You would regret it if you didn’t study now! Besides, if you’re stupid, you won’t only ruin your family, you will ruin the country too!

Kir gave a very unique answer as if he had read my thoughts.

“Alright. Since you say so, I will come along with my father from tomorrow onwards.”

Saying that, Kir jumped up and looked down at me coldly. Somehow, I was rather happy with his gaze that seemed to say, “Don’t regret it.”

“Yes, well thought out! We shouldn’t play like this, spend it meaningfully!”

I was proud that Kir was doing his duty. This must be how mothers feel when they raise a child.

Contrary to my proud mind, Kir’s expression was not good. I had been nagging him hard, so it was time to give him the reward. He was just going to keep getting sullen if I send him off like that.

I got up and sat next to Kir. I patted him on the back and encouraged him. Kir was weak to praise.

“I know you hate the Empire, but what could be done? It was your duty too. Cheer up, I will cheer on you. Understand?”

Kir couldn’t hide his stunned expression. I replied with a smile, “Everything is for your good.”

In the end, Kir just kept his mouth shut despite looking like he had a lot to say, then frowned. He squeezed his brows tightly like he was suffering from a severe headache. His other hand clenched into a fist and trembled.

Finally, he exhaled a breath to calm his anger. It was definitely a familiar look.

Kir always acted like he was on the unfair side when I said something. It was a sign that he didn’t like my nagging, and I ignored it and passed it off with a smile.

I didn’t care even when Kir, who had been staring at me coldly, turned around and walked away.

He must do what he must do. And when time passes, he would follow me around like nothing. It was really similar to when he was young, when he was forced to do something. It seemed that Kir still had a long way to go.

* * *

And as promised, Kir followed the Grand Duke from the next day onwards.

The Grand Duke visited the Empire on official business. He went to the imperial palace and participate in official events. The official ceremony included the wedding of the Princess of Taylon and the Crown Prince.

I wanted to see it up close. But, having no right to directly participate in such a big event, I stayed peacefully in the mansion. I didn’t visit the Sage’s Study even though my father and Kir were both busy and I had to stay at home alone. In the Sage’s Study, the high-class personnel attended the imperial palace event, so it was boring.

That was how I spent a vacation after a long time.

Unfortunately, there was no wedding march. There was only an announcement. In the end, I couldn’t even see the princess’s face. Still, the noble society of the empire was bustling every day, probably because it was a big event to welcome a Crown Princess.

Large and small banquets continued not only on the day of the wedding, but also afterward. It was not a wild or revelry banquet. However, it was a long banquet that lasted from evening to dawn. Kir took part in such an event without hesitation.

My father, Kir, and the Grand Duke came in at dawn and overslept, so if I was lucky, I would see their faces briefly during lunch. Kir, who was seen then, showed more and more tiredness. It felt awkward for no reason, so I avoided him. Then it became more difficult to see his face.

After spending another month of such a raucous banquet night, the atmosphere in the capital calmed down a bit. The big banquet was over. After two days of rest at the mansion, Kir, the Grand Duke, and Father returned to the duchy.

The night before leaving, Kir visited me. He came for no reason and sat with his arms crossed without saying a word, setting the mood. Still, he followed the Grand Duke for around a month and did his part by forcing himself to do things he didn’t want to do, so I didn’t nag about his attitude.