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“……”

“Do you realize what you have done?”

A woman stood in front of Count Arsene, her head bowed dejectedly.

Her expression lacked even the slightest hint of malice.

Instead, it appeared serene, and even contained a faint trace of sorrow.

If not for the situation, Count Arsene might have wondered whether she’d been unfairly accused.

‘I was deceived by that face.’

With a bitter smile, he steadied his resolve again.

There was no way he would overlook her crime, which was clear and undeniable.

“Your crime is……”

“It’s all my fault.”

“……What?”

Count Arsene flinched momentarily.

Her response was completely outside of his expectations.

“Are you admitting to your crime?”

“Regardless of my true intentions, what else can I say in this situation?”

Count Arsene’s eyes narrowed.

“……So you admit to attempting the purchase of kidnapped children?”

At that moment, Isabelle snapped her head up.

“No!”

“What are you saying, ‘no,’ to?”

“I was only trying to find a servant for the family. I never imagined anything illegal was happening in the process!”

“So you didn’t mean to.”

Count Arsene raised one corner of his mouth.

It sounded plausible at first glance.

After all, Isabelle had managed the household affairs all this time.

Finding a servant for necessary chores was part of her duties.

However,

“Was there any reason to be so particular about the faces of the children you hire as servants? To the point of classifying them by appearance? Calling them top-quality and so on.”

“You may not understand, but in high society, even the appearance of a servant reflects on the family’s reputation.”

“Is that your excuse?”

“Think about it. If you visit a household and the servant greeting you is filthy and unkempt……”

Count Arsene shook his head.

“That example seems too extreme.”

“I only mean that even the appearance of a servant is important. And again, I have no intention of denying my guilt. It was certainly my fault for not properly investigating the background of the children I brought into the household. However……!”

Isabelle bit her lip.

“……Even though I am not without guilt, considering the current state of affairs, I hope you can grant me a little more time.”

“The current state of affairs?”

“As you know, it’s a very important time for our children. I’m so worried that their future might be ruined because of their mother…… sob.”

Isabelle covered her mouth and started to sob.

‘She’s putting on an obvious act.’

Despite thinking this, Count Arsene silently quelled his anger.

Because, in truth, this was also what concerned him the most.

The children’s knight exams were approaching.

Of course, passing was important, but their scores were also crucial.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that their future could depend on the results.

First of all, for the top performers in the knight exams.

For the children in the top 5 percent, they were given an opportunity to join the ‘Royal Knights.’

They would start their careers at the heart of power.

By staying close to His Majesty the King, they could seize numerous unexpected opportunities.

Or they might be scouted by one of the few ducal houses.

Among these, the most popular were the prestigious houses where the kingdom’s three ‘Masters’ resided.

Every child aspiring to be a knight wanted to become strong.

Naturally, they longed to learn from a Master, who were called superhumans. Their teachings would significantly impact their growth.

And would it end just there?

The future leaders of the family were bound to return to their family someday.

Those who learned and grew under the guidance of a Duke’s household would inevitably become loyal retainers of that house.

They believed repaying the favor in such a manner was true ‘chivalry.’

Thus, a faction would be formed, supporting each other from within.

On the other hand, those who barely passed only gained the status of a knight.

Children from respectable families could work in their family’s knight order.

But for others?

Those from relatively lower-status families usually had to join the Free Knight Alliance.

Rather than training alone as a fish in a small pond, it was better to travel the continent and broaden their horizons.

The important fact was that current continental society viewed free knights as no different from mercenaries.

In noble society, which highly valued honor, this was an unacceptable disgrace.

“Once the exams are over, I will accept my punishment. But please, grant this unworthy mother her last request.”

“……”

After pondering, Count Arsene let out a long sigh.

It was merely a matter of when.

Nothing would change the situation.

Moreover, he agreed that parents’ presence was crucial for children at this age.

Above all.

‘I’ve never done anything for the children.’

Could he now rightfully scold Isabelle for not setting a good example?

‘It can’t be helped.’

After much deliberation, Count Arsene made his decision.

“……Having confessed your crime, you are no different than a criminal. First, I will strip you of all your rights as the lady of the house.”

When a person with power commits a crime, they must be stripped of their position, first and foremost.

This was a necessary measure.

A criminal could not be allowed to wield power.

“As for your punishment…… Since it cannot be determined until the investigation is complete, I will decide after the knighthood exams. Whether you will be confined or expelled from the house will depend on a thorough examination of your crime.”

Flinch.

Isabelle’s expression hardened at his last words, but that was all.

“I am grateful for your boundless mercy.”

Isabelle bowed her head, holding back tears.

“You may leave now.”

As she turned to leave, once again holding back a sob, she glanced back.

“……My dear.”

“……?”

“I am sorry.”

“……”

Thud!

Watching Count Arsene’s expression change, Isabelle fully exited the room.

“……Hans.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Keep an eye on Isabelle. Report to me immediately if she tries anything foolish.”

“Understood.”

Left alone, Count Arsenee sighed deeply.

“What use is playing the good father after all this time……”

***

Clip, clop, clip, clop.

“…….”

At last, when Isabelle returned to her quarters, a servant quietly followed her.

After briefly surveying her surroundings, she quietly began to speak.

