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Chapter 19
The news that Selphius had returned to the Pellen mansion was from half a month ago.
Hearing that the head of the family would return after leading the victory in the war for two years, all the people of the duke’s mansion gathered in front of the main gate to welcome the carriage convoy.
Among the servants wearing perfectly ironed uniforms, even their breathing was careful.
Among the ten carriages, the most magnificent first carriage entering had the Dierne duke family emblem carefully surrounded by gold, showing who was inside.
Glossy black horses stopped while snorting at the coachman’s signal, and the carriage door opened as the stepping board was lowered.
The duchess, Violet Dierne, as always, wore neat and elegant clothes and walked down the stairs gracefully.
Kyler Dierne followed his mother like a shadow. He was also dressed in unusually clean and tidy clothes.
The mother and son stood quietly in front of the man who got off the carriage. The distance between them felt somewhat cold.
Violet wore a refined smile and looked up at the tall man standing before her.
“I am glad you returned safely. I heard you achieved great success.”
“This place is still the same.”
Selfius Dierne answered Violet’s polite greeting without emotion. It was very plain for a husband and wife reunion after two years.
Behind Violet, Kyler, who had been stiffly looking at his father, stepped forward.
“O, it’s been a long time… I am deeply moved that you returned safely, f-father.”
Kyler bowed 90 degrees.
When he tried to say the word “father,” his mouth felt dry and his stomach tightened nervously.
Selphius looked at the anxious child up and down with indifferent eyes. A faint light appeared in his unfocused gaze.
“……You have grown a lot, Kyler.”
“Y-yes! I hope you have been in good health!”
His voice was broken by excitement.
The corner of Selphius’ lips moved slightly for a moment and then returned. The change was so small that no one could notice, and it was far from a real smile, but Kyler felt deeply moved.
The butler stepped forward, thinking the family greeting was finished.
“Master, I will guide you inside. There is a message from the royal palace.”
“Not even giving me time to rest.”
Selphius spoke irritably and walked up the mansion stairs with big steps.
The knight unit of the duke family followed him silently, and the servants returned to their work.
Kyler’s steps going back to his room bounced slightly.
Father remembered him. And even showed a faint smile!
More than anything, Kyler, who was afraid of being forgotten, felt thankful even though the reunion after two years ended with only one short sentence.
Since his father would stay at the capital mansion for a while, there would be more chances to talk later. Maybe his father would visit the training ground someday. Kyler wanted to show his training results.
Among them, he wanted to show his archery skills quickly. Because he wanted to move from bow shooting to firearm shooting for the day he could go hunting together with his father.
Earlier, Kyler had also received confirmation from his mother that he was not an illegitimate child.
Filled with hope and confidence, he trained even harder than usual for two days.
On the third day after Selphius returned, a grand dinner was prepared for the family.
The order came from Selphius, who usually ate alone in his room.
At the center of the golden chandelier dining hall, a ten-meter marble table was filled with luxurious dishes.
Kyler alternately looked at Selphius sitting at the head seat and Violet sitting opposite.
He planned to gather courage and invite his parents to watch his martial arts training performance.
While moving his lips and waiting for the right timing—
The worst uninvited guest entered the dining hall and destroyed Kyler’s happiness.
Darius Dierne returned home for the weekend.
Kyler’s face fell when he didn’t know his brother would come.
“Father.”
“Darius.”
It was a short greeting, as if they had seen each other yesterday.
The father-son reunion after two years was as plain as the husband-wife greeting.
There was no emotion on Darius’s face when looking at his father after a long time. Instead, Kyler frowned at his brother’s tired and indifferent attitude.
“Darius, how have you been? Why don’t you come home more often?”
“Sorry. I’m busy during the semester.”
The response toward their mother Violet was also weak.
After exchanging a few more polite greetings, dinner began.
Darius gave eye contact to his younger brother, but Kyler made an ugly face as if he had seen something unpleasant and ignored him.
Only the sound of plates and utensils clinking filled the room.
After the main dish was served, Selphius spoke.
“In three weeks, there will be a victory ceremony at the royal palace. As I said before, Darius, you must bring your mother.”
“…Understood.”
After a short pause, Darius answered reluctantly.
Kyler, who heard about the victory ceremony for the first time, widened his eyes, but Selphius continued his one-sided command.
“Graduate early next year. I have already informed the school. There is no need to keep a grown man in student status for long. Enter the army as an officer as soon as possible.”
Darius slowly closed his eyes and laughed softly while shaking his head.
“Early graduation is only possible for the top student of the grade. I am academically insufficient.”
“Darius.”
Violet tried to scold her son quietly, but it was too late.
Selphius slammed the cutlery down with a fierce aura.
“I have heard that you are currently second in your class. You fool. Do you want the Dierne name to look like a joke!”
Despite Selphius’ criticism, Darius showed no fear.
“There is one extremely diligent and smart guy. He wakes up before sunrise to train and studies until the moon sets.”
“Shut up! The son of the kingdom’s supreme commander being second place is a disgrace!”
Selphius cut Darius’ joking words sharply.
The servants carrying food quickly stepped back, and a cold air filled the space.
Selphius stood up suddenly and pulled his chair back.
“If you cannot become first place this semester, I will personally educate you.”
“….”
At the final warning, Darius lowered his eyes and bit his lips.
Seeing his brother’s behavior of swallowing a sigh as if disgusted, Kyler was shocked.
Receiving parents’ expectations and attention, how could he be so arrogant and rebellious?
If it were him, he would never act like that.
While attending the victory ceremony where his father was the main hero, Darius’ attitude of being annoyed was also unbelievable.
“Darius, quickly tell your father you will do better.”
Unable to watch anymore, Violet intervened again to encourage Darius.
Darius’s Adam’s apple moved slowly.
“…I will correct myself.”
The low declaration softened Selphius’ violent pressure.
“Remember. Defeat is not allowed in the Dierne family.”
After giving the final threat, Selphius left the dining hall first.
“Haah.”
When the dining hall door closed loudly, Darius leaned long against the chair.
Violet stood up quickly and placed her hands on Darius’ shoulder.
“Darius. Your father has high expectations because of your talent. You have more than enough talent. If you try a little harder, getting first place will not be difficult. I will write to the academy principal to pay special attention to you.”
“…It’s okay, Mother. I will handle it myself.”
“Or should I hire a great swordsmanship tutor for you?”
Even after that, Violet continued comforting and persuading him.
Kyler pushed away the half-eaten main dish and quietly left, wiping away the tears that fell before anyone could see.
