The Sun Prince - Re:Zero OC

A month had passed since the issue regarding that parasitic infestation and the resulting 'zombies', and Priscilla and I were once again completing another tour of the territory, although this time, it was focused on discerning the truth of some recently troublesome reports, and promptly handling them.

"So… these bandits that have organized their operation in my territory… you say that these swine originate from the mountains to the east?" Priscilla said, resting her head against my chest as her fingers traced along my forearm.

That was ticklish, Priscilla… but I would never stop her.

As we were in the border of the Barielle territory, where the roads were not very well maintained, we had ditched the carriage in the closest village before we set forth on the ground dragon, leading to a very… favourable position, where she was sat right in front of me.

"Yes, and their base is supposed to be nearby… but are you sure you're fine with coming with me?" I asked, looking down to meet her eyes. "This can't be comfortable, and I can defeat them by myself just fine…"

She raised her eyebrow at me in question before bringing her hand to my face, gently caressing my cheek before she suddenly pinched it with an annoyed frown.

Ouch.

"Fool. While I do not care for the task of taking out trash, it is because I wish to remain with you that I have decided to come here," she said as her lips curled into a smirk. "And as for the issue related to comfort… well, while I am not displeased at present, if you wish to make me more comfortable… then should you not do so?"

I felt a bead of sweat trail down my neck as I looked into her eyes, my face unconsciously approaching hers.

"And… how could I do that?" I asked, my lips brushing against her ear.

"Dear Selian… you know that there are many things you can do to relieve my discomfort," she whispered back, her arms wrapping around my head as she gently kissed my neck, causing my back to straighten.

So she wanted to do that… well, I wasn't going to refuse.

I pulled back slightly, enough so that I could see her face again, and with my gaze narrowing in on her perfect lips, I felt an unconscious draw towards them.

And with both of our eyes slowly closing, I felt her breath against my skin as I got closer, and then…

"Rahh- gack!"

And then, the sounds of battle entered my ears, causing both of us to pause as we pulled back from each other, turning to focus on where the noise was coming from as the two of us quickly noticed the entrance to a cave amidst the trees that surrounded us that seemed to be the source.

"Selian, we'll continue this later," Priscilla said as she leaped off the ground dragon.

"Understood," I said as I followed suit.

Approaching the entrance as we sprinted towards it, I noticed the many footprints that were around the clearing in front of the cave, as well as the burnt out torches on each side of the opening.

So this must be the camp… and it seems that there was some sort of fight happening inside, judging by the shouts, as well as the two dead bodies crumpled against the side of the hill.

"Yah! Haha, you fuckers! I'm in a good mood, so I'll try to make it painless!" a haughty voice echoed from inside the cave, accompanied the death cries of what I could assume to be another bandit.

Priscilla and I's gaze met, and seeing the glint of excitement in her eyes, I instantly hardened my stare while lightly shaking my head, causing her to pout before stepping back as I took the lead.

That lady of mine… did she not understand that a knight should be going into a possibly dangerous situation first?

Even if it was unlikely that anything could harm her, it would hurt my pride as both a knight and a man… well, at least she relented to my untold request.

With me stepping past the rocky wall, I looked to the left where the cave continued, only to see a sight of absolute bloodshed in the opening, with seven or so bodies strewn across the roughly built camp, with blood pooling from under their corpses.

And as for who had created this scene…

"Oh? And you two are the only ones left? Ain't that something?" the red-haired man said with a smirk as he pointed his sword forward towards two bandits. "To think you would all die to a talentless guy like me… shouldn't you be ashamed?"

A middle-aged man with knight armour and striking red hair… and this was someone I knew.

Heinkel Astrea, the current leader of the Astrea House, the father of the current Sword Saint Reinhard van Astrea, and the son of Wilhelm van Astrea.

"Y-You fucker!" the bandit shouted in response before he lunged forward.

