The butler brought news that Rublion was sleeping late. He said that the twins were also unable to wake up, having played so enthusiastically.

After the adults’ breakfast ended, following Ranson’s request to talk for a moment, we decided to have tea in the greenhouse in the garden. Ranson, sitting across from me and Askal, was quite serious.

“First, thank you for allowing us to stay at the mansion.”

Ranson opened his mouth cautiously. Askal put down his cup as if sensing something.

“While it’s partly because the children wanted to see the young lord, there’s another reason I requested to visit Artenbach.”

“No need to beat around the bush. Get to the point.”

Askal interlocked his fingers and crossed one leg. It was a posture clearly showing his dominance in this conversation.

“To the point… I understand.”

Ranson wore a slightly dejected expression.

“I want to create the Teravita Art Institute, modeled after the Artenbach Art Museum and Black Swan.”

My eyes widened. An art institute?

“I want to stay at the art museum to develop an eye for talent and learn Black Swan’s methods of nurturing artists.”

Askal silently listened to the story. Then, unclasping his hands, he asked.

“What about managing the territory?”

“Lieta will take charge of that. I plan to be by her side as a supporter. The Teravita Art Institute will be the first step in that direction.”

Askal seemed to contemplate while staring intently at his teacup, then turned to look at me.

“What does my lady think? Since you’re in charge of this matter, I’d like to hear your opinion.”

It wouldn’t be bad to have an art institute as large as the Artenbach Art Museum in Teravita. Rather, if it produces many sculptors who have learned Ranson’s talents and know-how?

“I think it’s a good idea. It would be even better if the art institute and museum could move forward in a cooperative relationship.”

Askal nodded at my words and added.

“However, we can’t just hand over our know-how. You understand that, right?”

“I anticipate that.”

Ranson took a stiff posture. It was a very different atmosphere from the relaxed Askal. This must be the difference in experience.

“Artenbach will have exclusive trading rights for pepper and rock salt among Teravita’s specialties.”

Ranson’s eyebrows shot up and then came back down. Even I thought it was a burdensome condition, so he must be thinking the same.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

I was more surprised by Ranson’s answer. Lieta would be shocked if she knew.

“Um… Duke of Teravita? At times like this, you’re supposed to reject it once, saying the conditions are too harsh.”

I inadvertently gave him advice. Ranson shook his head and said.

“No. This is a satisfactory deal.”

Well, that’s true, but…

“Before leaving for here, Lieta entrusted me with the rights regarding trade. I suppose she saw a few moves ahead.”

If it’s Lieta, that might be the case. That child was quite smart.

“I know I don’t have the qualities of a lord.”

Ranson said as if reproaching himself.

“Right now, Lieta is sitting with the authority of acting lord, but in a few years, she will succeed me as the Duchess of Teravita.”

His face deepened with concern.

“I feel a great sense of guilt for pushing the responsibility I should bear onto my younger sister. That’s why I want to make sure this art institute grows successfully.”

“Hmm.”

Askal nodded as if he understood. Well, since it’s come to this, should I indulge in a small desire?

“Duke, I have a condition too.”

As if they hadn’t expected this, both men’s gazes fell on me.

“While you’re learning about the art museum’s work, please let the twins stay at the mansion.”

“That’s something I should be asking for.”

Ranson said with a broad smile, then continued.

“Liena would be happy to hear that.”

The knight commander rolled his eyes as he watched Rublion, who usually never attended afternoon training, come out.

He had heard the news that the young lord and lady of Teravita had arrived, but he didn’t know it would ignite a fire in the young lord’s heart.

“The young lady of Teravita said she wanted to see the knights’ training, so cooperate accordingly.”

Rublion shouted from the middle of the training ground, dressed in training clothes he rarely wore. A few knights who knew about the young lord’s innocent feelings stepped forward, pounding their chests and saying to trust only them.

“They’re coming!”

The knight who had been watching the entrance like a sentinel gestured wildly as he spoke.

The knights who had been clustered together rushed out like the receding tide, then took their positions and swung their swords with shouts.

Rublion also hurriedly approached the knight commander. Then he said seriously.

“How can I look cool?”

The commander looked at the young lady entering the entrance. She was a cute girl with long brown hair and freckles.

“You want to look cool?”

“Yes.”

“Then it would be good to have a duel.”

He wanted to preserve the purity of a boy who wanted to appear strong in front of the girl he liked.

