Herscherik (Reincarnated Prince Series) Web Novel Read Online

Description

The day prior to female otaku Hayakawa Ryouko’s 35th birthday, she departed the world in a traffic accident. As she opened her eyes again, she was reincarnated into a beautiful blonde-haired prince of a great kingdom in a fantasy world.

In that great kingdom… In Greisis kingdom, there’s a king despised by his retainers, tyrant nobles, corrupt officials, and so on… It’s in a precarious situation.

For the sake of protecting his father and family, as well as helping the citizens, the reincarnated Prince Herscherik is determined to fight.

Making use of his skill as an office clerk in the past, being full of initiative in his nature along with his (otaku-ish) intellect, the reincarnated prince faces many kinds of incidents.

Books in this series:

I. Reincarnated Prince and the Kingdom of Sorrow

II. Reincarnated Prince and the Knight of Twilight

III. Reincarnated Prince and the Magus of White Rainbow

IV. Reincarnated Prince and the Hero of Light

V. Reincarnated Prince and the Pride of Warring Kingdom

VI. Reincarnated Prince Series: Short Story Collection

Associated Names

Reincarnated Prince and the Hero of Light
Reincarnated Prince and the Kingdom of Sorrow
Reincarnated Prince and the Knight of Twilight
Reincarnated Prince and the Magus of White Rainbow
Reincarnated Prince and the Pride of Warring Kingdom
Reincarnated Prince Series: Short Story Collection
ハーシェリク（転生王子シリーズ）
転生王子と光の英雄
転生王子と憂いの大国
転生王子と白虹の賢者
転生王子と軍国の至宝
転生王子と黄昏の騎士
転生王子シリーズ　短編集
転生王子シリーズ　設定集

Related Series

N/A

Chapter 1. Reincarnation, Tiny Maple Leaves and Squishy Cheeks (1) 

(Note: No gender reveal yet so this use use feminine pronouns~)

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Through the darkness, the scenery spread out in an instant. It became bright as if an illumination was suddenly placed before her and Hayakawa Ryouko squinted her eyes.
And when the dim view gradually became clear, there was a porridge-like meal she had no memory of and a spoon being gripped by a hand in front of her.

“Uuuh?”

Together with that remark that came out of her mouth, Ryouko dropped the spoon she was holding to the plate. The impact of the spoon falling into the plate with the porridge-like substance made it splatter and soil her clothes. The spoon jumped out of the plate and made a sound as it rolled on top of the table.

The clean tabletop was stained with the porridge. The small sigh of a woman reached the ears of Ryouko who stiffened, unable to understand the situation.

When Ryouko slowly turned to that direction, a woman who looked around 20 years old with brown hair pulled back to a bun and wearing a simple but elegant dress was smiling wryly. Slightly drooping big brown eyes are charming, men around the world will surely want to protect her, Ryouko thought.

The woman picked up the fallen spoon, wiped it with a dish cloth and placed it on the tray on top of the side cart. Then she moved the plate still filled with porridge to a place unreachable to Ryouko and promptly tidied up the tabletop. Lastly, she wiped Ryouko’s soiled clothes with a napkin.

“There, it’s clean.”

The woman said so and smiled. The baby wanted to do it by himself and because she knows he cannot eat properly, this was within her assumption.
However, for the perpetrator who made the disaster on the table, for Hayakawa Ryouko, the current situation was beyond the range of assumption and was a bolt out of the blue.

“Uh? Uwa? …Uuh?”

First, she cannot talk very well. The expressions that came out of her mouth were not words but merely sounds. Even when she tried moving her body, she can just barely flap her arms and legs. Her fingers do not move as she expected.

Ryouko turned her head and look at her right hand. It was a fair-skinned, small hand similar to a baby’s. The white, small, maple leaf-like hand opened and closed slower than she expected.

(What the heck is this? A dream? A dream, but on my perspective!? …No, no, wait a moment, I’ve become awesome. I’m the type of woman who can do anything once I put my mind on it.)

Ryouko was on the verge of panic but tried to persuade herself to calm down. By the way, her mother always told her she was stupid because she refused to do something even though she was able to do it.

