“Perhaps, deep down, the young marquis also does not want to miss the opportunity for early admission to the Academy. After all, it’s a place where you can obtain a powerful weapon to silence Baron Baden, who poses the greatest threat to Daiern, in one fell swoop.”

The warmth gradually faded from Lord Joseph’s face, which had been smiling gently and softly.

Kardiel, sensing his changed atmosphere, involuntarily tensed up and had to swallow his words of rebuttal for a moment.

“But at the same time, you might also think this.”

The low voice, in a tone neither fast nor slow, focused Kardiel’s attention.

“If you enter the Academy and leave home, there will be no one left to protect this house and family during that time… right?”

“…You.”

He had hit the nail on the head.

Kardiel abruptly stood up, distancing himself from Lord Joseph.

“What do you want?”

Rarely, an expression formed on his face.

The emotion towards the opponent who had exposed his weakness was clearly wariness and hostility.

Lord Joseph’s face still held a smile.

However, his cold eyes, devoid of any warmth, felt eerie despite clearly curved in a smile.

‘What exactly is this person?’

Wasn’t he said to be a nobleman from a foreign country?

But now that he thought about it, he knew too much for that. He was too capable for that.

There were more than one or two suspicious circumstances. To the point where he wondered why he hadn’t noticed this until now.

Ah. Kardiel finally swallowed inwardly.

This situation was similar in some ways to when he had lost his sword earlier.

Foolishly, Kardiel had been so preoccupied with responding to the immediate situation that he had missed the most important target to be wary of.

“That is the most appropriate question in this situation. Indeed, the young marquis is astute.”

The threatening opponent’s lips opened leisurely.

“But rest assured. What I want is the well-being of the Daiern ducal family.”

“…Do you think I would believe that?”

“Think carefully, Young Marquis of Daiern.”

He acted as leisurely as a predator that could pounce on its prey at any moment.

“I had anticipated that you would eventually become suspicious of me. You should know well enough by now that this is not an empty boast, given your experience with me so far.”

“Are you saying that my suspicion towards you at this very moment is also something you’ve induced?”

“I apologize for that. Until now, I wasn’t in a position to give you answers.”

Does that mean he can now resolve my suspicions?

An uncomfortable feeling arose, but even so, credit had to be given where it was due.

The fact he just realized was that he had only met Lord Joseph a mere few days ago.

Yet in that short period, he had already made not only his stepmother but also himself trust him.

They had invited him deep into Daiern of their own volition.

How foolish.

He should have been more suspicious and cautious…

“Please don’t stand, sit down. I am truly not someone you need to be wary of or hostile towards.”

“…”

Just because he said that didn’t mean the suspicion could be withdrawn. But in this situation, he couldn’t antagonize Lord Joseph and ask him to leave either.

‘It’s already too late for that.’

Indeed, he was like a predator. Far more dangerous than small fry like Baron Baden or the tutors…

Suddenly, it struck him as strange.

Kardiel, he himself was certainly still young. However, he had never felt fear when dealing with people older than him until now.

The Baron and Baroness Baden were undoubtedly difficult opponents, but he didn’t feel like he couldn’t defeat them.

Their objectives were clear, and therefore he could read their next moves.

But this man before him was different.

What he was thinking, what purpose he was moving with…

‘I don’t understand anything.’

Even at this moment while conversing with him, even now as he freely expressed goodwill towards himself and Daiern.

Because he couldn’t understand, he could only be afraid. Even more so because he had deeply infiltrated Daiern.

Knowing how sharp his sword was made the fear all the more real.

It felt like he could tear out Daiern’s throat and dismantle it at any time if he so wished…

Why.

Why on earth was such a person here?

What was he trying to gain from Daiern?

‘As long as I don’t know his purpose, Lord Joseph is not an opponent I can handle.’

Kardiel decided to take a step back.

Once he admitted it, there was no other option left. Kardiel sat down as he suggested.

Though his clear blue eyes were still full of wariness.

“Let me tell you in advance, I am in a position of great indebtedness to the Duchess of Daiern. Do you understand if I say it’s a life-saving grace? Even beasts don’t harm their benefactors. How much less would a person who knows morality do so?”

“Life-saving grace, you say. This is news to me, but when did you receive such a favor from my stepmother?”

“It’s an ongoing situation with great success. So if anything were to happen to the Duchess of Daiern’s safety at this time, both myself and my land would be left without hope as well.”

“When you say land, you seem to be referring to the count’s territory business, but couldn’t you find someone else to promote that business even if it’s not my stepmother?”

“No. It must be, and can only be, the Duchess.”

Lord Joseph quickly became serious and shook his head.

“You may not know this well yet, young marquis, but it’s fair to say that there is no one else in this empire who can demonstrate as much business acumen as the Duchess while also meeting the conditions of status. So it has to be the Duchess for me. I simply cannot trust anyone else.”

“…”

Amusingly enough, Kardiel felt pleased by those words.

To think there was someone who had such confidence in his stepmother’s abilities.

“Therefore, how can I not devote myself to the safety of the Duchess and the three young lords and ladies whom she cherishes above all? I am in a position where I cannot afford to be disliked.”

“…”

However, although he felt pleased, Kardiel still could not fully trust Lord Joseph.

“I shall verify that matter separately later.”

“That is the correct attitude. Then, let us set aside the partial misunderstandings for now and discuss my thoughts on entering the Academy.”

His long fingers intertwined and rested on his knee.

Still wearing a chilling smile on his lips, Lord Joseph continued.

“At this point, the young marquis’s concerns are justified. It is fair to say that currently, the Daiern ducal family is supported solely by the Duchess. But do you not know? The pillar that is the Duchess is far too unstable to sustain Daiern.”

“Do you have an idea as to why that is, Lord Joseph?”

“Of course. It’s blood ties.”

“…”

“Though she is called the Duchess, without connected bloodlines, it is no different from a pillar built on sand.”

This aligned precisely with Kardiel’s analysis.

‘To be exact, there were children, but they died.’

Two of them, in fact.

There are no children between his stepmother Lieselotte and the deceased Duke.

This was a fatal disqualification as a Duchess.

The most vulnerable point for those aiming at the ducal family…

Because of this awareness, Kardiel could never leave the ducal family.

Usually, even if he didn’t agree, Kardiel had followed his stepmother’s words, but on this issue, he could not yield.

It was obvious what would happen to the ducal family if he left his position.

‘Graduating would make me the youngest Duke with a position to attend the Imperial Grand Council?’

That truly is the shortest route.

Countless people have failed to graduate for over a decade due to insufficient grades or failing to pass their thesis.

For instance, Kardiel knew that Baron Baden had also failed to graduate from the Academy for quite a long time.

So, wouldn’t there be a high possibility of losing the Duke’s position while focusing on graduation, which could take an unknown amount of time, and failing to protect the important family?

That’s not all.

The Academy adopts a dormitory system. In other words, even if he is the heir of a great noble family, a young marquis, he cannot be safe from the risk of assassination.

If he could return home after two years…

‘It would likely be well-packaged in a coffin.’

Lord Joseph said,

“Therefore, you must have concluded that entering the Academy is a risky plan with more losses than gains.”

“…”

“But you couldn’t bring yourself to explain all these calculations and conclusions to the Duchess, probably because…”

Lord Joseph’s smiling gaze met Kardiel’s expressionless one.

“To protect my stepmother’s…”

“To protect the Duchess’s…”

Their voices overlapped simultaneously.

“‘Pride’.”