Chapter 26: The Noble’s Etiquette and a Brother’s Burden

Having ended his call, Ethan entered, rubbing his arms. Inside, Scott, fresh from a shower and dressed in simple indoor wear, was already preparing a warm cup of tea.

“Where have you been? Ashilton is slightly colder than Morapolio City, and the daily temperature swings are quite drastic. Did you really go outside dressed like that?”

“Just to make a call.”

“Haha, come on. You could have just done that inside. There’s so much space in here, why bother going out?”

Ethan offered an embarrassed smile, quickly accepting the warm tea. With an innocent, almost foolish gaze, he then asked, like an ardent Esper-Guide enthusiast.

“Are all the guards Espers? That’s truly amazing!”

As Scott watched Ethan sip his tea, however, he paused for a moment, then asked something entirely unexpected.

“Ethan, there’s something I’ve realized while learning various things here.”

“Hm?”

“Where exactly did you learn the etiquette of nobles?”

‘”…What?”‘

Ethan stared blankly, but Scott simply pressed on, unconcerned.

“No… when I observe your actions, it doesn’t appear you’ve mastered all the formalities. Yet, sometimes… yes, when I watch you drink tea, for instance.

“Especially, the way you naturally adjust your grip on the cup differs depending on whether you’re using a teapot and traditional tea implements, or a modern tea set. I only learned that distinction was part of noble etiquette after arriving here; I’m still practicing even the pouring. But with you, it all seems so incredibly effortless…”

Ethan tilted his head, too. He recalled a multitude of strict customs.

Most residents in the Han clan village were venerable elders and adults. Lacking peers his own age, Ethan had simply emulated everyone else, never imagining it might appear unusual.

‘”…I don’t know either?”‘

When Ethan offered his honest reply, Scott, who had been eagerly anticipating some secret technique or revelation, let out a disappointed “Aw,” his shoulders slumping.

“Right, what could I expect from a guy rumored to have lost his memory? I was just about to ask you to observe my technique.”

Ethan felt a pang of regret that his question had been so casually brushed aside. Yet, Scott was too engrossed in meticulously explaining each step of the tea ceremony he had learned.

It was a moment when the line blurred between a casual tea time with a long-lost friend and an impromptu lesson.

Resigned to seizing another opportunity, Ethan decided to at least ascertain when he might be able to depart.

“When will the Count or Countess invite us? They are busy individuals; I don’t believe my presence is strictly necessary.”

“I believe we’ll dine together once Enoch arrives. The entire family typically gathers for dinner once or twice a month, and lately, they’ve been aligning it with Enoch’s days off. He mentioned he’d be resting for a few days this time.”

‘Ah, if things go well, I might even be able to conclude this within a week,’ Ethan mused. He nodded quite positively.

His thoughts then drifted to the eldest son of the Cloud family, whose standing had become precarious overnight due to Enoch’s emergence.

“How is the relationship between Seth, your elder brother, and Enoch? If it’s a family meal, it shouldn’t be too strained. What kind of person is he?”

An unexpectedly heavy silence followed Ethan’s casually posed question, prompting him to raise his head from his tea.

There, where Scott’s gaze was fixed, Enoch stood leaning against the door. He appeared somewhat weary, pressing his temples with a languid expression as he watched them.

“My elder brother, Seth, is a C-rank, but he possesses a rare ability: Psychometry. He’s the very reason our family ended up living so scattered.”

“Enoch!”

Ethan watched, mouth agape, as Scott practically flew into Enoch’s arms. It was Psychometry, an ability to read memories through touch, whether of objects or people.

While it primarily revealed superficial facts and struggled with older memories, the ability itself was incredibly rare, far beyond the more common electrical-type powers prevalent among Espers.

Such an ability would naturally cause discomfort, even among family. Given its extreme rarity, the duration for which a C-rank Psychometry user could manifest their power remained unknown.

Nevertheless, the instant they chose to activate it and touched a family member, that person’s memories would be read, if only for a few fleeting seconds.

Enoch embraced Scott, sharing a tender kiss, then approached the tea table. He glanced at the tea implements and let out a soft chuckle.

