How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 321

Aren’t you really going too far?”

 

The moment Leonhard stepped into the living room, Julius scolded him.

 

Leonhard, who had guessed that he would hear something like that, sat down opposite Julius without much hesitation.

 

“I don’t quite understand what you’re talking about.”

 

“Hah. Playing dumb, are you? I bet you already know why I called you.”

 

Grumbling that he hadn’t known Leonhardt had such a fox-like side to him, Julius called a servant over and had tea poured.

 

Leonhard looked around.

 

“The restoration seems to be progressing quite quickly.”

 

“The result of the imperial wizards’ hard work. I suppose I benefited a bit from my wife as well.”

 

With nearly the entire palace in ruins and only a limited number of imperial wizards capable of restoration magic, priorities had to be set as to which buildings would be repaired first.

 

Iris Palace had been given high priority not only because the Crown Prince was involved, but more importantly because his wife was currently pregnant.

 

“Enough of the off-topic discussion. So, why on earth did you volunteer to be Violet’s sparring partner?”

 

Suspicion rose in Julius’s eyes as he gazed at Leonhard.

 

“Are you protesting because you think I’m not acknowledging your contributions?”

 

“Why are you turning a perfectly reasonable person into a narrow-minded one?”

 

For most people, it would have been upsetting and unfair.

 

They’d already taken care of the biggest headache, yet they were maneuvering to make someone else out to be the biggest contributor.

 

But Leonhard felt no particular resentment over it.

 

What use did he have for the approval of the imperial family or the people of the capital?

 

He would be returning to the North soon anyway.

 

“Honestly, I didn’t mean anything. I just said I would do it because she asked.”

 

“Did you really not realize the intent behind a demonstration match at that point? Why didn’t you refuse?”

 

“I would have, if it had been anyone else. But do you know where Lady Violet made that request?”

 

“Where?”

 

‘At a Howard family gathering.”

 

Julius’s eyes were filled with surprise, as if he had not expected it at all.

 

“Was Sir Alexander and Lady Violet that close?”

 

“It seems that way. Or at the very least, close enough to be invited to a family gathering. If I were to refuse her request in that setting, wouldn’t it put my wife in an awkward position?”

 

“…And you didn’t spare a thought for the headache this would cause me?”

 

Instead of answering, Leonhard looked into Julius’ eyes.

 

The look in his eyes—borderline insolent for a noble standing before royalty, plainly asking why he should care—made Julius gulp down cold water to soothe himself.

 

“Fine. I’ll ask you directly. Do you intend to lose on purpose?”

 

“No.”

 

Julius drank cold water again at the answer that didn’t even hesitate a moment.

 

The way he kept gulping down water felt like a protest directed squarely at Leonhard.

 

Leonhard, who had been staring blankly at the sight, asked Julius, who was pouring water into the empty glass.

 

“Why did you order Lady Violet to find her own sparring partner in the first place?”

 

“It wasn’t exactly my idea…”

 

Julius sighed and brought the glass he had just filled back to his lips.

 

At that point, his stomach should have been too full to take another drop, yet the way his throat bobbed showed just how agitated he was.

 

“The best candidate was the Commander of the Griffin Knights, but he was injured in this incident and is in a state where he can barely move, let alone spar.”

 

“Then why don’t you just pick one of the knights below?”

 

“I was going to do that too…”

 

Julius took another sip of cold water.

 

“But no one wants to spar with Lady Violet.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“They are all refusing, saying that they are not Sword Masters and cannot face Lady Violet.”

 

Leonhardt couldn’t hide his disbelief.

 

“But it’s just a demonstration match. It’s not a duel to the death. Why would a knight be so cautious?”

 

“It seems like they don’t want to lose to a woman in front of so many people, whether it’s a demonstration or something.”

 

Leonhard let out an involuntary scoff.

 

“Ah—my apologies. That slipped out.”

 

“It’s fine. I did the same…”

 

Julius sighed, apparently unaware that the knights had grown this complacent.

 

“A Sword Master is their opponent, and all they see is her gender? With that mindset, it’s a wonder they were knighted at all.”

 

“Still, not all the imperial knights are that hopeless. The competent ones were killed or injured during this incident.”

 

“By the way, why can’t I see Sir Eric?”

