A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

Oldor could not accept the man who was his younger brother by blood.

It was simply strange. How could a child, who had received no formal training, surpass someone like himself who had swung a sword through blood and sweat since childhood? And all this within less than two months.

It felt as if all his efforts had been denied. It felt like he was told that it was impossible to bear the responsibility of leading the knight order. It felt as if he had lost all his worth.

He had always thought that talent and genius were just excuses for those who shirked effort.

That those who despised effort used those words as a derogatory label towards those who worked hard. Oldor himself had been called that and was never pleased.

But the truth is that talent did indeed exist, and he was too immature to admit it.

If this had been his natural-born younger brother, the story might have been different, but the other was merely an illegitimate child who suddenly appeared.

Oldor tried to resist the unfairness that was fairly presented to him, and quite naturally, he envied his brother and resented those around them who compared the two, as anyone would.

However, during their previous encounter, when Miss Rizel called those feelings "natural," he himself had been condemning them as shameful since childhood.

Cornered and yet his mind gradually calming after the figure he despised vanished from the mansion, his heart was shattered once again by the unexpected appearance of the man standing before him.

"You are too noble."

"Isn't that the right attitude for a knight?"

Bathed in the crimson light filtering through the window, Rei’s golden hair shimmered brightly as he teased with a smile. Oldor responded with utmost calm.

"And the marquess?"

"…Only for being rude to the guest."

Rei lowered his gaze slightly.

At that party, adventurers were invited guests. Oldor’s father scolded only that fact; there was no mention of Gilbert.

That was much stronger than being told “Don’t get involved.” It meant a complete severance with that existence. Cutting off all relations, devoid of any affection, merely becoming strangers again.

"I was just immature."

"My, my, you are truly stoic."

Rei shrugged theatrically when Oldor looked ahead and spoke.

The heads of the knights and the military police often met, as they were both entrusted with overseeing their respective orders.

The man before Oldor had always been like this.

"It would be easier to say ‘It’s his fault.’"

With a friendly tone and lively manner, he drew the other in, looking for something enjoyable with deep, unfathomable eyes.

"Are you mocking me…?"

"No, not at all."

Oldor frowned and groaned, but Rei only smiled deeper and raised both hands lightly, as if to say, "Calm down."

"I meant to say you should relax."

"…Please stop playing with words."

"You should enjoy wordplay a little more."

This was why they didn’t get along.

Oldor exhaled shortly to steady himself and stood up.

"The guest is leaving. Shall I see him off?"

"No need."

The elderly butler chief, who had been waiting in the room, opened the door.

Oldor grimaced slightly at the laughter heard from behind, then left the room. The corridor echoed only with the butler chief’s footsteps and was lined with paintings—tight but elegant.

"(Dungeon items, huh.)"

Unique paintings brought back by adventurers.

Many nobles loved them for their rarity; Rei was probably the greatest enthusiast.

"(Adventurers…)"

Oldor wondered if he still harbored resentment.

He was no longer a child ignorant of the world’s unfairness. There were people who could easily reach levels that normally took ten years. It was hard to understand, but these people did exist.

"(In any case, I will never see him again.)"

Like dropping a heavy burden from his shoulders, the tension drained from Oldor’s face.

‘Choose.’

He still sometimes recalled that gentle voice and pure gaze.

At that time, he could not answer, but now he surely could. He would sever all ties with Gilbert. That would surely bring relief.