Chapter 51…………………………………….
Honestly, the one who should be flustered is me. Just meeting the legendary owner of August, and realizing that the owner belongs to the Aquilar family, is already astonishing. On top of that, this woman is mentioning Teferi and watching me carefully.
Is she my mother? Or my older sister? Younger sister? Could be some family connection. Considering the Aquilar family’s secretive nature, people around her might not want me getting close to Teferi—especially if I mingle with someone in business.
Is she worried Teferi might be used, and that I might be a threat? I twitched the tip of my nose, scratched it with my hand, and took a step back.
I don’t know what she thinks, but I’m not particularly close to Teferi. We’ve only met through business dealings.
“Did Teferi tell you that?”
“Yes. He said it himself—he’s from the Aquilar family.”
“Idiot…”
“Well, don’t worry. Whatever you’re thinking won’t happen.”
“Whatever I’m thinking?” I murmured and tilted my head, smiling at Ringe.
“Are you worried I might use Teferi?”
Ringe’s face crumpled in a way I couldn’t read—so I couldn’t tell if I was right or wrong. But since she didn’t deny it, I guessed I was probably close. While I quietly observed her expression and calculated my next move, her lips parted.
“…Use? You?”
“Yes. Aren’t you worried about Teferi?”
“Well, I suppose so.”
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of going around announcing that you’re from the Aquilar family, and I have no plans to use Teferi in my business. It’s just… a sort of acquaintance. That’s the kind of relationship we have.”
“An acquaintance, huh…”
Ringe muttered as she settled back into her chair, and standing there suddenly felt awkward. Should I sit again? Just as I bent slightly to sit, Ringe spoke again.
“So, if I understand you correctly… you have no interest in Teferi… is that what you mean?”
“I do have interest.”
“Are you joking?”
Look at that expression. One wrong word and she’d bury me. I shook my head.
“Well, first of all, Teferi is cute.”
“…That’s true, I guess.”
She admitted it so easily. Well, that cuteness transcends nations and races. I’d gladly pay just to pinch those plump cheeks once.
“So… you have ulterior motives?”
“Ulterior motives… is too strong a word. Even though I know he’s from the Aquilar family, he looks like a child right now, so… hmm, how should I put it…”
How to put it. Teferi, Teferi… hmm.
“So… like a little sister?”
“……”
The deep furrow of her brows caught my eye. Is that a bit off? Ah, if it’s a family relation, she might find it unpleasant.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m only interested because he’s cute. I have no intention of taking advantage of Teferi’s status or abilities. And no matter how bold I am, I wouldn’t treat the owner of the Arcane Tower carelessly…”
“Wait.”
What now? I looked at August, who cut me off mid-sentence. She was staring at the ground with a strange expression that was hard to read—was it a smile or anger? Then she slowly lifted her gaze, and her black eyes met mine.
“A little sister?”
“Yes. A little sister. Does that bother you?”
“No, it’s not… wait, so you see Teferi as your little sister?”
Her voice sounded calmer now. Gentler, even. Perhaps it was because I framed it positively.
Although slightly reluctant, it was good that the tension eased, so I nodded silently. August studied me for a moment, then chuckled softly, then broke into quiet laughter, shaking her shoulders.
What’s so funny? I wanted to laugh along. Anyway, it’s better to leave now. Who knows what could happen if I stayed longer.
I took a step back, and August smiled at me.
“Alright… well, little sister. Yes, little sister is fine. Understood, Lydia Mertens. Today’s conversation was very productive. And I am very satisfied with your attitude as well.”
“I’m glad it satisfied you.”
“If you continue in this manner, our relationship can progress positively, Lady Lydia. If you ever need assistance with your business or work, feel free to contact me. I will help gladly.”
I had no idea what kind of attitude I had shown her, but if she was satisfied, all I could do was smile. I wondered whether I should ask Teferi about this situation when I returned, but August approached before I could decide.
She unfastened a bracelet on her wrist and placed it on mine. Made of gold… was this a gift?
“In the center is my emblem. If you reveal this emblem in the imperial capital and seek me, you will be guided. And if you need help, showing this emblem will allow you to receive my assistance, as far as my power can reach. I give you my name as guarantee.”
No, that’s… a lot.
“Thank you.”
Still, I had to accept it. Being under August’s protection carried significant weight, so I didn’t refuse. I smiled as I fiddled with the bracelet.
Rotating the central cubic revealed a tiny engraving of August’s initials. So that’s the emblem.
“Thank you for agreeing to today’s discussion. From now on, please maintain only this level of relationship with Teferi.”
“…Yes.”
I wasn’t sure what “this level” meant, but I guessed she was telling me not to get closer. To respect the boundary.
