Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

Riley Miles was in a foul mood.

Even though it was a command from his father and grandfather, he was displeased about spending his valuable time on kids coming up from the countryside.

To make matters worse, he had to wait for several days without knowing when they would arrive.

He had no say in the matter, nor an outlet to vent his frustration. In the family, the words of his father and grandfather were absolute.

Showing dissatisfaction was unthinkable and unacceptable, something he understood well.

Thus, as he endured the tedious waiting, he finally received word that the ones they had been waiting for had arrived.

He decided to meet them himself, but the reaction of the invited siblings was unexpectedly indifferent.

“Why should I go?”

Christian responded casually, sitting in his usual slouched posture, looking up at Riley.

Riley’s expression grew icy at Christian’s rude remark.

“Uh, elder brother Christian, maybe you should be a bit more careful with your words…”

Riley wasn’t the only one reacting to Christian’s attitude. Sonya, with a pale face, hurriedly grabbed Christian’s collar while observing Riley’s expression anxiously.

It seemed that Sonya was not the only one, as Caedwin and Liber also wore similar expressions.

Christian appeared clueless about the situation, as if he didn’t understand the reactions.

“Did I say something wrong? Do we have to go whenever we’re called?”

It would be different if it were a summons from the king, but otherwise, there was no need.

Particularly when someone comes to command like a superior, even a saint would develop a sense of rebellion.

‘Who are you to order us around?’

There weren’t many who could issue orders to him. It was true in the past and remained unchanged in the present.

Unless it was his parents or Aira, he had no obligation to comply with such words from someone he had never met before, nor any desire to do so.

“You…”

“Please, wait.”

Riley, who was about to say something, was interrupted by Aira, who cautiously stood up from her seat.

She straightened her clothes and, after offering a respectful bow, spoke directly to Riley.

“Are you elder brother Riley Miles?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Aira Worden. I’ve heard about you from Mother.”

“Hmm.”

Mentioning Liana seemed to slightly soften Riley’s arrogance.

Liana wasn’t simply an aunt but someone who was on the same level as his father, a respected elder in his eyes.

Aira, realizing the tension had eased a bit, sighed in relief and spoke.

“We were planning to visit soon anyway, so you didn’t need to come in person.”

“If so, let’s go now. I’ve prepared a carriage, so follow me.”

“Yes, although…”

Aira nodded slightly and glanced at Christian, who still wore a discontented expression, as if he might throw a punch if provoked further.

Given that they had been bickering for months, she couldn’t help but be certain.

Therefore, to prevent the worst outcome, Aira forced a calm smile.

“Christian just arrived here, and he needs to visit his maternal family, so he can’t come with us.”

Though family, the siblings had different maternal families.

Christian’s maternal family was the politically renowned Ferdida Marquisate among the central nobility of the royal capital.

Aira implied to Riley that it was neither possible to forcibly bring him along nor appropriate to treat him harshly like this, infusing her warning with hope that he wasn’t too foolish to understand.

“I know. Grandfather has already spoken with Marquis Ferdida and has given his permission.”

“What? Did Marquis Ferdida really allow that?”

“Yes.”

Despite Riley’s calm demeanor, it was a surprising piece of news.

Considering the decorum and face-saving nature of nobles, it was hard to believe that Marquis Ferdida would grant such permission.

As everyone struggled to believe, Riley spoke with a frown.

“They have agreed that you two, or rather everyone who came together, can stay at the Ferdida Marquisate for half a day today.”

Why would they negotiate such a deal without consulting the concerned parties? Yet, even that was a considerable concession from the Miles Viscounty.

It allowed them to officially invite the heirs of a powerful family from Rangar as guests, even at the risk of losing a bit of face.

Clearly, the deal favored the Ferdida Marquisate, leaving them little choice but to accept it. Of course, the opinions of Christian or Aira, the actual participants in this deal, were neither solicited nor considered.

“Then…”

Nevertheless, the children couldn’t argue against such agreements. Had the family elders not decided, they would have complied reluctantly…

“I said no.”

“……”

Christian waved dismissively, as if he didn’t care. His insolent attitude made Riley’s expression ruthless and icy.

“Please, wait…”

Unable to bear it, Aira gently pulled Christian aside, nudging him towards a corner to speak with him alone.

