“Easy.”

I looked at the men, all pale as death.

They were envoys sent from the Western families.

“V-Viscount Urtol has conveyed that he will not participate in the Western Preliminary Warrior Competition.”

“From the Marquis family of Richeur as well...”

“And the Viscount family of Isbol too!”

The envoys from each family all looked pale.

Of course, the reason was—

“Krrk.”

—my dragon, Lagon.

When Lagon let out a light throat growl, the servants flinched and stepped back as if they might be devoured at any moment.

Even if the heads of the families had come, their expressions would likely have been similar.

Our retainers greeted the servants with crooked smiles.

‘They are clearly very annoyed with the other Western families.’

A retainer with a swallow-tail mustache spoke quietly.

“Just a few days ago, those who kept pestering about when the Western Preliminary Warrior Competition would be held are now acting like this.”

Other retainers smirked and nodded in agreement.

“Yes, our lady was pushed hard even though her health hadn’t recovered.”

That was it.

The Western families had acted arrogantly because of my condition.

I had just recently recovered from collapsing.

‘And I’m still receiving treatment with help from Philippo.’

They must have thought my condition was extremely serious.

So they judged that if the warrior competition took place now, they would win.

The envoys from other families cleared their throats awkwardly.

Though called envoys, they were all high-ranking nobles entrusted with major family duties.

‘It’s natural they would be displeased by such blatant mockery.’

Viscount Debussy, who sat at the highest seat among our retainers, smiled gently.

“Don’t be so harsh.”

Then the swallow-tail mustache retainer frowned.

“The other families were the ones who acted too much first. To demand a warrior competition at such a time...”

“Haha, that’s a stretch. Surely they weren’t intentionally pressing for the competition to exploit our lady’s health?”

“Who can say?”

“A noble family would never take pleasure in a child being ill.”

Viscount Debussy raised his eyebrows as he spoke.

Though pretending to defend the other families, everyone knew the truth.

‘You all are despicably petty.’

That was exactly what it meant.

So—

Who would dare exploit a child’s poor health?

They had no guts at all.

And to be overturned with a single dragon’s roar?

Pathetic and mean-spirited.

—That was the meaning.

The envoys from other families looked awkward.

Meanwhile, our retainers were delighted.

‘Rightfully so.’

Astra’s reputation had fallen to the bottom after several incidents.

False mourning threads appearing at the public office, Ayla attacking me and then fleeing...

Because of those, people said /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ ‘Astra isn’t what it used to be.’

But now, with Lagon’s dragon roar, the whole country realized—

‘The danger of Astra.’

While our retainers chuckled, I said,

“But it really is a pity.”

The envoys from other families looked at me.

“Yes?”

“You are all excellent people; if the Preliminary Warrior Competition had happened, I would have learned a lot.”

“Ah...”

“Your temperaments are truly admirable! You stepped back because it wouldn’t be fair to compete against someone still recovering.”

“Yes?”

“This must be the dignity of nobility!”

I widened my eyes and feigned innocence.

‘Gotta help them save face.’

Everyone’s pride was their life.

‘Taking care of pride like this builds stronger ties with other families!’

Though I was scheming inside, the nobles from other families visibly relaxed.

“Well... yes, of course!”

“Yes, hahaha.”

“To think you are so considerate of the young ladies at such a young age, truly admirable.”

Their eyes were full of favor toward me.

“You became a warrior without a Preliminary Competition, but who would doubt your skill?”

“Our lord is greatly pleased that the West produced such an outstanding warrior.”

With the mood lightened, the compliments flowed freely.

Honey seemed to drip from the eyes of our retainers.

“I just did what I learned from my grandfather!”

The back of my grandfather’s hand twitched beside me.

He cleared his throat but looked satisfied.

I added lightly,

“I also followed Dad. Dad is Astra’s finest warrior!”

So everyone, don’t forget.

Who Astra’s finest warrior is.

