Sir Gareth stood before Duke Gareth with an almost arrogant confidence. His youthful face showed not a hint of remorse.

Duke Gareth, a towering figure, was exasperated beyond words at the sight of his son blocking his path so defiantly.

At just eighteen, it was natural for him to be stubborn and rebellious. But the duke found it unbearably frustrating. He took a moment to steady his breath and gazed at Sir Gareth.

Sir Gareth understood what that gesture meant.

‘He’s mad. But why?’

Squaring his shoulders, Sir Gareth spoke boldly, as if challenging his father.

“Entering the academy, building connections, and earning prestige—isn’t that the rightful ambition of any noble youth in Uranus? So why are you against it? Are you ashamed of me?”

Duke Gareth let out a heavy sigh.

“Philip Wiscombe.”

Sir Gareth hesitated. The confidence he had exuded just moments ago wavered slightly.

The duke continued.

“You think I wouldn’t know? I heard you and Philip Wiscombe had an argument. Right in the middle of the city, no less. That brat has lived in the capital his whole life. Did you really need to pick a fight with him? And what? You, a mere boy, think that just because he’s from a ducal house, he’s the same as you?”

“Philip Wiscombe— that cunning snake—started mocking me the moment he found out I was a Gareth. He made it sound like our family barged in and took over by brute force, intimidating other houses. That’s not true. Even if both Wiscombe and Gareth hold ducal titles, we are different. Gareth has shed the most blood for the empire. Of course, we’re different!”

Duke Gareth sighed in exasperation.

“The Wiscombes talked their way up to their position. Did you think you could win a battle of words against him? The entire capital is already gossiping about how Gareth is ‘on a different level’—that we’ve once again displayed our arrogance. No doubt the Wiscombes are behind it. And now, you want to enroll in the academy just because Philip Wiscombe will be attending?”

“I’m confident in myself. Even my instructors said I’d be the top student there. I can put an end to this nonsense about Gareth being ignorant brutes. Just because someone lacks physical strength doesn’t mean they’re all intelligent or capable. Yet, they dare to put on airs in front of me…”

Duke Gareth could no longer hold back and shouted.

“I’m not worried that you might fail your studies, nor am I concerned that you might appear inferior to Wiscombe. Do you really not know what I’m worried about?”

Sir Gareth responded.

“Well… Are you saying the problem is that I engaged with Wiscombe in the first place? Should I have ignored the provocations of insignificant people?”

“I do dislike Wiscombe, but they are far from insignificant. Answer me again!”

With a face full of dissatisfaction, Sir Gareth replied.

“Um… I don’t know. It just feels like Father doesn’t trust me.”

Duke Gareth sighed and then spoke.

“What do you think you’ll do in the future? How do you see your future?”

“Well, I will succeed you—”

Duke Gareth interrupted his son again.

“And what is it that I do?”

“You lead House Gareth.”

“Lead House Gareth? How? With what? You say Gareth is different from other houses? In what way?”

“Well… Because it’s Gareth…”

Duke Gareth shouted.

“That is exactly why I won’t let you go to the academy!”

Sir Gareth fell silent. His tightly shut lips seemed filled with stubbornness. Duke Gareth let out a series of frustrated sighs. After a long pause, Sir Gareth finally spoke.

“May I give you my answer tomorrow?”

Suppressing his anger, Duke Gareth replied.

“Fine. Think about it carefully.”

Once Sir Gareth had left, Duke Gareth muttered under his breath.

“Knowing too well that he’s talented is a problem in itself.”

Thus, their exchange continued. Even after the next day and the day after that, Duke Gareth remained dissatisfied with his son’s answers and shook his head.

“I will achieve outstanding grades at the academy while strengthening ties with the imperial princes. I will elevate Gareth to the greatest house in the empire.”

“I will showcase Gareth’s martial and scholarly prowess to the world.”

“I will establish my own network from the academy and expand Gareth’s influence in the capital to rival that of House Wiscombe. Then, I will thoroughly crush Wiscombe.”

“I will inherit Father’s will and make Gareth’s military power the strongest in history.”

A week later, Sir Gareth finally lost his temper at Duke Gareth.

“Just tell me why you don’t want me to go to the academy. If I don’t find your answer convincing, I will give up on seeking your approval and leave home to enter the academy on my own. I hear their scholarship system is excellent, so I have no concerns.”

