The Price of the Past
You did well on today's lessons.
Thanks...
Ah, yes. Have you been speaking with the palace staff lately?
Yeah, sometimes. A little. About the weather and stuff...
Oh? That is a big step forward.
Couldn't have done it without you all. Thanks.
Prince Kai, Professor Heine, you have a summons from His Majesty.
My. What could it be?
Your Majesty. Prince Bruno, you are here, too?
What do we have to discuss today?
As well as providing a grooming from a royal tutor, our kingdom has traditionally
sent its princes to military school from the age of 15...
until one year ago.
One year ago?
I think you should know about this, too.
This is a tabloid that was put out this morning.
"The palace's taboo topic. The truth behind the second prince's violent episode."
"One year ago, Prince Kai and Prince Bruno were enrolled in military school
and used their positions as royals to lord over it.
They didn't attend classes or military exercises
and even threatened teachers into giving them top marks.
Anyone who defied them would be met with violence.
But the nightmare
was put to an end when Student R was discovered with major injuries.
Prince Kai was caught red-handed at the scene,
and his penchant for violence became known to the public.
However, the full extent of the princes' wicked deeds was still kept hidden.
Prince Kai was formally suspended for the attack and Prince Bruno took a leave of absence.
Yet the victim, Student R, was punished with expulsion.
He still suffers under the pressure of the state's power."
Master, that article is utter nonsense.
Yes, I am sure.
I had heard the rumors of Prince Kai before coming to the palace.
But upon meeting him myself, I concluded that they were false.
If only we could crush that newspaper company...
Bruno, our citizens have freedom of thought and speech.
Regardless of the content, we must protect their speech.
Yes, I know! But...
But...
It's true that I attacked him...
Kai!
Please don't say it like that!
You did it for me.
Would you kindly tell me the details?
It was my second year at military school...
Because I look scary... no one came close to me and I was lonely...
But I was going to school like normal, no problems...
But Bruno...
Kai, our carriage is here. Let's go home.
Is something wrong?
Ah, just an accident during sword practice.
My sparring partner's sword hit me with a lot of force.
It looks painful.
Are you already doing battle training?
No, it was only an accident. He already apologized to me.
Let's go...
It happened the next week, too.
Bruno, that bruise...
Ah, training again. I swung my sword with bad timing, that's all.
Bruno, are you having any trouble?
Not at all. You worry too much, Kai.
It happened several times, until one day...
Bruno's late... Where is he?
How long is he going to bother with the prince?
He said he hasn't had his fill yet.
Whoa. Seriously?
You still need more training, don't you?
I'll toughen you up, you soft royal!
Stop!
How dare you...
How dare you hurt Bruno!
Damn you!
Kai!
Stop, Kai! Please! You'll be...
I'm fine... please... Kai!
Student R and I were both badly injured.
He was expelled, I was suspended...
But that's not all.
Leonhard and Licht's entrance to military school was shelved,
and Bruno left, too.
I see.
I'm responsible.
Please, don't say it like that.
I think that Student R, or Ralf von Fuchs, loathed us for being born into royalty.
So he vented his daily aggrievements and resentment through violence...
I see. This article hardly lines up with the facts as you've told them.
That is the problem.
At the time, the police and the school investigated,
and confirmed Kai and Bruno's side of things.
I will protect freedom of speech, but I must correct incorrect facts.
I have already sent a letter of protest to the newspaper company and made an announcement.
However, until this is resolved,
you may be subject to hurtful words from both inside and outside the palace.
I want you to bear with it for a little while.
Yes, Father.
Understood.
Royal Tutor, the paper.
Yes, Your Majesty.
"The fallen palace. A criminal has slipped into the palace."
Royal Tutor.
I have been keeping a close eye on that since returning from my travels abroad.
I leave my two sons in your hands.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Master? Is something the matter?
No, nothing.
Is that so?
At any rate, I can't believe they can write such tripe and we can do nothing about it...
Bruno, do you know where Fuchs lives?
I am sure we could find out.
I'm going to try talking to him.
What?!
Most of the article is false...
But they're a paper, so I think they talked to sources... including Fuchs.
I'm going to ask him if he can have them correct the parts that aren't true.
That's too rash. He isn't the sort who would hear us out.
It's wrong to jump to conclusions about others.
Kai...
As princes aiming for the throne, we have to be willing to talk with anyone...
