As expected, Roger took out the violin and bow from the case and smirked.

“Slacking off on your violin lessons, I assume.”

“…….”

“Shouldn’t you at least play an easy piece? If you’re going to perform with me.”

“….This is a good time to hang out with my brothers.”

“Don’t think of avoiding it, Lise. We’re going to catch up on all the lost progress today.”

My jaw was the problem.

“Lise. May we come in?”

I heard the voices of Silke and Felicia from the door.

I had been holding the violin bow for already two hours.

If even a single note went wrong, Roger would sharply say, “Again,” causing my arm to ache and my jaw to tremble. At the sound of the voices, I thought it was the right moment and put down my bow.

Upon opening the door, the two siblings appeared. They discovered Roger beyond my form and blushed slightly. I had assumed their fondness for Roger had entirely vanished after earlier, but it was surprising.

‘Is he really that goodlooking?’

To forget even upon hearing dislikable remarks?

Roger’s purple irises were unique and pretty. His face was sleek and clear, clearly visible even from a distance. Although he’s still a child, he’d probably grow up to be very handsome once his lines became more defined.

But that was it.

“Mother said the meal is ready.”

“Um……”

Just as Silke finished speaking, Roger cut in. Silke and Felicia swallowed hard due to Roger’s proximity.

Roger faced the two squarely and opened his mouth.

“I am truly sorry for earlier. If possible, I want to get along with my sister and brothers.”

“Uh……uh.”

As Roger spoke politely, the faces of Silke and Felicia reddened even more. Feeling they might get too excited, I pushed Roger’s back.

“Roger, go to the dining room first.”

“Ah, okay.”

Seeing that neither of the girls reacted to his words, Roger seemed awkward and promptly left. Silke and Felicia’s gaze followed Roger’s retreating form.

‘Fine, let’s admit he’s goodlooking.’

Acknowledging Roger’s handsomeness, I put the violin in its case and adjusted my clothing. Just as I was about to head to the dining room, Silke and Felicia who had been waiting, suddenly grabbed my arm.

“We heard from Mother. Roger is your fiancé?”

“……Mother decided that arbitrarily.”

“Why did she arrange such a goodlooking nobleman to be your fiancé but didn’t arrange anything for us?”

Silke genuinely expressed her bewilderment.

“I wonder.”

I was also puzzled.

Although I had many complaints about Roger, in truth, he was an excessive match for me.

Very much so.
No, I take back what I said about being unworthy of her.

Even though the day hadn’t waned, the evening meal continued. Then, once again, the subject of engagement came up among the siblings.

“Isn’t Roger such a waste?”

“What are you talking about? Li, Lise is the one who’s wasted!”

The brothers showed different reactions, getting agitated.

The sisters found Roger regrettable, but surprisingly, the brothers argued that I was more unfortunate. Thanks to this, the dining table became noisy.

“In reality, I’m the one making all the concessions. If not for me, Lise would not get married.”

Far from trying to deter them, Roger, who sat opposite me, was encouraging the siblings’ enthusiasm. Roger puffed up his shoulders, looking quite smug, as if he sincerely believed what he was saying.

Words ceased.

“I’m reminded of the past. I occasionally visited Isabelle’s house for meals and always cleared my plate because the food suited my taste. Do you remember Grandfather finding it curious?”

The voice of Mrs. Bacchus caught my attention as I shifted it.

Mrs. Bacchus was so engrossed in her story that she had forgotten to eat. It seemed like she had an abundance of memories to share with Isabelle, never pausing in her speech.

“It wasn’t occasionally; you visited so frequently it became inconvenient.”

“Oh, did I?”

Unlike Mrs. Bacchus, who was smiling, Isabelle’s expression did not change. Her persistent expression was so stiff that I feared it would hurt Mrs. Bacchus’s feelings.

“Even so, Grandfather was quite fond of me.”

Contrary to my concerns, Mrs. Bacchus continued her words smoothly, as if she was accustomed to such an Isabelle.

The two of them had known each other since childhood, and, contrary to my expectations, had many more memories than I thought. However, talk about their college days, which I was truly curious about, didn’t come up.

‘After all, Isabelle dropped out of college, and Mrs. Bacchus has also withdrawn from her medical career.’

I felt disappointed, thinking that college talk wouldn’t come up.

“By the way, I’ve been reminded of Professor Brutanu, whom I saw after a long time. I didn’t recognize him back then, but thinking about it now, he was the same as when I was in college.”

I stopped cutting the meat. That was the name included in the astronomy camp itinerary. Had I participated in the camp, I would have gone to that professor’s residence for an interview and dinner.