Among the children, only Chersion showed a meaningful reaction to Madam Petrika’s greeting.

“Madam Petrika, you’re always dressed so well. I’m Chelsea. Thank you always.”

“Oh my, oh my goodness!”

When Chersion greeted her with his usual bright smile, Madam Petrika staggered as if her legs had given out.

Fortunately, people who looked like her assistants quickly supported her.

Not bad. I didn’t know Madam Petrika was someone who could give such a service reaction. Of course, our Chersion is cute.

“Goodness, look at me. First, as it’s chilly, I’ll escort you inside.”

We followed her into the dress shop. Numerous staff were waiting to attend to us.

Hm? But.

“It seems there was another customer.”

I sensed a presence from inside.

It didn’t seem to be staff, as quite cheerful voices could be heard.

There wouldn’t be staff making laughing sounds and chattering when customers arrived, would there?

Of course, since the dress shop isn’t private property, it’s not entirely impossible for other customers to visit at the same time.

Nevertheless, the reason we usually don’t encounter other customers is that these high-end dress shops for the upper class generally operate on a reservation system.

In other words, they wouldn’t have accepted another customer during my scheduled time.

However, my doubt was soon resolved.

Because the customer talking with the staff emerged from behind the partition.

“…Lord Joseph?”

“A glorious morning, Duchess Daiern.”

A man with beautiful silver-white hair that seemed to glow in the dark interior of the dress shop.

Lord Joseph approached me and kissed the tips of my fingers.

I had no chance to ask him how he was here, as I was taken aback.

In the brief moment our eyes met, he winked with one eye at an angle only I could see.

In that instant, I seemed to understand why he was here.

‘Something must be about to happen.’

There must be a reason for this sudden action by the regressor who knows the future and has formed an alliance with me.

The moment I realized this, I felt tension creeping up my body hair.

“Is something wrong, Duchess?”

At that moment, Madam Petrika, who keenly noticed that my demeanor was a bit off, asked.

“Count Alperon has been here since before you sent word. He said he was supposed to meet you here today, and that we’d be hearing from you soon. Just then, a messenger from House Daiern arrived…”

“Ah, that’s right. I was just momentarily surprised, thinking it was someone else.”

“Oh my, I was so worried I might have made a mistake.”

I think I understand what happened. It seems Lord Joseph read my movements using his regressor abilities.

After adequately smoothing things over so the madam wouldn’t find it suspicious, this time the children’s gazes were unsettling.

“Should I excuse myself for a moment, Duchess?”

“No. That won’t be necessary. Please proceed when you’re ready.”

Madam Petrika is a perceptive person. But even she can’t control the mouths of all the staff in the dress shop.

It wouldn’t be good if it got out that I had a private conversation with an unrelated man here.

Even if it was with the children present.

Above all, the discomfort the children might feel was also a problem. In times like these, it’s better to make the surrounding environment feel natural.

“Then I’ll prepare shortly. It won’t take long, so please chat for a moment.”

Nevertheless, the madam was considerate enough to give us a brief moment.

This is perfect. Now I can explain to the children without missing the timing.

I made eye contact with Kardiel in particular, who tends to worry and doubt a lot. Now it’s time for some improvisation.

“I know you must be surprised. But I thought I should introduce Lord Joseph to you before meeting the tutors Baron Baden is bringing.”

“I see.”

“So this is Lord Joseph?”

“Ah, hello. I’m Chelsea. Chersion Tudor Daiern.”

“I’m delighted to be introduced to House Daiern’s precious children. I am Count Alperon, Joseph, and though inadequate, I will be assisting with your studies from now on.”

“Wooow!”

Chersion’s voice rose in an excited cheer.

Perhaps because he generally likes people, Chersion showed the most active interest in Lord Joseph.

“I’ve heard so much about you from Mother! But what will you be teaching me, Lord Joseph?”

