Chapter 79

Kain, as an older brother, adores Dia.

When Dismaier, his father, returned home, Kain was called to the study before dinner.

He knocked on the door, and when the butler opened it, he entered to find his father sitting on a sofa, not at his desk. Indicating the opposite sofa with a gesture, Kain sat down and looked straight at his father.

"Kain,"

"That is the uniform of the Syriyum Kingdom's noble school, isn't it? What does that mean?"

Kain asked, interrupting his father before he could speak. Interrupting a superior, especially one's father, was not proper behavior for a noble, but Kain deliberately did so to show how angry he was. Dismaier sighed, rubbed his forehead with his right hand, and then, folding his hands on his lap, looked at Kain with a gentle gaze.

"Kain is very talented. According to your tutors, you have already progressed to the level of a sixth-year student. I thought there was little point in you attending a domestic school, so I decided to send you abroad."

"The academy is not just a place for studying. It's important to meet and interact with peers of the same age and build connections and relationships for the future, isn't it?"

"You are very talented and fluent in other languages. As the future head of the ducal family, I want you to form ties with the nobility of neighboring countries. Nergland is right across the river from Syriyum. Since you will become the lord of Nergland in the future, it will be a beneficial student life."

"Wouldn't it be enough to enter the academy and study abroad for about a year in the middle of the school year? That's how exchange programs have been handled in the past, hasn't it?"

Kain did not allow any excuses about the gap in studies that might result from a mid-year exchange, as Dismaier himself had just acknowledged that Kain had already completed the studies up to the sixth year. Kain looked straight at Dismaier, his face expressionless, and waited quietly for his father to speak.

"…To separate you and Dia."

"I don't understand why I have to be separated from Dia."

"You don't understand?"

Dismaier glared at Kain.

"Didn't you always bring Dia to the tea parties with the young ladies?"

"Those tea parties that were like pre-arranged meetings?"

Ever since Kain and Dia had learned to behave as a gentleman and a lady, regular tea parties had been held in the ducal family's garden. Although it was called a tea party, only one noble young lady was invited each time. It was clear that the purpose was to meet and see if they were compatible, even if it wasn't a formal arranged meeting.

Kain always brought Dia to these tea parties.

"Because you always brought Dia and only praised Dia, all the young ladies you invited were angry and left."

"If it was a preliminary meeting to see potential marriage partners, it was natural to bring Dia."

"There's no reason for that. These tea parties are to deepen the relationship between you and the young ladies. Dia is a third party."

"Father, you seem to have forgotten. I once said that what I want in a marriage partner is someone who loves Dia and doesn't get jealous when I prioritize Dia. It's impossible to have such a conversation without Dia."

"Even if I concede that bringing Dia is acceptable, how is it to talk only to Dia and not to the young lady at a tea party where she is present? That's not right. It's not right as a noble gentleman."

"That's rude. I answered when the young ladies spoke to me. I didn't ignore them."

"You looked bored. The parents of the young ladies complained endlessly."

"That's because they brought up topics unrelated to Dia. If they had praised Dia's clothes, hair accessories, or hairstyle, I would have happily engaged in those conversations."

"That's you! You should have praised the young ladies first, Kain."

"Even with Dia sitting next to me?"

Kain tilted his head with a puzzled look, implying, "Why should I praise a girl who is inferior to Dia before praising Dia?"

"I would have been happy if they had joined in the conversation. When I was talking to Dia about the birds that come to the bird feeder, they could have said, 'I love birds too. What kind of birds come?' Or, when we were talking about the origin of flower meanings, they could have said, 'I have a favorite flower, but the meaning is too harsh to introduce it as my favorite.' But all the young ladies either interrupted our conversation, tried to steer it to their own topics, or refused to participate with a sulky face. I can't have a deep relationship with someone who can't enjoy a conversation unless they are the center of attention."

Listening to Kain's argument, Dismaier sighed deeply, bowed his head, and rubbed his shoulders.

"Because of your attitude, I decided to separate you and Dia. You won't be allowed to return until you find a marriage partner or graduate. This is a command from the head of the family. It won't be changed. It's only six years. It's nothing."

"Only six years!? Six years!? In six years, Dia will grow 30 centimeters taller, and all her baby teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth! I won't be able to throw things on the roof or under the floor with her! If I'm away from Dia for six years starting at age nine, she will even have her first period! You're telling me to miss the moment when Dia becomes a woman! I can't bear it!! I don't want to miss a single moment of Dia's growth!"

Kain was almost in tears.

"Kain… you're creepy…"

Despite Kain's passionate plea, the decision to study abroad in the neighboring country was not changed.

---

Thank you always for reporting typos. It really helps.

I'm also happy for the bookmarks.