Professor, I know Father said to bear it. What do you think?
I want to meet Fuchs.
Are you certain, Prince Kai?
He may attack you physically or with insults.
It's okay. I won't ever raise my hand against him again.
Very well, then. I will accompany you as an intermediary.
I will ask His Majesty for permission to leave the palace.
Professor...
Prince Bruno, please wait here.
If you must go, then take an escort.
It could be dangerous for only the two of you.
Your wait is over! I, Maximilian, and...
...I, Ludwig...
...swear we will protect Prince Kai and Professor Heine from harm!
Now, let's be on our way.
They seem exceedingly excited today.
Kai, I'm sorry. This was my own problem, and now...
No. I'm not doing it just for you.
I'm finally getting along with the palace staff...
I'd be sad if they avoided me again because of that article.
So it's for me, too.
Prince Kai!
We believe in you, Prince Kai.
We know that you're a gentle soul.
No matter what anyone says, we'll support Your Highness.
So please...
don't give up!
Thank you.
That was Kai's best smile. Please don't misinterpret.
Y-Yes, of course.
His awkwardness is, um, one of his charms! Right?
Please take good care of Kai, Master.
Wow, what a ginormous house!
This is Herr Fuchs's estate, then?
Prince Kai, Ludwig and I will ask if they have a place to discuss this.
He may still be hostile toward Your Highness.
Please wait in the carriage.
Okay.
Herr Fuchs, are you there?
Who's there?
A little boy?
I-I am a grown man.
Please calm down. You can say that later.
Apologies for calling so suddenly. Are you Herr Fuchs?
Yes...
We are from the palace.
How can I help you?
Prince Kai wishes to speak with you.
We are not here to attack you.
His Highness has a request regarding a recent newspaper article.
Prince Kai deeply regrets the incident.
Would you please at least hear him out?
Please come in. I'm to blame, too...
Thank you. I will call His Highness.
What do you know?
I heard he was a wicked brat who did awful things to Prince Bruno,
but it looks like he's turned a new leaf.
Good thing I won't have to use this...
Huh? Where'd Ludwig go?
The guard? He went inside already.
Oh, okay!
It's been a long time, Your Highness.
Yeah.
Please, come in.
It's just as wonderful on the inside, too.
Where is your family, if I may?
They're out right now.
Are they? Wait, didn't Ludwig come in before us?
A servant's showing him to the bathroom.
Here. I suppose you'd prefer to play in the gardens.
This is my little brother's. You may play with it.
As I said, I am a grown man and a teacher.
Hmph
Pardon my mistake.
Hmph.
To the matter at hand. The article.
First, there's something I've always wanted to ask you.
Why did you hurt Bruno back then?
Actually, there were rumors.
Rumors?
That royals can do anything at military school and never be punished.
Despite their real grades, they're made the top of the class.
That's not true.
Prince Bruno did always have top marks, and I never saw the instructors angry at him.
That's because Bruno is talented and always on his best behavior.
I didn't have top marks or anything.
I knew that! But...
It's true that you'd received a good enough education to be at the top, isn't it?
The instructors acted reserved around Your Highnesses, too.
Several times, they were so careful with you that they'd lash out at us instead.
I didn't know...
So my friends and I would vent about it among ourselves every day,
and it got more and more heated.
I knew it was just jealousy.
I'm ashamed of myself, looking back on it now.
I won't ask you to forgive me.
But I truly regret what I did. I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have used violence, either.
Sorry...
Prince Kai... Please, lift your head.
Do you know about this?
The article this teacher mentioned?
Yes. A paper from yesterday.
It has an article about the incident.
What is this? It's all nonsense!
Wait, last week...
A reporter called on me, asking about the incident.
I declined them. I had no idea they'd written this.
I want them to correct the article.
I don't want to blame anyone.
I just want your help, so people know the truth.
Okay. I understand.
I'll gladly help you if you'll allow me, Prince Kai.
Prince Kai!
Stay where you are!
Move even a muscle and you'll lose your precious prince.
Toss them all into the cellar.
If they have any weapons, take them.
Prince Kai!
This one's got something in his pocket, eh?
What's a brat doing with a riding crop?
Huh. I like it. Take them away.
That is a teacher's pointer,
and I am a grown man.
You take care of the rest. We're going to drink.
Yes, sir.
Wow, there's such a nice, big storeroom, too...
