My father came

“Yesterday’s training was very impressive, my child. Even though you lost more than thirty times and suffered a minor fracture, the fact that you were still willing to follow the teachings is admirable.”

What my mother, Ariest, said contained an undeniably embarrassing truth.

Again. And again.
After yesterday’s duel, even though I kept imagining William as nothing more than an inherited debt, I still lost to him. I even received a bonus in the form of physical injuries.

Sword training is boring.

“Thank you for the compliment, Mom… but do I really have to wear something like this now?”

This is humiliating.

“Mm! It suits you perfectly!”
Right now, I was in the dressing room. The place my mother usually used to make herself beautiful. Three maids stood by as my mother personally dressed me in a gown.

A baby bonnet with a rose accessory sat snugly on my head. Bright red lipstick had even been applied to my lips.

Damn it. I look like some kind of half-girl guy.

“…Young Master Fenzy, you’re so cute!”

One of the maids completely denied my internal monologue with a warm smile. They kept showering me with praise for my current appearance.

I really should not have gone along with my mother’s wishes.

So I asked, “Mother, what exactly is all of this?”She answered with a gentle smile while patting my head.

“This is the art of beauty. Your life is not only about mastering sword techniques. You must also learn the other side of this family,” she said.

What is that supposed to be? Some kind of noble slogan?

“…I see. So does that mean I have to dress like this all the time?”

“Of course not. I just want you to know. That alone is more than enough to add a little life experience. Become someone who has experience in many fields.”

Alright. Alright. I admit it. I give up.

“I understand…”

But before I could stop staring at the large vanity mirror, my mother added something else.

“Now then! Put this on too! This, this is so cute! Kyaaa!”

It was a pacifier. Yes, you heard that right. A baby pacifier made of soft foam was pressed against my small lips.

Damn. Damn it.

No matter how I look at it, I’m just a giant baby. I’ve completely turned into a cute infant.

Every piece of clothing I was wearing was pink. Just like a girl.

“I understand. Thank you…”

That was all I could say to her. After that, my mother and the three maids giggled as they watched my outwardly innocent behavior.

“Oh right, Fenzy. Tomorrow, an important guest from the kingdom will arrive. They say the princess wishes to meet you.”

The princess? Who is she?
I asked my mother about her. She said the girl was around my age and was currently on a study tour as a candidate for the throne ten years from now.

From what I knew, princesses in fairy tales were usually described as elegant and breathtakingly beautiful.

And now, in this semi-royal world, I was actually going to meet one? Yes, I was looking forward to it.

“Ah, I really am looking forward to it…”I was genuinely curious about her.
Is this going to be some kind of story where a knight protects a princess? Obviously not.

That sounds way too troublesome for me. I’m already struggling just to protect myself. Taking care of someone else? That’s ridiculous.

I ended up letting out a bitter laugh toward my mother without realizing it. Please forgive your strange child, Mother.

---

After dinner, in a dimly lit corridor, I was carrying several sword technique manuals along with a few other books.

Lately, I had been far more curious about the world itself than about my father’s goal of turning me into a gallant knight.

The truth is, this world is vast. Truly vast. Not like my initial assumptions. Races, magic, regions, continents, oceans, all divided into fragments.

Strange creatures included.

However, as long as I’ve lived in this world, I’ve only learned about it through books I secretly borrowed from the library.

It’s strange. I used to hate reading.

Is this some natural impulse carried over from my previous world, where I was the embodiment of failure? Maybe. I even failed at committing suicide, lol.

I really can’t forget that. Damn it.

“Huh… what a beautiful night…”

Standing on the balcony, I gazed at the deep blue sky.

What I saw wasn’t just the moon accompanied by shining stars. For some reason, it felt closer to the image of a galaxy you’d see in media.

No, how should I explain it with about ninety percent accuracy?

Basically, the ground and whatever lay beyond the planet felt close. As if there were no clouds acting as a barrier.

While I was absorbed in that scenery and opening my book, I noticed a gate guard below speaking to someone hidden in the shadows.

They were too far away for me to hear.

A visitor at this hour? What is this about?
Oh right. Could that be the princess?
I wondered about it for several minutes. Long enough to get bored with myself. I regretted even thinking about it.

Seriously.

“My son! Ugh, you’ve grown so big! Hey!”
That voice echoed from below as the gate was opened.

A horse-drawn carriage, along with its driver, stopped by the angel statue garden.

And a man was shouting at me repeatedly.

He was wearing battle gear.

Even so, not a single scratch could be seen on his luxurious metal armor. A cool-looking sword hung at his broad waist.

“Oh my, being ignored by my own son! Hwahahaha! So you’re the cold and absent-minded type, huh!”

Judging by his facial features… yeah, that was definitely my father, Lucas.

Oh, so he’s finally back from his assignment. After working at the border for so long. That part was good. Worth praising.

What wasn’t good was him mocking me with those generic lines.

“Welcome back, Father…”

That response came out naturally and politely, even though inside my head I was declaring war on him.

“I have tons of stories to tell you! Come inside and have dinner with me!”

“Huh, again? I just ate. Right now, I’m seriously studying the essence of manhood through instructional manuals. So please give me some time…”

With that, I ignored him and calmly continued reading under the moonlight.

But then he shouted again.
“Hey, my son! I’m coming up there! Wait for me!”

Yeah, it seems that man didn’t hear a single word I said and decided to ignore everything I had explained.

What else can I do? I honestly don’t know. I really don’t want to meet him.

Because he always forces me to follow his orders, all about the world of knights gripping their sword hilts tightly.