"My dear, are you sure you want to accept the offer?"

"This decision is not a joke, Lionel."

"Yes, mother, father."

Lionel glanced up, only to meet Elara and Arden’s gazes. The two looked worried as he voiced his decision on the matter. After thinking it through, he decided to accept the offer given to him by his grandfather.

To be offered as an Imperial knight this early was already a rare thing. He knew he shouldn’t pass it on for whatever reason. Aside from that, it would help with honing his skills.

Elara slowly pressed her hands together at that.

"My dear..." she spoke softly again, "once you enter the Imperial Knights, things will become much harder for you."

"The training alone is already enough to make most people quit," Arden added, "Now, are you truly certain about this, Lionel?" His voice remained calm, but you would know that he was serious about it.

Lionel looked at the two of them before nodding his head firmly.

"Yes." This time, there was no hesitation in his voice. "I’m already sure about it."

"..." The room became silent afterward.

Arden’s eyes observed him carefully, "What is your reason for accepting it?"

Lionel paused briefly at the question. However, unlike before, he no longer answered carelessly.

"I already learned my lesson, Father."

Arden’s brows rose slightly at that.

"I understand now that becoming an Imperial Knight isn’t something to take lightly." His voice became more serious than before. "I’m accepting this because I know it will help me grow."

His gaze slowly lowered to the ground after saying that.

"And from now on... I promise to take my training seriously."

"..." Elara and Arden became silent again. They blinked, looking completely caught off guard at what they heard. Because honestly... this was probably the most serious they had ever heard Lionel sound.

For a brief moment, Elara and Arden could only look at each other quietly. They were talking with their eyes. In the end, Elara could only let out a helpless sigh.

"My dear really has grown up..."

Lionel awkwardly scratched the side of his cheek after hearing that.

"Very well." Arden also exhaled deeply. "If this is truly your decision, then I will no longer stop you."

"But understand this clearly. The moment you step into that path, you cannot treat it lightly anymore."

"I understand, Father." Lionel nodded.

Arden stared at him for another second before eventually nodding back.

"Then tomorrow, I’ll arrange for our response to be delivered to His Majesty."

"Thank you, father," The corner of Lionel’s lips slowly rose at that. A faint smile slowly formed on Lionel’s face afterward.

Finally... Everything was already moving forward the way he wanted it to be.

Honestly, Lionel felt relieved. However, as soon as Lionel relaxed slightly, Arden suddenly glanced toward his son again. Suddenly, a mischievous look appeared on the duke’s face.

"Now that you seem perfectly fine," Arden casually spoke, "why don’t you greet Sir Reinhardt in the training grounds?"

Lionel’s smile instantly disappeared at that.

"W-What?"

Arden calmly leaned back against his seat.

"I’m sure the two of you missed each other greatly. Sir Reinhardt talked about how you’ve been working hard in his training before we left."

"..." The moment Lionel heard that name, his entire body stiffened.

Sir Reinhardt... he didn’t miss that man at all. Lionel still remembered how painful his previous sessions had been.

"Father..." Lionel immediately cleared his throat awkwardly. "I just got better days ago. I’m still somewhat tired..."

"Oh?" Arden slowly raised a brow. "Tired?"

Lionel suddenly felt danger from that tone.

"Didn’t you just say a moment ago that you would take your training seriously?"

"..." Lionel instantly became speechless. How could his father use his own words against him?

Elara quickly covered her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh after seeing the expression on her son’s face. Meanwhile, Arden looked completely calm.

"R-Right." Lionel stared at his father for a few seconds before awkwardly laughing under his breath. He already walked into that himself.

"I suppose I should greet Sir Reinhardt, Father."

"Good." Arden nodded in satisfaction.

Lionel silently cursed. His father definitely did that on purpose.

"My dear," Arden suddenly called.

"Yes, my dear?"

"Please prepare medicine for our son afterward."

"..." Lionel’s eyelid twitched at that. How can they even joke about it?

Even Elara finally failed to hold back her laughter at that point. "My poor child," she said while laughing softly.

Lionel could only sigh helplessly.

For some reason... he suddenly regretted sounding so determined earlier.

"Now, why are you still here?" Arden looked at him for another moment before raising a brow.

"Huh?"

"Go" Arden motioned toward the door. "And train."

Lionel looked completely betrayed. Elara once again failed to stop herself from laughing softly beside them.

"Yes, yes... I’m going already." Lionel let out a long groan before slowly standing up from his seat. He gave a small bow toward his parents afterward.

"I’ll take my leave first, Mother. Father."

"Good luck, my dear," Elara smiled sympathetically.

"..." Lionel’s lips twitched slightly. But still, he silently turned around and walked out of the room afterward.

The moment the doors closed behind him, the relaxed expression on his face immediately disappeared.

"I really don’t want to do this." Unfortunately, no one would hear his complaint.

Lionel walked through the estate hallways in silence. He already knew what kind of nightmare was waiting for him there.

And as expected, the moment the large doors of the training grounds opened, a towering man immediately came into his view.

Sir Reinhardt was standing in the middle of the grounds with his arms crossed behind his back. His broad frame made him look intimidating even if he wasn’t doing anything.

Reinhard immediately turned to the doors when he heard it open. In there, his eyes landed on Lionel.

"..." Sir Reinhardt only gave him a brief glance before nodding once.

"Good. You’re here." His deep voice echoed throughout the training grounds.

"Good morning, Sir Reinhardt." Lionel awkwardly forced a smile.

The knight stared at him for another second before suddenly turning toward the other soldiers currently training nearby.

"You ten." At once, ten men immediately straightened their backs after being called.

"Yes, Sir!" Sir Reinhardt pointed toward Lionel without hesitation.

"The ten of you will have a sparring session with Young Master Lionel today."

"H-Huh?...What?" Lionel’s eyes widened instantly.

===

A/N:

Shout out to Mr387! Thank you for dropping a Golden Ticket.