Second Reincarnation: The Inept Prince Greatest Comeback

Sneaking Out

“Your highness, this is indeed a new type of machinery. How did you come up with this? Every engine, materials, and mechanism is completely different from our existing products. Is there any way of a guarantee that this will work?”

One of the nobles who owns a company asked him with a dubious look.

“You know, that was the first gaze I received when I proposed a new aircraft. I understand what you’re feeling right now. I’m sensing some distrust here. That’s why I waited for seven years for the Hercules to work so I can propose new products for you. Not only will it increase the power of our military, but it will also yield a huge income to our economy.”

Everyone seemed to be nodding at him subtly, then they looked at each other’s face and began exchanging indistinct murmuring.

“Why did you also include the Unified States companies in this meeting?”

Another noble asked again with a tone of distrust.

“Because they are our colony and in the future, the Empire will annex the Unified States country. I believe that it will happen since the Unified States yields a huge income to our economy.”

“Now, every one of you has a project to deal with. You have one or two years to achieve it since I already gave you the complete draft. I expect something from you. Long live the Brittia!”

“Long live Brittia!”

Everyone raised their fist into the air with enthusiastic shouts.

Now that everything seems wrapped up. Gerald immediately returned to the palace. His job here is done. But he arrived at the palace. A royal guard in a redcoat said that he needs to see his Majesty first. Hence Gerald immediately heads to the King’s office.”

Gerald genuflected in front of him to show respect and said.

“Your Majesty, I hope the day is treating you well. Why did you summon me here?”

“Gerald del Stuart, I heard that you’re proposing new technologies to the companies. Listen, we have a huge influx of buyers from foreign countries willing to get Hercules on their hands. Whatever is it you’re building might disrupt alliances from foreign countries. They might misunderstand that the Empire is powering itself.”

Now, he understands what the king’s point is. He was worried that the technology that he will be introducing may indicate hostility to the foreign neighbors. Militarizing like the Fatherland might be a coincidence but to some countries. It may indicate that a war is coming. Though there will be a war in the future between the Empire and the Francois Republic and the Moncelle Kingdom. But the war will be happening in two years on the Krimean peninsula.

The Empire has grown stronger due to the Unified States and other colonies. Though the Empire surrenders some of its colonies from the Black Continent where the land is not arable. The only thing profitable in the Dark Continent is the upper side of it where there is a lot of oil that the western countries are willing to take control of. But to get there, some of the countries use the Krimean peninsula as a pathway to the Dark Continent. Whoever controls it, controls the entire trade in the Black Continent. To protect the Empire's interest, he must power up the Empire's power.

But he despises war, in his past life he is a doctor whose job is to save people’s lives not take them. It will contradict his oath, however, this is another world, he is a prince that can be a king. Even though this decision is hard, one must have something to sacrifice in order to achieve something. That's the guilt that he is feeling.

“Your Majesty, I only use my knowledge to help the Empire and its interest, Please don’t let it go to waste.”

“I also heard that you’re proposing new primary weapons for our troops?”

“Your Majesty, I have a fair share of knowledge in weaponry and I have developed a liking to it. Your Majesty, I believed that this is a time where we militarize our army. Our neighbors are militarizing themselves including the Sovvyet Rossiya and Fatherland that may rival us in power. I know that something in the future will spark a great war between the nations. We must protect ourselves. I already called defense contractors about the new prototype and they took the project. It will be finished in one to two years.”

“Very well, I must inform the parliament then. Thank you for your hard work, prince Gerald del Stuart.”

“I’m deeply honored, your Majesty.”

…

After their discussion, Gerald left the office but found himself attacked by someone.

“Alice! What are you doing?” He complained, he saw his sister hugging him tightly.

“Brother, why are you always not here in the palace? You promised me that you will stay by my side forever right?” He said with a pitiful cute face.

“I’m sorry, it's just that I have some important matters to do since we royals have responsibility for his people. I hope you understand.”

“Then, make up for your promise.”

“Like?”

“Let’s spend our time together in the Palace, you know exploring around.”

Every time Alice is talking, the tightness of her embrace grows increasingly tight. It feels like he has no other choice but to comply with her sister. With that decided, Gerald nodded to her request.

“YAY! Then, let’s go around the town!” She suggested.

Gerald looked at his pocket watch and saw the time was not that late. It was 3:00 p.m. Maybe this is worth exploring, he had never explored the country before, not even the Capital since he just went to school and returned home immediately. He had never once felt that he has a life here. This also the reason why he hates being royalty since you’re sheltered and watched 24/7. He really does miss his past life in the modern world because there is a lot of freedom.

“Okay, but first let me get something in the treasury.”

“Okay!” She agreed joyously.

Ten minutes later, he returned to her sister but her sister looked bewildered. What she saw is not Gerald but someone.

“Wh-who are you?” She was repulsive to him, as expected, one should never talk to strangers.

But the man in front of him is Gerald del Stuart. He just changed his appearance so that he won’t be able to attract unwanted attention. He wore a necklace with a green transparent stone. It was a magic tool.

The reason why the prince's face and hair changed was thanks to the portrait ability that only comes down from the royal Stuart bloodline.

