Chapter 15 The Duke and His Indolent Son
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
My name is Hyde Seyfried, Duke of the Seyfried family and father of my son, Shin.
I sat in my study, leafing through the latest reports on the Seyfried Territory. The news was mostly good—bandits dwindling, monsters driven north toward the Demon King’s dominion and the Albion border. Peace, fragile though it was, seemed to be holding.
Yet stability had its price. Immigrants from the Albion and Lax Empires had poured into our lands, and among them spread a fledgling sect calling itself the Shinkyo. They claimed to protect the newcomers, but in truth, they were swelling their ranks with startling speed.
”Shinkyo… Shin? No, that’s absurd,” I murmured. “He’s only six years old. Half a year ago, perhaps, he was a wild boy who’d listen to no one—but lately he’s changed, even getting along with Lady Alexia.”
At my wife Christina’s insistence, I’d allowed him freedom before entering Alys Magic Academy—no attendants, and no constant supervision. The same tradition my own father, Saghir the elder, once followed: sons of our house were to learn the land by living it, to grow hard in its wind and wilderness before studying governance under their fathers.
Daughters, on the other hand, went to the royal capital, trained to be proper ladies of the court, educated for noble marriage. A balance of duty and decorum—that was the Seyfried way.
Still, perhaps I had failed. The eldest, Saghir, had grown arrogant, leaning on our family name to belittle servants and commoners alike. Half a year ago, Shin too had been little more than a spoiled brat. Perhaps I was to blame for both—the demands of a Duke leave little time for fatherhood.
Sometimes, the regret came sharp and sudden.
A knock—sharp, urgent. Then a heavy thud.
”An emergency knock? Orphen, is that you? Enter.”
”Y-yes, my lord! Pardon the intrusion!” My steward, usually composed, was breathless. That alone was alarming.
”What’s the matter?” I asked.
”A dispatch from the border patrol, sir… urgent.”
”Bandits again? The men have been restless lately—perhaps a skirmish would do them good.”
”No, my lord. A carriage from the neighboring Scarlet Territory crossed our border without permission or a pass.”
”What? Who dares?”
”Lord Saghir, sir… accompanied by a member of House Scarlet.”
”House Scarlet?” I frowned. “Who exactly?”
”They refuse to identify themselves until granted an audience with you.”
House Scarlet—a noble family of the Regain Kingdom, deeply entangled with the military. If one of their kin was here with my son… could this be connected to the sudden prosperity of our land these past months? Had they come to investigate?
”Where are they waiting?” I asked.
”At the main gates, my lord. The carriage remains before the manor.”
”And the officials His Majesty ordered us to shelter?”
”All safely hidden in the annex, my lord. Lady Alexia and Layla-sama are presently with Master Shin as well.”
The Regain court was far from united. Rumors whispered of traitors scheming in the central government. Perhaps word had leaked—that I was harboring the King’s confidants under the guise of tutors.
”Escort them to the grand hall,” I ordered quietly. “And Orphen… if anything goes awry, you know what to do.”
He bowed sharply. “At once, my lord.”
If they came in peace, good. If not—well, I too had family held hostage in the capital. I would not hesitate to take my own measures.
And then there was Saghir—my elder son, whose conduct at Alys Magic Academy had become infamous. He’d failed to send word of his return, likely to avoid notice. Worse still, he was accompanied by someone from the Scarlet family—the so-called Crimson Battle Fiends.
”Then let us meet them,” I murmured. “Saghir… and whoever your companion may be.”
A chill threaded through me. The territory thrived, immigrants settled, even the Shinkyo caused no true harm—worshiping their trifles of grain, gin, and underwear, performing charity like saints. Yet peace often draws envy.
It seemed those displeased with Seyfried’s rise had finally arrived.
* * *
At the manor’s front steps, the doors opened wide.
”Oooh! Father! It’s been far too long! Your loyal heir, Saghir Seyfried, returns!” His voice carried like a trumpet—boastful, self-satisfied.
He resembled me in face, though his mother’s grace had softened his younger brother’s features. Saghir’s height and bearing were fine enough, but the rest… well, indulgence had not been kind. The boy had grown soft—obscenely so. I had heard rumors of his idle, gluttonous days at the academy, but seeing him now—he looked more hog than heir.
”Ah, Saghir,” I said evenly. “You look well. Are Christina and the girls faring well in the capital?”
”My mother? Ah, I haven’t seen her, Father,” he said with a shrug. “Too busy with my studies and social obligations, you see.”
Haven’t seen her—or haven’t bothered to. My agents in the capital told another story: Saghir flaunting his title, parading through taverns and salons like a peacock, drinking on coin he hadn’t earned.
”…I see. A shame,” I replied. “I’d hoped for news of them.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “My apologies, Father. But speaking of news—I hear the Seyfried Territory prospers under your rule. Surely your coffers overflow as well? Perhaps my allowance might be… doubled?”
”What?” My tone cooled. “You already receive a generous sum each month. Enough to live comfortably in the capital for years without lifting a finger.”
”Well, yes, yes, for an ordinary noble perhaps,” he said with a smirk. “But as the future Duke of Seyfried, my social circles are… vast. Maintaining such connections is costly, you understand. Guhi-hi!”
Ah, that expression. Greedy, gleaming, and utterly unbecoming of my blood.
