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Anyone who knew even a little about the Gold Duke’s nature would have assumed this year’s school trip would be to Boyar again. I thought so, Marghetta thought so, and so did the Principal. Honestly, probably all the academy students thought so.

After all, the Golden Duke’s obsession with money wasn’t just well-known in the Empire; it was practically a universal fact across the continent. With a title with the word ‘Gold,’ how could anyone not know?

That was why Villar, like everyone else, assumed Boyar was the inevitable destination this year. When the sudden change to Cheness was announced, he was caught in the drift along with everyone else.

“I may not know much about the empire, but I’ve heard Cheness is quite an attractive place too. I think it would be good for the students to visit various places to broaden their horizons.”

“You’re right.”

But Villar’s expression was too calm, hardly what you’d expect from someone blindsided by a sudden decision. I wasn’t sure whether this was due to his seasoned composure, or if he just thought that Boyar and Cheness were pretty much the same.

Actually, it didn’t matter either way. It made my life easier if Villar and the other foreign representatives accepted the change without a fuss. How annoying would it be if the poor dispatched civil servants, trembling at the thought of their charges being in danger, had a fit asking, ‘Why Cheness? Is there some conspiracy?’

“Besides, I heard the Wise Duchess is your aunt, Executive Manager. That must mean you’re familiar with Cenes, right? I’m sure it will make for an enjoyable trip.”

Still, being calm and fulfilling one’s duty were separate issues. As the person in charge of security, Villar needed to check all possibilities, so he casually mentioned my relationship with the Wise Duchess.

“Haha, not particularly. I stayed in our territory when I was young, and now I spend most of my time in the capital, so I rarely had to visit Cheness.”

Of course, I quickly denied such an absurd suspicion. While it was true that I had a connection with the Wise Duchess, I certainly didn’t intervene in selecting the school trip destination. Why would I willingly go to Cheness?

I was already reluctant to go to any duchy, especially Cheness. If something happened in Boyar, I could at least ask the Gold Duke for help. But if something happened in Cheness, the one I’d have to ask for help was the Wise Duchess.

Absolutely not.

Regardless of the Wise Duchess’s abilities, I should avoid borrowing her hand as much as possible. With any other duke, it was a simple exchange—returning a favor later would be enough. But with the Wise Duchess? The repayment was guaranteed to be something utterly ridiculous.

“Carlll, Caaaaaarrllll! Then, can you give me a piggyback ride!?”

“Sorry?”

Surprisingly, this was a true story. Once, I owed the Wise Duchess a favor for a work-related matter, and her request was so straightforward yet so outrageous that I nearly lost my mind.

And yes, I actually had to give her that piggyback ride.

Damn it.

The embarrassment of that day was something I’d never forget. Sure, you could frame it as showing off my close relationship with a duke, but if I needed to give someone a piggyback ride to demonstrate that bond, maybe it’d be better to keep quiet. Besides, what was the point of flaunting a connection I’d rather keep silent about?

“Is that so? This school trip will be special for you too, then, Executive Manager.”

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it as well.”

Anyway, Villar seemed to believe me and nodded nonchalantly.

Still, there was something about the way he called it a ‘special trip’ that felt uncomfortably fitting. It was going to be special, all right.

***

Now that I had confirmed that the three countries’ forces had no complaints about going to Cheness, it was time to inform the host about how many guests would be coming.

It might not be necessary to inform them since the selection of Cheness as the school trip destination was the imperial family’s will, but failing to observe such small courtesies when visiting someone else’s territory was a sure way to get on their bad side.

“—That’s all. I’ll send a detailed list separately.”

— Got it. Thanks for taking the time despite your busy schedule.

Especially when the host was a relative who also happened to be the only person capable of curbing the Wise Duchess’s infamous drinking habits. How valuable was an existence that could somewhat restrain a drunkard even the Emperor had given up on?

— I’ll let her know right away. She’ll be thrilled to hear you reached out.

“She’ll probably just get mad that I didn’t contact her directly.”

— Haha, you’re probably right.

My uncle burst into laughter at my sincere words. I wished he had denied it at this point.

Still, it’s better to deal with the complaints later.

Hearing my uncle’s laughter made me feel conflicted, but this was the right choice.

Technically, informing the territory’s lord directly would be the proper protocol, but trying to discuss business with the Wise Duchess would inevitably steer off into unpredictable territory. I’d much rather deal with her late-stage grumbling than the chaos of a derailed conversation.

Besides, wasn’t my uncle acting as a liaison with the outside world to assist the Wise Duchess, who was all-in on SimCity? If I stretched it out a bit, reaching out to him instead was completely reasonable.

— Speaking of which, it’ll be nice to see Erich again. I hardly get to see the boy these days.

The shift to a more personal topic made me nod slightly.

Unlike the Patriarch, Mother, or me, who all participated in the New Year’s Ball annually, Erich didn’t have the same opportunities to cross paths with my uncle. He was a regular noble heir, after all. Even as the Wise Duchess’s husband, my uncle couldn’t go out of his way to visit a minor noble unless absolutely necessary.

Of course, uncle and aunt would welcome Erich warmly if he were to visit the Cheness Duchy, but sadly, Erich was desperately avoiding our aunt. That was the weight of the trauma the Wise Duchess inflicted on him as a child.

“We’ll come to greet you together. If you could tell us a good time—“

— No need, I’ll come to see him myself. Let him rest. I can’t have a grown nephew dealing with his aunt’s antics.

I quietly lowered my gaze at those words. My uncle was basically saying that he’d rather visit himself than risk exposing Erich to the Wise Duchess, who might trigger a full-blown meltdown.

Just what kind of torment did Erich endure for my uncle to go to these lengths? It couldn’t have been an ordinary incident.

Was there something I didn’t know about?

I felt curious, but I didn’t particularly want to find out. After all, there were some secrets in this world that should remain buried forever…

— Anyway, I’ll make it look like we met by chance, so when you arrive at the lodgings, cont—

— Heeey? Babe! What are you up toooo?

— Ah.

“Ah.”

A new voice with a familiar, drunken slur suddenly barged into the room where only uncle should have been.

Great. We’re doomed.

***

Would a broken arm get me out of the school trip? No, Tannian would heal it right away.

Then, how about a high fever? No, that would be worse. If I wasn’t unconscious, then I’d have to suffer through both the sickness and Aunt’s constant check-ins. There was no escaping her once she became involved.

This is driving me crazy.

I sighed, lying on the bed. Why did it have to be Cheness, of all places? We could just go to Boyar like last year, or there was also Wulken or Servette if it had to be a different duchy. But no—it just had to be the far-western Cheness.

I knew that Cheness was famous as a tourist destination. Aunt wasn’t a cruel person, either. In fact, she always smiled when we met and gave me plenty of pocket money.

But it was just… a bit much.

“My little nephew! Give Auntie a kiss!”

“Aww, so cute… I wish you could stay little forever…”

“Nom nom nom nom nom!”

…No, it was way too much. Even at a young age, I seriously wondered if aunt thought of me as a doll.

— Your aunt just adores you, so don’t be too scared.

Desperate, I’d brought up the topic of the trip with Mother during one of our calls. Her response, though phrased kindly, was ultimately soul-crushing. It was just a nice way of saying, ‘You’re on your own; I can’t do anything about her.’

Why were none of the adults I knew normal? The Patriarch was extremely blunt, and aunt was the polar opposite. I wish there was a middle ground, but there wasn’t.

Life...

If there was one tiny glimmer of hope, it was that I was legally an adult in the empire now. Surely even aunt wouldn’t bite and suck on her adult nephew’s cheeks, right? If aunt had any dignity as a duchess—

No. If she had any dignity, she probably wouldn’t be drunk in the first place.

I pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to soothe my pounding head while brainstorming ways to avoid her. Just then, the communication crystal on my bedside table began to glow.

What is it now?

I frowned at the unexpected call. Who would be calling at this hour?

Still, a call this late must be important. And even if it wasn’t, outright ignoring them wouldn’t do.

“This is Erich—“

—LITTLE NEPHEEEEEEW!

I instinctively closed my eyes at the voice that seemed to pierce my eardrums.

Of course. Of course it just had to be Aunt. Right as I was thinking about her, she called. Did I have some kind of cursed power that allowed me to manifest my own nightmares?

— Your auntie is so touched! My little nephew, I heard you were going to call me?

“What?”

What on earth was she talking about now?

***

I almost had to endure the Wise Duchess’s whining, but people often displayed unknown strengths in times of crisis. With miraculous quick thinking, I was able to dodge the bomb that was the Wise Duchess.

I’m sorry.

The problem was, it wasn’t a complete dodge, but one that required a sacrificial lamb.

I offered my sincere apologies to Erich, who now suddenly had to deal with the Wise Duchess’s drunken rambling.

— NEPHEEEEW! How-how could you do this to meee?! Don’t you know how much I love youuu?!

“Ah, well, you see, Erich mentioned that he hadn’t talked to Auntie in a while and really wanted to catch up. I just… graciously stepped aside for him.”

It was a flimsy excuse, even by my own standards.

— LIESSSS! My little nephew never even tried to contact meeeee!

“He was probably nervous about calling after so long. Why don’t you try calling him first…?”

— Ohhh? Is that so!?

But what could I do? I had to save myself first.

I’m sorry, Erich.

Still, enduring the Wise Duchess’s drunken affection was practically a rite of passage for the Krasius family.

Besides, if he ever entered politics or the social circles, he would carry the prestigious title of ‘the Beloved by the Wise Duchess.’ Wasn’t that a win?

At least, that was what I told myself.

***

The next day, during club time.

“…Are you okay?”

“No.”

Erich slumped in his seat, emitting fatigue and betrayal from every /genesisforsaken