Chapter 68

"How was it, Your Grace?"

These past several days, the Duke had kept up a steady routine — touring the training center, then returning to the pen where Kazen waited. Today, as always, I threw him the question out of simple courtesy.

"Just as you said. Every single one of them is a decent trainer."

The Duke answered with his brow faintly furrowed, as if the whole matter gave him a headache. Then he let out a long sigh and walked over to Kazen.

"Grrrrrrgh."

As the Duke approached, Kazen turned his head and pushed it against him. The Duke stroked the scaled snout gently, then shook his head.

"Now I understand why I was told this wouldn't be an easy decision."

"It's because you're recruiting a trainer."

Just looking at the Duke's face, I could tell he was agonizing over it enough to give himself a headache. Still, since…