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Chapter 6
“So, Mother, I’m thinking of touring the territories once a month from now on.”
“Once a month?”
“Yes. Including travel time, it should take about ten to fifteen days.”
Owen’s face, which had brightened at his son’s change, immediately returned to a worried expression.
“Isn’t it too much to leave the castle so often now that you’re the lord? What if something happens while you’re away…”
Since it was a matter of inspecting the territories, she couldn’t oppose it strongly, but Owen’s heart was already racing with worry over her young son. She had never sent him far away before, so her concern was only natural.
“Brother, suddenly making such a decision without consulting us? And fifteen days every month is too much, isn’t it? Father only did it once every six months.”
Regina, too, seemed concerned and tried to stop him.
“I know it’s a bold decision, but there’s still so much I don’t know. That’s why I made it. Could you help me a bit while I’m away?”
“You’re only fifteen, Brother. Can’t you wait until you’re older?”
“Father said that once a man makes up his mind, he must act on it without delay.”
It was something the previous lord often said to the young master. Of course, the young master usually ignored it.
Rian looked at Regina with a gentle face but a firm tone, driving his point home.
“…Alright.”
Though younger, Regina had always felt like the older sister whenever she dealt with her immature brother. She was always the one persuading and understanding.
But today, it seemed the roles had reversed. She had never seen her brother speak so firmly about anything before.
It was the appearance she had wished for, but the suddenness made her feel slightly odd. Still, it was an oddness of a good kind.
“Mother, please rest a bit more. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be going out.”
“I see. You got up early, so you must be a bit tired today.”
“Rest well.”
Rian left a small greeting on Owen’s delicate, beautiful cheek before exiting the room.
“Mom, doesn’t Brother seem like a completely different person today?”
As soon as the door closed, Regina helped Owen lie down, tilting her head in curiosity.
“Why has he changed so suddenly?”
Even though he had promised her, it was strange that he had arrived so early. He had always avoided her, only visiting late in the evening.
Of course, it was a happy, good thing—but strange things are still strange.
“Do you think he’ll return to his old self?”
“Regina, wouldn’t it be better if we just trusted him? He’s my son, and he’s your brother.”
Owen looked at his insightful daughter and gave her his warm, characteristic smile. She, being smart, had worried about her brother as much as he had.
Holding the hands of his daughter, who carefully tucked the blanket around him, Owen finally fell into a comfortable sleep for the first time in a while.
Seeing his mother, who had looked so burdened even while sleeping, appear lighter because of her son, Regina decided to just be content with things as they were.
What harm was there if her brother changed suddenly?
Perhaps her only older brother was finally maturing. Though she didn’t know if he would revert to his old self, this change was undeniably welcome.
After leaving the bedroom, Rian headed to Alman’s office. As the steward, he held the second-highest position in the castle after the lord’s family, which meant he had many responsibilities, including his own office—a rare privilege for a servant.
“Come in.”
Alman, engrossed in organizing the ledgers, didn’t even look up at the knock, responding without lifting his head. A moment later, however, he looked up, saw the visitor, and jumped up in shock.
“L-Lord!”
Though he had been summoned before by servants, the young lord had never visited the office directly. Alman, expecting just another servant, was pale with surprise.
But Rian didn’t seem to care. He simply smiled and walked to the sofa.
“Don’t stand there so startled. Come sit here, Alman.”
Alman hesitated briefly but obeyed, taking a seat across from Rian.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you at a busy time.”
“No, it’s fine. But do you have something to tell me…?”
“Ah, it’s nothing serious. I’m planning to tour the territories starting next week.”
“Territories… a tour?”
“Yes. I intend to do it once a month for the foreseeable future. So I need you to prepare accordingly.”
“Did you say once a month?”
Alman asked again, unsure if he had heard correctly. After all, the previous lord, diligent as he was, only toured every six months. He had never heard of a lord inspecting territories monthly.
