Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“Wow, our young master is really fitting right in, isn’t he?”

The first to greet Christian, once he had changed clothes, was none other than Nemea.

With genuine surprise, she showed her thumbs-up and showered him with praises. However, Christian seemed rather uncomfortable, bearing a sullen expression.

“These clothes are too restrictive.”

“You need to get used to it. You’ll have to wear clothes like that often from now on.”

“Why do I have to wear something like this?”

Although it wasn’t adorned with extravagant patterns or colors since he was going to have an audience with the king, it was a formal attire made with lavish fabric.

Christian’s white uniform, decorated with golden thread, matched his bright skin tone remarkably well, instantly drawing the attention of any servants passing by.

“Really, I keep telling you to wear something like this, not just training clothes all the time.”

“They’re too uncomfortable.”

“Oh my, it’s not like we don’t have money. Why do you insist on wearing ragged training clothes all year round?”

“Because they’re easy to move in.”

Ignoring Nemea’s constant chatter behind him, Christian made his way to Aira’s room. As he stood at the door, Nemea quickly caught up.

Without acknowledging her presence, Christian knocked on the door.

“Are you not done yet?”

“Almost, just a second!”

From inside the room, it wasn’t Aira’s voice, but Sonya’s, that responded. It seemed Sonya was attending to Aira instead of the maids from Marquis Ferdida’s household.

“Why do you act like a loan shark coming to collect overdue money?”

“From personal experience?”

“Well, sort of, from where I was before……”

What kind of hardship did she endure after leaving home? As Christian gave her a sidelong glance, the door quietly opened, and Sonya stepped out.

“Oh……”

“Wow……”

Then Aira stepped out cautiously. Christian and Nemea both expressed admiration, finding Aira’s attire quite unexpected.

“I did my best.”

Sonya’s voice, dripping with exhaustion, prompted Aira to blush slightly with embarrassment.

Unlike Sonya, who insisted on wearing dresses and shoes everywhere, Aira usually wandered about in comfortable training attire like Christian.

However, she was now a completely different person.

Her usually hastily tied-up hair was neatly combed and pinned up with glamorous accessories. Instead of her favored trousers, she wore a dress.

Just as Christian was surprised by Aira’s appearance, Aira, too, widened her eyes, seeing Christian dressed so neatly.

The siblings exchanged somewhat bewildered glances momentarily.

“Is it weird?”

“No, it suits you very well.”

“…… You too.”

Aira turned her head, pouting slightly.

“You’re really beautiful, so be confident!”

“Uh, okay……. Thank you, Sonya.”

Sonya, who seemed thrilled, appeared completely different from her earlier tired self, making Aira feel bashfully at a loss.

“But this is so uncomfortable and tight.”

Despite looking nice, Aira seemed to sigh because such clothing was strange to her.

With all its emphasis on appearance, it was heavy, lacking in functionality, and even the durability seemed poor, evoking a natural complaint from her.

“What a resemblance you two have, despite not being real siblings.”

Nemea mumbled to herself, glancing at the pair.

***

Before heading to the royal palace, Christian and Aira also went to greet their grandparents.

Their faces bore signs of exhaustion, as if they had fought a fierce battle.

“Tiring……”

“Is this the life of favored grandchildren?”

“I don’t really know since it’s my first time. Let’s just deliver this and take a break.”

“…… You’re already asking for a break? Must be getting tired, huh?”

“You’re the same. Do you dislike it?”

“Not really……”

Christian proposing a break first was unexpected for Aira.

Perhaps the well-dressed appearance was mentally weighing down on Christian.

‘Maybe if we dress up whenever he wants to relax, he’ll naturally want to take it easy?’

Though the thought seemed absurd even to herself, Aira made a note to try it sometime.

Arriving at the carriage parked in front of the mansion, the driver opened the carriage door for the two, who were the last to arrive.

However, an individual was already seated in the carriage, waiting.

“You’re a bit late.”

It was Baron Kytos Ferdida, who was Christian’s uncle. A man in his early fifties, he bore a dignified presence, characteristic of the Ferdida family, with striking teal eyes.

Though he resembled his mother, Rosa Ferdida, in appearance, his large physique was much like his father, Roscarle Ferdida.

Having walked the path of a diplomat according to family tradition, it seemed he neglected physical training.

“We apologize. The conversation went on longer than expected……”

“So sorry.”

As Christian bowed his head in apology, Aira quickly followed suit.

Both hurriedly boarded the carriage and sat across from Kytos, leading the driver to close the carriage door and head for the royal palace.

Yet, with Kytos’s expression unreadable, both Christian and Aira were visibly tense.

Despite the warm reception from their grandparents, they did not naively assume all family members would be the same. The unfamiliarity couldn’t vanish quickly.

Thus, the silent gaze from Kytos was quite intimidating. After a moment, Kytos murmured to himself.

“You resemble Neria a lot. That little one who used to drive her brothers mad now has grown children like this……”

“Pardon?”

