Rapunzel, DON’T Let Down Your Hair!

Even when she told him that he had already changed poses ten times, William remained completely unabashed. He declared that since she could only suggest painfully boring poses, he would give her his own input until they came up with something good.

“I’m not an ordinary man. I’m going to become a great king whose name will go down in history!”

He boasted confidently that even his own ancestors would look up to him. Therefore, he insisted that his portrait also had to be painted magnificently, overflowing with valor.

“You aren’t going to change your pose anymore, are you?”

“Why do you talk so much? Just hurry up and paint!”

At William’s urging, the painter had no choice but to start moving her brush.

Watching the scene unfold, Erin scoffed. She had wondered what important business he was attending to instead of going to class, only to find him here tormenting a painter.

On top of that, he apparently thought his current pose looked extremely impressive, but to Erin, it was so excessive that it looked rather ridiculous. And there was no way he could hold such an awkward position for long.

Her younger brother’s arm was already trembling. It was obvious he was struggling to bear the weight of the spear.

“William, you won’t last in that pose until the painting is finished.”

Unable to watch any longer, Erin stepped inside and offered him some advice. The instant his older sister appeared, William couldn’t hide the look on his face that said he’d been caught, but he quickly scowled.

“You’re underestimating me. I could keep this pose until tomorrow.”

As he said that, he subtly lowered the spear onto the chair. When Erin snorted and pointed that out, he turned his head away and pretended he hadn’t heard her.

William was always like that. He never listened to the people around him and always believed he was right.

As far as Erin could see, it was confidence without any basis. He merely took after their father and had a slightly sturdier build than others his age. His swordsmanship and horsemanship were ordinary, and he wasn’t particularly gifted at speaking either. More often than not, he got what he wanted by insisting until others gave in rather than persuading them. Or by taking advantage of the fact that everyone around him indulged him.

As for whether he had the perseverance to make an effort, well. Perseverance was what William lacked most.

“It might be better without the spear. I don’t think my shoulders will show properly.”

In the blink of an eye, he abandoned yet another pose that he had insisted only moments ago he would never change.

“Your Highness! If you keep changing your pose whenever you please, I can’t paint your portrait!”

Having finally reached her limit, the painter cried out and told him to please just settle on one pose already. She looked as though, if she could, she wanted nothing more than to unleash an entire torrent of curses at him.

William completely ignored the painter’s despair. He changed poses yet again, planted his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest proudly, and asked Erin.

“By the way, Erin, do you know a woman called Rapunzel?”

“She’s the famous queen of Grauden.”

“Then do you also know that Rapunzel was said to be more beautiful than any other woman on the continent?”

“I’ve heard she was beautiful, but why are you suddenly talking about her?”

When Erin looked puzzled, William grinned.

At that moment, Erin was struck by a powerful premonition that something bad was about to happen. Whenever her younger brother smiled like that, something absurd usually followed.

And she was usually the one who had to clean up the mess.

“Erin, do you know what I’m lacking as a king?”

Perseverance. Effort. Knowledge. The attitude of trying to learn and make up for the knowledge he lacked. His refusal to even acknowledge his shortcomings, let alone learn anything.

There was no way to narrow it down to just one thing. Erin had to narrow her eyes and look at him with a deliberately unfocused gaze to keep herself from sarcastically saying that there were far too many.

“Don’t fall asleep. Listen. Of course, there isn’t actually anything I’m lacking. I’ve got everything, looks, martial skill, and learning.”

“Mm. I don’t know about that…?”

“But even someone like me is missing exactly one thing I’ll need in order to become king someday.”

William raised his index finger for emphasis. Not two things. Exactly one.

When he started moving however he pleased yet again, the painter became so angry that she put down her brush and crossed her arms.

“I don’t have a wife.”