Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Friendly Competition
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The vassals who had long governed the North alongside the family were mostly connected through marriage or blood ties.
Perhaps because of that, their conversations weren't much different from the casual chit-chat relatives share during holidays.
"With all your grandkids swarming around, you must be truly blessed."
"Tell me about it. Ah, my son has no plans to get married. Who knows when I'll ever see a grandkid from him..."
"What good are grandkids? My daughter just joined the central judiciary, and she dragged her husband and newborn up to the capital with her. I have no idea how empty it feels here now."
"At least it's better when the kids are young."
"Really?"
"My grandkid just had their engagement ceremony, and they're all sweet to their future in-laws but couldn't care less about their old grandpa here."
As the adults gathered, the talk was dominated by that holiday family vibe.
Just when I wondered if I needed to hear any more, Grandpa laid his deep, resonant voice over their chatter.
"Hmph. Come to think of it, Mariella's the only one who sticks to me like glue."
"......"
"I never even call for her, but every day she comes scampering to my study and hangs around for ages."
The vassals' expressions turned subtle at Grandpa's words.
Some even dropped their jaws to the ground, shock plain on their faces.
"Ah, well... Lady Mariella must really adore you, Your Excellency!"
"Hrm. That little peanut said she felt bad when I was under the weather, so she even learned some exercises. And let me tell you, it feels great afterward."
Stop!
Please stop...!
Listening to Grandpa's bragging from the bushes, I twisted and writhed in agony. All that fuss must have drawn eyes my way.
Grandpa's familiar voice called my name.
"Mariella, what are you doing over there?"
I finally snapped out of it and stood up, biting my tongue under the curious stares of the vassals looking down at me.
No helping it.
With things like this, I couldn't just leave Grandpa and bolt.
"Mawiwella's waitin' fow the wower wport, Gwampy!"
Go, full aegyo power!
"You saw it yesterday—why do you wanna see it again?"
The vassals burst into laughter seeing Grandpa's lips creep into a grin.
The woman with the most striking features among them smiled and spoke up.
"It must pain you to send such a cute granddaughter into the friendly match, Uncle."
Friendly match? What's that?
As I just tilted my head, the woman who spoke extended a hand toward me with a laugh.
"Hello, Mariella."
"Hewwo?"
"I'm your cousin-aunt, the Marchioness of Palenberg. First time seeing me in person, right?"
Cousin-aunt... that'd make her Dad's cousin, and Grandpa's niece.
I'd only heard she'd gone on a territory inspection with Erich, but as she said, this was my first time meeting her face-to-face.
She kinda looked like Grandpa, too.
After a quick, smiling introduction, the cousin-aunt muttered, "Oh, right—the friendly match," before continuing her explanation.
"A friendly match is just light entertainment you can enjoy only during the tournament season."
"What kinda thingy?"
"We brought a few young kids with us when we came up to the capital this time, didn't we?"
True, the main house had gotten a bit denser with little ones lately.
"Have you met my Lucas and Lavinia?"
"Yup."
Lucas Palenberg and Lavinia Palenberg.
The brother-sister duo from the Marquess of Palenberg's house were joining the main house lessons.
"Such adorable kids, aren't they?"
"Y-Yeah...?"
"Really, how can they be so lovable? Must be because they take after my husband. Oh, you haven't met him yet, have you?"
"Nope."
"My husband's lecturing at the academy right now, and when he explains imperial law, he's just so..."
...Is she always like this?
Just as the cousin-aunt was gearing up for a full family brag session, another noble lady standing beside her cut in at the perfect moment and hijacked the explanation.
Thank you, ma'am!
"The friendly match pits direct descendants from the main house under ten, mixed with branch family kids, divided into two teams. They compete in a mock battle to capture the enemy's base."
The other nobles jumped in like they'd been waiting.
"Young as they are, they're all already in main house training, right? We have high hopes for the direct lines."
"Please lead our kids well, miss. We're counting on you."
The vassals who'd been chuckling good-naturedly at Grandpa's grandkid boasts now flashed subtle fangs in their smiles.
That's when I finally grasped the true meaning of the friendly match.
'It's a test to prove if any of us have what it takes to lead.'
Grandpa, who'd steered the Northern Duke family for so long, went without saying—he was a brilliant, capable ruler.
The vassals were utterly loyal to him.
'But what about his heirs?'
That was the question they were putting to our generation.
Prove you're fit to lead them in the future—or show your mettle in this mock battle if you are...
"Oh, and I heard the count's grandson is quite outstanding?"
"Oh, come on. He's decent with a sword at best. Nothing compared to the main house direct lines."
The vassals' words carried subtle pressure.
"Think we'll see some good matches this time?"
"That reminds me of Lord Leopoldt's youth. Those friendly matches back then were thrilling."
"The youngest Divine Grace awakener's bout!"
"Sigh, I regret missing those. If only I'd been born a few years earlier..."
The group burst into laughter at the reminiscing.
Yet even in the cheerful mood, a thread of tension lingered.
The main house lessons were abuzz with friendly match details too—the whole estate was bubbling over.
The combat instructor came in and began announcing the teams.
"Friendly match teams are set. This year, Young Master Mark will lead the Blue Team, and Young Master Dietrich the Red Team."
Total participants: twenty kids, ten per team.
I was on Red with Dietrich.
For vassal kids who couldn't join main house lessons, they'd sent servants separately.
'This is basically our house versus Uncle's, huh?'
Seeing Monica assigned to Blue with Mark confirmed it.
No way we could lose. Especially not to Uncle's side—that I'd never stomach.
I looked up eagerly at the instructor explaining the rules.
"The friendly match is base-capture combat. Occupy the enemy's wooden hut base and drive out their whole team to win."
"Qwestieon!"
"Yes, Lady Mariella."
"What if both teams take the other's base at the same time?"
"In that case, we compare occupying numbers first. If tied, we tally wins from prior skirmishes."
No draws—they'd always declare a clear winner.
"I got a question too!"
"Yes, Young Master Mark."
"We can pick one Shadow Knight like last year, right?"
"Correct."
Shadow Knight? What's that?
Spotting my head-tilt, the instructor smiled faintly and addressed the group.
"A Shadow Knight is someone the team leaders can invite, regardless of status."
"Can it be an adult? Then my dad—!"
"No, Young Master Dietrich. Over ten is fine, but must be a minor."
Dietrich really was my brother.
Heck, I thought the exact same thing the moment I heard it: 'Bring Dad and we win!'
But no—minors only...
Good rule, though.
If adults were allowed, dragging in Dad—or worse, Grandpa—would end it instantly. No fun there.
Didn't fit the point of the friendly match either.
The instructor drove the point home to his wide-eyed, fired-up young pupils.
"You have one week to pick your Shadow Knight. Teams that don't decide will compete as-is, so leaders, take note."
"Yes!"
I shot my hand up with the reply, and the instructor left the classroom with a suppressed smile.