I was tempted to step forward and intervene, but Priscilla, who was watching from over my shoulder, held my arm as she shook her head, looking at the end of the battle with a thoughtful gaze.

Shrugging my shoulders, I watched as Heinkel moved to the side, causing the bandit's sword to stab into nothing but empty air before Heinkel's form blurred, the bandit's arm flying into the air a moment later as Heinkel twisted his blade to intercept the other bandit's strike, their swords clashing before Heinkel moved his sword to the side, disturbing the bandit's balance as his blade found its way into his neck, ending the man's life.

Interesting… Heinkel Astrea, the supposed useless, lazy, and utterly talentless vice captain of the royal knights… his skills weren't bad.

In fact, if we ignored power and focused purely on swordsmanship technique, he wasn't even that far from Wilhelm, although something in his form seemed so… ordinary.

Not in a bad way, but more as if he had completely mastered the basics, without having any talent to aid in his fighting prowess.

Well… I guess, even if he was a 'failure', he was still a swordsman of the Astrea House.

"Ha!" he shouted, slashing outward and cutting off the armless bandit's head, ending the fight as the corpse dropped to the ground with a wet thud. "Fucking hell… all you annoying shits… you made my buzz wear off, dammit!"

Umm… what?

Heinkel's body suddenly stilled, and with his head snapping towards us, I saw him narrow his blue eyes as the grip on his sword tightened.

"You two… the hell are you doing here?" he asked.

"Hmph. Imbecile. Could I not say the same to you? Flaunting your disgusting self in my lands… do you have no shame?" Priscilla said as we both stepped out, causing Heinkel to release a sigh.

"Tch. So it's just you," he said, sheathing his sword. "What can I do for you, Priscilla-sama? This isn't a place for a lady, you know?"

That was quite the dangerous tone to take…

"Anywhere in this world is blessed with my presence, so cease with that nonsensical drivel," Priscilla replied, unfolding her fan to cover her mouth as she narrowed her eyes. "And you did not answer me, cretin. What are you doing here? Sullying my land like a mole, leaving your disgusting droppings in your wake."

Heinkel's casual smirk thinned at her scathing words, but as if sensing the potential power that Priscilla held, he didn't rebuke her, and instead, complied with her request.

"Well… I heard about this bandit group, so I decided to come deal with em'… shouldn't I be getting praised for that?" he said, averting his eyes.

An obvious tell, even to me, and that was surely not to pass my lady's eye.

"Scoundrel," Priscilla said, her tone cold enough to make Heinkel freeze as the mana surrounding her began to fluctuate. "I am not one who appreciates lies. I will give you one more chance to explain yourself, or you shall know how it feels to meet your end by the divine."

Heinkel gulped, sweat dripping down his face that didn't come from the exertion of the earlier battle.

"A-Alright, I got it…" he said, instinctively bowing his head. "I… heard that these guys had a treasure… a cup that could cure any disease… and I wanted to get it."

Priscilla nodded her head, narrowing her eyes as she walked off to the side, and rummaging through the opened crate, she then pulled out a chalice adorned with a blue gem at the stem, lifting it to inspect it before casting her gaze back to Heinkel.

"Is this meant to be the supposed treasure?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as Heinkel nodded with an amazed expression. "For some reason, I doubt that it is the case… Selian?"

"Yes, Priscilla?" I asked.

"Does this thing have anything of note within it?" she asked.

What… was she asking me if there was any mana embedded in it?

Narrowing my eyes, I tried to feel for anything of note, but honestly…

"No… there isn't," I said, frowning a bit. "If I had to guess, this supposed cup is but a legend-"

"No! You're wrong!" Heinkel shouted, walking closer to us. "That… you can't say that without trying it out! Hell, what are you even talking about, being able to sense mana? Are you trying to look good for a woman or something!?"

Well… I was always trying to look good in front of Priscilla, but I wasn't lying.

"Tch. Annoying drivel," Priscilla said before tossing the chalice over to Heinkel, causing him to quickly catch it in his hands. "Do not slander the name of my Selian with your lies born out of ignorance… so try it yourself."

