he entered the Magic School He who held no confidence in anything was encouraged by the heroine, and before he knew it, he had ended up with romantic feelings for her. After overcoming numerous ordeals (obviously including the Q of Hearts interference), in the end the admirable two ended up married. The commoner heroine, who despite being a commoner had hidden potential, in the end even became the queen of this country. She got the beloved prince, and even succeeded in rising in ranks! in other words.

When I had a look at Achille, he was smirking. A person of influence = royalty. Getting close to him means that Achilles goal was achieved. Good for you. Speaking of which, just as I feared earlier, as expected, isnt Achille also a character from the game? There was certainly a character with his upbringing in the game.

With Royce and Achille together, my memories are gradually becoming clearer. Achille was something who had nothing but a friendship route, so I was beginning to forget him but As expected, he was a character that thoroughly crushed the Q of Hearts, and was the close aide of the K of Hearts, the J of Hearts! Scary-!

Aahh Perhaps Im headed down the same path as the original story.

No, this is a dream. A dream. That Ill be socially exterminated is, impossible Its impossible, right? This world thats progressing just like the original story is getting scarier and scarier.

After that, we introduced ourselves to him, and chatted with Royce in the break room of the Magicians Building. Its like a dream No, it is a dream, though!

You two really saved me. I got seen being pathetic though, haha

While being a little shy, Royce-sama thanked the two of us. As expected of Royce-sama, even when hes very young he has this refinement about him.

No, we just happened to be passing by, but I am glad that we were of use to you, Your Highness. What is most important is that you are safe.

Oooh, that smiling Achille has completely entered his sales mode. Unlike Royce-sama, Achille is really an uncute kid.

You dont need to be so formal, you know? Our age is close, and Id be happy if we could get along from now on as well. Unfortunately there arent many people in the castle that Im close to, you see

After saying this, Royce-sama made a slightly sad expression. Even his sad expression is beautiful! I didnt notice while I was playing the game, but did Royce-sama grow up in a pretty lonely environment?

Royce-sama In that case, I shall ask my father[/otousama] for permission and bring Achille again to play.

I can meet Royce-sama, and it gives Achille an excuse to leave the house too. A good idea, if I do say so myself.

Really?

His beautiful blue eyes narrowed, and Royce-sama happily took my hand.

Of course! If my father allows, though.

Ill have it arranged.

As expected of a prince! Even at a young age, his authority sure is effective, huh. But if I can meet with Royce-sama, then I have no complaints.

Camille, Ive kept you waiting.

Ah, Father[/Otousama].

I ran over to greet my father who had just entered the break room. Soleil came in as well, behind father. Soleil saw Royce-sama who was sitting with us, and stiffened.

Y-, Your Highness!?

After that, Royce-sama spoke about everything that happened, and hearing that, I was ended up scolded by father. Well, Royce-sama stopped him halfway, though Surprisingly, Achille did too. Soleil contacted the castle to let them know that the prince was here, and somebody immediately came for Royce-sama.

Your Highness, it is good that you are safe.

A prim gentleman with the air of a butler appeared in front of the door. His age might have been between forty and fifty. His monocle flashed in the light, and gave off the feeling of being a very adequate chamberlain.

Henri, Ive worried you havent I? When I was surrounded by my cousins group, these two saved me, you know?

Henri nodded understandingly, and turned to look at our faces.

Very good.

What is? I dont really get this Henri person. After telling Achille and I to wait here, he left with father, Soleil and Royce-sama.

Left here, as expected I couldnt comprehend what was going on, and stared towards the door. Perhaps because he couldnt pretend he didnt see, Achille spoke to me.

Are you okay with that, Camille? Getting close to Prince Royce means that youll be making enemies of the Royal Prince(Kings Younger Brother) Faction, you know?

Mn? Whats that?

Why did the conversation suddenly turn into this

Today you made enemies of the son of His Majestys younger brother, you know I did too, though. Thats why from now on, whether you like it or not, youll be seen as part of the Kings Faction.

As expected, I dont really get what hes talking about. Speaking of which, the game had a setting like what he just mentioned or so I felt.

Ahh So thats how it is.

I suddenly understood what Achille meant.

The current kingRoyces father, and his younger brother were presently on bad terms. His Highness the Royal Prince was blatantly aiming for the throne. Right now the nobles were split in two between those who supported His Majesty, the King Faction, and those who supported his brother, the Royal Prince Faction.

One day their conflict would spread to their children, and the confrontation between their children was one of the scenes in the game. It might be that Royce-sama was thinking about quickly finding reliable allies, and bringing them to his side. And today, we who happened upon him by chance became those allies in other words. He was properly thinking about his own future as well. Thats why he immediately revealed his position to us when we first met. So that he could guarantee his allies, and absolutely not let us go.

