The First Question
Until the first head of the family, Bell Meyer, established our house, the Meyer family was nothing more than an ordinary sword clan. The family's status only changed when Bell Meyer reached the realm of Aura Master and Sword Saint.
Bell Meyer wasn't particularly greedy for power. Unlike most who attained Master rank, he swore absolute loyalty to the emperor. Delighted by this sudden allegiance, the emperor bestowed upon the Meyer family the title of Count along with the honor of being the Sword of the Empire's Protection.
"—That's the history of our family."
"This is what I studied?"
"Oh, I see. So you do remember."
The tutor smiled and pulled out the exam paper he'd just looked at. The moment I saw it, I flinched and turned my head away.
"You got the first head's name wrong, the reason he received the peerage wrong, what our family actually does wrong... Are you sure you remember any of this?"
"...Well, it comes back to me after I hear it. Before that, not so much."
"People call that not remembering. Let's review it again, young master."
"Eeeek—."
When I made a face of pure disgust, the tutor shook his head like there was no helping it.
"You are the eldest son of the Meyer family. You have a duty to lead this house."
"Dad doesn't do any of that. The vassals handle everything."
"Not doing something and being incapable of doing it are two entirely different things. His Lordship the Count has the vassals manage the trivial paperwork because he's occupied with duties only he can perform."
Realizing I couldn't win an argument against the tutor, I clicked my tongue and obediently focused on the assignments he gave me.
Reading, writing, and calculations were all ridiculously easy. Since this was a game-like world, they used Korean and Arabic numerals here too.
But once we moved into actual academic subjects, I couldn't help but suffer. I was a physical education specialist. I'd checked out on studying back in middle school.
The tutor sighed as he watched me groan in reluctance.
"...Young master, if you hate studying this much, you won't grow up to be a proper adult."
"Didn't the first head become a count because he was good with a sword instead of studying? So what's the point of studying if it won't make me great anyway?"
Desperate to escape studying, I deployed my ultimate technique: selling out the first head with the kind of illogical stubbornness only a child could manage. But the tutor, clearly used to this, simply pushed up his glasses and replied.
"That's because the first head ascended to the position of Sword Saint. Sword Saints don't need to study."
"That's not fair at all..."
"If you have complaints, young master, then reach the Sword Saint level yourself."
Burning with anger at the tutor's words, I set my heart on becoming a Sword Saint no matter what.
After barely finishing all my homework, I tried to bolt for the training grounds, but the tutor caught my arm.
"What now...?"
"Where are you going?"
"To train. I finished the homework, didn't I?"
"Young master, have you truly forgotten what day it is today?"
"What... day is it?"
He looked down at me with an expression that screamed are you serious? The tutor, who seemed to be sighing heavily on the inside, reminded me of the occasion.
"It's the day your fiancée arrives."
A procession of more than a dozen carriages entered our territory. Every carriage flew the same flag, the symbol of the Grace Ducal House from the North.
There were no monsters or bandits foolish enough to challenge a ducal procession, so they reached the Meyer Count's lands without incident.
Count Karl, who had been waiting at the mansion entrance, patted my shoulder as he watched the carriages approach.
"Kyle, they're here."
"Yes, Dad."
"You don't need to be too nervous. Don't worry."
"Understood."
I turned my gaze toward the carriages. Honestly, I wasn't nervous at all. The words duke and fiancée still didn't feel real to me.
A moment later, the carriage rolled into the mansion. The coachman stopped at the proper spot, jumped down, and opened the door.
"We have arrived."
"Hm."
A large, white-haired man with a stern voice stepped out. I immediately noticed how well-trained his body was. It wasn't just natural physique—this was the result of serious, dedicated training.
Impressive...
While I stared at him with my mouth hanging open, a small girl followed him out of the carriage. She had the same silver hair and blue eyes, an expressionless beauty who looked like she didn't possess a single emotion.
After confirming his daughter had disembarked, the Duke immediately extended his hand to my father for a handshake.
"It's been a while, Count."
"It has indeed, Your Grace."
"We'll soon be in-laws. There's no need to be so formal."
"How could I presume..."
Watching my father bow his head, I realized this man wasn't merely a high-ranking noble by title. My father was the head of the Meyer family—the Empire's protective sword—and an Expert-level master. He wasn't someone who could be pressured by status alone.
