Lyriana sat across from me, her eyes fixed on my face, shimmering with unshed tears.

"Tell me," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Did you suffer?"

I paused, holding my glass of water. I looked at her—really looked at her—and realized she didn't want a lie. But she probably couldn't handle the whole truth either.

"Honestly? Not much."

I didn't try to sell fake suffering. I didn't need pity points.

I took a sip of water and set the glass down.

"When the letter arrived, I thought I was done for," I admitted. "I had no money. No dorm. But then I looked around my room. It was filled with… stuff. Golden lamps, jeweled watches, ornaments I never looked at twice. So, I packed them all up and sold them. Turns out, your son had expensive taste. They sold for quite a high price."

Lyriana blinked, her brow furrowing slightly.

"You sold them all? Even… the presents I sent you?"

I froze.

'Presents?'

I frantically searched my memories—or rather, Lucien's memories. Which ones were gifts? The ugly crystal swan? The diamond-encrusted dagger? The painting of the sad horse?

I had no idea. I had cleared that room out like a man fleeing a fire.

My silence stretched a second too long.

Seeing me hesitate, Lyriana's expression crumbled into pure heartbreak.

"Oh, Lucien…" She covered her mouth with her hand. "You must have suffered so much to part with them. You loved those collections. You wouldn't even let the maids dust them because you were so possessive… and yet you had to sell them just to eat?"

'What?' I screamed internally. 'I sold them because they were tacky!'

But I didn't argue. This misunderstanding was decidedly in my favor.

"Don't worry, Mother," I said, putting on a brave face. "I have changed. I don't waste money on useless things anymore. I realized survival was more important than sentiment."

Her face twisted in pain.

"To think you had to change so drastically… my poor boy." Her eyes hardened into diamond-sharp points of rage. "I am going to kill that old bone when I return. I will set fire to his beard."

The murderous intent was spiking rapidly. I needed to change the subject before she summoned a carriage to storm the Ashborne estate tonight.

"Leave it, Mother," I said quickly. "I haven't told you about my academy life, have I?"

She sniffled, composing herself with visible effort.

"Oh? You seem excited," she noted, wiping her eyes with a silk handkerchief. "Did you find good friends there? But… wait."

She paused, looking at me skeptically.

"I heard you bullied other students. That's the whole reason you were punished in the first place. So… it is unlikely that you made any friends there, isn't it?"

I choked on my water.

"Mother," I grumbled, wiping my mouth. "Even if it is true… can't you be subtle about it?"

"I am your mother. I know you better than anyone," she said bluntly.

I sighed. There was no winning that argument.

"Yes, everyone hated me," I said simply. "And the moment the news of my exile spread, everyone became more courageous. Calling me names, blatantly disregarding me… it was open season on Lucien Ashborne."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table.

"The students called me trash. They whispered when I walked into class. Even the teachers… some of them tried to humiliate me during lectures just to see the fallen noble break."

Lyriana's hands tightened on the tablecloth. Her knuckles turned white. She didn't speak, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. The mana around her vibrated with suppressed fury.

"But I didn't break."

I smiled, a hint of genuine pride entering my voice.

"I studied. I trained. I went into the dungeons when no one was watching."

I framed it as desperate, clawing effort—hiding the System's convenience.

"I became strong enough that no one could ridicule me any longer. I proved them wrong."

Lyriana's expression softened, melting from rage into glowing pride.

"Of course I know," she said softly. "My son is strong now. Your father was so proud when he got the news of your accomplishments in the Fern Kingdom."

I blinked.

"He… knows?"

I frowned, puzzled.

"How? From what I know, my name was nowhere mentioned. Even the newspapers printed that the Ducal heirs and the Princess did all the work. I was erased from the narrative."

"Hah!" Lyriana scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "As if. Those newspapers are only printed to fool commoners. Nothing is hidden from the high nobility."

She leaned in, her eyes gleaming.

"The intelligence reports reached us days ago. A single cadet holding back a demonized monster? A student utilizing a lost artifact to deal the decisive blow? We know, Lucien. The Dukedoms know. The Royal Family knows."

She narrowed her eyes.

"And I am still angry at those Ducal houses for blatantly spreading false rumors to boost their children's reputation while erasing yours. I intend to have a very long chat with Duchess at the next tea party."

"It doesn't matter, Mother," I said, waving it off. "I never cared about the credit anyway. It keeps the annoying pests away."

I sat up straighter, puffing out my chest.

"What matters is that I am living well."

I spread my arms, gesturing to the house, the faint sounds of the busy kitchen, and the fine clothes I wore.

