Vienna watched the two figures as they crossed the grand gate and entered the mansion.

Starchis had said he was going to meet Elza.

And as if to prove that, his older brother was with him.

It was an impulse.

After all, her work at the medical center was done, and she had time to spare.

Returning to the church would only mean eating the provided meals and passing the time with tedious daydreams.

Instead, she decided to follow Starchis.

If they went to a restaurant, she planned to eavesdrop and see if any discussions of marriage arose.

But they headed away from the dining district and towards a residential area.

That was fine with Vienna.

Knowing where Elza lived could be useful.

Elza had worn simple clothes even to an important dinner a few days ago.

So, Vienna assumed her living standards were not particularly high.

But... what about this mansion they entered now?

It was nowhere near small.

Even a fool could see it was a noble’s residence.

“...Is Elza a maid?”

Elza... Elza... Unlike nobles, she didn’t have a surname.

She was just Elza.

There was no way she could be a noble.

Unconsciously, Vienna started moving.

Her goal was the grand gate of the mansion.

When she arrived at the gate, the guards stopped her.

“What is your business here?”

Unfazed by their imposing presence, Vienna asked.

“Whose house is this?”

“...What do you mean?”

“Who lives here?”

“Why are you here if you don’t know? You seem suspicious. Go back.”

“Just answer me. I can find out by asking someone nearby anyway.”

“......”

Though surprised by Vienna’s audacity, the guard didn’t answer.

But it wasn’t a secret who lived there.

In fact, it was surprising that Vienna didn’t already know.

Telling her posed no harm.

“...This is the residence of Count Nisti. Has your curiosity been satisfied?”

“...Nisti?”

Vienna frowned.

Why on earth had Starchis entered a mansion belonging to a noble named Nisti?

Could it be that Elza, being a maid, borrowed the dining space from the Nisti nobles because she is close to them?

It’s not impossible.

But it also doesn’t make much sense.

No matter what, who would hold a marriage meeting in someone else’s house?

Or was the marriage meeting a lie?

That can’t be.

Starchis never lies, and there’s nothing to gain from such a lie.

“Is there an Elza Nisti living here?”

The guard twisted his lips strangely and shouted.

“What are you talking about? There’s no one like that! Now, get lost!”

“Go back before we throw you out.”

The other guard standing by growled as well.

With no more reason to stay, Vienna turned around.

She walked away with new questions and doubts.

...For now, she planned to return and prepare more medicine for Starchis.

“You’re here.”

Hian Nisti and numerous servants welcomed Starchis and Stion.

Rose was nowhere to be seen.

Hian Nisti extended his hand to Stion.

The atmosphere was distinctly different from when they met at the restaurant before.

There was less tension and less wariness.

Stion smiled and grasped Hian’s hand.

- Thump.

With both hands.

“Hian Nisti. Thank you so much. You don’t know what your help means to me.”

Stion glanced at Starchis.

“...He’s my only family.”

Starchis also bowed his head in greeting.

“Mr. Hian, thank you. You saved my life.”

“No need for thanks, it was something I had to do. I’m glad to see you’re healthy. Besides, you accepted the invitation for this meal, so we’re even.”

“I should be the one treating you. You’ve done so much-”

“-No, no. I’m uncomfortable taking my daughter outside.”

Hian released Stion’s hand and handed it to Starchis.

“Really, don’t feel burdened by this.... But, do you know why you’re here? I only talked to Stion...”

“...I’ve heard. Miss Rose requested to see me, didn’t she?”

Starchis said, holding Hian’s hand.

Feigning ignorance about Rose was a bonus.

“Hmm... It’s a bit awkward to say, but...”

Hian approached and spoke quietly.

“...My daughter is a bit naïve. She might get upset over small things. Could you be a bit cautious with her?”

Starchis forced another awkward smile.

He nodded to confirm Hian’s request.

He thought that Rose’s true nature was far from pure.

Or maybe if she’s usually pure, then that’s her true self?

Either way, in terms of her sexual preferences, it was hard to call her pure.

