IPMPBB 34

Chapter 34

“I… ahem.”

Michael stepped a pace away from me and cleared his throat.

“I’m glad you understand.”

He spoke in a tone that sounded deliberately brusque, as if trying too hard to be distant.

‘The mood is kind of nice, actually.’

But that good mood didn’t last long.

“Then tell them you’re not joining the subjugation.”

Because Michael immediately dropped that not-quite-a-command.

“You know I can’t do that.”

I shot back instantly. One of Michael’s eyebrows shot up so high it might as well have flown away.

“Didn’t you just say you understood me?”

“I do. But if I want to keep my position as captain, I have to participate in the subjugation. And… I think the Marquis would want that too.”

Michael’s expression hardened at the mention of Marquis Elvington.

As expected, the Marquis probably believes I should participate. But then why is Michael so opposed?

Could it be… he’s genuinely worried about me?

Given how Elia always calls him an old geezer and Michael loathes being called “brother” by her, it didn’t seem likely.

But still, it was hard to ignore the way he’d come rushing out earlier like he really meant it.

Is it safe to assume these siblings have a classic love-hate relationship?

Anyway, back to the problem at hand.

“If the Marquis himself opposes my participation, then I’ll step down.”

At my words, Michael furrowed his brows, clearly at a loss for words.

“So he supports it, right? Then that settles it.”

I turned to head back into the mansion.

“…Father wouldn’t want you seriously injured again either.”

Michael spoke in a low, sunken voice.

That took me by surprise.

“Actually, after your duel with Sir Girotti last time…”

Michael seemed ready to continue when—

“Oh my, Elia! You’re home early today.”

A chillingly familiar voice rang out from behind us.

I turned to see a middle-aged woman with scarlet lips and an elegant smile.

It was Lady Doris.

Ugh. Couldn’t be more unwelcome!

I’d thought I’d been avoiding her well enough. Why did she have to show up now?

I forced a smile through internal screaming.

“It’s been a while…”

“…Lady Doris.”

Despite her being the Marchioness of Elvington, I purposefully used “Lady Doris”—a title that emphasized her diminished standing.

Her brow visibly twitched.

Not so nice when the worm bites back, huh?

Not that I’m a worm. And she’s definitely not a cat.

Doris barely smoothed her expression.

“Good. You finally know how to greet me properly, Elia.”

She spread open her fan with a flourish.

The breeze carried a strong whiff of her perfume.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but your voices were loud enough that I caught bits about the Latham Valley subjugation.”

I didn’t confirm or deny.

Michael glanced between us with a confused look.

“Seems like Michael is worried it’s too dangerous for you to go, Elia.”

Lady Doris shot him a subtle look.

“And you, Elia… seem reluctant to bow out due to pride.”

That actually surprised me. Since when did she care to shield my pride?

“If that’s the case, I have just the solution.”

Lady Doris sparkled her eyes behind the fan.

“Send Zachary in your place. The Elvington name stays honored, and your pride stays intact. How about it?”

I let out a dry, deflated laugh.

So that’s your angle, huh.

She just wanted to clear my spot so Zachary could slide in.

With family troops to protect him, no doubt.

And he’d ride off Carlos’s achievements—just like I always had to.

When will Lady Doris realize Zachary will never take my place?

“Well? What do you say—should Zachary go instead?”

Clearly not today.

I turned to Michael, who winced in visible discomfort.

He’d realized that if Doris was after the position, I had to stay.

Michael nodded, reluctantly but firmly.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

I spoke to Lady Doris, clearly and decisively.

“What? But Michael, you didn’t want Elia going either—”

Doris clung to him immediately.

Michael let out a deeper sigh this time.

“That’s true… but I’ve changed my mind.”

“I now believe Elia should participate in the subjugation.”

“What?!”

Her face flushed with barely-contained rage.

“Father wants it too. So let’s not argue this further.”

Michael sealed it with finality.

…Not long ago, he was going against the Marquis just to keep me out.

“Well, isn’t that something…”

Lady Doris stared at us in disbelief.

When did those two become so in sync? her eyes seemed to ask.

“Very well. I’ll take my leave for now.”

Having nothing else to say, she left swiftly.

I watched her retreating figure and swept back my hair with a sigh.

Joining a subjugation should not be this hard.

Just when I thought the obstacles were gone…

“I gave you permission, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten the danger.”

Michael spoke again, only after confirming Lady Doris was out of earshot.

“Excuse me?”

“You can join—on one condition.”

“Which is?”

“You’ll train with me for one week to sharpen your skills.”

“What?!”

I blinked. Where did that come from?

“But my right hand is—”

“Don’t worry. I won’t throw you into some reckless endurance match.”

Which somehow made me worry more.

“What if I refuse?”

“Then we’ll take another risk and send Zachary instead.”

“…”

He’s serious. Completely serious.

I could tell from the steel in his voice that he wouldn’t back down.

After a short—very short—deliberation, I nodded.

“…Fine.”

If I’m going to the subjugation, I do need to be stronger.

And Michael’s not just anyone—he’s the commander of the First Imperial Knights, the most elite unit on the continent.

“I’ll do it.”

“Smart choice.”

He looked half-satisfied.

“When do we start?”

“What do you mean ‘when’? Today, of course.”

“…”

Of course it is.

“We’ll eat first, right?”

“You’ll train before eating and after.”

“…”

“Follow me.”

Michael summoned a servant to take my horse and clear the training yard.

I had no choice but to follow him to the makeshift arena.

“Pick up a wooden sword, Elia.”

He gestured toward a rack of training weapons.

I carefully chose one, preparing myself for whatever was coming next.