His level was still too low, and Luke wasn't interested in experimenting further. It wasn't like lightness skills where you could leap around rooftops and fly over walls.
So he sat back down on the sofa and opened the system inventory.
He took out the Odd-Flavor Fruit stored inside.
It was about the size of an apple, glossy red all over, with a cherry-like look to it.
It actually looked pretty appetizing. Luke opened his mouth and took a big bite.
Juice and sweetness burst across his tongue—surprisingly delicious.
Before long, a new system notification appeared.
[Congratulations, host: Aptitude +1]
So this rare exotic fruit could improve aptitude. That meant it was good stuff.
Luke chewed on the Odd-Flavor Fruit like it was an apple. It only had a tiny pit, and after he finished the whole thing, his aptitude had increased by two points.
As for what it felt like after aptitude increased… honestly, he didn't feel much.
But besides that, Luke also felt warmth spreading through his body, like he was still digesting another effect from the fruit.
His constitution had improved a little too.
Knock, knock, knock.
Not long after he finished and lay down for a moment, there was another knock at the door.
He got up and opened it.
This time, Xin Zhao was standing outside.
"Zhao, what's up?"
After asking, Luke noticed there were two people behind Xin Zhao—an elderly woman and a middle-aged woman.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
The two of them bowed in unison when they saw Luke.
"No need for that. Zhao, they're…?"
"They're royal tailors," Xin Zhao explained. "They're here to take your measurements."
As he spoke, his gaze couldn't help lingering on Luke's face for a couple extra seconds.
"Is there something on my face?"
Luke noticed and rubbed his cheek, confused.
"It's nothing," Xin Zhao said. "It just looks like your skin's gotten a lot better."
He still remembered the first time he met Luke. Luke had already been striking back then, but it wasn't hard to tell his skin had been in poor condition—if you touched it, it would've felt rough.
That much was easy to understand, considering the environment Luke grew up in and the nutrition he'd lacked.
But it had only been a day or so, and Xin Zhao was surprised to see Luke's complexion looking noticeably better than before.
"Maybe palace food is good for you," Luke said with a smile, tossing out a convenient excuse.
In his head, he figured it was probably the Odd-Flavor Fruit.
Luke had never cared much about looks anyway. In his opinion, Runeterra didn't exactly have many people who could compete with him.
"Enough about that."
Xin Zhao didn't dig deeper. He led the two tailors inside and said, "Your Highness, stand still and cooperate with them."
"Alright."
Luke nodded, only then realizing—were they making him some kind of outfit?
They'd even brought in two royal tailors.
As if he'd read Luke's thoughts, Xin Zhao smiled and explained, "The discussion results between His Majesty and the ministers came out yesterday. They've decided that three days from now, they'll summon the people of the capital and publicly announce your identity, formally granting you the crown of a prince.
"For you, that day is important. Your attire has to be ceremonial and dignified."
"So that's what it is."
Luke understood immediately.
Three days from now?
That fast?
He hadn't even mentally prepared.
Which meant in three days, the entire capital would know their kingdom had a second prince.
His kingly father really was decisive.
Luke didn't know what had been said in yesterday's meeting.
But he could imagine plenty of nobles and ministers had been shocked—then, just like eighteen years ago, some of them would've opposed it.
Setting the date only three days away was enough to show Jarvan III's determination this time.
Thinking back to how Jarvan III had dominated the hall yesterday, Xin Zhao couldn't help feeling a little emotional.
He hadn't seen Jarvan III radiate that kind of presence in a long time. Back then, not a single noble or minister in the chamber dared to speak.
Ever since Jarvan III stopped leading campaigns personally, he'd played the benevolent ruler the world wanted to see. Yesterday, it felt like he'd become himself again—like he'd become a father again.
And yet, even after all these years, there were still so many people who opposed it.
Watching Luke cooperate with the tailors, Xin Zhao's eyes flickered.
Demacia wasn't as calm as it looked on the surface. Jarvan III was holding it down, and nobody dared reveal their true colors.
No matter what… he just hoped they wouldn't drag Luke into that whirlpool.
After they finished taking Luke's measurements, the two tailors left.
Now they had to work fast—only three days. If they failed to finish the outfit in time, it could cost them their livelihoods.
Xin Zhao didn't leave. He still had things to do.
For the next three days, he would be responsible for teaching Luke certain noble etiquette. Luke had to learn all of it from scratch.
Looks like the next three days wouldn't be quiet either.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
Those three days, the capital was unbelievably lively. News leaking out from the palace spread through every street. And later, when Jarvan III personally summoned the citizens, it all but confirmed the news was real.
Demacia's second prince had appeared.
The news practically detonated the entire capital.
No one expected that twenty-two years had passed since the day Jarvan IV was born—and now, twenty-two years later, Demacia had gained another prince.
Everyone was intensely curious.
Soon, another story began circulating through the capital—one that explained the origins of the second prince.
It was the tale of Jarvan III's campaign long ago, and the love and tragedy entwined within it.
People gossiped everywhere, and this was the king's gossip of all things, so for days the streets were full of people talking about it.
There were even traveling bards turning it into short stories and performing it aloud.
It had to be said—it was a very successful bit of publicity.
Even though most had never seen Demacia's "second queen," after hearing the story, people still felt genuine warmth and admiration for that kind and brave woman.
And because of that, they grew even more curious about the unseen second prince.
At the same time, people began debating Jarvan III's two great romances.
Most felt what Jarvan III did couldn't be cleanly judged as right or wrong—because one day, in the future, you can suddenly fall in love with someone, and that isn't something you can predict or prevent.
A smaller number argued that what Jarvan III did later was a betrayal of the late Queen Catherine Ireland.
Those voices were expected. Before this, Jarvan III had already prepared himself.
The arguments had raged for three days, and they were destined to spread for a long time—across all of Demacia, and even farther across Runeterra.
And today, that new prince was about to appear before everyone. Whether they supported him or opposed him, everyone would gather at the Grand Plaza.
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