Which meant...
This guy is strong.
The Duke before me wasn't just a duke. He was a powerhouse who surpassed even my father. I looked at him with open interest. Sensing my gaze, the Duke's blue eyes sparkled as he looked down at me. The moment our eyes met, I flinched at the sensation of his stare scanning every single cell in my body.
After observing my reaction, the Duke turned back to my father.
"This is your son?"
"Yes, my only son."
"You've raised quite the fine boy."
The Duke began patting my head. I could feel my hair getting messed up and the powerful flow of energy contained in his hand.
"Take good care of her."
Valter Grace. Lord of the Grace Ducal House and a Master mage who had completed the Six-Pointed Star. He was to be my father-in-law.
Clink. Clank. The only sounds filling the dining room were forks and knives scraping against plates. It was an oppressively silent meal.
The Duke cut his food, took a bite, and let out an admiring sound as he praised the chef.
"You seem to have an excellent cook, Count."
"I'm glad it suits your palate."
"We don't have talent like this in the North. Though I suppose the ingredients aren't exactly abundant there either."
The Duke wiped his mouth once and continued enjoying the meal. Though he didn't show it openly, his daughter beside him was doing the same—happily devouring her food with equal enthusiasm.
Before long, both father and daughter had emptied their plates. They wiped their mouths with napkins and looked alternately at me and my father.
"Now that I think about it, we haven't done proper introductions."
Duke Valter looked at his daughter. The silver-haired girl swallowed what was in her mouth and spoke.
"...I am Yuri Grace."
"—I'm Kyle Meyer."
I introduced myself with a bright smile. But Yuri simply stared at me with that doll-like, expressionless face. Wondering if she truly lacked emotions, I let out an awkward laugh and glanced at the Duke.
Whether it was hereditary or not, the Duke was also conversing with my father with an equally cold expression.
"During that battle back then..."
"Ah, you mean that incident. It really was..."
With the meal finished and the conversation between the two family heads growing tedious, I decided to use a child's privilege to escape the situation.
Clearing my throat loudly to draw attention, I addressed the Duke directly.
"Your Grace. Would it be alright if I spent some time alone with her?"
"—Ah, my apologies. Of course. It would be good for the betrothed to have some time together."
The Duke nodded approvingly and gave us permission to leave. My father assigned a maid to accompany us before returning to his private discussion with the Duke.
Once only the two lords remained, the previously warm atmosphere vanished completely. A cold tension now dominated the dining room.
"The boy is quite bold."
"His talents are excellent as well."
"Good qualities for a knight. Whether they're suitable for a future family head remains to be seen."
The Duke took a sip of tea as he regarded my father. My father showed no particular reaction. It seemed he held high expectations for me and didn't mind if I fell a bit short in the family head department.
Whether this was the overconfidence of a doting parent or the quiet assurance of one who truly had a genius for a son would be revealed with time.
I hope it's the latter... but as a duke, I can't afford to think that way. How unfortunate.
Northern Duke Valter Grace didn't want his daughter to live in the frozen wastes of the North. To prevent that, he needed connections in the capital. He needed a family that was moderately favored by the imperial family, lacked political ambition, and wouldn't be overshadowed even after marrying into the ducal house.
The Meyer family fit those requirements almost perfectly. Through them, he could even reach the imperial capital itself.
And—to properly control the Meyer family, it was better if the next head was somewhat inadequate.
Hiding his true intentions, the Duke looked at my father.
"I hope the children get along well."
"You needn't worry about that. Kyle is a very considerate child."
My father chuckled, convinced that I would naturally win over the Duke's daughter.
This mansion had several playrooms prepared exclusively for children. It was a place I'd never used before.
The maid who escorted us there said she'd prepare some refreshments and left us alone for a moment. She didn't seem to realize what could happen when two children were left unsupervised.
Now alone with Yuri, I looked at her and asked my question.
"Hey, does your mom have big breasts?"
"...She does."
"Perfect. Let's be friends."
"......?"
I shook hands with the confused Yuri, who tilted her head, clearly not understanding what I meant. Yeah, so she has big breasts. You pass as my bride candidate.