“Perhaps people will mock Conler’s knight commander if they discover how emotional he is.”
Cheroke was still sobbing as Gilbert set his tea cup down and spoke to him indifferently. Cheroke quickly reached into his pocket for a handkerchief and began to blot his tears, but the crying continued. The reception room was filled with the pitiful sound of his sniffling. Even though I wasn’t sure if it was something to cry about, I felt bad for him.
When Cheroke saw Gilbert, who had rushed in during his training, he started crying once more and muttered something. Sadly, his muttering could hardly be heard over his sobs. It seemed to be something about how the young Lord had grown up so quickly and was now holding a sword.
Cheroke had returned from a long absence and was catching up with the three brothers and Rex in the reception room. Grand Duke Estin was unfortunately not present, but Cheroke merely grinned and said that he already knew.
Cheroke eventually calmed down, shifting his attention between the people in the room while furrowing his brow. Then, with moist eyes, he spoke.
Well, I, Cheroke Fröl, have no regrets even if I die now. I can’t believe all of Conler’s siblings are gathered here.
“By the way, why did you return, weren’t you taking a break?”
It was said that Cheroke Fröl had spent three years subjugating the beasts on the empire’s borders and had spent the subsequent two years training as a swordsman in the tranquil Conler Territory countryside. I assumed he had been battling monsters continuously for five years! I was relieved to learn that this was not the case.
Cheroke calmed down and took a sip of the tea before him before responding to Gilbert’s query.
“The current state of the continent is unusual.”
Although we had only recently met, I felt as though Cheroke’s voice had never been so low. We all listened intently while maintaining a focused gaze on Cheroke.
“What do you mean?”
“The monsters have started acting up once more.”
“So, that’s why my father is busy again.”
I exhaled heavily. On the day of the engagement banquet, Grand Duke Estin, who couldn’t attend the event until the very end, crossed my mind. I was a little sad, but everything happened for a reason. I felt incredibly foolish and pathetic for being upset.
“Yes, the Grand Duke said it was fine to rest a little longer, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
“The situation must be very serious.”
“To be honest, yes. That’s right.”
“……but why didn’t you tell me?”
Gilbert’s expression was grim as he listened. Gilbert appeared to be unaware that the monsters were in chaos as well. Cheroke replied, sweating profusely.
“Master Gilbert has just become an adult…….”
“You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“I believe in Cheroke, of course.”
“Thank you for your trust.”
Gilbert and Cheroke had a tense battle of nerves; he suddenly began to cry, so I thought he was a little too easy, but Cheroke, unlike a mere knight, did not easily fall for Gilbert’s words.
“Anyway, this time we’re going to organize the Beast Subjugation Team; Master Theodore, you’re still young, so you can’t come.”
Theodore sat up and his eyes glowed when he learned about the beast subjugation team, but Cheroke shook his head saying he couldn’t participate. What do you mean he’s going to join the subjugation, Theodore? That man is returning to the academy, not joining the subjugation. I felt dissatisfied for no reason, so I glanced at Theodore sitting in front of me. It was then.
“Sir Cheroke.”
Rex, who was quietly sitting, raised his hand.
“Please speak freely, Master Rex.”
“Uh, I… I’d like to join the subjugation team as well.”
“No!”
I screamed in response to Rex’s unexpected words, jumped up and stood in front of him, and everyone else in the room looked at Rex, dumbfounded, but Rex looked straight at Cheroke.
“Are you insane? Why are you going there?”
“Even if I look like this, I have the ability…….”
“Everyone, ignore him! It’s not worth caring about!”
I stomped my feet and let out a yell, forgetting that Rex was mad at me. Even so, does he understand what he’s saying?
Theodore motioned for me to settle down, but I got up and gave Rex a stern look. Do I look calm now? Next to me, Aiden got up, grabbed my shoulder, and motioned for me to take a seat. I was still enraged as I sat there.
“If she had a bow and arrow in her hand, she would have shot you to stop you.”
“No! Instead, shoot me, then leave!”
Even in my excitement I corrected Theodore’s words. Rex won’t break his stubbornness just because I’m aiming an arrow at him. He would probably hesitate if I told him to shoot me instead.
At the end of my speech, silence sank in the drawing room. I refrained from speaking and continued to glare at Rex, but he simply lowered his head and remained silent.
“Mary is getting excited, but she’s right. Rex Bluea. You’re too young to join the beast subjugation team.”
Gilbert comforted Rex with a gentle voice. Yes, how is it possible for him to join the subjugation team when even Theodore wasn’t welcomed because of his youth? Cheroke, who couldn’t say anything and just stared at us restlessly, finally spoke.
That’s correct, Master Rex. Of course, I’m aware of the young master’s exceptional talent, but its too harsh there.
“Are you saying that I don’t have enough experience?”
“Yes, it’s not enough.”
“If you won’t let me participate in the actual thing, how can I gain experience?”
When did Rex speak so well?
“No, I don’t understand why you need experience at your age.”
Unbeknownst to me, my body was filled with dread as I confronted Rex once more in a fit of rage.
Given that Rex doesn’t speak much, doing something like that in front of us shows that he has a strong sense of self.
Rex is stronger than I am, of course, and maybe his ability could be really useful, but I never wanted to send Rex to such a place as his older sister. What I’m feeling now is a little different from how I felt when Theodore said he’d go. But even if it’s not now, someday he’ll join the beast subjugation team.
Rex spoke cautiously while holding his left wrist in his right hand.
“Even like this… It’s because I want to repay the Grand Duke for taking me in.”
“What a foolish thing to say!”
Gilbert raised his voice for the first time, still remaining composed. After he reached adulthood, Gilbert made an effort to control his emotions. As the person who will be Conler’s next head, he is trying to suppress himself.
“I know, you treated me like a family. That’s why I want to repay you.”
“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous to have the word “repay” together with family?”
Hey, is this because I hid the dagger incident from you?
Thinking that far, I shook my head quickly. Rex wasn’t the kind of kid who would protest against me like this. But if it’s true, wouldn’t he drop that notion if I truly apologized to him…?
“Then let me join the Knights.”
“Let’s think about it a little more, Rex. Of course you’re a good swordsman. But it’s not enough to join yet.”
“I want the Knight Commander to test me.”
Rex was a pretty good swordsman, regardless of his age, and even though it wasn’t necessarily fighting power, he had a pretty terrifying ability against enemies. Cheroke was troubled by Rex’s words despite the fact that he was only 13 years old.
“Stop it, Rex Bluea.”
Aiden, who has been silent so far, finally opened his mouth.
“I can see why you’re acting like that. You want to be strong. But being stubborn won’t solve it.”
“Brother Aiden.”
“The knights cannot accept you because you were injured while practicing with a sword during a lesson that wasn’t even rigorous.”
“But…”
That is why you have been clutching your wrist. At first glance, it seemed to have turned red. Why do you want to be strong when you’re only 13 years old?
“Aiden is right.”
“…….”
“You can train to get stronger even if you don’t join the Knights. Avoid getting hurt while practicing.”
“I’ll do that.”
Rex responded in agreement to Gilbert’s words, but the tension that pervaded the drawing room was difficult to shake. Possibly from now on, everyone will pay attention to Rex’s movements. I also vowed to keep Rex in my line of sight.
“Cheroke is back after a long time, so let’s have dinner.”
We were all in awe of Gilbert’s suggestion and nodded. Normally, when something delicious is brought out, I’ll eat it with gusto, but right now, I don’t have the energy.
“Cheroke may rest until dinner is ready. It’s good to see you, but can you see me separately?”
Cheroke nodded in surprise at Gilbert’s words.
