Chapter 92
At the same time, inside Winston’s tent…
Luciard was still dealing with Gabriel, who had come to see him.
The conversation started with light-hearted, casual talk to ease the mood.
“So, you said you wanted to see the world. Were you abroad for those two years?”
“Well, yes. Before coming here, I was in the Kingdom of Serendia.”
“That’s pretty far. So, the delay in hearing about yesterday’s events is because…”
“Being overseas makes it hard to get news from the Empire. If it weren’t for a traveling companion, I might still be wandering abroad clueless.”
“A companion? Not another noble, I assume?”
“Just people I met while adventuring. They’re not from the Empire, and definitely not nobles.”
“Hmm… You’ve always been unique, even back in our academy days.”
It felt like Gabriel was about to add, “How could you even associate with commoners, let alone travel with them?”
Luciard smirked as he sipped his wine.
“To me, you’re the odd one. Maybe it’s because I don’t care for politics, but watching you consistently put on the same act while surrounded by people is impressive.”
In other words, ‘Isn’t it exhausting to fake it every day?’
Gabriel’s eyebrow twitched as he set his wine glass down.
“…You’ve grown bolder since the academy.”
“Sorry if I offended you. Living among commoners has made me less fond of sugarcoating. But I mean it as a compliment.”
Luciard found it fascinating how Gabriel could effortlessly maintain his composure and act without faltering. He even envied it a little.
“Come to think of it, Hestia’s just the same,” he thought.
Despite her commoner origins, she was the most noble-like person Luciard had ever met, rivaling even Gabriel.
“Well, you don’t really have to fake anything here, being a Winston.”
“A half-blood Winston,” Luciard corrected.
“Ahem! Even so, everyone sees you as one.”
Gabriel, not expecting Luciard to belittle himself, shifted uncomfortably and even defended him.
“So, how have things been for you lately?”
“Fine.”
“No, I mean, has anything changed since returning to the ducal house?”
Despite Luciard’s bluntness, Gabriel kept his warm demeanor and pressed on.
“Not really. That’s my home. I just returned after wandering for a long time.”
“Still, calling it ‘just returning home’ doesn’t feel entirely accurate.”
At Gabriel’s cryptic comment, Luciard glanced at him.
“You’ve got your nephew and his guardian there, don’t you?”
“…”
“The young Lord is eight, right? Without a guardian, leading a house at that age would be impossible. But now you’re back, his uncle. Wouldn’t it be fine to dismiss the guardian? You could lead the duchy yourself.”
“You’re saying I should become the duke?”
“I’m not saying that outright, but wouldn’t it be fine? After all, you’re a Winston and a graduate of the academy. You’re more than capable of leading the house.”
Gabriel’s tone was so casual that Luciard couldn’t clarify his intentions.
“You’re not going to say something ridiculous like you have no interest in titles, like back in the academy, are you?” Gabriel joked. But when Luciard remained unresponsive, Gabriel seemed genuinely surprised.
“Most people would call this a golden opportunity. Really?”
“Whatever my choice has nothing to do with you.”
“Back in the academy, I could understand holding back because your brother was alive. But now things are different.”
Luciard frowned at Gabriel’s laid-back attitude.
“Most would’ve dismissed the guardian long ago. Maybe even pushed the young lord aside to take the title themselves.”
“Watch your words. Say any more, and you won’t walk away unscathed.”
Luciard’s threatening tone briefly startled Gabriel, but he quickly regained his composure, a smile curling on his lips.
“Relax. I’m just saying what many other nobles probably think. It’s not me who’s strange—it’s you who’s unusual.”
Gabriel, who seemed to be pressing Luciard earlier, suddenly reverted to his usual kind mask. Yet, despite his calm expression, his gaze felt sharper than usual.
“Calm down,” Luciard told himself, taking a silent breath.
“Hestia did tell me to take opportunities like this to figure out who’s an ally or enemy.”
While Gabriel’s thoughts were now a bit clearer, something still felt off.
If Gabriel genuinely wanted him to take the duke’s title, he would’ve taken a more careful, persuasive approach, offering help as though doing Luciard a favor.
Instead, his reaction seemed more like genuine confusion than manipulation.
“…Is it really that strange?” Luciard asked to confirm Gabriel’s thoughts.
“I’ve never thought the title of Duke was mine to take. I can’t even imagine becoming one.”
“Hmm… I suppose that’s understandable. Your circumstances are unique.”
As a bastard, Luciard’s situation wasn’t uncommon. Bastards were often treated as outsiders, enduring discrimination and abuse, their existence denied by their own families.
For someone like him to lead a noble house was almost unthinkable without rebellion.
