Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 379. I will do it for the family

"I think I may be able to help you with that."

Theo stiffened, surprised to hear the emperor. He had only lied to lead the conversation to an end, but instead of dismissing him, the emperor seemed to have shown a different reaction.

"Well, this is more for the future than the present," the emperor continued. "What would you think about continuing your studies in the Royal Academy instead? I will vouch for you, though you will still need to take the entrance exam."

At the word ’academy’, both the baron and the baroness visibly paused. The emperor noticed the shift and glanced back at them with a faint smile.

"Don’t worry. It won’t be like the previous time. This academy is not some minor historical institution. The connections your son will make there will be STRONG."

Theo didn’t know what to say.

’So another academy proposal, huh... and not just any... but the one in the capital,’ he thought, his gaze drifting toward one of the paintings in the corridor they were walking through.

He didn’t know who the artist was, but the serene landscape stirred something within him, almost as if he could feel the cold breeze of the camp’s open environment once again.

’Do I even want to go back to academy?’

The baron noticed the expression on his son’s face and seemed ready to say something, but the baroness beat him to it.

"We thank you for showing so much concern, Your Majesty," she said with regal confidence. "However, we will need time to decide whether we wish to send Theo to another academy. He has had a traumatic experience before."

The emperor looked back at Theo, who wore a faint awkward smile on his face.

"Perhaps we can have this conversation when the time is right. It seems Young Theo himself is uncertain."

He then chuckled lightly. "But don’t think that you can’t ask this uncle for entry when the time comes, alright, Young Theo?"

With that, the emperor resumed walking.

The whole group fell silent as they passed through a courtyard blooming with flowers.

Finally, after a few minutes, they arrived at the residence that had been prepared for their accommodation.

"Have some rest now; we will gather for dinner in a few hours, everyone," the emperor said before bidding farewell, letting everyone enter the room.

When Theo noticed there was only one bed, he stopped at the doorway and peeked out, only to see that the adjoining room also belonged to them.

"I will go to my room and rest for a while, Father, Mother," Theo said and was about to turn when he heard his name.

"Theo."

He looked back to see the baron gesturing for him to stay.

Theo stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

Now, the room held only the baron, the baroness, their attendants and Theo himself.

"Sit down. We need to talk," the baron said.

Theo immediately took the chair opposite to theirs.

The baron wasted no time. "Theo, what did you think of the emperor?"

Theo considered for a brief moment before responding.

"It’s the first time I have truly interacted with the emperor. During the ceremony, we only spoke for a few minutes."

"I think he’s a lot friendlier than I imagined. Maybe it’s because of your close relation with him, Father." Theo finished his explanation with that.

"Theo, listen to what I say very carefully." The baron said with a grave expression.

"I am going to be honest with you, Rael- no, the Emperor, would never have been this friendly with you, not in your entire life, son."

"None of your siblings receive this kind of treatment. It would’ve been normal for you to not receive it either."

"It’s only because you displayed a level of power that would benefit him, which is fine as well, son," the baron continued.

"But what I want you to understand is this... being a national asset comes with a lot of perks."

"You could order an entire damn castle to be built for you, and the Emperor would fund it. That’s just how valuable this position in the heirarchy is."

When Clara and Elias heard that, they felt a chills in their spine. The young master, the 9th heir of the Merrick Barony, who they started attending for randomly seemed to be a level in society now that didn’t feel real.

"But every coin has two sides, son. If those perks are good, you will be asked for a return as good as what you will get..."

"When you’re older and much stronger than the emperor will try to make you be, then whatever war they start with another kingdom or even the damn outer devils... you will need to be included in all that." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"If you don’t, you simply lose your status as a national asset."

There was silence as they were making sure that Theo understood everything.

"Honestly, I wouldn’t want any of my heirs to come to this point. But you have shown uniqueness since you were able to talk. I couldn’t be asking for normal when you are not supposed to be normal.." The baron kept a hand on his forehead and massaged it as if he was stressed, while the baroness kept a hand on his arm to comfort him.

"This just means I can be of better help to the family, right?" Theo asked with his face all calm.

The baron stopped massaging his head and looked at him, while the baroness just plain out showed shock as there was no one around to keep the etiquettes for.

"Father, mother" Theo got up from the chair and fixed his clothes.

"What you have given me over the past few months is something that I will benefit from for my whole life. And all that came from the sacrifice of the whole family, as sad as that sounds..."

Theo moved them to silence, but he wasn’t done.

"So since I have had this opportunity, I will use whatever perks the kingdom gives me for as long as I can and use them for the betterment of the family. And I am already proud that I got this opportunity."