“We should meet more often from now on.”

“…”

“I’ll be in Hosha Village. Just like when we were kids.”

“…”

“As compensation for thinking of me as awkward, I’ll escort you to your mansion.”

In the end, I didn’t know why Yurik opposed the stepsister’s proposal. Instead of that topic, he skillfully directed the conversation towards what I had been doing all this time. Looking at Yurik, I thought that he was listening to my story seriously, just like when we were kids.

“I’m back.”

As soon as I entered the Marsen mansion, an uncomfortable atmosphere greeted me in the foyer. Although the decorations had decreased since the first time I saw it, it was still a mess.

‘Huh?’

I then noticed a unfamiliar person standing in front of the library.

“…”

It was the person who was with Theus. Was Theus inside the study?

“Late at night, I apologize, Count.”

“No, even in your busy schedule, I appreciate you coming this far.”

The door to the study opened before I climbed the stairs. Unlucky.

Unable to avoid it, I met Theus’s eyes as he looked towards me. Escaping the situation seemed impossible. I relaxed my bitten lips and lowered one foot, placed on the step, onto the ground.

When we met last time, Theus didn’t look at my face, but now he looked directly into my eyes. A moment of surprise and curiosity appeared on his face before quickly disappearing.

“…Hello. Nice to meet you again since our last meeting. I couldn’t properly greet you then due to the circumstances. I’m Rezhe Marsen.”

I had to offer greetings first. Then it was strange that there was no response, as if he knew me well.

When I looked up, Theus seemed deeply lost in thought. His mouth slightly curved upwards, showing a hint of amusement.

“…You have a daughter, Count. I heard it through rumors, but since you didn’t say a word, I thought I’d bring it up.”

Theus did not respond to my greeting but instead looked at his father.

“Ah, it’s just a daughter who is nothing special.”

His father replied without much interest.

“Nothing special… she’s such a beautiful little lady. Oh, has she become an adult by any chance?”

My heart sank. He recognized me.

“She’ll be an adult soon.”

“Oh, I see. But it looks like you’ve met your lover.”

He asked, looking at the coat draped over my shoulders. Realizing, I hurriedly took off the coat.

“It’s been a while since we met our lovers. Isn’t it, Count?”

“…There seems to be a misunderstanding. My daughter returned to the village about three days ago. Rather than meeting a lover, she met my mentor in the village and returned. She’s a daughter who met her mentor without knowing anything yet. So these days, I’ve been trying to persuade my daughter to marry quickly…”

Father looked at me as he spoke. His gaze seemed to ask where I had been wandering all this time.

“But it seems that your daughter doesn’t have a suitable partner.”
“I hand over a portrait every time, but it’s always the same.”

Father said shamelessly with a smile.

“It’s a portrait of a young man similar to you, father. How can I express my feelings about that?”

“Rezhe!”

When I interrupted, Father shouted with a flushed face.

“If that’s the case, then you understand, right? How could any woman like Father’s narcissistic young man? The Marquis went too far.”

“Hmm.”

Father cleared his throat. It felt refreshing.

“If you’re going to arrange a marriage, you should choose a man that satisfies you, Count. Oh, how about this? I have a cherished one who is about the same age as you. A sturdy young man. He works well, and he’s quite smart, like my nephew.”

Cancel the refreshing feeling.

“It’s an honor for me. My daughter will like him too.”

“Someday, I’ll make a place for you. But before that, I need to tell that boy about you. Your name is Rezhe, right?”

Theus looked at me. His question seemed to have a purpose other than knowing my name.

“It’s not a nickname but your actual name, Rezhe?”

He asked as if my name had to be Rezhe.

“My name is exactly Rezhe.”

“Have you ever changed your name?”

“Is that really important?”

Theus chuckled.

“Oh, if it’s difficult to answer, you can pass.”

“I’ve been Rezhe since before. Since I was born.”

Theus seemed satisfied with my answer, as if he had achieved what he wanted by asking about my name.

“That young man will appeal to you. Both to you and the Marquis. Although he holds the title of Viscount, he has quite a lot of money and land. Someday, he intends to pass on his position. Oh, come to think of it, that boy might be the same age as you. Maybe your tastes will match well.”

“Haha, if it goes well, he could become a member of the family.”

Father laughed at the face of a young man he had never seen before. Whether he liked it or not, I was already planning to discard the portrait sent by Theus.

“I won’t send a portrait. It’s faster to meet in person than with a portrait.”

As I tried to discreetly leave, Theus said. I was seen through.

“You don’t have to do that if you’re busy.”

“No, that guy is quite sensitive. He prefers meeting people in person rather than portraits.”

“Then, as you please.”

What a strange guy. There was no need to meet in person.

I already didn’t like that guy.