Chapter 52

Part 2 Recommendation Letter (2)

It seemed like something urgent was about to happen, but time quietly passed, and three years went by.

Although I had said it would take a long time, the invitation letter still hadn't arrived even as the time for my second brother to study abroad approached.

I had forgotten about the invitation letter and continued my solitary training.

One day, when I had grown taller and my body had matured, turning 14 years old,

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

Someone was running down the path leading to the mansion.

It was my personal maid, Flora.

She ran up, her face tense, and panted, "Huff, huff, the Duke is looking for Master Alex. He said to come quickly, putting aside other matters. It seems to be something important."

The only important thing I knew of was one.

I immediately followed Flora to the mansion.

In the Duke's study, the Duke was alone, handling his business.

I announced my name and entered the study, and the Duke frowned upon seeing me enter.

He seemed even more displeased with me than usual.

I stood in front of the desk, pretending not to notice.

When I first came here, only my face was visible above the desk, but now it reached below my chest.

The desk was piled high with documents as usual.

As I stood there, the Duke opened a drawer and placed an envelope on the desk.

It was a high-quality envelope sealed with a red stamp.

Just by looking at it, I could tell it was from a noble of high rank.

The seal on the envelope was already broken, and the Duke took out the letter from the open envelope.

He read the letter, frowned, and placed it in front of me.

"Explain to me why this invitation letter has arrived."

Although his question was abrupt, I understood what he was asking.

I read the letter in front of me.

The letter, filled with noble phrases, was easy to read, thanks to my education.

After reading the entire letter, I understood why the Duke was frowning.

It was the invitation letter that I had forgotten about due to the passage of time. It had arrived so late.

Apart from the elaborate phrases, the letter itself was a regular invitation.

It stated that someone had introduced me and wanted to call me to the capital to help with my studies.

However, the name at the end of the letter was a problem. It was a name I had never expected.

It wasn't the name of Katrine de Latenhamar, who had worked as a mercenary for me.

It wasn't even the name of the Count of Latenhamar, her father.

It was Léa de Carlos.

Her maiden name was Léa de Latenhamar.

She was the third wife of the king and the sister of Katrine, the mother of the princess, who had sent the invitation letter.

The unexpected appearance of this person left my mind in chaos, and I couldn't immediately answer the Duke.

The Duke continued to stare at me, and I forced myself to regain my composure.

"Well... I'm not sure why this invitation letter has arrived, but I have met the person mentioned in the letter."

Fortunately, the name of the person who caused this commotion, Katrine, was written in the letter.

She had recommended me to a much higher position than I had expected.

"I first met Lady Katrine at the Marquis's house. She introduced herself as a mercenary..."

I had no choice but to reveal the events that transpired with her.

The incidents at the Marquis's house and the exploration we did after returning.

Of course, I couldn't reveal the details of the tomb exploration, as we had sworn to keep it a secret.

"Did you write a contract at the temple?"

The Duke immediately noticed my attempt to dodge the question.

"Yes, but it didn't cause any harm to the Duke's family."

The Duke pointed to the letter on the desk.

"You might not realize it, but with this recommendation letter, it's hard to say that no harm will come."

Indeed, the Duke's family had received the Queen's invitation letter, putting the Duke in a difficult position, whether he accepted it or not.

It would be best to pretend I didn't know.

"I met Lady Latenhamar while helping the Marquis's family, and after that, I helped her with her tasks, earning her favor... So, she must have spoken to her sister, leading to this invitation letter..."

As expected, the Duke's accurate summary of the situation.

"But, just because of her favor, there's no reason to send such an invitation letter. What could be the reason?"

I couldn't answer his question. Fortunately, the contract at the temple allowed me to remain silent.

"...I'll have to investigate that separately."

After staring at me for a long time, the Duke put away the invitation letter.

"Since it's not a false invitation, the remaining issue is whether to accept it or not."

He muttered to himself, tapping the desk.

As expected, he didn't ask for my opinion.

I didn't expect it. Objectively, a noble like the Duke wouldn't ask a 14-year-old bastard for an opinion.

While I was thinking this, the Duke's voice reached my ears.

"What do you want to do?"

Eh? Is he asking me?

Surprised, I looked at the Duke, whose expression was the same as before—cold and expressionless.

What is he thinking?

