My name is Carmine.
As the eldest son of the Northmark Marquis family, I am being educated to become the next head of the family.
It's only natural, considering I was born as the firstborn son. Everyone around me says so, and I've learned that in this country, titles are usually inherited by the eldest son.
However, I have doubts about this tradition.
One reason is that my parents have never explicitly told me that I am the designated heir. They may be waiting to observe the situation since my younger brother was born, and I'm still young.
And the second reason, the biggest basis for my doubts, is my sister, Scarlett Northmark.
My older sister, two years my senior, is not just smart, she's exceptional.
Whenever she studies, she absorbs knowledge quickly. She now commands seven languages, compiles reports on crop yields on our lands, creates improvement plans based on knowledge of climate, geology, and statistics, and has even had discussions with civil servants with her unique interpretations and opinions that differ from what she has been taught.
I have been studying for four years now, but I can't imagine ever becoming as accomplished as my sister.
I often think that my sister should be the one to inherit the marquisate.
This conflict always lingers in my mind.
My maid, Ange, tells me that I'm also very capable. Alex, a guard trainee, says that if I keep working hard, I can become a worthy next marquis. And Scarlett is getting married, so she won't threaten my inheritance.
"But it's a fact that Scarlett is more exceptional," Hexasil, a candidate butler, said in my room.
The room froze as soon as he spoke, and everyone in my employ stared at me, but Hexasil's words spoke for me.
I don't hate this butler trainee who speaks informally in my private room, as if it's okay to break down formalities. Besides, when Alex scolds Hexasil to read the room, it's just as if he's affirming Hexasil's words. It seems like he has a tendency to flatter me.
I need to ask my father to change my close aides again.
Being the next marquis's close aide is a desirable position, and many people have been trying to get close to me since I was young. They seem to have gone through a screening process before being assigned to me, but it seems that selecting and educating them further is included in my tasks. They don't seem to be aware of this themselves.
We don't need incompetent aides or untrustworthy guards.
I envy my sister, surrounded by capable and trustworthy maids since she was young.
In the midst of it all, Hexil's fur is the only thing that stands out.
He's my relatively new close aide. He's actually the nephew of Fran, who serves my sister, but apparently his behavior was so bad that he was not allowed to serve under me. He seems to have been reeducated, but it's hard to tell if it had any effect or if he's really reformed.
But his honest words are refreshing.
"Hexil, do you think I can become like my sister?"
"Before you think about whether you can or cannot become like her, do you even need to be like her?"
His unexpected response to my casual question surprised me, and I silenced Alex, who was about to speak, urging Hexil to continue.
"Scarlet is certainly outstanding and innovative, but not everyone can accept that. Some teachers even resent her for being too excellent, just like Carmine seems to feel inferior. But if someone disrespects her or treats her with malice, my sister may be tolerant, but Fran will deal with it. However, I haven't heard any of those stories."
Come to think of it, several teachers who were in charge of my sister have resigned. I never wondered why until now.
"Isn't it a good thing for the teachers to handle excellent students?"
I think it's only beneficial to the teacher's track record.
"For Carmine, who loves my sister, it must be a proud thing to teach an excellent student like Scarlet, no matter what."
Alex looked surprised at my lack of negation to Hexil's words. Was there something surprising about my reaction? Could it be because I reacted to the "loves my sister" part?
I don't deny it each time because it's embarrassing, but I just feel inadequate because I can't be like my sister. I've never hated her.
"Admiration is something you can have because it seems like you can reach it."
I'll think about how to handle Alex later, but for now, I'll listen to Hexil's story.
"Beasts that crawl on the ground like me can only look up at birds that fly in the sky. Beasts don't have admiration for birds that fly in the sky. They either accept that they can't fly and follow along or accept that they're of a different kind and move away."
"So, are you saying it's wrong for me to aim for my sister since she and I are the same bird?"
"I'm not saying it's wrong."
Hekishiru's choice of words changed from usual, perhaps because he wanted to convey something important.
"Carmine-sama may be troubled by not being able to fly as high or fast as his sister, but I hope he won't become a master who only strives to fly higher and higher without regard for his surroundings or those below. Scarlet-sama is free to shine and Fran, who intends to follow her no matter what, also exists. However, I hope Carmine-sama will be a master who is with us."
"Because he can't keep up if he flies too high?"
"I don't mean to hold Carmine-sama back. But I would like him to set Jade-sama as his goal."
"Ah..."
I was taken aback when my father's name was mentioned. It was a clear goal for him to become the next Marquess. However, it was never going to be an easy path.
"Is it difficult to give up on catching up to your important sister?"
"No...I'll think about it."
Although he wasn't completely convinced, he understood that he needed to think about it.