The World Has Crumbled
The world had crumbled. That was the feeling. More than the news that Kyle had eloped in a fit of blind love, the fact that I had to become the Margrave's heir was driving me insane.
Who wouldn't want to run away like Kyle? But I had a reason I absolutely had to go to the academy. To unravel the events tangled up there, I couldn't abandon my status as the Margrave's son. The intelligence and authority that came with nobility were far too sweet to give up.
Above all, I wasn't heartless enough to abandon the parents standing before me and flee. Even if I wasn't their real son, they worried over and loved me like their own. If I vanished suddenly on top of everything? That would be like shoving them into hell, losing both sons at once.
That's why I called this situation a dead end. It was probably coincidence, but Kyle's perfectly timed escape felt like he knew my soft-hearted nature all too well. I genuinely resented him for it.
Thinking back, the webtoon had only mentioned that Kasian had an older brother. No word that Kasian was the heir, so I hadn't known. Wait, no—even the side character with the least screen time should've had some hint. How could there be zero mention of the heir? Did I skim too much and miss it?
It was all in the unchangeable past now…
'Don't fuck with me for real.'
My inner voice was raging with curses. In the end, I threw up my hands in despair. It felt like the inexorable wheel of fate was tightening around my neck.
I gripped my mother's hand, which enveloped mine, and just smiled. Yeah, like the Joker who'd lost his mind.
"Hahahaha!"
My mad laughter burst out, and Mother mistook it for joy, beaming back radiantly.
"Hoho! Yes, Kasian. You must have wanted to be heir too. So composed, you couldn't even tell us… goodness…"
She laughed along, then looked at me with pity for some reason. Why did things always twist like this? I genuinely couldn't understand.
Father watched us with his usual impassive gaze—Mother smiling tenderly, me grinning like a lunatic. Beyond that bizarrely peaceful office scene, my hopes for an easy 'free ride life' shattered into pieces.
"We'll announce your heirship at the grand banquet after the Ability Selection Ceremony."
Father drove the nail in, assuming my consent. Things were proceeding smoothly, regardless of my will. It leaned toward acceptance anyway—the position was already mine. But it felt off. Like my soul had been stripped bare.
'If you can't escape it, enjoy it, right? But how the hell do you enjoy this?'
I asked myself, but only an empty echo answered. No amount of knowledge could conjure a way to enjoy this nightmare.
I forcibly reined in my mind and calculated coldly. Logically, announcing the heir at the Ability Selection Ceremony wasn't bad efficiency-wise. Every child turning ten had to undergo it within a year, by imperial law. It'd probably wrap up around year's end, as usual.
At the finale, a lavish banquet awaited to bless the children's futures—a grand finale. Ideally hosted by the imperial family, but nobles couldn't flock to the capital yearly. So the most influential nobles in each region hosted. Naturally, in the North, it was Valenvalt.
The grand banquet hosted by the North's most powerful family head. Not just a party—it was the kids' social debut and a fierce scouting war where faction balances shifted among noble houses.
'Announce me as heir there.'
No need for two separate hassles. Classic efficient Father—gather everyone and seal the deal. For me, better one hard blow than two mild ones. Easier on the mind.
But my head spun all the same. Me, the heir? If that day came, I'd be locked in inescapably. Yet I couldn't refuse. Fine, if it had to happen, pick the smoother path.
"Very well. Let's do that."
A faint shadow of satisfaction crossed Father's lips at my reply.
"Quick decisions are good. Now it's settled. With Kyle's elopement weighing on you, go rest."
With that, he turned back to his papers. His usual detached demeanor belied the man who'd just dropped a life-altering bomb.
'Weighing on you'? It wasn't just weighing—it was a funeral procession in my head, cursing Kyle with every filthy word while mourning my wrecked future.
Mother still looked worried, but my resolute—really, despairing—expression seemed to ease her. She nodded quietly.
I gave my final bow and left the office. Stepping out, my footsteps felt heavy as wet cotton. The door clicked shut, and the cold corridor air stabbed my lungs.
'Haa…'
No turning back now. The more I thought, the creepier Kyle's timing seemed. Like he'd scheduled it perfectly for maximum impact.
'Father said preparations were solid, so maybe he did time it.'
A sigh escaped. I just wanted to hurry to my room and crash.
-----
Back in my room, I stared blankly at the bed. So fluffy—I knew from sleeping on it.
I grabbed my pillow and punched it, venting like it was Kyle who'd tangled my life. A guy whose face I didn't even know. Later, I'd snag a portrait, curse it out, tape it to the pillow, and beat the stress away.
I was deep into my Kyle-pillow bashing when a knock shattered the silence.
Knock knock.
I froze mid-swing and looked up.
"Young master, are you there?"
It was Kalia's voice. I quickly straightened the pillow, feigning calm.
"Yeah. Come in."
Kalia eased the door open and approached with her usual steady gait—or so I thought.
"Wha—!"
Suddenly, she wobbled. Tripped? She toppled straight toward me.
'Dodge…?'
The split-second dilemma hit. But my back was the bed. Dodging meant she'd crash to the floor or the bedframe. Better to catch her.
I didn't dodge—and regretted it. Forgot she was a squire. Reflex took over.
Too late to adjust, she slammed into me awkwardly. I'd thought it wouldn't hurt, but it did. Not my back against the bed, but my front taking the hit. Kid vs. adult aside, her toned body packed a wallop—stung like hell. Face was fine, but breathing was tough.
'Uncomfortable…'
I reached to push her off—right on her chest. No choice. I just patted her back.
"Mmph…!"
Finally, she jolted up in shock, face flushed with embarrassment—her composure gone.
"I'm sorry! Young master, are you hurt anywhere?"
She bowed 90 degrees, pleading forgiveness. I wasn't hurt much, pain fading fast, so I waved it off coolly. Plus, it was Kalia. Like at camp, she had a major klutz streak.
"What about your arm? From the crash just now and the goblin subjugation."
"I'm fine."
Her klutzy vibe vanished; she stood ramrod straight, answering curtly. But her voice sounded higher than usual—my imagination?
'Is she embarrassed?'
Kalia's expressions were so rare, hard to tell. Just a hunch. So stoic and diligent, yet prone to tumbling like that. Bizarre. Squire-level strength, but balance sometimes worse than mine. Unique ability overload, maybe? Who knew.
"Alright."
She said fine, so what more to say? I nodded and shut up.
Kalia remained stiffly at attention.
"So, why'd you come?"
Kyle's love nest news had maxed my fatigue. Head already a mess—hoped she wasn't adding to it. Please, something trivial like 'Breakfast menu changed' or 'Arm hurts, need time off.'
But Kalia's words hit like a boulder.
"I believe I must step down as your guard knight, young master."