In truth, my own life since my youth has been very orderly, save for the last few years. But I am a duke, which means I have obligations even in times of peace.

[Never mind that for a good third of his life, there wasn't an Emperor to have obligations to. Aerich still had vassal-lords and vassals to lead, and a sense of honor rooted in the bedrock that required he acted like there was someone over him. He probably had an account book listing how much back taxes his lands owned the Emperor and a payment plan (given that much of it had been in goods, rather than coin).]