Chapter 36
Ethan was, by nature, a disciplined and principled man.
He was extremely busy, but his daily routine was fairly simple. Wake up just before dawn, train, take a shower, and eat a light breakfast. Then proceed with the scheduled tasks and handle his work. If there was too much to do, he’d simply sleep less.
Even if he had carried out an operation until the early hours and was on the verge of collapsing, once the sun rose, he would still pick up his sword. Better to move than to complain.
Putting off tasks didn’t make them disappear. The sooner you got them done, the sooner they were over. Skipping training was no different from poking a hole in a tower painstakingly built. His world was simple and clear.
A clean, well-organized world — that was how Ethan liked it.
Even Crown Prince Tristan and his sister Greta shook their heads in disbelief, calling him a fanatic for swinging a sword with mud and blood still clinging to him. But he only did it because he could.
What he couldn’t understand were people who could do something but chose not to.
“It’s suffocating, seriously. Who on earth would live with someone like you?”
“If there’s someone who’d live with you, then surely there’s someone for me too. The world is a big place.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Greta, I heard you’ve been skipping training lately.”
“I had no choice. That person only has time at that hour. I’m still attending the required sessions, so it’s not a big deal.”
“If you’re not going to take it seriously, just quit.”
“I was going to quit even if you didn’t say that. But Tristan won’t let me. Maybe he’ll give up once I get married…”
“Honorifics. Use them.”
“You’re so picky! You’re really suffocating, Ethan.”
“I’m just saying follow the rules.”
“Well, aren’t you perfect.”
“Compared to you.”
“You never let a word slide. Want me to make a prediction, Ethan?”
“You’re going to say nonsense again.”
“People like you, when they fall in love, totally lose their minds.”
“Hah.”
“It’ll take you ages to realize it. You’re suspicious and slow.”
“Me? Stop talking nonsense, Greta. You’re just too trusting — that’s not the same as me being suspicious. And you’re the one who’s slow.”
“You’re the only one who doesn’t know how slow you are. That’s why Tristan always teases you.”
“…This isn’t worth responding to. How many times do I have to tell you to use honorifics?”
“Listen up, my idiot little brother.”
“Speak like a human. Don’t bark.”
“You’ll spend your whole time doubting and second-guessing, then end up falling in love without realizing and trip over your own feet. I really hope I’m there when that happens. It’ll be worth teasing you for ten years.”
“I’m leaving. This is going nowhere.”
“You’ll see. When you fall in love, you’ll regret all the nagging you gave me. You’ll realize I was actually the calm one.”
“Calm one? You?”
“By the time you’re banging your head against the floor with regret, it’ll be too late.”
“If you’re so eager for me to curse you out…”
“When you fall in love, don’t resist it needlessly. Just accept it. Love’s like an accident or natural disaster. The more stubborn you are, the more you’ll lose. Look at me. I fell in love at first sight and wisely went after him the moment I realized it.”
“That still doesn’t justify skipping your training like it’s breakfast. Your undisciplined lifestyle is your own responsibility.”
“I’m a victim of an accident, I tell you. Would you force a patient to train?”
“You sure have a talent for shameless nonsense.”
“I’m a woman of many talents. Beautiful and dazzling.”
“…”
“Anyway, if someone as guarded, suspicious, and efficiency-obsessed as you suddenly becomes irrationally generous, watch yourself.”
“Why? Are they an assassin trying to kill me or something?”
“God, what kind of thoughts do you have in that head of yours…?”
“Only righteous ones.”
“I swear it’s so unfair. You’re the weirdo, but no one ever sees it…”
“Hmph.”
“If someone does something incredibly stupid but still looks adorable to you, don’t regret it later. Just grab them. Like I did.”
“…Grab them like you did? Are you saying I should threaten them with a sword and yell, ‘They’re mine, so back off!’?”
“When I do it, it’s romance. When you do it, it’s a crime. Don’t do that.”
“…”
“Listen well to your big sister.”
Pointless memories surfaced.
Ethan frowned and wiped his mouth. In his head, he reviewed the day’s schedule.
He didn’t need to go to the palace. Tristan had been unusually quiet since that day, which bothered him, but he didn’t feel like confronting it first.
Just thinking of Tristan’s sly expression as he talked about the tutor made Ethan want to avoid him even more. As a ruler, he respected Tristan. As a man? Not trustworthy at all.
If only Tristan were too busy to even breathe, then Ethan wouldn’t have to worry about this nonsense.