Grimier is no match for Dad when it comes to strength.

I grabbed my grandfather’s arm with both hands and smiled brightly.

The retainers looked at me with proud expressions.

And from afar, waiting, Conrad and Han Ji-hyuk were—

“As expected.”

“Those schemers...”

They shook their heads, clicking their tongues.

Of course, I gave a sly smile.

‘Well then, the Western warrior position is mine.’

Now I could return to the imperial capital.

It was time to rise properly.

It didn’t take long to get to the imperial capital.

We had a teleportation taxi.

“Richmond, are you okay?”

“...Yeah.”

Richmond’s ability was better than the teleport taxi.

‘I worried the blessing stone for my movement was broken, but thank goodness it wasn’t.’

While I was down, Richmond had evolved the blessing .

It had developed to level 2.

Now it could move a 2-ton weight about 200 kilometers.

Movement was a very special blessing, so little data remained on it.

‘A genius after all.’

Still, we had to move luggage and people in several trips to the capital.

Richmond rubbed his forehead with a tired face.

“Haaa...”

“Hah—!”

I was startled by the huge sighs around me.

Looking around, the maids (and, surprisingly, some male servants too) were making enchanted faces then quickly turning away.

‘So many people sighing at once, it’s really overwhelming.’

I pretended not to notice.

Then the maids whispered.

“Richmond is becoming...”

“Yes, getting bolder...”

“Very charming...”

Richmond rested his head on my shoulder.

“I think I need to rest.”

“Are you very tired?”

Worried, I cupped his face with both hands, and he faintly smiled.

“If I rest, I’ll recover.”

“Don’t you need a healer?”

“I’m fine. How about you?”

“Me? What am I going to do?”

“Hm?”

“I think I should go out for a bit. The young ladies in the capital invited me.”

At that, Balzac, who was sprawled on the sofa, frowned.

He also helped with the capital trip thanks to his blessing.

Because he had strengthened Richmond’s blessing.

“That’s ridiculous! It’s the first day in the capital; the family should eat together!”

“The first day was last time. This is a return.”

“Then let’s eat with the family to celebrate the return’s first day.”

“The young ladies already have plans. And Dad left immediately, so no family meal.”

“Then it will be a sibling meal.”

“Joshua has plans today too. What was it again?”

When I looked, Joshua, who was taking a book out of a suitcase, raised his head.

“A club meeting.”

“Club? You joined a club, big brother?”

“Yeah. It’s called the ‘Warm Watchers of Rabbits’ club.”

At that, Balzac, I, and Richmond, who was about to sit on the sofa, all made strange faces.

“Big brother, you like warmly watching rabbits?”

“Well, I do like animals.”

Balzac made a disgusted face.

“You like rabbit stew though. Do you eat what you like? You don’t possibly...”

Then he suddenly hugged me from behind.

“The reason you like Erilot is—!”

“Stop the nonsense, Balzac.”

“This guy is like a squirrel too. Just as cute as a rabbit!”

“Since you have a head, try using it to think.”

“Eril, don’t go near that pervert. He might turn you into stew.”

Still hugged by Balzac, I thought,

‘Warm Watchers of Rabbits club?’

Joshua’s taste was really not mine.

If there was a reason to join a club not matching his taste...

‘Ah.’

A lightbulb flashed above my head, and I nodded.

“There are two dukes from the Paangte family there too.”

Joshua’s eyes widened a little.

“You knew? It’s top secret.”

‘Still top secret, huh.’

There’s a terrifying Duke Youngshik who secretly likes small animals like rabbits.

So he’s the hidden host of that club.

“Yeah, well. I’ve been hearing news from the capital.”

“Oh, last time you got close to Miss Paangte.”

Balzac quickly lost interest in our conversation.

He played with my hair as he spoke.

“Nobles really only care about gathering in groups.”

“......”

“......”

“......”

Joshua, Richmond, and I all looked at Balzac with half-lidded eyes.

