Chapter 11
“Brother, you’re going to train in martial arts?”
“Rian, is that for real?”
Rian fully understood the reaction of the mother and daughter. The previous lord had disliked studying, yes, but he disliked martial arts training even more.
He had absolutely detested — no, hated — the idea of wasting time lifting heavy swords and sweating as if in a rainstorm.
Rian nodded firmly, his expression serious, to instill confidence in the two women.
“Yes, I want to start training seriously, even if just as exercise. Becoming a Sword Master might be difficult, but I should at least be able to protect myself. You can expect that, Mother.”
Of course, what Rian would actually train in was not martial arts but magic. From now on, he planned to dedicate more time to magical training, just in case.
It would be nice to have a reliable bodyguard, but Rian thought it even better to be able to protect himself.
“Brother… you’ve changed so much…”
Regina’s gaze still carried some doubt, but she could not deny it completely. Seeing Rian’s recent actions, she could barely recall his old self.
It was astonishing that her brother, who had avoided learning anything necessary for his role as lord and only liked to play, could change so much.
Though time would tell, she had a sudden sense that worrying beyond this point might be pointless.
“Lord Rian, a boy named Scott has come to see you.”
As Rian was enjoying a lively conversation with the two women, Alman announced a visitor.
“Scott?”
Regina, hearing the name for the first time, asked Rian with her eyes who he was. A similar curiosity appeared on Owen’s face.
Rian stood and replied.
“He’s a boy I met some time ago. I called him because I have a small favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Yes, something like that.”
Ignoring Regina’s curious look, Rian greeted his mother and followed Alman out.
Scott was waiting for Rian in the study rather than the reception room, as per Rian’s instructions.
“Ah, greetings, Lord Rian!”
Scott, who had been nervously scanning the room while seated on the sofa, quickly jumped up and bowed as Rian entered.
Rian walked to the opposite side and sat down, asking Alman for a simple snack.
“Don’t just stand there — sit down too.”
Even after Alman left, Scott did not move, so Rian encouraged him to sit. Only then did Scott, stiff and unsure, carefully take a seat, glancing at Rian.
Wow!
Rian could not help but silently exclaim. Up close, the lord was stunningly handsome — “beautiful” might be a better word. His smooth skin and the delicate, flowing curves of his face invited an almost irresistible desire to touch.
Scott, staring into Rian’s seemingly calm yet unfathomably deep obsidian eyes, thought to himself that he had never seen someone so beautiful.
“Did you see everything?”
“Uh… yes?”
Scott flinched at the sudden question, speaking in a high-pitched voice. Rian smiled at his reaction and got straight to the point.
“Do you remember what you said before?”
“Pardon? About what…?”
“You said you’d do anything if I let your sister go.”
“Ah, yes. I remember.”
Though months had passed, Scott vividly remembered that day’s gratitude. He had been desperate enough to think he could die in exchange for his sister’s safety.
He would never forget the lord’s kindness — freeing his sister without demanding anything in return and even reducing taxes.
“I’ll do anything! Just tell me what to do!”
The fear Scott had felt upon being summoned vanished, replaced by burning enthusiasm. His resolve to do anything for Rian filled his eyes.
Before losing his sister and family, Scott had always been like this: easily fired up and quickly cooled down.
Rian had been upset to see how cold and harsh Scott became when alone. Seeing his old self again brought back memories and lifted Rian’s mood.
“It’s not difficult, but it’s a task that requires caution. Are you up for it?”
“Just tell me what to do. As long as it doesn’t require much thinking, I can handle it.”
“You might need to use your head a little.”
“…How much thinking?”
The shadow of doubt briefly crossed Scott’s confident expression. Rian, holding back a laugh, explained.
“You’ll be working in the stables, keeping an eye on someone. You’ll report to me what they do, who they meet, and any other actions, without letting them notice. Can you do that?”
“Just report what I see?”
“Yes, without letting them notice.”
Rian nodded, locking eyes with Scott. Slightly startled by Rian’s sudden seriousness, Scott soon made up his mind.
“I think I can do that. Just acting busy while keeping an eye on someone shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“You’ll report at the agreed time every day, but on days with suspicious behavior, you must run to me immediately. Someone’s life is at stake.”
