“…It would have been better if you had informed me in advance.”

Though I said that, in reality, I scolded Teus for coming unannounced without giving notice.

“I sent a letter, but you probably didn’t receive it.”

“You sent a letter?”

“Yes. Seeing that you genuinely didn’t receive it, there seems to be some issue.”

It was hard to verify whether the letter-sending claim was true or false. That man was a natural-born liar.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“…Are you planning to cook yourself?”

Teus asked, looking at the five recipe books beside me. I subtly pushed the books under the pillow.

“I’m interested.”

“Usually, people buy recipe books to cook for their loved ones… even if they aren’t parents.”

“It’s my private life.”

Teus shrugged his shoulders.

“I just asked out of curiosity.”

“I wish you’d tell me what you want to say.”

“We’ve set a date. Four days from now, on the second floor of ‘Solon,’ a long-distance place near the square. I’ve reserved it for 11 a.m. since I’ve rented the whole floor, the staff will guide you once you go up.”

“…?”

“Already forgotten? I mentioned introducing a young man to you.”

I clenched my fist. I did hear it, but I thought it was just casual talk. If I knew that he had unilaterally set the date and time without my consent, I would have declined appropriately.

I couldn’t handle unnecessary kindness.

“It would have been better if you had asked for my opinion first. I could be busy that day.”

“Are you busy?”

“Yes, very.”

“It’s strange. When I asked the Viscount earlier, he said you were free at that time.”

“My father doesn’t know all about my schedule.”

“It’s quite a difficult time to arrange. Competent young men are always busy and chasing after time.”

“Unfortunately, it’s become an issue. The appointment is canceled due to my schedule. Would you convey my apologies to him instead?”

Teus took a sip of tea. His serious expression didn’t look good. The longer the silence, the more I felt drawn into his movements.

“That’s impossible. In an hour, I have to go to the port. I’ve had work in the south for a week.”

“You can use the Western District for that.”

“It’s not a good idea. He’s a sensitive person, you see. He doesn’t like expressing feelings through letters or documents. If I inform him of the cancellation through a letter, he will likely be very angry.”

“Then what should we do?”

Teus put down the teacup and crossed his legs.

Even though I had no intention of yielding to him, I found myself looking up slightly to meet Teus’s gaze. A strange atmosphere settled on the sofa. If I couldn’t endure this silence, future conversations might be dominated by Teus.

“…”

“…”

Teus laughed softly, finding it amusing that I, who faced him, was just strange for him. In that short moment, I felt a sense of humiliation.

“So, I’d like to make a request, miss.”

“…”
“Please go to the meeting place. Since you have busy matters, there’s no need for you to stay there for long. You can talk to that person for ten minutes, or… even five minutes. If that’s burdensome as well, you can simply express your refusal and come. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Actually, that might just provoke his anger.”

“I think it’s better than not showing your face at all. I’ve known him for a long time. I understand him well.”

The words sounded convincing, but there was some hidden agenda. What could that hidden agenda be? Without even a guess, it was best not to go to the meeting place.

“……”

“Then, how about this, miss?”

However, Teus was a seasoned man in such situations.

For him, persuading and convincing people was easier than turning one’s hand. The relaxed attitude he displayed while talking indicated his confidence.

“I understand that you still have no intentions regarding marriage. The Viscount’s proposals and advice might be bothering you. If you go to the meeting place this time, even for a short while, and have a conversation with him, I will make sure that there won’t be any mention of marriage from the Viscount for the next three years.”

“…How can I trust that?”

“This is my mistake, after all. It’s my way of helping out of a sense of apology. If my goodwill is hard to believe… What can I offer to make it more believable?”

“You don’t need to offer anything. I won’t go to the meeting place, and there’s no reason for you to concern yourself with my father and me.”

Knowing full well that it was a beast’s den, who in their right mind would walk in there with their own two feet?

And the claim that I was busy that day was not a lie. I would be busy procuring ingredients to treat Yuric to a meal.

Teus’s expression, which had always been full of smiles in response to my firm refusals, darkened.

“Is that so? If that’s your opinion, I won’t insist further. However… you will likely suffer, miss.”

“…What?”

“Do you know? The Viscount is seeking an engagement partner for you. Since you haven’t seen the portrait, he seems determined to force a marriage, resorting to hiring a lawyer to tactfully handle it without violating the law.”

As soon as I heard his words, I recalled the stacks of portraits on the desk.

Although the thickness of the portraits received over the past week far exceeded my wrist, there were only about three portraits received over these three days. Aside from that, my father’s behavior had been strangely unusual lately.

Surveying Teus’s face thoroughly, I sighed.

‘Is this saying it’s better to enter the beast’s den voluntarily than to be forced in?’

While openly chewing on my lips, I drank the tea to moisten my dry throat. Even though I didn’t know what that man was up to, I didn’t feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable in his presence. Rather, he seemed like a boy eagerly waiting for an interesting play.

“Can you really prevent the subject of marriage from coming out of my father’s mouth for three years?”

“Just trust me.”

Can I really trust him?

“I’m really busy for the next four days. I’ll apologize and leave.”

“That day, you can do as you please, miss.”

“…Is he a suspicious person?”

At my question, Teus let out a small laugh.

“If you’re asking whether he’s from the ‘Alley,’ you don’t need to worry. Although he works in the ‘Alley’ like me, he’s different from those people in the alley.”

“…Is that so.”

Holding the book hidden behind the pillow, I stood up quietly from my seat. Teus, who had finished his tea and neatly adjusted his outerwear, also stood up.

“I will definitely keep the promise, miss.”

“Alright. I’ll go to the meeting place. …Before I go, I’d like to know his name.”

I asked before walking towards the room. Teus looked benevolent, as if the question was not difficult to answer.

“He is Viscount Silierus. Raoul von Silierus.”

“That’s a name I’ve never heard before.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. …I might be too busy to see you off.”
“It’s okay.”

“Then, please take care.”

After a brief farewell, I quickly ascended the stairs.