Duke Aldous remained silent as he looked at Cyrus.
He did not speak immediately.
His expression stayed as calm as ever, and he simply observed his youngest son, who was sitting before him.
Cyrus shifted slightly on his cushion.
Why is he staring at me like that?
He maintained his usual expression, though a faint awkwardness could still be seen in his eyes.
Finally, the Duke spoke.
"You have done well, breaking the expectations I had of you."
His words were direct.
He made no attempt to soften them or hide what he had originally thought of his son.
"I truly didn't think you would rank among the top twenty."
Cyrus's expression stiffened slightly.
His father had just praised him, yet the words that followed made the praise feel rather questionable.
You could have just stopped at the first sentence, Father.
He looked faintly offended, but the playful look in his eyes gave him away.
He wasn't genuinely hurt by the remark.