“……There’s nothing more I can do. As you know, he’s a stickler for rules and principles.”

“Buying us time is more than enough.”

“Go and tell them, they must kill all the witnesses no matter what. Especially that wretched fool staying in the guest room, he deserves to be shredded to pieces.”

“Of course.”

“And one more thing.”

Isabelle wasn’t finished yet.

“As per the original plan, make sure Kirian does not pass the knight exam. If I’m taken away, I won’t be able to keep an eye on it anymore, so make sure it’s done.”

“We must ensure that the madam isn’t troubled. Shall we maim him instead?”

Isabelle hesitated.

Isabelle momentarily stopped and gazed quietly out the window at the sky.

“……That might not be a bad idea.”

“Understood. Consider it done.”

Only then did the servant quietly withdraw.

Nevertheless, her eyes remained fixed on the view outside the window.

“…….What I’ve gone through to get this far…….”

Before she knew it, Isabelle was muttering to herself, a strange intensity flickering in her eyes.

“If you’re going to be a thorn in my side even there, fine, Roosevelt. Watch closely as your child becomes crippled right in front of you.”

***

I was hosting a completely unexpected guest.

“Um……”

“You are……?”

“Thank you!”

“……!”

The uninvited guest who had found his way to my room began with a sudden greeting.

It was the son of Count Arsene, who had been bullied by his brothers.

Despite clearly being older than me, the kid bowed his head without hesitation.

‘Like father, like son, huh?’

A smile naturally formed on my lips.

His upbringing was commendable.

Personally, I didn’t particularly dislike kids who showed such promise.

“……”

However, the boy standing in front of me remained silent for a long time.

Eventually, unable to bear the silence any longer, I spoke first.

“……You didn’t come all this way just to say hello, did you?”

I looked at the boy, who stood awkwardly, fiddling with his fingers.

At first glance, he was someone without a hint of sociableness.

He’s likely the son of the deceased first wife.

‘If he has the skills, he could be a strong contender for the next family head.’

Suppressing my annoyance, I forced a smile.

Again, what I need most right now is power.’

If this boy became the family head in the future, it would be immensely beneficial to have a good relationship with him in advance.

“What’s your name?”

“M-My name is Kirian.”

“Alright, Kirian. Feel free to speak your mind. Why did you come to see me at this late hour?”

“……”

After a moment of hesitation, Kirian made a determined expression.

“……fight.”

“I can’t hear you. What kind of man is this timid? Speak up!”

“……!”

Startled by my outburst, he raised his voice.

“P-Please teach me how to fight!”

“What?”

My eyes widened.

I asked again, thinking I might have misheard.

“Fight? Me? Teach you?”

“Y-Yes, please!”

“……Don’t you think it’s odd? Asking a kid smaller than you to teach you how to fight, as a direct descendant of the family head, at that.”

Immediately, Kirian shook his head vigorously, his face turning red.

“M-My brothers are strong. But honored guest, you subdued them in an instant.”

“Honored guest……?”

“That’s… The family head told us to treat you with special care since you’re a distinguished guest……”

“Hmm.”

Indeed, the more I got to know Count Arsene, the more I liked him.

“The family head’s acknowledgement is not something just anyone can receive. Even I’ve…… never been praised.”

“That’s something to brag about.”

Kirian’s face turned as red as a ripe tomato.

I wondered if he might burst.

“Your father could have acknowledged me because of my status.”

“I-I have eyes too. If that were the case, the knights wouldn’t have been so alarmed when you subdued my brothers.”

This kid has keen observation skills.

‘And he asked to learn how to fight, not how to use the sword.’

Indeed, he’s an unusual one.

Despite his shyness, he says what he needs to, and he bows his head without hesitation to someone younger.

“You want to learn to fight for revenge, right?”

“Th-That’s not the only reason.”

“Oh?”

My eyes gleamed with interest.

“Then?”

“I…… have an important exam coming up.”

“I’ve heard about it. So?”

His unexpected response caught me off guard.

“My brothers have always been like a wall to me. So… if possible, I want to overcome that wall before the exam!”

“……So you want to gain confidence? To do well in the exam?”

“Yes!”

I understood his intention.

But even so.

“As you know, I’m an outsider. Teaching you to fight isn’t that simple. First, we need your father’s permission.”

“Ah……”

Kirian’s face, which had mustered courage, quickly fell.

I pretended to think, resting my chin on my hand.

“……However, I can’t ignore a man with great ambition.”

“R-Really?”

“I’ll meet your father again. After that, we can continue this conversation.”

“……!”

Kirian’s face instantly brightened.

Kid, there’s no need to be that happy.

‘In fact, I’m the one who should be grateful.’

Making his son stronger should come with some compensation, right?

I had some things to discuss with Count Arsene anyway, and if I could also talk about a ‘private tuition fee,’ it would be quite meaningful.

‘No one does business for free.’

I smiled my best business smile.

“Don’t worry! I’ll help you so that your brothers never bother you again!”

“P-Please.”

“Heh heh heh. I’m the one who should be asking for your cooperation, sucker… ahem.”

I barely swallowed the words that slipped out.

This was indeed a generous household.

‘The sword I got was already a rare masterpiece, I wonder what they’ll give me this time?’