Chapter 1

That day, I was in terrible shape. In the morning, the thermometer mercilessly showed thirty-eight degrees. I took some cold medicine, downed an energy drink, and left the house anyway. I couldn’t take time off work. If I did, an execution by the name of “nagging” would be waiting for me the next day. Forcing my hazy brain to function, I finished the day’s tasks on sheer willpower alone. My memory of getting home is vague. I collapsed in the entryway and lost consciousness right there.

When I opened my eyes next—it was an unfamiliar ceiling. A bed that was too soft. A luxurious canopy. Every time I breathed, there was a pleasant scent. “…Am I alive?” The hoarse voice sounded awfully young. As I tried to sit up, I saw a hand at the edge of my vision and understood. It was white. Clearly, it wasn’t mine. Confusion washed over me a moment later.

—I should have collapsed with a thirty-eight-degree fever. —I came home from the office and couldn’t move in the entryway. And yet. “Your Highness, you are awake.” The moment I was addressed that way, different memories flowed in. It seemed I had come to another world. Moreover, I was the third prince. A position with no expectations attached. When I learned that fact, honestly, I was relieved. I wasn’t the King.

The responsibility isn’t heavy.

In my previous world, I saw it happen many times. People who tried to shoulder everything only to be crushed. Colleagues who collapsed while saying, “I have to do it myself.” And—the last one to collapse was me. So, I made a decision. I won’t do everything. I will only do what I can. I will only do what I must. I won’t touch anything I don’t have to.

The position of a prince allows for that choice. Maybe.

“Your Highness, here is the business plan for this term.” What was handed to me was a thick stack of documents. The sheer amount of paper gave me a bad feeling. I turned over the first page and immediately closed it. I have no intention of reading it all. That’s not what’s necessary. “Where is the budget?” “Uh… right here.” I looked only at the numbers on the page indicated. Total budget. Estimated income. Projected expenditures. —It’s not enough. “Stop this plan.” My answer was immediate. The room stirred. “But Your Highness, this is a critical project for the maintenance of the Royal Capital…” “The various departments have already made preparations…” “So, where is the money?” I asked quietly. “…We are anticipating an increase in tax revenue.” Anticipating. That word made my stomach churn.

I don’t know how many times I heard it in my previous world. The illusion known as “anticipation.” “That means it isn’t confirmed, right?” “Well, that is…” “Then there’s a possibility of going into the red. If we run a deficit, who takes responsibility?” No answer came.

I don’t understand the intricacies of policy. I don’t have specialized knowledge. But I understand one thing. A plan without money will inevitably destroy the worksite. Unreasonable overtime. Slashed labor costs. Forced responsibility. It was a scene I witnessed countless times during my days as a corporate wage slave. “Freeze it until funding is secured.” Saying only that, I handed back the documents.

A few days later. “Due to the Third Prince’s judgment, the plan is under reconsideration.” “As a result, the national treasury was saved.” Reports like that were spreading throughout the Royal Palace.

Today, as always, the Third Prince’s office was quiet. That meant I wasn’t expected to do much. Neither important projects nor flashy consultations came here. —But that is exactly why I can see the extraneous things.

“Your Highness, please review the appointment of the new local magistrate.” The document handed to me was a single sheet. For a personnel matter, it felt awfully light. I looked at the title before the name. Local Magistrate. The person responsible for tax collection and security. “…What about the predecessor?” “He was dismissed on suspicion of corruption.” I see. In that case, there is only one thing to look at. “Who recommended this person?” The maid hesitated for a moment. “…It is a recommendation from Her Highness the Princess’s faction.” “So, if a problem arises?” “Huh?” “Who takes responsibility?” There was no answer.

I have no confidence in my ability to judge character. It’s not like I was an interviewer. But I understand one thing. Personnel appointments where the locus of responsibility is vague will inevitably rot. I saw it many times in my previous world. “I only recommended them.” “I only approved it.” A structure where no one takes responsibility.

“Do not issue the letter of appointment yet.” “Your Highness…?” “Include the recommender’s name in the official documents. Ensure that if a problem arises, the report goes to that person as well.” That was all I said.

“There is no precedent for such a…” “It is precisely because there is no precedent that things have ended up like this.” I replied in a quiet voice.

I don’t want to bring about reform. I just want to block off the escape routes.

A few weeks later. “The new magistrate is executing his duties cautiously.” “There are no signs of corruption…” Naturally. As long as the backer’s name is clearly stated, neither the recommender nor the magistrate himself can act recklessly.

The Third Prince’s office was quiet again today. I have never particularly cared about the reason why. I am not summoned. I am not relied upon. And that is fine. The documents piled on my desk are few in number. I check only the urgent ones and leave the rest for later. I am usually done by noon. “Your Highness, that is all for today…” When the maid said that, I nodded. “Well then, let’s go for a walk.”

I didn’t know. I didn’t know that my judgment had triggered the formation of a group called the “Third Prince Faction.” I didn’t know that my older brother, the Prince, had revised his evaluation of me, saying, “It is those who do not move unnecessarily who see the whole picture.”

I didn’t know. I didn’t know that my older sister, the Princess, had murmured, “He is engaging in politics in a direction never seen before.”

The only thing I knew was this. I had broken once in my previous world. It was the result of working until I collapsed. That is why I do not push myself. I do not do everything. Once I have secured the key points, I leave the rest to others. I don’t need to be a hero. I don’t need to be called a genius. As long as I can stay alive, that is enough.

Bathing in the afternoon sunlight, I walked. The garden of the Royal Palace was quieter than I expected, and peaceful. “…It’s peaceful today, too.” I murmured to no one in particular. Working until you collapse is something you do when you are in a desperate situation.

At least, that time is not now. I will spend today leisurely as well. Because that is the way of life I have chosen in this world.