“The time will come when I will lead the family, but won’t knowledge from books alone be enough? There is a saying that it is better to see something once than to hear it a hundred times.

“But aren’t you already handling some of the family’s affairs?”

Count Diharman scowled, but Yoris didn’t budge.

“That is only the right of a successor. What I really want is the real advice needed to run the family.”

“What’s the rush?”

“There is no rush. It’s better to prepare in advance, while there’s still time.”

Count Diharman could sense it – no matter what he said, his son would not back down. 

And as he watched Yoris’s resolve harden with each passing moment, a new thought took shape in his mind. 

‘Maybe I should just let him meet Duke Fraser.’ 

He knew well that Duke Fraser didn’t like the unexpected, but seeing his son speak with such unwavering determination, he thought that perhaps arranging a meeting might not be such a bad idea after all. 

Even before he had considered inviting Duke Fraser to a formal dinner prior to the passing of the title, his thoughts had already begun to shift in favour of Yoris’ request. 

But despite his growing inclination to agree, Count Diharm hesitated. With a somewhat uneasy expression, he asked, 

“Is that the only reason?”

“Is there any other reason that needs to be said?”

Yoris replied confidently, but his gaze flickered slightly – drifting up and to the left, betraying the thoughts he left unspoken. 

Count Diharman watched him closely. He couldn’t decide whether to be proud that his son had been raised with such honesty that even the smallest lies seemed difficult for him to tell, or to scold him for his lack of discretion – an essential skill to survive in the ruthless world of politics and business. 

One thing was certain: Yoris was hiding something. 

And if he was keeping a secret from his own father, it was almost certainly related to their recent quarrel. 

The matter of Count Romand’s illegitimate child – a figure who, after years of instability, had suddenly been brought into their household and treated with unexpected care.

It was widely rumoured that Yoris had fallen in love with her at first sight when she made her debut at the banquet two months ago. 

Count Diharman, aware that forbidding or reprimanding such a romance would only fuel its intensity, had chosen to turn a blind eye. But now, as the time for marriage approached, Yoris remained unwavering. 

“How long are you going to keep this up?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean Count Romand’s daughter. If it were just a fleeting admiration, I might understand. But this has gone on far too long. 

“She’s a good person.” 

“That’s not the point, and you know it!” 

“I don’t want to hear it.” 

As Count Diharman recalled their last argument – or rather, the one-sided exchange in which nothing was properly communicated – his expression darkened with frustration.

“Don’t tell me…” 

“In this case, I trust you will support me, so I will proceed with it.” 

Before Count Diharman could say another word, Yoris bowed his head and left, his resolve as firm as when he entered. 

Staring helplessly at the closed door, Count Diharman rubbed his temples and sighed deeply. 

“What kind of love is that… Haa.”

Yoris’s stubbornness was beyond frustrating, but after some thought, Count Diharman finally decided to grant his son’s request. 

Not because he was swayed by Yoris’s unusual reasoning – but because he hoped a meeting with Duke Fraser might bring his son some much-needed clarity. 

“Send a message to Duke Fraser’s household.”

As the saying goes, “strike while the iron is hot”, and Count Diharman was not one to hesitate. Without delay, he made his way to Duke Fraser’s residence. 

—

Count Diharman had no difficulty in securing a meeting with Curtis. 

His visit wasn’t just about Yoris – it was simply a matter of arranging the timing of an already scheduled appointment. 

“It’s been a while, Duke. I had another appointment, but I postponed it because of some things on our side. Luckily the timing worked out.”

“Yes, it has been a while. Don’t worry about the timing. You’re Count Diharman after all.”

“Haha, when you say it like that, it feels like you’re flattering an old man.”

Neither of them were the type to engage in unnecessary small talk, so after exchanging a few brief pleasantries, they quickly got down to business. 

“…For this quarter, this is the expected budget.”

“That seems reasonable. However…”

With efficiency befitting their reputation, they quickly settled the business matter between their two families. 

