Never Mind the Heir, I’ll Focus on Healing - Chapter 163

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Successor Can Wait, Let Me Heal Instead – Episode 163

“……The Pond Room? Why?”
“I have my reasons.”
The Second Imperial Prince seemed to wrestle with the answer for a moment, but…….
“Very well.”
He nodded his agreement with surprising ease.
It was Lion who found himself taken aback.
‘No, wait……’
Of course, he was pleased to have received permission.
But wasn’t that acquiescence far too quick?
‘He doesn’t seem entirely ignorant of how the world works, either.’
It was an answer almost suspiciously straightforward.
Lion couldn’t restrain himself any longer and posed a question.
“How is it you trust me enough to grant permission so readily?”
“Call it intuition.”
……
He’d been outmaneuvered.
The Second Imperial Prince had simply turned Lion’s own words back on him from their previous conversation.
“After all, a future emperor ought to be capable of reading a person’s character.”
“……Understood. Then I shall call upon you tomorrow evening.”
“At what precise hour?”
“That is for me to decide.”
“Hmph.”
The Second Imperial Prince exhaled a sound of exasperation, rested his chin in his palm, and studied the figure before him.
There was undoubtedly a sensation of being manipulated, yet strangely, it did not displease him.
In truth, it was because they had concluded a genuinely favorable arrangement.
‘I gave nothing, and yet this person resolves my long-standing affliction……’
Though Lion had claimed to have his own purposes, the Second Imperial Prince sensed something far grander at work—genuine goodwill.
Perhaps, as the shrine priests would say, he truly was a messenger of the divine.
‘It’s a peculiar feeling, but…… it’s not unwelcome.’
Yet evening, he thought.
For now, he would have to manage his daytime schedule and retreat to his quarters without reprieve.
This would mean postponing any examination of Lion’s Status.
‘But that’s no matter.’
He had just encountered someone far more intriguing.
Kyle watched as the visitor rose from his seat and prepared to leave.
And yet……
His gait wavered noticeably.
Whether drunk or simply unsteady from before, he swayed with pronounced instability.
“Then I shall see you tomorrow evening.”
Though the man himself seemed unaware of it.
……
Kyle, struck by the thought of how truly peculiar and strange this person was, let out a quiet chuckle to himself.
* * *
Lion managed to return to his quarters before sunrise.
“Hiccup.”
……This was not a hiccup born of drunkenness.
And yet, that very fact……became a problem.
“Brother.”
……
Ricshel was already awake and waiting for him.
Lion hadn’t imagined his younger brother would be up at this hour.
It was still before dawn, not even close to sunrise……
‘Right. Meditation.’
Mages rose before dawn to perform Meditation, attuning themselves to the purest Mana of the earliest hours.
Ricshel would be no exception.
And so……he had been caught, like a thief trying to slip past with stolen fish in his mouth.
“This is……”
Lion opened his mouth, trying hard to make excuses.
Didn’t this look exactly like some freshly-minted adult sneaking back after an unauthorized night out?
And on top of that, he’d been caught wearing a disguise.
Lion hurriedly peeled off the mask first.
His face, flushed crimson with drink, was laid bare for all to see.
“You’re drunk.”
“Listen, I can explain this—”
“You reek of alcohol.”
“That’s the thing—”
Lion’s eyes flicked toward Ricshel before he could help himself.
Ricshel looked thoroughly angry.
And rightly so.
‘He told me to sleep, so I did—and then he went out and played without me.’
Sulking, or rather, rightfully furious.
‘Wait, if I tell him everything, won’t that make things worse?’
The truth was, while disguised, he’d met his colleague—or rather, the Second Imperial Prince—and swindled the boy.
Even if he claimed it was for a good cause.
Even so……
‘I’d hate me too.’
Once his thoughts spiraled that far, his words naturally trailed off into nothing.
“I don’t wish to hear it now.”
Fortunately, Ricshel seemed willing to let it go.
Or perhaps he was only letting it slide because Lion was drunk.
“You should get some rest first.”
Ricshel looped Lion’s arm over his shoulder and half-carried him to the room, tucking him in under the blankets just as before.
“Th-thank you.”
Burdened by guilt, Lion lay meekly on the bed.
Only then did the ceiling begin to spin.
The alcohol was hitting him in full force now.
‘I can still think, though……’
His eyelids grew heavy, and a quiet laugh bubbled up unbidden.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Just… feels nice.”
When he lived alone, there was never anyone to tuck him in like this, no matter how drunk he got.
In his past life, he wouldn’t even make it to the bed—he’d collapse in the entryway, shoes barely kicked off.
But now, with someone here to support him, to lay him down, to care for him—he couldn’t ask for more comfort.
And so, without thinking, he found himself smiling softly.
“You really are the best, little brother.”
“……Get some good sleep.”
Ricshel looked at Lion a moment longer, then extinguished the light in the room.
The moment darkness fell, Lion slipped into deep sleep.
……
……
……
Who knew how long he’d slept like that.
“Ughhhh.”
Lion’s eyes snapped open to a splitting headache.
‘What time is it……’
Though the curtains were drawn, he could tell from the light that the sun was high.
“Ugh……”
Because of that accursed Second Imperial Prince, he’d downed strong drink one glass after another, and now his head and stomach were absolutely wrecked.
Lion pried open his stubborn eyes and pulled a Hangover Relief Potion from his inventory.
He’d made several bottles after the business with the Dwarf Village, and he was grateful for it now.
The problem was……
Plop.
He didn’t even have the strength to uncork it.
Lion let the potion bottle he’d managed to extract drop right onto the bed.
It felt like the morning after an office party in his old life.
