On this night, in my room, I stare at my ceiling in silence.
I plan to leave for the Academy tomorrow, and all my luggage is packed for the trip. However, I remain uneasy for multiple reasons.
One such reason involves the revelation my brother shared with me a few days ago.
'Father has started training him privately, and he has also offered to make him Heir…' I smile wryly to myself and let out a sigh.
There's no way my father is unaware of Craig's nature and how close he has gotten to me these past couple of months. It's evident that Craig would have let me know at some point. In fact, the spar he proposed was probably a creative way for my little brother to introduce me to the situation.
'In that case, why did my father tell him of his intentions and not simply keep it to himself? The answer is pretty clear…' I nearly roll my eyes at the thought. 'Father is still trying to extend the last olive branch to me. His pride won't let him come to me directly, so he's using Craig as a messenger, but this also doubles as a threat.'
Despite being pretty much the official Heir, my father can still teach Craig the Aditi Household Martial Technique, and if the boy surpasses me in prowess, it's clear who will be more favored as the Head of Household.
Plus, in case anything happens to me, our Main Family has some insurance with Craig.
'The Aditi Martial Technique takes a long time to fully master, which is why it is only taught to one person. However, this also means that the one to whom it is taught is in danger and will be targeted. After all, if they are killed or rendered incapable of fighting, then the same Martial Technique has to be retaught to another.'
The tradition is that the Martial Technique can only be taught to one person at a time.
Normally, I am supposed to have started learning it by now.
However, since I have already shown everyone that I have already mastered it and am the undisputed Heir, my father now has the freedom to teach the Technique to someone else.
And that someone is Craig.
'He's trying to send me a message. If I keep disregarding my duties, he will pass on the Heir title to Craig, and he knows I don't want to see this happen.'
I frown slightly.
This isn't a bad move by my father.
To be honest, I already figured something like this would happen, but he actually pulled it off so soon. How desperate has he gotten?
He knows he can't stop me from leaving for the Royal Academy since that would be disregarding the invitation given by the prestigious institute. Such contempt is even punishable by law. That's why he has chosen to resort to this sort of thing.
I can't help but sigh in mild relief.
It was a good idea to let Uncle Damon work out the process in secret since my parents would have never let me apply to begin with.
But now that the wheels have started turning, they can't really stop me.
They can only retract support and also try to force me to stop the process on my own.
For example, this issue with Craig.
What are the chances that my father made this decision regarding personally tutoring him and also potentially choosing him as Heir right after I got my letter from the Royal Academy?
It's obvious what he's after.
'He wants me to forfeit the exam. All I have to do is attend and fail. Or rather, I get there and decide to withdraw my application. Either way, I sabotage myself. Doing that will prove to my father that I won't defy him anymore, and he'll stop his shenanigans with Craig.'
But why would I ever do that?
It seems my parents are really underestimating my resolve.
But, at the same time, I can't blame the old man for thinking like this. After all, there are a lot of perks in being the Heir that I do not want to lose out on, which means I'd likely not want it to get passed to someone else.
There's also the fact that I do not want Craig to shoulder such a heavy burden of expectations and responsibilities.
My father knows all of these things, which is why he is choosing to do this.
'Craig is very talented. If he is taught the Aditi Martial Technique, I'm certain he can master it within a few years…'
At that moment, if my father declares him as Heir, things could get complicated for me.
Why?
Because I already represented to the Royal Academy in my application that I was the only Heir of the Aditi Household. As such, I did not need my parents' approval to attend the Academy, and I had priority of acceptance.
If Craig becomes Heir in a few years, my application becomes null, and I will have to drop out of the Academy. Even if the Royal Academy doesn't find out about this early, and I don't drop out immediately as a result, I still won't be able to graduate.
And that's even the best-case scenario.
Worst case, I could be charged with the criminal offense of misrepresentation, among other things.