“Don’t be surprised. You heard correctly. I’m grown now, and it’s time to take charge and tour the lands I’ll be ruling. I haven’t decided where to start yet, but you can begin preparations. I’ll inform you once the locations are set.”
“Are you… serious?”
Alman asked again, still stunned.
It was understandable. The previous lord had a reputation among the servants: a reckless young master. Handsome, but immature, prone to mischief, and often scorned as a fool. Yet now, this young lord spoke about getting serious and inspecting the territories.
Rian smiled gently.
“I’m serious. I just wanted to inform you early because you’ll have a lot to prepare. Understood?”
“…Yes.”
“Good. I’ll rely on you, Alman. Oh, and I’ll be spending most of my time in the library, so have meals brought there as well.”
“The library… sir?”
Alman’s eyes widened. The lord, who had once despised books, now planned to spend time reading?
Rian chuckled softly and sat back down.
“Alman, I’ve been too immature until now, haven’t I?”
“Ah, no, my lord.”
Alman quickly shook his head. He could never say outright that the lord had been immature.
“I know I’ve been foolish, but things will change from now on. Don’t be surprised every time; just help me as best you can.”
“I-I am sorry.”
“No need for such a guilty look. I’m asking for your help, not scolding you. You’ve lived longer than me, so you know more. I’ll trouble you often from now on, but no running away.”
“Running away? I’ve lived here my whole life; I wouldn’t go anywhere. I will continue to serve you faithfully, my lord.”
Perhaps Alman misunderstood the remark about running away as a question of loyalty.
Rian stood up, smiling.
“Good. Remember what I told you earlier and take care of it.”
“Yes, my lord. I’ll make sure everything is prepared.”
Now that Alman was standing beside him, Rian felt satisfied.
There were only about five days left until the tour began. Rian had already decided to spend this time doing what he truly wanted.
The first place he headed to was the library. Meals would be brought there, so he could finally lock himself away and read.
Time flew by, and soon the departure day was tomorrow. Aside from eating and sleeping, Rian’s only activity had been reading. He looked up difficult words in the dictionary and read the books repeatedly.
Although he only managed four or five books a day, totaling less than twenty, Rian felt as if he had gained the world.
Being able to do what he wanted without anyone interrupting, and with delicious food served, was a great blessing.
Alman faithfully followed Rian’s instructions to bring meals to the library.
The reason for this arrangement was simple: Rian wanted to read as many books as possible before leaving on the tour.
Going down to the dining hall each meal would be bothersome, and besides, it would waste time he could use to read more.
Even during meals, Rian never put down his book. The books were so fascinating he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Perhaps worried he might neglect his health, the meals—initially simple—were now as lavish as those in the dining hall. Rian’s eyes and taste buds were equally delighted.
During his servant days, Rian’s modest wish had been simple: sleep as much as he liked, read freely, and eat delicious food without restriction.
Now, all the books in the library were his, and the finest food was served daily without even asking.
However, he couldn’t sleep as he wished. Habit, it seemed, didn’t allow the lord much sleep.
Though he had once longed to sleep late, his body woke naturally at dawn, a habit from a life of hardship.
No one disturbed his mornings, yet he rose with the sunrise, like any other servant.
At first, he tried to sleep longer, but couldn’t. Thoughts raced, and sleep refused him.
Eventually, he would go to the bathroom, and a maid seeing him would scream, thinking he was a ghost, startling him as well.
Though absurd at first, Rian eventually understood—it was unusual for him to be up so early.
Thanks to this incident, everyone knew of Rian’s early rising, and so delicious breakfasts were prepared in the library without further instruction.
Rian had a dedicated thirteen-year-old attendant named Brook, whose job was to follow him and run errands.
Uncomfortable with Brook’s presence, Rian sent him to the kitchen to pursue his dream of becoming a chef. Alman wanted to assign another attendant, but Rian refused.
However, the arrangement was that he could have a personal attendant only when leaving the castle. This allowed Rian to focus on reading.
Tomorrow, the tour would begin.
Would he be able to find the rare item he sought?
