Chapter 51

“Father, have you heard? The servant that Sister brought back has returned as a knight.”

Odette’s voice pierced the unusually early breakfast with a topic ill-suited for the occasion. Hermann shot her a sharp glare, his expression hardening at her audacity.

Blair, seated across from his siblings, shifted uncomfortably. His eyes flickered between Hermann and Odette, gauging their reactions. Predictably, the conversation’s tension turned toward him, the unintended target who had merely been minding his own business.

“Blair,” Hermann sneered, his tone biting, “they say this is your doing.”

Blair’s posture stiffened as he set his utensils down. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering evenly, “…Yes, that’s correct.”

“I told you not to waste your time on nonsense anymore, didn’t I?”

The voice of Bahar von Grüsewald cut through the room like a blade. The family patriarch’s frosty gaze locked onto Blair, his disappointment palpable.

“You’re becoming incorrigible lately,” Bahar continued, his words laced with cold disdain.

Blair lowered his head slightly, his expression unreadable. Among the von Grüsewald siblings, he had always been the most obedient, a paragon of compliance. He rarely voiced his opinions, never challenged his father’s will, and had diligently pursued excellence, even studying abroad at a young age.

Yet, to Bahar, Blair’s recent behavior was uncharacteristic—troubling, even. Had foreign influences corrupted his son, or was this some belated rebellion? Whatever the cause, Bahar found Blair’s newfound defiance intolerable.

“Have you lost your mind from spending time with your crazy younger sister?” Bahar’s glare hardened. “Are you out of your senses as well?”

“Odelliana is not crazy, Father,” Blair said firmly, meeting his father’s eyes for the first time.

Bahar’s expression darkened further. “Judging by the nonsense you’re spouting, it seems you’ve lost your mind too.” His tone dropped to a dangerous coldness. “Do you want me to send Odelliana to a place where no one can find her?”

The words hung in the air, heavier than the silence that followed. Bahar’s voice was devoid of paternal warmth, his icy indifference striking like a whip.

Blair, who had long been questioning whether following his family’s will was truly the right path, felt a familiar pang of sorrow. It was no longer surprising to see his father wield his sister as a pawn to threaten him.

“That won’t be necessary,” Blair said calmly. “If someone has to leave, I’ll go.”

Bahar’s fork paused mid-air. He turned his cold gaze toward his son, his expression betraying a flicker of disbelief. “…What did you just say?”

Blair met his father’s eyes directly. “Isn’t it about time I became independent? My studies abroad are complete, and I believe it’s time for me to find my own path. I’ve been preparing for this.”

The dining room plunged into stunned silence. Hermann and Odette exchanged wide-eyed looks, their shock palpable. Only Duke Bahar remained composed, resuming his meal with an air of indifference, as if Blair’s declaration was of no consequence.

“Independence?” Odette finally broke the silence, his voice incredulous. “How can you bring this up so suddenly? Do you even have a plan?”

Blair turned to his sister, softening his tone. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Odette. But I’ve been preparing for this for quite some time.”

Odette leaned forward, her voice rising in alarm. “You’re settling in Revelhorn, right?”

Blair shook his head. “No.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not seriously thinking of leaving the capital, are you? Have you lost your mind? You’re planning to move to some backwater town?”

“There are plenty of prosperous cities outside of Revelhorn,” Blair replied evenly.

“Prosperous?” Hermann scoffed, his disbelief growing. “How can you compare a backward provincial town to the capital? You’re not like other common nobodies, Blair. You’re a direct descendant of the Grüsewald family—a central noble! Leave the capital? And how exactly are you planning to make a living?”

Blair’s jaw tightened, but he remained composed. He knew his family’s way of life, where tradition dictated that only the heir inherited the estate’s vast wealth. For other children, independence often came at a steep price.

Noble families typically provided a modest sum—seed money, they called it—but it was a mere fraction of the estate’s worth. For those accustomed to the opulence of noble life, it was barely enough.

Non-heir nobles were left to navigate their futures creatively. Many sought strategic marriages, often joining families lacking male heirs or wealthy heiresses. Others pursued the knight’s path, a respected choice that offered stable income and prestige, though it demanded exceptional martial skill. For the less physically inclined, establishing a business was another avenue, though fraught with risk.

“It’s commendable that you’re seeking independence,” Bahar began, his tone measured, “but how prepared are you for it?”

Blair straightened his posture, his calm demeanor unwavering. “I’ve nearly completed my preparations, Father. It seems I will be heading to Eisenwald as its lord.”

The sound of cutlery against fine porcelain ceased abruptly. Bahar von Grüsewald finally set his utensils down, his cold eyes narrowing as he gave Blair his full attention.

“You’re telling me,” he said slowly, his voice sharp with disbelief, “that as someone bearing the Grüsewald name, you intend to serve as a vassal under that scoundrel Lupas?”

Blair met his father’s piercing gaze without flinching. “Once you pass on and my brother inherits, I’ll become a branch family member regardless. And while the Duke of Schaller may not be on good terms with you, Father, he has no personal grievance with me.”

Bahar’s lips pressed into a thin line, his expression hardening further. “Do you have any idea how grueling it is to be a lord? It may look glamorous from the outside, but it’s a thankless, punishing job. You’re crushed by those above you and trampled by those below. Do you think you’re capable of enduring that?”

“That’s something I can only learn by doing,” Blair replied evenly. “I see it as a valuable opportunity.”

