When Lusian returned to his room, he found someone waiting for him.
Caleb Douglas.
The heir officially recognized by Duke Laurence.
At least, for now.
Lusian stood by the door for a few seconds.
In the game, they had barely shared any scenes.
But there was one thing he remembered with absolute clarity.
Caleb died.
And that death dragged House Douglas into a conflict that weakened the kingdom just as the Empire began making its move.
How ironic...
To know how someone's story ended...
...and not be able to tell them a single word about it.
Caleb broke the silence.
"I see you've recovered."
Lusian closed the door behind him.
"Are you here to lecture me too?"
He dropped into a chair.
"Or is this about Isabella? Because Leonardo already took care of that."
Caleb shook his head with a faint smile.
"I didn't come because of her."
He paused briefly.
"Although punching a prince in front of the entire class was... a rather impulsive decision."
"I asked him several times to move."
"You could have challenged him to a duel."
"I also could've wasted half an hour arguing."
Caleb let out a resigned chuckle.
"I suppose that's true."
Silence settled between them once again.
It wasn't awkward.
It was simply...
...the silence of two brothers who had barely spoken their entire lives.
Finally, Caleb took a deep breath.
"I only came because Father already has enough to worry about."
"I didn't want to give him another problem."
Lusian studied him quietly.
He was exactly as he had been in the game.
Always thinking about Laurence.
Always trying to make things easier for him.
"Poor guy..."
"You have no idea what's waiting for you."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Then listen to me for once."
Caleb looked up.
"Yes?"
Lusian hesitated.
He couldn't tell him he would be murdered.
He couldn't mention the Empire.
Or the future.
He searched for an excuse.
Any excuse.
"If you ever decide to approach Isabella..."
Caleb blinked.
"...don't go alone."
Silence fell over the room again.
Caleb looked genuinely confused.
"Why would you say that?"
Lusian turned his gaze toward the window.
"Because you're Father's chosen heir."
"That's enough to make someone want to use you."
"It doesn't matter who you're going to meet."
"It doesn't matter where."
"If you can avoid being alone..."
"Do it."
Caleb remained silent for a few moments.
He didn't understand where that concern came from.
But it didn't sound like a warning.
It sounded...
...like sincere advice.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you."
"I wasn't expecting to hear something like that from you."
Lusian almost answered immediately.
"It's not for you."
But he stopped himself.
Because it wasn't true.
It was for him.
Because he knew how Caleb's story ended.
And for some reason...
He didn't want to watch him die again.
So he answered with practiced indifference.
"I'm just trying to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Caleb nodded slowly.
Then he smiled, a little awkwardly.
"You know..."
"I never understood why everyone insists we have to become rivals."
Lusian raised an eyebrow.
"Father has his expectations."
"Duchess Sophia has hers."
"The nobles never stop talking about who'll inherit the duchy."
"But..."
He looked Lusian straight in the eyes.
"That doesn't mean we have to hate each other."
Those words caught Lusian off guard.
Because they were so...
...ordinary.
So human.
He had expected to meet the political rival from the game.
Instead...
He saw nothing more than a young man trying to get along with a brother he barely knew.
What a strange family...
he thought.
I don't even understand it myself.
He answered honestly.
"I have no interest in competing with you."
"Ruling a duchy sounds exhausting."
Caleb laughed.
"That's definitely not the answer I expected."
Lusian shrugged.
"If you really want that job..."
"Do it well."
Caleb's smile softened.
"I don't know if I want it."
"But I'll do my best not to disappoint Father."
Lusian lowered his gaze.
"And that's exactly your problem..."
"You do everything for him."
He kept that thought to himself.
It wasn't his place to say any more.
Caleb stood.
"Thank you for listening."
"And..."
"Thank you for the advice."
"I'll be careful."
Lusian gave a slight nod.
"See that you are."
After Caleb left the room, Lusian remained staring at the closed door for several long seconds.
He sighed.
"I hope that's enough this time..."
He didn't even know whether those words would change anything.
He had only tried to alter one small detail of a future he knew all too well.
Because Caleb's death was the first step toward the ending Lusian wanted to avoid.
The last day of the month arrived sooner than expected.
The academy would grant five days of leave before the next term of classes began, and from early morning, carriages bearing the crests of noble families filled the main entrance.
When Lusian stepped out of the dormitory building, Albert was already waiting for him.
Beside him stood Charles and forty-two Douglas knights.
The escort was as large as ever.
Lusian had long since accepted that it was never going to change.
He climbed into the carriage.
Then he blinked.
Emily was already sitting inside.
"What are you doing here?"
Emily smiled awkwardly.
"Duchess Sophia invited me to have lunch with your family."
Lusian frowned slightly.
"With us?"
Emily nodded.
"She said she wanted to speak with you... and with me."
Lusian let out a quiet sigh.
Not a good sign.
Whenever Sophia said she wanted to "talk," it usually meant someone was about to receive a very long lecture.
He sat down across from Emily.
"I don't remember doing anything that serious."
Emily looked at him for a few seconds.
"Really?"
She began counting on her fingers.