‘Who would ever wish for their thoughts or privacy to be exposed?’

“Scott, I told you there’s no need to go to such lengths.”

Scott blushed as he watched Enoch swiftly drink the tea he had so clumsily prepared. Enoch, evidently hungry, continuously picked at the soft cookies and small rice cakes laid out as refreshments, then spoke.

“Don’t worry too much, Mr. Ethan. You simply need to avoid being alone with my elder brother, Seth. His ability requires a great deal of concentration. At family dinners with everyone present, or when there are three or more people, his attention becomes too dispersed for him to effectively use his power.

“Of course, we can’t all stick together, which is why we live in separate buildings like this. However, it’s true that Seth and I don’t have the best relationship, so it would be wise to exercise caution. Those who need to know are already aware, but it’s not a publicly known ability, so I would appreciate it if you could help keep it discreet.”

Only after enthusiastically rushing to Enoch did Scott realize he had momentarily forgotten Ethan’s presence, and his face flushed crimson.

He squirmed out of Enoch’s embrace, then, adding some information he’d heard to Enoch’s words, deftly redirected Ethan’s attention.

“Ethan, Lord Seth’s ability is truly so rare that his rank is almost meaningless. It’s the kind of power you’d find in only one or two people across an entire nation, and there’s barely any record of C-rank or higher users.

“Mental abilities, compared to physical ones, feel much more frightening because they’re invisible. I sometimes find Lord Seth a bit unnerving myself.”

Ethan, whose own abilities would be nullified by Oweol the crow’s shield, silently nodded. He felt a pang of sympathy for the man who was Enoch’s elder brother.

Psychometry, indeed. What an inherently isolating burden.

‘”…He must be lonely.”‘

At Ethan’s unexpected words, both Enoch and Scott, who had been smiling, froze, their expressions stiffening.

A heavy silence settled between them.

“E-Ethan. Lord Seth being lonely, that’s…”

Enoch waved a dismissive hand, indicating to Scott that it was of little consequence.

“You’ll understand once you meet him tomorrow anyway. In any case, Mr. Ethan, as my Guide’s guest, this will be your first invitation to our family gathering, and it seems you’ll need appropriate attire.”

‘”…I brought at least one suit.”‘

“A mere suit won’t suffice. Tomorrow’s gathering isn’t just for our immediate family; prominent collateral families will also be in attendance.”

Both Ethan and Scott’s eyes widened.

After a moment of watching Enoch, Scott let out a low gasp, his voice laced with excitement.

‘”…Enoch, you’re not planning to announce your retirement that day, are you?”‘

Enoch’s handsome lips curved into a confident smirk.

“It’s both a retirement announcement and a declaration of intent. We must, after all, inform the family members before releasing it to the press.

“Therefore, I wouldn’t want Ethan Prescott, who will be attending as Scott’s cherished friend and my officially declared Guide on that day, to appear anything less than impeccable.”

Scott, thrilled at the prospect of being formally introduced to the key figures of the Cloud family, eagerly embraced Enoch.

“Ethan! Ethan, this is wonderful! You’ll come shopping with me tomorrow, won’t you? Enoch, you’ll join us too, right?”

Enoch smiled and whispered something into Scott’s ear. Scott’s ears flushed a vivid red, and he hastily mumbled a goodnight to Ethan before disappearing.

It was painfully obvious what Enoch wanted, so Ethan, with a resigned smile, poured the remaining tea into the tea pet. As he meticulously arranged the teapot and utensils, Enoch’s eyes curved into a soft, knowing smile.

“But Mr. Ethan, it seems you’re an even greater Esper-Guide enthusiast than Scott. Scott bombarded me with questions about Psychometry, yet you, on the other hand, act as if you already know everything.”

His hands, which had momentarily stilled, resumed their fluid movements. Ethan offered a wry smile as he replied.

“Because I have no interest. It simply implies I should avoid Seth, the elder brother. I have no intention of lingering here, so I don’t anticipate ever being alone with him.”

“That’s rather cold. I’ve been so busy lately, I was hoping to ask you to look after Scott.”