Perhaps it was because he was my firstborn that I spoiled him so much. From the day Saghir was born, indulgence shadowed every lesson. I’d thought him talented—capable, even destined—and so I sent him to Alys Magic Academy, certain he’d mature into his promise. Instead, the academy and its glittering noble circles fattened him with pride and luxury.
Maybe I should have done as I did with Shin—kept him close, raised him under my own watchful eye.
”…There will be no increase in your allowance,” I said at last. “In fact, it will be reduced.”
”Reduced? Father, what do you mean by that?” His voice rose, indignant.
”Learn restraint, Saghir. Otherwise your younger brother will surpass you.”
”My brother? That little savage everyone calls a brat? Don’t be absurd! He’s not even the heir—he has no right to the Seyfried name!”
He wasn’t wrong. By noble custom, the firstborn inherits; the rest find service in the crown’s ranks or marry into other houses. Daughters study the arts until they’re wed—if they fail, they marry down, into merchant or military families. Such is our world.
”That depends on your effort,” I said. “If you keep disgracing our name at the academy or in the capital, I may have to reconsider even that.”
I fixed him with a level gaze, letting silence weigh more than any curse could.
”Guh! What can that talentless, ill-mannered brat possibly achieve!” he burst out. “I came all the way to this wretched hinterland just to ask for what’s rightfully mine—more funds for a future Duke!”
So that was the truth—greed stripped bare by panic.
”Then show me your results,” I said evenly. “Otherwise, your allowance remains cut.”
”Th-that’s outrageous! Completely un—oof! Ow!”
”Enough chatter, Saghir—let me introduce myself already.” A woman’s sharp voice cut through, punctuated by her boot sinking into his side.
He doubled over with a squeal that somehow sounded delighted. I, on the other hand, felt an unwelcome mix of relief and dismay.
”Apologies, my lord,” Saghir wheezed. “This is my… lover, and she is—”
* * *
(Seyfried Annex)
”Waaah! That was so fast—it’s like we blinked and we were home!”
”Truly amazing, Shin-sama!”
”Ugh, I’ve been hugged to death… my fur’s a mess,” Luna the cat spirit groaned.
”The gate worked perfectly,” I said proudly. “So, if you shape teleportation magic as a standing portal, multiple people can pass safely through.”
Alexia, Layla-chan, Luna—well, Luna the furball she’d become—and I stepped out from the gate I’d made, straight into the annex courtyard.
”Teleportation is convenient, sure,” I sighed, “but it guzzles mana like crazy.”
Orphen-san had nearly killed me in training every day, so my magic reserves had grown immense—but even I had limits. Use it too much, and the well would run dry someday.
””Alexia-sama! We’ve been waiting!””
”Yura! Sara! I’m back, the~re you a~re!” she squealed, flinging herself into their arms.
The twin maids hugged her with quiet grace. “Welcome home, Alexia,” they said together.
Yura and Sara weren’t just attendants—they’d served Alexia since infancy, wet nurses turned guardians. No wonder they didn’t flinch when we stepped out of a magical gate. Professionals, the both of them.
And beautiful too. A real waste they weren’t romanceable in the game version of our world. No events, no special routes. What a crime.
The doors groaned open—[CLANK].
”Shin-sama! You’ve returned—thank goodness!” Yorn, the maid, came running, breathless and… well, distractingly so. I nearly started panting too before Alexia jabbed me in the back.
”Yorn-san,” I said, trying to sound composed. “What’s wrong? Oh, I brought you some Genkaku mushrooms!”
I handed her a basketful. Her eyes lit up. “Oh, these make you feel so floaty and happy inside!”
Yeah… about that. Definitely a bad batch again. I’d have to retrieve them before someone started seeing colors.
She gasped. “Ah! I almost forgot! Lord Hyde requests your presence at once—back at the main manor.”
”My father?” I blinked. “But it’s almost sunset. I should take Alexia home first.”
”Alexia-sama and Layla-sama are to attend as well,” Yorn added.
”Attend? Attend what?”
”The welcome banquet, my lord. For Saghir-sama—and the Scarlet family’s guest.”
Oh no. This was it—the moment the game had always foreshadowed.
My dear older brother… and the Scarlet house.
Could it be? His lover… the heroine herself?
* * *
(Seyfried Main Estate)
”Wow,” I whispered as we stepped into the grand hall. “For a sudden party, there’s quite the crowd.”
It felt… orchestrated. Like half the court had been waiting for this.
”Shin-kun,” Alexia said shyly, twirling in a silver-embroidered white gown. “It’s my first time wearing a dress. Do I look okay?”
”You’re beautiful,” I said honestly. “Even more than Queen Elaine of the Fairy Kingdom.”
”Hehehe, thank you, Shin-kun!”
And there it was—the warm flush, the innocent smile. Ugh, so adorable.
Layla tugged at her own skirt. “Shin-sama, is it really okay for a maid-in-training to attend?”
Her black dress shimmered modestly in the light. “You’ll be fine,” I said. “After all, in the capital you’re—”
[BOOM!]
”The honorable Saghir-sama and Hollow-sama of House Scarlet have arrived!”
The doors flung open—and the night truly began.
Notes:
• Sara – One of Alexia’s new maids sent from the Churidince family. She is described as sharp and composed. Twin; has a graceful smile.
• Yorn – A maid who is easily delighted by Genkaku mushrooms (implied hallucinogenic). She informed Shin of the banquet.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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