episode_0098

If there’s a sacred act that inevitably follows the exchange of insincere greetings among nobles, it’s the handshake.

It’s a very peaceful and gentle act, meant to show that one is unarmed and has no intention of attacking, but in reality, it was an act that signaled the start of a power struggle.

Therefore, with artificial smiles on our faces, we gazed into each other’s eyes, took off our gloves, grasped each other’s hands, and shook them lightly.

And, as expected, this senile old man started by putting a lot of strength into his grip, attempting to seize the initiative.

“……”

Ugh, he really is disgustingly strong.

According to the common sense of this world, I’m on the weaker side, but I can’t let my pride be hurt too much.

I force myself to believe that this old man is strong and open my mouth.

“I’m glad to see you’re still in good health.”

I suppressed the scream that was about to burst out from the pain in my hand, pretending to be very calm, and subtly suggested that he ease up a bit.

“Haha! It seems like you need to do some training, how can a man be so weak?”

Then, with the pleasant laughter of the late Duke of Devonshire, the strength in his grip immediately loosened, and a throbbing pain, along with a red mark, shot up my hand.

“I’m trying my best in various ways, but it’s not easy, I envy and admire people with strong bodies.”

I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my hand, which was covered in a glove, slightly furrowing my brow as I readily accepted the old man’s teabagging.

It was clear to anyone that I had lost.

Rather than being stubborn and looking pathetic, it was better to admit it cleanly and move on quickly.

And from the start, it was a power struggle I could never win because I had no mana.

Even if I worked out all day like a health fanatic, it was the law of this world that I could never beat a knight with mana.

“Hehehe~”

I wonder if it feels good to defeat a tofu-like human with no mana, but judging by the way the old man was lifting the corners of his mouth as if he was very happy, it seemed he felt good.

He has such childlike aspects for an old man over 70.

No, is it because he’s getting old?

“By the way, what brings Cavendish to the eve party? I never expected to see Cavendish here.”

“Well, I was worried about my great-grandson, there are so many decadent young people these days, what if he gets influenced by those strange fellows?”

“Oh~ Your grandson love is extraordinary, so are the people next to you here for similar reasons?”

“Since they are our children, we are bound to be even more worried.”

Ugh, as soon as the light greetings ended, frustrating euphemisms that made me want to die began to pour out in earnest.

On the surface, they were adults worrying about their children and grandchildren, but when you dig into the meaning, it was closer to ‘We came because we’re annoyed by you, you thug.’

Just say it directly, I already know roughly what you mean, so the sentences only get longer and give me a headache.

“Still, isn’t the teens the age to try things out and experience trial and error? It’s the same for me, those things can all be experiences, so don’t worry too much.”

“Hahaha, I suppose you could think that way.”

So, I also said, ‘Let the kids be free.’ and lightly exchanged blows.

“By the way, Sir William, can we sort out how you address us? Since we are all Cavendishes, ‘Duke Cavendish’ is confusing.”

“Ah, how should I call you?”

“We all have titles, so it would be good if you called us by our titles.”

“Hmm~ I understand.”

After a light blow, what the other party chose was to establish authority.

It’s right to show off if you have a title to show off, so I readily nodded.

However, the problem was that I didn’t know what the titles of the two people standing like folding screens on either side of the old man in the center were, except that he was a count.

I should remember nobles with titles if possible. Honestly, how can I remember all that?

Even excluding the titles that one person has multiple of, there are hundreds of barons and viscounts alone.

Barons and viscounts are people in relatively important positions, but how many people remember all the mayors and county heads across the country?

No, if they’re barons and viscounts, it’s like memorizing district heads, deputy mayors, and vice governors.

The only people who can do that are spies or National Intelligence Service agents.

“By the way, what were the titles of the two people next to you?”

“……”

Since I can’t pretend to know what I don’t, I asked innocently, and the three of them awkwardly lifted the corners of their mouths and twitched their eyelids.

They’ve probably never seen anyone who doesn’t know the titles of the Devonshire ducal family’s direct descendants, not just some baron or viscount from a remote place.

“I am Viscount Torrington.”

“I am Baron Bolton.”

Fortunately, it was easy to remember because the oldest guy was the count and the youngest was the baron, in order of age.

More than that, is it because they’re a ducal family? Their love for their children is very special, they scraped together all the titles and gave them out one by one.

We didn’t do that, we gave everything to our older brother.

I understand because it’s my parents’ will to not allow even the smallest succession dispute, but I can’t help but be envious.

“Wow~ You’re all nobles, that’s amazing, I’m just a knight, so I’m a bit ashamed.”

“Well, we may have grand titles, but we just inherited them, wouldn’t it be more rewarding to have achieved something on your own, even if it’s humble?”

Baron Bolton showed off his grand title, slightly boasting as I openly showed that I was envious.

It’s a title that was easily and simply received, so he must want to brag about it.

“That’s right, I was so thrilled when His Majesty the Emperor personally handed me the sword, I felt like I wanted to be buried in the Imperial Palace.”

I became a knight by receiving a sword from the Emperor, what do you guys have?

“…A subject of His Majesty the Emperor should naturally do that.”

“Cough…!”

Baron Bolton, who seemed slightly offended, tried to downplay it somehow, but it was so absurd that I almost burst out laughing.

