Chapter 123
Thanks to the situation fitting together perfectly, it only strengthened the conviction that something was off.
Above all, Edward knew his own personality better than anyone in the mansion.
[No information beyond this will ever leave the Grand Duke’s territory, my brother. If you’re curious, come and find out for yourself.]
Right now, he would do anything to get me to come north. But regardless of his intent, using Iris as a pawn just to lure me in was extremely unpleasant.
“Just this once, brother.”
Letting it slide this time was to make it clear that in the future, she should never be used to draw me in.
Of course, before that—
“Benjamin.”
“Yaaawn… Yes?”
“Tell the Delon Count family that we can’t extend the repayment deadline any further.”
First, handle the request Iris made properly.
Though I didn’t show it openly, it was really just a matter of giving an order.
I had already laid meticulous traps years ago for those connected to Count Bern. Similarly, I could clearly see how to move things to get immediate results.
“Instead, tell them that if they repay immediately, the casino access restrictions will be lifted.”
“…You mean make them desperate for money?”
“Exactly. By the way, I hear Count Bern is currently staying at the mansion as a guest.”
“Ah… understood, hehe.”
Benjamin licked his lips with a sly grin, as if he had never been bored enough to yawn before.
“Gasp! Huff! Here! Put these desserts here!”
“Tablecloths! Go downstairs and bring more tablecloths. These ones are already covered in dirt!”
“Yes, yes! I’ll do it!”
Rosa, carrying a tower of tables in her arms, quickly put them down and ran down the hill.
“What about the prize boxes? Are they all hidden?”
Ronda asked another nearby maid while lowering the stacked tables one by one.
“Yes. But some seem hidden too deeply…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
Ronda passed by without even having time to hear the worried reply.
‘It’s absolute chaos.’
I, who had just finished folding the notes, finally stretched my stiff back.
The only son of the Bern Counts, Oscar Bern.
His sudden declaration of a party had thrown the mansion into emergency mode since morning.
“Didn’t I tell you? I invited people here before the Academy vacation. Party preparations are quick anyway.”
He was hosting a party at someone else’s house while being a guest himself, and on top of that, he wanted to play treasure hunt—a game he hadn’t even done at home.
‘And why are the prizes coming out of our kids’ pockets?’
All of this was my fault for failing to restrain the twins at dinner yesterday.
Even though Oscar Bern had been noisy on the first day, things had been quiet after the wild goose incident, so I had let my guard down.
“The number of invitations is fixed, so I couldn’t invite even my close friends. But since you’re my cousins, if I invited you, it’d be unfair. I have my own standpoint too.”
“If the party is sponsored by someone else, that would be a different story… what do you think?”
He exchanged a sly glance with his mother as he spoke.
‘My mistake.’
Yes, this was all because I hadn’t given any special information about Oscar Bern.
‘I thought as long as we didn’t fall for Edith Bern’s schemes, we’d be fine…’
“Fine! Then you’ll prepare the treasures to use as prizes for the treasure hunt!”
The twins didn’t even take a second to fall for the idea of a party with their Academy friends, complete with a treasure hunt.
Anyway, the family members were never entirely satisfying.
Looking at the expensive treasures written on the notes I had just folded, I felt a thrill of anxiety.
“Wow, this is going to be fun!”
“Oscar oppa’s friends! I’m so excited, what do I do?”
Unaware of this, the twins had already come upstairs, stomping their feet in excitement.
Looking around, it seemed the Loro sisters, Ronda, and the other maids were feeling the same way.
‘Fine, as long as you’re happy.’
Money was no concern for these kids.
Also, Oscar attended the same Academy as the twins, and today’s guests were all Academy students as well.
‘Let’s just think of it as a party hosted by our kids.’
It was a little concerning that Edwin was out today, but…
‘They said the preliminary work would mostly be finished when I get back.’
Besides, my reliable comrades were here today, as dependable as Edwin.
“Jenny, moving all of this by hand is too hard. Can’t you use magic?”
“Wh-what…?”
“Yeah! I heard you used magic in the kitchen yesterday.”
“Oh, I heard about that too. You made five intact plates disappear into thin air.”
“Aah! That was just a slip of the hand!”
I felt a little guilty.
Last night, I was probably the only one who had caused Jenny some mental strain.
‘Hmm. But it ended well.’
I still needed to find out the reason why she worked as a maid in this mansion.
“Yay! Yesterday, the kitchen kids used magic. Plates disappearing in midair magic.”
“Nooo!”
Rosa and Rose giggled and ran down the hill.
Lora, carrying a plate of cookies, chuckled at the sight.
“That’s right, just joking. And if we look closely, it’s not even your fault—they put you in the kitchen. Right, right.”
“Loraaah!”
While observing Jenny caught between the Loro sisters, I put the remaining notes into the box.
“Oh! Brother! You’re here?”
“Oraaaaabni!”
Oscar appeared just in time, smiling proudly as he got off his foal.
Noah and Cordelia gawked at the foal and Oscar alternately, clearly impressed.
‘Alright. Since they’re playing together, let them get along today at least.’
Honestly, there wasn’t really any reason they wouldn’t get along. Adults had their own interests, but for now, this was a kids’ party.
‘Of course. They have more than enough to keep busy without fighting over toys or treats.’
By the time most guests had arrived, host Oscar introduced the twins.
“Welcome everyone! Ah, you all know each other, right?”
“Oh! Aren’t you the famous Chester Counts?”
“Right. Technically, I shouldn’t have invited you, but you really wanted to come. No pushy juniors, right? Oh, I should introduce you too?”
“Ah, hello. I’m Noah Chester.”
“I’m Co-… Cordelia Chester.”
Overwhelmed by whistles and applause, the twins wriggled excitedly.
“Alright, let’s slowly enjoy the main event and play together for the first time in a while. First…”
“Ugh. Why is Oscar talking so much?”
“Stop yammering and come on!”
Laughter erupted, and Oscar joined in with his own jokes.
He seemed to be quite experienced at hosting such parties.
“Let’s go, go! Oh, you’re playing at my table too, right?”
Cordelia, mesmerized by Oscar’s sudden kindness, nodded vigorously.
“Yes!”
Noah followed like a little puppy, unable to hide his excitement—it was exactly how a ten-year-old should act.
‘At that age, playing with friends your own age is the best.’
Indeed, I remembered feeling thrilled whenever I had chances to play with friends as a kid.
Mentors and uncles sometimes acted as parents or friends, but it wasn’t the same as real peers.
I secretly wished for a friend to play with every day.
The only concern now…
‘Why is he so concerned about our kids today?’
