Chapter 80

Kain's hair had grown down to his waist. Despite maintaining an appearance as a noble, the cold atmosphere of the dinner had ended, and Kain returned to his private room, plopping down onto the sofa with a thud. On the coffee table lay the admission notice from the Syryum Royal Noble School, which had likely been arranged to arrive during dinner.

Frowning in disgust, Kain glared at the documents, but since he couldn't make them disappear with a glance, he reluctantly picked them up.

"Have you heard?"

"I heard from Wainz."

Ilvaleno didn't ask what, knowing that the butler had already informed him about the study abroad. He poured tea and placed the cup in a position that wouldn't interfere with the documents. When he tried to stand behind Kain, Kain waved him off, so Ilvaleno sat down on the opposite sofa.

After reading the documents in silence for a while, Kain let out a deep sigh and threw them onto the coffee table. He covered his face with both hands, resting his elbows on his knees and bowing his head.

"Ilvaleno, please. Take care of Dian while I'm gone."

Kain's words, spoken as if he were spitting them out, made Ilvaleno stand up from the sofa.

"What are you talking about? I'm definitely going with you."

"Stay here, Ilvaleno. Take care of Dian."

"I don't want to. I said I would stay by your side. I said I would lend a hand if you needed it. I said I would face any fears with you. I'm going with you."

Ilvaleno circled the coffee table and crouched next to Kain's sofa, peering into his face. Kain's expression, hidden behind his hands, was unreadable.

"I can't, Ilvaleno. The Syryum Royal Noble School is a full boarding school with two-person dorm rooms. Bringing in attendants is not allowed."

"Even at a noble school? That's ridiculous."

The school policy was written in the admission notice. It stated that a minimum number of servants were available within the dorms, and one could request their services if needed, but they were not dedicated attendants. The school aimed to teach students to be independent before they graduated and started working as nobles. It emphasized that doing things oneself had more meaning than relying on others. Kain thought this should be taught at home, but it seemed that some people needed to be forced into it.

"Please, Ilvaleno. You're the only one I can rely on. Take care of Dian. I'll be fine."

"You were crying just a moment ago."

Kain lifted his face, his eyebrows forming an 'H' as he smiled.

"What are you talking about?"

"Just a little while ago..."

Kain cupped Ilvaleno's head with both hands, ruffling his red hair. He then lowered his hands to Ilvaleno's cheeks, pushing them up to force a smile. He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Ilvaleno's.

"Be a place where Dian can take a break from her life as a lady."

"I can't do exercises like you or use the spinning machine."

"Listen to Dian's small daily discoveries."

"I'll recommend that she write letters to you, so please write back."

"Praise her when she succeeds or overcomes difficulties."

"Please write a letter of praise."

"Dian has become stronger, but if someone tries to force her, a girl's strength won't be enough. Protect her."

"I can do that."

Kain, still with his forehead touching Ilvaleno's, chuckled softly.

"Write me letters about Dian's condition."

"I can't do it every day."

"Stop any marriage proposals for Dian."

"Is it the Crown Prince?"

"Besides Alundirano. Don't let Dian get engaged until I return."

"...I'll try, but don't expect too much. If such a proposal comes up, I'll write to you, so come back quickly."

Kain released Ilvaleno's cheeks and leaned back into the sofa. Ilvaleno gently touched his own forehead, stood up, and sat back down on the opposite sofa.

"I'll ask Father to assign Ilvaleno to Dian. If Father refuses, I'll ask Parepantle. Please take care of Dian. You're the only one I can rely on."

"Always talking about Dian. What about you, Kain?"

Across the coffee table, Ilvaleno's eyes were serious as he stared straight at Kain. Kain, still leaning against the back of the sofa, slumped down, half-falling off the sofa, and weakly smiled, waving his hand.

"I'll be fine. I've always been able to do everything myself, even though I've been relying on you for everything."

Kain, who had lived to his thirties in his previous life, had cooked, done laundry, cleaned, and changed clothes all by himself. While some of the current clothes required some ingenuity to wear, he could still manage on his own. Some formal evening dresses for women were designed to be impossible to put on alone, but fortunately, Kain was a man.

"I can do it on my own."

Ilvaleno looked at Kain with a troubled expression, shaking his head slightly and shrugging.

"You can't even tie your hair without me."