Heinkel was too focused on the cup to take in Priscilla's words, his hands gently tracing over the rim before he suddenly stilled, his eyes widening as his jaw clenched.

"What? Have you finally used your brain?" Priscilla said, sending him a cruel smirk. "You truly must be an idiot to think that some passing thugs like these would harbour such a treasure. Imbecile."

I felt Heinkel flinch, and moving his thumb across the rim, I watched as the intricate blue and gold pattern along the cup smudged, revealing nothing but the dull grey of common metal.

Ah… so it really was a dud, and quite a badly manufactured one at that.

It must have been meant to be displayed rather than used, considering how easily it had been ruined.

"Fuck… fucking dammit!" he shouted, his arm blurring as he threw the cup at the wall, the clang of metal echoing across the room.

"Cease that language, dimwit, or I shall remove your ability to speak myself," Priscilla said, shaking her head as she turned back to the cave's entrance. "Come, Selian. I had hoped to see something interesting, yet it was but the actions of an idiotic cur, following a senseless rumour like a fish to the glint of a lure."

"Got it, Priscilla…" I said as I followed her, looking back at Heinkel once more, only to see his gaze centred on us, eyes hardened in determination.

Uhh… what?

"Wait," he said, causing Priscilla to stop as she looked over her shoulder.

"What is it? To waste my time is akin to throwing gold coins into the Great Waterfall, so it would be best not to exhaust it needlessly," she said, snapping her fan shut to reveal her frown.

"Yeah, I got it… you're a candidate for the throne, Priscilla-sama… so I have a proposal for you," he said, his tone serious.

"Oho? And what exactly is it?" Priscilla asked.

"Well… you have some competition, right? And while I can't do much against two of them, considering that Felt girl is staying with that son of mine in my house… allow me to deal with her," he said, a smirk growing on his lips. "In return… allow me but a drop of Dragon Blood once you ascend to the throne."

This bastard… he wanted to 'deal' with Felt?

I felt my fists clench, but before I could say anything in response, Priscilla brought her hand down to cover mine, sending me a small glance before her gaze returned to Heinkel.

"An interesting proposal… but for what reason would you go to such lengths?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in question. "And if I were to harbour a guess… it is related to your idiotic chase for that sham of a chalice, is it not?"

"Yes… you're right," he said, his fists clenched as he looked down at the ground. "It's… for my wife. She has the Sleeping Beauty disease, so… I need to wake her up. No matter what."

…What.

It was all for that?

Threatening Felt, going against his son… it was all for that?

And I knew that Reinhard's family situation was strained… especially from the few letters Felt had sent me complaining about it.

But… it was all for that?

"You… the hell is wrong with you?" I asked, fighting back the urge to teleport in front of him and knock him down, only being calmed by Priscilla's hand that had squeezed mine a little tighter. "You would abandon your family and duties… ignore your son that's right in front of you… just to try to heal your wife?"

His gaze lifted as he levelled a glare my way.

"Watch yourself, brat…" he said lowly.

"I could say the same to you. What happens when you revive your wife, huh? Do you think she'll be happy with you and Reinhard's relationship?" I asked, feeling my jaw clench. 

Why was I so angry?

Aside from how he had threatened Felt, what was it?

Was it due to how his current path had hurt my friend Reinhard?

Yes… perhaps that was part of it, but more importantly… I couldn't stand a man that would cast aside his children, especially when there was no need to.

Wanting to revive his wife, I could understand, but to completely ignore everything else…

"No… she would be disappointed, wouldn't she? You know that too…" I said, taking a breath in an attempt to calm myself. "Pathetic."

"You don't know what it's like, you fucker!" Heinkel shouted, his eyes blazing in fury as he stared me down. "Seeing her like that every day… I can't even stay in that damned mansion because of it! So shut up, or I'll fucking make you-!"

