59
Chapter 59
What on earth is Bio thinking?
To push someone to the limit like that and then just leave because he's hungry...
It's not like I wanted it to go all the way, but I still feel annoyed.
Am I really that lacking in charm...?
"Anyone for 12th Street in Crenia?"
"Just a moment. Thank you."
I almost missed my stop because I was too preoccupied with this morning's events.
After getting off the moving carriage and paying the fare, I walked for about five minutes before the massive mansions came into view.
They looked small when I was at the Imperial Palace, but perhaps because I spent so much time at the academy, they seem exceptionally large now.
"Oh, Young Lady Shine?"
I turned around to find Nella, the head maid.
"Nella!"
I heard she had worked for our family since before my mother passed away but had to quit due to health reasons.
"It really is you, Young Lady. It's been so long... how have you been?"
"I've been great. I heard you quit because you were unwell—are you back?"
"The Duke sent me the best medicinal herbs and a wizard, so I fully recovered and returned last month."
"That's a relief. Don't get sick again. By the way, is someone visiting today?"
"What? I haven't heard anything about any guests coming..."
Since it wasn't my mother's anniversary, I wondered who it could be.
"Really?"
"The Chief Steward has been a bit frantic for the last few days."
"Old man Mandel?"
Maybe she doesn't know much yet since she's only been back for a month.
I entered the house with Nella.
As we passed through the wide garden and approached the entrance, the first one to greet me was a wolf much larger than I am.
Woof woof—
He approached, wagging his red tail, and when I patted his head, he flopped onto his back and whined.
"Happy, have you been good?"
My maternal grandfather, who lives in the North, sent him to me when I was eight.
A cross between a Silver Wolf and a Red Wolf, he was a gift my mother had arranged through my grandfather.
Mom had even picked out the name in advance. 'Happy' felt a bit... off, but she said she chose it because she wanted us to be happy, so I couldn't bring myself to change it.
He's intelligent and never harms anyone without orders from my father, my siblings, or me, so all the servants in the house adore him.
As I rubbed his belly, he whined and licked my cheek; he's certainly gotten more affectionate.
"Oh? Young Lady Shine?"
"Mandel! Long time no see."
"It has been a long time. Please, don't linger here and come along. The Duke is waiting for you."
"Didn't Father go to work?"
Even though it's the weekend, he usually goes to work unless there's something special...
I followed old man Mandel to the office and found my father wearing a sharp suit, unlike his usual attire.
"Why are you so late... Never mind. There's no time. Mandel, go and have her prepared."
"Father? Where are we going? At least give me an explanation..."
"I'll explain once you're ready."
Following Mandel, I found five women gathered in front of the door.
"You all remember what the Duke told you earlier, right? Do not worry about the cost; simply do your absolute best."
"Mandel? Who are these people?"
"They are the finest artisans in the Capital summoned by the Duke. You should just leave it to them, Young Lady."
Artisans? They didn't look like the type to forge new swords or armor.
"Young Lady Shine, you are as beautiful as they say, but your hair is quite damaged. It would be better to trim it and style it rather than go with waves."
"Your skin tone is warm. I think soft, pastel-colored clothes would suit you well. Let's go, quickly."
I was grabbed by both hands and dragged into the room.
Between the hair styling, makeup, and changing clothes several times...
"Um, I'm not really comfortable in this kind of dress..."
"The Duke's command was to make you as beautiful as possible."
Finally, after a tiara was placed on my head and all the preparations were complete, I was barely able to leave the room.
Mandel praised me as he led me back to the study.
"You look truly beautiful dressed up like this, my daughter. You look so much like your mother when she was young."
"Of course I look like this; I'm my mother's daughter. But where on earth are we going that requires such a dress-up..."
"I have a lunch appointment. I'll explain on the way, so let's get going."
...It was only after we got into the carriage that my father began to explain.
"So you're telling me this is a blind date?"
"Not exactly. Though, if two young people hit it off, things could work out. Regardless, there's someone I really want you to meet."
"That's exactly what a blind date is. I don't want to."
"Shine..."
"The Imperial Princess's situation hasn't even been resolved yet, so how could I..."
"You're not going to live with the Princess forever, are you? I'm not forcing you... Besides, though it's not certain, this person might be able to help with the Princess's problem."
"What?"
Even when I asked, he said he couldn't help because it was the Emperor's order—what is this?
"I can't give you the details yet as I haven't received permission, but he's someone whose ability, appearance, and character are praised by both me and His Majesty."
...I'm sure he is.
I know very well that my father loves and cherishes not only me but all my siblings.
"If he's as great as you say, why would someone like that agree to be a matrilocal son-in-law? Someone recognized by the Emperor would have succeeded on his own."
