Chapter 165
Chapter 165
On a summer morning when the warm sunlight had just begun to rise and spread its heat across the world.
Yet the dawn air still carried a lingering chill.
Taking a deep breath of that crisp, refreshing air, Logan stepped energetically out of his room.
"Things have finally quieted down a bit."
Thinking back to the events of a few days ago, he couldn't help but chuckle.
The grand welcome ceremony. The atmosphere filled with joy and cheers.
The declaration of a festival by Marquis Patrick MacLaine, which followed, amplified the excitement several times over, eventually turning into three days and nights of wild celebration.
Of course, Logan had holed up in his office the entire time.
'There was too much to do.'
If he wanted to maintain this positive momentum, he had to.
'The post-war cleanup has been confirmed. Now, I need to start exploring the newly acquired territories...'
Calmly organizing his thoughts, Logan headed toward his office.
If he reviewed the details and planned ahead, it would be easier for the administrative staff to act once the festival ended.
With that in mind, he arrived at his office—only to be met with an unexpected sight the moment he opened the door.
"Father?"
His father, who had never been one for paperwork even before delegating full authority to him, was already there—before him.
"As expected. You came straight here at dawn."
As expected?
The odd choice of words made Logan tilt his head in confusion.
His father sighed softly and approached him.
"My daughter-in-law—no, Sir Ellen told me. Even after I spoke to you, you kept training nonstop in the capital. Even after the war ended, it was just training and work... While everyone else was enjoying the festival."
"...It was necessary."
"Right. I'm sure it was. In the capital, there was no one to take your place, so neglecting your training was out of the question."
Despite his words, the deep concern in his father's crimson eyes—so much like his own—was unmistakable.
And the next words made the reason for that concern clear.
"Son. Do you not trust me or the other retainers?"
"...Huh?"
What kind of question was this all of a sudden?
"Handling the aftermath of the battlefield and organizing the new territories—those are things others can manage just fine."
Well, that was true, but—
"I'd feel more at ease handling important matters myself. I've already planned things out."
"To me, that sounds like you don't trust others."
"Father, that's not—"
"If that's not the case, then why are you trying to handle everything yourself?"
"...I'm just doing what needs to be done. And you were the one who entrusted me with full authority."
"Yes, I did. During wartime, when everything was urgent. But now, aren't we left with tasks that I or Dwain could handle later?"
The crisis wasn't over yet.
If he kept putting things off, even what should be done wouldn't get done.
Whoever did it, if he took care of it first, wouldn't things move faster?
And so on.
There were many things he wanted to say, but none of them came out easily.
Because of the unmistakable worry in those crimson eyes—so much like his own—staring back at him.
"Of course, working hard is good. But when those around you offer to take over, when they beg you to rest—and you still can't stop, that's a sickness. Do you think there's no one in the family who can take your place? And—"
Yes.
Just before the truth could spill from his throat—
"Isn't it because you're afraid?"
The face before him, filled with concern, weighed on his heart.
"...It's not that bad."
"I believe you're well aware of the weight you carry in MacLaine right now. And because of that, it's just as important for you to rest and find emotional balance—for the sake of our family. So, for now, take a break."
"It's not that I don't trust those around me. It's just—"
"Good. Then prove it—show those around you that you do trust them."
"...Huh?"
Wait, but—
Seeing Logan's flustered expression, Patrick gave a wry smile.
"Starting today, for one week—no work, no training. Stay in your room and do nothing. Understood?"
"Huh?!"
"If you try to do anything during that week, I'll exclude you from family affairs for a while."
"Wait, what kind of—"
This was absurd.
Logan opened his mouth to protest, but his father seemed determined not to give him the chance.
"All of this is because I'm worried about you. Go back to your room and rest. Right now."
"F-Father?"
Forced to turn around and pushed toward the door, Logan could have resisted if he really wanted—but wrestling with his father over work would have been ridiculous.
Before he knew it, he was outside the door, staring blankly at his father with a dumbfounded expression.
"Logan. One week. Just rest properly for one week. Absolutely no work. Trust me and the other retainers."
"Wha—Father, that's not—"
"Then get some rest, son!"
SLAM!
The office door slammed shut, as if to say there was no room for argument.
All Logan could do was stand there, staring at the closed door in stunned silence.
"Ugh."
There was so much to do.
Who could have seen this absurd obstacle coming?
Lying on his bed, Logan racked his brain for a way to overcome this unexpected hurdle.
"What do I do...?"
But since this was all out of concern for him, he couldn't just force his way through. No solution came to mind.
After stewing in frustration for a while—
"...Young Master. Are you seriously sulking because you can't work?"
A voice dripping with disbelief reached his ears.
Turning his head, he saw Rick—his expression looking as if he'd just witnessed something bizarre.
For some reason, Logan felt compelled to defend himself.
"No, it's not that I'm addicted to work—there's just a lot to do."
