Aria sighed as she held the recorder.

“I can’t believe he actually found the first recorder.”

Although she intentionally placed it in a somewhat visible outer pocket, she never thought he would rummage through her waist like a madman.

Oliver Delphinium’s public image had been a courteous and friendly gentleman. Even though there were only two people left, it was still unexpected for him to engage in such audacious behavior.

“…Is this his true nature?”

Recalling the recent incident he initiated himself, the probability was indeed high.

If so, he was truly a born actor. Perhaps he had spent his entire life hiding such filthy intentions behind a smiling face.

For a moment, she glanced back at the closed reception room door and placed the recorder inside her pocket. The firm texture in her hand felt strangely reassuring.

Where and how could she possibly use this…?

“Hilton?”

At that moment, a familiar voice reached her.

Aria tilted her head for a long time, finally able to see Luke’s face. His forehead was slightly exposed due to the wind tousling his bangs.

“What were you doing here?”

“…It seems the Marquis is busy, so I was having a conversation with Master Delphinium.”

She smiled.

“Shall we go inside now?”

“…?”

Luke looked at her with suspicion due to her slightly different attitude. However, at least externally, there was no evidence to interrogate Aria. The claim of her colluding with Oliver was nothing more than his speculation.

Above all, there was no need to drop a hint to him that Oliver was the culprit, especially if she had collaborated with him up until now.

Unless, for some reason, she betrayed him.

And if there were some reasons, it might be her love for Bonita.

‘No, maybe this is all an excessive delusion.’

It was impossible to distinguish what was true and what was false.

…She was truly a mysterious woman.

Ignoring Aria, he opened the reception room door and went inside. Oliver was sitting on the sofa, and behind him, Edward stood with a respectful posture.

“Brother!”

Oliver greeted him with a bright tone.

“I don’t know how worried you were when you heard the news about Bonita being ill.”

“…Is that so?”

“Of course. But why suddenly the reception room? Did I do something wrong to my brother?”

At a glance, it seemed like a friendly younger brother complaining to his older brother.

However, Luke could no longer just laugh off his words as his suspicion grew.

It was an ironic situation.

‘There’s nothing that has changed.’

Doubts are so terrifying.

Since Oliver was born, he had maintained a relatively harmonious family relationship with his younger brother. Although he wasn’t sure of his inner thoughts, at least outwardly, it had always been that way.
Oliver always followed his elder self well, and unlike other second sons of noble families, he never sought privilege. Thanks to this, he could inherit the marquisate and a new family name that his father had earned during his lifetime.

“Marquisate? That responsibility is too heavy for me. It’s more suitable for me to inherit just enough land and live carefreely like a wanderer.”

He always said that.

Because he never showed any greed, it was genuinely believed.

In fact, even now, hearing Aria’s story, he hesitated.

Was Oliver really such a person?

The unease that all the relationships he had built up with his younger brother might be false created a distance from Oliver.

It was not an easy task to reveal these facts straightforwardly.

If Oliver had truly aimed for his title and committed wrongdoing, casting such suspicions would give him time to destroy the evidence.

On the other hand, if Oliver was innocent, he would be deeply hurt by these suspicions. The well-maintained brotherly relationship might even collapse.

Neither scenario was something Luke desired.

“…I’m a bit distracted. You have two sons too, so you understand my feelings, right?”

So Luke chose to go around the subject. Although it wasn’t the decisive reason for calling Oliver to the reception room, it wasn’t a complete lie that he was really distracted.

“Haha… Of course. If I could bear the pain instead of my child when they’re sick, how great would that be? I find myself thinking that way.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

“Whatever.”

Oliver smiled with a twist of his eyes.

With his round and gentle eyes, even his smile made him look like a high-ranking priest rather than a nobleman.

Innocent and pure pupils stared at him endlessly. Luke concealed his uncomfortable feelings.

“But can I see Bonita? I came all the way to inquire about her illness, and I brought a gift as well.”

He placed the box he held in his hands on the table.

Covered in pretty pink wrapping paper, it was small enough to fit in a child’s hand.

“What’s this?”

“Candies that Bonita would like. It’s quite precious; it was imported from the Empire.”

“Oh, I see.”

Why bring something to eat at this timing?

Luke pondered if Oliver had played some prank on those candies.

‘No, he can’t be that foolish.’