Ryouko looked at her left hand next. The small, white hand moved according to her thoughts. However, the movement is very sluggish like the right hand.

(A dream of the reincarnation manga I read the other day? Or rather, a novel? Which reminds me, I remember I played a game like this, too.)

Ryouko remembered the manga, novel and game she was recently addicted to.
Before she knew it, a female high school student was already a different person in another world, thereupon a romance drama with handsome men unfolded. The body she reicarnated into had a beautiful appearance that was unimaginable in Japan, she had reflexes that would even astonish an Olympic athlete and was the possessor of superior magic power…

Such woman was once pressed by her earnest childhood friend, the knight once pledged his allegiance to her while anguishing over his romantic feelings, and she even captivated the villain at one stage…

(The villain’s defeat was really interesting. I wonder if there’s a sequel…no, that isn’t it, Ryouko. This is not the time to be grinning while reminiscing. This is a dream, a dream! You have to wake up and go get the game you reserved…)

Ryouko made a self-retort in her mind and slap her cheeks with her small hands. There was a pechin~ sound, but only the feeling of squishy face remained on her palm.

Or rather than face, they were her cheeks. It seems soft for some reason.

(S-soft… These are without a doubt, squishy cheeks! They probably feel better than my niece’s.)

Among Ryouko’s family of five composed by her parents and three daughters, she was the eldest of the three sisters. The parents were not strict to the three women but they were fault-finders.

Among such sisters, the second daughter married earlier than Ryouko and gave birth to a daughter. That niece who was the first grandchild to Ryouko’s parents was really adorable like an angel. Rather, because she was too cute, Ryouko’s parents endlessly bought her everything. The hardships the three sisters experienced in order to stop them were now good memories.

That niece who was promoted to grade school this year had a precocious personality peculiar to girls, and was heading to a rebellious age. Her parents were troubled, but the child became emotionally attached to her aunt Ryouko for some reason and never opposed her.

It was also inconvenient that she throws a tantrum whenever they come over, saying she wanted to stay.
Specifically speaking, Ryouko wanted to hide everything that will lure her niece into the two-dimensional path, which is nothing but bad influence to her.
Her niece was cute but Ryouko didn’t want anything that will lead her to the same road as herself, she had those sentiments of an aunt. However, if her niece wants to go ahead that road, Ryouko will back her up with all her strength.

“My my, what’s wrong, Herscherik-sama?”

The brown-haired woman spoke with a smile. It was the woman whom Ryouko troubled a while ago. Apparently, Ryouko was named Herscherik and the woman doesn’t seem like her mother.

“Aah…”

Ryouko intended to apologize but only a lovely voice came out of her mouth. Unfortunately, she still cannot speak.

“Have you already finished eating? Or can you still eat?”

The woman said so and placed a newly-prepared, steaming dish it on the table. In addition, she scooped the porridge using a new spoon, blew it several times to let it cool and brought it to Ryouko’s mouth.

It was a simple dish of sweet potato and rice gruel simmered together. Ryouko felt like eating it very much and bit into the spoon. The rice gruel by itself is salty but the potato is sweet, it’s easy to eat and an exquisite taste spreads in her mouth.

“Is it delicious? It’s good, isn’t it?”
“Uuh~!”

Ryouko was thinking of answering the woman that it was delicious but what came out of her mouth were still baby talk instead of words.
However, the woman smiled as if satisfied, scooping the rice porridge once again and presenting it to Ryouko.
Ryouko was not aware of it herself but it seemed like she was famished. Ryouko ate the food presented to her without a pause.

(It’s like the young bird I kept a long time ago.)

The bird and herself carried a delicate atmosphere but had an unstoppable appetite.
When she finished eating the contents of the plate, she even let out a shameful burp. The woman who heard that gently wiped Ryouko’s mouth with a napkin, then tenderly dropped her off from the baby chair onto the soft carpet. Then a stuffed animal that’s probably a dog was placed near Ryouko.

