TPOVF 22

Chapter 22

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. I was just curious, that’s all.”

“Phew.”

At Chester’s words, Kyle placed his hand on his chest and let out a big breath. Chester stroked his relieved nephew’s head and said.

“Feel free with me too, Kyle. And with your teacher as well.”

“Okay, Uncle!”

“……”

Unlike Kyle, who answered quickly, Yurenia only smiled awkwardly. Chester didn’t miss it and urged her.

“You should answer too, Teacher.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t be so stiff and call me Chester instead of ‘Your Grace.’ You’re going to be staying here for a while, aren’t you?”

“But still, Your Grace is Your Grace.”

“Hmph, suit yourself.”

Chester chuckled and accepted Yurenia’s refusal. He found it curious that she readily called Kiernan and Kyle by name but was hesitant with him, though he didn’t press the matter.

She must have her reasons.

“Anyway. I was thinking of starting magic lessons next week. How does Wednesday afternoon sound?”

“Since there’s only etiquette class in the morning on Wednesdays, I think that would be fine. That’s okay with you too, Kyle?”

Thanks to Chester changing the subject, Yurenia was able to relax as well.

Kyle nodded, and the three of them began discussing the lessons in earnest.

The Imperial Palace of the Empire, the Emperor’s office.

In the magnificent office adorned with gold, an aging man was waiting for someone.

After checking the time on the wall clock, he ran his wrinkled hand through his white hair, which had been dusted by the years.

Hugo gazed out at the well-maintained imperial garden with bored, languid eyes.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

A familiar voice reached Hugo, who stood by the window with his hands clasped behind his back in a straight posture.

Recognizing the other person instantly, he turned and bowed.

“Your Majesty.”

At Hugo’s greeting, Emperor Aston offered a benevolent smile. His light golden hair, characteristic of the imperial family, glowed softly under the light.

“You finished today’s meeting well. Why that expression?”

Aston, who had been observing Hugo’s complexion, furrowed his brow and asked. It was a question filled with concern.

Hugo smiled wryly at his old friend’s perceptiveness. He thought he had been managing his expression well, but it seemed he couldn’t hide it from Aston.

“You know very well.”

“It’s because of Lily.”

Aston said regretfully, drinking the black tea brought by an attendant. While he drank his tea, Hugo also took a seat.

Aston gulped down the dark brown tea and looked at Hugo over the rim of his teacup. Sympathy flickered in his golden eyes as he regarded his friend.

‘His face has aged so much.’

There was no need to ask what had been troubling Hugo, the Emperor’s friend and State Minister, for so long.

The worries in his household never ceased.

How turbulent must the heart of the head of the Valerio family be?

Hugo Hudson Valerio’s life appeared lacking in nothing to outsiders.

He was born as the eldest son of the high noble Valerio family and grew up as a friend to the imperial family from a young age.

After Aston became Emperor, he supported him and led the empire into an era of peace.

Now that the empire’s politics and economy were stable, he enjoyed the Emperor’s trust and resided in the imperial palace rather than his separate mansion.

He was practically treated like an imperial family member, and even his succession was secured.

He had two grown sons.

…Once, that had been the case.

Before the shadow of death fell upon his family.

Hugo lost his wife, and then his eldest son Lucien. And now he was on the verge of losing even his granddaughter Lillian.

How could his heart not be unsettled?

Aston wanted to ease his dear friend’s worries, even if only a little.

“The imperial knights are searching diligently for Legrius. Please wait just a little longer. We’ll find him soon.”

At Aston’s words, Hugo shook his head. He spoke in a skeptical tone.

“The Tower Master of Magic won’t have any miraculous solutions. It was the same with Lucien.”

“Perhaps Lillian will be different.”

“I doubt it.”

Hugo was pessimistic, unlike Aston. The Tower Master had already examined Lillian once before.

At that time, he had said the child was beyond hope.

What would be different now?

“From what Maeve told me, Velamo is somewhat helpful. Though it’s not a significant effect.”

“Is that so? Well, that’s something at least. I’ll open the imperial treasury—tell Maeve to take as much as she needs.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Save the formalities between us.”

Aston waved his hand dismissively. Since childhood, Hugo had always refused things given by him, saying they might appear as favoritism.

The fact that he was accepting without complaint now meant that his granddaughter’s condition was critical and hopeless.

‘I had wanted to unite Lillian and Jayce.’

Aston swallowed the thoughts he couldn’t bring himself to share with Hugo.

Once, they had promised to become in-laws when they had children.

But since both Aston and Hugo had sons, the matter quietly faded away.

And over twenty years later.

Not long after Aston had his grandson Jayce, Hugo had a granddaughter.

So the Emperor had thought about uniting the two children.

But before he could even bring it up, Lillian had fallen gravely ill.

Thus, the Emperor ultimately had to keep this plan only in his heart.

If Lillian recovered, he wanted to revisit the matter at any time.

But would that really happen?

Though Aston was generally more optimistic than Hugo, he couldn’t be certain about this.

“Hyah!”

At the training ground of the Valerio estate.

Along with the boy’s spirited shout, a small wooden sword traced an arc through the air.

Kyle, as always, ran to the training ground right after breakfast and grabbed his wooden sword. He trained continuously for two hours.

Even as he sweated profusely under the blazing sun, the child showed no signs of fatigue.

Kyle’s pea-green eyes sparkled vividly as he listened to Kiernan’s explanations.

‘Is he that happy?’

Yurenia watched Kyle conversing with Kiernan with a satisfied expression.

He seemed somewhat tense when learning magic from Chester, but during his lessons with Kiernan, he was full of energy.

Perhaps it was because controlling magic was still difficult for him.

“Yes, that’s it! Kya, great form!”

Kiernan praised Kyle, who followed his demonstration well, and gave him a thumbs-up.

Encouraged by his teacher’s praise, the child swung his sword with even more enthusiasm.

Kiernan, who had been observing his student’s form, spotted Yurenia and winked.

Then, gesturing toward Kyle with his eyes, he gave Yurenia another thumbs-up.

Kiernan had previously praised Kyle’s athletic abilities as well.

He said it was a shame they hadn’t taught him swordsmanship sooner.

Yurenia agreed with his opinion. The child loved swords so much that it was surprising he hadn’t learned swordsmanship until now.

Lately, he only asked for fairy tales featuring knights before bed.

She felt almost sorry that they hadn’t taught him sooner.

“Kyle! Time to go wash up!”

When Yurenia called out, Kyle raised his hand and waved. The bright voice of the boy with a sunny smile spread across the training ground.

“Okay, Teacher! I’m coming!”

Kiernan took away the practice wooden sword, and Kyle came trotting over. He jumped up onto the fence, clinging to it, and said.

“I learned a new form from Kiernan today!”

“What kind of form?”

“Like this, like this! Swish, swish! A downward strike!”

Kyle swung his free hand and explained enthusiastically.

Pretending to hold an invisible sword, he slashed up and down through the air as he spoke, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

“Weren’t you hot?”

Yurenia wiped Kyle’s forehead with a handkerchief. The child, who obediently offered his face, smiled brightly and said.

“Even if it’s hot, I love it! I want to do it again tomorrow!”

“Hahaha. Of course. Come again tomorrow!”

Just then, Kiernan, who had finished tidying up the wooden swords and equipment, said heartily.