It really is a fantastic estate.
Sorry. I said I wanted to talk to him, and now this...
Oh, no, I'd guard Your Highness wherever it took me!
We have to do something about these handcuffs.
You were so easy to trick. What a bunch of fools.
You cannot get away with doing this to a prince and others from the palace.
Hmph. High risk yields high return.
We're going to ask for a ransom of a million florins for the prince,
and 1,500 florins for you extras.
1,500 florins! That's five times my yearly wage!
One million florins is the entire national budget of a small country.
I'm sure the palace will be willing to negotiate if we send them a photo of you lot.
The chump change the newspaper company paid me won't even compare.
Then the article really was...
Of course it was a story I made up.
Haughty princes always given special treatment and taking it for granted...
Isn't a stretch at all, is it?
You...
Prince Kai.
How will you explain this to your family when they return home?
My family? I don't have a family.
As soon as I was expelled,
they ranted and raved about me being a worthless disgrace to the family name.
They were so afraid of what their noble friends would think that they left.
Now, smile for the camera.
I can't guarantee your lives if the ransom isn't paid.
This could be the last photo of you.
Here we go.
Yay!
Damn you! Are you mocking me?!
We've no obligation to be obedient.
I get to be in a photo with the prince? I'm so happy!
I've got to brag to the family later.
We're taking another!
What are those faces?
Argh! Again!
Gah!
Then I'll just have to...
I'm under orders not to damage the valuable goods,
but having him shaking in fear would be a pretty picture.
Prince Kai!
Tch. A poker face, huh?
Well, what if I do this?
Stop.
You'd hate for this teacher to be hurt that badly?
Well, now I have to do it!
Stop!
I said stop, damn you!
Huh?!
Prince Kai.
I promised the professor...
that I wouldn't use violence again...
For my own good... and everyone else's...
Then I'll torment you all I like!
The handcuffs? When did you...
A toy like this is easily unlocked with a little time.
You are a poor child.
No one can choose their parents.
But if only you had found a trustworthy teacher and friends...
Let me go. Damn you!
Do not struggle.
I make it a point to not hurt minors.
What's all the noise down here, Fuchs?
You!
An adult should know better than to do these things.
It seems that you are in need of educational guidance.
Let's begin the lesson.
What?
Maximilian, take care of His Highness.
Yes, sir! This way, Your Highness.
What about you?
Grab the prince!
Come on, Prince.
Damn it!
Making fools of us...
Stop!
Why, you...!
A teacher's pointer is not to be used in such a savage manner.
You... Who are you?
I am the royal tutor, Heine.
Let this be a lesson to you.
Prince Kai did his best to stay his hand.
I certainly can't go beyond appropriate self-defense.
Be grateful to your prince.
I didn't get a turn in the spotlight.
Prince! Professor! Are you hurt?!
I was caught by some scoundrels,
but I turned the tables on them and ran to the palace to call for backup, then came back.
It was a great adventure...
Ahem, now that I'm here, you're safe!
Huh? Wh-What?
Well done, Ludwig. Please see them handed over to the police.
Huh? Uh, yes, sir.
Stand up!
Come on. Move.
What are you looking at?
It's not like I'm any worse off now.
Shut your mouth, you bounder!
One day...
You should come to the palace.
What?
Huh? Prince Kai?
You should apply as a palace guard when you've paid for your crime.
It would be the best place to put your studies to use if you're not going into the military...
Prince? What are you saying?
He just held us hostage.
The stupid-seeming fellow is right.
Are you saying you'd forgive me after what I've done?
S-Stupid?
No. I can't forgive you.
But I think everyone has the right to start over again if they want to.
As a candidate for the throne of Glanzreich,
that's how I think our kingdom should be.
May I ask one thing?
When you were in military school,
from whom did you hear the negative rumors about the princes?
A friend of my parents, probably.
I don't remember.
Take me away.
That was excellent, Prince Kai.
With this, the bad rumors about the princes should clear up.
Count Rosenberg.
There's something I'd like to ask you about your past.
Won't you have a little chat with me?
Master is strong, but Leonhard's fencing is quite good, too.
I hear you bested everyone in the recent sparring.
Oh, it wasn't that special.
I just went swoosh, whoosh, swoosh with my sword and got points easily.
Next Time: The Professor I Don't Know
Next time, "The Professor I Don't Know."
This is a man of instinct. Incredible.