(It’s like Kuro from my parent’s home…)

It was a stuffed toy of a black dog the same size as herself. It reminded her of the large black dog being kept at her parents’ house.

When Ryouko tried to touch it, she immediately liked the silky fur that feels good to the touch. Rather, it was probably placed beside her because it was her favorite.
She saw off the woman who placed the dishes on the cart and went out to put them away. Ryouko then surveyed the room.

This room was not her apartment. Even if all the rooms in her own home was added up, this area was still even more spacious. The room was European-style in the Middle Ages found in fantasy novels. Incidentally, she realized that the woman from before was wearing a dress that also came out of a novel.

The room had a calm, deep green wallpaper, a bed with an attached canopy and a soft, fluffy carpet. Even the quality of the furniture such as the sofa were good. Ryouko unconsciously thought of how many months of her salary they cost.

There was also a fireplace and a portrait of a beautiful blond woman displayed above it. The pose of that person was similar to the one displayed in the art room that often come out in the school’s seven wonders.¹

(I wonder if the eyes move at night…?)

The muscles along her spine froze as soon as she thought that. Ryouko had always been weak at those kind of stories and hated them to death.

Ryouko turned to look at other places but she lost her balance and tumbled on her back. She didn’t feel any pain at all thanks to the expensive-looking carpet, instead it was comfortable.

The warm sunlight from the window attached to the balcony induced drowsiness. I want to nap~ Just as she arrive at that thought, Ryouko snapped out of it.

(This isn’t the time to take a nap.)

Ryouko tossed about and got up. As is expected, suddenly sitting up was impossible with the body of the baby. Well, there was also the hardship of a 30-something’s flabby stomach in the original body.

But even if she looked around, she couldn’t discover anything new. Ryouko looked at her body again.

Small hands, short arms and legs, flabby stomach.

(I’m a baby no matter how you look at it, I’m truly thankful.)

Hmm, hmm, hmm, Ryouko was lost in thought.

(Before I came to this body, what was I doing?)

While recalling the memories of her original body, she crossed her arms that became short and creased her forehead.

(I worked overtime even though it was the game’s release date, when I left the company, there was a heavy rain…)

Unexpected rain and the green light which began to flicker.
Loud car horn.
White light.
Sky and ground,
Dull sound.
Screams and angry roar.

…and then pitch black darkness.

Guessing from there, Ryouko understood the cruel reality and could do nothing but be convinced.

(Ah, that’s right. I died.)

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1. The seven wonders (七不思議, nana fushigi) of a certain place is a popular urban legend in Japanese culture. It consists of seven stories, mostly of paranormal nature, which revolves around the school and/or a location inside the school. It is commonly utilized as a central plot device for series with mystery elements, or used for a filler story in a series that belongs in other genres.

Chapter 1. Reincarnation, Tiny Maple Leaves and Squishy Cheeks (2)

Ryouko consented to the reality that she died in a traffic accident…she could not help but consent.

Ryouko remembered that it was a setting that happened quite often in the manga and novels she willingly read by herself, and even in games.
After a high school student or a university student died from a traffic accident or a disease in modern Japan, they reincarnate in a different world with the memories of their previous life, then save the world and conquer it – a royal road fantasy that’s very popular.

(To think that someone in her 30’s will actually have such a light novel setting…)c

Ryoko became exhausted and lied on the soft and fluffy carpet again. With this body of a baby that won’t move as Ryouko intended, even sitting down was a heavy labor.

(…For the time being, the apartment’s loan will be cleared since I died.)

Ryouko recalled her previous life while looking at the ceiling absent-mindedly. They say you don’t know what will happen in life but Ryouko never thought she would be able to reflect on the things she left undone after dying.

(The game reservation is alright since it will be cancelled if you do not claim it on that day… Nay, I once worked overtime and wasn’t able to go, and I received a refreshing call from my shopkeeper friend the next day saying “Yo-you’re going to get it, right!?” She’s probably worried by now. I feel guilty…) 

The onee-san shopkeeper, whom Ryouko was acquainted with since high school days, was the only person Ryouko can reveal her otaku self, other than her family. She always welcomed Ryouko with a smile when she visits the shop that it made Ryouko inadvertently respond with a smile.