As Christian queried, Kytos, seemingly discontent, muttered to his absent son about who he seemed to resemble.

“Ahem, never mind. But seeing you like this, your looks certainly come alive. I imagine people in the palace will be curious about your identity.”

“No way.”

Disinterested in dressing up, Christian waved off what he thought were mere courtesies.

Aira, similarly, didn’t seem to place much value on the statement, offering a nod in gratitude instead.

Though they didn’t realize it, Kytos, having met numerous nobles and important figures at the palace, was confident that his nieces’ and nephews’ appearances were exceptionally striking.

“Anyway, be mindful not to display any rudeness. Although I trust you’ll handle it well, remember that the palace is always a place to be cautious.”

“Yes, we will keep that in mind, uncle.”

“Un, uncle?!”

“Why? Did I make a strange promise with uncle too?”

Upon hearing the term ‘uncle,’ Kytos Ferdida clutched his chest as if deeply shocked, gasping for breath.

“Hoo, well, you see, every niece and nephew of mine has started calling me ‘Baron’, so it’s something I haven’t grown used to.”

“……”

Kytos had five siblings, with himself being the firstborn. The youngest, and only sister, was Christian’s mother, Neria Worden.

As Kytos was the firstborn and heir, every niece or nephew he met paid him excessive respect, treating him as a superior rather than an uncle.

This was due to their siblings instructing strict manners to honor their brother’s status and responsibilities, but Kytos couldn’t help but feel a bit disheartened.

“Please continue calling me uncle.”

“…… Yes.”

This family is all strange.

Christian and Aira couldn’t help but think that sincerely.

***

The carriage halted at the royal palace’s main gate.

Seeing the flag borne by Marquis Ferdida on the carriage, the gatekeeper allowed them passage without any inspection.

Merely noting the influence of Marquis Ferdida, Christian recollected his thoughts regarding his maternal family.

‘A family of diplomats…’

The head of the diplomatic department of the Rondel Kingdom was the current Marquis Ferdida, Roscarle Ferdida.

However, in essence, baron Kytos Ferdida before him held the real power and managed most of the affairs.

Indeed, the department was practically under the complete influence of Marquis Ferdida.

“Um, but isn’t it forgivable if grandfather doesn’t come with us?”

Aira posed a question to Kytos while Christian was deep in thought. Kytos replied with a chuckle.

“Given his age, he seldom enters the palace unless there’s an exceptionally important matter.”

“I see……”

“This doesn’t mean he’s completely withdrawn. As I mentioned, huge figures or significant individuals from other nations are his responsibility.”

As he explained, Roscarle handled critical matters himself, while all other tasks fell to Kytos. Christian nodded, understanding the arrangement.

‘Seems like grandfather is preparing for retirement.’

Even though the diplomatic department was under Marquis Ferdida’s control, there was no guarantee it would remain so indefinitely.

His plan might be to stand firm until his son, Kytos, firmly establishes control, eventually handing over his remaining political assets once they matured.

‘What a good life. I’m a bit envious.’

A quiet, peaceful life with family after retirement was precisely what Christian longed for.

Once all tasks were completed, it was Christian’s dream to live comfortably with his master. Casting a sly glance at Aira, Christian was lost in thought.

“Why?”

“Well, just wondering when I’ll get to see my nieces or nephews.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?!”

“Urgh!”

Aira’s fist swung with abandon, aimed at shattering Christian’s ribcage with the force of a hammer.

Luckily, he had formed a barrier in time, but the sudden attack left quite a substantial impact, leaving Christian clutching his chest, fiercely coughing.

‘Man, that almost flattened my heart.’

Even so, Aira seemed unsatisfied, clenching her fist in rage.

Kytos, seemingly amused by their warm sibling interaction, laughed heartily.

“You two have really grown close, as Neria mentioned.”

“We, we haven’t. It’s just…… well, it’s complicated……”

“It’s fine. Anyway, it’s a joy to see such a good relationship.”

“Ugh……”

At his words, Aira puffed her cheeks and pouted.

“Since we’re in the palace now, the king must have been informed of our arrival. The waiting time for the audience is uncertain. So……”

Kytos Ferdida’s expression hardened as he observed the siblings. Noticing the shift, both Christian and Aira flinched simultaneously.

This was the pressure exuded by the prospective head of the Rondel Kingdom’s diplomatic department!

With bated breath and focused attention, Christian and Aira listened intently as Kytos continued quietly.

“Don’t get bored and start practicing in the royal palace.”

“…… Yes.”

“…… Understood.”

Reluctantly, Christian and Aira responded. Kytos added a cautionary note — ‘Please avoid any noticeable actions in the palace. That’s what I’m asking.’

But Christian stopped feigning attention.

‘Hm, uncle knows us all too well.’

Though slightly disappointed, Christian considered the reputations of the Worden, Ferdida, and Miles families and decided patience was wise.

‘Still, surely push-ups wouldn’t hurt?’