‘Right, there’s no need for me to act all special on my own.’

This was a man chosen by my younger sister, and even the elders of our family all recognized him. Objectively, he’s a wonderful man.

The ill feelings I held towards Tesilid, starting from his comment about the familiar demon, should now be slowly cleared away. It would be ridiculous to continue searching for faults to despise him at this point.

As though sensing my internal conflict, the conversation at the table shifted to a new topic.

“By the way, son-in-law.”

“Yes?”

“So when are you planning to get married?”

“...Ah.”

Tesilid turned red at the tips of his ears and lowered his gaze, once again delighting both Leonard and Duke Hispenril.

‘He really likes our daughter!’

‘Heh, so fresh and innocent!’

It wasn’t entirely untrue. For someone thousands of years old, he was surprisingly youthful.

‘Marriage...’

The mere thought of that word invaded Tesilid’s mind, and instantly, countless visions of a blissful future began to overwhelm him, as if he might suffocate in his own daydreams.

He barely managed to pull himself back together.

‘But isn’t it supposed to start with a proposal?’

If he were to speak plainly about this, it would likely cause a commotion at the table.

“Wouldn’t it be better for Sir Prinz to propose first? I heard he’s had someone in mind for a long time.”

The topic change was a perfect success.

Prinz’s expression immediately softened. The woman he had in mind, Bianca Gillette, was someone whose mention alone could lift his spirits.

“Ahem, I plan to confess my feelings to her soon.”

His lake-blue eyes, reflecting the image of the beautiful woman with black hair, grew distant with longing.

Bianca Gillette had been his secret crush since childhood, long before he became a humble servant. Most of the household staff at the Gillette estate found her cold and difficult to understand, but to Prinz, she was different. He had encountered Bianca’s gentle and caring nature multiple times.

Back when he had just become a whipping boy, taking the beatings meant for Romdio, he would often hide in a corner of the estate, crying by himself.

Though he had agreed to do it, he was still young, and the beatings hurt. Sometimes, when Romdio provocatively angered their instructor, the punishments were accompanied by emotional venting.

The flower bed along the library’s outer wall had been a place where he could escape, not wanting to worry his father or younger sister. He had believed no one would find him there.

But, to his surprise, an angel had been the one to find him. From one day to the next, small cookie bags with his name on them appeared on the windowsill.

“Who could it be?” he wondered. In response, he had written a letter and placed a flower crown, but there was no reply.

In the end, his curiosity about the mysterious angel led him to secretly wait by the flower bed one evening. When he saw a small hand place the cookie bag down and leave, he impulsively grabbed the hand.

That was when he discovered the truth: it was none other than the young lady he served.

“Ah, Miss?!”

“...Does it hurt? Will you let go?”

“S-sorry! But... I didn’t expect the angel giving me cookies to be you... Why...”

“Because you’ve been suffering because of that foolish brother. As the next head of the Gillette family, I felt responsible.”

“You didn’t have to do that... I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t even know it was you, and I gave you such a silly flower crown... I’m so embarrassed. You threw it away, didn’t you? Haha.”

“I didn’t throw it away.”

“Thank goodness... huh?”

“It was pretty, so I dried it properly.”

Bianca smiled softly as she spoke. It was a rare and precious smile.

The image of a kind noble lady was enough to become the first love of many boys. Prinz, too, couldn’t escape this classic scenario, and that night, he couldn’t sleep.

In fact, his dream of becoming a knight had been greatly influenced by Bianca. Even though he was a commoner, if he could earn the title of a knight, he’d be able to be useful to her.

He dreamed that perhaps he could be the knight protecting her.

And his dream came true. After a violent incident caused by the reckless young master, his °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° talent was discovered, and he was able to train in swordsmanship under Count Carmel.

By this point, he had planned to be content, but then...

-“Actually, you’re like royalty, you know. You and I, we’re both grandchildren of Duke Hispenril.”

At the time, it had been a huge shock, but as time passed, the joy slowly began to settle in.

If he were a noble.

If he were a noble, maybe he could get closer to Bianca.

Maybe he could become the kind of man who would be worthy of her.

The realization came as a strong desire that he had never fully acknowledged within himself. Prinz was surprised by just how intense it was.

And now, as a knight supported by his family, proposing to Bianca wouldn’t bring any disgrace to her. On the contrary, it might even be seen as an honor.

‘Before the year ends, I will propose! Definitely!’

