Happy Daily Life of a Reincarnated Noble Blessed with Vassals - Chapter 29

I am Rischard Chriswood. As the heir of the Chriswood Duchy, I spend my days acquiring knowledge of governance while also training my body and mind to respond immediately in times of emergency. Those close to me, as well as the nobility, often call me the “Prodigy of Chriswood.” It’s a bit embarrassing, but I take pride in knowing that my efforts since childhood are recognized by those around me. In fact, it feels quite satisfying.

In addition to being skilled in both academics and martial arts, I was raised to be attentive to the subtle emotions of others, and that training has become a valuable asset for me. It serves as a strong backbone, supporting me as I navigate life.

However, to those who don’t know me well, I’m often referred to as “the man with the iron mask” or “the duke with no smile.” It’s not that I lack emotion—I’m simply always on guard, mindful of my role as the future duke.

Enough with that!

Ugh, I’m getting stiff just thinking about it.

Hey there! It’s me, Rischard!

I’ve lived my whole life under orders like “Don’t do this” or “Don’t do that,” as the next head of House Chriswood, and it’s stressful!

I mean, sure, I’m naturally serious, so I worked my butt off to meet everyone’s expectations. That’s how I earned the “Prodigy of Chriswood” title.

But here’s the thing—I’m not a genius, more of a diligent scholar type.

“Prodigy” sounds like I’m some kind of all-around genius, and I really don’t like that.

So after all those years of hard work, when I was finally set to enter the Royal Academy’s junior division, it was more of the same—“You must uphold the honor of the duke’s family” and “Don’t forget your pride.” Who cares about that? All that superficial pride and dignity while hollow inside—it’s no wonder we were kicked out of the Ten Great Nobles, despite being a duke family. Sure, families get removed from the Ten Great Nobles regularly, but a duke family being ousted? That’s an unprecedented scandal!

“Former Ten Great Nobles”—that’s just a fancy way of saying we’re just ordinary nobles now. It’s infuriating how some people still cling to the past, saying “things were better back then.” I’d like to scold them to their faces and tell them to learn some shame.

What was I talking about again? Oh right, my time at the Academy.

Back then, I didn’t talk like this. Although, deep inside, this side of me was lurking, hidden. I just didn’t let it show. I was dreading the suffocating life where people only saw me as the duke’s son, and no one saw the real me. But then, something happened.

I met them—friends who I could truly be myself with and whom I wanted to spend my life with!

God does exist, after all.

“Lord Rischard, doesn’t living with such a dead look on your face make life painful? No, that’s not your true nature. I can see it. You were born into the narrow, distorted confines of a duke’s family, where freedom isn’t allowed. That must have been suffocating. But it’s okay. You don’t have to pretend in front of me. If you wish, I will be your closest friend.”

I’ll never forget it—I was thirteen at the time.

I had distanced myself from my classmates, who only spoke flattery. When asked for my opinion, I’d always say, “Do as you like,” growing weary of that life. Then, out of nowhere, Rex Hesselink, the Madman, said that to me.

I really hated Rex back then. What I hated the most was that while I was putting up with all these restrictions, he could act freely and still get away with it because he was part of the Madman’s family. Everyone had no choice because he was from House Hesselink. Or rather, it wasn’t that they were allowed—it was more like people had given up on them. But still, I was envious, and I resented him for it.

Sure, I beat him in academics and hand-to-hand combat, but in magic? In the end, I lost.

Summoning beasts is so unfair! And multiple summons at that! My family’s court mage told me that normal people’s brains would fry from the mental strain. On top of that, he wields absurd amounts of magical power and can even use elemental magic. A genius who’s allowed to live freely. And then, that same person who I absolutely didn’t want to acknowledge looks at me with pity in his eyes!

What’s with this guy? Is he making fun of me? That’s what I thought at first, but I was just a kid, and being caught off guard like that, he hit me right in the core. I couldn’t help it—I ended up bursting into tears.

I was so weak. The dam I’d been barely holding together broke, and I couldn’t stop the flood.

The whole class was in a panic.

Rex was being held back by Mick and Brave, while the rest of the classmates just stared at me from a distance, watching me sob.

I was aware of Mick and Brave, you know? One of them I’d never beaten in written tests, and the other I’d never defeated in combat. Plus, I’d seen them hanging out with Rex before. Mick had also started asking me a bunch of questions at some point, so we’d had a few conversations by then.