That’s because the guys who declared neutrality when His Majesty the Emperor ascended the throne and slipped away are saying things like ‘should naturally do that’.

Does this guy think my father got the title of meritorious family through trickery?

“As expected, the historic knight family is different, your loyalty to His Majesty is so deep that it’s hard to follow.”

“Ahem…!”

As I gave praise filled with sarcasm, the count showed his discomfort and gave a look to Baron Bolton.

It seemed he knew he should be ashamed because he was the one who fell out of favor with His Majesty due to the neutrality declaration.

“……”

A brief silence fell between us.

The eyes of the three, who belatedly realized that suppressing with titles was disadvantageous, were spinning rapidly.

They caught on so quickly, you fools.

“Where is your sister? I heard she attended together, I’d like to say hello…”

As I leisurely waited for the story the three of them would bring up, the topic that flowed from the count’s lips was Hayes, who was probably cuddling with her boyfriend somewhere in the banquet hall.

On the surface, it was simply asking after her, but it seemed like they were trying to subtly scratch me by using my family.

The words ‘Why are you playing separately from your family?’ are magical words that are simple yet perfect for making it look like there’s discord.

“Well, she’s such a free spirit, she’s probably having fun somewhere.”

So, I deliberately answered ambiguously.

I need to give them an opening and make it look like I’m suffering a bit, so they’ll feel sorry for me.

“It’s an age when they’re more interested in those around them than family.”

“That’s right, it’s a natural flow, but she’s been an adorable child since she was little, and I feel lonely these days because it seems like we’ve grown apart.”

She’s never been adorable.

Even this winter, she called me ‘hey’ instead of ‘oppa’, how is that adorable?

I barely managed to get the title of ‘older brother’ by helping her catch a husband.

“……”

Suddenly, I got angry when I thought about the things Hayes had been acting up.

“There won’t be much time left now, so treat her well for the remaining period, if siblings fight, only the parents suffer.”

“Haha…”

Because my expression hardened due to the sudden surge of anger, Baron Bolton subtly framed it as if the relationship between siblings wasn’t good.

I even brought her a husband, what more do you want me to do, take care of her child rearing too?

Are you kidding me? Seriously.

Suddenly, anger towards Hayes surged up.

I guess younger sisters are the best at provoking their older brothers?

“How is your business going these days?”

As I was trembling while thinking about Hayes, the three people who had gained momentum continued their attack with a new topic.

The story of the atelier came out faster than I thought.

This was actually welcome because there was nothing to be shaken up about.

“It’s going well.”

“Still, there must be some difficulties when working, right?”

Difficulties…

There aren’t many.

No, there’s one.

These days, because I’ve been using a lot of mannequins in advertisements to provoke Count March, Katerina has been glaring at me more often.

I think I know the reason well, but I was ignoring it because I couldn’t treat my employees like gravure models, but I thought I should have a consultation soon.

Ugh… Why are my employees glaring at the boss so fiercely?

This is all my fault for hiring based on individuality.

“Well… where is there work without difficulties? You suffer and work through it while racking your brains.”

“Haha~ It’s good to see you so confident.”

As I was making a tired expression while thinking about the fiercely glaring employees, Count March’s expression brightened.

Ah, does he think I’m having a headache because of his interference?

That’s just annoying, it’s nothing big…

“Still, it’s good to do everything in moderation, wouldn’t you get hurt if you overdo it?”

“Thank you for the advice.”

As I continued to pretend to be depressed and slightly lowered my eyes, flowers bloomed on his face.

I wonder how he’d feel if he knew that all the tricks he tried were reported to His Majesty the Emperor.

“Speaking of which, where is your partner?”

The question I had been wondering when it would come out finally popped out.

Since the most fatal attack at such a banquet is related to the partner, I deliberately divided my route with Lady Elizabeth and hid her existence to elicit this reaction.

Because they gained momentum, they immediately bit at it like dogs eager to bite.

“She’s excused herself for a moment.”

I hesitated slightly in my answer as if it were a difficult question, then stiffened my expression and answered dryly.

Then, the eyes of the three of them sparkled, and the corners of their mouths twitched like puppies eager to bite.

“How long has it been since she arrived that she’s already excused herself?”

“It seems that she’s a timid person, so she’s not used to this kind of event.”

“She wasn’t visible from the beginning, you need to say something that makes sense.”

“Hehehe~ Could it be that you don’t actually have a partner?”

“Well…”

“Or is your maid next to you your partner?”

“Haha, grandfather, no matter how you look at it, how could someone have a maid as their partner?”

“That’s right, isn’t it? There’s no reason to have a maid as a partner, there’s no way there wouldn’t be someone to have as a partner.”

“Would a meritorious family do such a degrading act?”

I was a little pricked because I had actually considered making Emily my partner.

It would have been a big deal if Emily was really my partner.

“Well… isn’t it all my fault for being incompetent.”

I just cleanly wrapped it up by saying that I was incompetent.

I didn’t need to talk on and on because I could refute it in a few minutes.

I wonder if you can still say that in a little while…

“However, no matter what, bringing a woman like a prostitute as a partner is too obscene to tolerate.”

“What…?”

For a moment, I wondered if I had misheard, so I stared blankly at Viscount Torrington and frowned.

“Did I say anything wrong?”

“You son of a…”

What did this guy just say?