Meyer Count Family.
Until Bell Meyer, the first patriarch established the family, the Meyer clan was just an ordinary swordsmanship family.
The status of the Meyer clan changed when Bell Meyer became an Aura Master and reached the Sword Star level.
Bell Meyer wasn’t a person with much ambition for power. Unusually for someone who had reached mastery, he pledged loyalty to the emperor.
Overjoyed by this sudden pledge, the emperor bestowed upon the Meyer family the title of count and the epithet “Sword Guardians of the Empire.”
“That is the history of our family.”
“I remember studying this?”
“Ho, so you do remember.”
The home tutor smiled faintly and held up the test paper he had just seen. Upon seeing that test paper, I flinched and turned my head away.
“You got the name of the first patriarch wrong, why we were granted the title wrong, what our family does wrong… Do you really remember?”
“Er, it comes back when I hear it, but before then, not quite.”
“People say that’s called not remembering. Let’s study again, Young Master.”
“Eeek─.”
Seeing my reluctance, the home tutor shook his head disapprovingly.
“Young Master, you are the eldest son of the Meyer family. You have the duty to lead the family.”
“But Dad doesn’t do any of that. All the work is done by the steward.”
“Not doing something and being unable to do it are entirely different matters. The Viscount handles tasks only he can do, while stewards take care of the minor paperwork.”
Realizing I couldn’t win this argument, I clicked my tongue and obediently focused on the assignments given to me.
Reading, writing, and arithmetic were very easy for me. After all, in this game-like world, Korean and Arabic numerals were used.
However, once I delved into serious studies, I inevitably found myself in deep thought. I specialized in arts, and I gave up studying back in middle school.
The home tutor sighed as he looked down at me struggling and whining about studying.
“Master, if you hate studying this much, you won’t grow up to be a great person.”
“The first patriarch didn’t become a viscount through studying but by being good with the sword. Doesn’t that mean studying won’t make me a great person either?”
Desperate to avoid studying, I unleashed my final move. Selling out the first patriarch, typical illogical stubbornness of a child.
But the home tutor, having dealt with such antics countless times before, pushed up his glasses and replied.
“The first patriarch reached the position of Sword Star. Sword Stars don’t need to study.”
“Such things don’t exist…”
“If you’re dissatisfied, then aim to reach the position of Sword Star yourself.”
Fueled by anger from the tutor’s words, I resolved to become a Sword Star.
After finishing my homework with great effort, I was about to dash off to the training ground when the home tutor grabbed me by the hand.
“Why now……?”
“And where do you think you’re going?”
“To train. I’ve finished my homework.”
“Young Master, surely you haven’t forgotten what day it is today?”
“What day……?”
He looked at me with a genuinely bewildered expression. Seeing him inwardly sigh deeply, the home tutor reminded me what day it was.
“It’s the day your fiancée arrives.”
* * *
A procession of over ten carriages entered the territory. Each carriage bore the same flag, symbolizing the Grace Duke family of the North.
No brave monsters or bandits dared to stand against the procession of the duke family, allowing them to safely reach the territory of the Meyer count family.
Count Karl, waiting at the entrance of the mansion for the arrival of the duke, patted his son’s shoulder as he saw the approaching carriage from afar.
“Kail, they’re here.”
“Yes, Father.”
“No need to be too nervous. Don’t worry.”
“Understood.”
Kail said this while turning his gaze towards the carriage. Honestly, he felt no tension at all.
The whole concept of a grand duke or fiancée didn’t really hit home for him.
Shortly after, the carriage entered the mansion grounds. The coachman stopped at an appropriate spot and quickly jumped down to open the carriage door.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Hmm.”
From inside, a stern voice accompanied the descent of a large, white-haired man. Kail realized the man possessed an extremely well-trained physique.
While naturally endowed with a good build, it was clear this body wasn’t achieved merely by eating and sitting around. It was the result of significant discipline.
‘Impressive…’
As Kail gawked at the man, a small girl followed him out of the carriage.
She had the same silver hair and pale eyes, her emotionless face resembling a beautiful doll.
Upon confirming his daughter’s descent, the duke immediately extended his hand to shake with the count.
“It’s been a while, Count.”
“It has indeed. Your Grace.”
“Now that we’ll soon be in-laws, there’s no need to be so formal.”
“How could I dare.”
Watching his father bow, Kail realized this man was no ordinary noble with a high status.
