Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Chapter 28: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

Spotting his chance, Lion promptly attempted to inspect the Shilling Shop.

He was just about to press the ‘Yes’ button without hesitation, however.

Click!

“As expected. I knew you would do this, Elder Brother.”

Rikschel’s sudden arrival meant he had to put it off for a while.

“Your coming-of-age ceremony is tomorrow, yet you’re still sewing?”

“No, I’ve already finished sewing, and there’s still time before the coming-of-age ceremony…”

He wanted to offer an excuse, but upon seeing Rikschel scan the room with a chilly gaze, he naturally clamped his mouth shut.

In truth, the chamber was stacked high with every imaginable kind of tie, so there was no conceivable way to spin it as acceptable.

“I heard you’ve been doing this for three days straight.”

“That…”

“Without even proper sleep, I might add.”

I have a deadline, so it can’t be helped!

…or so he couldn’t bring himself to say.

He felt convinced that saying the wrong thing would result in Andri getting dragged into the mess.

“Young Master is right. Young Master.”

Furthermore, before he knew it, Elvia had also stealthily stepped in to join the scolding.

“……Alright. Alright. I’ll sleep, then.”

He longed to check the Shilling Shop right away, but given the atmosphere, he sensed he would face another fierce lecture at the slightest rustling noise.

Yet how did she figure it out?

Moments later, Lion swept everything aside due to the pair of them and stretched out on the mattress.

Blink… Blink…

Perhaps because he had kept his head down, the moment he lay across the bed, his frame was instantly overwhelmed by exhaustion, and his eyelids began to droop.

Only then did the realization hit him.

‘Oh, I overdid it.’

Drawing from his past life, he felt certain he would fall genuinely ill if he pulled another all-nighter.

“See you tomorrow, Elder Brother.”

“Sleep well, Young Master.”

Their parting words drifted into his dreams.

Yes. Rest well, both of you…

—

The following day.

“Kkueeeung.”

Lion burrowed deeper beneath the covers, dodging the morning rays piercing through the drapes.

He certainly had pushed himself too hard over the preceding days, leaving him deeply groggy.

“Young Master. I apologize for the intrusion, though you must be exhausted.”

Flap!

Elvia ruthlessly yanked Lion’s blanket away and hauled him upright by force.

“Today marks your coming-of-age ceremony, so you must make some haste.”

“Kkueeeung, Right…”

“If you are too fatigued, I will assist you with your bath.”

“No! I’m fully awake. I feel so refreshed!”

Oops.

Lion sprang out of bed and marched straight toward the washroom.

There were several aspects of Lion’s new physique he had yet to adjust to, the most prominent being personal attendance.

Receiving assistance just to dress, and receiving assistance just to bathe!

No, I’m not an infant…

‘Nobles.’

Lion shook his head and stepped out of the tub following a thorough soaking.

Indeed, sweating away the fatigue remained the ultimate remedy for overwork.

Having soaked in the steaming water, his mind finally felt considerably sharper.

“……”

Hold on a second.

Today, there seemed to be quite a number of servants inside my quarters?

If that was the case, and I stepped out as usual…

Lion cautiously eased the door open and peered out.

Just as anticipated!

Aside from Elvia and Hanna, whom he encountered regularly, an entire line of unfamiliar faces awaited.

“Haa.”

Even as the young master of an aristocratic house, that felt excessive.

Lion, draped in a bathrobe he never normally wore, cinched the sash firmly and stepped forward. Elvia presented a modest tray of light fare and tea.

“From now on, Young Master, you need only sit quietly.”

“Don’t worry, Young Master.”

“We will finish swiftly.”

This feels entirely like visiting a high-end salon.

As he settled into the chair and shut his eyes, the attendants set to work on Lion’s hair and complexion with astonishing swiftness.

“It is complete.”

Already?

It felt like barely twenty minutes had passed, yet they had pulled it off.

“I shall dress myself, so I would prefer if everyone could leave now.”

“Should you require any assistance, please call for us!”

Rumble-

Once dozens of servants had cleared out of the chamber, Lion let out a soft sigh.

