House Skyroad

House Skyroad.

It was a family that boasted the most flourishing lineage in the Arcan Empire, a house closest to the imperial family that had always taken pride in protecting the imperial house of the Arcan Empire.

And Theodore, returning to the mansion of House Skyroad, spotted an object rushing toward him as soon as he opened the door and entered.

“Brother!”

Seeing the golden-haired girl with hair grown long to below her waist, who came running to him with a bright smile, Theodore gently received and embraced her, giving her an affectionate smile.

“Judy. I told you not to run in the house, didn’t I?”

“Yes! I’ll remember that!”

“Judy, isn’t that already the 28th time for that statement?”

“Yes! I’ll try to make it 30 soon!”

The energetic, smiling girl was Judith Skyroad, the daughter of House Skyroad, who had turned fifteen this year.

She was the biological daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Skyroad, and Theodore’s stepsister.

“Anyway.”

Although Theodore’s tone suggested exasperation, his gaze was warm. As he looked at his stepsister with such affection, as if she were utterly adorable, the butler of House Skyroad approached him.

The butler, who was turning 60 this year, had skills befitting the butler of House Skyroad, enough to hold the title of knight, so his outward appearance looked as young and healthy as a middle-aged man in his mid-forties.

“Welcome home, young master.”

The butler was one of the few people in this mansion who could address Theodore as “young master” and Judith as “miss.”

“Yes, old man. Everything all right?”

“Yes, of course.”

After exchanging casual greetings, Theodore patted Judith’s head and asked:

“Judy, did you eat well?”

“Yes! But I think breakfast wasn’t as delicious as what you make yourself.”

“Haha, really? Then I’ll make lunch for you myself.”

“Really?! You promise?”

“Yes.”

When Theodore sealed the promise even with a pinky swear, a stern-looking maid approached.

“Lady Judith, it’s time to start your lessons.”

“Ugh! B-brother, I’ll go to my lessons then.”

Watching Judith walk with pitiful steps like an animal heading to slaughter, Theodore muttered “Oh my, oh my,” shaking his head.

“Seems like Judy is having a hard time too. I should make beef dishes that Judy likes for lunch.”

Hearing Theodore’s words, the butler bowed his head.

“Yes, young master. I will make sure to prepare good beef for the young lady.”

“Good, prepare as much thinly sliced beef as possible. I’ll be making country fried steak, so have the related ingredients prepared as I wrote down before.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Well then, old man. Keep up the good work.”

“Yes, young master.”

After giving instructions to the butler, Theodore’s footsteps were directed to the office of the Duke of Skyroad, the master of House Skyroad.

In front of the office stood two knights on alert, who immediately bowed respectfully when they saw Theodore.

“Welcome, young lord.”

“Yes, it seems father is inside, so report to him.”

Theodore’s action of not directly announcing that he had come to see the Duke of Skyroad, but ordering the knight to relay it, was actually a matter of etiquette.

Not loudly proclaiming his visit himself but quietly having it conveyed through the other’s retainer was a consideration that elevated the other’s dignity.

However, the Duke of Skyroad had told him that this wasn’t necessary. But he meticulously observed such courtesies.

It was to show that he cared about the authority and dignity of the Duke of Skyroad, and the knights had long been accustomed to this behavior of his.

“I understand. Your Grace, the young lord has come to visit.”

“Tell him to come in.”

The Duke of Skyroad’s reply came immediately from inside the room.

“Please do.”

As the knight opened the door and responded politely, Theodore nodded lightly and entered.

He walked confidently into the room with a slight smile and approached the Duke of Skyroad.

The Duke of Skyroad was a handsome man with brilliant golden hair, making it clear where his daughter Judith’s hair color came from. Though he had entered middle age, he still looked young and was known as a genius with martial prowess ranking among the top ten in the Arcan Empire.

There were even speculations that if not for the lack of time to train due to his duties as the Duke of Skyroad, he would have ranked within the top three.

Theodore greeted him with a calm smile.