Duke Gareth replied.

“I believe you are intelligent. Even as my son, I must admit you have an impressive way with words. As you said, I have no doubt your academic performance would be strong. There are still areas where you are lacking, but you are quite capable of managing subordinates.”

Though Sir Gareth was still breathing heavily from his anger, he gradually began to calm as he listened to his father’s praise.

Duke Gareth continued speaking.

“That is why you must not go to the academy. As the heir of House Gareth, you are intelligent and possess exceptional personal combat skills—it’s natural for you to be proud. You would easily gather friends who would flatter you and cater to your moods. You would fight Philip Wiscombe, sometimes winning, sometimes losing, and gain fame in the process. As you said, you would build your own faction at the academy, one that could later become a significant political advantage.”

Sir Gareth nodded at every word with a serious expression. Duke Gareth, finding his son’s renewed confidence after a few words of praise pathetic, continued.

“But there is no need for you to learn such tricks at a young age. People challenge us not because we lack strength, but because we possess it. Since they cannot take our power away, all they can do is mock us. They fear us. Their provocations are nothing more than a desperate attempt to mask their fear.”

Duke Gareth’ eyes gleamed with pride as he spoke. He gripped Sir Gareth’ shoulder firmly and said,

“The strength of Gareth comes from the soldiers who are willing to lay down their lives for us. Those who gather under our name spill their blood under our banner. This is the answer I wanted from you.”

Sir Gareth looked as if he had realized his mistake. He opened his mouth, seemingly ready to respond, but Duke Gareth was not finished. Gazing at his son’s still-youthful face, he spoke with greater seriousness than ever before.

“What makes Gareth truly Gareth? We are the Empire’s sword. Our duty is to protect and save the Empire. The power struggles between factions and noble houses are secondary matters.”

Sir Gareth felt a shiver run down his spine at his father’s words. Duke Gareth looked directly at him and said,

“You must go to the territory and experience firsthand the people who are willing to bleed for you and for Gareth. Even if you have no desire to learn about the filthy schemes of the capital’s nobles, the time will come when you will know them. Those things become clear as you grow older. But understanding Gareth, leading Gareth—that is something you can only truly grasp by living it.”

Sir Gareth felt as if he was beginning to understand the purpose of this long conversation. Duke Gareth, seeing the intelligent glimmer in his son’s eyes, continued.

“For one year, go to the territory instead of the academy. Train alongside ordinary soldiers. You will see how incompetent, immoral, and unethical some of them can be. You will witness men who lie and deceive for the smallest gains. You will feel disgusted by humanity. And yet, despite all that, they willingly lay down their lives and shed their blood under the name of Gareth. Find out why.”

Sir Gareth gazed at his father with newfound seriousness. Duke Gareth, nodding slightly in approval, added,

“And after one year, you may decide whether to go to the academy or not. When that time comes, I will send you wherever you wish, under the name of Gareth. Now, make your choice. Will you stay in the territory for a year as I have instructed, or will you run away from home?”

Sir Gareth replied,

“I think I finally understand. I now see what you were worried about, Father. That I have surrounded myself with people like me, that I mocked and pointed fingers at Wiscombe while trying to be like him—that it was all a mistake. I have caused you concern.”

He lowered his head before continuing.

“I can give up the academy. Right now, even. But in return…”

Duke Gareth tensed as he waited for his son’s next words.

“I will go to the territory and stay there until you deem it sufficient. I will not be greedy to return to the capital before then. But in exchange… let me marry whomever I choose. Even if I decide to marry a penniless woman I meet on the street… or even if I bring a Wiscombe and say I will marry her.”

Duke Gareth roared in fury.

“Anyone but Wiscombe! But fine—I will allow you to marry whomever you want, regardless of status. Now, go at once!”

Sir Gareth hurried out of the office, shouting back,

“Father! I don’t like Wiscombe either. I just threw that in because it would be unfair if I simply obeyed without protest. At least this way, I get to make you angry once. It makes me feel a little less wronged—since I’ll be spending my youth covered in dust!”

Even after his son had left, Duke Gareth fumed.

“How dare he even mention marrying a Wiscombe?”

Sir Gareth chuckled to himself as he began preparing to leave for the territory as ordered.

