Failed to Train the Beast Male Lead

Though not extravagant, Noah laughed continuously.

The dreamlike time passed quickly.

“It’s almost time to go.”

Looking outside, it was snowing. The path to the garden house, rarely used by servants, had only been lightly swept by Norman, and the area around the garden house hadn’t been cleared of snow.

Whoosh. The sound of an ominous, biting wind was heard, but it was drowned out by the cheerful atmosphere.

At Mrs. Wells’ words, Noah began opening the eagerly anticipated gifts with a regretful expression.

Everyone sat on the sofa, watching Noah who had settled next to the fireplace.

Each of them was secretly confident that Noah would like their gift the most.

Because of this, there was a subtle competition to see which gift Noah would prefer.

And now was the time to confirm the results.

A strange tension hung in the air between Mrs. Wells, Norman, and Carol.

Noah let out a happy scream with each gift he unwrapped.

A fluffy blanket from Mrs. Wells, chocolates from Norman, and then…

“What’s this?”

“Ah. That’s from Mary.”

Mrs. Wells explained, saying she had brought it on Mary’s behalf. It looked like a large earring, but at its end were various types of feathers.

“She said it helps you have good dreams. It’s called a dreamcatcher.”

“I see.”

Noah carefully set the dreamcatcher aside and unwrapped the next gift.

“There are more than just boring history books in the world, you know.”

The next gift was a book prepared by Carol. It was a novel about a hero receiving trials from the gods, going on adventures, and gathering companions.

“Thank you! I’ll enjoy reading it!”

Carol found her attention drawn to the bookshelf behind them. No one else knew, but she wondered if he had seen them.

The titles of those books!

She had moved the books to the back when bringing in the food, just in case someone might see them. Even though they weren’t her books, she felt needlessly anxious.

“There are two gifts left… but I don’t have anyone else to give me presents?”

Noah hesitated, glancing at the two unwrapped gift boxes.

In his mind, he thought the Duke might have prepared one extra gift, but he couldn’t guess what the other box might be.

Carol also hadn’t heard anything about these gifts, so she remained silent. In the meantime, the Duke, who had been quiet, spoke in a low voice.

“Both gifts are from me, so feel free to open them.”

“What? Both from you, Duke?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my.”

Noah asked again, startled. Then he quickly blushed. While gifts from others were nice, the ones from the Duke seemed particularly special to him.

Rustle.

Noah carefully opened the smaller box first, afraid of damaging the inner box.

Click.

“It’s a fountain pen!”

It was a fountain pen with intricate silver patterns on a deep blue background. Noah unwrapped the slightly larger gift with faster movements than before.

“…It’s a wooden sword!”

Noah knew nothing about swordsmanship. He had never learned it, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have a romantic notion about it. Noble children usually start sword practice at an early age, so the Duke might have given this gift without knowing Noah’s situation.

“Oh my. I love all the gifts.”

Noah said, hugging the sword. A hint of loneliness flashed beneath his happy smile.

But the Duke was aware of Noah’s situation.

“I’ll invite an instructor occasionally, so I’ll allow you to take lessons.”

“An instructor?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the academy?”

It was a passing comment made when he heard that Carol’s siblings’ academy was nearing graduation season.

“What? But I just mentioned that…”

“That place would be difficult for you to adapt to.”

The academy Kevin and Dylan attended had a higher ratio of commoners to nobles. As a result, most students were older, and the swordsmanship was more practical. Therefore, it would be too much for Noah, who had just turned ten.

“…”

“Other academies are too far to attend.”

The academies for nobles were located days away from the north. If he went there, it would be difficult to respond if anything happened, so in the end, the only option left was to teach him at home.

To think that just one casual comment from him had led to the Duke considering sending him to an academy.

A deep sense of gratitude overwhelmed Noah.

Carol was also surprised, as she hadn’t known about this either. The Duke had indeed seemed confident earlier, and the scale of his gift certainly lived up to that.

“You’ll have lessons in the annex or somewhere else, though.”

The Duke continued his explanation, trying to calm Noah who seemed too excited.

As long as he could learn, the location didn’t particularly matter.

“Thank you.”

Noah stood up abruptly, overcome with emotion.

The winner was decided.

Everyone could tell which gift Noah liked the most without even asking.

The Duke, who had seemed to stay out of the subtle competition, now wore the smile of a victor.

“Duke.”

Mrs. Wells, who had been quiet, spoke up.

“Yes.”

“It’s too much for me to handle alone, so I’m thinking of entrusting a good part of Noah’s affairs to Mary.”