When the teachers asked what happened, even if I’d told them the truth, they wouldn’t have believed me. I mean, who cries after being asked to be friends?

In the end, the conclusion was that the kind-hearted duke’s son had taken the reckless count’s son under his wing and graciously forgiven him, thus resolving the situation. I tried to argue that wasn’t the case, but no one would listen. My reputation was too good, and Rex’s was too bad. It was frustrating.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m a Hesselink, after all. I need to get used to being treated like this. My father even praised me for it, said it was fine. I guess that’s why we’re called the crazy ones.”

When I finally got a moment alone with Rex and apologized, that’s what he said.

That guy—he understands everything.

“Are you really okay with that? With your talents, you could break free from this so-called ‘curse of the madman.’”

“Haha! A curse, you say? Rischard, you’ve got it wrong. Maybe from the outside, that’s what it looks like, but we Hesselinks believe this chain of madness is our strength. That’s why I’ll embrace it fully—it’s my duty.”

His eyes were unwavering. I could tell right away that there was no lie in them. And that’s when I finally realized—I’d been living a lie all my life.

No, more like, I finally admitted that I’d been pretending not to notice that truth all along.

“Lord Rex… I mean, can I call you Rex?”

“Of course.”

“The other day, you offered to become my closest friend. If I’m with you, maybe I can finally show my true self. Could you help me with that?”

“I’d be more than happy to help! What a great day this is—let’s celebrate gaining such a wonderful friend by sharing a meal together. Would it be alright if Mick Southfield and Brave Ronfriend join us? I’m sure you’ll get along with them too.”

Rex threw his arm around my shoulder, smiling, and I could feel the ice in my heart beginning to melt.

Oh, don’t worry, by the way. I might talk like this, but I’m a total ladies’ man. What I feel for Rex and the others is purely brotherly love.

Speaking of which, that long-winded speech Rex gave about being a close friend? Apparently, he just wanted to say, “Do you want to be friends?” Simple as that.

Could he be any more confusing?

Well, thanks to that, I was able to be my real self, and I even became good friends with Mick and Brave, not just Rex.

“Lord Rischard, may I come in?”

There was a knock on the door along with a request to enter.

Normally, I’d compose myself and wait, but since it was a friend who knew the real me, I stayed as I was.

“Brave, entering… I don’t want to nag, but could you try to compose yourself a little when you’re home? The maids who admire you as the ‘fair-skinned nobleman’ might be disappointed.”

Brave, the third son of Baron Ronfriend, one of my few close friends, joined my household after graduating from the prestigious academy. Though it was expected that his talents would earn him a position in the royal castle, since he couldn’t inherit his family estate as the third son, I pulled some strings and brought him into my service.

With a resigned smile, Brave accepted the position in my house, saying he had little choice. I felt an immense sense of relief knowing I now had someone I could truly be myself around at home, and more importantly, I had a trusted ally for when I eventually became the head of the household.

“Admiring someone from afar like that shows our maids still have a long way to go. So, what is it? Why are you here?”

“I’ve received a letter from Rex. It’s addressed to both you and me.”

I quickly snatched the letter from him faster than I’ve moved for anything recently. I was so impatient that I tore open the seal without even bothering with a letter opener.

“Honestly, whenever Rex is involved, you turn into a wild animal. Calm down.”

“Oh, shut up. You act all calm, but you’re excited too, aren’t you? Brave, you’re crazy about Rex. Mick and I both know it.”

After a short but pointless exchange, I finally read the letter. My heart raced with both anxiety and excitement, wondering which underground organization Rex was planning to dismantle next.

Instead, the content was… an invitation to a wedding.

“Hey, Brave. Do you think this is some kind of code?”

“I had the same thought and read it several times, but no, there’s no hidden pattern or secret message. It appears to be a genuine wedding invitation.”

Well, well, well!

Rex, that madman, is getting married!?

Amazing—simply amazing! That means there’s a woman out there who has actually seen through to the core of who he is!

“We can attend, right? Actually, I don’t care—just do whatever it takes to make it happen. Adjust the schedule if you have to.”

“Of course. This is one event I cannot miss. You’ll need to squeeze me in as your attendant. I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me! Alright, things are about to get busy!”