“Yes, I understand it’s a good time now, but still, you should do such things when you’re alone, young man.”

“Huh? What did we do?”

Eric stared at his parents, unable to understand their words, but the duke and duchess just clicked their tongues as if they were pathetic.

“If you’re like this, how will you react when the children tell the truth without holding back?”

“So what on earth…”

It wasn’t a day or two that his parents didn’t listen to his words, but today was especially bad.

Moreover, they had even hit him without giving a detailed explanation.

“Be careful next time. Do you understand?”

“Uh, yes?”

Looking at their son with eyes full of contempt, the duke and duchess left the reception room.

They also had a word for Alicia, who was waiting for the duke and duchess at the front door.

“Alicia. Be careful in front of the children. Children tend to say everything they want to say.”

“Huh?”

“You can ask Eric about the rest.”

“Oh, okay.”

Alicia responded even though she had no idea what they were talking about, and then made Ryan and Laila greet the duke and duchess.

“Bye~!!”

“Yes, bye~.”

“Laila, Ryan. We’ll see you later.”

“Oh, I’ll call Eric.”

“No need.”

Responding rather coldly, the duke and duchess climbed into the carriage.

Only after the carriage had departed did a puzzled Eric appear.

“Your parents have left.”

“Really?”

“Didn’t your mother say anything? She told me to be careful and ask you.”

“I don’t know what she’s talking about. She just told me to be careful out of the blue.”

“About what?”

“I don’t know.”

Eric furrowed his brows.

There was no reason to be hit. On the contrary, his parents had been in high spirits these days. He didn’t understand why they were suddenly telling him to be careful.

In any case, his parents were beyond his comprehension.

“Oh, I need to go. It’s getting late.”

“I was just about to go. Now, kids, say goodbye.”

Ryan and Laila hugged Eric’s leg, raising their faces to look up at him.

“Take care. We’ll come again.”

“Take care strictly.”

“Huh?”

He didn’t understand what they were saying, but Eric smiled, stroked the twins’ heads, and picked them up to get them into the carriage.

“Alicia. Get in first and take them.”

“Okay.”

Alicia climbed into the carriage first and took the twins one by one from Eric.

“You’ve worked hard. You must be tired preparing for the joint training.”

“It’s nothing. It was just a few hours.”

“Are the preparations going well?”

“Of course. Edward is also coming.”

“Edward is very excited. He’s been saying he can’t sleep.”

“Oh. I really need to work hard then?”

“Don’t overdo it. You look tired already.”

“Don’t worry. Oh, and it’s going to get busier from now on, so we might not see each other for a while.”

“Then we won’t be able to see each other that day either?”

“Hmm.”

Eric smiled.

“It’ll be difficult to meet outsiders.”

“?”

“But if you insist on seeing me, I can arrange something.”

[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon] The joint training between the 1st and 2nd Knight Divisions was, strictly speaking, more of an event planned to demonstrate the strength and robustness of the Britannia Empire to other countries on the continent, especially its rival, the powerful Balua Empire.

But from the perspective of those who had to conduct the event, it was an extreme inconvenience.

Eric, who normally concealed his emotions and bore things impassively, now stood in the waiting room with an annoyed expression for the final check. Perhaps this time, he couldn’t endure.

And beside him, Edinbur, the commander of the 1st Knight Division, stared at the subordinate reporting to him with the same expression.

“It seems that unexpected events occur even on the day itself. I thought we had prepared for everything.”

“Indeed, you’re right.”

Ultimately, both men came out of the waiting room barracks to deal directly with the site.

Although the weather was clear, the temperature was quite high that day, and the knights, clad in full uniforms, looked exhausted.

“Fatigue, dehydration, we need to be careful. There will be some who faint.”

“That’s correct.”

“I understand the Emperor’s intention, but I’m not sure if this event is really necessary.”

Since it was an event that the Empire’s citizens could watch, the two men were not happy about having to show off horsemanship, swordsmanship, and gunmanship as if it was a spectacle under the name of training.

Wouldn’t it be better to truly become strong through real training to show a true aura of strength, rather than such events?

“It’s really hot. We need to avoid any major accidents.”

Eric muttered, looking up at the high tower at the entrance of the plaza.

[Star Icon][Star Icon][Star Icon]

“Sister, here!!”

Edward, excited, ran ahead.

“Slow down, Edward. You’re going to fall.”

Alicia had brought Edward to watch the joint training.

She was supposed to watch from the VIP seats with the Duke and Duchess, but thanks to the consideration of Prince William, they were far from the royal seats and could watch comfortably.

“Is this the right place, sis?”

“Yes, it seems right.”

“Wow, this is amazing. It’s my first time seeing something like this.”

The VIP seat, which had a great view of the plaza, was at the very front. Inside the splendid tent, which blocked the sun, were softlooking chairs, and there was plenty of food and drink.

“Wow, can we eat all of this?”

“Probably?”

Just then, the Duke and Duchess entered the VIP seat and called out cheerfully.

“Alicia.”

“Have you arrived?”

“You were here first.”

Edward, who had been excitedly looking around, quickly straightened up and greeted them properly as he saw the Duke and Duchess.

“Hello. I’m Edward Lancaster.”

“Oh my, your younger brother?”

“Yes, he’s my second brother.”

“Oh dear, your younger brother is very handsome, and very mature.”

“And so wellmannered too. You must have had a hard time coming in this heat.”

“Not at all. Please, take a seat.”

Edward offered the Duke and Duchess a better seat.

“Oh my, such consideration, and so kind.”

“I heard that you’re preparing for the military academy. This will help, so sit where you can see the best.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Young children shouldn’t refuse. Hurry up and sit here.”

As the Duchess made Edward sit, a flustered Edward looked at Alicia.

Seeing his sister nod, he reassured himself, straightened up again, and sat down.

Soon, the majestic sound of music announcing the event began to fill the plaza.

Suddenly, Alicia’s heart started to beat rapidly.

She didn’t know if it was because the music was so grand and resonating, or if she was nervous, but she couldn’t calm down for some reason.

‘What’s going on? I feel strange.’