---

Duke of Bertier Empire. Clausewitz Family. My family home. Our house.

Besides Father, Mother, and Kaya, there was someone else who made me feel welcomed back.

That person was none other than—

“Cough! Young Master! You’ve finally returned!”

“Oh. Alexei. Have you been well during my absence?”

“For heaven’s sake! I thought you had forgotten my name!”

“Does that even make sense? You think I could forget your name?”

Of course not. I’m planning to at least promote you to head butler when I become a Duke.

How could I forget Alexei after all these years together?

You’re stuck with me for life. Got it? That’s a lifetime contract, you know.

I strolled through the garden with Alexei, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, chatting away.

“I’ve heard the news. You’ve been a tremendous asset down South!”

“Tremendous asset, my foot. It was our Legion’s commanders and troops who performed wonderfully.”

“Hahaha! You don’t have to be so modest around me! Even if you boast, I’ll be here cheering and applauding!”

Hey, if you keep saying that, you’ll come off as a total sycophant.

Alexei’s playful tone made me chuckle.

Yeah, seeing this, I definitely feel like I’ve come back home.

“True. I did contribute a little. I might’ve threatened Benito’s troops, saying, ‘Our Imperial Legion’s target is Benito! Are you just going to let your home burn to ashes?’”

“Impressive indeed! After hearing the news, not just the Duke, but also your retainers, knights, and servants couldn’t help but marvel at your insight and tactics.”

“Oh, don’t be so modest. Let’s just say the enemies fell for it.”

It really isn’t easy to brag in front of someone who knows me well.

What can I say? I feel like I’m creating an embarrassing history for myself.

Anyway, it feels uncomfortable. I don’t want to act like this in front of these people.

“Was everything alright at the family home?”

“Of course! The Duke and Duchess have been well, and so has Miss Kaya. They were just like usual, except for a little extra prayer for your safe return.”

“I’m not actually wielding a spear in battle.”

“But you’re part of the military as a representative, aren’t you?”

Alexei’s words had no flaws.

While I shrugged, he continued speaking.

“You had quite a lot of interactions with Your Highness the Second Princess. By any chance, was there something else?”

“Watch your words. That could be taken as disloyal.”

“Oh dear! Do you think I would say something like that with such intent! I’m simply curious about any exchanges between you two, both active on the battlefield!”

Exchanges. Hmm. I can’t say there were none.

We shared various opinions and discussed our achievements.

Some praised while others felt bashful.

Then, unknowingly, they held each other’s hands…

“Then I must ask. How is your relationship with the Second Princess?”

Suddenly, a question that the Emperor had asked me a few days ago popped into my mind.

At that time, I had deemed it to have a highly political intent.

So, I defended her as much as possible to avoid any damage coming to her.

Not as a rival threatening the throne, but as a trustworthy relative.

Yet it seemed the Emperor’s intent wasn’t that.

When I heard his sigh and then another statement…

“I’m asking about the nature of your relationship as that of a partner, Prince Kael.”

The moment I heard that, my head just spun.

Did I interpret that correctly? I couldn’t comprehend it at all.

I even forgot my position as a noble and blurted out, “Huh?”

Not just any old person, but I acted like this in front of the Emperor.

As I stammered in surprise, I saw the Emperor smile.

Yes, really. Not just a metaphorical expression, but he genuinely laughed.

But rather, I became even more nervous and frightened.

That Emperor surely held no ill will toward me.

If I delayed my response, it felt like something terrible would happen.

So, I found myself trembling and replied—

“I think… she’s a good person.”

Though I knew he wasn’t asking with political motives, you can never be too careful.

On top of that, I also genuinely thought of the Princess as a good person.

Honestly, and with a little preparation for possible uncertainties included.

Upon my response, the Emperor looked at me intently.

“That suffices. An answer I find quite agreeable.”

Even now, thinking back to that moment makes me feel dizzy.

To think I’d be asked by the Emperor how I see the Princess in a romantic light.

What if my brain had run away with me like some cheesy novel from a past life?

I probably would’ve been spouting nonsense and shattered right there on the spot.

“Young Master?”

“….”

“Kael Young Master!”

H-huh.

“Did you call me?”

“I called you several times. Are you very tired?”

“I thought I wasn’t, but maybe I am a bit.”

“Then go rest. There’s a party planned for tonight to celebrate your return and the Empire’s great victory. What would happen if the guest of honor were to be in such a state?”

A party, huh. The word made me involuntarily mumble, “Isn’t it a bit too early?”

My Imperial Legions that accompanied me had returned to their original posts.

But if you think about it, the war against Benito isn’t truly over yet.

It’s just that Benito had lost its backbone, becoming quiet like a creature with its limbs severed.

The Empire was simply taking a moment’s breather against the new threat posed by Dedorant.

Unlike Nobogord in the North, which had retreated early, or the East, filled with collaborators, bystanders, and surrenderers.

The war was still ongoing. The Empire and Benito are still each other’s enemies.

And in between that, here comes Dedorant, meddling about!

“…Then I’ll rest for now. Let me know if anything comes up.”

“Please do rest well, and I’ll see you shortly, Young Master.”

Oh, and! Alexei said with a smile, “Though I can’t say how much it means, I sincerely welcome you back home.”

 

---