“Theodore Skyroad pays his respects to father.”

“Tsk.”

The Duke of Skyroad clicked his tongue at Theodore’s attitude.

His eyes were filled with dissatisfaction as he looked at Theodore.

“Anyway, I told you to speak more comfortably. You should learn from Judy, boy.”

At the Duke of Skyroad’s words, Theodore grinned and spoke with a somewhat playful but serious tone:

“That’s constitutionally difficult for me. As the heir to the great House of Skyroad, which walks the path of the sky protecting the Arcan Empire, I am a brilliantly shining figure whom everyone looks up to. Wouldn’t it be somewhat inappropriate for such a brilliantly shining figure to behave like a child?”

The Duke of Skyroad chuckled in disbelief at Theodore’s words.

“Well, you never back down, do you? Yes, that’s just like you.”

“I’m grateful that you understand.”

“Alright, Theo.”

The Duke of Skyroad was calling Theodore by a nickname.

“Yes, father.”

“I heard you’ll be going with Lady Yuria this time?”

“That’s right. Since she is a special person as my fiancée, shouldn’t I protect her?”

Looking at Theodore speaking like that, the Duke of Skyroad shot back:

“You speak so well for someone who wouldn’t have any lingering attachment even if the engagement were broken off?”

“Indeed. If she were to break off our engagement, wouldn’t it mean that she couldn’t handle my dazzling talents and let herself fall into ruin due to feelings of inferiority? There’s no need to care about every fallen person.”

Rather than showing an expression of disbelief at Theodore’s words, the Duke of Skyroad gave a bitter smile.

He knew well that although Theodore spoke like that, it was his way of deliberately not giving affection.

Despite his attitude, he knew that Theodore actually had a very affectionate personality and that once he gave his affection, he thought deeply about it.

That was also the reason why he didn’t make friends and only created followers.

“Sigh, alright. By the way, Judy has been feeling neglected lately because you’ve been busy attending the academy and don’t come home much on weekends. Did she say anything?”

“She said breakfast wasn’t delicious. So I promised to make lunch for her.”

In reality, she meant it wasn’t as delicious as the food he made, but Theodore didn’t explain at length and kept it brief.

“I see. Indeed, your cooking has ruined my palate too. Tsk, making people’s tastes so refined.”

The Duke of Skyroad grumbled slightly, but then he cleared his throat and asked casually:

“By the way, Theo, what’s on the menu for lunch today?”

Having already anticipated such a reaction from the Duke of Skyroad, Theodore answered calmly:

“Country fried steak. It’s Judy’s favorite dish.”

“Hmm! That sounds good. Oh, and now that I think about it, your mother mentioned she wanted to eat the pork dish you made. Would that be possible too?”

“What specifically are you referring to?”

“She said she wanted to eat that stuffed pork chop with fruit in the middle.”

“If the old man or someone else prepares the ingredients listed in the recipe, I will make it myself for dinner later.”

“Hmm! Thank you!”

Seeing the Duke of Skyroad’s expectant look, Theodore smiled slightly and asked:

“By the way, father, what is the domestic opinion about my going to study abroad this time?”

As Theodore began to seriously inquire about current public opinion as the heir of House Skyroad, the Duke of Skyroad recalled what he had investigated and said:

“Nothing special. Most public opinion seems to be expecting how much you, with your excellence, will flatten the noses of those Britannia Empire fellows.”

“I see.”

In the Arcan Empire, there were more people who admired Theodore for his overwhelming abilities than those who envied him, and in particular, there was much public expectation about how his visit to the Britannia Empire would raise the status of the Arcan Empire and humiliate the Britannia Empire.

It was an eternal truth that internal unity forms in the face of an external enemy.

“But, Theo. Are you alright with this?”

“What do you mean?”

Theodore asked as if nothing was wrong, but the Duke of Skyroad didn’t miss the slight coldness that appeared in his eyes.

That coldness was directed not at himself but at those who would be in the Britannia Empire.

“I mean House Artin. Won’t those people recognize you?”