 

“He was badly injured while trying to save Rosaline, who was with him. It was such a shame. If I could have assigned Eric, this would all have been resolved…”

 

Julius joked that he almost pulled out all his hair while trying to find suitable candidates.

 

“The display has to look impressive, so I couldn’t just line up incompetent fools. Duke Khalid is busy with family matters… Then Lady Violet said she’d find someone herself, so I figured that would be faster.”

 

“You didn’t expect her to ask me, did you?”

 

“I expected it to be Sir Alexander.…”

 

Leonhard clicked his tongue lightly.

 

“Didn’t you know? Sir Alex hurt his ankle during this incident.”

 

“I heard he received healing magic.”

 

“Even so, he was told to rest for the time being. Lady Violet herself said so.”

 

“Shit….”

 

The word “shit” came out of Julius’ mouth softly, as if he hadn’t expected it.

 

Leonhard pretended not to hear and sipped his tea.

 

The half-empty cup had cooled considerably, but it was still drinkable.

 

“Has the tea gotten cold? I’ll pour you some more.”

 

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

 

Before he could say anything, Julius picked up the teapot.

 

Without even summoning a servant, he personally poured tea for Leonhard, then urged him with a look to drink it quickly.

 

Leonhardt brought the teacup to his lips with a low sigh.

 

When Julius saw his throat move as he swallowed, he fixed him with a hard stare.

 

“Please, give in.”

 

“I refuse.”

 

How cold-blooded.

 

“Why are you so cruel to me when you couldn’t be so cruel to Lady Violet?”

 

Julius shouted hysterically.

 

“Ah, why! Will the sky fall if you lose a demonstration match? Will the ground cave in? No one in the capital will think you’re weaker than Lady Violet!”

 

“Have you forgotten? I have that Nolan medal.”

 

A medal of Nolan that must be handed over to the opponent if he loses even once.

 

It was no exception just because it was a demonstration match.

 

“So? You’re not the type to obsess over that kind of thing, are you?”

 

“I’ve been obsessed with it for a while now. I plan to keep it until my son defeats me.”

 

“You’re planning to lose to your son?

 

“Of course not. Noah will definitely become stronger than me someday.”

 

Leonhard’s face was extremely serious.

 

Was that sincerity—or simply a father’s hopeful wish?

 

‘If it was just doting pride, that was one thing. But if he truly meant it…’

 

‘Stronger than the Marquis Ajas who brought down that monster…?’

 

Julius watched Leonhard deal with the chimera from a distance.

 

Even if his own child were to inherit Estroa’s authority one day, he honestly wasn’t confident that they could fight as brilliantly as Leonhard had.

 

And yet Leonhard was saying that his son would be stronger than him.

 

“Listen, Marquis—”

 

“I’ve already said no.”

 

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about. But, after all the things we’ve been through, haven’t we become quite close?”

 

“…Close?”

 

Leonhard frowned and looked at Julius as if asking what he was talking about all of a sudden.

 

But Julius didn’t bristle. Instead, like someone dealing with a wild beast brimming with ferocity, he laughed heartily and fixed Leonhard with a meaningful gaze.

 

“Until now, the relationship between the royal family and Ajas has been distant, but after this incident is an opportunity for us to become closer.”

 

“Do you really have to say that?”

 

“Since Marquise Ajas is close with her family, she’ll probably come down to the capital more often in the future.”

 

Leonhard’s body, which had been showing signs of displeasure, flinched for a moment.

 

That’s right, Julius, having discovered the strategic point, didn’t miss the opportunity and pressed on.

 

“My wife seems eager to become close with your wife as well. Wives with wives, husbands with husbands. And when the child is born, children with children. What do you think? Hmm?”

 

“Is that why you asked for my wife to accompany me this time as well?”

 

“Oh, were you worried about that? This time, there truly was no ulterior motive. My wife simply wanted to personally thank your wife, so I took the opportunity to invite her.”

 

At that moment, a servant knocked on the door and carefully entered, whispering softly in Julius’ ear.

 

“Her Highness the First Princess has arrived.”

 

Although he had lowered his voice as much as he could, it was heard by Sword Master Leonhard.

 

Leonhard frowned at the thought that she might run into Raenel.

 

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