The law is pretty strict in the Randalorion Kingdom—especially to non-Nobles.
Once again… my father knows all of these things.
He's trying to suppress me.
'Normally, among Knight Households, it's the non-heirs that attend the Royal Academy. And almost all of the ones who attend come from High-Rank Knight Households. They need their parents' permission, or the Heir's consent—usually the former—before they can be allowed to attend. If I go off on my own now and get my position stripped from me, I will undoubtedly be in a very precarious situation.' I narrow my eyes and let out another sigh.
The situation has gotten complicated again.
How am I to resolve this on my own? Honestly, it's a very difficult thing to do by myself.
After all, education in the Royal Academy lasts for five years.
No matter how smart I am, I can't overcome such a barrier of time. Craig will undoubtedly master the Aditi Martial Technique before that period, which means it isn't a race against time at all.
What then? Does that mean I fold? Give in?
Not a chance!
I laugh to myself, causing my voice to resound within my room in an echo of triumph.
"Well done, father!" I yell out with vigor. "You made a great move! I admire your intelligence and foresight. Your cruelty, even towards your own children, is unmatched. Treating us like chess pieces to use and discard as you please… It's rather entertaining, is it not?"
I'm the only one in my room.
No one else can listen in to my shout. I know there are watchers who constantly monitor my situation, but they are too far away to hear me—even if I shout.
However… I actually would not mind if anyone was listening right now, to be honest.
I don't care.
"But things won't go as you wish, father! Do not underestimate my resolve in this matter! I am not going to give up or give in, no matter what! You miscalculated! I desire freedom more than I fear the consequences! Underestimating this nature of mine is one of the two biggest mistakes you made. Want to know the second one?"
I pause for a moment, panting and grinning like a man on the verge of insanity.
"… It is underestimating Craig's nature."
Back when Craig told me what Father was doing, he asked me what he should do. Back then, despite having the opportunity to tell him what I wanted from him, I let him make the decision himself.
Craig is someone who is incredibly obstinate.
The most you can do is treat the symptoms, like my mother, but that boy will do what he wants till the very end.
As such, there was no reason to panic and tell him to refuse my father.
No.
"Do what you want to do."
That's all I had to tell him back then, and I could see his jade eyes flash with brilliance.
Whatever that means… is up to my father to find out.-----Dawn breaks, and I stand outside the Main Estate's gate.
My luggage is being packed into the horse-drawn carriage, but I do not observe this. Instead, I leave it to my Uncle Damon, who is escorting me to the Academy and has personally come to pick me up in a carriage.
I already know my parents would have sabotaged the ones at home, or would not offer me any support at all, so I already knew I was on my own in that matter.
Fortunately, I have some money to spare.
Uncle Damon hasn't fallen short of my expectations even once since we started dealing with each other, and it's relieving to see that he hasn't disappointed me once again. I leave the luggage inspection and whatnot to his supervision and simply enjoy the view.
I take in a deep breath and exhale softly.
It sure is nice.
'The journey to the Academy City will take at least a week. That's two weeks to and fro. I should also use this opportunity to do a few things beyond the Estate, so I'm prepared to spend at least a month outside.'
Such a long time away from home… it sure makes me feel a certain way inside.
But I maintain a dignified demeanor.
My siblings come around to wish me farewell, and my parents also have to show up to maintain appearances. My father doesn't speak to his brother but gives him a glare of disapproval.
The reason for that is very obvious.
After all, my Uncle joined me in scheming against my father.
Unfortunately, since I am the Heir of the Aditi Household, his actions can't be considered traitorous to the family. His actions were made directly under my orders and supervision, and I partially represent the will of the Main Family.
In essence, my Uncle is safe.
For now.
My mother shoots me a concerned look and tries to give me a few signals, but I ignore them entirely. I can't give her what she wants from me.
My father is mostly silent, as he has only come to see me off because of the event's significance.
After all, what would people say if the Head of the Aditi Household doesn't show up to escort his own Heir out of the Estate when he is responding to a summons by the Royal Academy? Rumors are bound to fly around, and if they are fueled by the Minor Families, it would undoubtedly be disadvantageous for the Main Family.
For this reason alone, my father has no choice but to fold and add legitimacy to my trip.
After being quiet for so long, he finally speaks.
"Where… did you get the money to afford all of these things?" His tone is rough, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
I can tell what he is thinking, so I shake my head and smile softly.
"Don't worry. I didn't take any loan in the name of the Aditi Household. I will take responsibility for all my actions, so you don't have to do anything but watch." I glance at my younger brother for a moment, and then at my sister, and smile at both of them.
"We all have our own paths to take. I won't burden anyone with my decisions… and I refuse to be burdened as well."
Anyone who says man is born free has told one of the biggest lies.
From the moment people are born into this world, they possess all manner of restrictions: from financial to physical constraints, or even the intellectual kind. They also have to obey laws already made and have to follow a hierarchy long established before their birth. They are restricted to a certain geographic zone and have to pay taxes for living there. They have to slave for others for sustenance or be held accountable to another to thrive.
Even if one exists at the pinnacle of civilization, as the invincible monarch of a Kingdom, with no legal or societal restraints binding you, what about the natural ones?
Can a man fly? Even with the aid of technology and mystic arts, such a performance is subject to many limitations. The answer remains… No.
What about other things? Strength, speed, invulnerability? With Potions and Armaments, some of these may be realized to an extent, but there exists a limit, doesn't there? In essence, there is no such thing as 'boundless'.
There is no infinite.
A monarch still has to worry about other Kingdoms.
An Emperor may perish from insurgency.
And, most commonly, all life must end at the hands of death. There is no such thing as true freedom when one is already shackled by all of these regulations and restrictions.
No man is truly free.
I am well aware of that. My argument, however, is this:
Why add to those restrictions?
I already know that I am bound by the Kingdom's laws, and I am bound by the law of nature and the inevitable hold of death… so why do I need to add to my burdens by also subjecting myself to the restrictions of other people?
Why do I need to follow the wishes of others? Why fear the opinions of another? Why live to please people?
Why?
'I am shackled enough as it is. I do not want to increase the number of my chains.'
"Father… I do not wish to be the Heir. Big Brother should be the Heir. I will work hard in training and will follow your wishes until I come of age. But know that I will resent you through all of it, and once I am an adult, I will leave this Estate and travel the world as a bard." Craig shatters the silence with shocking words.
Well, shocking to my parents.
I merely smile while watching this, nearly laughing as I witness the expression of my parents warp into sheer disbelief.
Just as I thought—my father really underestimates Craig's nature.
Even I did.
"Mother, I do not want to end up like you and get married to a man." As if Craig's declaration wasn't enough, Selicia's voice echoes out in a bold declaration. "Frankly, I do not find men attractive at all, and would rather swing my blade until I become a Knight like my role model, Lady Beatrice. Even if you restrain me now, I will break free and do what I want in the end. If you try to suppress me, I will run away from home and accrue merit until I am recognized by the Kingdom and become a Knight."
Rage! Pure rage is displayed on the face of my mother.
My father is also very angry, but he directs all of his vitriol at me, and I simply chuckle aloud.
"Looks like my dear siblings are growing up nicely…" I bend to embrace the two of them, proudly patting their heads before rising and finally walking towards my carriage.
"As the one and only Heir of this Household, as well as the loving brother of you two, I support your grand ambitions and will do everything in my power to support you!"
After making this declaration, I glance at my parents and smile.
My father's glare is especially hateful.
"Take care until my return." I wave them farewell as the carriage starts, and I storm out of the Estate's grounds.
My siblings excitedly wave me goodbye, and I do the same while raising my voice to the utmost.
"I'll be sure to return with lots of souvenirs!"