By Zephyria 
It wasn’t my place to question, but curiosity made me ask again.
“Then what about the Withrow Duchy?”
“The Withrow Duchy… They have five times more knights appointed in the Duke’s name than other duchies. Their numbers alone easily exceed a thousand, so it’s better for us to stay out rather than linger and drain morale.”
“…Mm.”
Kelly Hawkins, who had been listening, fidgeted and placed her hand on the table, acting awkwardly. I gestured as if to say it wasn’t my place to question, and handed her the cutlery, but that was all.
Instead of eating, Kelly wore a troubled expression and let out a sigh.
“We should do what we can. Request support from the capital, or collaborate with the Department of Noble Lineage Management to find further evidence.”
“…”
I looked back at Ruben, and he, as always, smiled listlessly and whispered pitifully.
“That’s right, Mika. I asked for it.”
“…Mm.”
As soon as Ruben spoke, Mac Weaber, sitting opposite, suddenly ran his forearm up and down. When I asked if he was cold, he said no. However, his furtive glances at Ruben were amusing and suspicious.
It was clear he was trying to tease Ruben, seeing him sitting so demurely. I didn’t pay it any mind.
“…If there’s work to be done, it’s right to return. I was merely curious and had no intention of blaming anyone.”
“That’s true. You mentioned the Second Prince and his party would remain in the Withrow Duchy, correct?”
Hugh Benson answered that question instead.
“Well, maybe, maybe not. It’s classified now, so it’s better not to know. …Right?”
“Ah… Yes.”
“Let’s eat.”
I debated whether I should defend Hugh Benson’s sullen attitude, as if he were dying rather than speak politely, but it was a needless worry. All three children were cheerful and easygoing, and they lit up the mood by bringing up old memories rather than saying anything they shouldn’t. Stories were told of how Ruben, who had always been unselfish, would silently let Lucilla and the other children take all his belongings; how he would run around the palace with a measuring tape, determined to become a great scholar, measuring and recording everything in his path; and how he didn’t speak a word to Lucilla for a week after they fought, treating her coldly. All of it was amusing and entertaining.
“For a week?”
“Yes! He was only eight years old. So, Lucilla, angry, pushed him down hard, thinking, ‘Let’s see if he still won’t make a sound.’ But he didn’t even cry out!”
“Hooh…”
“…I was surprised too, I suppose.”
“You just got up, brushed yourself off, and left without even looking at Lucilla. It was really scary.”
“Did things get better after a week?”
“The Emperor mediated, you see. He couldn’t stay silent even in front of His Majesty.”
Still, they were friends, so they were clearly only bringing up cute anecdotes. Even without deep thought, they weren’t stories that would cast a shadow. Rubel, looking anxious beside me, kept glancing my way, so I placed my hand over his and patted the back of his hand a couple of times.
Ruben soon became triumphant and, ignoring his friends, placed another piece of meat on my plate. The sounds of Ruben’s close friends grumbling in frustration were immensely pleasing. It was a joyful time.
❖ ❖ ❖
The last day of the year.
The new year festival in the Withrow Duchy was not a place for dressing up in fine clothes and frolicking, unlike in the southern regions. It was an event where people gorged themselves on meat and drank the Duke’s offerings.
Everyone poured into the streets and mingled. The songs they sang were so boisterous that their hearty voices echoed even within the Duke’s mansion, making it incredibly cheerful.
Some wore their best clothes, but most were dressed as usual. Everyone wore armor and carried weapons at their waists, ready to fight at a moment’s notice if something were to happen.
Our party was no different.
I wore my usual slightly loose shirt and a well-fitting vest, and Benjamin was similarly dressed. Only Ruben, to match his sturdy build, wore a jacket adorned with gold thread on black silk, adding a touch of flair.
Still, we all descended into the Duke’s mansion’s main hall at the first opportunity, dancing and reveling.
The songs of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with their familiar melodies, were played in sequence.
The boys and girls debuting in the Withrow Duchy had a spirited and robust quality, embodying the spirit of this land. Born in the Nagi Duchy, they had declared their intention to protect their land with swords, magic, and pens, accepting it as their mission.
Every time they danced, the clanking sound of armor could be heard. When they stepped lightly, it wasn’t the click-clack of high heels but the rhythmic sound of leather boots. Still, it was good.
Before Ruben could even invite me, I took a child’s hand and stepped into the main hall.
Thanks to dancing with Ruben at every new year festival, my dancing habit was entirely learned from him. The direction of my steps, the way I made eye contact, and the moment our eyes met were exactly the same as before.
However, unlike when I first learned to dance and had to look up at the child, our eye levels were now almost the same. This made our breaths frequently brush against each other, which was embarrassing.
“…Why, Mika?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Taking a breath, I quickly added a word, lest the child feel hurt again.
“I just liked it.”
“…Ah.”
Ruben quickly bit his lower lip, then let go and smiled bashfully. Watching him up close, I felt restless. I deliberately created space between us, moving leisurely and contemplating.
Although we had been together every day recently, I still couldn’t bring myself to be the first to… bring up that kind of topic with him.
