“Academy?”

The Duchess’s brow furrowed involuntarily.

“Suddenly, what Academy?”

It wasn’t a particularly positive reaction, but Kirian knew all too well how to gain his mother’s consent.

“With a heart repenting my past mistakes, I will enter the Academy and assist my sister.”

The Duchess raised her eyebrows at the unexpected reply.

“You, Reina?”

She clearly didn’t trust him.

After all, in the Duchess’s eyes, Kirian was the cruel one who hadn’t even shown his face at his only sister’s engagement ceremony, and even up to the day he left for the Academy.

“Yes.”

Kirian continued in a calm voice.

“You saw it at this party, people trying to embarrass my sister with all kinds of tricks. It’ll be the same in the Academy. Sister just doesn’t want to worry you, that’s why she’s not saying anything.”

The corners of the Duchess’s eyes quickly moistened.

“Do you think so too? That Reina is lonely at the Academy, embracing all sorts of worries and concerns?”

The Duchess sighed deeply and began to cry.

The servants, who were tidying up around her, also stopped their work and began to cry with her.

“How tenderhearted the young lady is.”

“Even when young master Kirian used to play with magic, she used to pity even the tormented magic.”

“I can’t forget how she used to sigh deeply when reading articles about rising house prices, worried about the common people.”

Kirian silently watched them sobbing for a moment before opening his mouth again.

“I will take responsibility and make sure that nothing like what happened at the party happens again.”

The Duchess grabbed his shoulder abruptly.

“Passed!”

At the Duchess’s loud cry, the servants cheered and began to clap.

(This is a time divider.)

He somehow convinced his mother, but the most difficult opponent was indeed his father.

His father, who always taught him moderation, could also dislike him entering the Academy for just one reason, his sister.

Kirian, slightly tense, knocked on the door to the Duke’s study.

“Father, it’s Kirian.”

“Come in.”

Hearing the Duke’s low voice from behind the door, Kirian pulled the doorknob and entered the study.

“It’s been a long time. Your mother was very worried, but you’ve come back safely.”

From the Duke’s words, one would think that the Duchess had not just rushed at him with a sword but had been crying and waiting for her lost son.

But knowing that there was nothing good in arguing, Kirian neatly bowed his head.

“I apologize for worrying you.”

“So, what brings you to me?”

The Duke asked as if he already knew what Kirian was going to say. It was not wrong, he must have heard all the commotion at the front door.

“I want to enter the Academy.”

“Academy?”

The Duke asked as if hearing it for the first time.

“Don’t you still have two years left before you can enter?”

“I am confident I will pass the entrance exam.”

The Academy was more of a platform for aristocratic children’s social activities than a place to study, so the entrance exam itself was a mere formality.

Of course, Reina had not even taken that entrance exam due to her mother’s influence.

“Is there any need to enter two years early? As for social activities, you seem to flit in and out of Academy events without even being enrolled.”

It was clear that he had been caught by his father at the party.

Unable to read his father’s inscrutable expression, Kirian found himself choosing his words carefully. It would not be solved simply by saying ‘sister,’ like with his mother.

“I want to try crossing swords with children of other families…….”

“If it’s swordsmanship, practicing with our family’s servants would be more beneficial to improving your skills.”

Despite the Duke’s sharp critique, Kirian did not give up and continued firmly.

“I also want to broaden my academic horizons…….”
Going to the academy to gain extensive knowledge is futile. It would rather be quicker to invite more outstanding scholars to the ducal house.

“Socializing with other noble children…”

The duke, who had maintained a poker face up until now, suddenly looked as though he had taken a large bite of something bitter.

“You hate people.”

“Hmm.”

Having nothing more to say, Kirian took a moment to gather his thoughts.

“I am worried about my sister being alone at the academy.”

In the end, he had no choice but to rely on the excuse he had given to his mother.

The duke raised his eyebrows, as if he knew it would come to this.

“Really?”

Kirian cautiously opened his mouth at the duke’s noncommittal response.

“Father, did you not see it? What happened at the banquet?”

The duke just looked at Kirian without a word.

“There’s no guarantee that it won’t happen again.”

The duke slowly opened his mouth. Kirian swallowed the tension that rose to his jaw and waited for the duke’s reply.

“Leave for the academy tomorrow.”

At the duke’s sudden declaration, Kirian blinked in surprise, and the duke’s brow furrowed.

“You can leave today if you want.”

The duke continued in a low voice, earnestly picking at his nails.