Transmigrated as the ill 2nd Prince (BL)

Chapter 4: Persuading (Rewritten)

I stood before the heavy door to the living room, the butler Alfred standing beside me. The weight of the moment settled on my shoulders. This was it, my chance to change their minds.

It had all started earlier today. After my conversation with Allea, I left my room despite her protests. She was terrified, trying to block my path, but I ignored her.

“All I wanted was to attend the festival.” I sighed as I strolled down the corridors. “My body feels fine. Why won’t they let me go?”

Servants gasped and whispered as I passed, confusion and alarm evident on their faces. They weren’t used to seeing me outside my room.

I suppose I should explain, while I might feel healthy and capable of lifting things, I look deathly pale.

My fragile appearance makes everyone assume I could collapse at any moment. To them, I appear as brittle as glass. The truth is, I suspect the Goddess of Light intervened when I was poisoned, tricking everyone into believing I only have a month to live. This illusion is strangely helpful, though frustrating at times.

As I wandered, one servant after another tried to stop me, but I evaded them. That is, until I nearly collided with someone

A man stood in my way, blocking my path with a polite but firm expression.

“Your Highness,” he began, “you should return to your room. You are unwell.”

I attempted to sidestep him, but he was quick to anticipate my move. I glanced at him thoughtfully. What was his name again?

“Could you remind me of your name?” I asked, trying to sound sincere.

“Alfred Shio, Your Highness.”

“Where are Father and Brother right now?” I asked.

“They are in the living room, Your Highness.”

“Good. Take me to them.”

Alfred hesitated briefly, but in the end, he relented and gestured for me to follow.

As we made our way through the hallways, I could feel the eyes of the servants following us. They whispered among themselves, clearly bewildered by my sudden appearance.

I caught sight of Allea standing in the corner, her face pale with worry, but I pressed on.

And now, here we were, standing in front of the massive door that separated me from my father and brother.

This is it. I have to persuade them no matter what.

Alfred knocked on the door, waiting patiently until a voice from within gave permission to enter. We stepped inside, and Alfred spoke first.

“Apologies for the interruption, Your Majesty, Your Highness. The Prince wishes to speak with you.”

I stayed behind Alfred, hidden from view, as my father and brother exchanged glances.

“What?” Haru, my brother, blurted in shock.

I stepped out from behind the butler, meeting their confused gazes.

“Hiroka, what are you doing out of your room?” Father demanded. “You’re unwell!”

“I’m not that sick, Father,” I said firmly.

Haru scoffed. “Not that sick? Your face is paler than a vampire’s! Your body is practically skin and bones! You call that ‘not sick’?”

'Brother. You're sounding a bit obsessive...'

I put on my best sad expression, eyes wide and pleading. “But, Brother... it’s really important.”

Haru froze, visibly flinching at the sight of my pitiful face.

'Heh. Gotcha.'

Father, looking mildly exasperated, raised a hand. “Calm down, Haru. Let’s hear what Hiroka has to say. Alfred, you may leave.”

The butler gave a short bow and exited, leaving just the three of us in the room. The heavy silence pressed down until Father gestured toward a chair across from him.

I sat obediently, watching as Haru poured himself tea from a tray on the table.

“So?” Father asked. “What is it that’s so important?”

I took a deep breath, knowing this was my only chance. “I want to go to the festival tomorrow.”

The sound of shattering porcelain filled the room. Haru had dropped his teacup, his mouth agape in disbelief.

“What?!” both Father and Haru shouted in unison.

“You can’t be serious!” Haru exclaimed. “Where did you even hear about the festival? I told the servants to keep it quiet!”

“Hiroka, have you lost your mind?” Father added. “There’s no way you can go.”

“You still need time to recover!”

“We’ll buy you whatever you want if you just stay home,” Haru bargained frantically.

I sighed, waiting for them to finish their tirade before speaking again.

“Can I at least explain?”

They went silent, though their expressions remained tense.

“It was my maid who told me,” I admitted. “But don’t be angry with her—it slipped out by accident. And... I’ve already made up my mind. I’m going to the festival, whether you approve or not.”

Both of them looked startled by my resolve. I pressed on, my voice softening. “I’ve always loved festivals. I’ve dreamed of going for so long, but all I’ve been able to do is watch from my window. Seeing everyone else laugh and enjoy themselves—it makes me feel left out, jealous even. Please, just this once... let me go.”

These emotions weren’t fake. In my previous life, I had felt the same way—watching festivals on TV while others celebrated with their families. Those memories stirred in me, and before I realized it, tears welled up in my eyes.

"..."

The room was quiet. I lowered my head, convinced they were going to refuse me. If they say no, I’ll just have to sneak out...

Then Father’s voice broke the silence.

“Hiroka... I’ll let you go to the festival. But please, stop making that face. You’ll make your brother and me cry too.”

I looked up, stunned. Father was wiping his eyes, and Haru had backed away from him, looking horrified by the display of emotion.

'Is this really the same cold-hearted king from the novel?'

Haru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I didn’t realize you felt that way... I’m sorry, Hiroka. We didn’t mean to take your joy away.”

'Wait... Does that mean—?'

“We’ve decided you can go to the festival,” Haru confirmed with a small smile.

Joy surged through me, but before I could celebrate, Haru raised a hand. “On one condition.”

'Of course there’s a catch...'

“You’ll go with your maid, and we’ll assign a carriage and an expert knight to escort you. Deal?”

I nodded eagerly, grinning from ear to ear.

'I can’t believe it... I’m really going to the festival!'