“Is she reliable?”

“Yes. She’s a dependable girl. She’ll do well.”

Mrs. Wells spoke calmly, as if she had already organized in her mind how to manage Noah’s schedule.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

As soon as the Duke gave his permission, Noah hugged the sword tightly, not knowing what to do.

“Oh right. I’ll use the pen–the pen well too!”

Then, as if he suddenly thought he hadn’t shown enough joy for the other gift, he hastily added.

“Good.”

At the Duke’s words, Noah finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Noah.”

“Yes?”

Noah felt an ominous premonition at Mrs. Wells’ call.

“It’s time to leave now.”

And Noah’s prediction came true without any deviation.

At Mrs. Wells’ words, Noah sighed, furrowing his brows.

“Time really flies today.”

“Acting pitiful won’t work.”

At Mrs. Wells’ firm voice, Noah, who had only grown craftier, clicked his tongue.

Though he realized they had to leave, Noah looked flustered as he also realized he couldn’t carry all the gifts by himself.

“The gifts… I can’t carry them all…”

“Ask Norman.”

Whoosh.

Noah’s gaze shifted to Norman.

“…Norman!”

“Yes. Don’t worry, I’ll carry everything for you even without you looking at me like that.”

At Norman’s reassuring tone, Noah’s expression finally relaxed, as if he had just let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you.”

And so the party ended. When the three of them had roughly finished tidying up, the Duke spoke without getting up.

“You go down first. I’ll stay here a bit longer with the teacher.”

“What?”

“There’s still some mulled wine left, you see. Isn’t that right, teacher?”

“What? Oh.”

Carol was utterly exhausted. She had prepared for the birthday party as soon as she arrived at work, had a short lesson in between, and then constantly catered to Noah’s mood afterwards.

The Duke had noticed Carol’s exhaustion and made the suggestion with that in mind.

“Yes. There’s also a lot of food left.”

“Aren’t you coming down with us?”

“We’ll come down a little later.”

Noah looked disappointed, but since today had already been more than generous, he didn’t complain further.

Mrs. Wells put on her cloak and wrapped a scarf around Noah’s neck, who hadn’t properly put on his outer clothes in his rush to be carried by Norman.

Noah kept looking back regretfully. Noticing this, Mrs. Wells paused for a moment.

“Then let’s say goodbye before we go.”

At Mrs. Wells’ words, Noah, who had stopped at the door, turned around.

Today had truly been a wonderful day. It was a joy he had never received from his birth parents.

Although they were said to be a branch of the great Winternox family, they were a noble house that was almost laughable to call noble.

His miserly parents had always wanted to sell him off, and when things didn’t go their way, they often resorted to beating him.

Such parents would never have celebrated his birthday.

This was the first time since coming here.

While everyone else was nice too, they were different from family. The Duke, at least, gave without anyone’s orders or conditions.

‘Because we’re family.’

Noah felt overwhelmed every time he recalled this fact.

“Duke.”

“Yes.”

“May I come closer?”

“Hmm?”

“I’d like to hug you as a thank you and goodbye.”

“…”

His tone was polite, as if determined not to make the same mistake as last time.

“Do you dislike it?”

He tapped the floor lightly with his shoe. Noah felt like he hadn’t properly conveyed how happy he was and how grateful he was for the gifts.

The Duke was just momentarily surprised by the unexpected request, but he didn’t dislike it.

Even before becoming a monster, no one had ever asked so openly if they could hug him.

“No, it’s fine.”

As soon as the Duke’s words fell, Noah quickly crossed the reception room and ran towards where the Duke was.

Thud-thud-thud!

“Duke!”

Noah hugged the Duke with all his might. Hearing the child coming, the Duke awkwardly embraced him in return.

“Yes.”

“You don’t know how grateful I am, Duke!”

“I think I have some idea.”

It was impossible not to understand when he was expressing his affection so wholeheartedly. With his heightened senses due to his lack of sight, the Duke could feel Noah’s excited breathing and his heart fluttering with joy even more clearly.

It was at that moment.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Noah kissed the Duke on the cheek. The Duke hadn’t pushed him away, thinking he would only hug. But contrary to expectations, the child was much more forward.

The characteristic high temperature of a young child lingered on the Duke’s cheek for a long time.

“Thank you so much!”

Noah jumped out of the Duke’s arms as if embarrassed.

Then, seemingly satisfied, he took Norman and Mrs. Wells’ hands on either side and said his goodbyes.

“Well then, I’ll be going now! Let’s go.”

Noah’s ears were bright red as he left.