I managed to respond to his unexpected question.

"...I want to go. I want to learn more and help my brother manage the estate."

Fortunately, a decent answer came out.

The Duke's eyes narrowed slightly at my response.

It seemed to be a disappointing answer.

It was a good response for a well-behaved bastard who didn't covet the estate...

Calling my brother "elder brother" might have been a bit too much?

But it didn't seem to be a significant issue.

The Duke dismissed me from the study without a word.

The next day.

I learned of the Duke's decision.

Thanks to my second brother, who burst into my room early in the morning and loudly confronted me.

"You're going to the capital too? That's ridiculous! What did you do?"

His voice echoed throughout the room.

Flora, who was pouring tea, quickly retreated like a startled bird, and he plopped down in front of me, staring at me.

He seemed very angry.

Although he was a bit rebellious, Manuel had always adhered to noble etiquette. Now, he seemed completely out of control.

"Has the Duke already made a decision?"

"What, did you know something?"

Of course, I knew. My expression remained unchanged, but Manuel's face turned even redder.

He pointed at me and shouted at someone behind him.

"Brother, say something! This is strange!"

At the entrance, our eldest brother stood. Simon had an awkward expression on his face, standing outside the door.

I hadn't noticed Simon due to the commotion caused by my second brother entering my reception room.

Tsk, maybe the family is too relaxed. I need to be more cautious.

"Father must have his reasons. Since Mother is visiting, we'll soon know the reason. You should wait calmly, as befits a noble."

Eh? Simon said something completely different from what I expected. Wasn't he here to support me?

"You've been strange since returning from the Marquis's house! You got engaged and now you're acting all high and mighty."

Looking at Simon again, I noticed he no longer had the light-hearted feel he used to have.

He didn't seem to be forcing it either.

I smiled inwardly at Simon.

The hardships at the Marquis's house had paid off.

Our eldest prince seemed to have grown up.

Without his brother's support, Manuel shouted.

"Ugh! No matter what, I can't accept it! A half-penny with no proper abilities going to the capital with me. How can I show my face in the capital with such a person?"

Oh, for a 16-year-old, that's quite a cutting and unpleasant remark.

It must have been a spur-of-the-moment outburst, but it still stung.

If the news of a bastard going to the capital for studies spreads, the gossip will be endless.

All sorts of rumors about the Duke's family will spread, and comparisons with me will be made, leading to all sorts of troublesome situations.

Thinking about it, I could understand his reaction.

Still, a bad feeling is a bad feeling.

I decided to throw out a bait.

"Then, how about a skills test?"

"What?"

"Having someone else test me might not be convincing, so... how about a light sparring match with you, brother, to directly assess my skills?"

It was a rather obvious provocation, but the opponent was still a young teenager.

"Huh? A sparring match? Sure! That's exactly what I was thinking!"

Manuel, who had been looking at me with a bewildered expression, soon agreed with a confident look.

"Great! Wait! I'll go get permission right away. Once Father sees your true skills, he'll cancel the plan immediately. Don't run away; prepare thoroughly!"

He seemed to think it was a good idea and left the room excitedly.

Sighing as he watched his brother run off, Simon turned to me.

"I don't understand why you're going to the capital, but since Father has decided, I won't say anything. With your skills, you won't be at a disadvantage anywhere."

During my time at the Marquis's house, he had seen my training and sparring matches several times.

While I'm not sure of the exact details, he must have recognized my exceptional skills for my age.

"However, not only Manuel but also Mother won't just sit by. Even if you have the skills, your background will be an issue. Don't expect much help from me or the Duke's family in the capital."

After a surprisingly long speech, he turned and followed his brother.

Although his tone was cold, it didn't feel unpleasant.

'Is he giving me advice?'

After the chaotic visit from my brother, the sparring match was quickly scheduled.

I hadn't expected the sparring match to be arranged so quickly. Had the Duke not been involved in the discussion?

In any case, the sparring match was set to take place at the family's training ground in the forest behind the mansion.

Manuel had wanted to use the central training ground to humiliate me in front of everyone, but it was apparently opposed from above.

It must have been disappointing for him, and I felt a bit regretful too.

And then,

"What is all this about?"

Before the sparring match, my mother, who had heard about my studies abroad, rushed to my room in surprise.

I had to repeat to her what I had told the Duke.