Volume 2, Chapter 91: One thing first.

"So? What will it be? Interested in being the new Lady Morningstar?" Lucius said with a cheerful laugh.

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The carriage headed back to the estate. Lucius sat within it, his hand on his chin while he stared out the window in silence as several thoughts went through his mind.

What had actually happened was that Silvia had agreed to help him, although she made it clear that she had no intention of visiting his family's estate.

But at the very least, she'd given him permission to use her name. Also...

"She actually gave me this as well." Lucius used his other hand to raise a small marble to his eye level. "She said I should only show it to Father and Mother, to express her willingness on the situation."

'I never thought she'd be this thoughtful,' Lucius let out a soft laugh.

"Is something the matter, young master?" one of the guards asked. Clearly his little outburst had surprised him—or, should he say, spooked him quite a bit—since it wasn't often they saw the young master laughing.

"Ahem... It's nothing you should be worried about," Lucius cleared his throat and waved a dismissive hand.

The guard nodded before facing forward once more.

The carriage soon arrived at the manor.

Lucius got off with a little leap, letting out a huff after his feet reached the floor.

"Oh, brother. You seem to be heading somewhere. Mind if I join you?" Right after getting out of the carriage, he was fortunate enough to see his darling little brother, Leo.

"You... wish to accompany me?" Leo said with obvious skepticism.

'Just what is he planning in that head of his?' Leo didn't know his brother for ever trying to do such a thing before; quite the contrary, there was nothing Lucius seemed to want more before than getting as far away from him as possible.

"Is that so surprising for a brother to want to accompany his own younger brother?" Rather than being offended, he merely chuckled, offering a dramatic bow. "I merely wish to help you anyway I can, for old times' sake."

'You still haven't given me your word whether or not you'll allow them to accompany us to the academy. I'm afraid I can't let you go until you do,' Lucius said within his head.

"Well, if you must know, I was planning on heading to the guards' training grounds."

"Brushing up on your skills, I see," Lucius nodded his head approvingly. "Indeed, what a brilliant thing to do. After all, one's skills are sure to get rusty when all one does is sit by the sidelines all the time while their vassals carry on every one of their tasks."

"Tsk." Leo clicked his tongue with disgust before turning around and walking off.

'Perhaps I shouldn't have said that,' Lucius said to himself. He was planning on remaining as normal as possible so as not to make his brother too suspicious, but it seemed that he was more normal than needed to be.

Nevertheless, Lucius followed after the departed Leo with calm steps, as if intentionally trying to maintain a noble deportment.

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"Young master, you're finally home!"

"It's the young master!"

"Thank God he made it back!" The moment most of the guards at the training grounds saw Leo, they all became excited, while some were relieved.

"It's good to have you back, young lad," said a gruff-looking old man with a balding top and scars all over, whose muscles betrayed his age. This man was none other than the head guard of the Morningstar household: a man whose skills spoke more than words ever could, and the very man who had taken it upon himself to train Leo in some swordsmanship ever since he was too stubborn to quit.

"It's good to see you, Rugbeard," Leo was equally happy to see the old man. After all, who wouldn't be joyful to see their master after such a long time?

"Well, isn't this quite a heartwarming sight." The moment everyone in the training grounds heard the sudden new voice, their expressions stiffened; some even lost a bit of color to their face.

Lucius, who was the cause of it all, entered the training grounds with a friendly smile on his face—yet to all these men, that smile might as well be that of a bloodthirsty demon's.

In their eyes, what stood before them wasn't a handsome young man but a cold demon from the coldest part of hell—and that was saying something, since hell was probably hot throughout.

"I hope I didn't dampen the mood," Lucius naturally sensed the disruption in the air; after all, who wouldn't?

"Not at all, young master," Rugbeard was quick to speak. "Might I ask what brings you here? I thought you preferred to train while the training grounds were far less populated." His words were truth, since he knew Lucius for being the type to hate the company of others—especially that of vassals or commoners. So long as it was someone beneath him, he wouldn't skimp on making them remember that whenever they came too close.

"That was true, but today, I believe I'm feeling more eager for a joint sparring session with my dear little brother," Lucius hooked an arm over Leo's shoulders.

Leo trembled in silence but didn't say anything. Rugbeard nodded. "I see. Well, the training grounds are always open to you, young master. If it's okay with you, mind if I suggest a few training partners for you?" Rugbeard turned toward his men, yet they all shivered at his earlier words. "I'm sure there must be a few of them eager to accompany you for a few rounds."

Some guards gulped in fear, while some unconsciously took a step back. It wasn't that they were useless or lacking, but that they feared the idea of going against him.

What if he was a sore loser, or became displeased during the fight? Wouldn't he not hesitate to pour his rage out on them?

"Oh, really? My my, I think I'd very much like that," Lucius nodded his head in agreement. His eyes began glancing at the guards one by one.

Leo, who was silently watching, clenched his fists when he saw the guards who began looking worried. Even though they tried to hide it, he didn't need to be told that none of them wanted to spar with his brother for reasons he himself knew.

"Brother," before Lucius could say another word, Leo suddenly spoke up.

"Yes? What is it?" Lucius turned to face him.

"Perhaps it's best if you didn't spar with them. I mean, they probably wouldn't be able to handle a few swords of yours—after all, it's you we're talking about," Leo said with a wary smile.

"Hmm..." Lucius stroked his chin as if contemplating his words. "True, you are right. I am that great, aren't I?"

'Over-conceited idiot... You really believe that, don't you?' Leo secretly gnashed his teeth behind his lips while still trying to maintain a positive expression.

"Yes, you're absolutely right," Leo nodded his head rhythmically. "Why don't we spar against each other instead? I've been meaning to learn a lot from you... I mean, I'd really like to learn from you, brother."

"I see..." Lucius muttered.

"I understand. But why should I teach you anything?" Lucius sneered, a look of contempt on his face.

"What are you trying to say?" This time, Leo couldn't hold it anymore; a frown emerged on his face.

"I'm saying, if that's what you want, you're going to have to make it worth my while," Lucius said as his expression returned to its calm form.

'Scheming bastard... This was what you wanted from the beginning, wasn't it!' Leo's knuckles threatened to turn white from how hard he was clenching them. Even Rugbeard had a light frown on his face upon seeing this.

"What is it you want?" In the end, Leo asked in a cold tone filled with visible hostility.

"What I want is simple. In case you're unaware, I paid your darling friends a visit."

"You what?!" Leo exclaimed out loud, his eyes widening while glaring at his brother in anger.

"If you hate me so much, then go after me! Why do you have to go after them? They have nothing to do with the both of us–!"

"Would you please keep quiet and let me finish?"

'Have nothing to do with me? I'll have you know those were my wives and mother, you dumb fuck.' Lucius felt the urge to smack this brother of his but was fortunate enough to hold it in.

"Here are my terms: If I win this spar, I want you to go and tell them the risks involved with the academy."

"What?" This time around, Leo was confused. Wasn't he supposed to be asking him to do the opposite?

"What did I say about letting me finish?" Lucius shot him an irritated glare. Leo suddenly looked speechless and decided to keep quiet so as to hear what he had to say.

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