Boys Like This Kind of Thing, Right?
While Irina considered taking Lev’s story to heart, Lev looked at her face and couldn’t stop the thoughts that naturally spilled out.
‘This must have happened roughly five months ago.’
It was, of course, long before either of them had enrolled in the academy. Thinking back, it was right around the time the admission documents were being reviewed.
On a day when a fierce blizzard raged outside the windows, Grand Duke Vladimir III, their father, sat in the audience chamber with a deep frown. That expression itself was the neutral face most northerners wore as a matter of course. Yet precisely because of that, Lev could tell something was wrong. His father looked deeply troubled, as if matters of state were not going well at all.
For a man known for his unexpectedly gentle nature, it was the first time Lev had ever seen him so stressed by official duties.
“Your Grace.”
That was why Lev approached more cautiously than usual, hoping to lift his father’s mood even a little. But the moment he saw the letter his father held and the family seal stamped upon it, Lev understood the reason for his distress.
The Grand Duke suddenly looked up and spoke.
“Oh, I didn’t even notice you were there, my son.”
“…Forgive me, Your Grace. You had remained in the audience chamber so long that I grew worried and came to check on you.”
“You may stay as long as you like. This seat will be yours soon enough.”
Good heavens, how alarming.
Lev dropped to one knee.
“That is far too soon, Your Grace. However… though I did not mean to pry, is that not the seal of the Lagrange family on the letter?”
“So you saw it after all. Sharp eyes, as always.”
“Is this the reply to the marriage proposal you sent for Irina a short while ago?”
When Lev asked, Vladimir nodded, visibly pleased by his quick-witted son’s composure. The proposal had been a scheme cooked up between father and son. They had sent it to the newly risen ducal house of Lagrange.
But the result did not appear favorable.
“It is an insult. We have been turned away at the door.”
“I am shocked.”
“The reply is filled with flowery phrases that essentially say we are unworthy.”
Of course, at this point in time, Lev had not truly wanted his only sister to marry. Though she was growing older, he wished to keep Irina by his side as long as possible. Under normal circumstances, he would never have urged his father to make such a request.
Yet at the same time, Lev worried about Irina more than anyone. He hated the thought of her suffering. If she were forced to follow him into the academy—the ruthless arena of the capital’s nobility—how much harder would it be for her?
This had simply been an act born of his own political calculations.
“Unworthy…? Why would they say that? If it is our Irina, firstborn daughter of the sacred blood of Pernov, the offer should have been more than generous for them.”
Knowing the proposal had been flatly rejected, Lev found it difficult to speak kindly. He was offering them his adorable little sister, who received countless marriage proposals in high society. To reject it so vehemently—
—He knew the family’s pride had swelled after the Demon King’s subjugation, but was such arrogance truly necessary?
However, his father said,
“It is a generous offer. From our side.”
“…Your Grace?”
“Do not misunderstand. In my view, the one who stands to lose is us.”
The statement was so counterintuitive that Lev, rather rudely, felt genuine confusion.
“…Why is that?”
“I find it strange that you even need to ask.”
“He is a man well past marriageable age, a bachelor with nothing to his name. How could our precious Irochka possibly be too good for him?”
“You are completely mistaken. Nothing to his name? He possesses valor and honor. The honor of bringing peace to the world. The valor that ended a stagnant war lasting thousands of years. Are those not values worthy of us?”
No. Those were intangible things. Marriage talks could not be bound by such trivialities. That man had no territory, no wealth, and no bloodline.
Lev’s voice trembled.
“All he has are those intangible qualities. He has retired and shows no interest in anything. It is we who are seeking him out.”
But Vladimir merely snorted, his eyes flashing with the look of a man who still saw his son as a green boy.
“—I understand. You are still too young, and you never fought alongside that little fellow, so you wouldn’t know.”
At those words, Lev clasped his hands together in a reverent posture and replied.
The Demon King. The Demon King Slayer.
“The man in question for the marriage killed the Demon King. I know that is a tremendous achievement, but is it truly that significant?”
“I have never seen a warrior stronger than him. His character is the same—cold yet warm, powerful yet humble. He truly has the makings of a king.”
“…You mean Sir Joseph?”
“Indeed. So do not argue. I personally placed him under my command and led the northern defense line to victory time and again. Therefore, if we were to marry him to Irina and bring him north… I believe it could even change the nature of your future title.”
“I shall keep those words to myself, Your Grace.”
“That is why the Duke of Lagrange is not entirely unreasonable. With such a man beneath him, it is natural he would risk everything to protect him.”
In his father’s eyes as he spoke, Lev could almost see the old days—the days when he had ridden three horses in rotation while commanding the north through countless storms of war.
“—He asks us to respect the noble retirement chosen by a hero. I agree with a burning heart. This discussion ends here. Irina will attend the academy with you…”
“……”
“And when you inherit the title and become entangled with that little fellow, do not behave as you did today. Show him the utmost courtesy. The north does not forget its debts.”
“I will engrave it upon my heart.”
The memory from that day ended there.
Because what had happened in the audience chamber was strictly confidential, Irina knew nothing. She had no idea who the other party was, nor how the proposal had failed. All she knew was that a marriage talk had existed and that her brother and father had pushed it on her.
But wasn’t fate truly strange?
The man who had seemed unlikely to ever step back into the world had been dragged into a bizarre incident. And now he had met the very sister they had once tried to marry off for political reasons—in the form of student and professor.