Balzac looked back and said, “Huh?”

“Balzac, you should try caring about social groups like the others.”

“Does that idiot even know why everyone’s interested in social groups?”

“Balzac is a loner.”

Richmond sighed, and Balzac frowned.

“It’s annoying!”

“Why does everyone want to go to the capital? Because of the connections you can only make there.”

I pulled my hand away from Balzac’s and put my hands on my hips, looking at him.

“It’s especially important if your family is fiercely competing for succession like ours.”

“Baby, are you mad?”

“Follow Joshua. Balzac isn’t at all like a big brother.”

“What?!”

“The big brother spot should go to Joshua. Make him second in command now.”

Balzac looked extremely shocked.

Joshua chuckled and slung his arm over my shoulder.

“If that happens, I can also join the ‘Club for Advocating the Rights of Second Sons,’ Erilot.”

“Joshua, you’re amazing!”

“On the way out, how about we buy some scones as gifts for the young ladies? There’s a nice bakery.”

“Sounds good.”

I left the room happily with Joshua.

Behind us, Balzac’s embarrassed gaze stuck.

Balzac stared out the window with blazing eyes.

Joshua was escorting Erilot, giggling.

“Joshua, your back won’t break from all that, Balzac.”

Richmond’s remark made Balzac explode.

“Isn’t big brother angry?”

“What?”

“That bastard stole Erilot away with just a few words!”

“He said what was true.”

Richmond crossed his legs and glanced at Balzac.

Dad, Daymond, was trying hard for his children.

He repeatedly risked his life for their peaceful future.

The children also had duties to fulfill for their father.

‘Joining a club meeting is easy compared to that.’

Where blades flew and death was always near.

But...

‘Recently, Joshua has been unusually close to Erilot.’

Though he acted indifferent, Richmond’s eyes narrowed.

Balzac, not as clever as Joshua but perceptive, quickly caught on.

“Even when Erilot was being treated, he’d pretend to tell her about the manor’s situation, then gossip for hours before leaving.”

“That was excessive.”

“Even when I said I’d tell her, he said ‘Balzac wouldn’t know anything, Erilot. I’ll explain,’ and took over.”

He did the same to Richmond.

When Richmond tried to explain, Joshua said, “I know you’re busy, big brother, but I’ll explain better, Erilot,” and snatched the spot.

‘So cunning.’

“Thinking about it, I guess Joshua has been taking my place since we were young.”

“......”

“Even after you were adopted, right?”

“......”

“If this continues, ‘Erilot’s most beloved big brother’ will be Joshua.”

“That can’t happen.”

Balzac and Richmond found Erilot adorable too.

They already had three big brothers, and had no chance to advance...

‘Only to be snatched away by the cunning one again and again.’

Richmond’s eyes flickered.

“So? What do we do?”

“Push him away.”

“He’s your twin brother. How can you be sure he won’t betray you?”

“Big brother.”

Balzac sighed and grabbed Richmond’s shoulders.

After lowering his head for a moment, Balzac lifted his face lightly.

His gaze burned fiercely like he was about to enter battle.

“Is the title ‘Erilot’s most beloved big brother’ more important than being twins?”

“No... never.”

“Then will you form an alliance?”

Balzac held out his hand.

Richmond smirked.

And—

Clap.

Their hands clasped.

This was the beginning of the first ‘Brotherly War’ over the title of ‘Erilot’s most beloved big brother.’

They didn’t know.

Erilot had other big brothers too...

The carriage wheels stopped.

I got out of the carriage and looked up at the building.

‘So this is the salon under the name of Marchioness Paangte.’

A playground for underage noble ladies.

Dahlia often went there, but it was a place I could only dream of in my past life.

“Milady! Welcome!”

Rumelisa Paangte greeted me with a bright face.

“Hello, Milady.”

“Long time no see.”

“Yes.”

“Come on, come upstairs. Some special guests have come to see you.”

“Special guests?”