“The word ‘betrothed’ exists, but sure, that’s about it.”

“Don’t you wonder what will happen when Father returns?”

“We’ll see when he returns.”

“……”

Eric opened his mouth after observing Chase’s silence.

“So, shall I ask a question?”

“What is it?”

“Is it an intrusion?”

“From my perspective, you’re the one intruding.”

“If that were true, Alicia wouldn’t have become my fiancée.”

Eric chuckled. He soon reverted to his usual expressionless face, but that fleeting laugh seemed even more ominous to Chase.

“How much do you know about Alicia?”

“Ah. Is that your biggest card?”

“Something like that.”

“Of course, not as much as you.”

As Eric readily admitted, Chase looked puzzled.

“I know some things better than you do.”

“Really?”

“I’m not her friend, I’m her fiancé. But Chase.”

“?”

“Since I’ve been quite fair to you, could you now speak honestly?”

“What do you mean?”

“The reason why you’re showing your true colors to me.”

“Ah.”

Slowly, Chase nodded.

Revealing one’s true colors to a ‘fiancé’ is something one shouldn’t do unless willing to jeopardize the relationship with Alicia.

Assuming the engagement is proceeding normally, that is.

‘Something is definitely off.’

Chase, usually quickwitted, had picked up on a small, fleeting nuance from Alicia when she answered his questions about the engagement.

Still, he hid his true feelings and simply grinned.

“Let’s call it a preliminary skirmish.”

“Hmm. A preliminary skirmish. You need something like that?”

At Eric’s blatant derision, Chase’s face hardened.

Eric’s gaze, which fell upon him, seemed not just arrogant but outright haughty.

With that expression, Eric asked Chase.

“So, shall we try it once?”

“Of course.”

“Good, in that case.”

Eric uncrossed his legs and rose from his seat.

“There’s no reason for me to continue this with you.”

Chase looked up at the standing Eric.

The oppressive air around him was larger than Chase had realized.

This man was just as serious as he was.

With wounded pride, Chase also rose from his seat.

“That’s enough for today.”

“Fine by me.”

Eric took the first step, followed by Chase.

“Ah.”

Eric stopped and turned back with a grin.

“Would you like to have lunch?”

“Huh?”

“My fiancée’s friend has come. The least I can do is offer a meal.”

“Ha.”

Frustrated, Chase glared at Eric, who chuckled and then turned to walk away.

(This is a time separator.)
“What on earth are they talking about to create such tension? Is this leading to a fight? Or maybe they’ll end up throwing punches?”

The butler, who had opened the door to the parlor moments ago, couldn’t bring himself to enter and quickly closed the door again.

“Isn’t that young lady a friend of the Miss? If something happens, it will certainly be on the other side of the river.”

Walking out nervously, the butler headed toward Alicia’s office.

“Miss, about your friend.”

“Chase? What happened?”

“Rather, I think something is about to happen.”

At the butler’s concern, Alicia looked up.

“I was about to offer more tea and entered the parlor. The atmosphere with the Earl was quite tense. Perhaps you should go check?”

“Is that so? But it’s our first meeting; there shouldn’t be any bad blood.”

“Is that right?”

“Ah, yes. We were discussing business, so it might not be the best situation.”

Hearing Alicia’s words, the butler tilted his head.

It didn’t seem like that kind of intense atmosphere, though.

“Is that so?”

“Don’t worry, it will be fine.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The butler bowed and left Alicia’s office.

Though Alicia had said it was nothing, the butler couldn’t help but recall the earlier tension and shook his head disapprovingly.

He felt that the tea would have cooled by now, but he didn’t have the courage to go back to the parlor.

(This is a time separator.)

Knock, knock.

Alicia looked up to see Eric leaning against the door, and she smiled.

“You really don’t plan to knock before entering anymore, do you?”

“You’re used to it, aren’t you?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Your friend left.”

“Did he?”

“I told him to eat lunch before leaving, but he just left. He must be busy.”

“Was it because of what we talked about earlier?”

“Probably. He had to report to the Emperor.”

When Eric sat on the sofa, Alicia also left her desk and sat on the sofa.

For a moment, Eric stared intently at Alicia before asking.

“Are you close with that guy?”

“What? With Chase?”

“Yes, that Chase.”

“Of course, we’re friends.”

“I see. Friends, but have you ever felt something off?”

“Felt something off?”

“You know—”

How should he put it?

Ever felt like Chase harbors some dark motives? And it’s not just some mild malice; it’s extremely intense.

‘I can’t say it outright.’

There’s no way he could directly break the close friendship they’d had since childhood.

Frustrated, Eric stared intently at Alicia.

How could he subtly make Alicia aware without giving it away?

Meanwhile, an unrelated thought also crossed his mind.