Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Homecoming
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I had clearly arrived at our family's main estate. That was already thirty minutes ago.
But why on earth was I still stuck inside the carriage instead of in the castle?
Father, Mother. Your son has returned. I want to see you...
"So? And then what happened?"
"Kaya. Can't we save the rest for inside—"
"No. Tell me now."
Was this really something a fifteen-year-old would say? Our Kaya. She hadn't regressed to five years old, had she?
Of course, she was the cutest back then, but a sister stuck at five forever would be a bit much!
"Come on, Kaya. Anyway, we'll have to tell Father and Mother once we're inside..."
"I need to know first. And I need to know everything. So I'm hearing it all right here."
Her words made me burst out laughing before I knew it.
Really. Our little sister. Maybe she hadn't changed a single bit since she was a kid.
"Oppaaaa. So? You gonna tell me what comes next or not?"
"You can hear it when I tell Mother and Father, right?"
"Nooooo! Me first! I wanna know first!"
"You won't keep it to yourself for even thirty minutes?"
"Even so, I like it!"
Kaya was the one throwing the tantrum, but if I thought about it, I'd been the same.
Even though I wasn't particularly exceptional aside from my status, she'd always built me up as her big brother.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing. Just remembered when we were kids. You were always like this, Kaya."
"If you remember, then hurry up and spill it all. So what happened next?"
Anyway, we'd never get through this at this rate. And the winner and loser were already set.
I knew from experience that Kaya wouldn't back down no matter how long I stalled, so I gave her what she wanted.
"...I see. So that's how it went. Oppa did something so incredible..."
"Don't call it incredible. I just did what I could—hold on, Kaya. Kaya?"
I startled and cupped her face with both hands.
Was I seeing things? No. I was seeing it right. Then why...?
"What? What's wrong? Kaya, why are you crying?!"
My heart sank. I'd come home, and my sister was suddenly in tears.
What big brother in the world wouldn't freak out and ask why?
"What's wrong, Kaya? Huh? Did something happen? Tell Oppa. Come on?"
"No... it's not that..."
"Why why why? Please, just tell me."
Was there something I didn't know? Had my parents hidden something from me?
Or had something happened that even Kaya couldn't explain to them?
If it was about some guy, I'd stake everything to kill the bastard who made my little sister cry...
"Oppa... Oppa worked so... so hard..."
"...Huh?"
"I was just living all comfy... I'm sorry. Sorry, Kael oppa. Sniff, sob!"
Hmm. Turns out the bastard I needed to kill was me. Talk about awkward.
I shoved the embarrassment aside and soothed her, saying it was fine.
"You scared me. Thought something happened."
"If something happened to you, it's the same as happening to me..."
"I didn't get hurt or anything. If anything, I boosted our family's reputation, so shouldn't you congratulate me? That's what I was hoping for coming home—if you're crying like this, I'll feel a little hurt, you know?"
I teased her lightly, and Kaya jolted in surprise, frantically wiping her face.
Then she yelled, I wasn't crying! Just like she was five again.
"Nothing big happen with the family while I was gone?"
"Yeah. Nothing at all."
"Well, it's only been six months—"
"No way! Don't say 'only'! It's been a whole six months!"
"Y-yeah, sure."
I barely calmed the fired-up Kaya and stepped out of the carriage.
Alexei, who'd been waiting, spotted Kaya and bowed in greeting.
"It's been a while, Miss Kaya."
"Alexei. Long time no see."
With that, Kaya suddenly went up to him and patted his shoulder.
The height difference had her on tiptoes, struggling adorably.
"Miss?"
"Thanks for sticking by Oppa's side so faithfully. Please keep taking good care of him from now on."
"Of course, miss. Young master's safety is my safety!"
Our Alexei sure knew how to read the room. No wonder not just anyone can be a proper servant.
Finally stepping inside the main estate, I got to see Father and Mother.
"Welcome home, Kael."
My father, Arthur Clauvitz von Bertier, Imperial Count.
Born a soldier, he had a gruff side, but he was never coldhearted.
