I Refuse to be Captured - Chapter 4 (Patreon)

I never liked the various parties I was dragged to due to my position as the son of a Ducal family.

A large part of that was the fact that until my official debut I was usually banished to the back rooms while the main party continued elsewhere with the only company being people my age. And because I found most of the people my age too childish to really enjoy being around, not that that was their fault, but when you're mentally in your twenties it’s really hard to enjoy hanging around with young children and preteens.

It was getting slightly more bearable as I got older because not only was I getting close to my own debut and finally being free from the brats that thought dropping insects down the back of each other's shirts or wiping their snot on everything was the height of comedy, other kids my age were starting to realize that kind of behavior wasn’t all that funny either.

I mean sure I was going to have to deal with people either hating or sucking up to me because of my position as they actually internalized the differences in the noble hierarchy, but I’d also take that if it meant it was no longer socially acceptable for someone to run crying to mommy if I said something that hurt their feelings…

Or refused to play with them…

Or simply didn’t give them my dessert…

The point is I didn’t like people crying over every little thing and kids cry a lot, okay?

The party we were on our way to was a bit different this time though.

See, today was the birthday and debut of George Stonwell, the second prince. But like with most things, it worked a little differently with Royalty. Instead of Prince George being introduced to the rest of nobility and leaving the back rooms to finally be welcome among the adults, he was going to be introduced to the children of nobility around his own age for the ‘first’ time. Naturally some people had already met the prince at other events, I for one had met him at a fencing tournament I had gone to watch, but the rest would only have heard about the prince from their parents.

It was probably going to be the most normal birthday party I had ever been to since I reincarnated. For once I was looking forward to it.

“I see that look in your eye, Maximilian. You better behave yourself.” Mother was quick to reign me in. “Remember, not only will Prince George be there, but the children of several other high ranking families as well.”

I sighed.

“Yeah, I know. I’ll be good.”

“You’d better…”

-o-

Parental threats aside, the trip to the palace was uneventful as expected. We were greeted by some royal knights at the entrance and dutifully escorted to a hall where there were various noble families giving last minute advice to their children attending the main party. The adults would be in attendance, but from what Mother told me they wouldn’t interact with us until the very end. They would simply watch from the periphery.

I had already been told everything I was going to be, so Mother simply led us over to where Duchess Gale was standing. Concerningly, Alice was not by her side.

“Greetings, I’m pleased to see you both made it. Is your husband not here?” The Duchess greeted us.

“Same to you, and no. The yearly inspection for the border area is due and he is handling that and thus sadly unable to attend.” Mother replied beginning the rather annoying smalltalk needed whenever high ranking nobles met in public. Duchess Gale was already aware that my Father wouldn’t be here since it had been discussed when we visited their estate, but it needed to be said for the people inevitably eavesdropping on us why my Father wasn’t here.

“A pity. My husband is in a similar position. He did mention to extend his own greetings and regrets for not being able to attend. He quite enjoyed your family visiting and was looking forward to talking more. Especially after the poor display Alice showed young Maximillian.”

“Speaking of, is Alice not here? I remember her being quite excited about attending.”

Duchess Gale sighed and placed a tired hand to her forehead. “That girl… Yes, she was so excited that she forgot about agreeing to meet you both and ran off to explore the palace grounds. If you could find her before she embarrasses herself I would appreciate it.”

Ouch. There’s the Gales' casual insulting attitude I guess. I can definitely see where Alice gets it from if her mother is like this even in public. It’s a good thing she’s related to a Duke or she probably would have grievously insulted a higher ranked family by now. And there wasn’t really anything higher than a Duke.

…Except for the Royal Family.

…And Alice likely had no idea what George looked like.

Well, shit.

I wasn’t the only one to make that connection either since my Mother’s eyes widened and she started pushing me deeper into the palace.

“I’ll go look for her then.” I replied to Duchess Gale before I was given one final shove. “Have a nice evening!”

-o-

Even though I said that it wasn't like I had any idea where to look, which meant I ended up randomly wandering the halls occasionally asking the servants if they had seen Alice.

Considering this was the first time the Duke’s daughter had been to the palace and she had only recently started attending other gatherings, most of them probably didn’t know what she looked like or where she could be.

I had been wandering around aimlessly for over fifteen minutes already. I was just about ready to give up and head back to the others when I heard more voices around a corner.

Probably more servants. I’d try one more time in case they had seen Alice before turning back.

Turning the corner I already had a hand raised, prepared to call out to whoever was there when I saw something that made me freeze in place. Standing there in the middle of the hallway was Alice Gale, idly hugging what looked to be a young girl to her chest as she stroked the other’s hair despite her target’s completely red face and constant shaking.

“Oh Maximilian, excellent timing.” Alice greeted me. “I found this child wandering the halls and have been trying to determine where she came from. Young children shouldn’t be wandering around on their own after all, but she keeps trying to head towards the ballroom.”

“I keep telling you I’m supposed to go there, it’s my party! I can’t help that I’m small!” I awkwardly avoided looking as tears of rage and humiliation leaked from the eyes of Alice’s captive.

Must. Not. Laugh.

“There, there. As long as you eat and exercise properly you will grow up just fine.” Alice ‘comforted’. “These things take time. Why, my own figure only started to fill out recently. Ah - but we shouldn’t discuss that while Maximilian is here. Mother informed me that ‘girl talk’ was supposed to take place when no men are present.”

Oh god, I think my sides are going to explode!

“Ah-Ahem. Alice, why don’t you head back for now. Your mother was looking for you.” I tried to salvage the situation without bursting into laughter.

“That is important, but as the daughter of a Duke I cannot just leave a young girl to fend for herself.”

Her captive finally had enough and glared directly at me, rage filled eyes just barely peeking out from under their wavy light brown hair.

“Storm, I demand you do something about this!”

Right, playtime was over. Time to break things up before Alice does something actually unforgivable.

I straightened up and did my best to bow politely. Not sure how successful I was but the attempt was made. “Apologies for the late greeting Your Highness, Second Prince George Stonewell. Do you mind if I borrow your companion for a bit? I’m sure you don’t want to be late for your own party.”

I had to restrain myself from bursting out laughing again as my words seemed to shock the blue haired girl.

“Y-you mean to say, this cute little girl…is the prince?!”