Lewis was emotionless. He didn’t seem to want to get involved—but Kingston couldn’t possibly back down.

“But why?”

“Because it’s useless.”

“How is it useless?”

“Because I can’t find him.”

“But you can!”

“It’s impossible.”

“You look like me. Our eye colors are different, but I’m sure you dyed your hair!”

“…Why are you looking for him?”

“Because I want to meet him!”

Lewis’ eyes went wide.

“My mother mentioned his name twice. Once, she saw my face and mistook it for him. I think my mother wants to see him, too.”

“Did your mother say that?”

“No, but I can tell. My mother loves him.”

“…That can’t be.”

Kingston failed to hear Lewis’ muttering. After all, Mareena sent her servant to tell Lewis that her request was completed. Ever since that moment, Lewis couldn’t even catch sight of her shadow.

“Eh?”

Lewis sighed deeply.

—I’ve come this far. Kingston clenched his fists while considering his next words.

…I won’t back down.

“—Then, I’d like to find an instructor for swordsmanship.”

“…Swordsmanship?”

“I’m going to compete in the next swordsmanship competition at the upcoming school tournament. However, I’ve never received any supplementary training. So, I’d like you to introduce me to someone who can teach me swordsmanship.”

“…In that case.”

“I’d like that person to be you.”

“Huh…?”

“I heard that you were the strongest in the academy.”

“From who?”

“Johan.”

“Johan?”

“Yes, the old man.”

“Haa…”

“Please teach me swordsmanship.”

Lewis sighed.

“I haven’t wielded a sword for a long time. How am I supposed to teach you? I can introduce you to a proper instructor, instead.”

“No, I want you to teach me.”

“Like I said—”

“—I want to learn swordsmanship from my own father!”

“…!”

—I messed up.

“What are you talking about…?”

“You’re my father, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie.”

“…I have a responsibility to uphold. Your request is the equivalent to breaching confidentiality.”

“…Confidentiality.”

—A work-related term.

“You over there, please take your master home. This isn’t the place for a child.”

While glancing at Eric, Lewis stood up and opened the door. However, the door crashed into the faces of the guild members eavesdropping outside.

“Uwah—!”

“—You all, what are you…!?”

“Well…”

The guild members—including Anton—seemed to been eavesdropping out of curiosity.

“Hurry up and get back to work.”

Lewis’ bone-chilling voice resounded.

“U-understood…”

Among all the members who scrambled like ants, Anton was the only one who remained.

“Lewis, uh…”

“What?”

“Don’t run away.”

“Huh?”

“The boy came all the way here to see you. Shouldn’t you step up?”

“Seriously, what are you…”

“What I’m saying is obvious—don’t be a fool.”

When Lewis was called “father” by Kingston, claiming it didn’t make him happy would have been a lie. Even Kingston could tell from the gentle atmosphere Lewis exuded.

“Why not breach the confidentiality once in a while? It should be fine, right?”

“No, I can’t.”

Despite denying it, Lewis had already divulged about half of the information. If it were to be leaked to everyone, then it’d just be an open secret. Of course, it was unlikely the other guild members would spread the word, but now that Kingston was there, it was only a matter of time.

In that case, accepting the request might be necessary to prevent further scrutiny.

—What else am I supposed to do?

Lewis glanced at Kingston who was beaming.

He reluctantly closed the door and sat back on the sofa.

“I understand. I’ll accept your request for swordsmanship instruction.”

“Really—!?”

“However, as I said earlier, I haven’t wielded a sword in a long time. Please understand that my guidance may be flawed.”

“Yes, no problem!”

“No, there’s a lot of problems…”

This time, Kingston didn’t miss it.

“Ahahaha, isn’t that right, ahahaha…”

That dazzling smile incited a strange sensation in Lewis. That boy, who must’ve been nurtured with love, looked at him with determination. He even called him father.

It was a guild of commoners. Moreover, he was the one in charge of said guild. The boy’s attitude was a testament to his loving environment.

…Then, she must’ve not reneged on her promise.

“…Will he be loved?”

“Of course, this child will be an irreplaceable existence for me.”

---

***T/N: Uuuu how sweeeeeet

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