“Ugh.”

“You worked hard.”

“……”

Elvia remained behind alone, gazing at Lion.

“Why didn’t you leave?”

“I intended to help you dress.”

No, exactly how old am I that I cannot even clothe myself?

Besides, this attire was a joint creation between Andri and himself. Furthermore, he had already tried it on days prior.

Elvia could not possibly be unaware of that.

In that case…

“Do you have something to impart?”

“Ahem. No.”

In reality, Elvia had no genuine reason to linger so long.

‘It is already time for his coming-of-age ceremony.’

The sickly infant she had watched over since her days as Silvia had somehow matured and was holding his coming-of-age ceremony.

It was a pity she could not fully express those sentiments in her role as ‘Elvia.’

Meanwhile, Lion, tilting his head in confusion, conceded with a resigned tone.

“Then, would you assist me in arranging the decorations later?”

“Understood, Young Master.”

Elvia finally pivoted on her heel, and after Lion changed into his formal wear, he left the remainder in Elvia’s capable hands.

“The Marquis will be proud. The tie in particular suits you exceedingly well.”

“That is a relief.”

He had fretted that it might appear odd under the harsh daylight since it was his final creation, but thankfully it passed muster.

Indeed, hard work does not deceive.

After fastening his sleeve cuffs with absolute precision, Lion cast a glance at his reflection in the full-length mirror.

‘My appearance is definitely acceptable.’

Dressed up in this manner, he genuinely carried the air of a noble young master.

“Then, let us depart.”

Lion exited his room to find Rikschel waiting outside.

Further down the hall, his grandfather, Petrick, kept watch over him.

“I shall escort you to the banquet hall, Elder Brother.”

“Let us go.”

At last, the long-delayed coming-of-age ceremony was underway.

—

The Asteri Family’s banquet hall brimmed with nobility.

From regional lords aligned with the Asteri faction hailing from the territory and its environs, to influential central elites. Even imperial princes representing the Emperor were present.

“It feels even more magnificent than an imperial banquet.”

“I heard the Marquis and the eldest young master were estranged, but that appears to have been an idle rumor.”

“Haha. That remains to be seen.”

They conversed freely amongst themselves, speaking on behalf of the family heads who had yet to make an appearance.

Envy, reverence, jealousy, awe.

Their underlying emotions varied, yet one detail remained universal.

Not a single soul dared look down upon the Asteri Family.

This applied equally to the renowned swordsmanship lineage that stood in opposition to Asteri.

“Yet despite being the guest of honor, he seems rather tardy.”

“It surely will not be canceled like last time, will it?”

“Oh ho ho. Surely not… not twice?”

Just as they exhausted their topics of conversation and threatened to dredge up the previous aborted ceremony.

Click-

The grand doors of the hall swung wide, and the direct bloodline of the Asteri Family strode inside.

To welcome them, the orchestra struck up a majestic movement, and the nobles packed near the entrance parted without exception.

“……The atmosphere feels even more chilling than usual.”

That applied not only to the Marquis and the heir, but equally to Lion, the central figure of today’s ceremony.

If anything, even more so…

“This differs somewhat from the whispers.”

“He hardly carries the air of an ordinary man.”

“Word was that he failed to awaken as a mage…”

Having absorbed rumors regarding his sickly constitution, they had subconsciously anticipated a diminished presence.

Yet reality proved quite the opposite!

Certain aristocrats, upon taking in Lion’s visage, shielded their mouths behind fans and goblets as they hastily revised their assessments.

They had previously grown excited at the prospect of casually challenging a high-ranking young master, only to be reminded that he belonged to the Asteri Family.

More than that, he was of direct lineage.

The assembly maintained their composure, though mild shock rippled through them.

Naturally, as the eldest grandson of the Asteri Family, such a standard was to be expected.

“You appear remarkably relaxed.”

“Word has it he personally oversaw the preparations for this gathering.”

“My goodness! Given this scale, the expense must have been staggering.”

Still, a degree of caution remained necessary.

