“Huh! Who says you’re not my real daughter? Riley is just like my real daughter to me. So please get along with each other. Do we really need to raise our voices at a meal we’ve had together after such a long time? Wouldn’t it be nice if we all got along well? Riley, don’t react to every little provocation from your sister. Aren’t you mature?”

At Ryan’s words, Riley spat out a sardonic laugh.

“I didn’t want to blush at a meal for the first time in a long time. I didn’t want to argue childishly with Claire either. But now I’m not in a position where I just have to keep my mouth shut and endure, am I?”

“That, that’s true…….”

Ryan was sweating profusely, glancing at Riley, who continued eating with her lips tightly closed.

“Anyway, about the prewedding meeting…….”

“You called us for that, didn’t you? What do you have to say?”

“I just thought we should coordinate our story to show the most harmonious picture.”

“Yes, tell me.”

Ryan spoke about the topics to discuss at the prewedding meeting.

They matched their stories from family trips they had never been on to what subjects they learned from the tutor. Despite never having given her a proper education, they claimed that Riley had been taught by the same home tutor as Claire.

When Riley was flabbergasted, Lady Viscount spoke in a sheepish tone.

“You can’t reveal that you didn’t even receive basic education. Since you’re preparing for the Horizon Academic Institute, you can just focus on talking about that if the subject comes up.”

“……You deceive those you intend to deceive. Do you think such lies will work when they likely see right through our family?”
“But you have been taught under Lady Beyricxid for a month. The lady says your understanding and acquisition are outstanding compared to other children of your age.”

“I will tell it as it is. Why should I hide myself and lie? I am not ashamed. It should be my uncle and aunt who are ashamed.”

Rigan’s anger finally burst.

“Why are you so stubborn every time! Haven’t we vowed to forget everything that’s happened so far?”

“It’s not about forgetting. It’s about not holding accountable for those stale matters.”

“Why are you so uncooperative when I say let’s get along now!”

“If you want to get along now, you shouldn’t come out like this. Uncle, you still want to control me.”

That’s when Rigan hit his chest with his fist in frustration.

“Master!”

“What is it!”

“The Lord of Horizon’s Tower has arrived.”

Startled.

Everyone froze in place. The sound of clinking dishes and passing food stopped abruptly.

The most surprised was Riley.

·

·

·

“This is too much, Fatherinlaw. Leaving me out in such a gathering.”

Gibnen, who had arrived without notice, confidently took a seat next to Riley, as if it was his home. He grabbed Riley’s surprised hand and chuckled.

“Sister, you should have told me if there was such a gathering.”

“Eh? Eh… Well.”

“May I join, elder?”

“Ye, yes, of course. Duke Lianster. Please sit down.”

As he took his seat and the meal resumed, a chilly silence hung in the air, unlike before.

It was as if the people who had heard about Earth’s destruction gathered for a last supper. That’s how heavy and gloomy the atmosphere was, and Riley felt out of place.

The food seemed to go through her nose rather than her mouth, and she kept looking around.

‘Why did I even come here?’

Regardless, Gibnen elegantly enjoyed his meal as usual.

“It was lively just a moment ago, but now it’s as if I’ve thrown cold water on it.”

“Huh? No, that’s not it…”

“What were you talking about?”

“Just… sharing our recent happenings.”

“That’s good.”

He said, cutting his steak and pressing it with a fork.

“I was worried that you might be bullying my wife behind my back.”

Rigan wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking awkward.

Gibnen then said, half in jest, half seriously,

“It seems the Count suffers from the heat a lot. Even though it’s not that hot.”

“Haha, I guess that happens with age.”

It was like a wild animal threatening the prey at a herbivore’s dining table.

Everyone except Gibnen looked at him nervously. Riley was no exception.

Then Gibnen pushed away the fish in front of Riley and brought forward a plate of fruits. When Riley looked at him wideeyed, Gibnen shrugged and replied,

“You can’t eat seafood, and you like sweet things.”

He then picked up a sliced pineapple with a fork and offered it to her.

“Ah, try this.”

Everyone but Gibnen gaped in astonishment. But he seemed not to care about the surroundings.

In this moment, he was truly a loving husband. Riley opened her mouth in gratitude for his portrayal of a beloved wife.

The pineapple he fed her brought a faint smile to her lips.

It was the sweetest and tastiest she had ever had.