(That reminds me, the deadline at work is close, too. I was thinking of doing it tomorrow but I haven’t uploaded the data. Did that newbie girl handle it? The department head will patch things up and there’s also a manual so I want to think it will be alright… Aah, I’m glad I made a manual just in case.)

I told my junior “I might die or disappear anytime so I made a guide!” but the me at that time never imagined it would actually happen, Ryouko was overcome with deep emotion.

(Lastly, I wanted to erase my PC data before my sisters and parents discover them…)

As far as Ryouko was concerned, this was her only real regret. Data that cannot be shown to others were saved in the computer in her house. It was a Pandora’s box full of her dark history such as R-rated stuff, literary creations and poems she wrote from a long time ago. Frankly, if it’s possible to revive, I want to delete everything. That was Ryouko’s real thoughts.

(Since I also threathened my sisters, “If I die, splash my PC with water until it’s impossible to start it up anymore, okay? If you look what’s inside, I’m going to haunt you at your bedside,” it’s fine… It will be fine, right? Seriously.) 

If they saw it, I’m going to die! No, I’m already dead but I reincarnated so I won’t be able to haunt them, Ryouko felt mortified.

(I can’t watch the dramas I saved up for nine months either.)

She was busy with work but she wanted to watch dramas and anime no matter what so she recorded them. The capacity of her hard drive is always at its very limit. She intended to watch them in the weekend but always forgot. It was quite common that even though she recorded from the first to the last episode, she ended up deleting them without watching.

(Which reminds me, I was supposed to return to my parents’ home this weekend. They always prepare a cake. I really wanted to eat it…) 

They were probably worried about Ryouko being unmarried, but she was always invited to her parent’s house during birthdays, Christmas and even if there were no events, they gave some reason once a month.

Ryouko recalled that even her lazy younger sisters who were poor at corresponding sent emails  for some strange reason. 

She recalled they rarely gathered after the little sisters married, but if everyone did gather, they bought slightly expensive ice cream…

Ryouko realized the moment she reflected that far. Nay, she thought of other things as much as possible and although she prevented thinking of those since she didn’t want to realize, she still arrived there after all.

(I cannot met my family, colleagues, friends and acquaintances anymore…)

The inside of her nose became painful, the corner of her eyes became hot. The sensation filling up her throat was a sob, and she was overwhelmed with emotions.

The last time she saw her family was a month ago.
Her stock of rice ran out so she went to her parent’s home to eat dinner. Tell us ahead if you’re going to come, her mother scolded her while Ryouko drank beer with her father at dinner.

And she was seen off by her mother who told her to come back because they will prepare cake for her birthday in the weekend.
The night of the next day, her younger sisters sent emails saying, “We’ll go to your birthday party! Look forward to your presents!”
There’s no need to greet me at this age, she thought, but she was happy.

(I was really looking forward to the presents…)

There were slight changes but she expected that her ordinary life will continue.

She would probably get married in the future and if she wouldn’t, she will continue to work while looking after her old parents. m
She would favor her little sister’s children, work until retirement age and live off her savings, enter the retirement home before becoming senile and have her sisters prepare a funeral at her death. 
She did not have any intentions to die earlier than her parents at all, but still, she was an awfully unfilial person. 

(Sorry, I’m sorry… I’m sorry for being an unfilial, hopeless big sister…)

The baby’s cry resounded in the room.

At the cries that suddenly resounded, the wet nurse Meria returned to the room in a hurry.
Usually, the boy was always in a good mood after a meal. He only cried at night, he was a cheerful boy in the whole day as long as he has the stuffed dog beside him. Although crying is a baby’s job, Herscherik does not really do he work. In reality, he is a baby who doesn’t need a lot of looking after. He was so independent to that extent that it’s worrying. 

He sleeps a lot, eats a lot and laughs a lot — a child who seemed like the mirror of a baby¹.

When Meria came rushing into the room, Herscherik was lying on the carpet on his back, crying with a red face.

“Herscherik-sama, perhaps you’re hurt!?”

