Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: 13. Cutting Water with a Knife (8)
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"This place isn't bad either. The scenery is nice, and there aren't many people around."
"You sure know how to find spots like this."
"When life's wearing you down, you start hunting for escape routes."
The Duke of Calamity reached the top of a hill at a moderate height, his expression turning subtle. Kids usually took after their parents, but coming from the Lebedevs—who had no rivals when it came to being stuffy and blunt—this boy made him wonder how he'd turned out this way.
His diligence in his own affairs and exceptional patience fit the family mold perfectly, but his subtle poetic streak and his firm way of drawing lines? Those didn't match at all.
For a moment, he even wondered if Mrs. Lebedev had had an affair and this was the result, but picking out the boy's features one by one, he could see echoes of his father—so probably not.
In any case, watching Julius sit there on the hilltop, letting the wind tousle his hair, while Karin stared at him blankly as if entranced, the duke let out a sigh.
People like that were tough to persuade. They weren't tied down by status or wealth, nor obsessed with where they lived, so no matter what terms you offered, they'd never bite.
If they could carve out enough alone time in a quiet spot, they'd figure the rest didn't matter.
The silver lining was that appealing to his sense of duty might actually work.
"Looks like you make time for this even where you're staying now."
"I've been too busy lately to relax much, but yeah, basically."
"You want to keep living like that?"
"Yes."
"So, what about the emperor?"
"...We'll see."
Thinking back, the boy hadn't shown much interest in girls since childhood, and he always kept a certain distance from family too.
Sure, nobles sometimes distanced themselves from relatives over succession issues, but this felt more like an emotional wall he couldn't quite cross.
"Son."
"Can you really not drop the 'son' thing?"
"Anyway. So, what's your favorite thing right now?"
"Coffee."
"And your favorite person?"
"...."
Seeing Julius's blatantly flustered face as he averted his eyes, the duke felt a bit relieved. The kid wasn't some sly fox who manipulated emotions—he wasn't the type to exploit that advantage.
A practical tip for this war-traumatized boy who was like a son to him.
"Sometimes, you just gotta go for it."
"Pardon?"
"When you're not sure, that's your cue to act."
He clenched his fist and stuck his thumb up between his index and middle fingers.
Unlike Julius, who shot him an incredulous look, Karin turned beet red and started stammering. The duke clapped a hand on her shoulder.
"Doesn't have to be Rias. Sometimes you commit first, and your feelings shift after."
"Is that really advice from an adult?"
"Damn right it is. It's one of those moments that teaches you life's not as big a deal as it seems."
"Not happening."
"Everyone around you seems raring to go, though."
"...I won't until I truly understand my feelings and know I can take responsibility."
The Duke of Calamity snorted—not in mockery, but because it was such a quintessentially Julius answer.
Serious about relationships, yet hopeless at maintaining distance; the closer he got, the more their affections flustered him.
Unlike his father, who was just blunt and awkward at deep bonds, Julius was a natural at making friends but struggled to open his heart.
"This won't do. Come sit here."
"I'm already sitting."
"No. Here."
The duke plopped down on the grassy hilltop and patted the ground firmly with his hand.
Even with an uncomfortable look, Julius obediently adjusted his position. The duke asked,
"Alright. What do you think of His Imperial Majesty?"
"Uh... Personally, I used to think his arrogance and tendency to treat everyone like idiots were off-putting, but lately, I see him making an effort to consider those around him, so he's improved a bit."
"And the elf, Mina?"
"It's fine that she trusts me enough to act spoiled, but sometimes I wish she'd show a more mature side."
"What about that one, Karin?"
"Right in front of her?"
"Yeah. As much as you can say."
"...At first, I thought she was just rude and immature—an average kid. But her efforts in various areas are impressive."
"Then the alchemist, Leimi?"
"She's always mature and sensible, diligent in her own work too, so she's Big Sis material I can rely on if needed."
"And finally, her two little friends?"
"They're young, but each has unique strengths, so I hope they grow up well."
"Out of all the girls you've mentioned, has there ever been even a single moment in bed with any of them... No, straight up: ever thought about sleeping with one?"
"...No. That's not why I hang out with them."
"No sex drive?"
"Not exactly."
At that, the duke smacked his own forehead with his palm.
"You know how some guys avoid women because of mental trauma? Did our screw-ups give you some kind of PTSD?"
"Uh, no, not that."
"Or do you have some prejudice against women stuck in your head?"
"Nope."
"Then what's with that frustrating, ambiguous distance you keep?"
"...What does being in love feel like?"
"Son of a bitch. That's seriously your reason?"
He flicked Julius's forehead hard—not joking, genuine exasperation bubbling up from his core.
"You're hopeless."
"...Why?"
"You don't think about that stuff. You feel it. And overthinking love so seriously and cautiously—what's that gonna change?"
"Fair point."
"Want a guess why all those girls around you are waiting patiently despite secretly pining? At least right now, they haven't been ruled out. And everyone knows you're dense, so they're playing the long game."
Julius glanced away briefly, then checked Karin's reaction.
Her face still faintly flushed, Karin avoided his gaze too.
"I'm not saying decide right this second, but make a proper choice. No more stalling."
"...Got it."
"Love isn't always some burning fever. Sometimes it's just looking back fondly. That's how it goes. Think too heavy, and spring will never come."
"Ha, haha."
He laughed awkwardly, scratching his cheek, like there was some circumstance he couldn't quite pin down.
"One more honest word."
"Yes?"
"Son. You've got some old emotional scars, don't you?"
At those words, Julius's expression hardened and twisted differently than before. The duke snorted again.
Duty was a kind of standard. A slacker noble had no business lording over commoners.
But excess even of that turned poisonous, and reality rarely demanded such extremes anyway.
So what? A guaranteed heir position from birth. Center of envy and buzz. Martial prowess, character, administrative skill—no flaws. Yet he whipped himself relentlessly.
No one who didn't feel some deep lack inside would end up this extreme.
Julius had been like this since the moment the duke first held him, so probably from very early childhood.
"Denying it would be a lie."
"Related to a friend?"
"Yeah."
With that, Julius clammed up, and the duke had no urge to pry further.
His demeanor screamed "don't poke," and even if he did, no good response or clue would come.
"Alright. Old man's given his two cents, time to head back."
"So, why'd you have me wandering around?"
"Failed experiment. Meant to stir up some nostalgia for home, but if you prefer the present, I've got nothing left to say."
"Fair enough. I know plenty of people are still waiting for me back there."
"Whatever. Eat well, sleep well, live well wherever. If my house's little bastard says she doesn't need a title and wants to run to you, I'll send her along, so manage her decently."
"...That's some motherly attitude."
"What can I say? My daughter ignored every warning to behave and ended up your maid—that suits her fine."
He chuckled as he said it, and Julius cracked a small smile.
First real one since they'd started enjoying the view.
"What if I send her back home?"
"Dunno. I'd ship her right back. She's useless at housework anyway—just a freeloader."
"Don't send someone like that as a servant."
"Then take her as a concubine and make her wait on you."
"You led up to that on purpose."
Sharp when it counted.
Still, compared to his old days of grimacing like he'd curse Rias's name, this reaction was a huge improvement. The duke felt quietly relieved.
She was making some effort, after all—maybe it'd bear fruit someday.
Not that he had high hopes.
"Let's head back. When you have your first time, report to Mom."
"No way. You're not my mom."
For their umpteenth repeat of this banter, Karin burst out laughing first from the side.