When eating rice

The sun was setting slowly.

I gazed at the darkening weather, lost in thought.

‘Surprisingly, he didn’t say much?’

I had given the child of the Laurentz family a good scolding.

This was a major incident that couldn’t be overlooked. I thought I would have to kneel and apologize, even if it was forced.

But to my surprise, nothing happened. There was no scolding or punishment, just forgiveness for my sins.

Why?

I felt a sense of relief at the somewhat anticlimactic ending, but also a sense of unease.

Setting that aside for now.

“Ha. But what should I do?”

The reason I had decided to return home was to receive ‘hush money’.

But within just 6 hours of returning to the family, I caused a major incident. The already awkward relationship between us wealthy relatives had reached an irreversible point.

It’s unconscionable to ask for money in this situation.

But there’s still plenty of time, so there’s no need to rush.

Once the awkwardness in the relationship subsides, I’ll empty my pockets.

“Lord Evan.”

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even realize someone had come to find me.

When I turned my head towards the voice, a blonde woman in a maid’s outfit was standing there.

As our eyes met, she bowed and greeted me.

“From today onwards, I am Charlotte, who will be serving Lord Evan.”

With large pupils and a straight nose, her shiny golden hair resembled silk.

Overall, she was a beautiful woman. If not for her maid’s attire, one might mistake her for a noblewoman from another family.

If she wandered around the estate in a frilly dress, she would truly be treated like a noblewoman.

The saying that a face is everything in fashion is not without reason.

“I will do my best to make you comfortable during your stay. And if you need anything, just call for me.”

Her movements were quite skilled, as if she had been a maid for a long time.

Does this mean she recognizes me as a member of the family by attaching such a useful person to me as my personal maid?

A little thought confirms it.

If the family didn’t like me, they wouldn’t have assigned a new servant to me or shown any interest.

‘Indeed, he’s an unpredictable nobleman.’

Well, it doesn’t matter. If there’s someone to help me, I’m comfortable and happy.

“Your name is Charlotte, right?”

“Yes. Please call me Charlotte.”

“Okay. Did my father say anything else?”

“He said to have dinner together. The Laurentz family members will also be joining us.”

Dinner is just a formality, there may be other intentions.

‘Or not? Am I just being paranoid?’

Since I’m quite hungry, I might as well join the dinner.

If there’s any ulterior motive, they would have said it outright. There’s no need to be cautious.

“Your presence is not required, but my father specifically requested your attendance.”

“Then I can’t skip it. Understood.”

After Charlotte bowed her head again and left, she returned after 3 minutes. She asked me to follow her as the dining table was set.

In the restaurant where I arrived with Charlotte’s guidance, there were exquisite dishes laid out. Mary, who had been humming a tune, was also there.

‘But does she have something on her mind?’

Mary didn’t look happy.

Her eyes seemed infinitely sharp, as if she had just been hit by a bird dropping.

“Oh! Oppa!”

Mary’s face turned red as if she were lying when she spotted me.

I walked over to her and asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Huh? No?”

“…But why did your expression just now look like that? I thought you were angry.”

“My expression?”

She tilted her head and said, “I was just sitting quietly, not thinking about anything, just sitting quietly.”

“….”

“I wasn’t even angry.”

So that’s her usual expression. That fierce face must be inherited from her mother.

It’s a universal truth that children inherit only the bad things from their parents. I should teach her how to smile later.

“Oppa, sit here. I saved this seat for you.”

“Next to you?”

“Yeah!”

She vigorously nodded her head.

The strength of her nodding head up and down was quite powerful. She might lose her voice doing that.

Following Mary’s request, I sat next to her.

Even though it was just a little, Mary’s giggling face was cute.

Every time I look at her, she reminds me of my cousin. I should pinch those chubby cheeks one day.

“I also made some food!”

She pointed to the food with her delicate hands.

Most of it was meat or dessert.

“That one and that one! And that one too. The one in the corner, I made that too. So, Oppa should eat first! Got it?”

“…I can’t just do as I please. My father is here too.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle Dad!”

To say such bold words, she seems like she’ll go far no matter what.

It was then that Elaine’s family, Zait Elaine and his wife Olivia, appeared.

“It runs in the family.”

Olivia’s face was just as fierce as Mary’s.

Anyone would think they came back from a divorce.

Of course, despite their expressions, their actions and words were very kind.

Especially towards her husband.

“Please, have a seat first.”

“Thank you.”

Olivia pulled out a chair for her husband. Zait naturally sat down on the chair.

Following them, the members of the Laurents family also arrived.

“Sorry for being late.”

With their arrival, the dinner began.

#

Everyone sat down and greeted each other.

The only one who didn’t say a word was Damian.

He couldn’t act as he pleased because he was scared of Evan sitting across from him.

‘Violence truly is the best means of conversation.’

The fierce attitude was gone, and Damian was already showing signs of surrender. Evan once again felt the greatness of violence.

And there was one more thing to note.

“Phew!”

“…E-Excuse me!”

