The Duke's youngest son is Unbearable

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A Heavy Decision

Arthur shook his head, setting the matter of the anomaly aside—for now. They could investigate further in time. Right now, the immediate mystery demanded their attention.

But even as he tried to push the thought away, his mind lingered on it.

This was strange.

Arthur had always prided himself on his knowledge of ether cores, yet what Asher claimed left him rattled. He had suspected something when the ether core binder failed to recognize his brother's core, but to hear Asher himself confirm that it had shattered and then… healed?

Unheard of.

Asher, meanwhile, sat with a tense posture, his hands gripping the fabric of his pants. He didn't hide anything. He had already realized that someone might have been controlling him that day, and he couldn't afford to let any clues slip past.

Of course, he kept one thing to himself.

The memories of his past life on Earth.

He took a deep breath and recounted everything—waking up, feeling his wounds mysteriously healed, the absence of pain where there should have been nothing but agony.

Their father listened in silence, his expression unreadable, as if carved from stone.

But Arthur, standing beside him, couldn't keep his thoughts contained.

"Impossible."

Arthur had heard of miracle healings, of rare potions or divine blessings, but a shattered ether core restoring itself on its own? No, that shouldn't be possible.

He glanced at his father. If he was shocked, he hid it well. His face remained composed, his eyes only narrowing slightly as he considered Asher's words.

Finally, after a long pause, their father spoke.

"Have you used your core since it reformed?"

Asher shook his head. "No."

Their father's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he gave a slight nod.

"Do you feel any abnormalities?"

"None."

A moment of silence stretched between them before their father finally leaned back in his chair. "Good. You may leave."

Asher hesitated. Then, after a brief moment of inner debate, he spoke.

"Can I ask for something?"

His father lifted an eyebrow. "Say it."

Taking a deep breath, Asher met his father's gaze with an intensity that made Arthur blink. "Can you not do anything to Elvin?"

His father's brow furrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"

Asher's fingers curled into fists. "I know this will be difficult, but… Elvin isn't a bad person. I think—no, I know—he was manipulated that day. He didn't act of his own will." His voice was firm, despite the emotions tightening in his chest. "So, can the Crimson family spare him?"

Arthur watched in silence. His father studied Asher for a long moment before answering.

"I will consider your request. Now go."

Asher exhaled softly, then nodded and stood.

Arthur sighed as he watched his brother leave. His brother could be so willful at times.

This wasn't a simple matter.

Right now, every noble family in the capital with power or influence likely already knew about the incident—even though the academy had tried to keep it under wraps. Everyone was watching. Waiting for the Crimson family to make a move.

How they responded would define their standing.

If they retaliated against the Emberfell family—since Elvin was the eldest daughter's disciple—it would spark political conflict.

If they held the academy accountable, it would damage the institution's prestige.

If they brought the matter before the Emperor, it would set a precedent that could shake the entire noble structure.

No matter what, Elvin wouldn't be spared.

And yet, Asher had just asked them to do exactly that.

"Does he even realize what he's asking?" Arthur thought, rubbing his temples. If they let this go, their family's reputation would take a massive hit. Even if they were strong enough not to care about rumors, that didn't mean they were immune to the consequences.

Arthur turned back toward his father. The room had fallen into heavy silence.

Then, their father broke it with a question.

"What do you think about your brother's departing words?"

Arthur glanced at him. Their father rested his elbows on the desk, fingers lightly intertwined in front of his mouth. His eyes were unreadable, but Arthur knew better.

This was a test.

He could offer a standard answer, one that would be politically correct.

But that wasn't why his father was asking.

He wanted to see Arthur's true thoughts. His mentality. His attitude.

Arthur exhaled slowly, sinking into thought.

He recalled Elvin's face that day.

Fear.

Realization.

Trepidation.

Regret.

Acceptance.

Even though Arthur never intended to kill Elvin, he had wanted to see how the academy would react. But now, as he thought about it…

"Elvin's eyes weren't those of a man acting of his own free will."

Finally, Arthur spoke. "Father, I know this might ruin our reputation, but if Elvin was truly manipulated, then… after the investigation, if he is proven innocent—can the Crimson family spare him?"

His words hung in the air.

His father studied him for a long moment, then finally nodded. "I see. You may leave now as well."

Arthur couldn't tell if that was approval or disappointment.

Neither, nor both.

He simply nodded. "Understood." Then he turned and left the room.

As the door shut behind him, the room fell into deep silence once more.

Their father sat there, unmoving, his eyes flickering with unknown emotions.

Slowly, his lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile.

Living as a noble, surrounded by power and status, it was easy to lose one's morality.

Most did.

But seeing both of his sons hold onto their convictions despite the weight of nobility?

That was something to be proud of.

"Perhaps, as a noble, this is a failure…" he thought.

"But as a father, this is a success."

And as for the damage to their reputation?

He chuckled softly, recalling the words his own father once told him.

"The Crimson family is where it is not because of reputation."

"It is because of power."

"And no amount of whispers can take that away."

His gaze darkened slightly, his fingers tapping against the desk.

"The strong act as they will. That is the privilege of strength"....

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