"Well... uh, there are some circumstances. I'll explain more when you meet him. Don't think too poorly of him and make sure to be polite. He's my favorite man in the empire."
Since my father is going this far, I'm slightly curious, but the Princess still comes first for me.
Before long, the carriage came to a halt.
"Let's go in."
It was a high-end restaurant I had visited a few times before.
I remember hearing there was a month-long wait when I tried to make a reservation; is he the child of a high noble family?
But my father once told me that the children of the high nobility in the Capital were all disappointing...
"I heard it's hard to get a reservation here. Who is the other person?"
"Mirage is quite popular. I barely managed to get a reservation after asking for a favor."
"You made the reservation?"
"Because I'm the one who requested the meal."
For my father to be this humble... wait, could it be the Crown Prince?
But the Crown Prince is nearly forty, has a Crown Princess, and already has three concubines.
Above all, it makes no sense for the Crown Prince to enter the Duke's house as a matrilocal son-in-law...
Despite the strangeness, I followed my father into the restaurant and into a private room.
"Is the other person late?"
"We agreed to meet at twelve, so we've simply arrived early."
What is going on?
It's unheard of for my father to arrive first and wait.
"Father, is the person coming today Royal Blood?"
"Of course not. He is a hidden hero of the empire."
Hero, my foot.
The only hero to me is my father.
He's not einen royalty, yet he dares to keep my father waiting?
I didn't know how great he was, but just as I was thinking about how to make things difficult for him, the door opened.
* * *
"Baronet Bio?"
"Yes? Hello, Duke."
Why is Shine here?
And what's with that outfit?
'A pumpkin doesn't become a watermelon just by drawing lines on it, but she does look much better dressed up.'
'What is he talking about?'
"You seem quite surprised to see my daughter. My apologies for bringing her along without notice."
"Not at all."
"Perhaps you haven't seen her at the academy? My daughter is currently at Belliard Academy as the escort knight for Imperial Princess Helena."
"I heard Imperial Princess Helena is in the Magic Class, but I'm in the Ranger Class and in charge of the 1st Year students..."
We had actually met just this morning, but for some reason, I felt like I shouldn't pretend to know him, so I gave a vague excuse.
"True, my daughter stays by the Princess's side every day, so you might not have noticed. Shine, greet him. This is Baronet Bio Rain."
"Ni... Nice to meet you. I'm Shine."
Shine was startled at first, but now she's stuttering, perhaps embarrassed by her attire.
"I am Bio Rain."
...I feel awkward too.
'Looking at this, it seems he's trying to set you up with that brat.'
It's not the worst-case scenario I feared, but this isn't exactly a welcome turn of events either.
"Baronet Bio, if you don't mind, may I reveal your identity to my daughter? Shine is my successor and is quite discreet..."
Did he not explain it?
I feel like he's being very considerate of me, but since Shine already knows who I am, it doesn't matter.
"Yes. That's fine."
"This man is the Blue Mist, who handled the empire's most difficult affairs as part of the Intelligence Agency until four years ago."
"W-wow... r-really?"
Her acting is so clumsy that I can barely stand to watch it.
"In truth, I've told my daughters a lot about you. Shine heard less because she was always training her swordsmanship, but my second and youngest—especially the youngest—admire you as much as I do."
This is a bit too much flattery.
"Haha... I see."
"I'm not joking; after hearing about you a few times, she even begged to become a Black Agent for the Intelligence Agency."
"Excuse me?"
The Duke's daughter, a Black Agent?
Ridiculous.
Since most recruits are orphans, the instructors train them to the brink of death; if the Duke's daughter had come as a trainee, every single instructor would have resigned.
"When she found out she didn't meet the requirements, she applied to the Ranger Class instead. Ah! When news of your death broke, she didn't eat for two days and just cried."
I met the Duke's youngest daughter last year.
Jane Andres.
She defeated May in the semifinals to win the Ranger division.
She is the overall champion, having defeated even Imperial Princess Helena in the final match between the division winners.
I knew she was impressive, but I had no idea there was such a story behind it.
"Father, you're sharing way too much family history..."
"Oops, I've been talking about myself too much."
"It's quite alright."
"Let's talk more slowly over the meal."
When the Duke poured mana into the crystal ball on the table, the staff began bringing out the dishes one by one.
The meal was exceptional.
It was the most expensive Beluga Imperial course; the portions were small, but the taste was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
The atmosphere wasn't bad either.
At first, I thought he was trying to set me up with Shine, as Ark suggested, but there was no sign of any forced matchmaking.
The conversation revolved around ordinary daily life and stories from the Duke's and my past.
Though the praise for me was a bit excessive, the lack of matchmaking intent made it comfortable.
It felt more like he was simply introducing me to the next Duke.