Damian had the appearance of a pretty boy, but he talks too much.

In another sense, he talks too much.

‘Heh. What can we do about that? Implants aren’t allowed in this era.’

Evan chuckled softly as he looked at the missing front teeth of the disappeared guy.

Even that handsome face is useless without front teeth.

“They say even monsters don’t dare to approach that place. This is just my speculation, but could it be the curse of a dark wizard?”

“I agree with Zait’s opinion.”

While Evan mocked Damian, the adults of the family were engaged in heated discussions.

Evan listened in on their conversation and brushed off his small anxiety.

‘Was I worried for nothing?’

Honestly, he thought the people of this family might seek revenge.

He felt that way when he made eye contact with Paulo Laurents just now.

He didn’t openly show resentment, but it wasn’t pleasant either. He probably endured his anger desperately.

‘But now they’re not even looking at me.’

Dealing with noble kids is difficult. They definitely have some hidden agenda.

Evan chuckled to himself and moved his utensils.

He picked up a fork and took a bite of the salad.

Crunch.

Maybe it’s because I was hungry all day, but the ingredients themselves are high-quality, so it tastes good.

The freshness of the salad alone is delightful, with its crisp texture that is oddly satisfying.

Evan moved his utensils while swallowing the rice cake.

In the midst of it, Evan stopped his hand movements upon feeling the gaze.

“Evan.”

The voice belonged to Paulo Lorentz.

Evan, already aware of the gaze, could smoothly respond.

“Yes, did you call me?”

“It’s nothing. I’ve been bothered by you for a while.”

At the unexpected remark, Zait narrowed his brows.

“If you mix the dressing too vigorously, doesn’t it look messy? You should eat the salad from the top. Dip the rest lightly in the dressing and eat it.”

“Oh, is that so? I didn’t know that.”

“Well, you wouldn’t know. You’ve been hanging out with those villagers for the past five years. Your habits must be ingrained in you.”

Paulo Lorentz smiled warmly.

Rebecca, who was drinking wine next to him, also let out a faint chuckle.

“Still, you can work on it gradually. Evan, as a noble, you should behave accordingly. Haha.”

“…Ahem.”

Zait, who had been silently observing the situation, gave a hint.

However, Paulo continued to speak with a relaxed smile.

“Zait, you will have a hard time ahead. But once again, congratulations on Evan’s return.”

“Thank you.”

“But I don’t see Asha. Since the banquet is prepared, shouldn’t she join us?”

“Asha is in training. There’s no need to worry as she often skips meals.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Paulo’s last words carried a hint of amusement.

Therefore, Zait could easily understand what he was thinking.

“It’s really inspiring to see your efforts. Sometimes I wish our daughter would learn from you. She lazes around every day, hoping for miracles.”

“….”

“Evan, you’re the same, right? If only he worked as hard as Asha. Isn’t that right, Zait?”

Zait was not foolish enough to miss the hidden thorn in those words.

Unable to argue, he simply responded with a hint of anger.

“I see….”

“Haha. I apologize for being honest. You should consider our perspective of winning every time.”

“…What did you say?”

“Um. I hope you achieve meaningful results in this friendly competition.”

Was he implying that their efforts so far had been in vain?

Zait, who had tried to remain calm, could no longer hold back.

“Listen here, Paulo―!”

“I can’t eat this. It’s disgusting.”

At that moment, a somewhat irritable voice interrupted him.

All eyes in the room turned towards Evan. Despite the overwhelming gaze, Evan continued speaking.

“When eating, even dogs are left alone, but you, you’re not even worth a dog.”

“What did you say?”

A heavy silence fell over the room after those words.

After a short while, the one to break the silence was none other than Paulo Lorentz. He asked Evan in an angry voice.

“What… did you just say?”

“What?”

“…Repeat what you just said.”

Evan blinked innocently before finally speaking.

“I said, ‘you’re not even worth a dog.'”

Despite the gentle tone of his words, it only seemed to amplify the anger rather than provide comfort.

Just as Paulo was about to explode, Evan added.

“Charlotte, where are you going? Why do you keep fidgeting and hitting?”

…?

“Tsk. They say not to touch a dog when it’s eating, but they keep bothering from behind. Can’t they back off a bit?”

Charlotte, who was suddenly called, opened her eyes wide.

Realizing Evan’s displeasure, she quickly took action.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”

“And look at this.”

Evan pointed to a salad plate.

There were sauce splatters all over the plate, as if there had been a mistake in serving.

“The plating is a mess. It’s so dirty, I can’t eat this.”

“I apologize. I’ll bring a new one.”

“Oh, one more thing. Please make sure the dessert fruit is ripe. I can’t eat anything hard because my front teeth are sensitive.”

“Understood.”

The onlookers, who were watching the scene with bated breath.

They soon turned their heads to look at one side.

“What is this person doing now?”

Paulo glared at Evan with a look that seemed like he could grab a knife and charge at any moment.

In response, Evan casually raised the corners of his mouth.

“What do you mean?”