Now that the discussion was over, a hush fell over the room. The tea between them had grown lukewarm. Normally, Count Diharman would have quickly finished his tea and left, but today he remained seated. 

Noticing his hesitation, Curtis finally spoke. 

“Do you have anything else to say?” 

“Yes. It’s just… when I actually try to bring it up, it suddenly feels a bit ridiculous.”

As Count Diharman hesitated, Curtis met his gaze and gave a subtle nod, his expression unreadable. 

“Go ahead and say it.”

Looking at Curtis’s perfectly sculpted, statuesque face, Count Diharm felt a strange sense of reassurance. No matter what he said, it wouldn’t shake Duke Curtis Fraser. 

“Yoris is eager to meet you. I hope you’ll find time to see him in the near future.” 

“Yoris, you say?” 

“Yes, my son. He’s about your age, Duke.” 

“Yes, I’ve seen him a few times at official functions.” 

Curtis remembered the young man – he bore a resemblance to Count Diharman, but had a much softer, more youthful appearance. 

“I’ve been receiving letters from him for months now, all requesting a meeting.” 

“Months, you say? I must apologise. I hope he hasn’t been a nuisance.”

Count Diharman sighed briefly before continuing.

“Yoris has set his sights on your family. Oh, not in an unusual way, of course.” 

After a serious nod he continued.

“In the future, as head of our family, he believes that your principles are very close to his ideals.” 

Count Diharman spoke evenly, though he suppressed a slight, embarrassed smile. 

Goals and ideals.

Those were words usually spoken by children admiring their parents – figures who were alive, present and had successfully led their families. 

When Yoris had first mentioned such lofty aspirations, Count Diharman had felt the urge to respond, to temper his son’s expectations. But in the end, he had held his tongue. 

An unconventional nobleman. 

Ever since Curtis Fraser had inherited the title of Duke at a young age, many heirs of his generation had looked to him as a model to follow. Count Diharman was well aware of this. 

And though he allowed himself a small, awkward smile, he fully understood why.

Though both men led their families with strength, the reason the name Fraser had become synonymous with perfection was none other than Curtis Fraser himself – the young Duke who sat before him. 

“Are you preparing to step down as Count?” 

The direct question, without any attempt at subtlety, struck Count Diharman. He sighed softly, unable to suppress his weariness. 

“I have been preparing for this for a long time. I believe the time has come. But…” 

After a short pause, he hesitated before asking, 

“What do you think of Yoris? Please give me your honest opinion.”

Curtis tilted his head slightly. 

“Do you need my opinion?” 

“Yes.” 

Count Diharman set down his teacup, a silent gesture that he was willing to listen. Curtis, however, remained unchanged – his posture steady, his expression unreadable as he replied in his usual composed tone. 

“He has strong convictions and the right attitude, which are clear strengths. However, he lacks the foresight to anticipate the consequences of his actions and struggles to determine what should take priority.”

Curtis’s assessment was sharp and precise, pinpointing Yoris’s strengths and weaknesses without hesitation. Count Diharman, despite his natural inclination as a father to see his son in a kinder light, could find nothing to refute. 

When a judgement is so objective and undeniably correct, there’s no room for anger – only a quiet sense of defeat. 

With a weary sigh, Count Diharman let his shoulders drop and sank deeper into the sofa. 

“If he doesn’t understand the consequences of his actions and struggles to set priorities… then the truth is, there is another reason why I want Duke Curtis to meet Yoris.” 

He stifled another sigh and continued. 

“Two years ago, Yoris began to show interest in the daughter of a noble family…”

From Count Diharman’s lips – usually reserved when it came to family matters – words began to flow, laced with complicated emotions regarding Yoris. 

In truth, Yoris had not been openly spreading rumours of his desire to pursue Irvelyn. His actions had been subtle. He simply sent regular short letters, and when their paths crossed in public, they exchanged brief conversations and small, modest gifts. 

Nothing excessive. Nothing scandalous. 

And yet, for some reason, there was a sense that something was wrong.