Moreover, considering that visits to the capital during the social season are usually made by couples, it’s even more suspicious.

‘If Lord Joseph is staying here as a tutor, where is the Countess?’

Is she at a hotel? Wouldn’t they usually stay together in cases like this?

‘Or did he come alone from Alperon?’

But does it make sense not to mention his wife at all like this?

“……”

No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t add up. Just as Kardiel’s thoughts were deepening,

Knock knock.

The children snapped to attention at the sound of knocking.

It seems they had taken too long.

Only after the servant signaled for them to hurry out did the three children rise.

The children exchanged glances, confirming their attitude towards Sergei.

As they were about to leave the room and head to the reception room on the first floor,

Was it a coincidence? The children encountered Joseph who was about to go downstairs.

“Ah, you’re going to meet the Sage in the reception room now.”

Faced with his gentle voice and kind smile, Kardiel impulsively asked a question.

“Lord Joseph, by any chance.”

“Do you have something to say?”

“…are you married?”

“Pardon…?”

Joseph blinked, seeming a bit taken aback, but soon smiled with his ruby-like eyes hidden.

“Embarrassingly, I’m still single.”

At that moment, Kardiel realized he had found a suitable contract marriage partner for Lieselotte.

“That’s perfect then.”

Kardiel said, grasping his wrist.

“From now on, please become my new mother’s fiancé.”

I’m not sure why Lord Joseph is here with the children to introduce Sergei.

But he came in so naturally that I missed the timing to ask what was going on.

Is, is this right?

Meanwhile, the children introduced themselves to Sergei first.

“I am Kardiel Diark Daiern, the young Duke.”

“Euphemina Sishel Daiern.”

“I’m Chelsea, Uncle! Oh, I mean Chersion Tudor Daiern.”

Sergei also seemed bothered by Lord Joseph who had followed them in.

His pupils, clouded with questions, soon regained their clear verdant color after receiving the children’s introductions.

“I am Sergei Tyser Daiern. Uncle is fine, but… I don’t deserve to be called that by you. Just Lord Sergei should be enough.”

Why don’t you deserve it, really.

I sighed.

As expected, it’s my job to defend this frustratingly kind fellow.

“Lord Sergei was driven out of the mansion 20 years ago when your father inherited the Duke’s title, when he was about nine years old. It was called being driven out, but it was practically exile. After that, he wasn’t even allowed to set foot in the duchy, so he couldn’t come to meet you. I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”

“I understand.”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

The children nodded at my words without much comment.

I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, having worried they might show hostility or wariness.

Hmm, but now this creates a problem.

‘Lord Joseph, why have you been staring at me like that?’

It’s not that I can’t read that look. Anyone can see he wants me to introduce him.

‘But why? Why should I?’

Lord Joseph, what are you to me?

Why are you looking at me with such a brazen face as if it’s obvious that I should introduce you?

Okay, let’s say I introduce him.

But how should I introduce him? As my children’s tutor? Isn’t that strange when Mr. Rogier isn’t here?

“Then the person behind…”

“Huh? Ah.”

While I was hesitating, Sergei noticed Lord Joseph first and asked.

I don’t know.

I’m sorry to Lord Joseph, but this isn’t his place to be, so I should tell him to leave now.

Just as I was about to open my mouth with that thought,

“This is Lord Joseph Obreim Alperon, the Count of Alperon.”

Kardiel’s calm voice continued.

But what followed was enough to shock me.

“He’s the one who will marry our new mother.”

“What?”

“…Huh?”

What?

Who? Me? With whom?

My thoughts stopped. My mind went blank.

Rather than trying to recall what I had just heard, I felt I needed to confirm if this situation was real.

Otherwise, there was no way I could comprehend this sudden news of marriage.

Why am I getting married without even knowing about it?

Sergei’s gaze immediately fixed on me.

His wide eyes and gaping mouth demanded the truth from me, as if asking what this meant.

‘But I don’t know either.’

Then there’s only one conclusion. The children are misunderstanding or playing a prank.

I’m not sure which is the truth, but in any case, I can’t let such a fatal misunderstanding persist.

“I think there’s some misunderstanding…”

An explanation seemed necessary.

As I opened my mouth to clarify, Lord Joseph abruptly cut in.

“I’ll clear up the misunderstanding, Sage Sergei.”

Ah, if Lord Joseph was stepping in, that was fine. I just prepared to nod along with his explanation.

But…

“Actually, it hasn’t been long since we seriously discussed marriage, so it might not be right to introduce us as a couple to be married.”

Huh?

“Perhaps just fiancés for now, shall we say.”

Wait a moment. Aren’t you deepening the misunderstanding rather than clearing it up?

“Ah…”

Now Sergei wasn’t even blinking.

That dazed gaze seemed to have lost even how to react.

‘What on earth is going on here?’

Finally unable to bear it any longer, I called him in a solemn voice.

“Lord Joseph.”

But he just slightly raised the corners of his mouth in a deep smile, his face unperturbed by my serious tone.

Ah, perhaps…

‘Is this also one of the precautions for the future?’

The moment that thought occurred to me, all I could do was purse my lips and keep my mouth shut.

Though I’m not sure of the reason, Sergei seemed to have received a great shock and hurt from what had just happened.

Realizing that I could no longer continue the conversation, I decided to take my leave at that point.

But this created another problem.

It had suddenly become too late.

Looking at the black sky pouring through the window, it was awkward to send Sergei back to the hotel.

In the end, I had no choice but to give Sergei a room as well.

I’m so grateful that there was another room that had been cleaned in preparation for any situation.

The problem is that it’s not a guest room on the 4th floor, but a regular room on the 1st floor.

“It’s fine. I’m the one who visited rudely.”

Fortunately, Sergei was a good-natured person.

So we decided to end our day and retire to our respective beds. We’ll continue the remaining conversation tomorrow.

However.

“Lord Joseph. Please look at me for a moment.”

I wanted to call all the children together to hear an explanation.

But I knew well that doing so would be tantamount to telling Sergei, ‘What happened earlier was actually a fraud.’

So, I don’t know how it happened, but I need to scold the representative.

“You all.”

And I turned to look at the children.

Smiling brightly on purpose, I spoke deliberately in a grinding tone.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sleep well.”

“……”

“Mother……”

Normally, I would have kissed the children’s cheeks and sent them off to bed, but today I didn’t do that.

Glaring at Lord Joseph once more, I turned away sharply.

I don’t know why his nonchalant smile looks so annoying today.

Entering the room first, I had Loretta wait outside for now.

Only a moment later did Lord Joseph follow me inside.

“Sigh.”

Seeing his face, I sighed first. I don’t know what he did well to be smiling like that.

“Should I explain?”

Of course you should! Instead of answering, I raised my eyebrows, and he laughed softly before starting his excuse.

“First, let me say that I didn’t orchestrate this. I was simply caught by the young Duke as I was going downstairs. And I received an unexpected proposal to become the Duchess’s fiancé.”

“Kar did that?”

“Yes. At least until Sage Sergei returns to the tower. And if possible, he wanted us to keep up this pretense until three years later when the young Duke inherits the Duke’s title. He said he would persuade the Duchess himself…”

Saying “So it turned out like this,” he shrugged his shoulders slightly.

I couldn’t immediately believe this outrageous story.

Even so, would Kardiel have taken such an impulsive action without consulting me?

I crossed my arms and asked.

“Is there a possibility that you overheard our conversation on the 4th floor?”