"That's literally what being a workaholic means."
"...Ahem. Well, you wouldn't understand, but some things only I can—"
"Others will handle them."
"..."
"..."
In the silence, master and servant exchanged a fierce glare.
Then, Logan realized.
"You... talked to Father, didn't you?"
"Yes. He told me to keep an eye on you."
"Tch..."
The honesty was so blunt that there was nothing to argue.
Logan could only stare at him incredulously, but Rick didn't back down.
"I'm scared, Young Master."
"What?"
The unexpected words widened Logan's eyes.
"People say things. How lucky I must be to be the personal attendant of the hero, Young Master. How my future is guaranteed, how envious they are."
"..."
"Yes, it's good. Growing up alongside you, watching you become a hero—of course, there's no way my position isn't fortunate. But at the same time... it's suffocating."
"What do you—?"
Ignoring Logan's puzzled look, Rick continued.
"You meditate to save even sleeping time for training. During the day, it's either work or training. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder—if I ever got in the way of your work or training, would you cast me aside?"
"You—as if I'd ever—!"
"Of course, I know you wouldn't. It's just my own insecurity talking. But Young Master, can you answer me honestly?"
"...What?"
"You still have worries you can't share with others, don't you? That's why you feel uneasy if you're not doing something? Ever since that day, over three years ago, when you collapsed and woke up?"
The sincerity in those trembling brown eyes moved Logan's lips before he could stop himself.
"...Yes."
"I knew it... That's how it was. All this time... Young Master, how much have you been suffering? Damn it. What kind of personal attendant am I, not even realizing...? I'm sorry. The tears..."
Should he be grateful Rick didn't press further?
Unsure of what to say, Logan could only watch as Rick wiped his tears and spoke again, eyes red.
"I wouldn't dare ask you to rely on me. But the lord and everyone else are working hard to support you, too. Rest a little. Even if just for a moment, let go of those worries you can't voice. I'll do my best to assist you. Just as the lord said—rest a bit now, and then you can work hard again later, right? Young Master..."
How could he say no to that earnest expression?
With a small sigh and a bitter smile, Logan had no choice but to nod.
"...Alright. I'll rest."
"Good choice! Just lie down. I'll let you know when lunch is ready."
Rick turned to leave immediately.
Watching that familiar back, Logan was suddenly overwhelmed by an inexplicable emotion—and words he hadn't planned slipped out.
"...Thank you. Always."
Rick's back stiffened. His head dipped toward the floor for a moment before lifting to stare at the ceiling for a long while.
"...I'll see you later."
With only those tearful words, he left the room.
'Alright. I'll rest for a bit.'
After seeing Rick off, Logan let out a long sigh.
His perspective had shifted slightly.
He had been pushing himself relentlessly.
Wouldn't it be okay to take a little break?
He could always work harder afterward.
With that resolution, Logan obediently lay back on his bed.
He planned to indulge in laziness until mealtime.
But then—
Knock knock.
"...Who is it?"
"Y-Young Master! Please help!"
A frantic voice pierced through the door.
"...I'm on leave."
"The lord is interviewing new knights and dumped all his other work on me! I'm dying here!"
"Talk to Father. I'm sleeping."
"Young Master!"
"No matter what anyone says, I'm sleep—"
"This is an emergency!"
BANG!
"GYAAAH!"
"Sir Dwain! M-My back!"
The door burst open as two figures tumbled inside, sprawling across the floor.
"What the—?! Are you insane?!"
Logan shouted, bewildered, at the sight of Dwain and Rugel.
"Owwww. T-This was an accident! But it's really urgent! Please approve hiring more people! The territory's grown, but we're critically short on administrative staff!"
"That's why you should be talking to Father—"
"The lord thinks anyone who can count can handle administration! He just tells us to grab random villagers!"
"But why come to me—"
"Sir Dwain! My problem first!"
Before Logan could finish, Rugel cut in urgently.
"Young Lord! The capital's administration is stretched thin, but the outer regions are worse! Appointing village heads as temporary lords has its limits—we need official appointments now! Requests are flooding in from every city! Do you know how serious this is—"
Logan clutched his head as the two administrators bombarded him with desperate pleas.
BANG!
"Son!!"
"...Father?"
"Sorry, but I need to discuss knight order matters—Huh? What are you two doing here?"
The two administrators awkwardly averted their eyes upon meeting Patrick's gaze.
"...And you, Father?"
Logan rubbed his twitching temples and glared at his father.
"Well, there's an urgent matter I need to discuss—"
"You told me to rest no matter what."
"Ahem. Ahem. Of course, I could discuss it with others, but since you'll be leading these knights eventually... Just this once... Sorry, son."
Sigh.
'Well, I guess this is my fate.'
Logan exhaled deeply, waking from his short-lived dream of rest.
"Let's just hold a general meeting. Gather everyone."
What would Rick say?
The thought made him laugh dryly.
That was all he could do.