That formed the consensus among the gathered elite.

As everyone understood, Lion’s individual significance mattered little to them.

Although they attended Lion Asteri’s coming-of-age ceremony, did not every single guest arrive with an identical agenda?

Lion served merely as a pretext, while the true targets were Petrick and Rikschel.

“Hmph…”

Petrick let out a low snort upon observing them.

To dare measure my grandson without knowing their own station.

“Lion.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Do not mingle with those fools over yonder. Their character is foul.”

Realizing his grandfather was referring to the nobles whispering while eyeing him, Lion offered a faint smile.

“Are you concerned for my well-being?”

“Hmph, bear in mind that this is a public forum. You must announce the opening of the festivities shortly, so steel your mind.”

“Haha, fret not over that. As the proud eldest grandson of the Asteri Family, I shall bring no shame upon us.”

“…Indeed. I have a matter to inquire of you later. We shall speak then. For now, proceed.”

Giving his chest a reassuring pat with a smile, Lion turned on his heel.

‘He is surprisingly attentive.’

Well, regardless of that sentiment, his grandfather’s warning held true.

There existed a well-known adage: “Do not haggle with commoners, but be ruthless with nobles!”

‘I have zero intention of socializing with individuals who approach merely to curry favor anyway.’

Lion’s objective remained modest.

He simply aimed to project a favorable impression upon the nobles who were present strictly to enjoy the gala and held no ulterior interest in his grandfather or younger sibling.

‘Andri crafted such exceptional attire, and my family genuinely cares, so I ought to promote them.’

To achieve that…

First, he needed to capture a moderate level of attention.

The ideal opportunity presented itself shortly.

A dais had been arranged for Lion, the protagonist, to deliver a brief expression of gratitude and formally declare the celebration open.

Lion marched forward, climbed the podium, and surveyed the assembly below.

The majority paid him scant attention.

While that might have discouraged others, to Lion, it felt like an auspicious sign.

After all, Lion did not view the entire crowd as potential promotional targets.

Even though today ostensibly celebrated his coming of age and entry into adulthood, that milestone was merely a facade.

For those aristocrats, the ultimate goal was catching the eye of ‘Petrick Asteri’ or his successor, ‘Rikschel Asteri.’

They undoubtedly believed securing such patronage would guarantee a life of effortless nobility.

‘This is no coming-of-age ceremony; it is a culling orchestrated by the Asteri Family!’

‘They staged such an extravagant affair even after postponing it once! Something momentous is bound to occur.’

‘If I can secure the Marquis’s notice here, my descendants’ future is assured!’

In truth, a multitude of nobles were thinking precisely along those lines.

Their conclusions converged upon a single point.

Strive to appear as presentable as possible.

Or at the very least, if charm proved impossible, ensure one did not become an eyesore!

Whether the target was the sickly eccentric Lion mattered little; avoiding the displeasure of the Marquis and his heir was paramount!

Naturally, his grandfather held zero personal interest in them, while Rikschel favored talented commoners far above insignificant aristocrats.

‘I shall leave that arena to them.’

Concluding his internal musings, Lion parted his lips to speak.

“Welcome. I am Lion Asteri, who has finally reached adulthood after a delay.”

Clap, clap, clap-

The nobles offered polite, formal applause.

As all eyes converged upon Lion, Rikschel was the one quietly consumed by anxiety.

‘I only hope Elder Brother does not tremble…’

Possessing eloquence and maintaining stable composure were two entirely distinct matters.

Meeting a single gaze was simple.

Enduring a handful of gazes remained manageable.

Yet when those stares multiplied into dozens and hundreds, the physical pressure proved immense.

That precisely explained why heir training, which forced candidates to endure intense scrutiny, existed to prevent one from freezing up under such conditions.

Of course, Rikschel possessed an iron constitution that never flinched regardless of whether hundreds or thousands watched…

Even so, he could not suppress his worry that his elder brother might fall ill from the ordeal.

Rikschel continued to monitor Lion with an expression of deep concern.

“Wh-what?”

He muttered the words before he could stop himself.