The Villainous Noble’s Father - Chapter 9

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

The sound of a clock echoed through the room.

Ugh, this is awkward.

I swallowed yet another sigh. How did things end up like this?

I know the reason. It’s because I have magic powers, even though I’m just a commoner. No, not even that. I’m an orphan with no known parents, no background, nothing.

My name’s Alan. Just Alan. No last name, no fancy title. From what I’ve been told, I’m a war orphan. I was found as a baby on a battlefield by a sister and a priest who ran an orphanage.

Apparently, my name “Alan” was written on the cloth I was wrapped in.

Some people might hear that and feel sorry for me. But I don’t think of myself as unfortunate. To me, that life is just normal. The other kids at the orphanage are my brothers and sisters.

Sister is like my mom and big sister, Father is like my dad and uncle rolled into one.

That’s my family.

This all started earlier this year. Right after New Year’s, the priest, my “dad-uncle,” told me with a serious face, “You’re going to take the entrance exam for the Royal Academy.”

Apparently, the kingdom had ordered that all kids with potential magical ability must take the test, no exceptions. Before I knew it, I was walking through the fancy gates of the Royal Academy, still unsure what was going on.

I have no idea how I did on the test. One thing’s for sure, I bombed the written part. I can’t even write my own name, after all.

Honestly, I kind of hoped I’d fail. I’ve never liked nobles. Whenever I saw them in town, they’d always look down on us, literally and figuratively. Their eyes full of mockery, their voices dripping with pity.

“Oh dear, poor thing, wearing such filthy rags.”

“They probably eat garbage every day.”

That’s why I hate nobles.

They don’t understand what it means for my little siblings to scrub the grime out of my clothes after a long day of work. They’ll never know the warm taste of Sister’s homemade stew.

After the exam, this chubby noble kid suddenly challenged me to a duel, all high and mighty.

I don’t think I’m the aggressive type. But because it was a noble mouthing off, I kind of snapped.

“If you want to fight, fine by me!”

…And now, here I am. Even someone as clueless as me could tell this room was luxurious. Fluffy couch. Fancy furniture. Everything looked super expensive.

I guess this was what they call a reception room.

I was sitting on the very edge of the couch, scared out of my mind. I didn’t want to dirty it. At first, I even tried squatting like I was sitting in an invisible chair, but after 15 minutes, my legs gave out, and I had to sit, barely, on the corner of the cushion.

Across from me was a very grumpy-looking boy. Yep, it was the same chubby guy who challenged me to a duel.

This morning, a super fancy carriage, definitely expensive, showed up in front of the orphanage, and before I knew it, I was brought here to this mansion.

He must be a pretty high-ranking noble. More than a baron or viscount, probably. Come to think of it, I don’t even know his name.

“Um, hey, uh… could you tell me your name, sir? I mean, your noble… self?”

“Who are you calling ‘lame’!?”

“Huh!? No, wait, that’s not what I meant! I meant, uh… your name, please… sir?”

I stumbled through polite speech I’d never used before, and he let out a big sigh.

Sigh… “Just talk normally. We’ll be classmates at the academy anyway.”

Wait… is he actually a decent guy? He seems kind of reasonable, even if he’s angry sometimes. Still, classmates, huh? Would they really let someone in who scored zero on the written test?

“For real!? That’s a relief! I’ve never used polite speech before. I’m Alan! What’s your name?”

“…Leonard Johnston von Finster-Heréol.”

“Leo… what now? That’s way too long. Mind if I call you Leo?”

“What is wrong with your sense of personal space…? Even if we were close, a little respect would be normal.”

Oof, guess I crossed a line. 

Leo sighed again, looking completely exasperated. But hey, we’re the same age, so maybe this is fine? I’ve never had a friend my age anyway. Been working all my life.

“Well, you did say to talk however I want. And since you’re a noble and I’ve never talked to one before… I honestly don’t know how this works. I don’t even have many friends…”

Actually, I don’t have any friends. But I said “many” to save a bit of face.

“I’ve never talked to a commoner before either. I’m also not sure how to act. Give me a break. And, well… I have people around me, but I wouldn’t call any of them friends.”

Ohh. So it was awkward for both of us. And he doesn’t have any real friends either. That made me feel a little closer to him.

“Then let’s figure it out together! First time for both of us, right? We’ll be fine, we’ve got this!”

Sigh… “You don’t know anything about me. I still don’t get why Father took interest in someone like you…”

“Wait, your dad invited me here?”

“Yeah. But let me warn you, talk back like that in front of him and you’ll be punished.”

Wait, seriously!? That’s scary!? Maybe I should just stay quiet…

“U-uh, so your dad’s really high-ranking then? Like, what is he, a count?”

“He’s a duke. Duke Roberto Maxwell von Finster-Heréol—”

“Duke Roberto Maxwell von Finster-Heréol!?”

I was so shocked I forgot all about the expensive couch and jumped to my feet.

“Hold on, so you’re saying you are the son of that Duke Roberto Maxwell von Finster-Heréol!?”

“Y-yeah, that’s right… Wait, you know my father?”

Leo looked confused, like none of this made sense to him.

Of course I know him!

“What are you talking about, Leo!? The Black Death Reaper! Duke Finster-Heréol is a war hero! One of the greatest!”

“…By the way, I literally said my full name earlier, which includes that same family name.”

Huh? Oh, I guess he means I should’ve figured it out back then?

Pfft. Come on.

“Your name was way too long, so I zoned out halfway!”

“You birdbrain!!”

Leo yelled, fully pissed off, while I grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.

Yeah, I was right. There was no hate or mockery in Leo’s eyes. Even when he was yelling about that duel after the exam, he wasn’t being cruel. He’s just… straightforward.

I like that.

This kind of honest back-and-forth… Maybe this is what having a friend feels like.

I was starting to really like Leo.