“It is exactly as I told you.”
Ruite naturally lowered his hand and peered through the gap in the door.
Chester was standing, while Benger leaned deep into his chair—a sharp contrast to the upright, polite posture he had maintained earlier.
However, rather than looking arrogant, he looked more like a powerful man revealing his true, unvarnished face.
“To think you have such soft-hearted ideas…”
Benger clicked his tongue and shook his head.
From the context, it seemed Chester had said something that Benger considered a “pathetic and soft-hearted idea,” turning the atmosphere ice-cold.
“Ha, fine. Just focus on maintaining a smooth relationship with Ruite Everhart as you are now. Even if this is an arranged marriage where your opinions don’t matter, there’s no harm in keeping things civil.”
Ruite felt like a voyeur and tried to leave, but Benger’s next words caught his ankles.
“And pay more attention to your grades. You’ll be a fourth-year in a few months. Graduation will be here in the blink of an eye. You must build a solid foundation so that no mud splatters on your older brother, who will one day sit in my seat.”
“Father.”
Chester’s voice sounded somewhat foreign.
The tone, which Ruite already thought was deep, had sunk completely into a low resonance.
“Since we are on the subject, I will tell you. When I graduate, I will take the magic-user exam and join the Ferwin Knights.”
Ruite stood frozen, silently listening to the conversation between father and son.
Chester’s voice, declaring his intent to join the knights, was firm and unwavering.
“Who told you to go and play knight? Your role is to assist the Young Duke—your brother, who will one day become the Duke. That is what a second son of this house is supposed to do! What do you think I fathered you for?”
Ruite’s eyes widened.
‘What does that even mean?’
It sounded as if he had only had a second son to provide a servant for the first.
How could a parent say such a thing so boldly to their child’s face?
No matter how dysfunctional aristocratic families could be, he never imagined the renowned Duke Callaway would treat his son this way.
Even though he was just eavesdropping from behind a door—and even though the words weren’t directed at him—Ruite felt the sting on Chester’s behalf.
But what was even more ironic was Chester’s expression, which didn’t change at all despite hearing such shocking words.
He didn’t look hurt, nor did he seem angry.
He didn’t even look sad.
He acted as if it were perfectly natural for his father to speak to him that way.
“I was not born simply to assist my brother.”
His voice was calm and flat, but it sounded exhausted.
“There is only one path set for you. Besides, do you really think you have the confidence to survive in Ferwin, where gifted people are a dime a dozen? Even if you graduate Whitmore with top marks, you’ll fall behind in an instant if you don’t stay sharp. There are those who distinguish themselves without ever stepping foot in an academy like Whitmore.”
Ruite didn’t even realize he was frowning.
Benger continued to spit out words that were like daggers.
“Don’t go in there and drag the Callaway name through the dirt. Just walk the path that has been laid out for you.”
“Even if that isn’t the path I want?”
“Tsk tsk. This is why I say you know nothing of the world. Why would you refuse a guaranteed life in an environment everyone envies, where all you have to do is walk the path set before you?”
Did that “guaranteed life” mean living forever as a shadow, supporting and serving his older brother?
Benger described it as something “everyone envies,” but Ruite couldn’t empathize with that at all.
At least, he didn’t think that way.
“Since it seems you haven’t come to your senses yet, let me tell you once more. Your future choices are—”
“Excuse me!”
It was then that Ruite, unable to stand it any longer, threw open the drawing room door.
Both Benger and Chester—who thought Ruite had already left—looked at him with eyes full of shock.
Ruite realized at that moment, from their expressions, that he had just rudely intruded without knocking.
“Ah… well…”
Benger straightened his posture, but his face clearly showed his displeasure.
Ruite knew he had to explain this rudeness and apologize quickly.
“I apologize for the sudden intrusion.”
Ruite folded his hands politely and gave a deep bow. Chester’s eyes remained fixed on him.
“Hmm, what is it? I thought you had already left for the Count’s estate.”
“I had some business left with Chester. I came back inside. I asked the servants and they said he was in the drawing room, so I just arrived.”
Ruite emphasized the part about “just arriving.”
He wanted to nip any suspicion in the bud that he might have overheard their conversation.
“I see. Then could you wait outside for a moment? I’m sorry, but I haven’t finished my talk with Chester yet.”
Ruite swallowed hard.
“I’m sorry, but this is something I must say right now.”
