“You may sit.”

The Duke’s voice carried the same quiet authority as always.

Aries stepped inside the study before taking the offered seat.

Only then did he notice the towering stack of documents occupying nearly half of the Duke’s desk.

His brows twitched ever so slightly.

*We only arrived… and he’s already drowning in paperwork?*

Nobles truly lived exhausting lives.

A servant quietly poured tea into two porcelain cups before retreating.

“Tea?” the Duke asked without looking up from the document in his hand.

“Yeah, sure.”

The answer escaped before Aries could stop himself.

“…”

The room fell silent.

Fortunately, the Duke simply pushed a cup toward him without commenting on the unusual expression.

Aries quietly accepted it.

“I’ve heard,” the Duke began, signing another document as though discussing the weather, “that you caused quite an unexpected incident back at the estate.”

Aries took a sip of tea.

“…Yeah.”

“I suppose I did.”

Keeping it a secret had never been an option.

The Duke always found out.

“I see.”

Another signature.

Another page turned.

“…Well done.”

Aries nearly choked on his tea.

He stared at the Duke in disbelief.

…He praised me?

For a brief, dangerous second, a thought crossed his mind.

So… he actually cares about his children?

Without lifting his eyes from the paperwork, the Duke calmly added,

“If anything had happened to that Omega, the Lelouche name would’ve been tarnished.”

“…”

I take that back.

Aries lowered his cup.

“So… why exactly did you summon me, Your Grace?”

For the first time since the conversation began, the Duke paused.

Oddly enough, Aries noticed the slightest twitch at the words *Your Grace.*

Interesting.

“You don’t possess suitable formal attire.”

The Duke finally looked up.

“The Second Prince’s coming-of-age banquet requires proper dress.”

Aries blinked.

So that’s why.

He carefully placed his teacup onto its saucer.

“If that’s the case…”

“…perhaps I could simply skip the banquet.”

A polite smile appeared on his face.

It was, of course, entirely fake.

The Duke answered immediately.

“No.”

“You.”

“Will.”

“Attend.”

“…”

Aries sighed inwardly.

“But, Your Grace—”

“The Emperor specifically requested that every member of this family must be present.”

“I have no intention of refusing an imperial request.”

There was no room for negotiation.

Even in his previous life, Mikhail rarely won arguments against his own father.

Apparently…

Nothing had changed.

“…Understood.”

The words felt almost forced.

“You may visit a tailor tomorrow,” the Duke continued.

“We are already in the Imperial Capital.”

“It should not take long.”

Aries suddenly sensed an opportunity.

“If I may make one request.”

The Duke gestured for him to continue.

“I’d prefer not to travel with an excessive escort.”

“I dislike attracting unnecessary attention.”

The Duke considered him for a brief moment.

“I intended to assign six knights.”

“…Six?”

“Two will suffice.”

“One would be even better.”

“And I’d also appreciate an ordinary carriage.”

Silence lingered for several seconds.

Finally—

“…Very well.”

“Two knights.”

“You may leave tomorrow or the following day.”

“The banquet is still several days away.”

A tiny victory.

Aries almost smiled.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

He stood before offering a respectful bow.

“If you’ll excuse me.”

The Duke merely nodded before returning to the endless mountain of paperwork.

Apparently…

The conversation had already ended.

...

The moment Aries stepped into the corridor, he found himself face-to-face with the Duchess.

Standing elegantly beside her was Lucien.

Neither looked particularly pleased to see him.

“…Good afternoon.”

Aries greeted them with a courteous smile.

One that was entirely insincere.

“You seem remarkably well, Aries,” the Duchess remarked.

Her tone suggested concern.

Her eyes suggested otherwise.

“As you can see.”

Aries returned the smile with equal politeness.

“I’ve recovered rather nicely.”

Lucien clicked his tongue.

“Tsk.”

Aries pretended not to hear it.

“If you’ll excuse me.”

Without waiting for another response, he continued down the corridor.

Behind him…

The silence somehow felt colder than before.

...

By the time he returned to his room, the tension of the day had finally settled over him.

He didn’t even bother removing his coat.

Instead—

He threw himself onto the bed.

“…What a troublesome family.”

The mattress was surprisingly comfortable.

He closed his eyes.

Only one thought remained.

*What exactly is waiting for me in this capital?*

...

The following morning arrived far too quickly.

Lotte had already finished preparing everything before Aries had fully awakened.

She looked positively delighted.

“You seem far more excited than I am.”

Lotte smiled sheepishly.

“It is my first time visiting the Imperial Capital, my lord.”

“I’ve heard the shops here are the finest in the Empire.”

“I see…”

Aries walked toward the window and looked outside.

A modest carriage waited near the entrance.

Compared to the Duke’s own carriage, this one attracted very little attention.

Good.

That was exactly what he wanted.

“You’re still against shopping, aren’t you?” Lotte asked.

“I never had much interest in clothing.”

“I figured.”

She giggled.

“Still…”

“…Let’s make the most of today.”

Before long, they descended the mansion’s front steps.

Waiting beside the carriage stood two unusually large knights.

The first stepped forward enthusiastically.

“Greetings, my lord!”

“I’m Jet!”

The second saluted just as energetically.

“And I’m Chiz!”

“We’ve been assigned to protect you!”

Aries stared at the pair.

“…Thank you.”

The response came a little more awkwardly than intended.

Beside him, Lotte quietly covered her mouth, unsuccessfully hiding a laugh.

The journey through the Imperial Capital soon began.