"You defeated Kara for the second time."
She raised another finger.
"You punched Prince Leonardo in front of half the academy."
A third finger followed.
"And you got summoned to the Headmaster's office."
She looked him straight in the eye.
"All of that in less than two days."
Lusian sat in silence for a moment.
Then he nodded slowly.
"When you put it that way..."
He paused.
"I can see why she wants to talk to me."
Emily couldn't hold back a small laugh.
"I'm glad you're at least aware of it."
Lusian looked out the window.
"I still think Leonardo was partly to blame."
Emily shook her head.
"That doesn't change the fact that you hit him."
"I know."
He answered with complete calm.
"But it's already done."
He had no intention of dwelling on it.
Emily sighed softly.
"You really should try to stay out of trouble."
A faint smile crossed Lusian's face.
"I'd like that too."
After a brief pause, he added with complete sincerity,
"But trouble seems to have an extraordinary talent for finding me."
Emily laughed again.
It was hard to tell whether he was joking or completely serious.
Probably a little of both.
After a few moments of silence, Lusian looked at her again.
"What about your family?"
"Albert already sent a messenger."
She answered naturally.
"The invitation arrived just as I was about to meet my brother and head home."
Lusian nodded.
Knowing Albert...
Everything had probably been arranged hours ago.
The carriage rolled smoothly through the capital's broad avenues.
Emily watched the scenery through the window while Lusian absentmindedly followed the flow of merchants, adventurers, and passing carriages.
Then...
His expression changed.
Among the crowd, he spotted a young man dressed in the simple gear of an adventurer.
Dark hair.
An ordinary sword hanging from his waist.
Nothing about him stood out.
Except to Lusian.
Keitaro MacAllister.
His heart skipped a beat.
There was no mistaking him.
What's he doing here?
In the original story, it would still be years before that man stepped onto the main stage.
And yet...
There he was.
Walking through the crowd like any other adventurer.
"Stop the carriage."
Albert immediately raised a hand.
The Douglas knights slowed to a halt, bringing the entire procession to a stop.
Emily looked at Lusian in surprise.
"Is something wrong?"
Lusian kept his eyes fixed outside.
Keitaro was already disappearing into the crowd.
No...
It's not time to approach him yet.
Altering his fate too soon could be even more dangerous than allowing events to unfold naturally.
At last, he looked away.
"Albert."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Investigate that adventurer."
Albert followed his line of sight.
"Is there anything in particular you want me to find?"
"Everything."
"Where he lives."
"Who he talks to."
"What he does."
"Leave out no detail."
Albert inclined his head.
He didn't ask why.
He never did.
"As you command."
The procession resumed its journey.
Emily was still watching Lusian curiously.
"Who was he?"
Lusian leaned back against his seat.
"No one important..."
He paused briefly.
"For now."
Emily didn't press the matter.
But that answer only made her even more curious.
Shortly after, the carriage stopped in front of the restaurant.
The Golden Sky was one of the most exclusive establishments in the capital.
Even many nobles needed to make reservations weeks in advance to secure a table.
Each floor was reserved for a different rank.
The lower levels welcomed wealthy merchants and minor nobles.
The third floor was reserved for counts and marquises.
The final two floors...
Only opened their doors to the families that supported the kingdom itself.
A butler greeted them with a deep bow.
—The Duchess is waiting for you.
He led them up the stairs without stopping.
First floor.
Second.
Third.
Fourth.
As they ascended, the number of customers decreased.
At the same time, the quality of the guards stationed at each entrance became noticeably higher.
When they reached the fifth floor, Lusian scanned the room.
He immediately recognized several faces.
Duke Derek Sneider was conversing with a group of nobles.
Count Tobi MacAllister was sharing a table with his children.
And, a few meters away...
A woman with long silver hair was elegantly drinking tea.
Lusian recognized her instantly.
Alessia Ferrussi.
The king's favorite concubine.
Mother of the second prince, Leonardo.
And, more importantly...
A princess of the Ferrussi Empire.
Her mere presence was enough to remind him that the relationship between Kuria and the Empire was far more complicated than it appeared.
Lusian looked away.
—Well...
Emily followed his gaze and immediately understood.
There would be trouble.
Sophia's table was located beside the window.
Larriet rested behind her like a massive obsidian statue.
The few nobles present avoided even looking directly at him.
Sophia raised her gaze when Lusian and Emily arrived.
—Sit.
Both of them obeyed.
The duchess slowly folded her hands.
—I heard you struck Prince Leonardo.
Lusian remained silent.
—Yes, mother.
Sophia released a small sigh.
—How disappointing.
Emily lowered her head.
She already knew this conversation would not end well.
Sophia slightly turned her head.
—Albert.
—Yes, my lady.
—When we return to the duchy...
Double Lusian's daily training.
From dawn until dusk.
No exceptions.
Albert replied without changing his expression.
—Understood.
Lusian sighed in resignation.
—Don't you think that's a little too severe for something so minor?
—No.
Sophia answered calmly.
—If you are going to cause trouble, at least make sure it is worth causing.
