Why won't Father come to see me?
He cares more about his job than me, the runt.
Father...
At Café Mitter Meyer
Going out to town is best when looking for books.
I found useful books for creating materials for the princes' lessons, too.
Café Mitter Meyer?
A café with a nice atmosphere in this back alley...
Pardon me.
Coming!
Welcome, good...
sir...
Prince Licht?
Our menu, sir.
My apologies for the mix-up.
Not at all. I get it all the time.
Though I don't know how a commoner like me could be mistaken for a prince!
When you think about it, you'd never find a prince working in a café.
Indeed you would not. Ahem...
What would you recommend?
Our most popular offering is the einspänner.
I personally prefer the kapuziner.
We add freshly-whipped milk and cream to coffee...
Twinkle.
Then we top it off with our unique arrangement of cocoa powder and orange peel.
Twinkle, twinkle.
The citrus goes perfectly with the chocolate and caramel in a Dobos torte.
Twinkle.
A kapuziner and a Dobos torte, please.
Coming right up.
I normally don't eat sweets, yet he made it sound irresistible.
He has the same way with words as Prince Licht.
But his serious nature is completely unlike the prince.
Badum Badum Badum Badum
What is the professor doing here?!
I did manage to fool him, right?
If word gets out that I'm working on the sly...
Licht, you lied about always having fun?
Too serious... Not cool...
Ew. He pretended to be a party boy, but he's serious?
How dull.
Licht's too serious.
Licht is dull.
Licht isn't cool.
No!
I-I'd be lucky to get off with just that.
I'm doing something unacceptable for a royal.
If Father found out,
I wouldn't just be stripped of my claim to the throne,
I'd be disowned and kicked out of the palace!
It's all okay. If the professor doesn't find out, no one else will.
All I have to do is not act like me.
Hello!
Oh, Richard! We came as soon as we heard you were working.
Let's chat our hearts out.
Wow, really? I'll give you lovely ladies lots of attention.
Stare.
Don't act like me. Don't act like me. Don't act like me.
What's gotten into you, Richie? You're on task today.
Sir!
S-Say, could someone else wait on that little fellow with the glasses?
Huh?
Oh, he's too precious!
Alone at a café? Now that's a dapper boy.
Poor Professor.
No can do, I'm afraid.
What?
A professional waiter takes complete care of their section, from the order to the check.
Do you know what would happen if we started pulling switcheroos?
The patrons would be confused.
Is something off about our Richie today?
He's always been a strange one, but still.
Don't say it so bluntly.
Maybe he'll leave as soon as he finishes eating.
Here you are, sir.
It looks delicious. I'm glad I took your recommendation.
He started reading! He's here for the long haul! Professor, you jerk!
Why did he have to have a book?!
I knew it. Something's off with him today.
I guess I'll stay as far away as I can and try not to stand out.
You just moved that ball!
Don't go making things up because you're losing.
You know, you've always been...
Look out!
Are you hurt, miss?
N-No... I'm fine.
I'm sorry!
I can't apologize enough.
If he hadn't been cheating...
Excuse me?!
What?!
The space between the wall and the table's a tad too narrow.
I'm sure it was an accident.
I'm terribly sorry. I'll speak to the owner about this.
And...
We'll say it's my win today.
Look at you go. And here I thought you were acting funny today.
Check, please.
Y-Yes, sir.
That was an excellent job.
Not only did you deal with the trouble handily, you preserved the café's atmosphere.
Oh, no, you're flattering me, sir.
This is a splendid café. I will come again.
Thank you. We'll be waiting.
Actually, I'd rather you didn't.
Well, at least I managed to fool him.
What's this?
Dear Prince Licht,
When you return home, see me in my room.
Heine.
Th-The jig's up...
No way...
Check, please.
R-Right away, sir.
I'm here to bring you home.
Your father is waiting for you, Prince Licht.
You're...
If Viktor finds out that Prince Licht is working in town,
the prince's position will be in peril.
I should speak with His Highness one-on-one, and then...
Prince Licht?
Prince Licht... Don't tell me—
His Highness comes first.
Your Majesty, may I enter?
Is that the royal tutor? Let him in.
P-Professor...
Did you know about this?
I intended to discuss it today.
I see. Well, I have already heard everything from Count Rosenberg.
So that man was Count Rosenberg...
I cannot believe you were doing this.
Even considering your usual games, this is too much.
If I may, Your Majesty...
His Highness was quite serious as he worked. This is no game.
I believe that the prince's thoughts should be considered here.
