The Bonds of Friendship and Honor

"Thank you. I will not forget this kindness."

"Remember well. Abandoning a friend is abandoning another version of yourself. Do not attempt it half-heartedly."

"Yes!"

Rian nodded bravely, fastened his sword to his waist, and rushed toward the mansion. Longing lingered in Kite's gaze.

My role here is done.

Though the time to part had come a little sooner than expected, he was glad they could say farewell with dignity. May fortune bless my disciple's path ahead.

The atmosphere in the mansion was icy. All work had halted, and the servants stood motionless, barely breathing. Behind the sofa where the direct family sat, Head Butler Louis adjusted his glasses. Beside him, Deputy Butler Temuran glared rigidly at Shirone, who knelt under a barrage of hostile, scornful stares. It felt as though he stood alone in the center of the Colosseum.

"Head Butler, report."

"Yes, Family Head. Shirone, hired by Temuran, is accused of damaging the Ozent family's authority during his 1 year and 6 months here. Numerous servants witnessed him associating closely with the youngest young master. I myself overheard him speaking casually to the young master. Detailed evidence and witness statements are attached in the documents prepared by Temuran."

When Bishoff silently motioned for the papers, Louis handed them over. As the documents rustled sharply, Reina quietly approached Shirone.

"Shirone, don't worry too much. I'll try to persuade Father. Nothing will happen to you."

Shirone slowly raised his head. Contrary to expectations, his face was so calm that Reina felt chills instead. There was no trace of fear in his eyes.

He's not pretending to be composed. He's truly analyzing the situation coldly.

Shirone felt no fear. The future was an illusion—nothing had been decided yet.

After skimming the documents, Bishoff spoke. His icy demeanor, fitting for the black-haired lineage, carried a voice that froze hearts.

"Arian Shirone, are the contents of these documents true?"

"Father, Shirone and Rian are—"

"Reina, I did not ask you. I will grant you a chance to speak later. Stay silent for now."

Reina bit her lip. Bishoff, who upheld principles and cold logic above all, could not be swayed by emotions.

Shirone spoke.

"I have one question."

The servants gasped at his calmness, but Bishoff remained unmoved.

"Speak."

"If I am friends with the youngest young master, what consequences will he face?"

Reina's eyes softened affectionately at Shirone's concern for Rian even in danger.

"It changes nothing. This hearing is to interrogate you, a commoner. Regardless of Rian's actions, as long as they concern the family, we will protect him."

Though Bishoff's words were thorny, Shirone seemed satisfied. Shedding his last shred of worry, he smiled brightly and confessed.

"Then I'm relieved. Rian and I are indeed friends. We've built our bond over the past year and will continue to do so."

Though no one dared react openly, Shirone's words sent shockwaves through the room. The servants who had lived alongside them were stunned to hear their suspicions confirmed.

Fool. He has no idea how cruel the world is.

A noble's heir and a commoner's son being friends for over a year? A fairy tale had become reality.

"It seems the Ozent name means little to you. Shirone, as Family Head, I sentence you to execution. You entered this house under a contract—you must have prepared for this outcome."

Reina stood abruptly.

"Father! Please listen! You said we'd have a chance to speak!"

"That was when there was room for doubt. He has already confessed. Wasting further time is pointless. Head Butler."

"Yes, Family Head."

"Proceed. And ensure this matter never leaves these walls."

"Understood."

Reina grew frantic. Shirone's calmness even now frustrated her. But how could she stop this? Bishoff's decisions, made in the family's name, had never been overturned.

"Who dares decide this without my permission?!"

Rian burst through the mansion doors. His mere presence seemed to ignite the air.

"Who's executing my friend without consent?!"

Bishoff answered coldly.

"I am."

"Why?! What crime did he commit besides being my friend?!"

"One need not commit a capital crime to die. Noble affairs are far more complex than you realize. It is only because our family bears this complexity that you've enjoyed privilege as a noble's son."

"Then I reject any privilege earned by abandoning a friend!"

"You're naïve, Rian. Friendship is only valid when both sides can equally share it. Can you prove that boy sees you as a friend? What if he approached you for wealth? You'd never know. Yet you still trust him?"

"Shirone would never do that!"

"How can you be certain? Show me proof he isn't that kind of person."

Reina clenched her fists. He's trapped us. Without mind-reading, there was no way to prove sincere friendship.

As coldness seeped from Bishoff's words, Rian quietly gripped his sword's hilt. A fiery resolve surged within him.