It took Emily a few seconds to understand the true meaning behind those words.
Sophia was not defending what he had done.
But she also had no intention of apologizing to anyone.
Not far away, Alessia Ferrussi had been watching the conversation since the moment Lusian sat down.
When Sophia finished reprimanding her son, she elegantly placed her teacup onto its saucer.
She stood up, accompanied by two imperial attendants.
Her mere presence was enough to cause several conversations around the room to quiet down.
She stopped in front of the table.
—Duchess Sophia.
Sophia looked up and gave her a faint smile.
—Princess Alessia.
The two women stared at each other for a few seconds.
Two women.
Two mothers.
Two of the most influential political figures on the continent.
Alessia spoke first.
—I apologize for interrupting your meal.
Sophia smiled with the same courtesy.
—A mother always has time for another mother.
Emily felt a chill.
Both women were smiling.
Yet the atmosphere was so tense that she barely dared to breathe.
Alessia shifted her gaze toward Lusian.
—My son was left quite injured.
Sophia replied without losing her smile.
—Mine was as well.
The silence that followed was brief.
But it was enough for several nobles to discreetly turn their attention toward the two tables.
Alessia spoke again.
—Perhaps we should discuss discipline.
—We already are.
Sophia replied with absolute calm.
—As you can see, my son will receive punishment once we return to the duchy.
Alessia slightly inclined her head.
—I am glad to hear that.
Then she added with apparent casualness:
—After all, Leonardo is not only a prince of this kingdom.
He also carries the blood of the Imperial House of Ferrussi.
Sophia held her gaze without hesitation.
—Precisely because of that, I expected him to behave like a prince.
A pause.
Brief.
Almost imperceptible.
—An heir should not block another noble's path simply to provoke a dispute.
For a moment, Alessia's smile lost some of its warmth.
She understood the message.
Sophia was not justifying the punch.
But she also refused to allow all the blame to fall on Lusian.
Alessia calmly breathed out.
—I suppose both young men still have much to learn.
—On that, we completely agree.
Sophia replied.
—Fortunately, they are still children.
The two women smiled again.
As if they had just finished a perfectly polite conversation.
Alessia gave a small bow.
—I will not interrupt your lunch any longer.
Please enjoy your meal.
—Likewise, Princess.
Alessia returned to her table.
As she walked away, she could not help but think:
The Douglas family still refuses to yield...
Even after confronting an imperial prince.
Before returning to her seat, Alessia cast one final glance toward Lusian.
The boy was talking with Emily as if nothing had happened.
Not a trace of concern.
Not a trace of regret.
Only indifference.
Alessia suppressed a sigh.
She had tried to approach the Douglas family more than once.
She always encountered the same obstacle.
Sophia Douglas.
Father was right...
As long as that woman remained alive, convincing Lusian would be impossible.
The emperor had pursued the same goal for years.
Not because of the Douglas heir.
But because of Sophia's blood.
If the imperial princess were ever to have a child with Lusian...
Perhaps the Imperial Family would once again see the birth of an Omega.
A possibility powerful enough to change the fate of the Empire.
Alessia looked away.
Now it would be even more difficult.
After what happened with Leonardo, Lusian would have another reason to distrust them.
Forgive me, Father...
I still have not been able to bring him to us.
The duchess placed her cup back onto the plate.
Her gaze first moved to Emily.
Then to Lusian.
—Listen carefully, both of you.
Her voice remained calm.
But it carried the weight of a command.
—From the moment someone is born under the Douglas name...
they stop representing only themselves.
She paused briefly.
—Every word.
Every decision.
Every concession.
It speaks on behalf of the entire House Douglas.
Emily instinctively straightened her back.
—It does not matter if the person standing before you is a count...
a duke...
a prince...
or even a king.
If you are right...
do not lower your head.
Because the day a Douglas yields out of fear...
every enemy of this house will understand that it can be broken.
Silence settled over the table.
This was not a lesson in etiquette.
It was a lesson in power.
—Remember this.
The dignity of a Douglas does not belong to you.
It belongs to this lineage.
And to those who shed their blood to build it.
Emily felt a chill.
She had never been taught nobility in this way.
As the daughter of a count, she had been taught respect.
Sophia was teaching her responsibility.
—I will remember, my lady.
—Do not remember it.
Become the person you are destined to be.
Because one day you will speak in the name of this house.
And on that day, there will be no one behind you to correct your mistakes.
Lusian watched Emily for a few seconds before sighing.
—Don't be so harsh on her.
She is still learning.
Sophia glanced at him.
—I am speaking to you as well.
Lusian blinked.
—You think this lesson is only something Emily needs?
She paused for a moment.
—You are a son of House Douglas.
She will become its future duchess.
Someday, both of you will have to uphold the reputation of this duchy when Albert and I are no longer here.
There will be no second chances.
Lusian looked away.
—...Understood.
Sophia smiled faintly.
It was a satisfied smile.
—That is what I expected to hear.
Emily could not help but smile as well.
For a few moments, the atmosphere relaxed once again.
Although Sophia's words would continue echoing in both of their minds long after the meal ended.