However, the lord wanted to go and check for himself. There must be a reason for such a sudden change in plans.

Caelius walked away without saying a word. Filen finally grasped the situation with alert eyes.

“It seems unnecessary to go there now. Someone should not find out that the need to go has become unnecessary. I will go to Viscount Basco’s residence right away. If you leave early in the morning, you should start preparing tonight.”

As they headed towards the main gate, the sound of footsteps running towards them could be heard.

As they passed through the corridor wall, a small figure collided with Caelius’s leg with a thud.
“Ayko!”

“My, my lord!”

While Filen was beside himself, Caelius’s head tilted slightly downward.

The collided child fell backward, clutching their rear.

At a glance, the child seemed to be around the same age as Dianne.

Their build would be similar to Dianne’s or slightly smaller.

Judging by the clothing, it seemed to be a young noble, but the clothes were too worn for someone from the imperial family.

Therefore, Caelius immediately thought of the child’s identity.

Without getting up or saying anything, the child’s eyes, filled with teary glimmers, looked downward.

Seeing those eyes, a memory that Caelius had kept deep inside surfaced.

“When Dianne came to the mansion, she cried like this.”

Was his face really that intimidating? Strangely, such concerns crossed his mind.

Encouraged by the awkward silence, the child’s gaze hesitantly met his.

Without uttering a word, Caelius extended his hand towards the child, who hesitated but eventually reached out with their small hand.

Watching from the side, Filen’s jaw almost touched the ground.

‘Our lord has changed…’

At that moment, a maid urgently ran towards them from the far end of the corridor.

“Your Highness, Crown Prince! Where on earth are you!”

“Well, then, I’ll step back for now.”

Caelius lightly bowed his head and turned away.

With the appearance of Octail, the son of the Empress and the Crown Prince, the power of the Crown Prince had rapidly diminished.

Although named the Crown Prince, in reality, Octail was considered the next Emperor.

Therefore, Eliaser, the Crown Prince, was a somewhat thorny existence for the Emperor.

Because of this, most aristocrats close to the political circle either pretended not to know the Crown Prince at all or avoided building any friendship with him.

Perhaps what surprised Filen the most was that their lord personally extended his hand to the child, who didn’t need such kindness.

Filen sneakily looked back.

He saw a maid brushing off the Prince’s clothes. The Prince’s gaze was fixed on their lord.

Filen immediately understood exactly what that expression meant.

‘…He seems completely smitten.’

At what point that happened, he had no idea.

As promised, Caelius mounted his horse early the next day.

After leaving the capital, it was only during the dark night while camping that Caelius conveyed the conversation with the Emperor to Filen.

“Haha , now that I think about it, you were not an old fox but a dull bear pretending to be a fox.”

Filen let out a forced laugh. It was indeed true that the construction of the Hesera Duke’s main residence was in progress when they hosted the inspection team.
The main residence was in no condition to stay, considering the havoc caused by the twin young masters in the garden.

Fortunately, the rooms of the young masters, my lord, and the young lady were untouched.

On the contrary, the first floor of the main residence, where guest rooms were located, was in poor condition.

So, they had no choice but to accommodate guests in the guest rooms of the detached house.

Of course, such facts wouldn’t have spread to the capital.

Given the news of the complete demise of the inspection team, the fact that the Emperor knew about it meant that there was a survivor among the inspection team.

“Find out who it is. If you find them, .”

Caelius hesitated for a moment. Whether to capture them and interrogate or simply handle the matter right there.

“It seems better to handle it immediately. Since we no longer need any information from our side.”

Caelius nodded briefly. In Filen’s mind, the faces of the dogs who would deal with him were immediately selected.

However, among the Emperor’s proposals, there was one that couldn’t be ignored. Filen brought it up again.

“My lord, the teleportation rights are entirely in the hands of the imperial family. Considering that, you shouldn’t just dismiss the Emperor’s proposal.”

As he spoke, the atmosphere around Caelius became tense. Feeling a chill down his spine, Filen swallowed his dry saliva.

Nevertheless, he had to say it. It was the stubbornness that Filen had persistently maintained by his side while working under the severe Duke.

“In terms of education, extensive resources, and mentors, the Imperial Academy doesn’t seem like a bad proposition.”

“…….”

“Anyway, the young lady is not at the age to enter the Imperial Academy immediately, right? For now, agree to it, and after resuming teleportation, when the young lady reaches a suitable age, you can refuse then if needed.”

“…….”

“Or how about this? Ask the young lady for her opinion ,”

“Go.”

“Yes?”

“Go and be careful not to play with your words. It won’t be fun if you provoke unnecessary troubles.”

“Yes.”

The stubbornness that Filen had upheld by the Duke’s side all his life had just been broken. Filen silently closed his mouth.

The Duke’s luggage and escort for attending the founding ceremony were minimal.

More than the fact that they had to attend the founding ceremony without delay, it was because of the Duke’s order to return to Hesera as quickly as possible upon their return.

Even during the current camping, there were only two escorts, besides the Duke and Filen. Only four people in total.

“By the way, it’s really annoying to have such an incident before the founding ceremony.”

At Filen’s sudden remark, Caelius turned his head sharply. With a facial expression as if to ask what he was talking about, Filen explained.

“I mean, if the intention was to block teleportation, well, there was no need to block it before the founding ceremony. It’s absurd. Do you know how difficult it is to travel back and forth for a fortnight?”

“What are you talking about? Haven’t you understood the intention yet?”
Caelius smoothly drew his dagger. Filen gripped his neck.

“I-I will never tell the young lady! I won’t even utter the ‘A’ in Academy!”

Filen, who had worked his entire life in the Duke’s estate, realized that Caelius’ gaze wasn’t directed at him but precisely behind him. He immediately lowered his upper body.

Soon, something solid and damp fell heavily behind him.

Filen turned his stiff neck. Someone unknown had collapsed as if lifted up by him.

Without mercy, Caelius swung his weapon and casually said, “This is what it was for.”