Count Karl was both the head of the Meyer count family, known as the Sword Guardians of the Empire, and a master who had reached the Expert level.
Not someone who could be subdued merely by rank. That meant……
‘This man is strong.’
The duke before him wasn’t just any duke; he was stronger than Count Karl.
Feeling Kail’s intrigued gaze, the duke’s blue eyes sparkled as he looked down at him.
Their eyes met, and Kail trembled slightly under the scrutinizing gaze that seemed to scan every cell in his body.
The duke, noticing Kail’s slight shiver, turned to look at Count Karl.
“Is this the count’s son?”
“Yes, my only son.”
“You’ve raised him well.”
The duke said this while starting to pat Kail’s head. Kail felt his hair ruffle and sensed the powerful energy flowing within.
“I’ll be counting on you.”
Walter Grace.
The master of the Grace duke family and a Master-level sorcerer who completed the Hexagram.
His future father-in-law.
* * *
Clatter, clatter-.
The sound of forks and knives scraping against plates filled the air. A tiresome silence reigned.
Having cut and eaten his food, the duke expressed admiration and praised the meal.
“You seem to have an excellent chef, Count.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“There are no talents like these in the North. Then again, ingredients are scarce there, so it can’t be helped.”
The duke wiped his mouth, then began to enjoy the food earnestly. Though she didn’t show it, the duke’s daughter seated beside him also happily ate.
In no time, the duke and his daughter emptied their dishes, wiped their mouths with napkins, and alternated their gaze between Kail and the count.
“Come to think of it, introductions haven’t been made yet.”
Duke Walter said this while looking at his daughter. The silver-haired girl, sensing his gaze, swallowed what she was chewing and spoke.
“…Yuri Grace.”
“—Kail Meyer.”
Kail, catching on, introduced himself with a bright smile. However, Yuri looked back at Kail with a doll-like, emotionless expression.
Wondering if she lacked emotions, Kail awkwardly chuckled and checked the duke’s reaction.
Her cold demeanor might be genetic, as even the duke appeared similarly icy while conversing with the count.
“In that battle…”
“Ah, you mean that. Back then, it truly was…”
With dinner finished, the conversation between the two family heads would likely be boring for a child like Kail. He decided to use a method only a kid could to escape this situation.
Ahem, clearing his throat to draw attention, Kail directly conveyed his thoughts to the duke.
“Duke, may I have some alone time with her?”
“—Ah, my apologies. Yes, it wouldn’t hurt for the engaged couple to spend some time together.”
Hearing Kail’s request, the duke nodded approvingly, granting permission for the two to leave. The count assigned a maid to accompany them before engaging in private discussion with the duke.
Once alone, the earlier friendly atmosphere vanished, replaced by a chilly ambiance dominating the dining room.
“The boy is bold.”
“He has excellent qualities.”
“Good qualities for a knight, but I wonder about as a family head.”
Taking a sip of tea, the duke spoke while looking at the count. The count showed little reaction to the duke’s words.
His eyes reflected certain expectations for his son, seemingly believing that even if he lacked somewhat as a family head, it didn’t matter.
Whether this confidence stemmed from youthful naivety or genuine genius remained to be seen.
‘I hope it’s the latter, but as a duke, I can’t afford to think that way. It’s rather sad.’
The Northern Grand Duke, Walter Grace, hoped his daughter wouldn’t live in a harsh northern land. To ensure that, connections with the central powers were necessary.
A family loved moderately by the imperial palace, unambitious for power, yet not too far beneath a dukedom when linked.
The Meyer family astonishingly fit those criteria perfectly. With proper handling, the Meyer family could serve as a bridge to the capital.
And—to control the Meyer family, the next generation head should be somewhat lacking.
The duke concealed his inner thoughts while looking at the count.
“I hope the children get along well.”
“Don’t worry about that. Kail is a considerate child.”
The count said this with a chuckle, confident that his son would charm the duke’s daughter accordingly─.
* * *
This mansion had several playrooms prepared exclusively for children. They were places I’d never used before.
The maid who led us to the playroom excused herself momentarily to fetch refreshments, apparently unaware of what might happen between two kids left alone.
Alone with Yuri, I turned to her and asked.
“Hey, is your mom well-endowed?”
“…Yes, she is.”
“Great. Let’s get along well.”
“…?”
Shaking her head in confusion, Yuri lightly shook hands with me.
Yeah, well-endowed, huh.
You, fiancée candidate passed.
