I was born in a peaceful environment. No wars, minimal crime rate, and a bright and colorful community.

My parents and older siblings both care for me, like I'm their precious gem. But at the same time, I feel like I'm alone.

All of them are always busy with their jobs. Big bro Vin is always in his office, Big sis Lily is always training with her subordinates, Mother always works at the hospital as the head and rarely comes back home, while Father is always dealing with politics and guests from another country.

Everyone of them looks bright. Like shining stars guiding everyone around us. Yet, here I am, an incompetent and useless human mascot, just sitting around doing nothing.

I want to shine like them, I want to serve this country as well, I want to help everyone. But here I am, hiding in my room, afraid, while a war is happening and our country is on the verge of losing.

Ever since I was a child, there is only two people who would always talk and play with me. My butler, Heize and a family maid named Mona. They would always come to my room to chat about various things, Mona-san would teach me things that I didn't know about while Heize will clarify them for me. But still, they seem as if they're too far away from me...

I...just wanted a friend, whom I can talk to without any reservations, a friend who will grow with me until we become strong enough to protect the important things to us. I want to help, I want to stop acting like a spoiled princess. But, I can't seem to do it alone...

That's why when I heard that Mother and Father found my other big bro, the second prince, I was overwhelmed with excitement. I thought to myself that I'll finally be able to make a new friend. I don't care whether he is known as the Failed heir. If he is incompetent, then we will help each other grow stronger.

That's why I've decided. I want to step out of my comfort zone. I convinced my parents that I also want to go with Heize when he picks up my brother from Hillian kingdom, after 3 days of persistence, my parents and siblings finally gave in and let me go with the group and an additional of 20 guards was added for my protection.

The 2 days trip to Hillian kingdom went off without a hitch, and when we finally reached our destination, Heize set out with 4 soldiers with him to find my brother. I was nervously waiting for them, I was so excited that I will finally be able to meet my long lost brother.

After a few more minutes of waiting, the royal knight notified me that Heize returned. I arranged my posture and prepared myself.

The door to the carriage opened and a man in an odd set of clothes entered. Those silver white hair and crimson red eyes from the stories, the odd features of the child known as the failed heir.

What a beautiful person, for a moment I was unable to take away my eyes off of his face. It was as if I am being sucked in by the fascinating view in front of me.

Those beautiful and majestic silver white hair, and those alluring and seductive crimson red eyes. It was as if he was the masterpiece of the Gods, carved with all of their love.

However, what enchanted me the most was his aura. He was the brightest person I have ever saw, I could feel it from him. Brighter than the sun, he is on a whole other level from me...is what I thought.

Despite being the person whom I've ever met that shines the brightest. He feels close, like someone whom I can reach my arms to easily. Not too far, not too close. Just the normal distance, a comfortable one.

I don't know why, but these words suddenly appeared in my mind.

"I want to protect this person."

We introduced ourselves briefly and after a few moments of pause, he asked me something and I was a little surprised.

"Hey...what does the Elune kingdom look like?"

His voice really sounds elegant and soothing. If this is what you call a failed heir, then I don't know what kind of failure I am.

After a few seconds, I calmed myself down and answered his question.

"The place is large, beautiful, and well maintained. It has lots of sceneries that attracts tourists from other countries. Elune doesn't have that much outstanding qualities compared to other countries, but we pride ourselves in the fact that we are one of the most peaceful nations in the entirety of Greis." I replied to him.

Looking as if he was pondering over something, I also added.

"...Although even if we're recognized as one of greis' most peaceful nations. Right now, we're currently at war with the Jahal kingdom."

Hearing my words, Heize, my butler, couldn't help but be worried about the situation. So he tried to dispel the awkward atmosphere and comforted us at the same time.

There was a little more exchange until I heard a speech which I didn't expect to hear from the person sitting in front of me who is my brother.

"According to you, I'm the second prince, am I right?" He asks

"Eh? Y-Yes."

"Then as a member of the Royal family of Elune, it is my duty to watch over and support my fellow countrymen in times of needs. If I accept the title of Prince, I want to be someone who can stand beside my people in dire times. I don't want to be someone who just sits inside his room, acting like a spoiled brat. The Royal family is the people's leader and faith. And as someone who is about to take that role, I want to at least be aware of the situation happening. That is my duty"

I was stunned by his words, you might think that our ideals are the same, but no.

What I want is to just help and support my people like my family. But he... He wants to fight alongside them, he wants to be someone who can lead the people together with them. Not just as a prince but as a fellow countryman.

At that moment, what I saw is not just an ordinary royalty, but a king who despite stands at the top, is still close to the hearts of many.

...

After that conversation, we just conversed casually about every kind of things. This little sister of mine seemed to be a little nervous earlier but she gradually calmed down and started talking to me much more calmly. For the entire day, we talked and I learned many things about the Kingdom from them.

Night fell and we set up a camp while still inside the forest. The three of us got out of the carriage to eat. I saw 3 of the knights coming towards us with a creature that looks like a boar at their shoulders. I thought that they would bring their own food resources from the kingdom since they have a delicate princess with them, but it looks like I was mistaken, I saw the little girl who was about 2 and a half feet shorter than me, her eyes sparkling at the sight of food. I don't really care about the food we're eating as long as it's edible. Back in my days as a mercenary, foods like this is equivalent to a luxurious meal, I even once ate left overs from the garbage. Looking back, those times are what made me practice cooking at my spare time, and being the genius I am, my cooking skills have far surpassed those world class chefs in no time. Heize took out kitchen utensils and bottles that contains what looks to be seasonings, it looks like most of it are the same seasoning from earth. Thinking up an idea, I requested from Heize to leave the cooking to me.