At that moment, Tesilid offered Prinz some encouraging words.

“Sir Prinz, you’re a model knight, so I’m sure the lady you propose to will be overjoyed.”

“Do you think so?”

His words, spoken with such an innocent expression, didn’t sound like flattery but genuine praise. It was enough to make Prinz’s affection for Tesilid swell.

But then!

“Yes, but not a woman like Bianca Gillette, who wants a son-in-law.”

“...What do you mean by that?!”

“Oh, didn’t you know? I heard from the child that Bianca Gillette prefers a groom who is either a younger son without a title or someone from a commoner background.”

“...!”

“And, come to think of it, a letter from His Majesty the King of Celested mentions that there’s fierce competition in the royal social circle for the position of Bianca Gillette’s husband.”

At that moment, with an expression that seemed to embody all the goodness in the world, Tesilid delivered the final blow to Prinz’s hopes.

“But Sir Prinz, since you must inherit the title of Duke Hispenril, you can’t possibly become a son-in-law.”

“W-wait a moment!”

“Yes, Sir Prinz?”

“Why would I inherit the dukedom?! I have a younger sister with the power of an aura master!”

The table fell silent for a brief moment. The awkward atmosphere clearly conveyed the question: “How could you not know this?”

After a short pause, Leonard, Duke Hispenril, and Tesilid answered in unison.

“Well, Linz, you’re the eldest son of our family.”

“Our youngest daughter is the pope of the Orlin Church.”

“The doctrine allows marriage, but inheritance of titles is a problem. The pope cannot renounce their position.”

“...!”

At that moment, Prinz received the shocking realization.

Being a noble wasn’t something to be happy about after all!

His mind raced furiously as he thought of a way to escape this life-changing crisis.

‘The title must be passed on! To Ayleth!’

And for that to happen, there was something he had to do.

“Brother-in-law!”

It was time to withdraw his support for Raywin. Duke Hispenril would need a son-in-law too. And for that, Ayleth, who had already succeeded the throne, would be perfect for the role!

In an instant, Tesilid was caught by the sudden grasp of his hand. But despite his surprise, his expression remained composed.

“Brother?”

Prinz quickly turned and smiled brightly.

“Yes, brother-in-law! I’ve thought it over, and it would be better for you and your wife to inherit the dukedom!”

“Hmm? But as I mentioned earlier, the child can’t inherit it due to the renouncement issue...”

“Our grandfather is still going strong! He’ll wait long enough until the great-grandchild inherits the title!”

“...”

When Tesilid said nothing, Prinz grew anxious. Desperate, he even resorted to self-serving words that he would never normally use.

“Think about it carefully. The papacy cannot be inherited, but the dukedom can. Shouldn’t the title go to the precious children of you and my sister?!”

“...”

Finally, Tesilid reacted, his expression softening.

“Children... mine and the child’s...”

It seemed he didn’t care too much about the dukedom itself. Tesilid repeated those heart-stirring words with a slightly vacant look in his eyes.

He imagined, for a moment, a daughter with pink hair and sea-colored eyes, and a son with silver hair and peridot-colored eyes.

“Isn’t anyone interested in the dukedom...?”

At that moment, Duke Hispenril sighed.

“Hm? What’s going on with all of you?”

“Eltea! Just in time. I’m so sad. Why does everyone dislike the dukedom? At this rate, our family line might die out!”

Prinz also stepped in.

“Mom, I have a request. Can you take the dukedom just for a little while? It’s only until the grandchildren grow up!”

“...What are you all talking about? Leonard, can you explain this?”

“Hahaha...” ✠ After socializing enough around the table, people began to move to various corners to meet with different individuals.

It was easy to see groups forming in the empty spaces of the banquet hall and the courtyard outside.

Taking advantage of the free atmosphere, Tesilid decided to find Ayleth.

‘I think she went to the garden with Bianca Gillette.’

The garden trees, having spent the summer, now boasted lush greenery. Walking alone between the neatly trimmed hedges, he took in the cool, fresh air. The air was so clean after the rain that it felt as if it were cleansing him from the inside out.

However, that peaceful mood didn’t last long. He sensed someone following him.

The person, apparently not trying to hide their presence, called out to Tesilid with a tender voice.

“Brother.”

“...”

Tesilid made the same mistake he had when he encountered Raviosa behind Saint Agnes Church. Without thinking, he stopped walking at the uninvited call.