“I must decline. I can barely manage myself.”

Enoch, about to retort, pressed his temples as if a headache had struck, then offered his farewell.

“For now, get some rest tonight, and I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Scott doesn’t fall ill.”

“……”

Returning to his room, Ethan let out a long sigh. Contrary to his expectations, seeing Enoch’s tenderness toward Scott, and Scott’s eagerness to learn Enoch’s preferred way of brewing tea, made all his previous worries feel strangely pointless.

****

“Damn it, those wretched royals!” Doctor Sera cursed, slamming her drink down roughly.

“…But Doctor Sera, you’re a White too. Sera White.”

Philip’s cautious remark drew a wry chuckle from Bliss.

“My mother was a White, and Doctor Sera is a White, yet they are truly women of extremes. One conveniently forgets she’s a former king’s illegitimate child, struggling to maintain dignity as if she were a royal. The other is desperate to extract the royal blood flowing within her.”

The illegitimate child of a former king and the illegitimate child of a brother. The surname ‘White,’ bestowed upon royal bastards, was truly ambiguous. Daughters typically took their husband’s surname, while sons often became sacrificial pawns in political marriages, entering noble families as adopted sons-in-law if they had daughters. Yet, countless bastards were discarded and forgotten, not even afforded that much.

Regardless, the Whites raised in the royal palace were generally commoners or low-grade Espers, and even among commoners, most were resourceful and intelligent.

“The process of creating a ‘Green’ was a simple principle.”

It wasn’t that the royal lineage and genetics were so superior that Espers and Guides were always born. Rather, exceptional individuals from among numerous illegitimate children were recognized as sons and daughters of the King and Queen. To conceal these rules, they gradually altered history and information at opportune times, blinding the public for extended periods.

On the surface, it seemed like a trivial task, but changing even a single line and subsequently altering all related online data was an immense undertaking, considering the authority required for information access.

However, if it could successfully instill in the Aitoolian Empire’s citizens the belief that the ‘royal lineage’ was superior even to nobles, and that the ruler’s bloodline surpassed all others, it was a worthwhile endeavor.

“Even so, to make Lord Bliss a political sacrifice! They know better than anyone his current condition, so sending him to a conflict zone at this time is tantamount to sending him to his death!”

Philip erupted in fury. Doctor Sera fumed, pulling out another rag-like glove.

“It seems Devon Green is wearing thin. There was no time to consider appearances. I barely managed to scrape together the remnants of the blue gloves, but take these. And never remove them when using your ability.”

Bliss frowned, clearly displeased, but did not refuse the gloves. When he quickly shoved the seemingly patched-up, rag-like items into his pocket, out of sight, Dale knocked.

“…What is it?”

“It seems Mr. Ethan, after being met by Mr. Scott, has become stranded at the Cloud Count’s estate.”

Sera, who had been sprawled indolently on the table, shot upright, and Philip’s eyes widened.

“What?! Why did that Scott or whoever put Mr. Ethan in that viper’s nest? That place is like a small country on high alert, where civil war could erupt at any moment!” Doctor Sera exclaimed, agitated.

After a brief pause, Bliss spoke, his voice heavy.

“…Tell them I accept the proposal.”

“Lord Bliss!”

“Lord Bliss, your own situation is already severe! There’s no need to get dragged into that quagmire for Mr. Ethan’s sake!”

“I will bring Mr. Ethan back, one way or another.”

Bliss, who had been swirling the ice in his glass, frowned at those trying to dissuade him by invoking Ethan’s name.

“…Why does my support for Enoch connect to Ethan? I made this decision for my own benefit.”

‘Lies! You just decided on a proposal you received seven months ago!’

Everyone’s eyes screamed the thought, yet Bliss gazed at them as if he couldn’t comprehend, even clicking his tongue in disapproval.

“……I suppose I’ll bring Ethan back while I’m at it.”

“…!!!”

Doctor Sera abruptly pulled out another glass and poured strong liquor into three glasses. She handed them to Dale and Philip, then gulped hers down.

The other two also gulped down their drinks, then, pretending it was the alcohol, let out very long, audible sighs in front of Bliss.