"Your son is no longer some spendthrift who relies on allowance. Now, I am a successful businessman."

"Ha~ Ha! Of course. I never doubted you," she laughed, a bright, elegant sound. "I learned you have taken over the capital's diner business. And I must say…"

She glanced down at her empty dessert plate.

"The food here is indeed quite tasty. Until now, I only heard rumors from my friends during gatherings—about a mysterious diner that serves food fit for kings at copper prices—but now I got to taste that craftsmanship myself."

She looked toward the door where the staff had exited.

"What is the name of that maid? The one with the brown hair?"

"Lily," I said.

"Yes, Lily. She is quite the cook. She has a gift. Where did you even find such a talent? The Academy?"

I picked up my glass again, speaking casually.

"Oh, I bought her from the black market."

Lyriana froze.

"…Excuse me?"

"The black market," I repeated, as if discussing a grocery store. "She was a debt slave. Best three gold coins I ever spent."

Lyriana stared at me, her mouth slightly open.

"And the other one," I continued, pointing to where Alicia had been standing. "Her name is Alicia. She's clumsy with chores—breaks a plate every other day—but she has excellent talent in fire magic. I picked her up from the same cage."

I took a sip of water.

"They're good kids."

Lyriana looked at me. She looked at the door. Then back at me.

For a moment, I thought she might scold me for delving into the underworld.

Instead, she slowly picked up her napkin, dabbed her mouth, and let out a long, impressed sigh.

"To find diamonds in a pile of coal… you truly have your father's eye for talent."

She smiled warmly.

"Just make sure you pay them well. Loyalty bought with gold is fragile, but loyalty earned with care is eternal."

I smiled back.

"Don't worry, Mother. They aren't going anywhere."

The heavy topics—survival, money, politics—seemed to drift away with the steam from the teapot. The atmosphere lightened.

Lyriana picked up her water glass, took a delicate sip, and then lowered it slowly.

Her eyes changed.

The warmth remained, but a sudden, sly glint sharpened her gaze. It was the look of a predator spotting an opening. Or worse—a mother sensing gossip.

"Say, my son," she purred, leaning forward slightly. "I have heard some… specific news about you."

I raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"What do you mean, Mother? If it's about the expulsion rumors, I already told you—"

"Oh, hush. I don't care about school politics right now," she waved her hand dismissively. "I'm talking about something far more interesting. Something about… a certain young lady from House Solmere?"

I froze.

The glass in my hand rattled against the table.

"Hm?" I cleared my throat, looking away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't play coy with me," she teased, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Ariana Solmere. The second daughter. The quiet genius."

Heat crept up my neck.

This was a first.

In two lives—both on Earth and here—I had never dealt with this situation. I had conquered dungeons, hunted monsters, and killed demons. But introducing a girl to my mother?

That was a boss battle I hadn't prepared for.

"Yes," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. "Her name is Ariana. She is my classmate."

Lyriana raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

"Just a classmate?"

"Ahm~ Well… she is a friend."

"Is that so?"

Lyriana leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"But I heard something else from that chatty little maid of yours."

My eye twitched.

'Lily…'

I mentally added 'scold head chef' to tomorrow's to-do list.

"Lily told me she is quite frequent here," Lyriana continued, enjoying my squirming. "She says the girl comes over almost every evening. That she looks at you with stars in her eyes. That she laughs at your terrible jokes."

"My jokes aren't terrible," I muttered defensively.

"She also mentioned," Lyriana ignored me, her smile widening, "that there might be some feelings involved. Perhaps… a crush? Or maybe something more?"

"W-Well, it hasn't progressed that far yet," I stammered, fumbling over my words like a novice. "For now, we are just friends. Good friends."

"Ha-Ha! Oh, listen to you!"

Lyriana laughed, a bright, melodic sound. She reached over and patted my cheek affectionately.

"'Just friends.' Everyone starts as 'just friends,' darling. Even your father and I were 'just friends' once. He was a stubborn blockhead who only cared about swords, and I was the annoyance who kept patching him up."

Her eyes softened with nostalgia.

"It starts with friendship. Then shared secrets. Then shared meals. And before you know it, you're threatening to burn down a kingdom for them."

"Mother," I sighed, burying my face in my hands. "It's really not like that yet."

"Oh, yes, yes. Deny it all you want."

She sat back, looking thoroughly satisfied with herself. Then, she fixed me with an expectant look.

"So?"

"So what?"

"When are you going to introduce her to me?"

I choked on air.

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