"Heize-dono, I'll take it over, I may not look like it but I'm quite a good cook." I said to him.

"Are you sure about this, Lucas-sama? You can just sit back in the carriage and wait for me to finish cooking this." He replied to me.

"Yeah, all of you have been escorting me, so at least let me repay you with this." I said to everyone around.

"Heize-dono, since the prince really wants to, let's just leave this to him."

"Yeah, I have a feeling that his cooking skills are also good."

"It's not everyday that we get to eat a prince's cooking."

The soldier around us started chiming in. All of them looked at me with eyes full of anticipation.

"Then, I'll leave this to you, Lucas-sama, feel free to call me if you need any assistance." Heize said to me as he sits down on a nearby tree stump.

I took off my blazer, hanged it on a nearby branch and rolled up the long sleeves of my polo to start. I held the knife on my right hand and started removing the organs of the 3 boars. I executed it perfectly, smoothly and flawlessly, and in just 3 minutes, the meat and organs are now separated cleanly.

The people around looked at me with wide eyes, looking shocked at what I just did.

"W-What fast and precise movements. The way he handled that knife is too masterful" Heize muttered, looks like he didn't expect this level of skills from me.

After cleaning up, I started to season the meats. When I'm cooking, I always make sure that the amount and ratio of seasonings I apply is always precise and accurate, down to the smallest decimal points to achieve the perfect taste.

After seasoning, I skewered the meat into sticks and placed them above the fire. From the fire temperature, it'll take about 7 minutes and 23 seconds until it's perfectly cooked.

While waiting for it to finish, the smell and aroma of the food wafted into our noses. They began reacting one after another

"T-This is-"

"Gahhhh, this is making me hungrier than ever!"

"Oi Oi, it looks like the prince has outdone Heize-dono's cooking."

"Hahaha, Heize-dono's cooking might be delicious, but it looks like this one is gonna be better."

"Oii, I can hear all of you."

The atmosphere was filled with laughter, it reminds of of my days in the military. Camping out and sharing laughters like this.

After a few more minutes, it's finally done, I immediately placed them in a large plate and distributed them to everyone.

"MMMMM!!!! This is fantastic! Hey, try it quickly!"

"Whoaa! this is the best meat skewer that I've ever tasted!"

"I'll never gonna have enough of eating this!"

"This is just, superb! You really exceeded our expectations, Lucas-sama!"

Most of them, gave their own opinions, while some are too fascinated that they forgot to speak.

"Lucas-sama's cooking skills really outdone mine, hahahaha. If the royal chefs at the palace tastes this, they'll be greatly embarrassed, to think that Lucas-sama can make a delicacy like this out of these limited resources."

"Thank you, prince!"

"Thank you for the food, Lucas-sama"

"Yeah, I wonder when will we be able to taste the Prince's masterful cookings again."

After eating, all of them thanked me. Right now, I'm really feeling happy, even though this kind of event has happened a lot of times back on earth already. I'm still feeling happy and satisfied.

"Nii-sama, that was so delicious." Airi, who was sitting beside me all the time said to me. I didn't expect the way that she called me, it was the first time anyone has ever called me that. A different kind of happiness welled up within me. I patted her head and replied.

"Thank you, If you want, I can cook for you again."

"Really!?"

"Yeah."

"Heheh, I'm looking forward to it!" She said to me with a cute smile on her face.

What can I say about this, she really is too cute. If she expects this much from me, I can't help but want to give it my all for this new little sister of mine.

After 2 hours of joyful conversations, Airi, Heize, and I went back inside the carriage. 18 knights stood guard outside, while the other 18 is resting, waiting for their shift.

Both my sister and Heize are now asleep. As if still feeling joyful from earlier, Airi still has a small smile on her face.

I'm still wide awake right now, so I grabbed my sword and went out to help the guards a little bit. Seeing me come out of the carriage one of the guards asked me.

"Lucas-sama, you're still not asleep?"

"I'm still wide awake right now, any signs of danger?" I asked him.

"It's safe right now, Lucas-sama should go inside so that you won't be exposed to danger." He said to me worriedly.

I climbed up the carriage and sat on top of it.

"Don't worry, if anything happens, I can still defend myself." I assured him.

"Moreover, aren't you the guard on my left who picked me up earlier?"

"Ahh yes, it is an honor for me to get remembered by you, Lucas-sama."

"What's your name?"

"My name is Sier casaro, it might be a little late but, pleased to meet you, Lucas-sama."

"Likewise, so? Do you have a family?" I asked him

"Eh? ah yes, I have a wife and two children, they're living a normal life right now at Elune."

"If I'm not being too nosy, Why did you choose to become a knight?"

"I guess it's to protect my fellow citizens and my family from the enemies, especially at times like these when there's a war."

"You're not afraid of risking yourself for the sake of everyone?"

"I'm not, that's why I chose this job, even if I lose my life. I will protect everyone until the end."

"Heh? Not everyone has a strong resolve like you, I like that."

"Thank you for the compliment, Lucas-sama"

Our conversation ended, and I laid down on the roof, gazing at the heavens.

Unlike the earth where there are light pollution almost everywhere, the skies here are crystal clear. I can clearly see every beautiful stars at the skies, beautiful than ever. The ambience and atmosphere of the night, along with the calm noises. It gives me a feeling of peace.

"𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 𝑔𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒... 𝑠𝑜...𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙"