Eric, who didn’t have a younger sibling, was concerned about how Edward would react to that earlier scene.

Carefully mentioning that it might be uncomfortable to directly see his elder sister embracing a man, Eric was surprised by Edward’s calm response.

“That’s nothing special. It’s not like they were kissing.”

“Pffft.”

Eric, who was drinking water, sputtered in shock.

But Edward continued nonchalantly, unfazed.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind even if they kissed. To be frank, I don’t care what elder sister does. She can handle herself, you know.”

“R-Really?”

“Ah, but there is one thing I’m worried about.”

“What is it?”

“Honestly, I think elder sister and elder brother-in-law aren’t doing enough.”

“Cough. Hack.”

As Eric choked, Edward naturally patted his back and asked:

“Perhaps you don’t want to do it with elder sister?”

“What?”

“They said that’s what people do when they like each other.”

“Who said that?”

“The elder brothers. They said when you like someone, you want to hold hands, and when you hold hands, you want to hug, and when you hug, you want to kiss, and then-”

“Stop, stop. Those bastards, what on earth are they telling a child?”

“I’m not a child.”

‘No, you are a child. You’re definitely a child. I shouldn’t have left you with those guys.’

Eric glared at his subordinates who were organizing tools on the other side.

If Alicia found out about this situation, she would be furious.

Eric’s mind went blank, but Edward grinned as if nothing was wrong.

“Since I’m not a child, I can talk about these things with elder brother-in-law.”

‘That’s what’s strange, that.’

“Elder brother-in-law and elder sister are going to get married, right? So I hope you’ll get along well like our parents.”

“Why, you don’t think we will?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never even seen elder sister and elder brother-in-law hold hands. And what happened earlier was more like sparring than skinship.”

“No, it’s not that we don’t-”

Eric started to speak but stopped, feeling it wasn’t right.

“Alright, let’s stop talking about this now.”

“Is our elder sister not attractive? Don’t you want to do it?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Do you like our elder sister?”

In the past, he would have answered yes immediately. Saying it was natural since they were engaged.

But now he didn’t want to speak so lightly about it.

‘I like her.’

He finally realized the weight those words carried.

As Eric’s answer was delayed, Edward stared at him intently.

But Eric’s gaze was directed not at Edward, but at Alicia who was talking with Allen at a distance.

“I like her.”

They say words take on substance once spoken aloud.

Now he understood what that meant.

The feelings he had tried to ignore, bound by the contract, were clearly revealed.

So he added:

“I like her very much.”

Their eyes met and Alicia smiled, waving her hand.

Edward, who had been smiling at Eric, turned his head to look at Alicia.

“Elder brother-in-law.”

“Yes?”

“Women don’t like it when you hesitate too much. Elder sister has a surprisingly impatient personality, you know?”

“……”

To think he’d hear such words even from a child.

Though his situation felt pitiful anew, Eric forced a smile towards Edward.

[This is the timeline separator]

After sending Alicia and Edward off, Eric went up to his office and took out a document from the safe.

It was the engagement contract.

He placed it on the desk, sat in the chair, and fell into thought for a moment.

‘Termination of contract if someone sincere appears.’

What to do if that sincere person was the contract partner wasn’t an agreed-upon matter.

They naturally thought such a thing wouldn’t happen, so they didn’t even consider it.

‘No, does the contract even have meaning now?’

If Alicia felt the same as Eric, it would become real, not just a contract.

What if Alicia didn’t accept his feelings?

Even so, Eric no longer had the confidence to continue this relationship.

Either way, the contract would not be maintained.

‘I like her.’

‘I like her very much.’

Just thinking about it made his heart start to pound pleasantly.

‘She’ll be surprised.’

She probably would be.

It seemed like they had parted less than 30 minutes ago, but he already missed her. Very much.

[This is the timeline separator]

In the carriage on the way back, Alicia asked Edward:

They had been having a serious conversation for quite a while at the training ground, so she was curious about what they had discussed.

“What were you talking about with Eric?”

“Hm? Ah. Earlier?”

“You looked serious.”

“No, it wasn’t serious. We were just talking about elder sister.”

“About me? What about me?”

“I was wondering why elder brother-in-law doesn’t do anything to elder sister.”

“…What?”

Alicia looked at Edward with an incredulous expression.

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Well, I’m not that curious. I don’t really want to see it either.”

“Then why ask about such things?”

“But elder sister and elder brother-in-law are different from Father and Mother.”

“How are we different?”

“You don’t hold hands or kiss. It’s strange.”

Alicia looked at Edward in bewilderment, but Edward just stared back blankly.

That was even more disconcerting.

It’s true that their parents got along well, but that was because they were especially affectionate.

“The elder brothers said that’s what people do when they like each other.”

‘These people, I sent them to teach swordsmanship, but what on earth are they teaching?’

“Come to think of it, Father and Mother do that too, but elder brother-in-law and elder sister are too-”

Not knowing what word to use, Edward paused for a moment to think.

“Ah, that’s right. Dry. Though it seems better than before.”

“……”

She thought the children wouldn’t notice, but it seems they sensed something was off.

Feeling perplexed, Alicia stared blankly at Edward before suddenly realizing something and speaking urgently.

