First, I reasoned with Leon.
“Leon, you can’t own a person.”
“No. Hyung is a slave. He said slaves can be owned!”
I frowned.
Who taught the child such useless things in the meantime?
Leon knew what a slave was, even if vaguely.
“Who said that?”
“Lucas Hyung told me.”
I turned my head and glared at Lucas.
Lucas spoke confidently, as if asking what he did wrong.
“He asked what a slave was, so I merely told him.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him it’s something that can be traded like an object.”
It was a relief he didn’t say something like they could be treated like beasts.
I turned my head back to Leon.
I intended to say no, but the child quickly noticed and pouted his lips.
“I can’t give Lucas to Leon. First of all, it’s a gift bestowed upon the Count family.”
“Liar.”
“Huh?”
“Lucas Hyung belongs to Uncle. Hyung said so.”
I pressed my forehead with my hand.
Items owned by the family belong to the head of the family for now.
Since I am currently the head of the family, he did belong to me.
Lucas spoke with an attitude where I couldn’t tell if he was trying to help or interfere.
“I belong to Master. I only spoke the truth.”
“See?”
“When are you going to learn the word ‘Count’?”
Since I couldn’t scold Leon, I rebuked Lucas.
“Your command to watch your mouth didn’t even last a day.”
“I am sorry.”
Lucas shut his mouth. I thought I could talk to Leon now, but Leon looked sullen again.
“What’s wrong? Are you upset with Uncle? Because I said no?”
“Why do you speak to Hyung so scarily? Uncle is mean. You can speak nicely.”
Just how on earth did he win the child over?
Hearing a snort, I turned my head to see Lucas covering his mouth and holding back his laughter.
I endured it because Leon was watching, even though I wanted to throw him to the knights right away.
“Alright. I’ll speak nicely.”
“If you speak scarily, I’ll be upset. Apologize later.”
“Alright. I’ll apologize too.”
In a normal relationship, speaking scarily would make someone feel bad and upset.
I thought it was a relief that Leon didn’t understand what a slave was.
On the other hand, I was curious about the reason he wanted to have him even though he didn’t understand.
“Why does Leon want to have Lucas?”
Leon answered without hesitation.
“Because I like him!”
“Huh?”
It was a strange reason for Leon to give for wanting a slave.
I wanted to say no right away, but since he was still young, I asked again with more patience.
“You can’t just say that. Tell me in more detail.”
“Lucas Hyung is the most handsome, pretty, and strongest person I’ve ever seen! He listens to me well, and I think it will be fun to play together. Also, he’s a knight, but he said he has never lost! I’m going to learn swordsmanship from Hyung, too.”
It was cute to see him doing his best to give reasons to ask for what he wanted.
Since he would get angry if I found him cute, I spoke maturely.
“Did you like him that much? Still, if you learn swordsmanship from Lucas, Tayros Hyung will be upset.”
Leon’s swordsmanship master is Tayros.
When I pointed that out, Leon pondered.
“Uh… uh… then I’ll learn from both! I just need to get permission!”
It was admirable, but I couldn’t give him the slave.
That slave was dangerous, and Leon was too young.
I explained as easily as possible so Leon could understand.
“Everything Leon mentioned can be done without giving him to you. I’ll permit you to play together and learn swordsmanship. Instead, I can’t give Lucas to Leon.”
“Why?”
“You’re too young. When Leon is over twenty years old, I’ll permit it then.”
Since Lucas wouldn’t be here next year anyway, it was a fine compromise.
“Twenty is too far away. There’s a long time left.”
Twenty is adulthood and an age where one can do as they wish.
The child was disappointed because I said I would give him up when he aged ten more years, not ten nights.
“But to own means to take responsibility. Leon has to take responsibility for everything Lucas eats and where he sleeps here, can you do that? Won’t it be hard?”
“Then will Uncle take responsibility?”
Leon clearly showed his dissatisfaction.
I found the question of whether I could take responsibility quite bold.
“Of course. Uncle will take full responsibility. Leon just needs to do what you want to do with that Hyung. Isn’t that better?”
“Hing…”
“Whining won’t work. Taking responsibility is a hard thing.”
I spoke strictly. Knowing that whining wouldn’t work, Leon gave up quickly.
“Alright. Then you shouldn’t scold me even if I play with him every day, okay?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll go get permission from Tayros Hyung.”
“He’ll probably be at the training ground.”
Perhaps because I allowed them to play together, his resignation was fast.
Watching a knight follow Leon, I spoke to Lucas.
“I apologize for speaking harshly earlier.”
No answer was heard.
Wondering if he was angry, I turned my head to see Lucas making a strange face.
“You really apologize.”
“Didn’t I promise? What Leon said is right to some extent, too.”
“Then will you take responsibility, too?”
“Huh?”
“You said you would take responsibility for me.”
I didn’t know why he was asking such an obvious question.
Since he came to our house when I am the head of the family, it is naturally my responsibility.
No matter what happens, I will bear it all.
The same goes for whatever happens to Lucas.
Even if he is a slave, he is someone living under the same roof for now, so I plan to take good care of him before sending him away.
“Are you worried? No matter how insolently you behave, I will take responsibility for your living, so do not worry. I won’t go and throw you away anywhere either.”
I am scared that if I throw him away somewhere, he might come looking for me, asking why I abandoned him. If that happened, I don’t know if he would drop me naked in some unknown country too.
“It’s not a lie to tell you to feel at ease, so don’t be too nervous. Everyone is a good person.”
Since they are people who follow orders well, they won’t mistreat Lucas.
Lucas stared at me blankly without a word.
At the moment I wondered if he was doubting my intentions, Lucas abruptly stood up and walked toward the direction Leon disappeared.
“Where are you going?”
“I will be with Young Master Leon.”
Contrary to the stiff reply, his face was flushed red.
Is the weather hot?
It feels cool and nice to me, though.
“Let’s go together. I have something to tell you.”
I chased after Lucas.
Lucas suddenly shouted out loud.
“Count to ten and follow me!”