Even her overly protective and controlling father thought so, showing how well Rose had hidden her true nature.

“Still, you seem more composed than I expected, which is a relief.”

Hian said, looking at Starchis.

“So, where is Rose Nisti?”

Stion looked around.

She was nowhere in sight.

“She’s already seated, waiting. This dinner is actually a birthday present for her. The guest of honor should be waiting.”

“A birthday present?”

Starchis asked.

“Rose’s birthday is coming up. That’s why I agreed to her request to have dinner with you. ... She said she didn’t want a teddy bear anymore.”

“So, a dinner with a man is her birthday present?”

Hian let out a groan at Stion’s summary.

“...Hmm... When you put it that way, it sounds strange, but if you think of it as a birthday party, it’s not so bad.”

“When exactly is Miss Rose’s birthday?”

Naturally, Starchis had no idea about this and thus had no gift prepared.

“The day after tomorrow. Consider today an early birthday party.”

As Stion and Starchis nodded, Hian spoke.

“Gwyn, lead the way.”

The butler, called Gwyn, nodded and stepped forward. Numerous servants followed him, along with Stion, Starchis, and Hian.

They soon arrived in front of a large door.

Gwyn announced in a loud voice.

“Miss Rose, your guests have arrived.”

-‘Let them in.’

Starchis was surprised by Rose’s voice from inside. It sounded so dignified and noble.

She had always been a noble, but it struck him anew.

When Gwyn nodded, the two maids standing by the door opened it.

The room exuded a warm atmosphere.

With a wooden floor and wooden ornaments, it was a familiar space.

It felt like stepping into a cozy cabin.

The outside was dark, but the room was bright.

A fireplace blazed on one side.

In the center was a square wooden dining table.

Though the texture of the table was familiar, the design was elegant.

Various dishes and utensils were set on the table, and small candles added to the ambiance.

It reminded Starchis of the visual from his walk with Vienna by the pond.

Rose rose from her seat and greeted them politely, like a noble.

One hand over her chest and a slight bow.

Although it hadn’t been long since their last meeting, Starchis felt a strange awkwardness as if it had been ages.

“Hello, we met at the restaurant last time, right? I’m Rose Nisti.”

- Nisti. The word felt unfamiliar.

Before Starchis stood an undeniable noble.

A noble by birth.

One of the chosen people.

...And he had called her a bitch.

“...Hello, I’m Starchis.”

Starchis matched her greeting.

As he straightened up and looked at her,

...Rose blushed and averted her eyes slightly.

‘Of course...’

Starchis understood.

He thought that it was just the influence of alcohol back then.

He felt a bit relieved.

It wasn’t something that came out easily.

“Hello, Rose.”

Stion also gave a simple greeting.

“Yes, hello.”

Once everyone had greeted each other, they took their seats one by one.

Hian and Rose on one side,

Starchis and Stion on the opposite side.

The maids filled the wine glasses.

Hian naturally thanked the maid and introduced themselves.

“Let me introduce us once more. I am Hian, and this is my daughter, Rose Nisti. My wife... is no longer with us. May she rest in peace.”

He brought up his wife before anyone could ask.

Stion, trying to match the mood, spoke.

“They say the heavens take the good ones early. Well, just to reiterate, I’m Stion, and this is Starchis. As you know, we’re brothers.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

Following Hian’s lead, everyone raised their glasses.

Starchis glanced at Rose, who also quickly averted her eyes.

- Clink

The glasses made a clear sound as they touched, and everyone took a sip.

The wine was excellent.

“...This is quite good.”

Stion remarked to himself.

Hian opened the conversation.

“So, Starchis, if you don’t mind, can you tell us how you got injured?”

.

.

.

.

- Clink clank

The sound of cutlery hitting the plates echoed.

- Crackle crackle

The sound of wood burning in the fireplace filled the room.

And above all, Starchis’s voice resonated in the room.

“...After checking on the party members, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I had already received the vampire’s blood transfusion, thanks to him.”

Starchis roughly finished his story.

Rose was now looking at Starchis intently, having forgotten to avert her eyes.

