Chapter 10: Death-Bearing Skill

When I turned to speak to the two of them, a panel suddenly appeared beside Cass:

Catherine Gilmore – 29 years old – Married – Maid – Sword Skill 3

And beside the guard:

David Byrne – 32 years old – Married – Vice Captain of the First Knight Order – Sword Skill 5, Bow Skill 3

I already knew about Cass, but I was surprised to see the guard’s name and information displayed even though I had never asked for it.

"Prince Robby! Are you alright? Mr. Byrne, please go call the guards!"

Cass’s voice snapped me back to reality.

"Understood!"

Guard Byrne ran off toward the main street.

"Prince Robby, why would you do something so reckless?!" Cass scolded me angrily.

"I’m sorry. I heard a scream and just ran without thinking."

"Outside the palace is dangerous! There are many risky things that can happen! You can’t just go wherever you want! Please never do that again! You might not be allowed to leave the palace anymore!!"

"I understand. I won’t do it again."

"Promise me."

Cass was furious.

While she was scolding me, Byrne returned with several guards. One of the guards asked Byrne,

"Who is this person?"

When Byrne told them I was a prince, the guards’ attitudes changed instantly. They had sensed I was a noble, but they clearly hadn’t expected me to be royalty. Even the 11th prince was still a prince — the royal brand was surprisingly powerful.

Once my identity was confirmed, it became clear that I had nothing to do with this back-alley murder. The guards asked Cass and Byrne a few questions but didn’t bother questioning me. We were quickly released.

"Prince Robby, seeing a dead person must have been shocking, but please don’t let it bother you. We won’t go to such dangerous places again!"

Cass kept talking to me worriedly, thinking I was depressed. The real reason I stayed silent was because I was preoccupied with the new ability that had suddenly appeared.

Had I gained the "Appraisal" skill that often showed up in the isekai novels I used to read? Why? Did I get it from that dying man? Why would he give it to me? I could see Cass and Byrne’s information, but why couldn’t I see my own? What about that man in front of the shop?

John – 24 years old – Unmarried – Shop Clerk

It appeared instantly. So it seemed I could appraise anyone I focused on. Thankfully, it didn’t show useless information about everything around me, and my brain didn’t feel overloaded. That was a relief. Still, I wished it gave more detailed information. I didn’t necessarily need Cass’s three sizes, but... I was a little curious.

While walking, I kept trying to appraise myself and test various things, but nothing new appeared.

When we returned to the palace and entered my room, Cass went to report the day’s events to Mother, leaving me alone for the first time in a while. I happened to glance at the mirror. A handsome face stared back at me. In Japan, a face like this would have let me have any girl I wanted, yet here I was living with so many restrictions. Well, I was still only ten years old — it was ridiculous to even feel restricted at this age.

When I focused on my reflection in the mirror, information appeared:

Robby Marie – 10 years old – Unmarried – 11th Prince of the Marie Kingdom – Appraisal 1, Sword Skill 1, Agile Legs 1, Death-Bearing Skill

So I had "Appraisal 1." "Sword Skill 1"? Where did that come from? Remembering how pathetic I was during training with Marin-sensei, I couldn’t believe I had any sword skill at all. Did I receive that from the dying man too? And what on earth was "Death-Bearing Skill"? Literally, it sounded like a skill that transmits techniques when someone loses their life. Did it transfer to me along with the Appraisal skill when the man gave me whatever he passed on? If the name was literal, did it only activate when someone was dying?

I wanted to test it, but that would mean I had to be present when someone died. Inside the royal palace, opportunities to witness death were extremely rare. It looked like I wouldn’t get a chance anytime soon.

---

While I was lost in thought, Cass returned. I expected her to scold me some more, but she didn’t say anything extra, which was a relief. Then she dropped the news I had been waiting for:

"Today is bath day. Starting from today, you will be bathing alone."

She announced the long-awaited event so casually. Bathing itself was great news, but... alone? Did that mean I wouldn’t get to see that beautiful blue-haired princess anymore? Did that mean I would never see her budding breasts again!? Why? Why!? Whyyyy!!

No one answered my silent screams. I kept a straight face and asked calmly,

"Why am I bathing alone now? I’m happy I can stretch out and relax by myself, but is there a reason?"

Cass gave me a mischievous smile and said,

"Why don’t you ask your own body? During the last bath, you were staring intently at the princesses, and your lower half became... exactly like an adult’s. It means you’ve grown up, Prince Robby. That’s why you can no longer bathe with the princesses. Too bad you won’t get to see them anymore~ Maybe it’s also time for you to start leaving the inner palace."

