“The first game is a week from now, so the preliminary will be held three days prior. What’s more important is my opponent for the first game! Just like me, the opponent has played chess for a long time. It won’t be an easy match, really!”

“You seem extremely excited about it, Kito.”

Duke Fenton had a puzzled expression.

“Life wouldn’t be fun if it were easy, right?”

“Speak for yourself.”

Duke Fenton calmed the excited Baron Kito, urging him to continue eating. But Baron Kito still had a smile full of anticipation on his face.

“Tsk tsk, that’s why you can’t get married. Do you even intend to get married…”

“I’m married to chess.”

“You’ll be later than Yurik at this rate.”

Duke Fenton shook his head, and then Baron Kito snapped.

“One never knows. Yurik might not be interested in women. He might get lost in something else, just like me.”

“Sorry, but I want to get married soon, Baron.”

Upon Yurik’s reply, all eyes turned toward him. Even Roger, who had been picking at his bread, looked at Yurik.

Only one person, Yune, had an indifferent expression, as if it didn’t matter whether her brother got married or not.

“You’re saying something different from last year, Yurik. You said you weren’t interested in marriage back then.”

Lady Fenton spoke teasingly.

“My feelings have changed.”

“Sorry, but I think I’ll be getting married sooner?”

Roger interrupted Yurik’s answer. This time, even Yune put down her fork to focus on the situation.

“You’re getting married sooner?”

“I’m engaged.”

“……With whom?”

“With Lise Marsen.”

Roger’s gaze met mine.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

Damn it.

Not just the atmosphere; even Yune’s gaze felt piercing from the side.

“……Well, my parents forced it on us.”

“As much as our parents are involved, it’s a serious engagement. My mother is even looking into churches already.”

“Mrs. Bacchus is so fond of you that…”

“That’s why our mother strongly supports my engagement with Lise.”

I immediately wanted to sew Roger’s mouth shut. I glanced at Yune. Her usually vibrant expression was now gloomy, as if she was about to cry.

“I should go now. I think my mother will be worried. Roger, you should go back, too, okay?”

I subtly got up and called Roger. My intention was to completely muzzle him at this opportunity. I also planned to hold him responsible for his tactless actions. When I smirked, Roger, who still hadn’t fully grasped the situation, didn’t think to stand up.

“Roger, aren’t you getting up?”

Get up, quickly. Hurry.

“……I’ll go, too.”

At my changed tone, Roger slowly stood up. But it shouldn’t have been just Roger who stood; Yurik also got up.

“Then I’ll go see Lise off.”

“Huh? It’s okay. It’s still daytime, and I’m going with Roger.”

I refused the offer to be seen off. It was the wrong choice.
“Bacchus Mansion and Marsen Mansion are in opposite directions, aren’t they, Lise?”

“……Yes, they are.”

For some reason, Yurik was visibly angry.

Having just passed the winter garden, I was heading to the mansion, studying Yurik’s silent face.

Mogol had instigated this situation; Roger, who could freely affect Yurik’s mood, was beside us. He had followed Yurik and me, even though he had been going in the opposite direction.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Yurik spoke.

“About the engagement? Don’t misunderstand. Roger might have spoken weirdly earlier, but it’s just a talk between parents. Nothing is settled.”

“……”

“Hey, Roger! You say something too!”

Roger deliberately kept his mouth shut.

“Still, you are engaged.”

Yurik’s voice grew softer.

“It’s a future matter. We still have ten years or more. So, tell it well to Yune, okay?”

I worried that my good relationship with Yune, who liked Roger, would be ruined over this. Yurik chuckled at my restlessness.

“I don’t. I don’t care?”

When Yurik asked, my body stiffened. My mind went blank, although I had a lot to say.

“Do you want to marry Lise?”

After a silence, Roger asked.

“……”

“……Wow. You’re bold.”

Roger gave a hollow laugh at Yurik, who didn’t deny it. Yurik likes me.

“You knew all along, didn’t you? And Lise… knows that I like her.”

“……”

I had sensed this long ago but thought Yurik wouldn’t know my feelings.

I had let it slide. Yurik and I are young, far from adulthood. Hearts change daily; how likely is it that Yurik would like me for ten years?

Even if he likes me, it’s probably just the affection of a first love, not thoughts of marriage.

Although it’s somewhat bitter, I was content.

‘……Even if you must kill me by fate, you’d hesitate, agonize. You wouldn’t look at me as worthless, like a bug.’

But seeing Yurik’s face contorted as if he could cry, my thoughts changed. I felt guilty, like a sinner.

“……Yurik.”

“Do you have to be engaged to him? Lise, do you want that?”

Yurik asked me. His voice trembled.

“What are you saying? Lise is engaged to me.”

“Roger, shut up. Please.”

I glared, and Roger shrugged.

I understood why Yurik took the engagement so seriously.

Here, childhood engagements often lasted and led to marriage. Even if this engagement was sudden, families had been talking.

“What do you think? Lise.”

Yurik caught my gaze. Roger waited for my answer.

Hesitating to respond to the difficult question,

“I don’t like either of you.”

“……?”

“Lise is too good for you.”

Then someone wrapped their arm around my neck. A familiar low voice.

I turned my head and saw a tall, muscular blond man.

He still had a young face but was close to an adult, so Yurik and Roger immediately guarded against him. In contrast, my emotions overflowed.

“Trying to take Lise while I’m gone?”

“……You!”

It was my brother.