-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: My Name is Sei-an
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“There’s me, Father, you, and one younger sister and one younger brother.”
“……!”
But at that moment, a voice spoke up, answering Sei-an’s question in her stead.
Pike quickly turned her gaze to where the sound came from, then swiftly bowed her head.
“Young Master Lucian!”
Lucian, the eldest son of the Count Shurayton’s Family and Sei-an’s older brother, was leaning against the entrance door, gazing at Sei-an, having entered at some unknown point.
Unlike Sei-an, Lucian didn't have a bad reputation, but his perpetually cold demeanor made him a figure of fear among people in a different sense than his younger brother.
“I have younger siblings too?”
“Yes.”
However, Sei-an’s expression remained indifferent, as if he had already known of Lucian’s arrival.
No, rather, Sei-an felt curious about his words and posed a question.
He had seen Lucian and his father before, so he knew about them, but hearing that he had two younger siblings was new information.
‘So, no mother, it seems.’
From Lucian’s words, Sei-an could also infer that he had no mother.
“There is a mother.”
“What?”
As if reading Sei-an’s thoughts, Lucian’s words continued.
“Although your and my birth mother passed away a long time ago.”
“…….”
And with his continued explanation, Sei-an had to slightly revise the thought he had just had.
It meant that while the mother who bore Lucian and Sei-an had passed away, the mother of his two younger siblings was currently present in the Count Shurayton’s Family.
‘So, he remarried, it seems.’
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Sei-an gave a brief reply to Lucian’s question, then looked at Pike, who was cornered, unable to move and awaiting his command.
“You may leave now.”
“Yes? Oh, yes!”
At that, Pike let out a long sigh of relief and headed outside as soon as Sei-an finished speaking.
Sei-an offered a faint smile at Pike’s retreating figure. He saw Jushia in the young Pike.
She was very much like Jushia, who was always clumsy and prone to falling. Their ages were similar too.
“…….”
Then, Sei-an’s expression subtly hardened again. A bitter feeling washed over him, realizing he was truly keeping his promise.
“You smile too, huh.”
“What?”
Lucian quietly muttered to himself, observing Sei-an.
“…Never mind.”
Would this fellow ever know? That this was the first time he had ever shown a smile in front of him, even a faint one.
‘Losing his memory isn’t so bad after all.’
Recalling Sei-an, who had always looked at him with eyes full of hostility and refused to be in his presence for even a moment, Lucian also offered a bitter smile.
“But what brings you here?”
“…Guests will be arriving.”
“Guests?”
“Yes.”
Lucian, who had been lost in his own thoughts for a moment, finally spoke of his reason for visiting at Sei-an’s question.
“It’s a social gathering. Several nobles and their children will be coming.”
“…….”
“Father wants you to at least make an appearance and greet them, but if you don’t wish to, I’ll explain it to him.”
As Sei-an listened to Lucian’s words, he understood why people had been bustling about, cleaning the Count’s Family earlier. It seemed they were preparing to receive guests.
“Alright. I’ll go out.”
“…Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“……?”
Sei-an nodded, thinking there was nothing difficult about simply greeting people, but then he tilted his head, seeing Lucian’s expression slightly stiffen at his decision.
“You don’t have to push yourself.”
“Is it something that would be a strain?”
“…….”
Lucian remained silent for a moment at Sei-an’s question. Then, after a brief sigh, he continued.
“You never liked such gatherings.”
“Hmm, I’ll go out this time and decide whether or not to attend such events in the future.”
“…Alright.”
There seemed to be a reason, but Sei-an didn’t ask any further questions.
‘I’ll find out when I go out.’
…That’s what he simply thought.
“Then, I’ll see you later.”
“Yes.”
Lucian offered a gentle smile, lightly patted Sei-an’s shoulder, and then departed.
“…….”
After Lucian left, Sei-an, left alone, had a very complex expression.
“It’s a strange feeling…”
He had felt it before, but the feeling of meeting Lucian’s eyes, filled with genuine concern, was truly peculiar. It was awkward, yet not an unpleasant sensation.
“…….”
However, the unfamiliar emotion itself brought a sense of rejection, and Sei-an quickly erased that feeling.
***
“Welcome.”
“Haha! It’s been a long time, Count Shurayton.”
“Indeed. I was quite worried when you didn’t attend the last gathering. Haha!”
For what was called a small social gathering, there were surprisingly many people gathering at the Count’s Family.
Even Count Shurayton hadn’t anticipated this.
Nobles who were acquainted took turns hosting the gathering every two months, and it wasn't a gathering that many attended, with some missing due to other engagements.
Of course, sometimes new people would join the gathering, but today it was more extreme than usual.
“But it seems more people are coming than expected.”
“…Haven’t you heard?”
“What?”
“Oh dear! It seems word didn’t reach you.”
“What do you mean?”
Count Shurayton, who had subtly spoken to Count Ashulo, with whom he had a close acquaintance, saw him look back with a puzzled expression.
“Everyone gathered like this because they heard a rumor that a new person would be attending here today.”
“Who are you speaking of?”
“The former Duke Parhin.”
“…What?”
“There was a rumor that he showed interest in this gathering.”
“……!”
The former Duke Parhin was someone the current Emperor Chezaros regarded as a father figure and followed. He also had a deep friendship with the late Emperor.