I see now, Master.

Understanding Kite's lesson, Rian burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!

"I almost fell for it, Father! Proof? I believe in him! Even if Shirone doesn't see me as a friend, as long as I believe, he is my friend! That itself is proof!"

Bishoff's temper flared.

"So you defy your Family Head? This isn't a father-son quarrel. Countless nobles fall daily, and I bear the duty to lead Ozent. Even my own son can be disowned."

The servants—and even family—stiffened at the threat. But Rian didn't flinch. Instead, he responded with unprecedented formality, as if building a wall between them.

"If that's the only way to protect my friend, I'll leave with a smile."

Thud!

Bishoff struck the floor with his heel. Unthinkable! A sixteen-year-old risking disownment? This was a spoiled child's tantrum, exploiting a parent's weakness.

"Then draw your sword. If you'll discard even family, stake your life here for your friend."

Rian silently unsheathed his blade, further enraging Bishoff.

"You dare raise a sword against your father?!"

"Not against you. I'm doing this because you refuse to believe my sincerity. I drew my sword to protect my convictions."

"Since when did you value friendship? You never mingled with noble peers because they outshone you. You keep a commoner by your side to soothe your inferiority."

"You're wrong this time, Father. Shirone is a friend who shines brighter than me. I want to help him reach greater heights."

Bishoff felt hollow. What lies had bewitched his simple-minded son?

"You! Did you corrupt Rian? Did you convince him nobles and commoners can be friends?!"

Shirone answered calmly.

"I never persuaded him, but I've shared my thoughts."

Rian stepped between them.

"Shirone, stay back. I'll handle this. No matter what, I'll—"

"Rian."

Shirone's frigid tone made Rian turn. Shirone met his gaze steadily.

"Take responsibility only for what's yours."

His words, as cold as Bishoff's, chilled even Rian.

"O-Of course!"

"But don't shoulder unnecessary blame. We created this situation together. We'll face it together."

Shirone smiled slyly at Rian.

"Even if I die here, I'll never regret being your friend."

Silence fell. Servants and family alike were solemn. To Rian, it was fuel to his blazing resolve.

"Yes! That's what I mean! Even if I'm disowned, we're friends!"

The servants murmured. Even the skeptical ones now wavered.

Reina, chin resting on her hand, smiled. How impressive, Shirone. He'd silenced the adults with irrefutable logic—everyone here was human, bound by emotions. Once, we all yearned for such a friend. The Ozent family's ironclad logic crumbled before humanity.

Clever. In a way, he resembles Father. Yet Shirone wasn't unlikable, for his sincerity outweighed calculation. Perhaps that's his greatest weapon.

A booming voice suddenly rang from the second floor.

"Bwahaha! A masterpiece in my twilight years! Nothing beats youth!"

While maids shrieked, the family sighed and turned. A burly old man with blue-tinted white hair leaned against the balcony railing—Ozent Clamp, Rian's grandfather.

"Grandfather!"

Reina stood, revitalized. She and Rian alone couldn't sway the cold Family Head, but Clamp's arrival changed everything.

"You're early, Father. Reina said you'd take days."

"Hah! My friend ran off with a young bride, so here I am! Still, this place is lively as ever. Youth truly is wondrous!"

"This is no joyous matter. Our family's dignity lies in ruins."

"Is that so? Watching from above, it seems everyone has much to say. Why not hear their opinions before deciding?"

Reina internally cheered. Though Clamp had passed the title to his son, his authority as a 3rd-class swordsman remained formidable.

Emboldened, Reina spoke.

"I'll start. Though I met Shirone yesterday, he's sharp and talented. He fulfilled his contract and was to leave today. Given this, it's unfair to accuse him of scheming or tarnishing our name."

She sat down, posture firm. The scales had balanced, but the tide hadn't turned.

Clamp then asked the second grandson, Lai, whose words swayed the servants anew.

"I dislike the boy."

Yet Lai added, "But I don't care. This doesn't involve me. I just want this resolved so I can return to the palace."

Reina clicked her tongue. Lai's self-centeredness, usually irritating, now favored Rian.

Chuckling, Clump turned to Deputy Butler Temuran.

"Lastly, let's hear from the deputy who observed Shirone longest."

Temuran stepped forward, mindful of Head Butler Louis' warning glance.

"Shirone perfectly fulfilled his duties for 1 year and 6 months."