Even though Rublion was facing backward, he could tell that Liena had entered the training ground. All his nerves were focused there.

“Young Lady of Teravita, welcome.”

“Young Lord, it’s good to see you!”

Liena and Rambermon followed an apprentice to a pre-arranged spot. It was a place where Rublion could be seen very well.

“Welcome. It’s training time now, so you’ll have to wait a bit until it’s over.”

Rublion shouted, holding an unsharpened sword.

“Okay! I’ll watch quietly!”

Unbelievably, it was Rambermon who answered. Liena calmly moved her head, examining the training ground thoroughly.

“Young Lord, how about a duel with me after a long time?”

As individual training was coming to an end, the knight commander approached tactfully and asked in a dignified manner. A knight who had been watching carefully whistled and shouted.

“Oh, show us your skills, Young Lord!”

“Commander, may we observe?”

Requests to observe poured in from everywhere. It was a bit excessive, but Rublion was too preoccupied to care. The commander knelt on one knee to boost the boy’s spirits and asked what he wanted to do.

“A duel sounds good. And I’ll allow you all to observe.”

As soon as Rublion’s words fell, the knights promptly took their seats around the dueling area. Liena and Rambermon looked bewildered at the sudden duel about to unfold.

‘I… I want to do well!’

Though he wasn’t showing it outwardly, Rublion’s little heart was about to burst. In fact, this young master had only one dueling experience. Even then, he had lost to an apprentice.

God had given Rublion a brain far superior to others but had taken away his athletic ability. Fair, if you could call it that.

“Young Lord, I look forward to learning from you.”

“I’m counting on you, Sir.”

The commander stepped onto the dueling area. Rublion casually moved his legs to climb up, appearing completely relaxed.

A duel began that might look quite good to an uninformed observer. The training ground was filled only with the sound of clashing swords and slightly panting breaths.

For a dramatic effect, the commander slightly raised his sword path. He was a true master, making the skills of a near-beginner look like those of an intermediate to advanced level. Rublion was inwardly shocked but tried not to show it.

“Young Lord, we’ll stop here. Your skills have really improved.”

While he wanted to appear as a cool man, it was impossible to create a scene where Rublion defeated the commander in a duel. The boy knew his own abilities.

“Young Lord! Let’s duel!”

Rambermon, who had been quietly watching, suddenly stood up. The knights’ eyes sparkled with interest at this unexpected event.

“A duel? Now?”

“Yes! Let’s do it, Young Lord.”

Rublion’s golden eyes were tinged with confusion. It was because he didn’t know how skilled Rambermon was.

“Rambermon, you can’t just have a duel because you want to. After some sword training…”

Ignoring Rublion’s words, Rambermon approached the weapon box in the corner of the training ground. Then he picked up a wooden sword and demonstrated a vertical cut. It was a well-learned, textbook posture.

“I think I can easily beat someone at the Young Lord’s level?”

The observing knights murmured. It had been a while since they’d seen such a provocative scene, and it was even a bit exciting to see cute little ones dueling.

“You might lose.”

Rublion tried to calmly persuade, attempting to avoid the duel somehow.

“The Young Lord might lose?”

But no matter how smart, a child is still a child. Rublion’s fists clenched. The box filled with competitive spirit had been flung wide open.

“Fine. Let’s duel.”

“That’s more like it!”

Rambermon ran over with his arms raised in celebration. Then, jumping onto the dueling area, he said,

“If you want to take my sister away, you’ll have to defeat me!”

The boy laughed wickedly. The knights’ eyes sparkled with interest at this situation.

“Hey, Rambabo. Take it easy!”

Liena said, but that only provoked Rublion more.

‘I’ll definitely win.’

The boy wanted to defeat this provocative colt and show Liena his cool side. As a man charming enough to entrust the future to.

The commander and knights couldn’t hide their disappointment as they watched Rublion, who had lost his grip on the sword. Rambermon commented that the previous duel was quite strange, asking if Rublion had indeed used some trick.

Rublion’s expression turned cold. He had wanted to look cool, but his plan had fallen through.

As Rublion was coming down from the dueling area with slumped shoulders, his eyes met Liena’s. A part of his chest throbbed, and he was just starting to feel dejected. That’s when it happened.

“How dare you crush my man’s spirit?”

Liena picked up the sword Rublion had dropped. Then she said confidently.

“It’s revenge time. Pick up your sword, you insensitive fool.”

Liena pointed at Rambermon with the sword in one hand. Her posture was not ordinary.