"Silence," Priscilla then said, her voice cold, as Heinkel instantly stopped making his way towards me.

Priscilla then looked towards me, and after staring into my eyes for a few moments, she then looked back to Heinkel with a slight frown on her face.

"Selian… you are certainly right in this man being a disappointment… but regardless, I will take him with us," she said, sending a small glance my way. "I don't intend on using any foul methods to win against your sister, but it will be interesting to see what he chooses to do with his waste of a life going forward… will it not?"

I… guess so… and he was certain to be useful considering his position… and if there was ever a chance at making him change, just as Priscilla said…

"Yes… I suppose you are correct," I said, releasing a sigh.

Still… I wasn't the happiest about it.

"Hmm~ is there something wrong, Selian?" Priscilla asked, pressing her chest against my arm as he fan pushed into my cheek. "Well? Is there? Don't tell me… are you perhaps jealous?"

"Hah. As if," I said with a shrug, still looking away.

I could feel the smirk rising on her lips.

Just why did she have to have such a fascination with teasing me?

"Is that so… well, I will let you off for now," she said, moving her fan away. "But just know, Selian, no matter how amusing the passing scoundrels may be, only you can truly fulfill my excitement."

"O-Oh… that's… good," I said, still looking away.

That… did feel quite good to hear.

Of course, I would prefer if she said that she loved me as well… but I didn't need another reminder to know that.

"You two… talking like I'm not here… but still, if it means I can get that Dragon Blood in the end, I don't really care," Heinkel said, causing me to look back at him as he walked towards the edge of the camp.

What… was he doing?

Was there something else he was searching for?

"Hmm… there ought to be some here, considering these guys…" he said, rummaging through a crate before his face lit up in a smile. "Aha! That's it!"

He then pulled out… a bottle.

"Nothing beats the taste of some good booze after a good fight," he said as he uncorked the bottle, instantly bringing it to his mouth as he began gulping it down.

Urgh… so he was a drunkard.

I should have guessed from the flask at his hip, but I guess even spare booze from some butchered bandits would do… disgusting.

It reminded me of him… that shitty father of mine from my past life.

But if he was going to be in Priscilla's camp from now on… I guess I would need to get used to it.

"Fool… you seem quite displeased," Priscilla suddenly said, her hand grabbing my chin and turning me to face her. 

"Uh… yeah… I just… don't like him, is all," I muttered, keeping my gaze away from those beautiful eyes that no truth could escape from.

"You don't like him, is it? Hmm… but it doesn't seem that simple…" she said, her eyebrows furrowing before her head suddenly snapped to the side, her nose twisting as she sneered at Heinkel. "You. Put down that bottle."

She found out just from that, didn't she?

"Huh? What? Is something the matter, Priscilla-sama?" Heinkel asked, head tilting in confusion as he wiped the red liquid that had dribbled down his chin.

"I said, you will put down that bottle, and will do so for the remainder of your time that is in our presence," Priscilla said, her hand still holding my chin. "Or… will you refuse the order of your master? Surely even a worthless drunkard like yourself would know the consequence of such a thing…"

Heinkel froze at the threat, and with an annoyed grunt, he took out his flask before pouring the remainder of the bottle's contents into it.

"Whatever…" he muttered in frustration.

She definitely did…

As Priscilla turned back to look at me, I felt my cheeks redden at the proud smirk she threw my way.

"P-Pris… thank you," I said, bowing my head slightly.

"Nonsense, it is only natural to dislike disgusting things," she said as she lifted my chin so that I looked at her, those same enchanting eyes sparkling in affection. "However… if there is a need to be in the presence of them… then simply cast your gaze to a beautiful thing like myself to distract your mind."

Ah… I really do love her.

"I will… always," I said, my gaze narrowing in on her lips.

I wanted them.

"Hmph… how needy… you are lucky that I quite like when you look at me like that," she said, her face approaching mine. "And… you are the most fortunate that I love you."

Yes… indeed I was.

