My Childhood Friend is Like a Stone - Chapter 25

The unexpected delivery man who received the vacation notice, departed for the military. Those who worked would be there until late in the evening, so it would not be too late to handle it.

 

Cyril finished his work and immediately got into the carriage.

 

There were not only one or two scheduled appointments for tomorrow, but it wasn’t something to be concerned about.

 

He would not be a criminal if he did not appear at some events. If they had a conscience, they would consider his kindness, which had so kindly been dragged around.

 

“Now I get it.”

 

Samuel, another figure whose return was postponed due to an unexpected circumstance, silently peeked out the window and opened his mouth.

 

“The reason why brother left immediately after coming home when I was young.”

 

He spent more time apart than together with his brother who was only eight years old. This was because Cyril went back and forth between Cassinel and Thesar as a child.

 

It was only for a very short time that Samuel, who was only so young, was able to meet his brother.

 

Funny enough, because their time together was so short, Samuel’s memory of Cyril was clearer in his head.

 

Once a year, Cyril was obligated to return to Thesar.

 

Samuel’s first time meeting his brother was still vivid in his head.

 

‘—I thought he would be cute.’

 

The words spoken in front of the 4-year-old Samuel were not very kind. It was the same as muttering ‘Not so-.’

 

Cyril, who looked down at Samuel for a long time with a serious expression on his face, stuttered and then knelt down.

 

Eventually, when the eye level was just right, he hesitated for a moment before gently stroking his head.

 

‘I heard you’ll like it if I do this. Do you really like this?’

 

What did I do then?

 

Sadly, he didn’t remember that far. Still, he didn’t seem to hate him because he eagerly waited for his brother to come.

 

“What are you talking about out of nowhere?”

 

“Don’t you remember? When you came home, you always stayed a day or two before immediately going back.”

 

He thought it was sad that the older brother he had waited so long for, only came home and left immediately—.

 

“Did I?”

 

“That’s what happened. You always did that.”

 

The person who was directly involved seemed to have a vague memory, but Samuel remembered it correctly.

 

Samuel would never forget it. It was because, at night in Thesar, he would visit Cyril’s room.

 

Cyril looked at him with an expression that was asking why he had come again, but did not kick him away.

 

There was always a name that he reluctantly brought up when he was asked to tell an interesting story because he wanted to talk to him about something.

 

‘There’s a strange kid named Adrienne. When you meet later, ask her to do anything.’

 

‘Strange?’

 

‘Yeah, she’s a bit weird— But she’ll be nice to you.’

 

Adrienne.

 

That name kept appearing until the moment he fell asleep.

 

She was sloppy and used her body more than her brain. The kid was a little short but she was kind–often, and the kid is a little short but she’s kind–

 

As he listened to the story of what one couldn’t distinguish as either a curse or compliment, Samuel became more and more curious about Adrienne.

 

What kind of person could make his quiet older brother talk like that?

 

“Cyril, isn’t it fun to be with Adrianna?”

 

“If you’re bored, look outside. There’s a bird flying over there.”

 

“It was fun for me.”

 

That’s why he wanted to meet Adrienne.

 

After returning to Thesar permanently, Cyril rarely brought up stories about Adrienne, but Samuel always remembered her name.

 

Today was the day he finally met Adrienne in person.

 

When asked how he felt, Samuel could answer in one word.

 

It was fun.

 

There was no way it was only Samuel who felt that way. Samuel looked at his brother who had his arms crossed and his eyes closed indifferently.

 

‘You smiled before.’

 

Whenever he teased Adrienne, his eyes welled with interest. It was funny to see him come and set the mood.

 

He always respected his older brother, but right now he didn’t look very cool. He just wanted to make fun of him.

 

Samuel swallowed a laugh and spoke softly.

 

“Will I ever see Adrianna again?”

 

“—I don’t know.”

 

“Why?”

 

The answer after the short hesitation was not positive.

 

Suspicious, Samuel looked at Cyril’s expression.

 

“Because the age to meet for no reason has passed.”

 

Unlike his calm tone, his face was dark.

 

Samuel, who was a little excited, then realized that something was wrong.

 

He should stay quiet—.

 

Samuel, who quickly concluded so, shut up. Only the sound of the carriage wheels rolling rang clearly in the silence.

 

*****

 

Even though it was an unexpected visit, the dinner prepared was still spectacular.

 

The usual meal at the Duke of Thesar’s was not simple, but it was not like they enjoyed a banquet every day.

 

Starting with thinly sliced cold foie gras and luscious gray caviar, soft butter-grilled lamb, a variety of other dishes were served on the table.

 

“Congratulations on the victory. You’ve probably grown tired of hearing it, but I hope it’s not too late.”

 

“Thank you. I was afraid I might have come too late.”

