The Crown of Rutile Quartz: Volume 1 [Parts 1 to 5] by Surume Enoki

Author:Surume Enoki
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 3: Frustration

There was not much change to Slaine’s life as crown prince after the end of the state funeral.

His most important task was his studies. He had acquired a modicum of domestic and foreign knowledge in preparation for the funeral, but this was not sufficient for much more than perfunctory greetings. There was still much for him to learn—he was well aware that he would need to devote every morning to concentrated study for the foreseeable future.

He used his mother’s writing instruments for his notes. As she was a scribe by trade, her tools were of high quality. It was not strange for Slaine to continue to use them, even as a prince.

While Slaine had the resources to delve into detailed topics whenever the need arose, there was a vast array of topics upon which he had need to acquire general knowledge: History. Mathematics. Etiquette and courtesy. Military affairs. Detailed domestic and foreign political affairs. The kingdom’s economy and industries. The cultural refinement befitting an aristocrat. Eynthian theology.

Monica continued on in her role as his tutor, standing beside the blackboard with a book in one hand and a pointer in the other. Slaine submerged himself in study, absorbing all the new knowledge he could.

Day after day went by—before long, the beginning of March had arrived. A bit more than a month had passed since Slaine had become crown prince.

“You’re amazing, Monica,” Slaine remarked as they chatted over tea. “It’s really impressive, the way you can memorize all this information perfectly and explain it so easily.”

Monica was Slaine’s elder by three years. As the daughter of a baron, the lowest rank among the hereditary nobility, and not even one that stood to inherit her father’s holdings, she was not in a position that demanded such thorough education.

Nevertheless, she had acquired a thorough foundation of knowledge in practically every field. Her personal skills and talents were no doubt exceptional, if she had accomplished this much by the age of eighteen.

Slaine understood now why she had been appointed aide to the crown prince in spite of her age and social position.

Monica answered his praise with a kind smile. “You flatter me,” she said. “You undoubtedly possess exceptional wit yourself, my liege. You have progressed through our studies far more quickly than any would have expected.”

“I’ll be crowned in the fall,” Slaine replied, smiling faintly. “I’ve delegated nearly all my administrative duties to my vassals, but it is not as if I can devote myself to scholarship forever. At this stage, I cannot afford to dawdle.”

Becoming king was not simply a matter of sitting through a formal ceremony. If Slaine could not win the recognition of the domestic nobility and the kingdom’s foreign neighbors, then he would never be considered a true sovereign.

In order to serve as a true king—in order to protect the kingdom that his mother had loved and his father had left in his hands—Slaine would need to train and reach his full potential.

He was lacking in every respect. It

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