Mulling over her words, I shook off the uneasy feeling. I just need to continue behaving as I have been. Nothing complicated. I nodded calmly and turned to leave.
As I opened the door, the servants seemed ready, guiding me out. I twisted my body and looked back. Through the closing door, August was smiling at me.
Lately, I’ve noticed more and more people around me. All of them dazzling.
Was Lydia always this kind of character? In the original story, she was just an extra, so I didn’t realize she was so popular.
“…Shall I go home?”
In the end, it was a day where I chased half the way, only to meet the wrong person and return.
That day was otherwise calm. Except for being buried in paperwork.
I kept thinking that Elian would scold me when he returned, but I remained calm. Next week, I had to go inspect the mines with Rosalyn and Professor Rodelia, so I focused on work with gritted teeth.
Then a guest came.
“Lydia.”
With a soft voice and a smile, the visitor entered my office. Awkward at first, but trying to appear affectionate, it was Perridot Mertens, Countess, my mother.
“Mother, what brings you here?”
It was surprising that she, who rarely left home, came all the way to my office. I stood and smiled to greet her. She removed her wide pink hat, elegantly swept her hair back, and sat on the sofa. She reached out warmly, holding my hand, meeting my eyes as she spoke directly.
“Lydia, are you seeing someone?”
“…Excuse me?”
What did she mean?
The story went like this: recently, many unknown gifts had been arriving at the mansion. Gifts from anonymous senders or people I had no interactions with were piling up.
I had also heard that gifts had been coming daily. At first, I thought they were from business associates and didn’t care much—they weren’t expensive, just simple things like spices or bath products.
A few days’ accumulation wasn’t a big deal, so I organized them. But since the gifts kept coming from various senders, it was natural for my mother to become suspicious.
“Dating is fine, but you can’t see multiple men at once.”
“No! Really…!”
No matter how I protested, it was useless. My mother’s gaze was already full of suspicion. I tried to look innocent, but it was too late. I was dragged to the sofa and subjected to a long lecture on dating principles and proper conduct as a person before I was finally let go.
“Do you understand?”
“….”
So unfair. To be lectured for something I didn’t even do. Who could be sending these gifts? Could it be an enemy trying to assassinate me?
Someone who could hold a grudge against Lydia. Who could it be? I nodded in agreement to my mother while scheming in my head.
Yes, yes. While I silently thought of the list of people I would have to deal with soon, a voice pierced my ears.
“Alright, then let’s set a date.”
“Yes… what?”
A date? I scrambled to catch my drifting thoughts. What… a date?
Looking blankly, my mother stared at me, surprised. Oops.
“Oh, yes. We must set a date. Date… haha.”
Better to laugh it off than let her catch me lost in thought. Setting a date can’t be a big deal.
While I smiled, my mother took a small item from her bag and handed it to me. Curious, I examined it.
“A pendant?”
It was a little thick. I rubbed it with my thumb, pressed it once, and it clicked open. A sense of foreboding made me frown. No, it can’t be… The lid opened to reveal what was hidden inside.
“…Haha.”
I recognized the face. The miniature portrait and the stylish family crest inside the pendant were perfect. Only that it was in my hands felt inappropriate. I glanced up; my mother spoke calmly.
“This is Eurard, the second son of the Boldras family.”
Oh my, I never expected to hear that name again. The slightly foolish prince who had spoken to me at the academic awards ceremony I attended at Rosalyn’s invitation.
I bit my lip, hoping it wasn’t him, but what came next was grim.
“I chose to marry not by arrangement, but for love, though there were many complications. I could have married into a wealthier family that would benefit our house, but I chose your father because I loved him.”
“Mother, this man is…”
“Lydia, I do not want to be a strict mother. I wanted you to make your own decisions in life freely. But this… this is not that kind of freedom.”
No matter how I tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t listen. Frustrating.
“I ignored all previous matchmakers and letters because I believed that when you came of age, naturally, you would find someone to love and be with. But this is not it. So—”
She pointed directly at the pendant.
“Meet the man I have chosen for you.”
“Ah, Mother!”
I placed the pendant on the table and stood abruptly. My raised voice and flustered expression made her eyes widen, mouth agape.
Even if I protested, my mother was a noble of this era, an old-fashioned woman. Children raising their voices at parents was unthinkable. In noble families, a parent’s opinion often carries the weight of the entire family.
No matter what I’ve achieved, the lineage cannot be broken. A family member cannot rise above the family. Especially for nobility.
I couldn’t understand it, but I had to comply, biting my lip.
“I’m sorry.”
“Lydia…”
Her voice trembled slightly, and I almost sighed but held it back. No matter what, this was unreasonable. A matchmaking date?