Of course, back then it had been his smartphone that fell—now it was the potion bottle.
“Beep.”
Lion’s hand fumbled across the bed when Nature flew over and nudged a potion bottle toward him with her beak, pressing it firmly into his palm.
She fluttered away and gripped the cork stopper with her beak, yanking it free with all her might.
Pop!
The crisp sound of the cap opening reached his ears, and the cool, refreshing scent of the Hangover Relief Potion touched his nostrils—suddenly his eyes felt a little less heavy.
“Thank you…”
“Hmph!”
Nature clearly disapproved of her master’s groaning, repeating sharp little huffs and tuts.
She was obviously scolding him: ‘What exactly did you do during that half-day I left you alone?’
‘Well, well…’
Now even a chick was lecturing him.
“Squeak!!”
“All right, all right…”
Lion chuckled softly and drained the Hangover Relief Potion.
The refreshing scent mingled with a sweet honey-like flavor that spread across his tongue.
In moments, the lingering headache and dizziness vanished completely.
“Ahh!”
His mind snapped back into focus.
Lion hauled himself up despite Nature’s continued chiding and pulled open the curtains.
Bright, brilliant sunlight flooded the room—exactly as expected.
A cool breeze drifted through as well… it was perfect midday.
“Did Ricshel go out on some errand?”
The bedroom and living area were both silent and empty.
Instead, a single sheet of writing paper lay neatly on the table.
—I’ve stepped out on business and will return shortly.
—I’ve arranged for meal service; I trust you will make use of it.
—P.S. I will not report this to the household head.
“…That’s actually quite thoughtful of him.”
If word of this reached his grandfather, it would genuinely be troublesome.
Lion laughed and set the note down, then glanced at the table in the living room.
There was an elegant silver dome he hadn’t noticed yesterday—clearly this morning’s meal.
“Let me see what’s on the menu.”
He lifted the dome to reveal steaming clam chowder, fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and what looked like perfectly fresh fried eggs.
The spread was virtually a perfect brunch.
Even more impressive, the food was still warm—whether by magic or careful timing, it was as fresh as if just prepared.
“Hmm.”
Lion put his hands on his hips, surveying the meal.
There was nothing wrong with the food itself.
It looked delicious.
In fact, he’d never seen pancakes with such perfectly fluffy texture and golden color before.
And the maple syrup set beside them gave off the refined aroma of something premium.
The problem wasn’t the food—it was that Lion had gotten thoroughly drunk last night.
‘What I’m really craving is bean sprout soup.’
Bean sprout soup studded with sliced green chilies, simmered hot and invigorating.
Or the version with kimchi that took on a reddish tint—that was good too.
The hot broth to settle an unsettled stomach, the tender bean sprouts yielding their crisp texture and releasing their mineral sweetness…
Growl—!
Just thinking about bean sprout soup awakened his appetite.
And suddenly the brunch spread before him looked genuinely appetizing.
‘That’s right.’
No complaint about not having to prepare it himself.
‘First, eat.’
It’s not as though he could find bean sprout soup in this place anyway.
Lion picked up the tray of food and headed toward the terrace.
“Still, meals always taste best when eaten outdoors.”
The sunlight was bright enough to squint at, and the view beyond was perfectly peaceful.
Lion settled in and took his first spoonful of the clam chowder, savoring the moment.
Soft, rich cream spread across his palate, and tender clams yielded between his teeth.
The briny juice of the clams released, mingling with the cream to transform into a delicate flavor rather than any fishy taste.
‘This is better than I expected.’
The heat of it helped settle his stomach, warming him from the inside out.
Now that I think about it, they say in the West people eat this sort of thing to cure hangovers.
Lion then took a bite of sweet pancake and dipped crispy strips of bacon into the egg yolk before eating them.
After finishing with a strong, hot cup of black tea and gazing out the window, it all seemed rather pleasant.
Slurp.
The bitter taste of the robust tea soothed a stomach that might otherwise have felt too heavy.
“Ahh.”
Nice.
It was one of those languid afternoon moments.
So much so that last night felt like a dream.
“But it was real.”
Lion drained his cup and sat for a while, gazing blankly out the window as he gathered his thoughts.
‘The deed is already done.’
Now came only damage control.
Fortunately, it wasn’t so daunting. Lion was well-seasoned in mopping up spilled water that couldn’t be recovered.
How many times had he cleaned up messes left behind by the company’s higher-ups?
This time, the blunder was simply his own.
And besides…
‘If I just keep my wits about me, it can be resolved soon enough.’
A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step, and there was still time before evening.
So then…
‘First, let me get organized.’
Lion rose and surveyed his surroundings.
A special gift has been left in the Pond Room. Please check it at your convenience.
They had indeed said they left a special gift.
Fortunately, the gift was neatly wrapped in a fine box and placed beside Lion’s bed.
‘Feels like some kind of unboxing video.’
Lion settled onto the floor, untied the ribbon on the gift box, and opened the lid.
And inside there was…!
“Huh?”
A Luminis Deer Keyring.
‘Special…’
A Chocolate Bonbon 12-Piece Set.
‘Gift…’
Well, these things are certainly exclusive to Ester…
But something feels odd about this.
They’re special, sure, but somehow… modest, I’d say.
Lion smacked his lips and opened a longer box also tucked inside the gift box.
“…! This is…”
Mushberry Liqueur.
And it contained a recipe that a bartender had spent a lifetime researching!
The moment Lion picked up the recipe.
[You have acquired the Bartender’s Recipe!]
[Your Cooking Proficiency has risen to Skilled Level 2.]
[You can now perform Cocktail Making.]
A new branch of cooking opened up, and his level rose along with a surge of Experience Points.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————