There was some talk about Shine, but it wasn't the usual parent's pride about how their child is great with a sword because they lived for it since childhood... at least, not exactly.
I thought he was bragging at first, but he was actually worried that she was completely hopeless at everything else because she only practiced swordsmanship.
Shine bickered back, asking why he'd say such a thing, shifting from calling him 'Father' to 'Dad,' and honestly, I was envious.
It was the image of a harmonious father and daughter that I had never once experienced.
It made me think of Lady Anna...
"How was the meal?"
"It was the most delicious food I've ever had in my life. Thank you for inviting me."
"I'm glad it suited your taste. Let's do this more often."
"Next time, it's my treat."
It might not be as expensive or famous as Mirage, but having once been the top Black Agent of the Intelligence Agency, I know quite a few hidden gems in the Capital with great value.
If the places I knew have closed, I can just pester old man Daph for new recommendations.
"Very well. Let's do that. Now that we've eaten, we should have some tea, right? There's a tea house nearby that I frequent."
"Oh, then I'll pay for the tea."
"Sounds good."
"Father, then I'll be going... Ack!"
Shine seemed to be trying to leave first, but she suddenly screamed.
Seeing the mana in the air fluctuate for a moment, it seemed the Duke had poked her in the thigh or something.
"Daughter, is it really right to leave without even having a cup of tea with your dad after all this time?"
In the end, Shine let out a deep sigh and joined us.
The tea house was quite close.
Just like at Mirage, it had private rooms and the interior was quite luxurious.
So this is where high nobles have their tea.
"What would you like to drink? I'll go and place the order."
"I'll have jasmine tea. Our Shine always has her usual when we come here. Apple pie and blue lemonade, right?"
"Dad, how long ago was that? I'll have the same thing as you."
"How strange. You're not going to eat apple pie?"
"I... I don't need apple pie."
I answered and stepped out of the room.
"Are you ready to order?"
"Two jasmine teas, one blue lemonade, and one... no, two apple pies, please."
'The brat said she wasn't eating any, so why buy two?'
'It's obviously because she feels bad that I'm buying.'
'What's so great about her?'
It wasn't so much that Shine was pretty, but rather because of the Duke.
After having a course meal worth over 30 gold, this was nothing.
'With her personality, she'll probably say she's not eating it even if I buy it.'
If she doesn't eat it, I'll just have both.
I was still a bit hungry anyway.
When I returned to the room with the warm apple pies and drinks, they were still bickering.
"I'll enjoy... hm? Did you perhaps read Shine's mind?"
"Pardon?"
"After you left, she asked me to add one more apple pie."
"Dad!"
"What?"
As the Duke gave a sly smile, Shine let out a deep sigh and looked at me.
"My father is just joking. But since you already bought them, I'll enjoy it."
She naturally pulled a plate of apple pie toward herself.
But setting that aside, why on earth was she taking the blue lemonade too?
"I thought you were drinking tea?"
"The Baronet was thoughtful enough to buy this, so I should drink it."
I never said I bought it for Shine; she's really quite something.
Well, tea isn't a bad pairing for pie, so I didn't mind. Just as I thought that, the Duke suddenly stood up.
"Dad?"
"I forgot that His Majesty is visiting the Capital Command for an inspection at two. Baronet Bio, I'm afraid I must leave."
So suddenly?
It felt a bit contrived, but it was actually better for me.
The meal hadn't been terribly uncomfortable, but it wasn't exactly relaxing either.
We had already talked so much during the meal that I was worried about what else to say.
"You should probably get going."
"My apologies, let's meet again. Ah! I almost forgot one more thing."
He pulled an envelope from his coat in an awkwardly stiff tone.
"What is that?"
"Baronet, do you happen to like plays?"
"Yes? Uh... I enjoy them."
"Then this is perfect. These are invitations to a theater troupe sponsored by Marquis Marey, the First Empress's younger brother. The tickets expire today, so would you like to go with Shine?"
"What? Dad, why would I... with Baronet Bio?"
"His Majesty asked me to go and save the Empress's face if possible, but since I don't have time, I'm asking you. Well then, Baronet Bio, I'll see you later."
Duke Dylan spoke as if he were reciting a prepared script, then left without even waiting for a proper farewell.
"Father, honestly. You're not interested in things like plays, right? He's already gone anyway, so I'll just handle this on my own."
I didn't particularly want to go to a play with Shine either, but I snatched the tickets.
"Wha... what are you doing?"
"Let's finish our tea first, then we can head to the play."
Shine's eyes grew wide in shock, and she froze right where she was.
'What's wrong? Was there poison in the tea or something?'
Ark found it strange too, but it couldn't be helped.
The Duke's presence, who had supposedly left to meet the Emperor, hadn't vanished from the vicinity.