I knew Ruben wanted a deeper relationship. In fact, saying “Let’s be lovers from now on” wouldn’t be difficult. However, worrying about what comes next was the proper duty of an adult.
I wanted Ruben to ascend the throne. It was proper for him to have an Empress by his side and to produce descendants. While Sierren’s laws differed greatly from the laws of the Central Plains, the bonds of blood were precious. This child inherited the bloodline of a god; how could I sever the lineage?
On the other hand, saying “Just play with me until we get married” didn’t sit well with me. I only realized this after our last kiss. I am a man who only knows how to move forward, not how to retreat. Once we kissed, it was natural to want to open those lips and open that body.
It was best to stop now, while I could still exercise restraint, not knowing what would come next.
I had already told Ruben a few times that I cherished him but that the time wasn’t right. He should know without me repeating it, so there was no need to say it over and over. Why stir a sleeping hornet’s nest?
As I resolved to coax and comfort the child and watch over him from his side, I felt a pang of loneliness again.
After we spent time together without any particular incident, Ruben’s friends came to ask for him, so I lent him out. Ruben, satisfied after his first dance with me, nodded in agreement and went to join his departing companions.
Even though I had given my permission, I felt a strange emptiness and watched his retreating back for a long time.
Unfortunately, Marianne could not join us for the new year festival.
The new year festival in the Withrow Duchy was a fortnight-long event. She said she couldn’t leave the Magic Tower because she could memorize one more Magic Formula in fifteen days, so I let her stay. Marianne’s resolve, which did not waver despite her tearful and difficult complaints, was very impressive.
Perhaps because of that, Benjamin’s slumped shoulders were particularly noticeable.
I sat with him, ate various foods, and made small talk, taking care of him. Benjamin, like me, didn’t know many people in the Withrow Duchy. So, we spent our time watching others dance and eating various things.
“…I’m really fine on my own, Young Master Ernhardt.”
“Ruben kicked me out, so I’m here. Don’t worry about me.”
“…”
He chuckled at my joke and checked the time.
“Then please stay until half-past eleven.”
“…Yes.”
After all, Ruben must have planned to spend the midnight and dawn of the new year with me.
As I readily agreed, Benjamin’s throat puffed out like a rooster’s, and he laughed. His expression, which I found annoyingly smug, made me want to playfully hit him, mimicking Marianne, but he skillfully dodged, which was quite amusing.
“Someone as agile as you gets beaten up so often.”
“Well… that’s because.”
After that, we spent a long period in silence.
Then, after sending Benjamin off, I went to find Ruben. Ruben was thoroughly drunk.
I couldn’t tell how much he had drunk; his naturally pale and clear cheeks were flushed red, as if he had done something mischievous. No, it was worse than that. He couldn’t even stand up from his seat and kept exhaling hot breaths between his teeth, unable to hold himself upright.
The two women and one man sitting in front of him, Ruben’s friends, just laughed and pounded the table, showing no inclination to tend to the child. Yet, they occasionally refilled their glasses or whispered loudly to each other. Most of it was trivial gossip, but I overheard them saying that this was the first time they had seen Rubel so drunk.
Ruben repeatedly wiped his face with his empty hands, exhaling hot breaths.
“……Ha…”
“Ruben.”
“…Mikaa?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Mac Weaber echoed Ruben’s words, asking “Mikaa?” and laughed thunderously.
Even if it were a prank, it was a terrible sight. It was deeply unpleasant to see grown men getting their friend this drunk and then teasing him. The two knights, who kept giggling, were already flushed and didn’t realize how loud they were.
Although the Withrow Duchy’s new year festival was more lenient with alcohol than other places, it was unbelievable that no one stopped these youngsters from getting completely wasted. Looking around, it wasn’t just them; I saw several others who were heavily intoxicated, laughing and reveling. It was outrageous.
Even in my past life, I enjoyed drinking, but I never drank to the point of losing my balance. Occasionally, there were those who challenged me to a drinking contest, but even when alcohol took hold, I always maintained proper posture, believing it was necessary to avoid disgracing the Namgung name, and rarely showed a disheveled appearance.
Of course, in the Central Plains, losing consciousness could lead to being attacked by the Evil Sect, who considered me an enemy, so I was even more careful in my conduct. I also only drank with those who could expel alcohol poisoning through contests…
This won’t do. I must teach Ruben and the other children proper drinking etiquette as soon as possible, I thought to myself, then draped Ruben’s arm over my shoulder and lifted him with a heave. Ruben flinched in surprise, but I let him walk on his own feet, not wanting him to fall if I let go.
I placed my hand under the child’s knees and held his waist tightly with the other hand, pulling him close so he wouldn’t fall. Ruben’s friends, who had been sitting, suddenly looked up and stared at Ikyun. Seen like this, they looked like a flock of startled rabbits.
Seeing their reaction, my anger subsided. Yes, what would these children know? They had just turned twenty; they were probably curious about alcohol. Sighing with a sense of futility, I gently stroked Ruben’s back as he struggled. He buried his head in my shoulder.
“I’m going to head in now.”
“Yes… It was nice meeting you, Young Master Ernhardt…”
At least Kelly Hawkins responded immediately, allowing me to leave without being impolite.