“Older brother, what are you talking about? No way,” Jared exclaimed.
Jared was confused. If the man who called himself Ricardo Hagedorff was telling the truth, then he was the very person Jared had come to rescue. According to Clawence’s information, Ricardo, along with Duke Cassandra Hagedorff’s siblings, should have been put to sleep by magic.
“…You seem quite well.”
“Hm? Oh, thank you. I can’t go outside, but I can get some exercise within the mansion. They also take care of my meals, so I’m grateful to Cassandra.”
“Grateful? Uh, forgive my rudeness, but aren’t you being held captive by Duke Cassandra Hagedorff?”
To the young man’s question, Ricardo finally nodded as if he had understood.
“Did you perhaps come to rescue me?”
“Yes.”
“May I know your name?”
“My apologies. I am Jared Murphy, from the Daum Barony.”
Jared usually didn’t introduce himself by his barony. His surname, Murphy, was from his mother’s side, and nobles sometimes didn’t recognize it. He decided that the family name of the old barony would be easier to understand than his mother, a former court mage.
“Hoh, the Daum Barony? Hmm, but I don’t recall much of a connection between the Daum Barony and the Hagedorff Ducal Family… Or rather, perhaps you came to rescue me precisely *because* there’s no connection?”
“Uh, Ricardo… sir?”
“Ah, forgive me. I was just curious why you’ve come to help someone you don’t know. Would you mind telling me if you’re willing to?”
“If you don’t mind, would you allow me to explain?”
Before Jared could even respond to Ricardo, a male voice echoed from behind them.
“Dennis!”
“Jared, my apologies for the delay. Still, I’m surprised to see Lord Ricardo looking so well.”
“…You’re Dennis Beckman, aren’t you? I hadn’t heard your name from my sister recently, so I was wondering how you were doing. Did you get married?”
“Unfortunately, my engagement with Lady Cassandra was called off.”
“Hmm, that’s a shame. I recall her being quite fond of you. Relationships between men and women are difficult. Though, I suppose I’m in no position to speak, being unmarried myself at this age.”
Ricardo, who gave a wry smile, and the First Seat of the Court Mage seemed to know each other. However, Dennis’s stiff expression suggested their relationship wasn’t very friendly.
“Excuse me, but if you don’t mind, may I ask about your relationship?”
“Jared, was it? It’s simple. All the subordinates who tried to usurp the family headship by eliminating Cassandra were defeated by him. I did try to recruit him to my side back then, but he refused me.”
Ricardo laughed heartily, but his expression turned bitter as he recalled the past, while Dennis looked pained. Jared almost admired Ricardo’s ability to maintain such a friendly demeanor towards someone with such a complicated history.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. —Ah! Lord Ricardo!”
As if to save Jared, who was struggling with how to proceed, Clawence Dollt joined them, exclaiming in surprise.
“Oh, you’re here too, Clawence. So, you were the one trying to rescue me.”
“Y-yes. That’s right, but my Lord Ricardo… you seem surprisingly well.”
“Hahaha, Jared here just said the same thing. It’s understandable. I’m supposed to be imprisoned by my sister.”
“What do you mean, ‘supposed to be’?”
The Duke’s brother answered the bewildered old maid with a smile.
“It’s simple. I’m being protected by Cassandra.”
“Protected? From whom?”
“Good question, Jared. Oh, Clawence seems to have figured it out.”
The young men turned their gaze to the old woman. Just as Ricardo had said, she’s widened her eyes, as if sensing something.
“Don’t tell me, the ladies of the house are trying to take Lord Ricardo’s life?”
“Correct! They declared they didn’t need a son who would have his position as head of the Ducal Family usurped by a daughter born to a woman of low status. Such is the way of nobility. Because of them, my life has been in danger ever since.”
“No… How could… Then, Lady Cassandra truly was…”
“She protected me, who never did anything a proper older brother should do since I was a child. Not only that, but to hide that fact, she deliberately let people misunderstand and believe she had imprisoned me for revenge.”
Not only Clawence, but Jared and Dennis were dumbfounded. They had never imagined such a truth.
“I owe her so much gratitude. Even while being misunderstood by Clawence, whom I trust implicitly, she bears this infamy for my sake. But there’s nothing I can do to repay such a sister. That’s what pains me most.”
Ricardo smiled at the three stunned individuals.
“First, before I tell you the details, let’s move somewhere else. It seems the story will be long, so I’d prefer to talk while seated.”
Saying so, he pointed to a room adjacent to the destroyed one.
“I’d also like to know why you all came to rescue me. What’s happening with my sister?”
