Chapter 7:

Commissions

Sentenced to Babysit

Issei was enchanted by the place and especially impressed by the treatment he received: new, high-quality clothes, a room all his own, free food, and, in short, a life of luxury. That's if you ignore the fact that he had to look after the king's little rascal. Prince Josuke was the most spoiled and annoying child in the entire kingdom.

Issei went down to the dining room to eat breakfast. The prince wasn't there. The king also looked at Josuke's place with a puzzled expression.

Issei walked to the prince's room. He was still in bed, his bottom facing up and his head on the pillows. His dragon-embellished panties disgusted Issei, who promptly looked away.

<Hey, prince, you really like dragons, don't you?>

Josuke nodded slightly, as if listening.

Issei scratched his head. He didn't know how to handle a child. He hadn't even managed to get his wife pregnant; at the bitter age of thirtytwo, Issei was still a virgin.

Then an idea occurred to Issei. He felt deep down that someone had tried this strategy on him before, but he couldn't remember exactly when.

<Josuke, there's chocolate for breakfast, hurry up or I'll finish it all.>

Issei laughed lightly. The prince jumped out of bed and ran to the dining room.

The king looked at the prince with a raised eyebrow.

<Um... There's no chocolate.>

The prince's face darkened; he had been mocked by the knight. With a sneer, Issei approached him from behind and, placing a hand on his shoulder, turned to the king.

The prince was on the verge of tears. Issei's deception had succeeded. He had accomplished his task one way or another.

Josuke pouted, but being hungry, he devoured his breakfast as if he hadn't eaten in days.

King Kazuma then gave various tasks to complete: feeding the horses, buying potions at the market...

Issei looked doubtfully at the list of things to do, but, taking a deep breath, swallowed his pride and began the chores, accompanied, of course, by Prince Josuke.

<First, we must feed the horses. Do you know where they are?>

The prince smiled and asked Issei to be his pony. The knight initially refused, but after a tremendous amount of requests, he relented. The knight got down on all fours, and the prince rode him.

Together, the two reached the stable. Among the various beasts were racehorses, other highly prized thoroughbreds, and finally, those of the royal knights.

Issei took a few steps back. He knew horses, but the royal ones were so big and ferocious that they frightened even a grown man like him.

The prince laughed, mocking the knight's fears. Issei then tried to remain calm, approached the horses, and reached out to their mouths. One horse snorted, and Issei let out a shriek of fear.

Issei felt embarrassed, narrowed his eyes, and fed the horses. The prince then pointed to the manger.

Issei laughed, the bitter laugh of someone who had unknowingly made a mistake. He had never fed horses in his entire life and was completely ignorant in the matter.

Once they had finished feeding them, they moved on to brushing the horses thoroughly. Meanwhile, a servant trained in horse care was changing their hooves.

As he brushed them, Issei was getting used to their frightening size. The prince looked at the knight with amusement; for him, the routine was normal, but for Issei, it was all new.

When they were finished with the horses, they changed into their outfits to go out into the city.

<Please, don't do anything rash.>

Issei warned the prince, who rolled his eyes, as if he already knew everything and intended to ignore him anyway.
The new clothes were very comfortable and elegant. Issei looked at himself in the mirror excitedly: he could only have dreamed of those clothes.

Together, Issei and Josuke took a carriage out of the castle to go to the market in the city. There they needed to buy potions and other things.

When they reached the city, the passage was narrow and the carriage had to stop. Issei's serious look, as he meticulously checked the list, slowly turned to unease.
Everyone looked at the prince, smiling and waving, only to change expressions as soon as they saw Issei.
Forcing a smile, Issei tried to wave, but everyone turned as if to ignore him. Issei felt a little sad, but continued walking without ever slowing his pace.

When they reached the potion shop, the knight headed towards the cashier to state his requests, but the cashier decided to ignore him.

At that moment, the prince appeared from behind and, clearing his throat, announced his needs to the cashier.

Issei was taken aback. He was hoping for help, but instead the prince just needed to relieve himself.

The knight was speechless as he watched Josuke head towards the shop's restroom.

<Please, I was sent here by the king himself. He's Prince Josuke!>

The cashier didn't know how to respond to those words.

Issei nodded proudly. The cashier finally listened to him and gave him the potions he needed.

Even though I don't believe what he says, it's better to give him what he wants so he'll get out of here. He's scaring away my customers!

thought the clerk.

Afterwards, Issei and Josuke went from shop to shop. They filled the carriage they'd come in and, once their errands were finished, returned to the castle.

As hard as that morning had been, the day was still long. Issei had to grit his teeth and continue.