“Opportunity?” Bahar scoffed, his tone dripping with derision. “You don’t even comprehend the misery of being a mid-tier lord, yet you’re willingly walking into a thorn-filled path. Ridiculous.”

He clicked his tongue in disapproval, his gaze burning with restrained fury. To an outsider, he might have appeared a concerned father, worried about his son’s naivety. But Blair knew better. His father’s anger had little to do with the challenges Blair might face and everything to do with where he had chosen to go.

No parent, least of all Bahar, would be pleased to see a well-raised son bow to their political rival, the Duke of Schaller.

“It’s my life, Father,” Blair said, his tone steady but firm. “It’s only right that I decide how to live it. Preparations for my move to Eisenwald are already complete.”

“Tch,” Bahar sneered, his fingers curling into a fist. “No doubt that smooth-tongued Adolf Schaller coaxed you into this.”

Blair shook his head, unbothered by the accusation. “The terms aren’t unreasonable, are they? Opportunities to become a vassal don’t come to just anyone.”

Bahar’s silence was telling, his scowl deepening. Blair’s point was undeniable. Vassalage wasn’t a role handed out carelessly. It was a contract, yes, but one with immense potential. A vassal who managed their fief well could often secure indefinite contract renewals, a privilege that extended to their descendants. In practice, it became a hereditary position—one of rare stability and prestige.

For noble families serving as vassals, maintaining control over a fief across generations was customary, solidifying their status and ensuring a steady legacy. It was a highly coveted role, though opportunities were scarce, as vassal positions rarely changed hands.

“It’s your life,” Bahar said, his tone clipped. “Do as you please.”

Blair inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. “I promise the family will not be troubled or inconvenienced by anything related to Odelliana anymore. So, please leave her be, Father.”

Bahar’s cold gaze lingered on Blair for a moment before he nodded. “As long as you don’t stir up any trouble regarding her, I have no intention of sending her away now.”

Blair exhaled softly, the weight of unspoken tension easing just a fraction. “Thank you, Father.”

“Inform your mother yourself,” Bahar said brusquely, rising from his seat.

Blair silently agreed that it was a small mercy Duchess Eliza von Grüsewald hadn’t joined them for breakfast. Her delicate nerves and explosive temperament might have turned the already tense conversation into outright chaos.

Bahar, his displeasure now openly etched across his face, left the dining room without another word. Hermann and Odette, who had been tiptoeing around their father’s mood, exchanged relieved glances before finally exhaling.

Odette turned to Blair, her lips pressed into a thin line of disbelief. “Why go all the way there? Eisenwald is… that border region next to our territory, right? Isn’t it constantly plagued by barbarian raids and wild beasts?”

Blair’s expression remained calm. “Precisely because it’s such a place, it can’t be neglected any longer.”

Odette snorted, folding her arms. “Well, your self-sacrificial spirit fits right in with a job like that. Congratulations, I suppose. If you miss me, you’ll have to come back to the capital. I’m not traveling all the way to that wilderness.”

A faint smile tugged at Blair’s lips. “I’ll visit often.”

“Why are you volunteering for hardship, Blair? With the seed money Father’s giving you, you could live comfortably without lifting a finger for the rest of your life. Why struggle to take on such grueling work?”

Blair chuckled softly at Odette’s grumbling. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll manage just fine.”

“If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask,” Hermann said, his tone unusually warm.

“Thank you, Brother.”

Hermann’s expression softened. Blair’s voluntary departure was, in truth, a relief for him. With his younger brother gone, any vassals who subtly supported Blair as a potential heir would naturally quiet down, leaving Hermann free of such nuisances. It felt as though a lingering burden had finally been lifted.

“Forget that foolish girl and focus on your future,” Hermann added.

“Yes, Brother,” Blair replied evenly, though the words carried little weight.

“By the way,” Hermann began, shifting the conversation, “about that servant…”

Blair tilted his head. “Are you referring to Matthias?”

“Yes, him. Has he decided which knightly order to join?”

“I’m not sure,” Blair admitted.

Hermann leaned forward slightly, his expression turning serious. “If he’s to become Odelliana’s personal knight, he’ll have to join our family’s order. Talk to him and convince him.”

Blair’s brows furrowed, caught off guard by the sudden request. He studied Hermann, whose stiff posture betrayed his discomfort.

“He seems quite skilled,” Hermann continued, clearing his throat awkwardly. “Before another order claims him, it would be wise to bring him into ours.”

Blair raised an eyebrow. “But didn’t you despise him? I’m well aware you’ve tried to kill him on multiple occasions.”

Hermann’s cheeks flushed, his composure faltering. “Which is why you should talk to him! How could I possibly face him and make such a proposal? He’d listen to you—or Odelliana—far more than me.”

Blair’s silence stretched, his measured gaze making Hermann shift uncomfortably. Before he could respond, Odette interjected with a sly grin.

“Brother, you’re going to see Sister anyway, right? Take me with you.”

Blair frowned slightly. “Why?”

“Don’t worry, big brother,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “I’ll handle that servant for you.”

Blair looked unconvinced. “You will?”

Odette looped her arm through his with a breezy laugh. “I’ve got some debts to settle with him anyway. It’s killing two birds with one stone.”

Blair sighed but didn’t argue further. With a quick farewell to Hermann, Odette pulled him out of the dining room, her pace brisk.