For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 69
“There are other things to say to the troubled Young Master…!”
However, contrary to Owen’s concerns, Dezereth simply replied, “I see, is that so,” in a calm tone.
‘Why is he agreeing so easily?’
Leaving a sweating Owen behind, Dezereth approached his son.
Declan, who had been vigorously swinging his wooden sword, froze as soon as he sensed the uninvited presence. He then looked up at Dezereth with calm eyes, as if he had never been agitated at all.
Their similarly sharp gazes collided in the air.
“Father, when will you pass the duchy to me?”
At that, Clovin’s mouth hung open in shock.
Even though Clovin had told Declan that once he inherited the duchy, he could do as he pleased, he never expected him to outright demand the title to his face!
“You’re that eager for my position?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Why?”
“……”
Declan pressed his lips together tightly and glanced at Clovin before speaking again. But instead of answering the question, he responded with something entirely different.
“When did you inherit the duchy, Father?”
“…It was when I came of age, but more precisely, when I could fully manage the duchy.”
Dezereth smiled faintly as he recalled the past, thinking of the few but cherished memories he had with his father at the duchy.
“So, I need to manage the duchy to inherit the title?”
“According to tradition, yes.”
Declan hesitated for a moment, processing the unexpected condition, but then quickly saw it as an opportunity.
“I want to learn how to manage the duchy as soon as possible.”
“……”
“Send me to the duchy.”
Dezereth studied the resolute expression on Declan’s face before finally making a decision.
“Very well, come with me to the duchy. Learn how to govern it properly, and once you do, I will pass the title to you.”
Before Dezereth had even finished speaking, Clovin inwardly shouted, ‘Have you lost your mind, Duke?!’ Clovin was tearing at his hair, but Dezereth remained firm in his words.
“If the only thing you want is my position, then I must give it to you. That’s what being a father means.”
How could he think of going to the duchy when there was so much work to be done in the capital? What about the fully booked schedule for the next year? And governing the duchy wasn’t the only requirement for inheriting the title! Who just hands over their title because someone learns how to manage an estate?
The red-haired aide shook his head in despair, nearly in tears, but Dezereth didn’t waver. Declan met his father’s gaze with sharp, determined red eyes.
“You promised me.”
Dezereth, hailed as a genius, had undergone rigorous training for ten years to prepare to run the duchy. Yet Declan, who hadn’t learned to read until he was sixteen, might take even longer.
Still, Declan never entertained thoughts of impossibility. The only thing in his mind was that he would succeed.
Because if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to see Estira.
‘Four years until I come of age.’
No matter what, within those four years, he would pass every test his father set and claim the duchy. He would remove every obstacle in his way.
Every obstacle standing between him and Estira…
If he was going to be someone Estira needed more than money, if he was going to stand proudly by her side, he had to master the duchy and seize the title.
“Send me to the duchy right away.”
“There’s no rush, is there?”
“It has to be now.”
Declan’s firm tone made Clovin narrow his eyes.
His intentions were as clear as day.
‘It’s obvious what I need to do.’
***
Swish!
Clearly enjoying the sword I had given him, Feyden had stripped off his shirt and was fully immersed in sword training. The way he swung the sword in both hands looked like the movements of a dancer.
I watched from a distance, shaded from the hot sun, observing his swordplay.
As he swung the sword, testing its weight, he smiled, and the slightly sharp look on his face softened into something much more relaxed.
I couldn’t help but admire once again just how handsome he was. Even dripping with sweat, he somehow managed to look sexy.
His skin, tanned just the right amount, and the taut muscles beneath it moved fiercely with each sweep of his sword. The occasional smile that appeared made him look like a character from a shounen comic—fresh and full of life.
As the afternoon sunlight glinted off the blade, scattering like waves breaking on a clear day, I was reminded of the ocean.
‘It’s been ages since I’ve seen the sea.’
