When Lusian returned to his room, he found an unexpected visitor: Caleb. At the sight of him, Caleb offered a greeting tinged with both courtesy and caution.

  "Brother, I see you've recovered."

  Lusian arched a brow, surprised by the visit.

  "Are you here to fight over Isabella too, like Leonardo?" he asked with faint disdain. "Let me make this clear—I have no interest in her."

  Caleb shook his head, a trace of irony in his smile.

  "No, that's not it. But… beating him like that was a bit excessive. It might have been wiser to challenge him to a formal duel."

  Lusian shrugged indifferently.

  "I didn't have time to drag out something so insignificant. So why did you come?"

  "I just… came to give you some advice," Caleb replied, his tone turning serious. "Try not to get into trouble. Father is far too busy to deal with this kind of nonsense."

  A sarcastic smile curved Lusian's lips.

  "Since you came to advise me, I'll return the favor: stay away from Isabella. Women only bring trouble. And if you won't listen to that, then at least never leave the academy alone. You're the heir to the duchy—there are plenty in the empire who would gladly take advantage of a single lapse in judgment."

  Caleb looked at him with genuine concern.

  "Thank you for the warning. I'm only worried about your safety. We don't have to be enemies, do we?"

  "Of course not," Lusian replied, his voice cold and distant. "I have no interest in carrying all those responsibilities. That's what you're for."

  Caleb nodded, half-smiling at his brother's ambiguity.

  "So that means you're leaving all the hard work to me?"

  "Yes," Lusian answered. "Work hard and give it your best."

  Caleb rose to his feet, preparing to leave. His expression carried both respect and a subtle challenge.

  "Understood. But don't think I'll let you wander around completely unchecked."

  At the end of the month, the students were granted a five-day break before returning home. When Lusian left the academy, Albert, Charles, and forty-two escort knights were waiting for him. As he stepped into the carriage, he was surprised to see Emily already seated inside.

  "What are you doing here?" Lusian asked. "Don't you have a way back to your own mansion?"

  "It's not that," Emily replied. "Duchess Sofia invited me to dine with you. I believe she wants to speak with us."

  Lusian raised a skeptical brow.

  "Speak with us? We haven't done anything wrong…"

  Emily fixed him with a firm look.

  "Really? You beat Kara excessively and attacked Prince Leonardo without cause. Isn't that doing something wrong?"

  "I still haven't dealt with Prince Andrew or Niel Sneider," Lusian muttered under his breath. "And Kara will probably need a harsher lesson than last time."

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  Emily frowned in concern.

  "You need to restrain yourself if you don't want trouble."

  "Shouldn't you inform your family that you'll be delayed?" Lusian asked.

  "Albert already took care of that," Emily explained. "He told me about the duchess's invitation when I was leaving with my brother."

  During the ride, Lusian spotted someone in the distance—a familiar adventurer. He recognized him immediately: Keitaro Macallister, the Hero of Kairos, God of Space-Time. At once, Lusian ordered the carriage to halt and instructed Albert to gather every piece of information available about the man.

  Emily blinked in surprise. "What's wrong?"

  "It's nothing important," Lusian replied coolly.

  The restaurant was an imposing five-story building. A butler guided them through each floor: the first modest, the second more ornate, the third lavish, and the fourth and fifth truly magnificent. Lusian caught sight of Alessia Ferrussi, the king's concubine, along with Count Tobi Macallister and his children, as well as Duke Derek Sneider. Finally, they reached Duchess Sofia's table, where Lusian and Emily took their seats.

  Duchess Sofia appeared visibly displeased as she addressed her son.

  "It seems that my dear son—whom I have raised to become a great noble—is not conducting himself accordingly. Therefore, you will be punished. Once we finish at the academy and return to the duchy, you will train with Albert every day from dawn until dusk. No rest."

  Lusian blinked, surprised by the severity.

  "Don't you think you're overreacting over trivial matters, Mother?"

  Alessia, who had been observing from a distance, approached the table with her retinue of maids. Her bearing was firm, her gaze authoritative. Though she held no formal noble title, her influence as the mother of a prince carried undeniable weight.

  "Duchess, may I have a moment of your time?" Alessia asked, her tone respectful yet resolute. "There is an important matter I wish to discuss."

  Sofia responded impatiently. "Make it brief. I am reprimanding my son."

  "It won't take long," Alessia assured her.

  They stepped aside.

  "I assume you've heard what your son has done," Alessia began.

  "Yes," Sofia replied calmly. "I will ensure he reflects on his behavior."

  "I believe I should be informed of those measures," Alessia countered, a thread of challenge in her voice. "My son is the one affected."

  "That will not be necessary," Sofia said coolly. "Our family affairs concern only us. No one may interfere—not even the king. If you wish to cause a commotion over something so trivial, you are free to try. I doubt it will prove useful."

  Alessia frowned inwardly. This woman has no idea what the empire might do if this continues. I will not allow the Douglases to have their way.

  Sofia, sensing the tension, added with quiet disdain, "The Douglases have never bowed their heads to anyone—and we will not begin now."

  Alessia withdrew with determined grace, casting Lusian a warning glance before returning to her table.

  Sofia rejoined Emily and Lusian.

  "There's no issue," she said lightly. "But dealing with proud people is always tiresome."

  Emily hesitated. "Lady Sofia… what if the king intervenes?"

  "Emily," the duchess replied firmly, "you are already part of this family. You must carry yourself with the dignity your status demands. Even if a member of the royal family dares to disrespect you, you will uphold your own honor—and ours. I will not hear that you were slighted and allowed it."

  Emily straightened. "Yes, ma'am. I will remember that and will not dishonor the Douglas name."

  Lusian leaned toward her and whispered, "Don't worry. I'll handle that."

  Sofia noticed their closeness and spoke with gentle warning.

  "Do not indulge her too much, Lusian. She must learn—just as you did."

  "Don't be so strict, Mother," he replied with a faint smile. "Let her learn at her own pace."

  After dinner, Sofia, Lusian, and Emily took a stroll through the city center, leaving citizens astonished at the sight of a massive lion walking calmly through the streets beside them. When they reached the central park, Lusian paused before a fountain crowned by the statue of Aurora Celestia, Goddess of Light.

  Just then, a knight approached Sofia with news: Queen Adelaine had issued a summons.

  Lusian escorted Emily to the Carter mansion, where they were received by Count Daniel and Manuel.

  "Welcome, Lord Lusian," Count Daniel said warmly. "Congratulations on your outstanding performance at Faldmord Academy. You now rank among the top fifteen warriors."

  "Thank you for your refined courtesy," Lusian replied with a hint of irony. "Regrettably, your heir does not appear to share the same education."

  "Lusian, don't be resentful," Emily interjected quickly. She shot her brother a sharp look. "My brother has reflected on his behavior. Haven't you?"

  Manuel lowered his head slightly.

  "The academy is the academy, and nobility is nobility, Lord Lusian," he said respectfully. "Here, you have my full respect. I hope you can understand."

  "Very well. I understand," Lusian replied with a nod. He turned to Emily. "Have a pleasant evening."