“Edward. You didn’t ask Eric about this too, did you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Oh my goodness.”

Her head started to ache from the dizzying embarrassment.

“Edward. You shouldn’t ask about such things. It’s very private.”

“I know. I hate interfering in elder sister’s love life too, but I was still worried.”

“Worried? What were you worried about?”

“If elder brother-in-law doesn’t do those things because he doesn’t like elder sister, that would be troublesome, right?”

Edward crossed his arms and pouted.

“Elder brother-in-law too. He said it’s not that elder sister isn’t attractive or that he doesn’t want to do it, but somehow his attitude seemed hesitant, so I was disappointed.”

“……”

To think she’d hear such words even from a child.

Though her situation felt pitiful anew, Alicia forced a smile towards Edward.

“I thought elder brother-in-law was unfortunate to be stuck with elder sister, but this time I felt elder sister might have it tough too… Elder sister?”

Edward looked up, finding it strange that Alicia was quiet when he expected something to fly at him by now.

Alicia was looking out the window, half-covering her reddened face.

“Elder sister. What’s wrong with your face?”

“Hm? No, nothing. Isn’t it a bit hot?”

“Not really?”

“Is that so?”

Alicia asked Edward, trying to calm herself.

“So?”

“Hm?”

“Go on, keep talking.”

“Ah. Anyway, so- ah, that’s right. The important thing is elder brother-in-law said he likes elder sister.”

“Huh?”

“He said he likes you very much. So I guess I’m relieved for now.”

Edward grinned as he said this, and Alicia looked at him with a complicated expression.

She didn’t think everything Edward was told was Eric’s true feelings.

He probably couldn’t say no to Edward, who was her younger brother.

But still, despite that, a corner of her heart kept insisting that at least the part about liking her was sincere.

Just then, the carriage stopped as they arrived at the Lancaster estate.

While waiting for the coachman to open the carriage door, someone unexpectedly poked their head in sooner than expected.

“Alicia. Welcome back.”

“…Chase?”

“Yes. It’s me.”

Alicia smiled happily at the gentle, beaming smile.

“Chase. How did this happen? When did you arrive?”

“Get out first.”

As Chase held out his hand, Alicia took it and stepped out of the carriage.

“You didn’t mention anything about coming in your last letter either. Why… Ah?”

Before Alicia could finish speaking, Chase pulled her hand and embraced her tightly.

“Chase?”

“I missed you.”

“Uh-”

When Alicia’s response was delayed, Chase separated her from his embrace and asked with a seemingly hurt expression:

“What is it? Why aren’t you answering? Didn’t you miss me?”

“What are you saying, Chase? Of course I missed you too.”

“Really?”

Chase hugged Alicia even more tightly again.

“Ha. I really missed you.”

Chase smiled brightly, still embracing Alicia, as if he was truly happy.

[This is the timeline separator]

“What happened? When did you return from the Valois Empire?”

“This morning. Believe it or not, I came to see you first.”

“Really? I’m sorry for making you wait.”

“It’s okay. I just had to wait until you came. And I got to see you in the end.”

Chase said with a grin, and Alicia smiled brightly.

“It’s been a while, elder brother Chase.”

“Oh, Edward. Wow, you’ve grown so tall!”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Instead of doing this outside, shall we go in?”

Chase spoke familiarly as if it were his own house, then put his arm around Alicia’s shoulders.

“Oh right. Edward. I put your gift in the reception room too.”

“Wow, I’m excited.”

Edward ran inside ahead of Chase and Alicia.

The two followed, walking after Edward.

[This is the timeline separator]

“When are you going back?”

“For now, a month.”

“That’s a long stay.”

“Yes. That’s the plan. The schedule might change in the middle, or I might not go back at all.”

“Really? Are you getting a new assignment?”

“Maybe.”

Chase grinned.

“But you were so happy about becoming the deputy ambassador to Valois. Is it okay to return already?”

“If something more important comes up, it can’t be helped.”

“Something more important?”

“More importantly, tell me about you.”

Chase pulled his chair close to Alicia, looking curious.

“Getting engaged while I’m gone, isn’t that too much? You could have at least let me know in advance.”

“Well-, it happened rather suddenly.”

Alicia smiled evasively. She often exchanged letters with Chase, but she only mentioned that she got engaged. No matter how close they were, she couldn’t write in detail.

“I heard you only met twice before getting engaged. It was quite rushed.”

“How did you know that?”

“Emma told me.”

“Ah.”

Alicia nodded, then added as if making an excuse:

“But we haven’t had an engagement ceremony yet. Since Father hasn’t returned.”

“Then I haven’t missed your engagement ceremony.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Chase rested his chin on his hand, watching Alicia who seemed somewhat awkward, and asked seriously:

“Getting engaged to that Earl Russell, do you know what kind of person he is?”

“You mean the rumors?”

Chase shrugged at Alicia’s question.

“Don’t think badly of me. I’m just asking because I’m worried.”

“They’re false rumors, Chase. If you experience him yourself, you’ll know too.”

“Really? Then when will you introduce us?”

“Hm? Um. Well…”

“Now that you mention it, I want to meet him soon.”

Chase grinned.

“Speaking of which, how about tomorrow?”