***

The next day, Sir Gareth gave Parma a few words of advice before his departure.

“You are a Gareth. Walk with your head held high at all times! And if anyone dares challenge you beyond their station, just let me know—I’ll handle it. It doesn’t sit well with me to leave someone as delicate and soft-hearted as you on your own.”

Fifteen-year-old Parma responded in a rebellious tone.

“What are you talking about? Father is alive and well, so why do you worry so much? Honestly, I’m relieved. I won’t have to see the messes you create anymore. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I’ve been because of you? I haven’t even gone to social gatherings because of you—not because I’m soft-hearted.”

“That’s exactly what being soft-hearted is. And what do you mean, ‘messes’? When have I ever—? Where else could you find an older brother as great as me?”

Duke Gareth scoffed.

“Who did he take after to love attention so much?”

Sir Gareth, mounting his horse, shouted back,

“Must be you, Father.”

Duke Gareth frowned.

“Ridiculous. Where would you find anyone as composed as I am? Are you saying I jump up and down just because people look at me?”

Parma glanced around before saying,

“You’re my father, so who else would he take after? You’re not going to blame Mother, are you?”

“Your mother was like that too…”

Duke Gareth started to speak but then closed his mouth. Parma looked at him in surprise.

“Are you saying my brother takes after our mother?”

Duke Gareth sighed.

“I wasn’t planning to say this, but… I think he does.”

Sir Gareth smirked.

“Blaming our late mother—Father, that’s too much. Everyone in the capital who meets me says I look just like you.”

When Parma turned to look at Duke Gareth, he continued.

“Your mother was quite endearing. She loved making things and sharing them with people. She enjoyed inviting guests and surprising them. If she hadn’t died giving birth to your younger brother, you, too, would have been busy flitting between parties and social gatherings.”

“I don’t remember much about Mother. But I do recall that there were always lots of people around her.”

“Yes, that’s right. She was truly delightful. Unlike that brat.”

Sir Gareth shouted the last part as he took hold of the reins.

“I might just refuse to marry out of spite, as revenge against you. Be prepared.”

The duke shouted after his son, who was already riding away.

“That would only make your life harder! You’re the kind of fool who’d stand on your hands just to get a woman’s attention. As if you’d stay unmarried…”

As Duke Gareth and Parma entered the mansion, he remarked,

“At least he went to the estate without a fuss. Imagine what would happen if he attended the academy in the capital with that personality of his.”

“Didn’t you send him away because you were embarrassed by the trouble he caused? Every time he got into a fight, the entire capital was in an uproar.”

“No. If he had stayed in the capital, he would have gathered followers. He’s confident, sociable—people would have flocked to him. And among those followers, there would have been some with twisted minds but considerable talent. Then what do you think would’ve happened?”

“Are you saying my brother would have been dragged into something ridiculous?”

“Exactly. He’s not an idiot, and he doesn’t have a bad personality. But he enjoys leading people, which means even the most eccentric types would be drawn to him.”

“I thought you sent him away to keep him from clashing with Philip Wiscombe.”

“Oh, Philip Wiscombe would have provoked him, no doubt. But Wiscombe aside… That Stefano brat needs to eat more dirt before he becomes a proper person.”

Parma nodded in agreement. Stefano Gareth was popular. She hadn’t told her brother, but many young ladies and noblewomen had approached her, hoping to use her as a way to get closer to Sir Gareth.

And Parma disliked people who approached her with ulterior motives. She had even skipped a few social gatherings because of it. While she admitted to having some vanity, she thought Sir Gareth’s was far worse.

“He’ll probably have to stay at the estate for about ten years, right?”

“Most likely. That way, he’ll be useful as a commander. In the meantime, Parma, you should enjoy the capital as much as you like—just like your mother did.”

“Yes, Father.”

Duke Gareth felt both pride and sorrow whenever he looked at his children. Parma and Stefano resembled their mother. But they also took after him. That was why he missed his wife so much, and why he felt joy in seeing traces of her in their faces.

Parma asked,

“Are you sure I can live as I please? Even if people call the Gareth family arrogant?”

“Of course. You are my daughter. I said all that to your brother, but if people say the Gareth family is arrogant, it’s because we have the right to be.”

Parma nodded.

“That’s true. We do.”