“…A life?”
“Yes, a very important person’s life.”
Scott swallowed hard, intimidated by Rian’s solemn expression.
“But who am I supposed to watch?”
“Bertram.”
“Who’s that?”
“He’s in charge of the stables. Alman knows, so start today. Your name’s Scott, right? If you succeed, I won’t forget your efforts.”
“Efforts? No, that’s not necessary!”
Scott was already grateful that Rian remembered his name — but now being promised ‘efforts’ made him almost speechless. Could this really be the lord whose youth was notorious for being obsessed with alcohol and women?
Rian’s importance of this mission was clear. “And as you’ve probably guessed, this must remain a secret between us. No one else — not your family, not even close friends.”
Rian emphasized the word “friend,” knowing Scott’s personality would normally make him want to tell his friends.
“Remember, even a small mistake could cost a life. If this mission goes well, you and I could even become friends.”
“Friends… with the lord?”
“Yes. I’m the same age as you — fifteen. Didn’t you know?”
“Oh… I knew. But do you know my age too?”
“Of course. I know everything.”
Rian leaned back on the sofa, arms crossed, teasing Scott.
“Name: Scott, age: fifteen. Good at stone tossing. On hot days, you like swimming naked in the creek by your house. Dreamed of being a knight charging across battlefields on a magnificent horse, wielding a spear. And at this age, you liked Johanna, right?”
“How… do you know?!”
The longer Rian listed his traits, the wider Scott’s eyes grew. When Johanna’s name was mentioned, he froze, utterly flustered.
No one knew Scott liked the maid Johanna except his close friends. The thought that the young lord somehow knew sent chills down his spine.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone,” Rian said, smirking mischievously.
Just then, a knock and the maid’s voice were heard.
“Lord Rian, I’ve brought refreshments.”
“Come in.”
A maid entered with a tray and set it on the table. Scott, still recovering from the shock, froze again.
By coincidence, the maid was none other than Johanna — the same Johanna Rian had just mentioned.
Rian stifled a laugh, watching Scott stare blankly at Johanna until she left the study.
“Just a warning — if Johanna distracts you and you neglect your duty, you’ll have to face the consequences. But I trust you won’t disappoint me.”
“That won’t happen. I like Johanna, yes, but I won’t disobey your orders because of it,” Scott said firmly, his pride roused by Rian’s words.
Rian, understanding Scott perfectly, nodded and gestured toward the door.
“Alman will be waiting outside. Go to him.”
“Yes, I’ll see you later.”
As Scott stepped outside, Alman immediately called him over.
“Follow me.”
Alman explained Scott’s tasks as they walked. Scott half-listened, distracted by thoughts of his earlier conversation with the lord.
‘…Wait a minute.’
The way the lord had spoken to him had been strange — friendly, like talking to a peer rather than a subordinate.
No wonder Scott felt so at ease, yet a little uneasy too. If anyone else had seen them, they might have assumed Scott and the lord were close friends.
‘No way…’
Scott shook his head. Ridiculous. Friends with the lord? Impossible.
He had to focus on the mission. Though Rian’s words were gentle, his eyes were deadly serious. Any mistake now could be disastrous.
Scott pushed aside wandering thoughts and focused on Alman’s explanations.
Ten days passed in a flash. Every morning, Scott reported Bertram’s movements to Rian before starting work.
He didn’t know whose life was at stake, but he worked harder than ever. Fortunately, the job wasn’t very difficult.
Bertram rarely left the stables and mostly just gave orders to the lower servants.
As a result, Scott’s daily life was a bit boring, but there was one joy — snack time.
“Wow, this tastes incredible!”
Scott bit into a cheesecake topped with whipped cream and fruit, letting out a deep sigh of delight.
“Claude, should we ask for one more?”
Scott pouted as the cake dwindled. Claude, understanding the meaning of the request, scowled.
“You know this is the second one already, right?”
Among the castle servants, strict seniority rules applied. Scott, being new, was at the bottom.
However, despite Claude being more senior, they were close friends. When alone, Scott had no problem making requests like this.
