“Sylt... Sir, dinner is ready.”
Eileen pushed open the door, gave a stiff bow, and her voice was noticeably reserved. This was the first time Fillem had seen his wife looking like this; even in front of the prince, she hadn't been this nervous.
“Father?” He looked at the knight, who had been silent since returning, and asked tentatively.
“Hmm...” The knight blinked, as if awakened from his thoughts. “Let's eat first.”
The dishes on the small table were exceptionally plentiful, and it was clear that his wife had made a special trip to the convenience market. He gave Eileen an encouraging smile and began to divide the bread as usual, dividing the larger pieces of food equally into four portions—in addition to the three of them, there was also Eileen's friend, May.
When he returned, May was discussing the contents of the play with Eileen. After he introduced his father to the two, most people would have chosen to leave at this point, but May didn't. She simply raised an eyebrow, gave a brief salute, and stayed by Eileen's side, even unusually staying for dinner.
This made him quite confused—he had wanted to thank her properly before, and had specially invited her to a banquet, but she hadn't agreed.
However, Fillem Morning Light couldn't care less at the moment. Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was equally in turmoil, partly because he was worried about his father's opinion of his wife, and partly because of the witch Agatha's attitude. From his father's lost expression, it was clear that the head of the family cared a great deal about this matter, but he didn't know how to comfort him. Years of severance and distance had only exacerbated this sense of estrangement, and in the end, he could only eat in silence.
Fortunately, there was Miss May.
Her topic of the play aroused his father's interest, and then she chatted happily with the knight about the customs of the royal capital and the life of the nobles, which made the dinner finally not so dull. Moreover, Eileen could occasionally interject with a few words about the discussion of the new play, and his father even personally inquired about the progress of her performance, which made Fillem quietly breathe a sigh of relief.
After dinner, May bid farewell.
After helping his wife clear the table, the knight called him into the room.
“Your wife has made a good friend.”
“Do you mean Miss May?” Fillem was slightly taken aback. “She is indeed a rare and outstanding actress, and has been of great help to Eileen in the drama. The last time she went to the fortress to perform, she also took care of her—”
“No, no, I'm not talking about acting,” Sylt said with emotion. “Didn't you notice? She was constantly demonstrating against me just now.”
“Demon...strating?” Fillem's eyes widened. Weren't the two of them chatting happily at the dinner table?
“Hahaha...” The old man couldn't help but laugh. He shook his head. “You really don't understand the way nobles interact. The sights she described in the royal capital were legendary experiences of commoner women interacting with nobles, and the content of the play was *Cinderella*. Even when talking about upper-level politics, it was His Highness's policy to take back the fiefdom. I think she must know that you broke off relations with your family to be with Eileen, otherwise she wouldn't have been so confrontational with me in every sentence.”
“Is...that so?”
Sylt Knight smiled. “Compared to fearing the false names of status and titles, one's own actual actions are obviously more important. After hearing what she said, I have roughly figured out the matter of Miss Agatha—regardless of whether our ancestors lied or not, we have returned the things she entrusted to us intact. Even if Agatha's ancestors are unwilling to accept us, we can serve her in another way.” At this point, he let out a long breath. “I didn't believe such a statement in the first place, but after seeing your and Eileen's life, I suddenly felt that such efforts might not be in vain.”
“Thank you...” The affirmation expressed in his father's words made Fillem's eyes warm. Although he had broken off relations decisively at the time, he still hoped in his heart that this marriage would be recognized by the family.
However, the knight's next words stunned him.
“Have you ever considered returning to the Sylt family?”
“What? No, I...you...” Fillem Morning Light's mind couldn't react at all. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. Return to the family? Why did his father suddenly mention this?
The old knight said slowly, “Since the original decision was a mistake, it's not too late to correct it now.”
After a long time, Fillem hesitated and said, “I think my current job is pretty good, and life in the town is also—”
“I'm not asking you to return to Longsong Stronghold as a knight,” Sylt interrupted. “You should understand what I mean.” He said word by word, “I want you to inherit the family.”
Fillem Morning Light swallowed. “My brother, he...”
“Miso Sylt is not a good heir,” the knight said without concealment. “He originally wanted to become a famous knight in the Western Territory like you, but since the Duke was defeated, he has lost his way. As the family of the defeated, he should try his best to be loyal to the new city lord, but he is too close to the other four families, and no matter how I teach him, I can't get him to restrain his thoughts. You can guess the reason for this.”
Because he will become the next family head, Fillem thought. He had already left the family, and his father had no choice but to let Miso inherit. This was probably why he was treated with cold eyes when he returned to the Sylt residence after many years.
“This has nothing to do with talent or knowledge. Talent can be cultivated, and knowledge can be imparted, but a suitable heir should know how to observe the direction of the wind,” his father continued. “Lord Pello has announced Prince Roland's new policies. Combining Miss May's play *New City* at the fortress, I suspect that he will soon knead the Western Territory into a whole. It is not yet clear whether the four families will easily accept this change, but the wind... is not calm. At this time, the most important thing to do is to wait and see, rather than be used by them as a stone to explore the way.”
Fillem had also heard about these news. The Prince never hid his intentions and policies, and even publicized them to the people before implementing them, including the official establishment of Border Town as a city.
However, he didn't want to participate in the family head competition. Even if his father said so, Miso would definitely not give up. Fillem knew his brother's personality very well.
He finally shook his head. “I'm sorry, Father, I—”
“I'm not asking you to make a choice now,” the knight waved his hand. “After all, I'm still alive and well, and as long as I'm watching, the family won't go too far astray.” His smile seemed a little old. “If Miso can understand these things, I won't say anything more. I only hope that if the family is in danger, you can help the Sylt family—for my sake and your mother's.”
This time Fillem was unable to say the words of refusal.
(。)