‘Please watch over us, O God.’
Yet thinking about it now, Lev realized that everything His Grace the Grand Duke had said that day had been correct.
That was why Lev had told Irina what he had witnessed, and Irina had told Lev what she knew. As they continued their conversation over a late meal, they quickly realized that what each had seen was not so different after all.
“So Usteria felt something similar to me. Or rather, exactly the same?”
“Perhaps… it might be some kind of phenomenon.”
“How fascinating. The professor truly is a mysterious man.”
“He is, isn’t he? But Lev, there is one thing I must ask.”
“Anything.”
“—Are you planning to dig any deeper into this?”
…There was no need to glare at him so fiercely. Since his father had told him to show respect, Lev had never intended to sell the information in the first place. Yet Irina looked ready to beat him senseless and disown him if he caused the professor any harm.
Lev tucked his tail between his legs.
“Would you be able to do that?”
“I won’t. Whether the professor knows or not, this may be his secret—his own territory.”
“Then I won’t either. I swear on my honor.”
“Good. I hate the idea of causing him trouble, so please keep your mouth shut.”
“Understood.”
“I’m leaving.”
With their business concluded, Irina turned sharply to head elsewhere. But—
“—Irochka!”
Looking at her retreating back, Lev felt a bitter aftertaste and couldn’t help raising his voice to call her name.
“……”
Normally she wouldn’t have reacted at all, but today she stopped in her tracks.
However, having called her name, Lev found he had nothing more to say. He had already apologized many times for arranging the marriage talks without telling her. Yet the more he observed Joseph at school, the more he became convinced it had not been the wrong decision.
So the stubborn Lev did not want to bend his will. After pondering what to say, afraid she might walk away if he hesitated, he spoke of something else instead of the stale topic.
You know, that thing.
“Irochka, Father gave me a bottle of fine vodka as a gift.”
“How presumptuous of a mere student. Are you suggesting we drink it together?”
“—No. This isn’t for us. I was planning to give it to the professor. The reason I ran into him last time was because I was trying to deliver this.”
“…And?”
“Sir Joseph should be in his residence. Would it be all right if I asked whether I may visit him with this?”
The moment he said that, Irina swept her hair back with clear interest and turned around.
“No, showing up unannounced at his residence would be rude. If he hasn’t left yet, I thought I might ask for permission… but suddenly visiting after work hours would be strange, so I wondered if you could come with me.”
“…There is club instruction today, so he should still be at the academy.”
“Perfect. …Will you come with me? I promised not to pry, but if I’m with the professor, I might gain a clearer understanding of that ability, right?”
Yes. As far as improvised excuses went, that was more than acceptable.
Sure enough, Irina’s lips moved as if she wanted to refuse, but the chance to visit the professor’s residence must have swayed her. She spoke with more difficulty than Lev had.
“If it’s only for a short while, I’ll accompany you.”
“Then let’s head to his office.”
“…Yes.”
And as expected, the professor was still in his office. The occupancy sign had not changed, and they could hear the sounds of him preparing to leave. Fortunately, they were not too late.
Knock, knock—
“Professor, are you there?”
“Yes, who is it?”
“I am Lev Vladimirovich Pernov, class representative of the Forget-Me-Not Class. It is after hours, but I have a matter to discuss and must apologize for the intrusion.”
Soon the door opened quietly, and a man stepped out. Though he was roughly the same height as Lev, his ferocious aura completely overwhelmed him.
Every time he saw him, Lev thought the same thing.
Is this a professor or Hercules…?
Irina was standing far away. Had she been closer, Joseph’s attitude would likely have been gentler. But since she wasn’t, Joseph frowned at the still-unfamiliar Lev.
“Can we make this quick? If it can wait until tomorrow, I’d prefer to handle it then.”
What a terrifying man. Still, the future Grand Duke could not afford to shrink back.
“There is no need for concern. It is truly a brief matter.”
“What is it?”
“—To be direct, my father, Vladimir III, observed the remarkable growth of my younger sister Irina, the representative of the Forget-Me-Not Class, and has sent you a gift.”
“A gift…?”
“It is the highest-grade vodka produced in the Pernov Grand Duchy.”
Just as he said that—
What was this? It was merely the mention of bringing alcohol, yet Joseph’s pupils suddenly shrank like a rabbit’s and his eyelids shot upward.
“I do not know if you will like it, but would it be acceptable to deliver it to your residence tonight?”
“…Pernov Grand Duchy? Could it perhaps be the one called Deep Blue Mountains…?”
“Yes. It seems you have heard of it.”
“I’m not sure if it’s proper for a student to give me something like this… but it really is from His Grace the Grand Duke?”
“If you wish, I can show you the accompanying letter.”
“Oh, is that so? Then it would be rude to refuse such kindness… Please, come. Do you know where my residence is?”
Joseph spoke while somehow maintaining his composure. Lev smiled with satisfaction, thinking the gift had been well received.
But if he had known what was truly going on inside that dark mind of Joseph’s, he might have burst out laughing until his sides split.
Aw, fuck yeah—sex!
To him, this was the equivalent of a golden ticket, a fluffy cloud cake, and a chewy butter rice cake all at once. After a grueling workday, to receive an ultra-rare vodka produced by the imperial family—one that would cost millions of won—was pure sweetness.
‘I’m dead. I’m drinking every last drop tonight, you beautiful thing.’
He smiled with the pure, innocent grin of absolute happiness.