After the duel.
I was in my room.
Tim had lost consciousness and was taken to the infirmary, and since I was particularly unharmed, I was told I could return to my room.
And there was my father in the room.
“So? Do you have anything to say?”
“What’s the matter? You seem dissatisfied. Despite all the effort I put into setting up the board for you, what are you unhappy about?”
“I would have been grateful if it weren’t for the bet.”
“That thing, it’s just an extra, a bonus. It was easy to understand that man. A little provocation and he took the bait immediately.”
“Isn’t that going too far? Won’t you be scolded by brother?”
“Too far? That’s the kind of father he is, and that’s the kind of son he has. Because he looks down on people, he never doubts his own righteousness. Such people need to be taught a painful lesson.”
“And that’s the official stance, but what about your true feelings?”
“I can’t forgive him for being rough with my daughter. If she had been pleased to be grabbed by the arm, that would be one thing, but she shook him off. I won’t be satisfied until I make them draw the short straw for three generations.”
Father said this as if it were only natural.
He, too, never doubts his own righteousness.
If his daughter is harmed, he thinks it’s only natural to return the favor tenfold.
The Townset Duke’s family has caught the eye of an unpleasant person.
As I was thinking this, there was a knock at the door of the room.
“Come in.”
“First of all… I should say well done.”
The one who entered with those words was my brother Liam.
But his face did not look genuinely happy.
“Oh, Liam. Today is a victory celebration! Roy did it!!”
“Indeed, Roy is amazing, but I’m not in the mood for that.”
“Why not? Aren’t you happy about your brother’s great victory?”
“I am happy, but my stomach hurts because of father! I had promised the Townset Duke that we wouldn’t make a big deal out of it! It was supposed to be just a fight between students! But because father started betting, it became a big deal!”
“It’s just a matter of pride between parents. We just bet on something important to each other. Let me tell you, they took the bet because it was more advantageous for them. I didn’t lead them into it, you know?”
“Even so, the Townset Duke made his displeasure quite clear. I’m worried about the impact on diplomacy…”
Saying this, Liam rubbed his stomach.
Poor thing.
Such a serious and good person, but unrewarded because he is the son of my father.
“Don’t worry about it. They’re adults too. They keep public and private matters separate.”
“I hope so… And father!”
“What is it!? Is there still something else?”
“There is a lot! What is this secret sword technique, ‘Lamplight’? I never knew mother had left behind such a technique!”
“You’re not suited for that…”
“I won’t know unless I try! I am also mother’s son!”
“I know without trying. A technique that requires you to take damage deliberately is not suitable for you. Don’t get so worked up. Roy was suited for this secret sword technique. That’s all there is to it. Don’t complain about teaching one or two of mother’s secret techniques to a less talented brother. I should have taught you military strategy myself. That’s far more valuable than any secret sword technique, isn’t it?”
“Military strategy is not useful in the current Grand Duchy…”
“Then the secret sword technique is the same. But, secret techniques are only useful in battle, while military strategy is different. To live is to fight. It should be useful even in life at the castle.”
“It is useful, but I’m not good at deceiving people like father. I can’t make good use of it…”
“Deceiving people is not the only part of my military strategy. You still don’t understand enough. If you deepen your understanding, even an honest person like you will surely be able to handle it. An honest person has their own virtues. Unlike the words of someone who deceives people like me, an honest person’s words carry sincerity. Well, if you’re not in the mood for a victory celebration, I’ll go home. I leave Rena and Roy in your care.”
“Yes…”
With that, father left, leaning on his cane.
Liam, who saw him off, sighed.
“Sometimes… father is terrifying.”
“I understand. Whatever we do, whatever we say, it feels like it’s all calculated.”
“You feel it too…”
“I do…”
After nodding in agreement with each other.
Liam placed his hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry to say this after such a conversation… but I’m glad you won.”
“I know.”
“Not just as a brother, but as someone from the Grand Duchy. There has been a long-standing cry about the shortage of talent in the Grand Duchy. There are those who are a burden. In such a situation, the fact that you defeated a noble from the Kingdom of Albios has value. It must have hurt, but you endured well.”
“Well, somewhat. But I’ve caused you trouble, brother.”
“Yes. I will probably have to struggle… but if I bow my head a few times, they should forgive me.”
It’s pitiful.
He must have been born under such a star.
It’s pitiful that such a serious person was born as the son of my father.
Being tossed around was determined the moment he was born.
“Roy, I will change the image of the Luvell Baron family. I will do anything for that. Father is wary of many people. That image follows me, you, and Rena. Therefore, I will change it. So I want you to have the same mindset.”
“I will help you, however modestly.”
“Thank you. Then, attend your classes seriously. Your reputation is bad.”
“That’s a different matter. Unfortunately, I can’t help you.”
“Is getting up in the morning that hard for you!? Just go to bed earlier!?”
“People have their own strengths and weaknesses! If that’s all you’re going to say, please leave!!”
With that, I kicked Liam out of the room and lay down on the bed.
Then I remembered something.
“Ah… I forgot to ask father again…”
I always forget to ask father.
How to quit the academy quickly.
“Well, I don’t think father would tell me…”
I enrolled in the academy on father’s orders.
On the surface, it’s because even I am a valuable asset to the Grand Duchy. That’s true.
But I could have refused.
Yet, father instructed me to go to the academy.
The biggest reason was to protect Rena by my side. I agreed to that. But I could protect Rena without enrolling in the academy. Considering the disadvantages of being bound by student life, the demerits are somewhat greater.
Still, father told me to attend the academy. You have something to learn there, he said.
I still don’t know what that is. What am I supposed to learn?
So, father won’t let me quit even if I want to.
But father says it’s important. It must be.
I have no idea what it is, though
