"Yes, Father."
"It is late now, go to your room."
A sound originating from the grinding of teeth could be heard next to Stein.
Considering the situation, it was definitely from Lloyd.
"And…"
"…?"
As he was about to go to his room after saying his farewells to his father and brothers, he stopped and turned to look at Stein.
"Tomorrow. I have some words to say so as soon as you wake up, you are to bring yourself to my office."
As soon as you wake up…
Count Stein has ordered Riley to come 'the moment he's awake'.
The reason why he didn't choose a time of the day was likely because he knew Riley would most likely be the latest to wake up in the mansion.
"…Yes."
Riley replied.
Come for what? He didn't ask such a question.
He was tired from the workout before, and didn't want to drag out the conversation.
His only thought was to quickly lie down on his bed.
His brother Lloyd's anger only felt like a nuisance to him.
"Then, good night."
Riley bowed once more to his father and brothers.
Despite Sera's worry, there weren't any clashes in the meeting of the brothers. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"…What are your thoughts?"
As Riley disappeared from the corridor, among the 3 remaining men left, the first son Ryan asked Stein.
It was about Riley.
"What do you think?"
Stein asked in return.
After a pause, Ryan replied as he watched Riley's back recede further into the distance.
"I do not think…he is lying."
As Ryan spoke of Riley's innocence, Lloyd could not withhold himself and spoke up.
"Brother!"
As he could not believe Ryan's speculation, Lloyd spoke with clenched fists.
"To read the man's eyes is an ability every great swordsman must have. You must be able to determine right from wrong, and it allows you to read your opponent's attack and so plan out your future moves."
Ryan's cold eyes were pointed at his brother.
"Losing mother was…unfortunate, but there is nothing we can do. We cannot let our emotions cloud our judgement for this incident. To have an assassin among the Iphelleta house, truth be told I am…ashamed. I almost want to send words of gratitude to Riley."
"Brother! How could you say that!"
"Then are you saying I am wrong? That you would prefer that those facts never came to light?"
Lloyd dropped his head and his fists shook.
There was nothing he could say back.
"That's not the case, it's Riley…"
"Hoh, so what I saw was not the truth? Is that what you want to say?"
"…"
"Lloyd. It was bound to come out. It's better that it was exposed now. There is nothing you can hide forever."
"But Brother, Mother… what about Mother!?"
Lloyd who was so eager to talk back closed his mouth.
It was different from Lloyd, but Ryan was also angry.
That his mother was an assassin.
That his brother wouldn’t listen to him.
"You are standing in front of your father."
Ryan's last words were a warning.
At his brother's quiet voice, Lloyd could no longer nag and closed his mouth.
His best course of action was to bite his lips in frustration.