“…”
“It’s… it’s urgent, so I would like to speak with Chester immediately.”
Benger’s eyebrow twitched.
Ruite felt it instinctively: he had just properly offended the Duke of one of the empire’s most prestigious families.
But as impulsive as it was, he had no intention of backing down now that he had kicked the door open.
Someone once said that if a man draws his sword, he should at least swing it.
“Ch-Chester.”
Ruite’s voice trembled slightly, likely due to the tension radiating from Benger.
“Come with me.”
At those words, Chester’s eyes wavered for a moment.
“…Father, I will hear the rest of the talk later.”
“Chester, you…!”
Before Benger could erupt, Chester grabbed Ruite’s hand firmly and led him out of the drawing room.
Ruite was pulled along by that tight grip until they were completely outside.
As soon as they exited through a rear door, Ruite leaned against the outer wall of the mansion and let out a huge breath.
“Wow… I’ve never had my heart beat this fast. The Duke won’t try to harm me or anything, will he?”
Now that the deed was done, he started worrying about the consequences.
Not only had he burst in without permission, but he had also interrupted the Duke, ignored him, and eventually forced Chester away.
“My father won’t do anything to you. It won’t happen. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Well, that’s a relief then.”
“But really, what’s going on? You said you had business with me?”
“Oh, right. Chester, what time is it?”
“11:58.”
“Oh, thank goodness, I barely made it.”
With a much brighter face, Ruite fumbled inside his jacket.
He then held out an object to Chester.
“What is this?”
Chester received a long, rectangular wooden box.
He slid the lid open to find a fountain pen nestled inside, boasting a luxurious appearance.
“A birthday present. I gave it to you before the day ended, so it still counts.”
“…”
Chester examined the pen before pausing.
As he looked up at Ruite blankly, Ruite coughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head out of habit.
“Of course! I know you might not be thrilled about getting a gift from me. I know that, but to be honest, I’ve received quite a bit of help from you lately, haven’t I? With assignments and when I fall asleep during lectures. I felt a bit guilty just staying silent after all that.”
“…So you bought this for me?”
“Yeah. Ah, it’s purely out of gratitude—a human desire to repay a kindness. There are absolutely no other meanings or feelings behind it, so don’t be offended. If you really don’t want to use it, you can give it to someone else. Just don’t throw it away, it was pretty expensive.”
He had bought it earlier that day when he went to the plaza with Kio.
When Ruite said he was going to buy a gift for Chester, Kio had been fired up, recommending all sorts of things.
It seemed his servant mistakenly thought he was preparing a gift with deep romantic affection for his fiancé, but Ruite truly just wanted to show his gratitude.
Thanks to Chester, he had received the highest score on his assignment, and he had received help in many ways when he was groaning alone with a cold.
While buying the gift, he worried he might make Chester even more annoyed, but he had a strange feeling that Chester wouldn’t hate it.
And besides, showing gratitude to someone is a common thing.
So he thought this much would be fine.
“I’ve delivered it, so I’m going. My parents are waiting for me in front.”
Ruite thought of his parents’ worried faces.
“Ah, and you should… maybe wait a bit before going back inside. Get some fresh air first. The night air is nice tonight. Well, see ya!”
He figured if Chester went back in immediately, he might get caught by Benger again.
“Ruite.”
“Huh?”
Ruite stopped just as he was about to turn the corner.
“Thanks for the gift.”
“…Yeah, sure.”
As Ruite started walking again, he kept replaying the image of Chester smiling and saying thank you.
“Ruite! Why are you so late? I was so worried. I was debating whether I should go back inside with the Count.”
Sure enough, as soon as he reached the carriage, Raina’s scolding flew at him.
“I’m sorry. My business is finished, let’s go.”
As soon as Ruite boarded, the carriage departed for the Everhart estate.
His body went limp as the tension bled out.
Perhaps that was why the conversation between Chester and Benger suddenly came back to him.
‘Just focus on maintaining a smooth relationship with Ruite Everhart as you are now. Even if this is an arranged marriage where your opinions don’t matter, there’s no harm in keeping things civil.’
Particularly those first words Benger had said.
“…I see, so that’s why Chester has been acting so strange lately.”
“Hmm? Son, did you say something?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Ruite shook his head.
As soon as that thought crossed his mind, a wave of exhaustion washed over him.
