A lion's face was not especially expressive, hidden as it was behind its beastlike features.
But Melard could still tell that the Public Lord had not been happy when he left.
He was about to wonder why the man kept visiting their estate when his father began questioning him.
"You're saying Hus took the Mercenaries into the forest ahead of you and led the Beastfolk in another direction, giving you the chance to escape?"
"Y-yes."
Melard sometimes felt that his father did not love him.
His father had raised him only because he was his sole son, the one who would have to shoulder the family's responsibilities.
With Melard's older and younger sisters, his father could be kind. He even let them ride on his shoulders.
But with Melard, his face was always stern as he listed his son's flaws and mistakes—
"Why do you treat me differently? Why do you always expect so much from me? What is it about me that you're unhappy with?"
Arguments between father and son had been inevitable.
"Because they'll marry into other noble families one day. Giving them happy childhoods is the one thing I can do for them.
But you're different. You're the family's only heir. I have to be strict with you so the family won't meet its end in your hands!"
"Actually, I could marry too—"
"Damn it—where's my belt!? Bring me my belt!"
The fat on his backside had absorbed most of the blows, leaving him with only a few superficial welts.
But from that day on, he had never dared tell his father what was on his mind.
More precisely, he had barely dared speak to his father at all.
Deceiving him now was still difficult—
Fortunately, the lie Tang Qi had woven for him made sense.
And