“Roger must be here. That child has worked so hard for this concert. There were high expectations. Even if there’s an accident, that child will somehow come to perform here. That’s how much everything means to this concert…”

The lady’s voice is trembling. She paused for a moment and then reluctantly rose from her seat.

“It won’t do. I’ll personally go find Roger.”

Nah and Yurik also hurriedly got up. They couldn’t sit comfortably without knowing Roger’s whereabouts.

“Rize.”

“…?”

The lady called my name. She looked at my prompt action as if misinterpreting my intentions, with a determined expression.

“Stopping me is not a good idea. If Roger is seriously injured… it would be better if I’m by his side.”

“I know.”

Is she underestimating me because I look like a ten-year-old girl? I understand the situation. I just thought that I needed to find Roger faster than the lady did.

The lady, reassured by my response, immediately rushed out of the room.

“I’ll report to you as soon as I find Roger.”

“Thank you, miss.”

The butler bowed slightly.

Since most people were moving alone, the corridors were silent. I exited the mansion and carefully searched the vast garden. Even from the entrance, Roge
“The time has come, Rize.”

“Yeah.”

I walked along the road. I went further, even to the carriage on the city street.

Roger was not in sight.

Dragging my drooping shoulders, I returned to the Duke’s residence. It was time for the concert to begin.

Seeing the butler anxiously checking the wall clock in front of the main gate, the situation was clear. There was still no news of the lady who had gone in the opposite direction.

“…”

Did Roger originally plan to come here? The damp and tranquil breeze predicted that Roger might never come here. If he wasn’t coming, why didn’t he inform the Duke in advance? Despite Roger’s occasionally unruly behavior, he wasn’t so irresponsible as to break a promise.

“I’ll explain to His Highness.”

“Thank you, Yurik.”

If Yurik hadn’t been here, the situation would have been the worst. Roger’s trust, omitted without notifying the Duke, would have hit rock bottom, and Roger’s name would have been mentioned intermittently in the mouths of the quick-witted nobles. Yurik prevented that.

Upon hearing Yurik’s words, the Duke eased his anger. He provided more playing time to the musician he brought instead of Roger, alleviating the boredom of the nobles. Fortunately, the absence of Roger was forgotten as the musicians successfully presented the stage.

As the Duke enjoyed the performance, he approached Yurik.

“Somehow, things have been resolved. Still, trust in Roger Bakers, that child, has been damaged unavoidably.”

With long purple hair, the Duke was a quite young man.

I knew that the Duke was a gentle and affectionate person, so I relaxed. Ignoring the Duke’s dignity and intentionally breaking his promise to the concert seemed like ignoring the Duke’s dignity. However, the kind Duke only asked about Roger’s trust.

“Uh… I apologize, Your Highness.”

I apologized properly. He brushed past me and gently grabbed my shoulder.

“Well, you said your name is Rize Marson, right? What are you sorry about? If you’re really sorry, won’t you play with my nephew?”

“Your nephew?”

“Yeah. Yurik knows it well. The two of you used to get along often. And I think my nephew will really like Rize when he sees her.”

After carefully choosing my words to apologize to the Duke, he gently grabbed my shoulder.

“Uh, I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
Yurik’s words shifted the Duke’s gaze towards me. Although I wasn’t in the mood to play chess, I couldn’t outright refuse.

“Uh… yes. It hasn’t been long since I started.”

“Well, then, you have a long way to go.”

“Your Highness, Rize is currently learning chess under Viscount Kito.”

As Yurik added an explanation, the Duke’s eyes immediately brightened.

“In that case, it would be good to play a game with me. Yurik, you can play with Otto. I’ll play chess with Rize.”

“What? I also…”

When Yurik tried to join, the Duke’s eyes glared fiercely.

“Or would you like to play chess with me? Rize can play with my nephew.”

“Please don’t keep me with you for too long.”

Yurik gave me a apologetic look, then disappeared.

Now, only the Duke and I remained on the hall wall. Even though there were many people across, the Duke’s gaze was solely fixed on me. As we approached the table with stiff bodies, the Duke smiled generously as if to ease the tension.

“I’ve never seen Yurik so desperate. It seems he really likes you a lot.”

“…I will arrange the pieces, Your Highness.”

I received the white pieces from the Duke’s hand.

“Oh, are you really Viscount Kito’s disciple?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing. The Viscount is known for not taking disciples. When asked about the reason, he expressed doubt about whether it’s right for someone who hasn’t become a champion himself to take a disciple. Of course, he has disciples with skill. Many want to be his disciple. Still, the cautious Viscount finally took a disciple…”