Unlike Aries, Lotte remained captivated by everything she saw, pointing excitedly at shops, cafés, fountains, and busy streets as though afraid she’d miss something.

Aries simply watched the city itself.

Its roads.

Its architecture.

Its people.

The capital truly was… fascinating.

Not because it was luxurious.

But because every corner hinted at centuries of careful planning.

Perhaps…

This trip wouldn’t be entirely troublesome after all.

The carriage eventually came to a gentle stop before an elegant storefront.

Its tall windows displayed finely tailored coats, waistcoats, capes, and ceremonial attire crafted from luxurious fabrics. Gold lettering above the entrance announced the establishment’s name, while impeccably dressed attendants welcomed every arriving customer.

Lotte’s eyes sparkled.

“We’re here!”

Aries looked up at the building before letting out a quiet sigh.

“So this is where my suffering begins.”

Lotte couldn’t help but laugh.

“It won’t be that terrible, my lord.”

“…We’ll see.”

The moment he stepped inside, an attendant immediately approached and bowed.

“Welcome, Lord Aries Cain de Lelouche.”

“We have been informed of your arrival.”

Aries blinked.

“…Already?”

“Naturally, my lord.”

“Everything has been prepared.”

Of course.

His family was a ducal house.

Even something as simple as buying formal clothing had already been arranged.

Lotte was soon escorted toward another section of the boutique to discuss measurements and accessories with one of the attendants.

“My lord, please wait only a little while,” she said cheerfully.

“I’ll be right over.”

Aries nodded absentmindedly.

His attention had already wandered elsewhere.

The boutique itself was beautiful.

Rows of carefully crafted garments filled the room, each one displaying remarkable workmanship.

Yet…

They failed to hold his interest for long.

His gaze drifted toward the large front window.

Across the street stood another establishment.

Unlike the refined tailor shop, this one echoed with the rhythmic sound of hammer striking metal.

Clang.

Clang.

Clang.

A faint smile appeared on Aries’ face.

“…Now that’s interesting.”

Without announcing his departure…

He quietly slipped out of the tailor shop.

...

A small brass bell chimed as he pushed open the heavy wooden door.

The smell reached him first.

Hot iron.

Coal.

Freshly polished steel.

The workshop was noticeably warmer than the chilly street outside.

Weapons of every kind lined the walls. Swords, spears, shields, axes, and pieces of intricate armor rested neatly upon sturdy wooden racks. Half-finished projects occupied several workbenches, while strange metallic devices lay scattered across tables alongside chisels, hammers, and measuring tools.

At the very back, a blazing forge illuminated the room with an orange glow.

The rhythmic pounding of metal never stopped.

It felt…

Alive.

“Yo.”

A rough voice called from somewhere deeper inside.

“Welcome.”

No formal greeting.

No exaggerated manners.

Just a casual welcome.

Aries found it oddly refreshing.

A stocky figure emerged from behind one of the workbenches.

He barely reached Aries’ shoulder in height.

His thick beard had been braided neatly, and a pair of round spectacles rested upon his nose. Soot stained both his leather apron and muscular arms.

The dwarf removed his spectacles before looking Aries up and down.

“…Well.”

He suddenly burst into booming laughter.

“HAHAHAHA!”

“Would you look at that!”

“A young noble wandered into my little workshop!”

His laughter echoed throughout the room.

Aries simply waited until it subsided.

“…Pardon my manners.”

The dwarf wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

“It isn’t every day someone dressed like you walks in here.”

“No offense taken.”

Aries answered calmly.

“I was simply curious.”

“If you don’t mind…”

“…I’d like to look around.”

The dwarf grinned broadly.

“As long as you don’t break anything.”

“My workshop’s open to anyone who appreciates good craftsmanship.”

Aries inclined his head slightly.

“My thanks.”

He slowly wandered deeper into the workshop.

Every shelf held something fascinating.

Some weapons bore delicate magical engravings.

Others had unusual mechanisms hidden within their hilts.

Several unfinished tools rested neatly beside blueprints sketched across parchment.

His curiosity steadily grew.

A remarkable level of precision…

Their metallurgy is far beyond what I expected.

Then another thought surfaced.

Perhaps…

They could manufacture custom surgical instruments.

Scalpels.

Forceps.

Retractors.

Bone saws.

The crude instruments available in this world left much to be desired.

If someone here possessed sufficient skill…

He might finally obtain proper equipment.

Lost in thought, Aries continued walking until something caught his eye.

Resting upon a velvet cushion inside a small display case was a polished blue gemstone.

Its color…

Strikingly resembled his own eyes.

Without thinking, he reached toward it.

At the exact same moment—

Another hand grasped the gem.

Both froze.

Aries slowly lifted his gaze.

Standing opposite him was a young man dressed entirely in black.

Dark hair framed a strikingly handsome face, while crimson eyes regarded Aries with quiet intensity.

For several seconds…

Neither of them spoke.

Neither of them let go.

Aries’ instincts quietly sounded an alarm.

Troublesome.

Every instinct told him that becoming involved with this man would complicate his peaceful life.

Unfortunately…

His curiosity—and perhaps a touch of pride—refused to let him withdraw first.

The stranger narrowed his crimson eyes ever so slightly.

Then he finally broke the silence.

“…What?”

The workshop suddenly became much quieter than before.

Even the dwarf looked up from across the room.

Aries blinked once.

Then answered with complete sincerity.

“…I was about to ask you the same thing.”

TO BE CONTINUED…