Parents’ Concern 2

“It seems the relationship between Theo and Lady Yuria is becoming unusual… I’m a bit worried that he’ll step forward thinking of her affairs as his own. It’s already complicated enough as it is…”

The Duchess Skyroad was concerned that Theodore would actively care about Yuria’s affairs, despite his own situation already being complex.

Since House Arsein would naturally prioritize their daughter Yuria, the burden Theodore would have to bear would become even greater.

“I’m worried too, but… that’s Theo’s choice to make.”

Duke Skyroad said with a bitter smile.

“As parents, we’re concerned, but it’s not even an engagement, and we can’t interfere in matters of emotions between a man and a woman, can we?”

“That’s true. It’s good that they’re getting along well, but given the situation…”

The engagement was decided between House Skyroad and House Arsein.

But they couldn’t intervene in how feelings would develop between a man and a woman.

As heirs to noble houses, engagement was a natural duty, but they couldn’t interfere with personal feelings.

“If anything, it’s a good thing if good feelings are developing with his fiancée.”

Having said that, Duke Skyroad thought he should soon contact the imperial court.

And through the imperial court, contact would also be made with House Arsein.

“Prepare to visit Minst Academy in the Britannia Empire soon… hmm.”

Duke Arsein heard the order conveyed directly from the Emperor and fell silent.

It was an order to prepare to visit Minst Academy as a parent where his daughter Yuria was.

The meaning was to prepare to go in advance out of concern for the commotion that might arise when Theodore Skyroad would soon break a significant truth.

But he hadn’t heard what exactly the significant truth that Theodore Skyroad would reveal was.

“Dear, is it true that we need to prepare to go to Minst Academy?”

“Sigh, that’s right.”

It seemed the news had already reached the Duchess Arsein, as she came running in a hurry having heard the information from somewhere even before Duke Arsein could tell her directly.

“But who did you hear that information from?”

“From the Duchess Skyroad.”

The person who had informed the Duchess Arsein seemed to be the Duchess Skyroad.

It was as expected, as he knew they often met and talked, given that they had both sent their son and daughter to study abroad in a distant foreign country.

“Did you hear anything else about what’s going on?”

“No? I only heard that all the parents are going together to Minst Academy to see how the children are doing?”

As expected, the Duchess Arsein didn’t seem to have heard that Theodore would reveal some big truth.

Of course, she wouldn’t know what that truth was either.

‘Ugh, what if my wife gets angry again?’

Duke Arsein felt fear at the sight of his wife smiling happily at the fact of seeing their daughter.

This wasn’t just about visiting as parents; it was specially arranged by the Emperor out of concern and consideration for the Duke and Duchess Arsein, who would be worried about their daughter because of the truth Theodore would reveal.

He was afraid that the Duchess Arsein, upon learning this fact, might cause a commotion with her excessive worry for Yuria.

After all, he would be the first to face his wife’s anger.

“Umm. D-dear. Please calm down and listen to me for a moment.”

Duke Arsein took a deep breath, overcame his fear, and spoke carefully while looking at his wife.

Despite being in her 40s, his wife was still beautiful.

The fresh and youthful girlish feeling of her younger days had disappeared, but the enchanting beauty she had reached in her 40s still showed that she was the mother of Yuria Arsein, who was called the foremost beauty of the Arcan Empire.

Rather, it would be hard to find someone who wouldn’t be captivated by her appearance, which exuded a rich sensuality.

Duke Arsein, who had married her after countless efforts and courtship since his youth, and who still couldn’t escape the fate of being henpecked, felt himself naturally weakening every time he saw his wife’s beautiful appearance, but it couldn’t be helped.

Becoming weak was unavoidable because he loved his wife too much.

“Is something wrong?”

And the Duchess Arsein’s gaze turned cold.

She had been happy at the thought of seeing her daughter, but she now noticed from Duke Arsein’s words that there was something she didn’t know.

“W-well… ahem!”

Duke Arsein cleared his throat and managed to compose himself before speaking.

“Actually, it seems Theodore is planning something. He’s going to reveal a major secret that only His Majesty and House Skyroad seem to know, giving a huge shock to the Britannia Empire… I don’t know exactly what it is, but we’re being told to go in advance and stand by because we might be greatly surprised when it happens.”

“…Is it something related to Yuria too?”

“I-I don’t know. But I was told there’s no direct connection… and that Yuria probably already guesses it.”

“Probably? Who knows what our daughter might get caught up in again! My goodness! I need to contact her right away!”

As expected, the Duchess Arsein’s maternal instinct went into overdrive.

She was worried that her daughter might get involved in dangerous matters again, and concerned that her daughter might get hurt because of her involvement.

“D-dear. Please calm down!”

“How can I calm down! Dear, contact her right now! Contact Yuria immediately!”

Duke Arsein felt like crying.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t worried about Yuria.

But such worry would only make his eldest daughter Yuria, who disliked being treated like a child, feel uncomfortable instead.

As Duke Arsein, who knew well that Yuria’s dream of becoming a renowned warrior on the continent was not a light one, he found himself caught between his wife and daughter once again.

‘Urgh, Lilia. Please comfort your father’s difficult heart.’

And Lilia, who was listening to the Duke and Duchess Arsein’s conversation from outside, bit her lip slightly.

‘Sister probably already guesses it?’

Lilia felt a surge of unpleasantness.

‘Brother Theodore not only protects sister like that and continues to risk his life to protect her… but may have already shared a secret with her that they won’t share with our family?’

Lilia clenched her fist tightly.

Cold anger settled in the eyes of the beautiful girl who looked like a miniature version of Yuria.

‘While sister acted like she didn’t need him. While she said she didn’t like Theodore. Now they’ve developed into a relationship where they even share secrets?’

She knew her sister Yuria loved her.

But Lilia was feeling increasingly deep hostility towards Yuria, and at this moment, her negative emotions towards her sister grew to the point where she resented her.

She didn’t care that Yuria was called the foremost beauty of the Arcan Empire.

She didn’t care if the heir to House Arsein would be continued by Yuria’s child.

There was only one thing she wished for.

‘Brother Theodore…’

Theodore Skyroad.

From the first time she saw him, and as she got to know him better, Lilia felt she had fallen in love.

Moreover, she felt that this wasn’t a light emotion, but a deep feeling to the extent that she couldn’t do without him, and she always tried to catch Theodore’s eye.

In the process, though Yuria might not imagine it, she had succeeded in figuring out to some extent the mask Theodore was wearing and his inner thoughts.

‘Sister Yuria probably thinks I haven’t noticed at all…’

Rather, she had long understood that Theodore’s attitude was a defense mechanism to hide his emotional wounds and weaknesses.

And he would probably have noticed to some extent that she had figured this out.

Therefore, Lilia was confident that if Yuria broke off the engagement and she became engaged to Theodore, she would always be by his side, playing the role of his strength.

Unlike her sister, whose dream came first, she was ready to define the framework of her very life for him.

‘But, sister… went all the way there and… in the end…’

In Lilia’s eyes, the energy of jealousy and resentment grew even stronger.

‘I really hate someone like sister.’

Lilia was determined to follow her parents to the Britannia Empire this time, even if she had to be forceful.

She couldn’t stand the anxiety anymore.

The fact that she had deliberately built up a connection with Lady Judith, the daughter of House Skyroad, becoming close enough to exchange letters, was all to catch Theodore’s eye.

‘Haah, Brother Theodore…’

Unconcerned with her parents’ worry filled with concern for Yuria, Lilia, who was excessively blinded and even buried in her first love, was excited just at the thought of seeing his face again.