<My Little Noah> is a game about raising young Noah until he becomes an adult.

The player chooses one of four guardians and becomes that guardian to raise Noah.

The Saint of the declining Great Temple.

The leader of the Black Hand controlling the capital’s black market.

The hardy Old Count of the North.

And the guardian I chose most often.

‘The ill-fated prince with no presence, Blaine.’

He was the Emperor’s child born outside.

When he entered the imperial family, it was during a brutal time when princes were engaged in fierce competition for the crown prince position.

Fortunately in his misfortune, since Blaine had no backing, he wasn’t even considered a competitor.

Until only the final victor remained, excluding Blaine.

The victor tried to dispose of Blaine too but failed.

‘Food poisoning, wasn’t it? Though it was mild, they said he died so meaninglessly.’

Thanks to such a fortunate event, Blaine survived.

But the reason Blaine’s nickname became the ill-fated prince was because of what happened after.

‘Because the Emperor brought in another successor.’

That was the current Crown Princess, Lucilia.

Moreover, unlike Blaine, Lucilia’s mother was an Empress of good lineage.

The Empress had used recovery as an excuse to avoid the princes’ power struggle, giving birth to and raising the princess before returning only after everything was settled.

Lucilia was appointed Crown Princess not long after her mother was elevated to Empress.

‘In the end, Blaine who struggled to survive just ended up looking foolish.’

There were more dishonoring labels.

‘He acted as the Crown Princess’s guardian in place of the frail Empress. That’s why he was mocked.’

They called him the ‘Caretaker Prince.’

Even after the Crown Princess died in <Marino>, this mockery didn’t change. Because Blaine was taking care of Noah then.

‘Prince Blaine would look bitter whenever he heard the mockery.’

But every time I chose Blaine as a guardian, I thought.

‘There’s no way he was truly bitter about it.’

Because of what he did in the original work.

No one expected he was preparing something. Not until Blaine himself revealed it.

Because he was a prince who received no attention.

“You say you’re my faithful fan, is that really true?”

Blaine looked down at the fairy mint bouquet he was holding.

“Aren’t you just flattering me because you want a share of this?”

“I won’t say I don’t have such thoughts. However, it’s true that I’ve been watching and supporting Your Highness.”

“Ah.”

Blaine raised just the corner of his mouth out of courtesy. He didn’t seem to believe a word I said.

‘His attitude suggests he’s seen many people like me…’

Though he wasn’t immediately important to me, since he might become Noah’s guardian later, I wanted to make sure he remembered me clearly.

‘I can only think of one way.’

It was a gamble that could lead to some dangerous statements.

But if we parted ambiguously, it might be difficult to meet the prince again.

After thinking for a moment, I opened my mouth.

“My being your fan is no lie. I’ve long deeply respected Your Highness for supporting the Crown Princess.”

“Then you must also know well that I’m called the Caretaker Prince.”

Blaine’s face still wore a smile.

“Which side are you on? Those who mock me? Or the eccentrics?”

His black eyes were observing me like a specimen.

“Tell me. Why do you respect the Caretaker Prince.”

The sympathy, mockery, and dismissal that followed the nickname ‘Caretaker Prince.’

Blaine would just smile and say it couldn’t be helped each time.

“There’s quite an age gap between the Crown Princess and me. So my becoming her guardian was inevitable, but why would that be something to respect?”

“No. That wasn’t inevitable.”

“Ah, then you mean it’s a noble thing? That’s also something I’ve heard many times.”

“No.”

I spoke firmly.

“It wasn’t inevitable, but rather it was Your Highness’s goal.”

“…Hmm, what do you mean?”

Blaine tilted his head.

But the look in his smiling eyes had grown considerably colder.

‘…Did I step on a landmine?’

Well, I had something to fall back on if needed.

I spoke nonchalantly.

“If you truly found the nickname Caretaker Prince offensive, you wouldn’t be asking about my thoughts like this.”

“……”

“The reason public whispers don’t matter is proof that Your Highness has clear reasons for your actions.”

“And you’re saying that’s my hidden goal?”

“Yes. That’s why even if it wasn’t the Crown Princess, Your Highness would have ended up taking care of another child.”

Just like he became Noah’s guardian in <Marino>.

However, Blaine’s gaze was cold.

“Tell me. What is my goal that makes me willingly act as a caretaker?”

“……”

“The throne, is that what you want to say?”

His black eyes gleamed coldly.

‘While that could be one interpretation.’

If that was really his intention, wouldn’t he have taken the throne himself in <Marino> rather than raising Noah as emperor against everyone’s opposition?

So there was only one reason left.

“Your Highness’s goal is……”

“……”

“Likely the establishment of an educational institution to raise talented individuals loyal to the imperial family from childhood.”

“…!”

Blaine’s eyes widened.

The action that surprised everyone in <Marino>.

It was the establishment of a gifted education institution for a powerful empire and strong imperial family.

Since the time he would reveal this wasn’t far off, it should be fine to mention this much information.

To Blaine who was staring intently at me, I deliberately spoke lightly and arrogantly.

“You shouldn’t underestimate House Offensa’s intelligence network. As a direct descendant, I still have that much power.”

“…Seems you have quite extensive intelligence capabilities. To investigate the Caretaker Prince.”

Though he seemed to be sneering, his expression wasn’t bad. Rather, he appeared satisfied that I had been watching him from early on.

“I recognized that Your Highness is my comrade.”

“Comrade…?”

“The attitude of rather laughing at others’ mockery and sympathy and pushing forward. I’m the same way. That’s why I respect Your Highness.”

“……”

“Was that a satisfactory answer?”

Why isn’t he saying anything?

Did I fail?

Just when I was wondering whether to apologize quickly.

“Ha……”

Blaine let out a laugh like air deflating.

“In the end, isn’t that just saying you respect yourself? Haha……”

Finding it increasingly amusing, he covered his mouth while his shoulders shook slightly.

“I swear you’re the first young lady to volunteer to be of the same kind as me. Won’t you regret it?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m the president of this club.”

“Hahaha!”

Blaine laughs again.

Was he such a character who laughed this much?

As my tension eased, I noticed Noah fidgeting behind me.

When I beckoned him, Noah came trotting over seemingly having waited for this moment.

“This is the child I’m supporting. His name is Noah.”

“Nice to meet you, Noah.”

“……”

Noah nodded awkwardly.

Though it was a discourteous attitude toward royalty, Blaine just smiled gently. He seemed definitely kind to children.

He asked me.

“Will Noah participate in the Harvest Festival too?”

“The Harvest Festival?”

Come to think of it, I had forgotten about that again.

The Harvest Festival was one of the main events in <Marino>.

Various events were held during the Harvest Festival period, but particularly famous was the martial tournament where people competed in swordsmanship and magic.

“It’s a suitable stage for developing a child’s talents. I hope Noah gets to experience it too.”

The martial tournament is divided into youth and adult divisions.

Though Noah meets the minimum age requirement for the youth division, it was rare for eight-year-olds to actually compete.

‘To be honest, I am worried about it.’

Looking at his swordsmanship stats alone he could aim for victory, but games and reality are different. I’m worried he might get hurt.

“Here, take this.”

Blaine handed me the fairy mint bouquet he was holding.

Not just a portion, but the whole thing.

“A gift from me as your fan.”

“…Did you perhaps know that I was looking for this?”

Blaine gave a mysterious smile.

He put his index finger to his lips.

“I wonder. I’ll just say that I’ve been watching you and your family since the blessing ceremony.”

His pitch-black eyes revealed none of his true thoughts.

“But now I think I’ll only be watching you.”