Mn, they might be talking about the same thing outside, huh

By the way, fathers life is magic, so he hasnt been getting involved in annoying political struggles, but because of my actions today, he might end up being labelled as part of the King Faction. I feel a little guilty

It seems that the ones bullying Royce-sama were the children of nobles in the Royal Prince Faction.

Im fine After all, one day Id have to choose which faction to fall under after all, and I like Royce-sama too

Eh, like!? Camille Are you aiming to marry into power?

Achille turned my way in shock.

Huhh? What are you on about?

Im hoping that Prince Royce will become my patron, but I was wondering if you were aiming for the seat of the Queen, you see Unexpected, ambitious?

Sif I am!

Thats probably impossible. After I said that, Achille smiled happily for some reason. Hes probably thinking being Queen is impossible for someone like you anyway That Im not suitable for Royce-sama! I know that even if you dont tell me.

Royce-sama is somebody that I long for. I want to get closer to him, but Im not thinking of something presumptuous like becoming his partner. After all, Camille was a character that couldnt end up with Royce-sama. The Royce-sama in the game also cringed at being relentlessly stalked by Camille. Even while I think that this world is a dream, itd be painful to be avoided by Royce-sama. I dont want to be hated by him.

Thats true. Right now youre the only daughter of Marquis Rhodolite after all, so you have to find a husband and succeed your family, right?

It seems that Achille who didnt know what I was feeling assented to my answer.

But Royce-sama being the first prince means that he has a lot of enemies, huh

And then, I suddenly realised. With Royce-sama, apart from the other rival girls, there were many other flags for downfall.

His downfall level was incomparable to that of I who was just a rival character. For Royce, if the heroine chose any K other than him, then his life would automatically head full throttle towards destruction.

For example if the heroine chose the son of the Royal Prince, Roices cousin the K of Spades, then Royce-sama would be overthrown in a coup detat. If she chose the prince of the neighbouring nation, the K of Diamonds, then a war would begin and our nation would lose, with Royce-sama being placed under house arrest. The she chose her commoner childhood friend, the K of Clovers, then a revolution would begin and the royal family would be destroyed, with Royce-sama executed.

Its impossible Royce-sama Even if this is a dream world, I dont want my beloved Royce-sama to head towards ruin. Even if its impossible for us to become a couple, I want to protect him. Just by myself, I might not become very helpful to him. Im just an otaku girl after all. However, it would be better to have even one more person to protect him. Fortunately, I know the contents of the game, so I should be able to at least him keep away from danger. Ive made my decision.

Ill become a magician that protects Royce-sama.

Ill study magic even more than I already am, so that Ill be able to protect him, no matter who the enemy. Achille looked at me in astonishment, and after looking like he was thinking for a little, he took my hand.

Then Ill become an aide that can help Royce-sama.

Youll become a knight?

Nope, an aide.

Thinking about it, Achille had that kind of position even in the game, huh. Hes a character whos brains over brawn.

I see! Then lets try our best together.

After I said that, Achille smiled like he was truly enjoying himself. Like a child who had found an interesting game. Well, he is a child though.

More importantly, I wonder if he could hurry up and let go of my hand. Just how long is Achille planning on holding my hand for?

flags for downfall have stated this earlier, but I am writing under the assumption that youre familiar with ADV lingo. Think of a flag, as in programming flag, because thats more or less what flag means in visual novels. Raising a death flag etc. yeah?

Rather than dignified gentleman, the text said , but theres no word that I can think of for this. Its like, pulled tightly, sort of. Like a person who is proper in posture, smartly dressed, professional, proper, and un-relaxed. Like a super-butler character would be. EDIT: After many long years, has graciously reminded me that the word I was looking for was prim.

(outei) means kings younger brother. Apparently thats still just prince in English though, cause we dont have a word for it.

Also, perhaps youve already realised, but everyone in this series has a French-ass name. Well, I dont speak French, but going by the names in Japanese, theyre supposed to be the French versions of these names (for those that have equivalents in other languages). Now again, I dont actually speak French, but I can tell you something that approximates the sounds, based on the Japanese. So yeah, if there are people who speak French, dont get pissed. These names arent actually French. Theyre Japanese appropriations/approximations of French names, so yeah. And aint nobody can pronounce your mille sounds anyway.

Camille (kah-mii-yyh) Charles (sharl) Soleil (soh-lei-yyh) Achille (ah-shil) Aime Afriat (eh-mehh ah-free-ah)