 

The Duke of Thesar and his wife showed no sign of surprise even when they saw their son suddenly returning. It seemed like people expected Cyril to do so. The dinner and their attitudes said so.

 

Cyril quietly adjusted to the rhythm first.

 

It was not intentional, but it was obvious that it was indeed wrong not to show himself once after the war, so it was right to concede a little.

 

As always, the meal took place in silence. Even Samuel, who was in charge of excitement, was wary, so he remained silent. The air was still except for the occasional sound of tableware hitting.

 

“Seeing that you came in a hurry, the news must have been delivered.”

 

It was only when the empty plates were removed and dessert was served did the Duke bring up the subject.

 

Cyril glanced at Samuel, but Samuel remained in his place. He looked stubborn as if he said he deserved to join in talk of the family’s business.

 

“—You should have told me first.”

 

“It’s unnecessary to say such words to the person who stood at the threshold of marriage and said that he would gladly obey the will.”

 

The Duke brought up the conversation between the Marquis Dalbré and Cyril a few years ago.

 

To be exact, it was an engagement, but if he had an engagement, he would have naturally married, so it was not wrong.

 

At that time, everything was already confirmed after various meetings and negotiations.

 

At that time, Cyril readily complied with the Duke’s instructions. He had no choice but to agree.

 

As the heir who had been sick for a long time and weighed down the family, Cyril felt a heavy sense of responsibility.

 

It was Thesar who protected Cyril from the bad news and finally saved the weak heir who had been told that there was no hope.

 

He couldn’t forget that kindness just because it wasn’t the life he chose. So he followed. Because he had to do what he had to do as a successor.

 

“The situation is different.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“You can’t take away Adrienne’s choice just because I don’t have a choice.”

 

But now, Cyril wasn’t the only problem. Adrienne must have felt like she had been literally struck by lightning.

 

Adrienne, who had been cautious even at the first invitation, was so startled that she came running for fear of bad rumors, so what should he say?

 

“You should have discussed it.”

 

“The conversation with Count Cassinel is already over. He said he would leave all the decisions to his daughter.”

 

If it was Count Cassinel, it would indeed be in character. After all, he was a great man towards his daughter.

 

However, sending a proposal letter using forged handwriting was something that he could not tolerate. It was a separate matter from the Count.

 

“Did you just say you don’t have a choice?”

 

“I think you know what I mean.”

 

“The same goes for Thesar. We have no choice.”

 

It’s gone now.

 

The Duke lifted his glass. The overflowing red wine disappeared quickly.

 

“His Majesty the Emperor has issued  your father the position of a Great General.”

 

The Duchess, who had been watching the situation, stepped up for the first time. She spoke in a calm tone, but it sounded bitter.

 

“Great General—”

 

“It’s an extremely honorable seat.”

 

The last position that no one had been appointed to for over 300 years ago was Great General.

 

The position that was the most honorable a person in the army could ascend to was The Great Commander of The Army, and in the navy was the Admiral of The Navy. The Great General was of a higher rank than the both of them.

 

‘Not the Great Commander of the Military but the Great General?’

 

It was at first a supremely honorable title, but had little practical authority.

 

In fact, the person who commands the army is the general of the army, and the one who leads the navy is the admiral.

 

The general was only a symbol of the most honorable soldiers, but had no command.

 

As a result, he only gained power in the event of an emergency in which both the general of the army and the admiral of the navy died.

 

Even his father, the current Duke of Thesar, his grandfather, and even his great-grandfather, all longed for Great Commander Military, but in the end, they stayed only as generals.

 

Therefore, the Great General could never be a generous gift to a competent loyalist.

 

At least it was like that in Thesar. It was just putting the most honorable false honor on Thesar again.

 

“A choice— Yeah. We once had it too. However, the Emperor himself doesn’t seem to like it.”

 

“What in the world are you talking about?”

 

“The one who broke the promise with Marquis Dalbré is His Majesty. The marriage conversation with the Princess, which had been in discussion for a while, was also canceled in an instant.”

 

The Duke gulped down the wine again, perhaps thirsty.

 

What does he mean by marriage with the Princess?

 

Cyril was very surprised to see that what he regarded as a silly rumor that Maxel had found, came out of his father’s mouth.

 

“Do you see that?”

 

The Duke who put down the glass and pointed to a large flag that hung in the center of the wall. The flag was embroidered with a wing and sentence that symbolized Thesar.

 

There was one pair of big wings. Half white and half black.

 

It was a sentence given by the Emperor of the time, in order to symbolize giving a new life to the first Duke of Thesar, a former immigrant slave.

 

“The blood of Thesar has always flowed for the sake of the Empire, and now he says that he cannot defile the noble family because of the problem of poor origin—”

 

The Duke’s voice, which had always maintained a low and cold tone, was shaking with anger.