“Though it hasn’t been decided yet, if there’s a field you’re particularly interested in, Young Master, I’ll prepare eagerly.”

“Really? Can you teach everything?”

“Painting, horseback riding, sports, waltz, even embroidery – I can assist with all of those.”

What? You knew how to do those things too?

“Wow, even embroidery?”

“Then do you know how to make white leaves too, Lord Joseph?”

“If the Young Lady is interested in albo plants, I could offer some help with that as well. As it happens, I have some in my possession.”

“…!”

“Lord Joseph, you really are amazing!”

“I’ve merely lived a bit longer than the three of you. When you reach an age similar to mine, Young Master, you’ll have attained much deeper learning.”

It feels like there was a moment of deception just now.

“Hehe, you think so? But it’s true that Lord Joseph is cool!”

“I’m just grateful that you think so highly of me.”

In any case, it was fortunate that Lord Joseph and Chersion seemed to get along well, perhaps due to their both having friendly personalities.

Moreover, it seems he’s already won over Euphemina’s heart as well.

All that remained was Kardiel. As it happened, there was a good topic…

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking came from the waiting area at that moment. It seems Madam Petrika had finished preparations.

“Duchess, may we come in?”

“Yes, please do.”

I answered at a timing that was neither too rushed nor too hesitant, to make it sound more natural.

Soon the door opened and Madam Petrika entered with other staff.

“First, we’ll need to take your body measurements. We have the measurements you sent a month ago on record, but the Young Masters and Young Lady are at an age of rapid growth. Ah, Duchess, since you’re here, shall we measure you again as well?”

“No, that won’t be necessary for me.”

Instead, I requested that they measure the maid who came with us. Soon, guided by the staff, the children moved behind the partition to undress.

The partition was set up in the area where we had been waiting, so there was no need to move.

Ah, I almost forgot to mention.

“Be careful. Euphi doesn’t much like strangers’ hands touching her body. Have her nurse go in and take her measurements.”

“We’ll be extra cautious then.”

After stating the precautions and confirming that the children were being measured behind the partition, I turned to look at Lord Joseph.

Thanks to our eyes naturally meeting, it was easy to start speaking.

“Come to think of it, Lord Joseph, you’re also quite skilled in swordsmanship, aren’t you?”

By now, Kardiel is probably perking up his ears from behind the partition.

“As it happens, I’ve been looking for a teacher to take charge of Kardiel’s, the Young Lord’s, swordsmanship instruction. But swordsmanship… seems to require more compatibility between teacher and student than I thought. So I wanted to ask what you think, Lord Joseph.”

“Hmm.”

At my words, Lord Joseph made a light nasal sound as if pondering for a moment, then answered.

“The reason why the compatibility between teacher and student is important when learning the sword is because, depending on physical condition and reflexes, there are sword techniques that are more or less advantageous to each individual. As you know, there are many types of swords, aren’t there? It would be best to find a teacher who can professionally teach a sword that suits the Young Lord well.”

Ah, I hadn’t thought of that.

Being a layman in swords, I thought all swords were the same. Come to think of it, the names of swords did differ according to their shape and length.

“Above all, the most important thing to consider might be the values regarding swords.”

“Values, you say?”

“I learned practical swordsmanship. That means I learned the sword as a weapon for fighting and war. However, from what I know, the swordsmanship that the nobility of the Empire learn as an accomplishment is somewhat different.”

Lord Joseph’s low voice continued with a careful explanation.

In essence, he was saying that the swordsmanship of the Empire, which had reigned as the hegemon of the continent for a thousand years, specialized in defense.

Because they no longer needed to fear war, just needing to maintain their position.

“Except for the regular knights, most of the Empire’s nobility wear ceremonial swords. Different from mine.”

Only then did my gaze fall on Lord Joseph’s belt.

His sword, hidden by his clothes, was indeed different from my husband’s.

The hilt of the metal sword was not particularly ornate, nor was it studded with jewels.