He had heard she had many fantasies about adventures.

“Amazing... Aren’t you scared?”

Hian asked, his face showing a hint of awe, imagining what it would be like if he were in Starchis’s place.

“Of course, it’s scary. But during the actual fight, there’s no time to be scared. You get completely absorbed in the battle.”

“Wow... It’s so vivid compared to what I’ve read in books...”

Rose shared her thoughts.

“Haha... I’m glad you found it interesting. My brother has a lot of interesting stories too.”

Despite his exceptional brother, Starchis felt humbled by the praise he was receiving.

“I’m not criticizing, but I’m genuinely curious. Why go to such lengths?”

Hian asked.

“Is it really worth risking your life?”

“...Well... I’m not sure if it’s worth it.”

“...Then why...”

“Because it’s my dream. To lead an A-rank party like my brother.”

Starchis shrugged as he answered.

Stion, eating the food in front of him, added.

“Nothing is worth more than your life. But the reason we do it is that we don’t think we’ll die. If someone told you that you would definitely die on the next mission, would you still go?”

“That makes sense. Putting it that way, I understand. ...But I still couldn’t do it.”

“It’s not something to do with a clear head.”

“Starchis follows you, so I get it. But what about you? What’s your reason?”

“My reason?”

“Even at B-rank... no, C-rank, you could live comfortably. Without motivation, it’s hard to climb to A-rank.”

“...I just had the talent. Everything was easy, so there was no reason to settle for B or C rank. Well... until I had a major setback.”

No one on the Nisti side asked what he meant by “a major setback.”

Everyone understood that it wasn’t a topic for the first dinner meeting.

“Are you completely recovered now?”

Hian pointed at Starchis and asked.

“Hmm... My hand stiffened due to the aftereffects.”

Starchis raised his left hand as he spoke.

“Really? That’s unfortunate...”

“Oh!”

- Screech, suddenly!

Rose abruptly stood up.

For a moment, the genuine, spirited Rose peeked out from beneath her noble facade.

She quickly hid her true self and slowly walked around to sit on Starchis’s left side.

“...Rose?”

With Rose leaving his side, Hian found himself sitting alone.

“...I invited him to dinner, so I should at least do this. You know the story of the fox and the stork, right? I’ll make sure Starchis has a good time.”

“...I... I see...”

Using etiquette as her shield, Hian had nothing more to say.

He didn’t like how quickly the two seemed to be getting close.

“Then I suppose I should move over here.”

Stion also got up and sat next to Hian.

He gave a subtle smile meant only for Starchis.

His brother had given up his seat for Starchis, but Starchis felt rather uncomfortable.

“Is that okay, Hian?”

“...Well, I guess it can’t be helped. Elza, please pour some more wine.”

Rose, Stion, and Starchis’s attention was suddenly drawn.

A neatly dressed maid gracefully poured wine into Hian’s glass.

She then lifted the wine bottle, looking at Starchis’s emptying glass.

“Mr. Starchis, would you like some more?”

The maid Elza, the real Elza, asked Starchis.

He stared at her, forgetting to answer.

She was the reason all these coincidences came to be.

- Poke.

A finger poked Starchis awake.

Rose had discreetly jabbed his thigh.

“Oh. Ah, yes, please.”

“Me too, Elza.”

Starchis felt an odd tension from Rose’s touch.

He thought she’d be embarrassed about the previous day’s mistake, but she seemed more familiar than he expected.

He thought she would be more awkward.

If this was all a mask because Hian was present, and her true self was just as before...

“Well, it looks like everyone’s glasses are full again. Shall we toast once more?”

Hian raised his glass.

Everyone followed suit and toasted.

Hian and Stion subtly lifted their heads to drink their wine.

As Starchis started to lift his head to drink his wine,

he froze, feeling Rose’s gaze fixed on him.

“...”

She gave a cute smile and whispered in a voice only he could hear.

“...Cheers, Starchis...”

‘Oh, dear God...’

Starchis, who didn’t particularly believe in anything, whispered to himself.

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