Meria held the baby in her arms and rubbed the back of his head to examine it. However, there was no lump and instead, the back of his head was in excellent shape.

When she leaned the baby against her to make him comfortable and rubbed his back, he let out a tiny voice as if to respond. Meria leaked out a sigh when Herscherik began to calm down. 

“Were you frightened when you fell down, Herscherik-sama?”

Meria stood up with Herscherik still in her arms and repeatedly swayed Herscherik to soothe him.

“Look, look, your face has turned deep red.” 

She took him along to look at the life-sized mirror. because Herscherik was naturally fair-skinned, his reddened cheeks stood out very much.

Meria stood in front of the mirror and Herscherik peered into the mirror. Right then, his cries suddenly stopped. He stopped so suddenly that it was unnatural so Meria also looked into the mirror. Herscherik’s perfectly round body hardened. And then, he pinched his reddened cheeks with his fingers.

“Herscherik-sama, it will hurt if you pinch your cheeks.”

Meria chided him gently and removed his small hand from his cheeks. Still, Herscherik’s eyes remained opened wide in perfect circles.

(…Seriously?) 

Ryouko was so surprised that she thought her flowing tears drew back in, and was at loss for words.

Reflected in the mirror was precisely an angel.

Smooth, pale-colored blond hair and good-looking features, and attached to that face are blue jade-like eyes. One would be convinced this person will absolutely become a pure, pale-skinned beautiful girl in the future.

A scholar in the television once said, babies are born cute in order for everyone to love them, but this exceeded that range.

Ryouko was by no means a narcissist.
Actually she was aware that her appearance in her previous life was just good enough to be considered in the lower-middle side. If she had to say, she disliked her looks. When she was praised, “What the hell are you scheming?” that was what she thought.
However, she was a disappointing human whose face turned bright read and writhed in agony when capture targets from otome games whispered to her.

(Is this the world of an otome game!?

Ryouko made a guts pose in her mind. 

She certainly felt sorry for her parents, not being able to meet her little sisters was also sad. Ryouko, who was ran over when she crossed the street during a blinking green light, sympathized with the driver who has shouldered the crime of accidental homicide.

If there is a pedestrian crossing during a driver’s left turn, they should stop, so it’s also their fault for not doing their obligation to check whether there’s a pedestrian or not.

Fortunately, although she died, she can literally start a second life while having the memories of her previous life.

(And furthermore, with the appearance of such a beautiful girl!)

It doesn’t particularly mean she disliked her previous appearance. Because her mother gave birth to her through hardships and her father worked with utmost effort and nurtured her.

However, like the heroine of a manga and the protagonist of an otome game, everyone longed for a lovely appearance at least once. Even men yearned to be in the position of the protagonist and the leading man² in games and manga. Probably.

(Viva, blonde hair blue eyes! Thank you, God. Thank you very much.)

Ryouko sincerely expressed her gratitude to the God she did not believe in her previous life. 

“Shall I change the diaper soon?”

The wet nurse laid the baby on the bed and started to change the diapers with practiced hands.

(Saying it’s inevitable is indeed embarrassing…wha—-?!)

Ryouko turned her head for a fleeting glance and saw the lower part of her body. Thereupon exists something that was not there in her previous life.

The only memory Ryouko had of seeing “it” upfront was during the time she took a bath with her father before she entered elementary school.

Right, the thing that females usually do not have, is between Ryouko’s legs.

“Waaaaaaaaaah~~~!!”

The crying of a baby echoed through the room again.

In this way, Hayakawa Ryouko reincarnated into a prince whose looks can be mistaken as that of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed beautiful girl — the Seventh Prince Herscherik of the Greysis Kingdom.

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Footnotes:

1. The word Meria used to refer to Herscherik is 赤子(akago), which may mean just ‘baby’ but it can also be read as ‘imperial child’.

2. Leading man –> 二枚目 (nimaime) means ‘handsome man (from Kabuki plays)’. Kabuki has a ranking system for characters and 二枚目 is one of them. The word can also mean ‘the actor in a love scene’.

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