It was a sunny afternoon when Luzer Fischer came to visit Jared.
Peaceful days had continued, as if the Gallagher family’s rebellion had never even happened.
“So, in the end, Luzer, you’re not becoming a Court Mage?”
“Yeah. I considered it, but I don’t think it’s my kind of thing. I did think about becoming a Court Mage once, but my father said he wanted me to inherit the family business if he could do it himself.”
“I’m relieved to hear your relationship with your father seems to be going well.”
“You worried about me, Jared. And I received a lot of help from you. I’m grateful.”
Luzer owed Jared a great debt.
He was endlessly grateful, starting with how Jared had secretly hidden his mother, and for how he had defeated him without killing him when he was brainwashed.
Thanks to that, he was happy now.
“Speaking of which, I heard. You’re marrying Mia?”
“Ah… Come to think of it, Mia was on good terms with Olivier-sama. That’s right. I wasn’t planning to keep it a secret, though. Things were so hectic, I couldn’t find the right time to say it.”
Mia was the girl who had stayed by Luzer’s side even when he was being used as an assassin for Waalthe while brainwashed.
She had her own circumstances, but now she lived quietly at the Viscount Phillips Family. Luzer was delighted as a younger brother to see that they were getting along well, not only because Mia was liked by Luzer’s parents, but also because he knew Mia was fond of him.
“What about the wedding?”
“It’s not decided yet. Well, she’ll be officially registered as my main wife, but even though it’s a Viscount’s family, she’s still a Noble. It seems she has a lot to learn. Mia is happily studying, and my mother is also delighted, as if she gained a daughter, so it’s fine, but…”
“Is there some kind of problem?”
“No, well, you see, my relatives are being a nuisance.”
“Ah. Nobles are all the same, aren’t they?”
Jared understood Luzer’s feelings perfectly.
Even though he was the eldest son of a Baronial Family, Jared was not the heir. However, as soon as he became engaged to Olivier, he suddenly heard from estranged relatives. It was fortunate that his grandfather handled everything, but it was tiresome just to hear about it, having people he hadn’t seen for years suddenly wanting to get close to him, craving a connection with a Ducal Family.
Furthermore, as he was decided to become a Court Mage, relatives with greedy desires started suggesting that their daughters become consorts—it was incredibly annoying.
The thought that the same thing was happening to Luzer brought him sympathy.
“In the first place, I was supposed to be the child who didn’t exist. Yet, just because I’m the heir apparent, and my name came up for Court Mage, they’re all clamoring about marriage and everything else.”
Luzer was the child born between Viscount Phillips and his mother, Rosina, a maid serving the Viscount’s family.
Originally, Rosina was supposed to become a consort, but the main wife at the time strongly disliked welcoming the Commoner Rosina as a consort. Perhaps it was jealousy towards her, as the main wife had no children, while Rosina gave birth to a son.
In any case, after persistent harassment, their lives were even threatened, and the mother and son had no choice but to flee the Viscount’s family.
Luzer was kidnapped and sold to an Assassination Organization, where he met Jared.
Rosina, having lost her child, continued to live while searching for her son, even as illness consumed her body. Jared protected and sheltered her.
Later, after many twists and turns, Luzer was reunited with his mother and father, and they were able to become a family again.
According to rumors, the main wife at the time, after her divorce, remarried a Noble from somewhere, but ended up in debt and had to sell her Aristocratic Title. Luzer doesn’t know what happened to her afterward, nor is he interested.
Due to his background, Luzer had been treated as if he didn’t exist by his entire family. However, the moment his abilities as a Magician, and his rare talent and aptitude for the Lightning Element were recognized, the attitudes of those around him completely changed.
“Those guys are really annoying. What I can’t forgive is how they talk down to me. Like, ‘Let’s take this guy with Commoner blood as our son-in-law,’ or ‘We’ll give you our family’s daughter in marriage.’ Who asked for any of that?!”
“You’re quite irritated.”
“Worse, they tried to bribe Mia with money and drive her away… Before I knew it, I had burned down that fool’s Mansion.”
“…I can understand how you feel. Though it was a bit excessive.”
“Thanks to that, Mia won’t be subjected to any more trouble, but now they’re pushing for consorts. They just won’t give up. I’ve told them many times that they’re focusing their efforts on the wrong things though.”
Jared gave a wry smile at Luzer’s exasperated gesture.
It seemed like all those who were honest about their human desires were the same.
“For now, I’ll endure it as a rite of passage. By the way, Jared.”
“Yeah?”
“I refused to become a Court Mage, but the Royal Palace and the Mage Association seem to be keeping my position open until they find a replacement.”
“I’m sure they will. It’s unlikely they’ll find another Magician as skilled as you easily.”
“Who knows. Well, I don’t intend to become a Court Mage right now, but that might change someday. I’m grateful to have options. But, if you’re ever in trouble, I’ll come running. No matter what, no matter where, I promise.”
“…Luzer.”
“I owe you a debt, and I have obligations. But, more than that, I’m your Older Brother, you know.”
Jared’s heart warmed as his brother scratched his cheek sheepishly.
“I’m counting on you, big brother.”
