Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter 143: Family tradition

[Seth's POV:]

It was late at night around eleven when the team was discussing the last minute details about tomorrow.

All the matches of the second round concluded a day ago and tomorrow would be the commencement of the final round which is One on One battle, without any restriction other than of course, fatal strikes.

As I thought, the team from Ranghaur and Elitwiq remained in the top two, meaning that the two teams would commence the third round by facing each other in the arena.

Our team has been engaged in training and maintaining their physical condition since that day, including Kevin. The substitute could be brought into action anytime during the match since our team has some temperamental participants like Arata and Anabelle.

I told Professor Henry to not bother the team for this meeting since it would only put pressure on them, but the passion this middle-aged man carries to make the Academy's name shine readily brushed away all my arguments like I was just talking to a wall.

I was mostly silent since the start since everyone knows whom they might be facing and to tell them how to fight is not something I as a warrior would ever feel comfortable about.

And from the looks of it, other than Ciel no one was actually paying attention to Henry at all.

"And when we would be on a lead-"

*CREAK*

Suddenly the door of the room opened forcefully since it was locked from the inside.

Henry frowned at the display of breaching someone's privacy but before he could have spoken something harsh, everyone in the room stood on their feet in alert. Except for me.

"D-D-Duchess?"

A rush of cold wave passed across the room as the people inside remained frozen in their spots upon witnessing the blond beauty whom I call my mother. It was amusing to see the cocky protagonist and even the all-time aloof Kevin be this attentive and anxious.

I mean, I know Mother is infamous for her way of dealing with things that people find troublesome, but it isn't like she executes anyone who comes across her.

'If only they know...' The playfulness of Duchess Valarie is something I think many would faint upon witnessing.

"We greet the Great Duchess, Madame Valarie."

As expected of nobles. Kevin, Ciel, and Henry hurriedly knelt before they greeted the Duchess in unison followed by Anabelle and Arata, who tried their best to imitate the other three.

"Leave."

A single word came out of her and everyone stood up to their feet and began marching out. Ciel took a hold of Anabelle and Kevin did the honors for Arata since the two didn't understand what mother exactly meant by the command.

The only person left was me. I calmly walked toward her before taking the right hand of the lady and with a slight bow, kissed the back of her hand.

"Long live, the Duchess."

As I lifted my head after the greeting I found the previously frosty gaze now containing nothing but concern and warmth.

"My baby...." And like that, the Duchess melted away and the person who just crashed herself in me was purely a doting mother.

"I am happy to see you as well, mother."

I patted her back with a chuckle and felt her shoulder relaxing in my embrace.

She soon separated her upper body from mine with her hands resting over my shoulder before her complaint arrived, "Why haven't I been receiving letters from you? Are you now tired of your mother?"

In the first place, it is entirely unreasonable to expect three to four letters in a single day. I mean, weekly reporting about my activities should be fine from a perception of a normal person.

However, I couldn't say this to her or who knows what tantrum she might throw.

"I was busy training for the finals. Come sit here first."

I made her seat on the chair before I rested myself on the table just in front of her for a comfortable conversation.

"Why are you training for? I am sure that my boy would ace this tournament one way or another."

I couldn't help but shake my head at the comment. She might have been true about me winning this tournament if only a certain participant named Maydeath wouldn't have been a part of the final round.

Of course, I was not going to tell her what capabilities Maydeath has to make the Duchess worry.

"Do you have enough time to remain leisurely until tomorrow? I mean my duel is near the end of the day."

Initially, I thought that Mother would arrive tomorrow during midday, considering how much piled-up work she has stored in her office. If not for her cooperative husband I think mother would have gotten herself a divorce long ago.

"Don't worry about it. Your mother has everything under control. And since Keith is helping me out these days, it's getting easier to manage the work."

I raised my brows hearing that. Mother allowed Keith to enter her office and touch her documents meant he has gained enough trust to be called a reliable heir. Now I think the time Mother has given me before the selection for the throne would no longer be necessary since Keith would seemingly become someone perfect for the job...or so I thought.

"But despite that, he's not good as you. Not to talk about how he still gets nervous in front of delegates and his habit of feeling inferior to others hinders him a lot. So don't get any funny ideas, my dear son~"

...this lady. Does she have some mind-reading skills, or what?

I remained silent at that since going against her wishes would raise an argument and I didn't want to make her upset at the moment when she finally got herself a holiday.

"Seth..."

I redirected my gaze at her upon hearing my name and strangely found her voice a little more intense than before.

"I know you don't want to be shackled by a marriage this soon, more so when your engagement was annulled just some months ago, but you know our family tradition, right?"

I frowned at that. "So, am I also supposed to get married before reaching the age of eighteen?"

My birthday is in March which would be two months from now. And following her words, Mother was asking me to suddenly get married out of the blue.

In the first place, when did she start following the tradition?

Hearing my rebuke, Mother brought her hands above mine soothingly before she persuaded me, "I am not telling you to get married but just for social display, won't you get engaged before graduation?"

I am at a loss here.

Why is she suddenly talking about engagement when I already told her about my plans to explore the world?

'Guhh...those starry eyes... ' I wanted to turn my head to dodge those puppy eyes mom was making but at the end of the day, if someone could influence me up to the point to bend my will, then it was only this lady.

"Alright, fine. I will think about it."

Seriously, the grin that spread over her face could not be any more contradictory to the Duchess whom everyone fears.

"But do you have any proposal for me, or am I supposed to find someone myself?"

"What rubbish are you talking about, baby? I can proudly say that no woman would be able to resist the charm of someone so handsome and talented as you. Of course, there are hundreds upon thousands of proposals but only two have piqued my interest. And coincidentally, you know both of the women very closely as well."

I raised my brows at the dramatic display of my mother before urging her to spill out the beans.

However, I couldn't have expected the names she was about to voice out.

"It's my best niece Celine and Count Stephen's daughter Serena whose heart has been stolen by my son."

*****

A/N: - If only Seth know why Valarie wants to get him engaged.

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