Oh? Explain yourself, Licht.
It was a game at first.
The ladies would talk about handsome waiters, and I thought I could do it, too.
But when I tried, I messed it all up.
But everyone taught me so patiently, and thanks to them,
I learned the job and took a real interest in it.
I won't quit.
It feels worthwhile.
I don't care what anyone says. I'm staying on.
I certainly cannot allow that.
Why not? Isn't it enough that I want to do it?
That is not the problem.
You're guaranteed a minimum of safety at the noble-exclusive halls you frequent.
If your identity as prince is revealed... No, even if it remains a secret.
If danger befalls you in this café, I won't be able to protect you.
Listen to me.
You need to be more aware of your place as a royal.
If anything were to happen, it would jeopardize the royal line.
Licht—
Do you remember?
When I was little and sickly, you never came to visit me.
You didn't care about a fifth prince who could never become king, did you?
Now you want to play the good father and talk about protecting me?
What you really want to protect is the royal family's reputation.
You never even try to understand me!
Licht, calm down. Let's talk about this.
Forget it. I don't care!
Licht!
Prince Licht...
I ran away without a plan. What now?
I could stay with a girl...
No, they're all friends of some noble or another.
I can only count on one place.
One of them might let me stay over for a little while.
I'll ask when our work is done.
I'll work at the café and support myself with that money.
Wouldn't be a bad life...
Wait!
Father? Professor?
Let us return to the palace and discuss this calmly.
No. There's nothing to say.
I'm going back to work. Step aside.
Do you mean to...
If you're going to be this stubborn, I have my own plan.
A plan?
Wh-What are you going to do?
Richie! Where have you been? I was looking for you.
Huh?
Who is this?
A pleasure to meet you. I am his father.
I'm the owner of this café. Your son's a big help.
The owner? Excellent.
I have something to ask you.
No! He's going to force me to quit?
Wh—no! You can't!
Don't—
Would you allow me to work here for a short time?
Huh?
U-Uh...
A few hours is enough. Won't you allow me to work here?
Wh-What is he saying? A king, working here?
Viktor, what are you doing?
I cannot understand why my son wishes to work here.
I want to truly understand his heart by working here myself.
H-Hold on! Are you crazy?
You said I never try to understand you, no?
I did, but...
D-Do not be so demanding. Look. You've put the owner on the spot.
Sad
All right. For the five hours until closing time,
you're hired.
Owner!
What a good, loving father.
I can't turn down those sincere eyes.
Let's get you into uniform.
Many thanks.
You look familiar. But who was it...
This middle-aged madman...
This has gotten way out of control.
What the heck is he thinking?
The king is working... The king is working?!
But he could never do café work.
The owner will kick him out when he gets in the way. Mmhmm!
I'm ready.
How do I look?
Not strange, I hope.
H-He looks like he's perfect for the job.
You look handsome.
It's perfect on you.
He's older than he looks, you know!
I'm glad it doesn't look strange.
What do you think, Heine?
Slurp.
Slurp
Heine!
Slurp
Snub.
Heine?
Snub, snub, snub.
I would not have shown you this place if I'd known you would be this reckless.
Weren't you going to bring His Highness home?
Yes, but I need to understand Licht's feelings if I want to persuade him.
Besides, this brings back memories.
You are not the same boy you were back then.
Yes, things are different now. For both of us.
Goodness gracious. I will write my lesson materials while I wait here.
May I leave Prince Licht to you?
But of course.
Like father, like son, I suppose.
Viktor has always flabbergasted me.
This is a matter between father and son.
As a tutor, I can only watch over them.
Okay, Richie, show your father what to do.
Why me?!
I'm counting on you.
But we were fighting mere moments ago. What do I say?
Wait, all I have to do is give him basic instructions.
It took me months to get comfortable with this job.
He can't pick it up in one night.
Excuse me!
You're up. Take her order.
All right.
The sooner he messes up, the sooner he'll leave.
My humble apologies for the wait.
Your every wish is my command.
One franziskaner and one linzertorte, please.
As you wish, madam.
I did as my attendants do. How was I?
W-Well, I think the kneeling was a bit much.
I'll keep that in mind next time.
A-Any old adult could take an order.
But good customer service is all about rapport with patrons.
Father could never do it.
E-Er...
Is something the matter?
This patron is from abroad...
F-Father, don't...
Puis-je vous aider?
Ou est la gare?
Gape...
Je vais vous dessiner un plan.
He needed directions to the station.
That was incredible, sir!
Not at all. I meet with many foreigners in my work.
