TBCOS 13

Chapter 13….

At the House of Duke Berndt, they don’t teach you to “be a good person.”

They teach you to “have the strength to protect what matters.”

A good person?

That was something Ellie had never heard before, and never expected to hear.

“Yeah, someone who shows you the way without asking for anything in return—that’s what makes a good person,” she said.

Despite Clearth’s astonishment, Ellie confidently emphasized being a “good person.”

That’s what her brother had told her.

He said that if a day ever came when he couldn’t be by her side, she should make sure to keep that kind of person close.

At first, she just wanted to befriend someone her age. Then, she realized he had emotional wounds that needed healing. And as it turned out, he was even a good person.

How could she not want more?

“I hope the Duke of Berndt can be that good person by my side…”

Ellie timidly let her desire slip out.

“I cannot be a good person to you, Princess.”

But Clearth wiped the slight smile off his face, and the warm mood suddenly turned cold.

“I still resent the royal family.”

“That’s understandable! Of course you do!”

“That’s why I won’t be a good person to you.”

It’s not like years of resentment would disappear overnight.

“What about after you let go of that resentment?”

“I’m not planning to let it go.”

“Hmm…”

Clearth was rather stubborn.

But that didn’t mean Ellie could just say, “Okay, I get it!” and give up.

“Then how about this? I’ll be a good person to you, Duke of Berndt! Whether or not you let go of your resentment, we’ll deal with that later!”

“Your Highness… to me?”

They say the one who wants something more should be the one to offer first.

Besides, since the royal family had taken his parents from him, it was only fair that she offer him something equal to what he lost.

“Yeah! I’ll take responsibility for the Duke of Berndt!”

Ellie boldly declared her ambition.

Honestly, Clearth’s heart skipped a beat.

Having recently become the Duke of Berndt, he still hadn’t fully settled into his role.

A duke bears the responsibility of many retainers and vassals.

Though burdened with that heavy responsibility, he was doing his best to grow into the role.

For just a moment, hearing such words from a princess one year younger than him made his shoulders feel lighter.

“How exactly do you plan to take responsibility?”

He didn’t really expect to rely on her, but he was curious.

“Huh? Um… So!”

Ellie’s eyes sparkled as she clenched her little fists with determination.

“I’ll make sure you never skip a meal, remind you not to be picky and eat well-balanced meals, find you a tutor so you don’t skip studying, and if you want to learn swordsmanship or magic, I’ll get you a teacher for that too!”

She had thought long and hard about what kind of support she could offer before meeting him.

Did I forget anything?

She counted off on her fingers to make sure she had said it all.

Yep, she covered everything she had planned.

“How’s that!”

It was about the same level of care her brother used to give her.

Surely, that was enough responsibility for a guardian figure?

“…All of that?”

“Yep! Of course!”

Ellie was fully prepared to do all of that for Clearth.

Clearth cleared his throat, half moved, half charmed.

“But… even magic?”

“Yes! Magic too!”

“Even though magic can’t be learned without talent? Even if someone studies it their whole life, some still can’t use it.”

“!”

She hadn’t known that.

Her brother used magic as naturally as breathing, and Ellie, having grown up watching that, thought magic was like jump rope—something anyone could learn with practice.

But apparently not… She must have sounded like she was bluffing.

“Th-that’s just how serious I am.”

“I understand, Your Highness.”

Clearth let it go without making a big deal.

‘Phew.’

She was worried he might not believe a word she said.

“So… is it okay if I do all that for you?”

“No. It’s not necessary. The Berndt household already has people to take care of my meals and education.”

“Oh… I see…”

She had only thought about doing something to make up for his parents. She hadn’t considered that he might already have someone for that.

That was her mistake.

All her grand ideas had suddenly become useless. Her shoulders slumped.

“Okay! Then I’ll think of something else!”

But Ellie bounced back quickly.

“Something else…?”

“Of course! I’ll do anything for Duke Berndt!”

If she had just said, “So forgive me now,” Clearth would have coldly stormed off.

But faced with Ellie’s passionate eyes, he couldn’t move.

“…Sigh.”

The strength left his body.

Princess Ellia was the daughter of those he considered enemies… but it wasn’t as if she had done anything to his parents herself… and she even apologized in their stead…

Still, he resented her. He had promised to hate her forever.

Now, he was confused.

“…I need some time to think.”

“Okay! Of course! Today, we’ll just eat something yummy and go for a walk!”

“…Alright.”

When Ellie gave the signal, maids and servants lined up, bringing in trays of food.

“Last night, I woke up and ate something in the middle of the night—and it was so good! So I wanted to eat it with everyone, and everyone wanted to be invited. But your name was the first one I saw, so I invited you first!”

Ellie proudly explained, eyes shining as she looked at the feast.

“…I see.”

Clearth responded briefly, listening to her rambling.

The food certainly lived up to the bragging—it looked extravagant and delicious.

But… this meal had been offered by someone he resented. It didn’t taste as good once in his mouth.

Still, Clearth silently continued eating.

You shouldn’t neglect your meals. Eating well is essential for growing strong.

“…Wait. You said you ate in the middle of the night?”

Clearth recalled what Ellie had said earlier.

“Yeah! I must’ve been tired. I just had tea and fell asleep, then woke up hungry in the night and ate!”

“That’s not good for your health…”

Clearth frowned and muttered.

“Huh? What was that?”

“…Nothing.”

Whether she wrecked her health with late-night meals wasn’t his concern.

“…Still, try not to eat too much at night. It’s bad for your health.”

He wanted to brush it off, but couldn’t shake the discomfort. So, in the end, he offered a small piece of advice.

Ellie’s eyes widened.

“You’re worried about me? You’re so sweet, Clearth!”

“I am not!”

“No? Then what was it, if not worry?”

“Th-that was…”

Clearth stammered, at a loss for words, until he finally came up with an excuse.

“As someone who trains his body, I simply couldn’t ignore it!”

“Oh, I see!”

Ellie accepted the excuse without much thought.

Clearth let out a barely audible sigh.

He was confused.

He really had been worried… so why did he deny it?

‘Because I don’t want to care! I’m supposed to hate her!’

Clearth quickly pulled himself together.

“So, what do you mean by training your body?”

“The Berndt family is famous for its martial tradition. Haven’t you heard of the renowned Berndt Knights?”

“Nope… never heard of them…”

It wasn’t something Princess Ellia was interested in.

“…”

Clearth frowned, his pride hurt.

“You may not know the Berndt household, but you should at least know the Berndt Knights! They were a legendary order who never hesitated to fight for the country, even when suppressed by the royal family! Even in the most dangerous battles, they never ran!”

“S-sorry I didn’t know! I just… don’t remember!”

“…Ah.”

Clearth calmed himself down.

“…I’m sorry for raising my voice.”

“It’s okay… I think it’s natural to get upset when something important to you is dismissed.”

Her brother never tolerated it when others belittled his research or magic.

Even if Ellie had been just a clueless child, he wouldn’t stand for it.

Everyone has something they deeply care about. For Clearth, that was the knight order.

“I’ll remember it from now on! The Berndt Knights!”

Ellie nodded hard, pressing her fingers to her forehead like she was stamping the memory in.

“Then, are you going to become one of those knights too?”

“The Duke of Berndt is the rightful leader of the Berndt Knights. Of course, I’m training to fight alongside them.”