“But doesn’t that make you want it even more?” Gabriel countered, interpreting Luciard’s feelings differently.
“For you, being a duke is an unreachable dream, something you’re not allowed to desire.”
“…”
“So even when it’s right in front of you, it feels out of reach.”
Gabriel took Luciard’s silence as confirmation.
“If I were you, I would’ve taken it already.”
Gabriel’s gaze flickered with an unsettling intensity.
“Imagine something you’ve never thought could be yours suddenly falling into your hands. The thrill is indescribable.”
He seemed lost in his own thoughts, staring at something beyond Luciard.
“It’s truly a shame. The opportunity is practically in your grasp, yet you’re throwing it away. I can’t understand it.”
“So, if you were me, that’s what you’d do?”
“Without hesitation.”
Gabriel’s cheerful smile sent a shiver down Luciard’s spine. Though he appeared friendly, his eyes were filled with something heavy and dark.
But just as quickly, Gabriel returned to his usual composed self, his friendly mask perfectly intact.
“Think of it as friendly advice from a concerned friend.”
Although Gabriel called them friends, Luciard didn’t feel the same. Instead, he grew even more suspicious. But outwardly, he left room for interpretation.
“…I see.”
Gabriel smiled, pouring more wine into Luciard’s glass.
“If you ever change your mind or need help, let me know. Guilt only lasts for a moment. Once you get past it, you’ll see a whole new world you’ve never imagined.”
Luciard clenched his fist but silently clinked his glass with Gabriel’s, downing his wine.
Today, his throat felt unusually dry.
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
While Hestia and Luciard were each dealing with their own battles, Leonhard was also struggling with his own.
“I’ve only found one so far!”
He was enthusiastically participating in a treasure hunt event hosted by the royal family.
He was eagerly participating in a treasure hunt event hosted by the royal family. Hidden across the designated area were notes in three colors: white, blue, and red, each worth different points. The person with the most points would win various prizes.
Among them was a single golden note, which promised an unparalleled reward.
Despite the summer heat, the children were bursting with energy as they eagerly searched. At first, Leonhard had teamed up with the Frost siblings, but…
“This is a solo competition!”
“The person with the most slips wins!”
“Last place has to grant the winner a wish!”
Driven by their competitive spirits, the siblings quickly split up, leaving Leonhard alone.
“Ugh, I only found one blue slip… Blue is worth three points…”
Earlier, he had run into Elvin, who already had 13 points.
Desperate to avoid the last place, Leonhard searched his surroundings, but no matter where he looked, he couldn’t find anything.
“Wow, I found it!”
“Ahahaha! It was up in the tree!”
Cheers of excitement from children echoed nearby.
Although he had checked the area earlier, other kids managed to find something, leaving Leonhard stomping his feet in frustration.
“I don’t want to lose!”
He redoubled his efforts, scanning his surroundings carefully. That’s when he spotted something faint through the bushes.
“Could it be…?”
Leonhard hurriedly approached the bushes. Stretching his hand toward the object, just as he was about to grab it:
“Got it—!”
“Gotcha!”
Another hand overlapped with his.
Both startled, they turned to look at each other. Leonhard’s eyes widened in shock.
“Huh? You’re…?”
The other person also seemed surprised but soon smiled.
“Ah, the young lord of Winston, right?”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
The one holding the same note as Leonhard was none other than Emperor Sylvester Francis himself.
Seeing the emperor—whom he had briefly greeted yesterday—up close left Leonhard’s mind blank. He had no idea what to do, especially since neither Hestia, Luciard, nor the Frost siblings were with him.
“Hmm… I wonder who grabbed it first,” Sylvester mused, tilting his head as he looked at the note they both held. His hand was slightly lower than Leonhard’s.
Startled, Leonhard quickly let go of the note.
“Y-Your Majesty grabbed it first!”
“Really? Thanks! I’ve been wandering around, unable to find anything! Oh, it’s red!”
The emperor cheerfully placed the note into the pouch handed out at the start of the game. Leonhard then noticed that Sylvester was dressed more casually than before, accompanied by just one guard.
“Actually, I joined quietly to keep the game fair… But perhaps you should take this note instead?” Sylvester hesitated, reflecting on whether he had inadvertently snatched a young boy’s chance.
Leonhard shook his head.
“Oh, no, no! You have got it first, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
Sylvester found Leonhard’s honest and straightforward attitude interesting, without trying to make a fuss or ask for anything in return.
He rummaged through his pouch and handed Leonhard a white note.
“Here, take this.”
“Huh? But—!”
“Go on, take it. It’s only 1 point, but it’s better than nothing, right?”
Leonhard stared at the note in his hand and then beamed.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Sylvester smiled back at the innocent grin of the boy.
