NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
I have definitely arrived at our family estate. That was already 30 minutes ago.
But why, why on earth am I still inside the carriage and not in the castle?
Father, Mother. Your son has returned. I want to see you…
“So? What happened then?”
“Kaya, can I go in and tell the rest there—”
“No, do it now!”
Is this truly something a fifteen-year-old would say? Our Kaya. Has she possibly regressed to being five years old again?
Of course, she was the cutest at that age, but having a little sister stuck at five forever would be a bit much!
“Alright, alright. Kaya? Once we go in, you’ll be telling Father and Mother anyway…”
“I have to know first. And I need to know everything. So I’ll be listening here.”
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter unexpectedly.
Seriously. Our little sister. Maybe there really isn’t a single thing that has changed since childhood.
“Ooooppaaaa! So, you’re not going to tell me the next part?”
“Can’t you just wait until I tell our parents?”
“I don’t want to wait! I want to know first! I want to know first!”
“Knowing alone won’t last even 30 minutes!”
“Still, I’m okay with that!”
It was Kaya throwing a tantrum, but thinking back, I seemed to have done the same once.
Despite having nothing particularly special about my status, they always called me ‘big brother’ and lifted me up with praise.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I’m not. I’m just remembering our childhood. You always used to act like this.”
“If you remember, say everything quickly! So what happened?”
At this rate, it won’t end. And the winners and losers are already clear. Knowing that Kaya wouldn’t relent, I decided to just go along with what she wanted.
“…I see. So, big brother did something huge…”
“Don’t call it huge. Just within my means—wait a moment, Kaya. Kaya?”
I was startled and cupped Kaya’s face with both hands.
Did I misread her? No, I definitely saw it right. So then, what on earth is going on?
“What? Why are you crying, Kaya?!”
My heart sank. I’ve just come home, and my sister suddenly starts crying.
What kind of brother wouldn’t be startled and ask why?
“What’s wrong, Kaya? Huh? Is something the matter? Tell your brother, okay?”
“No… it’s not that…”
“Why, why, why? What’s wrong? Please just tell me.”
Is there something I’m unaware of? Is there something my parents are hiding from me?
Or perhaps something has happened that Kaya couldn’t even explain to our parents?
If it’s something related to a guy, I swear I’ll kill that little punk who made my sister cry…
“I’m just… I think big brother has been through too much…”
“…Huh?”
“I, I was just having an easy time. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Kael oppa. Waaaah!”
Well, turns out the little punk I needed to kill was actually me. This is quite awkward.
I tried to push my embarrassment aside and comforted Kaya, assuring her it was okay.
“I was just surprised. I thought something was wrong.”
“What could possibly be wrong for you? If you got hurt, we should be celebrating that you brought honor to our family instead. You have to celebrate that, you know? I was hoping for that, but seeing you cry is a bit hurtful.”
I jokingly teased, and Kaya shot up in surprise, quickly wiping her face.
Then she shouted, “I’m not crying!” Just like when she was five years old.
“Nothing happened in the family while I was gone, right?”
“Nope. Nothing at all.”
“Well, it’s only been six months since I left anyway—”
“No! Only six months?! That’s like ages!”
“Uh, right.”
I barely managed to calm Kaya, who was about to get worked up again, and we stepped out of the carriage.
As we did, Alexei, who had been waiting since earlier, greeted Kaya.
“It’s been a while, Lady Kaya.”
“Alexei! It’s been a while.”
Kaya suddenly approached Alexei and patted him on the shoulder.
Since there’s a bit of a height difference, she had to stand on her tiptoes, looking absolutely adorable as she struggled to reach.
“Lady?”
“Thank you so much for taking care of my brother. I hope you continue to do so.”
“How could I not? Your well-being is now my well-being, after all!”
Look at our Alexei, so perceptive. Indeed, a servant should be more observant.
Finally entering the family estate, I could at last see Father and Mother.
“Welcome back, Kael.”
My father, Duke Arthur Clausewitz of Bertier Empire.
A born soldier, he has a somewhat stoic demeanor, but he’s definitely not cold.
