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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Dietrich von Claudius
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Suddenly, an afterimage flashed before his eyes.
Beneath the shade of blooming roses, a lady sat with her back perfectly straight.
Her long, black hair cascaded down her back.
Her posture was elegant, never faltering, a testament to her thorough education.
That image of her back was particularly seared into his vision.
‘The lady from the Viscounty of Ansi, she said. Her name… was it Lalitt?’
Come to think of it, he seemed to be hearing that name quite often lately.
His blue gaze deepened.
* * *
The next day.
Dietrich heard the name ‘Lalitt Ansi’ once again at the breakfast table.
“Brother, did you get a chance to look at the documents?”
Evanjeline, barely touching her food, peppered him with questions.
“What do you think? They were really well-prepared, right? Hmm?”
Dietrich, who had been handling his silverware with elegance, readily nodded.
“Yes, they were quite good.”
“See!”
“Which brings me to my next point.”
In that moment.
Dietrich narrowed his eyes and stared intently at his younger sister.
“Those documents… did you really prepare them yourself?”
“…”
Evanjeline flinched, her shoulders tensing.
Dietrich pressed his sister again.
“Hmm?”
“Well, I mean!”
Evanjeline, who had raised her voice, cautiously watched his expression.
“Lady Ansi helped a little, just a tiny bit.”
“A little? You call this a little?”
“S-Still, I did a lot of work on them too! The lady even said I have a talent for it!”
“Yes, I’m sure she did.”
Dietrich let out a soft chuckle at his incensed sister.
Her sulking was brief.
Evanjeline slyly posed a question.
“Anyway, you like the documents themselves, right?”
“Yes. They were excellent.”
“Oh…”
For a moment, Evanjeline stared at her brother as if truly surprised.
Then, snapping back to her senses,
“O-Of course! Look who did it!”
Her face turned bright red as she raised her voice.
Dietrich’s eyes narrowed.
“Eva, must you shout so uncivilly?”
“Th-This is all your fault, Brother!”
Evanjeline cupped her cheeks with both hands, fussing needlessly.
“It’s because you’re always so demanding…!”
“My, my. You cause a scene even when I compliment you.”
Dietrich clicked his tongue briefly.
At that, Evanjeline lowered her head and mumbled.
“…It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you approve of something so readily.”
The tips of his sister’s ears were so red, they looked as if they might stain a hand that touched them.
‘If I tease her any more, she’ll explode.’
With that assessment, Dietrich subtly changed the subject.
“Still, it seems Lady Ansi was quite a help.”
“Ah, yes!”
Lifting her head in a flash, Evanjeline nodded enthusiastically.
“Isn’t she amazing? I’ve never met anyone as smart as Lady Ansi!”
“Indeed, to think she could turn your nonsensical documents into something this presentable.”
“Hey, are you serious?!”
After glaring at her brother, Evanjeline rested her chin on her hand and continued.
“You know, Lady Ansi holds the title of Viscountess of Ansi. Are all heirs to a house that good with paperwork?”
I doubt it.
Dietrich answered inwardly.
He had worked with countless administrators over the years, but the document Lalitt had sent was exceptional among them.
Just then, Evanjeline smiled brightly.
“In any case, I’m glad you liked the documents, Brother.”
“…”
For a moment, Dietrich felt a complex mix of emotions.
Until now, he had cared for Evanjeline without letting her get so much as a drop of ink on her fingertips.
In his own way, he thought he was cherishing his only sister.
But.
‘She looks so much more vibrant now.’
Could it be his imagination, or did she seem happier now, having experienced practical work, than she did before, when she was raised as delicately as a greenhouse flower?
And the person who had brought such a radiant expression to Evanjeline’s face…
‘Lalitt Ansi.’
She was a lady from the Viscounty of Ansi whose face he had yet to even see.
“Well then, Brother, I’ll be taking my leave.”
Evanjeline, having just finished her meal, rose from her seat.
“I didn’t get to finish the budget proposal yesterday. Will you review it for me later?”
After this earnest request, Evanjeline scurried away.
Her steps were remarkably light.
Watching his sister’s retreating back, Dietrich beckoned with his finger.
“You, come here a moment.”
His secretary, who had been waiting behind him, approached.
“June second. What’s on my schedule?”
“June second, sir…”
That was the day the duchy’s salon was to be held.
Dietrich smiled faintly.
“Good. I think I’ll attend the salon.”
* * *
And so, on June second.
The salon was held at the Duchy of Claudius as scheduled.
The event took place in an annex attached to the townhouse, and the guest list I had checked beforehand was nothing short of dazzling.
It seemed as if every influential figure in the empire had been invited…
‘Am I even supposed to be in a place like this?’
I swallowed nervously.
Famous socialites, whom one would rarely get a chance to meet, were a dime a dozen at the Claudius salon.
‘Over there is the Marchioness of Baldwin. And over there…’
Having assisted Serapina, I had memorized nearly all the famous figures of the empire.
To think I would see them all in person.
I was beginning to understand why Serapina had been so desperate to attend this salon.
‘It’s the perfect place to make an impression.’
Moreover, the host of this salon was a lady whose status instantly overshadowed all these renowned figures…
“Lady Ansi!”
Someone came scurrying up from behind and threw her arms around me.
Speak of the devil.
It was the Duchess.
“You’re here! I was waiting for you!”
The Duchess looked at me, her eyes sparkling.
Then, with a look of realization, she sheepishly let go of my arm.
“I-I’m not usually this undignified, you know. You know that, right?”
“Of course, I know.”
I smiled brightly.
Today, the Duchess was dressed in a gown as white as snow, with a matching hair corsage adorning her hair.
She looked just like…
‘A Persian cat.’
Acting aloof and untouchable, putting on airs.
But still, a lovely white cat that hovers around its owner all the same.
At the same time, the Duchess glanced at me sideways.
“So, what do you think of the salon?”
“It’s truly wonderful.”
I was genuinely impressed.
The artworks displayed in the salon were all exquisitely beautiful.
Perhaps because they were artists selected by the Duchy of Claudius, they all seemed exceptionally talented.
A satisfied smile graced the Duchess’s lips.
“Next time, I’ll show you the art collection our family owns. If you’d like.”
“I’d love to see it!”
My eyes shone with anticipation.
The Duchy of Claudius was renowned throughout the empire for its vast art collection.
Both the number of pieces and their quality were legendary.
Didn’t they say it was comparable even to the imperial family’s collection?
“Well, don’t get your hopes up too much. Most of the art is at the main ducal estate.”
The Duchess added with a prim air.
Just then.
“Eva.”
A pleasant, low voice called out to the Duchess.
Her eyes widened as she turned around.
“Brother?!”
Gasp.
I froze on the spot.
Dietrich von Claudius.
The one and only duke in the empire, and its sharpest sword.
…And one of the two male leads of this world.
Serapina, who had monopolized everyone’s affection yet never gave her heart to anyone.
The man who had stolen her heart in an instant…
Was standing right in front of me.