A good father. An outstanding family head. And above all, a loyal retainer.
Though it'd have been nice if he'd asked my opinion before shipping me off to the army. Ahem.
"Welcome home, my son."
The woman beside him—my mother, Leena Seharad Clauvitz.
Her middle name gave it away: she hailed from the Seharad family.
Who ruled their own county, so we kept in touch with my maternal relatives pretty often.
There'd even been a party at their place amid all the capital banquets this time.
"I'm home, Father. Mother."
As the family's eldest son and next Imperial Count, I greeted them with proper decorum.
Father smiled warmly, and Mother patted me, saying I'd done well.
Yeah. Nothing beat being with family. Our home was the best.
For these people—for this place—I'd do anything to protect it.
Even if it meant playing some unintended role as a "genius strategist" or whatever.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...Yes. That's how it happened."
"Indeed, Father. I did my best to keep any damage from reaching the family—"
"Damage? What damage? Sure, I'm pegged as Hawk Faction because of my military ties, but I'm not chained to it like some other nobles."
—tap tap
Bertier Imperial Count Arthur Clauvitz drummed his fingers on the table as he continued.
"The military needs to stay separate from court politics. Not totally isolated, mind you, but not meddling excessively either. Some say getting too involved just turns you into pawns... but in the end, isn't the army sword and shield, guarding the nation and its people?"
"... "
At those words, Kael fell silent, staring down at the floor.
It had to be weighing on him—feeling like he'd dipped too deep into politics.
With both factions vying for his attention, it basically screamed that his political stock had skyrocketed.
"But listen."
The Imperial Count gazed at his son—the family's young head, the heir who would carry on.
"Kael, you're not in the military. You can work with them, sure, but you're no soldier like your old man."
"...Then why send me to campaign with them?"
"Naturally, because I hoped you'd follow in my footsteps—and our ancestors'. But if you pick a different path? If you can lead this family to greatness that way? What reason would I have to stand in your way?"
Irritated? Hardly. If anything, it felt good. The Count was in high spirits right now.
The founder of House Clauvitz had stood at the side of the great emperor who built the empire, sharing in all its glory.
His children and grandchildren all served in the military, as officers and commanders.
Before long, it had solidified into the family's defining trait—no room for other dreams.
That's why he'd assumed it was natural for him too. Joined the ranks without a second thought, even pushed his son toward it.
Yet here was that very son stirring things up.
Someone from our family, outside the military? And not just casual interest—even the factions and the imperial house are paying attention?
A very positive shift. The spark of new possibilities.
He knew better than anyone: stagnating in one spot meant no further progress.
So contrary to Kael's worries, the Imperial Count was thoroughly pleased.
"More importantly, it's a relief. Truth be told, I had some concerns tied to all this."
"Concerns? What kind, sir?"
"The Hawks and Doves both showing interest in you. In the end, you threw in with the former—so won't the latter start seeing you... no, our whole family... as enemies?"
Fair point, no denying it.
Politics had no eternal friends or foes, but anyone who blocked your faction's moves—even briefly—earned the enemy label.
And political infighting was a whole different beast from the battlefield. A real headache from the Count's position.
"Well..."
But Kael looked unperturbed.
"Kael?"
"If anything, I don't see a thing to worry about."
"And why's that?"
"The empire's court is split between Hawks and Doves. Neutrals try to mediate, but neutrality's always a tightrope walk."
Exactly. The Count nodded.
"Yet the empire keeps on ticking just fine. Even with all the factional bickering. I thought it was odd at first, but this time around, I think I've pieced together why."
Kael smiled as he went on.
"Hawks and Doves. 2nd Princess, 1st Prince. Someone higher up is tolerating it all. Hell, even steering it for the empire's gain."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Once I sensed something off, the rest fell into place easily enough.
Memories from my past life—there were kings in some quiet little dawn-land country who'd pulled the same moves.
The Emperor. Or the Crown Princess. Had to be one or the other. I was convinced.
And sure enough, not long after...
"Oppa! P-people from the imperial family are here!!"
Yeah. Knew it.