“I see you met with Rena, and judging by your expression, it seems you tussled with her again?”
Upon seeing Jared’s face, his grandfather chuckled wryly, as if he had already guessed what had happened. It wasn’t a recent development that Jared harbored ill feelings towards Rena, a fact his grandparents were well aware of. In fact, the only time Jared showed emotions befitting his age, for better or worse, was when he interacted with Rena, though he himself was oblivious to this fact.
“Rena sincerely apologizes. Once it was officially decided that Yeny would become your consort, she suddenly declared she would marry Rex,” his grandmother said, her face etched with a troubled expression. Rex had apparently been fond of Yeny for some time. Even though Yeny clearly disliked him, Rex would calmly insist that since he liked her, she should like him too, as if her feelings were of no consequence. The grandfather’s stern warnings had little effect, and Rex would repeat his behavior after some time, becoming one of his grandparents’ persistent worries.
“Are Rena and Rex really going to get married?”
“No, I won’t allow it,” his grandmother stated emphatically, and his grandfather nodded in agreement.
“If there were love between them, it might be a different story, but there is no affection between Rena and Rex.”
“Then why did she suddenly decide to get married?”
“Rex intended to lure Yeny by getting engaged to Rena. To think he hasn’t even realized he’s being ignored, I’m embarrassed for him, even though he’s my grandson.”
“As for Rena, well, considering Yeny’s situation, please try to understand.”
“It’s understandable she would be upset if Yeny, whom she dislikes, is decided to be my consort. But that doesn’t mean she needs to get engaged to Rex out of spite…”
While Jared looked bewildered, his grandparents wore troubled expressions. Jared was fine with the fact that his grandparents had no intention of letting Rena and Rex marry. After all, as minors, they couldn’t get married on their own. Even though they disliked each other, he wished they wouldn’t enter into a loveless marriage.
“Well, setting that aside for now—I came here today for another reason.”
“Indeed. She is also eager to meet you.”
“Rena was trying to find a reason for you to visit the mansion without any particular purpose, but we will handle her matters here, so please feel free to meet her.”
“Thank you very much, Grandfather, Grandmother.”
Jared bowed deeply towards his grandparents. Baron Daum felt a genuine joy at being relied upon by his grandson, but he also felt a pang of sadness at the formality of it all. While he appreciated Jared’s politeness, he wished his grandson would be a little more selfish, more befitting his age.
Before he disappeared for a time, Jared, though somewhat precocious, had been a child in the truest sense of the word. However, since their reunion, he had become more mature. No, it was more accurate to say he had forced himself to stop acting like a child. He had heard the general circumstances, but he knew they weren’t the whole story. All he could do now was wait for the day his grandson would eventually confide in him completely.
Recently, starting with his engagement to the Alway Ducal Family, then becoming a Court Mage Candidate, fighting Barnabas Kaif, and finally becoming a Court Mage, he hadn’t caused any trouble, but he had certainly caused them a great deal of worry. However, it was commendable that he had overcome all these challenges through his own strength. Perhaps because of this, his other grandchildren seemed incredibly childish in comparison. The matter with Rena was an act of a child throwing a tantrum because their selfishness wouldn’t be indulged, but Jared, at least, would never do such a thing.
“Wait a moment, Jared.”
“Yes. Grandfather.”
“Have you found any clues about the person you were searching for?”
“No, nothing… but I’m sure he’s doing well somewhere.”
“…You believe that, don’t you?”
“Of course. Because he’s my older brother figure.”
“Then let us look forward to the day you can meet again.”
“I would be delighted if you could meet him, Grandfather and Grandmother.”
With that, he left the room. Jared exited the baronial estate and, a short distance away from the mansion, knocked on the door of a small residence. A welcoming voice responded, and upon stating his name, the door unlocked. After confirming no one was watching him, he stepped inside.
“We have been waiting for you.”
Two maids bowed towards Jared. They had been working for the baronial family since Jared was a child, and he regarded them as elder sisters, whom he admired and trusted. That was precisely why they were here.
“Thank you as always. Has everything been normal?”
“Yes. Everything is normal, Young Master Jared.”
“…I have been living peacefully each day since my illness has been cured. Please rest assured, Young Master.”
“Hey, I told you to stop calling me that. It might have been acceptable in the past, but it still embarrasses me to be called that now.”
He had been called “Young Master” by them, who had started working when he was not even ten years old. They had doted on him like a younger brother, and Jared had admired them like elder sisters, so their relationship was good. However, they were adamant about not changing their way of addressing him.
“To us, you will always be Young Master.”
“…Even if you become a Court Mage, it won’t change.”
The two maids were the same age and unmarried. They were of an age where they might be called spinsters, being slightly older than Olivier, but they didn’t seem to be particularly concerned about marriage. While he wondered if they had found someone suitable, he also felt that if they did have someone, they would have to prove themselves to him. Led by the elder sisters he admired, he was guided through the mansion. He ascended the stairs and was led to a room with a terrace that offered a beautiful view.
“They are waiting for you inside.”
“…I’ll prepare some tea for you.”
“Thank you.”
As the sisters bowed and withdrew, Jared knocked on the door. A woman’s voice called from within, and he quietly stepped into the room.
“It has been a while. I apologize for not being able to visit more often. Have you been well?”
Inside the room, a woman of about forty, with a gentle smile, was waiting. Seated and smiling, she looked more youthful than her actual age. This was the person Jared was meant to meet. And this small mansion was prepared by his grandparents at Jared’s request to secretly protect this one woman. Therefore, Jared himself had personally requested the two trusted maids to assist.
“Jared-sama. Thank you for coming.”
Standing up from her chair, the woman who welcomed him was Rosina Fischer. She was Jared’s benefactor and the mother of his older brother figure, Luzer Fischer, who had taught him how to fight.