‘Is he only busy during wartime? He should be buried in paperwork.’
Ethan decided he’d suggest to the emperor and chancellor that they review the crown prince’s work environment. Even a rake like Tristan couldn’t ignore his father’s oversight.
‘Nothing urgent today.’
Had Carlo heard that, he would’ve reminded Ethan of the mountain of paperwork waiting for the Duke of Battenberg’s signature in the study.
Ethan said, “Johann. Bring out three horses and prepare the tack.”
“The tack? Wait—three horses?”
“One of them should be for a child.”
Johann tilted his head but didn’t ask further, simply bowing. His face was full of questions, but the fact that he didn’t voice them was the very reason Ethan hired him.
Instead, Carlo answered with a wide grin.
“The tutor and young master are in the small hall.”
“Did I ask?”
“Nope, just an old man’s nonsense. By the way, Johann, did you hear? Today’s lesson is dancing.”
Ethan snorted at the obvious bait. Regardless, the butler, whose guts had grown recently, continued speaking to the confused attendant.
“The tutor always lets me know what’s needed for class. For today, we had a tailcoat made for the young master. He looked just like an angel in it.”
“An angel?”
Johann, unable to agree, responded stiffly. Carlo shamelessly went on.
“Isn’t his face angelic?”
“Uh… yes…”
“The tutor only requested the tailcoat, but how could I stop there? I made sure everything was prepared, even without her asking…”
“Um, but why are you telling me all this…?”
“Just talking to myself.”
“Why while looking at me?!”
“As you know, no less than His Highness the Crown Prince asked our tutor to be his partner.”
“What are you trying to say? More importantly, did you have to say that in front of His Grace? I’m so uncomfortable right now…”
Exactly. Ethan leaned back in his chair and chuckled softly. It was ridiculous how blatantly the old fox tried to meddle. Clearly, he was trying to make a match. Strangely, it wasn’t even unpleasant — just funny.
For a man who once roamed battlefields with a sword, it was absurd to see him scheming to pair up people with no hidden intentions. Laughable, really.
“I’m just worried, is all. She might not have a dress suitable for a ball…”
“She’ll handle that herself!”
“Johann, you heartless man!”
“Me?!”
Johann jumped in frustration. He might not be overflowing with warmth, but he wasn’t cold-hearted either.
“Oh, if I had known the master would allow riding lessons so easily, I’d have gotten something better prepared…”
“And that has what to do with me…?”
Just before Johann could explode, Ethan cut in.
“Carlo. That’s enough.”
“Can’t an old man even mutter to himself?”
“If you’re so concerned, speak to her directly. If it’s about class prep, then do it yourself.”
“As you command.”
Carlo grinned and bowed. Johann, still clueless about what was going on, just blinked.
He couldn’t understand why the butler wanted to prepare the horses and tack himself.
Greta had died from a fall off a horse. Carlo, having played his tricks once before, didn’t want to rely on anyone else again.
His long-winded speech about preparations was because of that. His side glance while bringing up Agnes — that was just him being nosy.
Ethan left Johann and headed toward the small hall Carlo had mentioned.
A dress… she probably doesn’t have one, does she.
She didn’t even have a proper gown for a royal ball, so what had she been thinking, accepting the crown prince’s proposal?
Ethan clicked his tongue inwardly.
I can’t let someone under me suffer embarrassment.
He decided he’d tell Carlo to get her a good dress. Might as well get matching accessories and shoes too. That wouldn’t be hard.
“One, two, three.”
“No, wrong! Yo?”
“Timothy, are you tone-deaf?”
“No I’m not! Yo! I got it right—hey! No, teacher! Remember, you’re taller than me!”
The graceful, slow music was nearly drowned out by the lively chatter.
The sharp click of shoes echoed across the floor. Ethan peeked through the half-open door to the hall.
The navy-accented tailcoat against a white base fit Timothy perfectly. Even from the back, Carlo’s eye was clearly on point.
Agnes, too, wore a dress of matching color, making them look like a perfect pair. Her light brown hair was neatly pinned up, exposing her slender neckline — enhancing her elegance. Once again, Carlo’s eye was spot on.
“Oh?”
Agnes, smiling toward Timothy, blinked. She’d spotted Ethan.
As she tilted her head in mild curiosity, a radiant smile spread across her face.
And that was the moment—
Thump.
His heart gave a violent lurch.
Finalmente um badum, espero que ele melhore a relação com o sobrinho logo. Me irrita um pouco ele só demostrar interesse pela tutora.