Although he had stepped back 10 years ago, handing everything over to his son, the current Duke Parhin, he still wielded immense power to the extent that merely a rumor of his appearance could draw so many nobles like clouds.
“Why would he suddenly come to this gathering…”
“That, I do not know either.”
The former Duke Parhin’s sudden outing, after having rarely left his home and not involving himself in politics for a long time, was enough to attract people’s attention.
They didn’t know why he would attend such a small social gathering, not even a party held by the Imperial Family, but everyone presumed there must be a reason for his movements.
“Everyone, please come inside for now.”
Regardless, they couldn't just turn away guests simply because more arrived than expected. Count Shurayton, with a smile, ushered everyone inside.
Initially, preparations were made to receive guests in a small hall, but eventually, they had no choice but to use the grand hall.
Fortunately, a quick-witted butler, seeing the influx of guests, quickly took action, and there were no significant shortcomings in guest reception.
“Hahaha! I never knew you had such a beautiful daughter, Count Buresha.”
“The same goes for me. I had no idea you had such a lovely daughter.”
What stood out most at this gathering were the children who accompanied the nobles.
So many young ladies of noble families attended this gathering that it seemed almost all of them had gathered.
“The rumor is that they are attending to find a consort for His Royal Highness, the Prince.”
“Ah, so that’s why…”
Count Shurayton, who had been wondering at the sight of the people, finally understood the reason when Count Ashulo approached him and subtly explained it.
The current Prince was 20 years old, and it was time to select a consort for him.
Nobles, thinking that Duke Parhin’s expressed interest in attending this gathering was for the purpose of choosing a Prince’s consort, brought their daughters to the event.
This was because the Emperor had always jokingly, yet half-seriously, said he would entrust the selection of the Prince’s consort to the former Duke Parhin.
Of course, many nobles also brought not only their daughters but also their sons, who would lead their families in the future.
There was absolutely no downside to their sons catching Parhin’s eye.
No, rather, since a single word from him, who was deeply acquainted with the Emperor, could change the fate of their families, the nobles’ eyes were filled with determination to make their children stand out to him even once more.
Amidst this, everyone kept their eyes fixed on the hall entrance, wondering when he would arrive.
“Ah!”
“Oh my…”
But after a moment, the murmuring, somewhat chaotic atmosphere gave way to exclamations of admiration from one person after another, and the hall gradually grew quiet.
And all of them were looking towards the hall entrance. Someone was stepping into the hall.
Step… step…
The one slowly walking forward, receiving the gazes of the people, was Lucian, the eldest son of Count Shurayton.
Lucian, with his tall stature and impeccable appearance, approached Count Shurayton, receiving the ardent gazes of the noble young ladies and the envious stares of the men gathered in the hall.
“I’m late.”
“Indeed.”
Count Shurayton welcomed his son with a faint smile, seemingly proud of him.
“Hoho, you’ve become even more splendid since I last saw you.”
“It’s been a long time, Count Ashulo.”
“Haha! Yes.”
Count Ashulo also welcomed Lucian with a bright smile and spoke to Count Shurayton with a hint of envy.
“My stomach would be full even without eating, if I had a son like this.”
“Haha! You flatter me.”
Lucian was already well-known among the nobility as someone with outstanding talents in both academics and swordsmanship.
What parent wouldn't be proud of such a son? At Count Ashulo’s words, Count Shurayton looked at Lucian with an even deeper smile.
“Have you been well, Count Shurayton?”
At that moment, someone approached the convivial group of Count Shurayton, his son, and Count Ashulo, and spoke.
“…Thanks to you. Viscount Chiikan, you seem to be doing well too.”
“Yes, indeed.”
At the appearance of the one called Viscount Chiikan, Count Shurayton’s and Count Ashulo’s expressions subtly contorted.
But that was only for a moment; soon, everyone began conversing with smiles.
About 10 years ago, he was a merchant who bought a noble title with immense wealth, gaining the name Viscount Chiikan. After that, he was famous as a person who expanded his influence using money as a powerful weapon.
Furthermore, it wasn't just one or two families whose businesses had been ruined after falling out of his favor, so he was known as someone with a bad reputation for clearly demonstrating the power of money.
However, no one directly cursed him to his face.
“This is my son, Furis.”
Next to Viscount Chiikan stood a man who appeared to be around 19 years old. He was his son, Furis.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is Furis.”
“Yes, it’s good to meet you.”
“By the way, I heard your second son has returned to the Count’s Family, but I don’t see him.”
Was it out of jealousy for Lucian, who had captured everyone’s attention? Viscount Chiikan immediately brought up the topic of Sei-an, known as the troublemaker of the Count Shurayton’s Family, with a sneer.
“…….”
As Viscount Chiikan intended, the smile quickly vanished from Count Shurayton’s face. He saw the sneer on Viscount Chiikan’s face.
It seemed he was speaking, knowing about the recent accident Sei-an had experienced.
“Where is Sei-an?”
Count Shurayton turned his head, his expression hardened, and looked at Lucian, asking about Sei-an.
“He said he would attend, so he’ll be here.”
Lucian, who had been gazing at Viscount Chiikan with cold eyes, simply replied to Count Shurayton’s question and looked towards the hall entrance.
‘…He’s quite late.’
He was worried about Sei-an, who was much later than expected.
