Editor : Amethyst00



Thanks to Elena's actions, the noble family council was completely thrown into chaos after the social party ended.

The disgraced families jumped up in protest, claiming they would file complaints with Zeron.

"She seemed calmer lately, but turns out she's still the same."

"That personality isn't going anywhere."

When Rhys spoke with a wry smile, Torua, sitting in front of the crib, shrugged.

"I'm worried that Lady Elena might get into trouble from all the complaints."

As Amira, who was in the same room, voiced her concern, Celia responded.

"Don't worry. Elena won't bat an eye."

"Yeah. She'll probably just go, 'Where's that barking coming from?'"

Torua agreed with Celia.

"Won't the elders of her family scold her?"

"Seems like they've given up a long time ago."

As Leo smirked, Amira sighed in admiration.

"Wow, I'm jealous."

"Don't be jealous of being abandoned by your family."

Celia sighed deeply.

Listening to the conversation, Rhys spoke.

"Still, Elena has changed a lot. She got angry not because of her own feelings, but because a junior was insulted."

"Well, not entirely just because of Carl, I'm sure."

Torua smiled.

"She probably acted out of responsibility—as acting chairwoman of Lumene and as a fifth-year student. If someone who represents the school is being ignored, of course she'd step in. She must've judged that it was better to handle it herself."

"Elena-sunbae…"

Celia looked a little moved.

"Well. The biggest reason is probably because those people are hostile to Leo."

It was already well-known that there were movements within the noble council to censure and restrain Arhi.

As they continued talking about Elena, Torua took out a storybook.

Then she approached the crib and began to read.

"A long, long time ago… to be specific, 5,000 years ago…"

Watching the scene, Leo asked,

"Torua-sunbae."

"What is it?"

"Where did you get that storybook?"

"I got it from Lady Reina. She said you used to love this book when you were little, and she read it to you a lot."

"I don't remember that."

Of course, he remembered it clearly.

It was a story about the great heroes who saved the world from Erebos.

But the part about Kyle was completely omitted, making it a storybook Leo absolutely hated.

Every time it was read, Leo would react intensely, but Reina misunderstood, thinking he liked it, and kept reading it over and over.

Eventually, Leo gave up and stopped reacting, and only then was he freed from that story.

Seeing the nostalgic book, Leo commented.

"Now that it's known Sir Kyle was real, shouldn't we teach proper history from an early age?"

"It's fine. It's just a storybook."

Meanwhile, Celia and Amira sparkled with excitement beside Torua.

"She's so cute."

"Right? I just want to nibble her!"

Torua looked proud at their reactions.

"They're my daughters, after all. They'll definitely grow up to be stunning beauties, just like me."

"Can I hold one?"

"Of course."

Torua handed each of her twin daughters to Celia and Amira.

"Waaaah!"

As soon as she was held by Celia, the older twin, Liruoa, burst into tears.

And then, the younger twin, Lishia, who was in Amira's arms, began crying too.

As the babies cried, Celia and Amira panicked.

"Oh dear. I guess they cry when held by strangers."

Torua gave a wry smile and took the girls back into her arms.

The moment she did, the twins stopped crying.

Seeing that, Celia slumped her shoulders in defeat.

Torua, after comforting her daughters, tilted her head and approached Leo.

Then she handed the twins to him.

"Leo, you try holding them too."

Leo, seeing Torua's insistence, took the twins into his arms.

"Kyahaha!"

"Abu-ah! Aah!"

Unlike with Celia and Amira, the twins giggled joyfully in Leo's arms.

"Why only Leo?!"

Celia looked frustrated. Torua stroked her chin.

"Oh ho! As expected of my daughters. They know a good sponsor when they see one!"

Torua beamed and said,

"Liruoa, Lishia, this is Uncle Leo. Remember him well, okay? He's a king of a nation, so when you need money for magic experiments in the future, go to him, act cute, and squeeze out some research funds. Got it?"

As Torua started early education, Leo shook his head.

"Leo! Let me hold one more time!"

At Celia's request, Leo tried to hand her Liruoa, who was in his left arm.

But remembering how Liruoa had cried earlier in her arms, Celia instead took Lishia from his right.

Still, Lishia cried again.

Meanwhile, Liruoa remained calm in Leo's arms, even with her sister crying.

Torua, taking Lishia back from Celia, said,

"Yup. She's drawing a line with her useless aunt. So smart, my girl."

"What? How am I useless?!"

"Would you chip in if my daughters needed money for future magical experiments?"

"Liruoa and Lishia will learn swordsmanship as part of the Zerdinger family, why would they do magic experiments?!"

"See? Just like their father."

Torua clucked her tongue.

"So, you think you can marry into a magic family? Even if a future child between you and Abad says they want to do magic, would you say, 'You're from the Zerdinger line, so pick up a sword!'?"

"Ugh… th-that's…"

"Torua. Celia hasn't even officially decided to marry Abad yet."

Rhys, who had been listening, commented with a smile.

Although his eyes weren't smiling at all.

"We don't even know if Lewellin will approve."

To that, Torua replied,

"Celia. It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Just do like I did."

"That's absolutely not acceptable."

Rhys firmly objected, and Torua stared at him.

"Wow. You're unbelievable. You said that very thing to me—mmph!"

"Ahem."

Rhys quickly covered her mouth and cleared his throat.

