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Seeing Elam smile so pleasantly, I couldn’t help but smile along. I had always thought of him as endlessly serious and polite, but it seemed he had this side too. His bright, refreshing expression made him look almost like a different person.
A gentle, warm summer breeze flowed in through the open window. The slightly humid air lingered between us, as if to refresh the space we shared.
“Summer breezes do have a rather heavy feel, don’t they?”
He said this as he tidied his disheveled bangs. The strands of hair kept falling out of place, and he frowned in slight irritation.
“Do they? I’m not particularly fond of the oppressive summer heat itself, but I don’t mind the wind that blows in summer.”
“Is that so?”
“People perceive things differently. Those sensitive to the summer heat often find the wind this season heavy and hot. But I think this particular kind of breeze can be pleasant at times.”
“When, for example?”
“Well, in a space like this—an indoor area that’s somewhat dry—a breeze with a bit of moisture helps with ventilation.”
In summer, most buildings used magical stones of cold to lower indoor temperatures. One could think of these stones as a sort of magical air conditioner.
The temperature could be controlled quite low, so relying on these stones throughout summer wasn’t an exaggeration. But when indoor temperatures dropped, the air would naturally become dry, making proper ventilation essential.
‘Even in modern times, spaces felt stiff when exposed only to the cold air of an AC.’
At those times, I would often turn off the AC and let in fresh air. When warm air and a gentle breeze entered a space that had been filled with chill and dryness, it somehow felt cozy and pleasant.
To think I could feel the same here… I knew the VIP room had the cold magic stone in operation, but I hadn’t expected a brief breeze to bring back memories from modern times. Not that it was unpleasant.
“Indeed… the air feels softer than it did before.”
He stopped fixing his bangs and nodded in agreement. Glancing at the curtains gently swaying in the breeze by the window, he tilted his head and took a subtle breath before giving me another new smile.
“Your Highness, you see the world in ways I would never have imagined.”
“Me? I do?”
“Yes. I never thought of ‘how summer breezes can feel pleasant.’ I’ve never considered it that way.”
“Everyone feels and thinks differently. I think that’s only natural. Not thinking that way doesn’t make it wrong. But I do believe there’s value in occasionally assigning meaning to things.”
“Assigning meaning… like what you just said about the summer breeze?”
“Exactly. The wind has its reason and process, just like how we met here.”
“Oh…”
I ended up phrasing it somewhat indirectly, but what I really meant was that there’s a reason behind my connection with Elam. Simply being a guest and the steward isn’t enough to describe it.
He seemed to grasp that subtly, and he smiled quietly.
“So… would you accept my request and contract proposal?”
It might have been a cliché way to persuade someone, but it was the only approach I could think of. I had already shown him that I liked him as a person, acknowledged his abilities, and directly expressed my need for him, so I hoped it was enough.
I hid my slight nervousness as I awaited his answer. He continued to gaze at me silently for a moment, then, arranging his hands neatly on the table, replied:
“Of course. Though my abilities are lacking, I am truly honored by this opportunity. I will be a steadfast ally to Your Highness and will strive to meet your expectations.”
“…!”
I was startled when he placed his right hand lightly over his chest and bowed to me. His politeness returned to him, yet I could sense a different kind of resolve than before.
‘I’m glad he accepted so willingly… but is this truly alright?’
I was partly concerned. I wanted him as an ally, so that was fine, but what about his family situation? His current position and circumstances couldn’t be ignored.
There was no choice but to ask him directly. It’s better to be clear to avoid trouble later.
“Are you really sure? As you know, if you side with me, you’ll become enemies with the Evin Marquis and his household, as well as the Marquis’s daughter.”
He shook his head resolutely.
“That doesn’t matter at all. They are not truly family, despite sharing the same surname and half-blood. They will never treat me as a genuine member of the family. At most, they keep me nearby for their convenience, nothing more.”
His voice was calm, almost emotionless, matching the gravity of his words. There was no trace of hope or expectation, which was both saddening and comforting.
With such an attitude, he wouldn’t let sentiment ruin his duties later.
“Don’t worry. I assist Your Highness because I genuinely wish to, and also, in part, for my own revenge.”
“Revenge… against the Evin Marquis?”
“Yes. Because of my mother, and the dissatisfaction I feel about my current position. Of course, I enjoy my current work, but freedom is limited.”
“Is it because of the Marquis’s oversight or the Marchioness?”
“Yes. Although I run this restaurant independently, it is essentially under their control. Every single event here is reported to them daily, including my personal life.”
“My… that’s more than oversight—it’s practically restraint. Why would they do that…?”
To think they would impose such control over someone they publicly dismissed as illegitimate… It seemed excessive even if they wanted to keep him nearby for convenience.
It made me wonder if the Marquis was truly wary of Elam. Otherwise, would they treat an ordinary illegitimate child like this?
Generally, illegitimate children of nobility would either be sent away with wealth and land or left to live quietly without interference. Rarely were they fully accepted, and many ended up caught in succession disputes.
But Elam’s case was different. From what he said, he hadn’t been fully rejected, nor fully accepted. He was a tool the Marquis could use when needed.
‘Even so… he’s the child of the original fiancée. How could they do this, and with his firstborn too?’
I had heard from Lucius that the current Marchioness took the position of Elam’s mother, the original fiancée, changing his fate. Before she seduced the Marquis, Elam’s mother and the Marquis likely loved each other. It hadn’t been a purely political match.
And yet, now his firstborn was ignored by the current Marchioness? Perhaps “ignored” is too absolute—they must be watching him in some form.
Still, I didn’t think the Marchioness was that charming. Considering her prior behavior, she and the Marquis made a strangely fitting pair. Couples are said to be one in spirit, after all.
‘The Evin Marquis’s daughter must have been helping him a lot.’
So he might favor her, which could also benefit the Marchioness. After all, the daughter she bore contains the consciousness of the modern reincarnator, not the original Evin girl.
‘The more I learn, the more I realize the Marquis is a despicable person.’
How could someone like that hold a high post in a nation? Their businesses are thriving too—it made me frown in disapproval.
Seeing my expression, he smiled wryly and hurried to continue.
“Well, I suppose it’s also because of his self-centered nature. He believes anything he deems his property can be treated as he likes. I’ve gotten used to it now, so I just accept it.”
Even as he said this lightly, my frustration didn’t ease. This wasn’t something one should simply accept!
Why do decent men around here seem to hold everything inside, never fully expressing themselves? Lucius, Baron Evitt, Elam…
They all have good character, sufficient talent, and the strength to break their barriers, yet they can’t fully utilize it. Perhaps their personal traumas are too strong.
Lucius faced oppression and a lack of affection from childhood, Baron Evitt endured neglect in noble society, and Elam suffered as an illegitimate child.
Among them, Baron Evitt had somewhat broken through his barriers, Lucius was making small steps, and now I hoped Elam would take a step forward as well.
“But now, I think it’s time to move beyond this passive life. I truly enjoy my work, but under constant oversight and restraint, I cannot act freely as I wish.”
“Exactly.”
“The restaurant grows by the day. For its greater success, I must break free from the Marquis’s control. Lately, his constant visits have been annoying, so… I will take Your Highness’s hand for my freedom and my revenge.”
Had he understood my intent? His answer was thoroughly satisfying. How could I not help someone like him?
“Very well. I will also be your strongest ally.”
He smiled brightly and shook my hand, and I returned his smile in kind.