Father is fluent in foreign languages? Wow...
Wait. So what? He just got lucky.
With my perfect smile and polished conversation skills, everyone loves me.
Father could never be like me.
Oh, my! You have the smile of an angel.
Thank you.
That novel...
It's an old book. Have you ever read it?
Actually, I love it. Particularly the main character.
What? What?
He's too cool.
Excuse me, I'm ready to order!
What's your name, dear?
Won't you marry my daughter?
No, marry mine!
Will you be my grandchild?
Incredible. Just incredible!
He hasn't made a single mistake,
and he's become the café's most popular waiter in a single night!
I-I lost...
I never knew that Father could do so many things.
The Father I know...
is a workaholic who never came to see me when I was sick...
an annoyance who turns all clingy on the rare occasion that we see him...
Can he pull off his first time doing a new job this smoothly
because he's done so many things as king?
I always told myself that I didn't want to be like him when I grow up, but...
Always so helpful.
It's no problem. Let me hear more of your old stories.
You betcha.
Sir!
Won't you keep working with us?
Even if it's not for long!
We and the patrons would all be thrilled. Pretty please?
Thank you, but I'm afraid I can't.
Please give it positive consideration!
I'll bring in the signs.
Wait.
I'll help you.
Huh?
Licht. I'm sorry.
Huh?
For forcing myself into your café.
For all the pain I've put you through.
I should have explained myself better, earlier.
If you were to be gravely injured outside of the palace...
If your job led to a scandal...
It could hurt your claim to the throne.
I was only worried that you weren't prepared for that possibility.
It has nothing to do with my reputation or the royal line.
I won't force my way on you.
Whether you work or quit is up to you.
Father...
I love this café.
Working out here is far more fun than being cooped up in the palace.
But...
It would feel wrong to keep working if it worries you.
Licht...
I guess I didn't understand you.
I never thought about how demanding your job must be.
I couldn't get over how you didn't come to see me when I was sick.
But of course you couldn't put your children first.
A king has a duty to his kingdom and his people.
It's more than that.
Huh?
It is for the kingdom...
and for my children, who are more precious to me than anything.
Father...
I'm sorry that I didn't know how much I'd hurt you.
I am truly sorry, Licht.
Truly a man of integrity, both as a king and a father.
I would expect no less of the first person I was able to trust.
I have to tell the owner that I can't work anymore.
I'll miss it here...
Prince Licht.
I have a lesson for you.
Huh?
Before quitting something you want to do, you should explore alternative solutions.
Huh?
My work went more efficiently than expected.
I've decided to visit the café every week.
How would you feel about working when I am here?
Huh?
If anything happens, I can protect you.
I wouldn't worry then.
I learned many things in the last few hours.
This is an excellent addition to your studies.
If you'd like to stay on, then you should.
Your Majesty! Everyone's waiting for you!
You promised you'd be back in time for the meeting when we let you through the gates.
My apologies. I need my clothes...
You can change at the palace!
A carriage will be around for His Highness and the royal tutor shortly.
Goodbye, Licht. Give the owner and the rest my apologies.
Royal Tutor, I leave Licht in your hands.
Kings really are busy...
All jobs are hard work to some degree. You would know.
I guess so!
But... maybe I wouldn't mind being king, if I could be like Father.
So I'll do my best with your lessons from now on, too.
Oh, but I won't be quitting the café.
I wouldn't want to make my fangirls cry.
Stare.
Wh-What?
Perhaps I misjudged you.
To be frank, I thought you the most mysterious of the princes...
But in truth, you are a strikingly ordinary boy, aren't you?
You might be mature for your age, but you'll always be the youngest.
Rebelling against your father is typical of your age...
Stop!
What part of this devastatingly hot, charismatic prince makes you think that?
Jeez, you joker.
You needn't push yourself to play the fool.
I know you're serious at heart.
No! Don't look at me with that indifferent stare!
Richie!
Coming!
Professor!
Thank you.
Now, why did Count Rosenberg know that Prince Licht was working here?
What a pity.
Here I hoped one of the candidates for the throne would drop out of the race.
Oh, well. I wasn't expecting much.
I'm sure I'll find plenty of scandals if I look for them.
Now, who to ruin first?
Leo, what kind of coffee do you like?
I like the Café Klaus blend.
The best way to bring out the aroma is—
Wait, wait, wait!
Next Time:
The Whereabouts of a Dream
Next time, "The Whereabouts of a Dream."
If you say too many difficult things at once I get dizzy.
Don't tell me it burned out your brain!