Cass knew exactly how my cock had reacted, so there was no point denying it. The fact that I was now allowed to bathe alone probably meant she had already reported my "growth" to someone. I had gotten erections before, but maybe this time it had been too obvious. Mother definitely knew about it by now, and so did whoever managed the baths.

Since I basically had no privacy in this palace (someone was always watching or managing me), it was probably best to assume everyone already knew about my physical development. It was a shame I couldn’t bathe with the princesses anymore, but the thought of being alone with Cass made my heart race. Or... was it possible I would really be completely alone?

Anyway, the long-awaited bath time finally arrived, and Cass led me to the changing room. Even though I was bathing alone, I thought there might be another maid for supervision, but no one else was there. Did that mean Cass was acting as both attendant and supervisor? This felt like heaven. Please don’t let this be a dream.

As usual, Cass began undressing me. My eyes kept drifting to her cleavage. I could see deep into the valley between her breasts! I wanted to see more... I wanted to slip my hand inside! Just thinking about what might happen next made my heart pound and blood rush down to my cock.

The moment Cass pulled down my pants, it was already slightly caught. I’m sure she noticed the "Hmm?" moment. When the pants came off, my underwear was clearly tented. My cock was already rock-hard with anticipation. Was it just my imagination, or did the head look even bigger than before? A little precum had even started to stain the fabric. Ten-year-old bodies really are something else!

Cass must have already guessed what state I was in, because she hesitated while holding the waistband of my underwear, staring at the pointed bulge. When I looked at her, she must have felt my gaze because she looked up at me while still holding my underwear. The view was incredibly erotic. The underwear was nice, but I really wanted her to grab something else.

I stared into Cass’s eyes, silently pleading with all my heart: Please! Please do it! I tried to make the most earnest, begging expression I could.

Why did I have to beg so desperately just to have my underwear pulled down? It was literally her job. The moment I realized how ridiculous it was, I got impatient and reached for my underwear myself. Before I could pull it down, Cass noticed and quickly said,

"I-I’m sorry!"

She yanked the underwear down in one swift motion. The force ignored the snag completely. My cock, freed from the fabric, sprang out with a boing right in front of Cass’s face — practically touching her nose.

A moment of silence fell.

Cass stared fixedly at my erection. She didn’t touch it. Of course she didn’t put it in her mouth either. She just kept looking. Desperate for any reaction, I thrust my hips forward until the tip of my cock was almost touching the tip of her nose. Still nothing. Why wasn’t she doing anything? Wasn’t it natural for a man to want to push it into a woman’s mouth?

No — I was supposed to be an innocent ten-year-old prince. It would be wrong to demand anything from Cass. I should probably just wait patiently.

Once my underwear was off, I decided to save any further progress for the actual bath and headed toward the bathing area. Cass stood there in a daze for a moment before snapping out of it and hurriedly changing into her bathing clothes. I wanted to watch, but I held back and waited for her in the washing area.

Soon, Cass came rushing in, flustered. It was the first time I had ever seen her panic like this. She was usually calm, always smiling gracefully. Today she was clearly rattled.

"Alright, let’s wash your body."

She lathered soap onto the sponge and began washing me, starting from my back. She moved from behind me to the front, washing my chest, arms, hands, and stomach. She completely skipped my erect cock and washed my legs instead.

Then, without washing it, she filled a bucket with hot water and said,

"I’ll rinse off the soap now~!"

She poured the water over me with a splash. Even after being rinsed, my cock remained proudly standing. Was that it? She wasn’t going to wash it? Before I could stop myself, I blurted out,

"Cass, you missed a spot! If you’re not going to wash it, I’ll do it myself!!"

My tone came out sharper than I intended. Cass looked startled and quickly said,

"I’m sorry!"

She hesitantly reached out with her bare hand — no sponge — and began washing my cock. Using her palm and fingertips, she gently pulled back the foreskin, exposing the head, and carefully cleaned underneath it.

Ahh... it felt so good! It stung a little from the sensitivity, making my hips jerk back. Cass’s hand followed, continuing to stimulate me. She took much longer than before. Was it because we were alone? She seemed to be washing me more slowly and carefully than usual. At this rate... there was no way I could hold it in!!

"Ah! It’s coming!!"

I grabbed Cass’s shoulders and came hard. My cock was still in her hand, but the head was slightly exposed, so some of the semen splattered onto her face.

"Kyaa!?"

Cass let out a cute little yelp. It was the first time I had ever heard such an adorable sound from her.

Sorry... I got it on your face.

(Though honestly... I did it on purpose.)