With our lips finding each others, I felt her hands trail down across my neck from my chin to hold my collar, as my own arms had wrapped around her waist, the two of us sharing the moment to ourselves.

At least… that was before the sound of shattering glass interrupted us, causing me to open my eyes to look at the shocked red-haired man.

"Y-You…" he stammered, taking a step back as his finger raised to point at us, the ground beneath him covered in the remains of his bottle. "The fuck!?"

Haa… and now we would have to take this guy back with us, wouldn't we?

But… if Priscilla was next to me… I think I could handle it.

—

After a night's rest in the nearby village, the three of us returned to the Barielle manor, and with Priscilla going upstairs for a rest after a full day of travel, I was left alone with the Heinkel, or as Priscilla called him, the 'worthless drunkard'… who, ignoring my position of Priscilla's knight, was technically my superior.

"Damn… that Sun Princess is just as arrogant as the rumours say, eh? That's surprising, considering how much those people seem to love her," he said, leaning against the wall as he cast a glance outside before turning back to me with a smirk. "And more than that… to think that you, Selian the 'White', have tamed such a woman's heart… that's quite the accomplishment, especially for a guy who couldn't even save that caravan of soldiers."

This fucking guy… speaking of 'rumours', Heinkel was just as shitty as I had heard, and in many aspects, even worse.

His unkempt appearance, that foul mouth, and how he constantly reeked of booze, even though he hadn't drunk in front of me or Priscilla again… suffice it to say, even with such a short amount of time spent together, he was an expert at getting on my nerves.

But now that a couple of days had passed since we met in that cave… I had remembered him.

From my childhood, that is, back when I was a prince.

He was always had quite the carefree attitude for a knight and noble, but instead of being irritating like he was now, it was more in a… fun way.

I would even say that he was nice.

But now that I think about it… right around the time that I left with Felt… he changed, having shown flashes of the person he was today.

That must have been when his wife came down with that disease, huh?

But even still… I was still confused.

"What's with that look, brat?" he asked, gesturing towards me with a sneer.

Well… if he wanted me to come out and say it…

"I'm still wondering why you would forsake your son," I said, ignoring how his gaze sharpened in annoyance. "I mean, knowing Reinhard, he would only want to help you with your wife, considering how it's his mother… so why?"

I mean, with him devoted to Felt, Reinhard might not be as focused on saving his mother as Heinkel was, but still… what use was there in antagonizing his own son?

"Shut it," Heinkel snapped, turning his gaze away as his hands clenched into fists. "You don't understand shit… even if you have Priscilla-sama, you would never know what it's like."

That didn't answer my question.

"I'm not talking about your grief," I said. "I can understand that, and I know how focused you are on curing your wife… but how does that relate to Reinhard?"

"Because that monster is the reason that everything's fucked up!" Heinkel shouted, removing himself from the wall as he took a step towards me, his eyes narrowed on me before eventually looked to the ground. "Tch… whatever… I'm leaving."

Watching as he headed towards the room's doors, I found myself confused as I sat in the chair.

'That monster'… was that any way to refer to your son?

Reinhard may be strong, yes, but a monster… just what the hell was with this guy?

"Hey… do you hate him?" I suddenly asked, causing Heinkel to stop just before he reached the door.

He did not respond.

"Reinhard… he's the living, breathing product of you and your wife's love…" I said, turning my head towards him. "So… do you hate him?"

I waited for a few moments for him to reply, but instead…

"Tch. Fuck off."

With those last eloquent words, he then opened the door and walked away, slamming it behind him as the dull thud of wood echoed throughout the room.

Huh… so he didn't answer… or perhaps, he couldn't answer…

Interesting, just as Priscilla had said… even if he was a bastard.

I wonder… was there a way to fix things with them?

I didn't know.

Considering how cold Wilhelm was, Heinkel's whole deal, and then Reinhard's humbleness and quick attachment to both Felt and I… one thing was for sure.

The Astrea House… that was one fucked up family.