The royal family of the Brittia Empire was the last family that was still able to possess the last of the mysterious power in the entire world, the portrait ability. He gave another necklace to her and ordered her to change her appearance. The appearance will be changed accordingly to the user's preferences.

Then Alice looked at her brother who looked menacingly and intimidatingly. To her, his face looked like he was born with the light of God. He had both beauty and coldness entwine around him. He was cold to the point of chilliness yet so beautiful at the same time.

His blonde hair turned into blueish-cold hair with an eye that is icy to the point of a slight grimace, any person will be intimidated.

“Let’s go.” He said,

Then together, they went to the Royal Palace Parking Lot where there are 1930s cars. Most of those cars are luxurious and expensive that only a royal and nobles can afford it.

The car in front of them is similar to Rolls-Royce Phantom II, a car that existed in the 1930s. That is also a car that he bought discreetly by ordering one of his royal guards.

Alice gave him a dubious look.

“Brother, do you know how to drive?”

There is a sense of distrust there, but it’s understandable since she never once saw him drive a car. But, little did she know that her brother likes supercars in the modern world.

“Trust your brother.”

That’s the only word that he can say instead of coming up with a lie. If she is sensing some distrust, why not prove to her that he can actually drive.

Therefore, the two get in the car. A royalty sneaking out of the palace is something that royalty shouldn’t do because there is a lot of danger lurking on the outside.

“Brother! You’re really good at driving!”

She praised him at that word, He only kept the car speed at 40 kilometers per hour. Enough to explore around the Capital.

“Brother! Brother! Let’s try that bakeshop there!” She called him out of the blue and Gerald peeked at the window to where she was pointing.

It was a bakeshop. So, Gerald complied and immediately parked the car just outside of the bakeshop.

Then they entered the bakeshop where the ambiance and fragrance are just great. If there are ratings here, he can give 5 out of 5 stars for a clean environment despite the era he’s in.

Then there is a variety of cakes that are displayed in the cake display chiller. There is a chocolate cake, banana cake, strawberry cake, caramel cake, and so on. He asked Alice what she wanted and she pointed at the strawberry cake. As for him, he decided to buy a chocolate cake.

He paid the amount of the cakes and sat on the four-seat table. The waitress in the bakeshop informed them that the table is reserved but can sit there if the one who reserved this table agrees.

Gerald wished that those who reserved this seat will arrive after they ate their cake. But, it was an unfortunate scenario.

Two beautiful women entered the bakeshop elegantly. He is familiar with their looks. It was Catarina and Elise. What the hell are they doing here?

“Sister Catarina!” Then Gerald immediately covered her mouth. She is still shouting but only a muffled voice can be heard.

The two women looked at them dubiously.

“I must have been mistaken, I thought someone called me.” She said while scanning him.

“It wasn’t us.” He denied it while beads of sweat fell down from his temple.

“You have a lovely sister there.” She praised, “By the way, why are you covering her mouth?”

“My sister is very noisy that if I don’t place my hand in her mouth, she will make a ruckus hehe.”

He told a lie.

“Madam, this is the table you reserved but this gentleman and his sister have nothing to seat in since every dining seat is occupied. He suggested that he can split the payment with you if it's okay for them to eat here.”

“Well, it looks like they don’t have a choice. I think it’s fine right, Elise?”

“I have no problem sharing the table with these siblings that want to enjoy their cake.”

Then the four of them are now seated at the four-seat table. Everyone was looking at each other as if they were scanning each other. But Catarina is scanning him as her eyes wander around the contour of his body.

“You looked familiar but you’re not him.”

Hearing that, he is quite relieved. The portrait ability works. Then, Gerald gave both of them a cold intimidating look.

A look that sends chills to their spine. Then, the cake arrived at their table and he removed his hand from Alice’s mouth. It was time to eat after all. But he’s still worried, his sister is such an airhead that will blurt out any moment. If that happens then it will be a bad image to them.

“Let’s eat! Brother Gerald!” She said energetically.

The two women in front of them gave him another dubious look.

“Gerald?”

Gerald yipped and wants to say “yikes”. This is the thing that he is worried about. So he comes up with a new response.

“Gerald? I’m not Gerald, I’m Henry. What are you talking about sister?”

Then pulled her cheek with a smile that indicated her to shut up and eat.

“But! You’re Gerald, not Henry? Look, ladies, I’m telling the truth…”

Then he realizes his mistake, saying bluntly that he is not Gerald led to his doom. He then thought repeatedly to himself that he is done.

“He is the second prince of the kingdom!” She declared proudly to the two.

Shit!

Everyone present in the bakeshop looked incredulously at the two. They both looked stupid and embarrassing to their eyes.

Gerald stood up and tried to come up with a response.

“I’m sorry for disturbing you all. My sister is just very proud of me that she compares me to the second prince hehe… Now, please continue your eating. I swear that scolding will befall her after we eat.”

He bowed politely to the customers and they eventually bought it. They returned their attention to their foods and Gerald sat as well.

He has this expression of relief all over his body.

“I’m sorry for my sister's behavior,” He said with an apologetic expression.

“Don’t mind it. After all, no one will believe your claim since you don’t look like a prince. Right, Catarina?”

“...Mmm…”

And they eat their cake and get over with it.