A good father. A great lord. Moreover, a loyal subject.
I wish he had consulted me a bit more when he sent me to serve. Cough.
“Welcome back, our son.”
And beside him is my mother, Reina Seharad Clausewitz.
You can tell by her middle name that she hails from the Seharad family.
She’s also connected to Count Luken, so we often visit my maternal grandparents.
In fact, during this recent trip, there were gatherings across the empire, and my family’s was one of them.
“I’ve returned, Father. Mother.”
Being the eldest son and future duke, I greeted them with composure.
Hearing that, Father smiled warmly and Mother patted me on my head, saying I had a hard time.
Indeed. Being with my family is the best. Our home is the greatest.
For these people. For this place, I would do anything.
Even if it meant taking on the role of an unintended genius strategist or whatever.
*
“…I see. So that’s what happened.”
“Yes, Father. I’ll make sure it doesn’t bring any trouble to our family—”
Tap! Tap!
Duke Arthur Clausewitz of Bertier tapped on the table, continuing.
“The military must be separate from politics. We shouldn’t completely disengage, but we can’t intervene excessively either. Some say that whoever does will merely become a pawn… but in the end, the military exists to protect our homeland and people, doesn’t it?”
“…”
Kael stayed silent, looking down at his feet.
Surely, it weighs on him—perhaps realizing he’s deeper in the political game than he assumed.
The fact that both factions exhibit interest means he’s already in the process of raising his value in the political scene.
“But you know.”
The duke looked at his son, the head of the family’s future heir.
“Kael, you are not a soldier. You may act within the military, but you are not a soldier like your father.”
“Are you asking me to serve in the military then?”
“Of course, I hoped you’d follow in my footsteps and those of our ancestors. However, if you choose another path and can lead our family excellently through it, then why would I oppose you?”
Isn’t that unpleasant? No, on the contrary, it felt nice. The duke seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood.
The founder of the empire, the great emperor who laid the foundations, shared all his glory alongside the first head of Clausewitz.
Afterward, every child and grandchild was in military strings and commands.
At some point, this became a family trait that we stopped dreaming of anything else.
Perhaps that’s why the current duke regarded it as normal.
He entered the military without a second thought, and then encouraged his son to do the same.
But then, his son—Kael became the twist in that narrative.
“Can someone from our family emerge who isn’t a military figure? Is it true that there are even those with legitimate interests from various factions and even members of the imperial family?”
This was a breath of very positive change. A starting point for raising new possibilities.
I know more than anyone that stagnation won’t lead us anywhere.
That’s why contrary to Kael’s worries, the duke was immensely satisfied with the situation.
“More than that, it’s a relief. To be honest, I’ve had some concerns regarding this incident.”
“Concerns? About what?”
“It seems like both the hawks and doves are showing interest in you. Given that you supported the former, the latter might now see you—and our family—as hostile.”
Indeed, that statement had its merit.
In politics, there are no eternal friends, nor eternal foes, but whoever blocks progress for our faction, even temporarily, will be declared an enemy.
And political struggles differ significantly from battles, which is indeed a burden for the duke.
“Well, I believe—”
But Kael’s expression showed he wasn’t concerned.
“Kael?”
“On the contrary, I think there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Why’s that?”
“The empire’s political landscape divides into hawks and doves. There’s a neutral faction mediating, but neutrality is often quite precarious.”
True. The duke nodded.
“Even so, the empire continues to function well. Clearly, there are conflicts between both factions. At first, I thought it was odd, but I think I’ve somewhat figured it out this time.”
Kael smiled and continued speaking.
“The hawks and doves. The Second Princess and the Crown Prince. All of this is being tacitly approved by someone in a much higher position. Furthermore, they are being made to flow into a benefit for the empire.”
*
Once I sensed the oddity, the next scenario became significantly easier to predict.
From my past life’s memories, I remembered some kings saying this in a peaceful kingdom at dawn.
The emperor. Or the crown princess. It has to be one of them. I was certain of this.
And shortly after.
“Brother! Someone from the imperial family has arrived!!”
Yep. I knew this was coming.