Then he said,

"It's late. You all should go back."

"Celia, did you hear that?! Your brother—!"

"I'm sorry! Okay?! So please just stop!"

Rhys was completely flustered by Torua.

Leo chuckled and gently placed Liruoa back into the crib.

"Abu! Ababa!"

Liruoa waved her tiny hands toward Leo.

Leo whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

"You mustn't take after your mom or dad, okay?"

"Abuah?"

Leo waved goodbye, then left the room with Celia and Amira.

"Rhys-oppa is sneakier than I thought."

"Top students are usually the sneakiest."

Amira's remark made Leo chuckle.

Even Celia, who usually snapped, said nothing this time.

"So you too, Celia?"

"Absolutely not!"

Celia yelled, face bright red.

'If you tease her more, she'll really get mad.'

Leo mumbled internally, but then suddenly stopped in his tracks as he passed by a window.

And silently stared out.

"…."

"Leo, is something wrong?"

Celia asked, puzzled.

Leo shook his head.

"It's nothing."

He resumed walking.

'Something feels off.'

A strange sensation prickled at his senses.

It wasn't like Aaron's hyper-awareness.

This was a unique feeling only Leo had—more like intuition, reading the atmosphere, rather than concrete evidence.

Unlike Aaron's precision, Leo's sense could be vague and sometimes wrong.

But years of facing death had honed his ability to distinguish true threats.

After sending Celia and Amira back, Leo returned to his room.

Inside was Melina.

"Lord Leo."

"Something stirring?"

"Yes. It seems there are those harbouring ill will toward Carl. We don't know the details yet…"

"Tartaros is probably involved."

Leo loosened his tie as he spoke.

Melina said,

"Should I take action immediately…?"

"No. Leave it be."

"…Pardon?"

Melina's eyes widened.

"Let's watch how it plays out. See how Carl handles it."

Thud.

Leo sat on the sofa and continued.

"If it's Carl, he'll handle it without much trouble. He's grown too much for me to keep cleaning up after."

It might sound a little cold, but Leo believed in Carl's abilities.

Besides, he couldn't protect him forever.

It was time Carl moved forward on his own.

'Not just Carl.'

Leo thought of the other seeds of heroes he had chosen.

'They're still immature, but…'

They've all sprouted.

Now was the time to wait for them to bloom.

"It's a bit harsh. He's still young."

Melina smiled wryly.

"But it can't be helped. If he wants to be treated like an adult, he must be treated as one."

"Hehe."

"Even if it's harsh… it might be the fate of those destined to carry the era."

Leo looked out the window.

Cold moonlight drew his gaze.

'Waiting is getting tiring. So hurry up and come, fledglings.'

The day he could rely on them wasn't far off.

That's what Leo thought.

bl

Eliza let out a long yawn.

Today had been exhausting.

She'd spent all day restraining herself from punishing the insolent ones, and it took a toll.

'I'm not a kid anymore.'

Normally, she believed a slip of the tongue should be handled politically—not emotionally.

But things were different when it came to Carl.

'I lost my temper too easily.'

She sighed, recalling how Carl had tried to cheer her up all night at the party.

Then—

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on her door.

'Father?'

"Eliza. It's me. Are you asleep?"

'Carl?'

His unexpected visit this late made Eliza flinch.

But she responded calmly.

"I'm awake. What is it?"

"Can I come in?"

Eliza quickly checked her outfit.

Just pajamas. Not inappropriate, but a bit too casual and unkempt.

'Wait, is he seriously thinking he can just walk into my room like this?'

Her eyes twitched.

'Hah? So he thinks he's a man now, huh? Even if we're engaged, isn't this a bit too casual?'

Scowling, she crossed her legs and arms, assuming her usual aloof expression.

"Come in."

As soon as she said that, Carl entered.

He was still dressed from the party.

"Oh, you were ready for bed. Sorry."

He looked apologetic.

"What brings you here at this hour?"

"There's something I need to go over with you."

"Go over?"

"Yeah. It's important."

"Carl. No matter what our relationship is—"

"Sorry, I'll just take this off."

"What? Wha—?!"

Just as she was about to scold him, Eliza turned beet red and jumped up.

"Don't act all eager! We're still students—!"

"Huh? What are you talking about? I was just taking off my coat."

Carl looked at her blankly and explained,

"I came to talk about how the Hergin family should act in the upcoming noble council. I wanted your approval."

"Isn't that something Father entrusted to you?"

"Even so, I need your final approval."

"Not Father's?"

"No. Because my job is to support you in the future. He might be my father-in-law, but you're my superior."

He shrugged and grinned.

"By the way, what exactly were you thinking just now, Miss Eliza? Did you imagine I was going to do something indecent? Your imagination is wild!"

Carl giggled, teasing her.

He was ready to get hit—it was his way of helping her shake off the embarrassment.

Normally, Eliza would've lashed out with a whip.

But this time, she just sat with her head down, ears burning red, and shoulders trembling.

Seeing her like that, Carl blinked.

'Whoa. Why is she so cute right now?'

Feeling he might be in danger if he didn't keep his cool, Carl composed himself.

'By the way… maybe I shouldn't tell her that some families might target me during the council.'

He remembered what had popped up in his information network and sighed.

If he said anything, Eliza might explode.

'Better to handle it quietly.'