“Why won’t you go?”

“It’s because I’ve never lived a life where I have to come and go as ordered.”

“What nonsense is that?! It’s already decided by the adults. It’s not about what we want or don’t want…”

“When did you start listening to the adults?”

“What?”

As Christian disdainfully picked his ear, Aira clenched her fist tightly. But Christian continued, averted from Aira to glance at Riley sharply.

“They decided for us, so we must follow? Then what you’re doing now contradicts what your parents decided, right?”

“Huh?”

Aira flinched at Christian’s words.

“We’re here in the capital solely to deliver a New Year’s letter to His Majesty the King. Visiting our maternal families is entirely our personal choice. Being ordered around by our maternal families would be an insult and disrespect to the Worden County, wouldn’t it?”

“……”

“We are here bearing the name of Worden on behalf of our father. You are Aira Worden of the Worden County, not someone from the Miles Viscounty or the Ferdida Marquisate.”

Aira realized that Christian’s defiance wasn’t mere sulking but a reaction to Riley’s attitude, which seemed to disregard the Worden County.

Christian’s words caused Aira to rethink her stance. She was part of the Worden County, not the Viscount Miles or Ferdida Marquisate.

Although it was her mother’s family, her mother was also a part of the Worden County.

“Even if we have to be polite, we shouldn’t have to bow down. Even if it’s to our maternal family.”

“…… Alright.”

Conceding to Christian’s reasoning, Aira nodded with a sense of realization.

“So, go tell them to buzz off.”

“You do it, you do it. And didn’t we agree to be polite?!”

Such a statement would earn one a slap rather than politeness, so Aira pushed Christian’s face away and sighed softly. Then she approached Riley, bowed slightly, and spoke.

“I apologize on behalf of my brother for his discourtesy.”

“You’re not at fault, but learning to take responsibility for the mistakes of those under you is necessary if you are to lead the family.”

Riley looked away from Christian with annoyance and showed a hint of goodwill towards Aira, acknowledging Liana’s successful upbringing.

“But I must decline your invitation.”

“…… What?”

Riley’s expression hardened at Aira’s subsequent words. She lifted her head, now free from any signs of hesitation.

“We are representatives of the Worden County. We are not obliged to comply with decisions made by our maternal families.”

“What are you implying? Are you saying you will defy the decisions made by the Viscount Miles and Marquis Ferdida?”

“We belong to the Worden County, not the Viscount Miles or Marquis Ferdida families.”

“……”

Riley was momentarily dumbfounded by Aira’s clear line drawing, unable to respond due to the unexpectedness of her stance.

“So, please leave. Once our official tasks are completed, we will visit.”

“You…!”

In an attempt to break down this barrier, Riley stepped towards Aira, baring his teeth. However, someone interposed themselves between Aira and Riley, halting him.

“Stop it. If you intend to forcibly take them, the Cotra family will formally lodge a complaint with the Royal Council.”

“Cotra?”

At the mention of Cotra, Riley paused, recognition flickering across his face before he scowled.

“Ah, you. Liber Cotra.”

Riley’s expression transformed into a smirk.

“Once a lowly creature at the academy, now standing tall under the name of Worden.”

“You haven’t changed at all. Still the same.”

Recognizing each other, courtesy dropped between Riley and Liber. After a moment of mutual glaring, Riley averted his eyes and spoke to Aira and Christian.

“I will report this incident to my father and grandfather.”

“Go ahead and tell them you’ve been bullied by much younger folks.”

“Ugh!”

Riley ground his teeth at Christian’s shrugging provocation. Unwilling to engage further, he turned and left the dining room.

At this, Aira sighed softly, while Christian maintained a nonchalant expression, and approached Liber.

“You seem to know elder brother Liber. What’s the story?”

“We were academy classmates. We were in the same swordsmanship department.”

“Miles family in the swordsmanship department?”

Given the Miles Viscounty’s reputation for civil service, the choice to study swordsmanship seemed puzzling. Liber offered some explanation.

“With two older brothers, he had to choose something else.”

“An unavoidable choice, I suppose?”

“Exactly. An unavoidable choice. But…”

Liber continued with a wry smile,

“Though it was a choice made without alternatives, his talent was unreachable.”