I’m the fifth son of a count’s family, but I became the head of a duke’s house
Upon arriving at the mansion, which now even felt nostalgic, the old butler welcomed us.
“Thank you for your efforts. Lady Leila and the escorts, please come this way. Lord Ein, you have been summoned to the study.”
“…Understood.”
I nodded and pulled Leila close to me.
“I’ll be going then.”
“Yes. Take care.”
“You two seem to be quite close…”
Leila smiled shyly as I embraced her.
The reason I did this in public was to make it clear that I didn’t want her to be treated poorly. I didn’t suspect the old butler would do so, but by making this display, if anyone ever tried to harass Leila, the old butler would surely step in to stop them.
After whispering something to a nearby maid, the old butler turned back to me.
“This way, please.”
Reluctantly, I let go of Leila and followed the butler to the study.
The mansion was quiet, possibly due to the lack of people, and the sound of my footsteps echoed through the hallways.
Before long, we arrived in front of the room. Without saying anything, the old butler gestured for me to enter.
I knocked lightly on the door.
“Father, it’s Einzich.”
“Ein? Come in.”
I opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it behind me.
Father wasn’t working on state affairs; instead, he was standing by the window, gazing outside. There were no guards in the room—it was just the two of us.
“Well then.”
With just that brief remark, Father turned his gaze from the window to me.
Somehow, he felt more imposing than usual.
“I called you here today because I have something to confirm with you, Ein.”
“…Something to confirm?”
Father gave a single, serious nod.
“Yes… Ein, do you have ambition?”
His eyes held a certain testing quality.
A nervous sweat broke out on my back.
Was he suspicious of me? Why? The thought flashed through my mind, but what mattered now was how I answered.
What was the right response?
I didn’t know… But I felt like I had no choice but to be honest.
After a moment of hesitation, I made up my mind and spoke.
“…I do have ambition.”
“Oh?”
Father’s gaze grew even sharper, but I couldn’t stop now.
Swallowing hard, I continued.
“However, I have no intention of overthrowing you or my elder brother. My ambition is something that allows me to stand alongside both of you.”
“Go on.”
“I want to develop our lands, so that our people and my comrades no longer have to live in fear… and so that everyone can afford to eat cookies.”
At the mention of cookies, Father made a puzzled expression but seemed to let it slide.
Even after I finished speaking, he continued to scrutinize me, as if assessing me.
But eventually, he must have seen that I was being truthful, as he sighed and stepped closer.
Then, he raised his strong arm.
Thunk.
Ouch.
“Well, that’s fine.”
It seemed Father was satisfied.
I rubbed my head, wincing, and looked up at him.
“Was it really necessary to hit me…?”
“I was simply disciplining a son who didn’t follow instructions.”
When I questioned him, he gave me a dark smirk.
Still, there was something I needed to ask.
“That aside, why did you ask me that question?”
Father scratched his head and let out an exasperated sigh.
“Some of the retainers were wondering if, even as a figurehead, you were acting too independently. Given the unusual things you tend to do, it’s not surprising that they’re concerned.”
So that’s what it was about.
They likely believed that the Duchy of Baltia was nothing more than a political symbol. But seeing my recent actions, they must have started to feel uneasy.
It seemed to be both a warning and an attempt to gauge my intentions… But I had the perfect excuse.
“I only did what I was told—‘Do as you please.’”
“Kh… Kuhahaha! Well said. That’s exactly right.”
I had spoken a bit boldly, but Father seemed to like my answer.
“Well, that settles this matter for now.”
I exhaled in relief, glad the conversation had come to an end.
Father returned to his desk and sat down.
“Now then. Since it’s been a while, why don’t you tell me about your latest antics?”
…What does he think I am?
Letting out a sigh, I took a seat in the chair across from him.
