“Jared Murphy. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emilia-sama.”
Emilia offered a shy smile, and Jared bowed his head respectfully. He hadn’t even known Olivier had sisters attending the same academy. Since Olivier had never mentioned Emilia, he inferred their relationship wasn’t very good. The Duke also seemed hesitant for Jared to meet her, so his guess was likely accurate.
“If you’d like, would you care to have some tea with my mother?” Emilia offered.
“Unfortunately, Jared is scheduled to meet with Conrad. You should focus on your studies if you have time for tea,” the Duke stated sternly.
“Oh, is that so? Then perhaps I should join you. It’s unfair for Conrad to have all the attention. Father, aren’t you favoring Conrad a bit too much since he has magical power? Does Jared-sama, a Court Mage Candidate, really need to meet with Conrad, whose talent is still uncertain?”
Jared noticed a slight change in the Duke’s expression at Emilia’s pointed words. He stepped closer to her.
“Thank you for the tea invitation. Unfortunately, I was the one who asked to meet Conrad. I became interested in him as a magician with magical power and troubled the Duke with my persistent requests.”
Jared decided to tell a white lie.
“Oh, was that the case?”
“Yes. While I am an immature magician myself, I thought I could grow by teaching someone. Honestly, there isn’t any magician I feel comfortable teaching my techniques to. That’s why I asked, thinking that perhaps the Duke’s son would be suitable.”
“It is true that it would be troublesome if your techniques were stolen. Considering that, I believe our Ducal Family would never do anything so disgraceful, and it’s a sound decision. However, Conrad can be a handful, and you’ll have your work cut out for you, similar to Olivier-anesama.”
Jared breathed a sigh of relief, seeing how easily Emilia had believed his lie. Honestly, the Duke had wanted to have his son meet Jared, but if that fact had been revealed, this girl would undoubtedly have said something troublesome and angered the Duke. While he didn’t want any more trouble, Jared acted partly to protect the Duke who trusted him.
“I have never had any trouble with Olivier-sama.”
“Oh, you’re quite good at lying. You’re not unaware of your sister’s reputation, are you? Of course, much of it is false, but her ill temper and sharp tongue are indeed true.”
“Stop it, Emilia!”
The Duke’s angry shout was directed at Emilia’s malicious words about Olivier. However, Emilia showed no signs of being bothered and simply giggled.
“But, Father, I’m not lying. Isn’t Jared-sama also unfortunate? To be burdened with someone ten years his senior who is past her prime, right?”
Jared, unable to respond, remained silent. Of course, he wasn’t bothered by the age difference, but even if he said so, it would only provide Emilia with more ammunition. He honestly wished she would shut up, but with the Duke present, he couldn’t possibly say that to his daughter.
“That’s right. Why don’t you break off your engagement with my sister?”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t have a fiancé. So, I would be delighted if someone like Jared-sama would become my fiancé. I wouldn’t make unreasonable demands like becoming a Court Mage, and I would support you. Age-wise, we’re the same, so don’t you think we’d be a good match? Considering Jared-sama’s circumstances, a younger woman like myself would surely be a better fit.”
“That’s enough—Enough, Emilia,” the Duke’s stern voice, no longer shouting but a low, quiet tone, cut through Emilia’s unrestrained speech. Sensing his genuine anger, Emilia finally fell silent. Jared was also slightly surprised; he hadn’t expected the usually gentle Duke to become this angry.
“I won’t say it a second time. Leave.”
“…Understood. Jared-sama, please let’s talk again another time. Excuse me.”
Emilia didn’t seem inclined to defy her father and left the room smoothly. However, her parting words about meeting again showed she hadn’t learned her lesson. Jared didn’t reply. Or rather, he had no desire to meet her again. While Olivier might have a bad temper and a sharp tongue on the surface, Jared knew the real her was kind-hearted. Therefore, Jared felt a surge of anger towards Emilia for speaking ill of Olivier, though not to the same extent as the Duke. However, he realized that interacting with her even a little would reveal her self-centered nature, so he remained silent, understanding that arguing would be pointless. But he wasn’t sure how long he could have endured it if the Duke hadn’t reprimanded her.
As Emilia left the room and her footsteps completely faded, the Duke let out a heavy sigh.
“I apologize for my daughter’s behavior. I’m sure it was unpleasant for you.”
“No, please don’t worry about it.”
“…It helps that you say so. Let’s postpone meeting Conrad for now. Unfortunately, if I meet my son now, there’s a high chance my daughter will show up again. Emilia is selfish and doesn’t learn her lesson easily. I’ve warned her sternly, but her mother is too indulgent—No, I apologize. I shouldn’t be complaining to you like this.”
The Duke placed a hand on his forehead and sighed again. Jared found himself at a loss for words. He believed any words of comfort from him, a minor who had not yet reached adulthood, would be disrespectful. Nevertheless, he clearly understood the trouble the Duke was having with his daughters.
“Please convey to your son that I wish to meet him. After that, it’s up to you to decide the date.”
“I’m grateful to you, Jared. You lied for my sake earlier as well. I apologize for putting you in such a position. Dealing with Olivier and her affairs is already difficult enough, and now my son too—I seem to have been taking advantage of your kindness. I’m reflecting on that.”
“As I told Emilia-sama earlier, I am genuinely interested in meeting your son. So, I would appreciate it if you would arrange it. Please, let me meet him.”
“Jared… Thank you for saying so. I am truly grateful. I find myself indebted not only to Baron Daum but to you as well.”
Seeing the Duke’s apologetic expression, Jared became curious about his relationship with his grandfather. Jared acutely realized how much he didn’t know. Until now, he had avoided involvement, assuming he would cease to be a noble anyway. But from now on, that wouldn’t be possible. He had Olivier and her sisters to protect, and the goal of becoming a Court Mage to strive for. From now on, he would inevitably have to interact with nobles, whether he liked it or not. He had no intention of acting like a noble now, but he knew he had to be careful not to embarrass those who had come to know him. For that very reason, he resolved to live up to the trust the Duke had placed in him.
