Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Dilemma - [1]
The air inside the cafe was heavy. No, not heavy—sharp would be a better way to describe it.
In front of me sat two stunning beauties. One was Serika, the empire's greatest mage (in truth) and my little sister.
The other was Rozina, the esteemed daughter of the Bellua baronial family and my... well, indescribable something.
...This staring contest is insane.
What can I say? Witnessing the battle of wills between women up close was intensely pressurizing.
And the fact that all that pressure was focused on me made it even worse.
Sure enough, in times like this, the worst choice is often the best.
Is that guy an idiot? That was the vibe their glares were giving off.
"Ladies."
I opened my mouth with a deliberately solemn expression.
"Deciding on an order is meaningless."
"Pardon?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Rozina and Serika both shot back at me, and I answered with utmost seriousness.
"Music is like clothing. Just as different outfits suit different people, different pieces suit different people. It doesn't matter who plays first here. What matters is which piece is dedicated to whom... that's the key."
Hmm. Even I think that's some bullshit philosophy. I struck a pose and looked at Serika.
"Serika."
"...Yeah."
"I want to play this piece for you. Reminiscence."
I mimed tapping keys in the air as I explained softly.
"It's a piece that captures our childhood together, the memories of running around in the snowy fields—all those moments. It's not flashy, but it warms the heart as you listen."
"Reminiscence..."
Serika's eyes wavered slightly. Her gaze seemed to say it all.
So you're not picking between us, huh?
"Yeah... Let's listen to it together sometime when it's just the two of us. Wearing your comfiest clothes and sipping hot cocoa."
"...Hmph."
Serika pouted her lips.
First hurdle cleared.
I immediately turned to Rozina.
"And Lady Rozina."
"Yes, Aiman."
"This piece suits you perfectly. Valse Sentimentale."
"A waltz?"
"Yes. It expresses the rich, delicate sensitivity hidden beneath your elegant and refined exterior."
I met Rozina's eyes, but her amber gaze felt too intense, so I looked away.
"When you want to lose yourself in some alone time... this piece will comfort you. A waltz that's dazzling yet sorrowful, lonely but beautiful."
Rozina's eyes widened. She covered her mouth with her fan and lifted the corner of her lips slightly.
"My, to see me so deeply..."
Anyone could tell she wasn't fully satisfied.
"Very well. That piece. I'll look forward to it. I'll formally invite you to the estate next time. Play it for me then."
"Of course."
Serika crossed her arms and spoke in disbelief.
"So, in the end, you're saying you're not choosing, big brother."
"I agree with Serika. It seems you're not used to noble rhetoric. If it were me, I'd just pick one and signal the other with a look."
"Like, 'I made a special piece just for you'? 'You're the real one'?"
Rozina nodded at Serika's words.
Hmm... Isn't that even trashier?
I voiced that thought, but both Serika and Rozina just shook their heads.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Anyway, the mood had lightened a bit. Time to change the subject.
"By the way, Lady Rozina."
I asked her.
"How's Hans doing? Is he handling things well?"
At my question, Rozina clapped her hands.
"Ah, Mr. Hans? Don't get me started. He's been quite the solid investment."
"That good?"
"Mr. Hans is so capable that I even entrusted him with analyzing the family's finances."
I was floored. Just hearing about it sounded like insanely heavy work. Hans must have been shocked too.
"Mr. Hans uncovered some leaking funds that were draining us dry. He's been a huge help to the family."
Rozina was genuinely impressed.
"Is it because he's your friend, Aiman?"
"Nah."
"Well, that's true."
Rozina agreed with me right away, which felt weird.
And then Serika chimed in.
"Hans...? The one from the market who talked to you, big brother?"
"Yeah, that's him. Remember the market? When I played Moonlight Sonata. The one with the lute."
Serika went, ah, then asked back.
"Come to think of it, you mentioned him before. Said he was a colleague from the trading company?"
"The guy's a wizard with numbers."
I hesitated whether to say more... but ended up telling Serika.
"Last time those trading company bastards picked a fight, I introduced him to Lady Rozina. Things worked out great because of it."
"The trading company picked a fight?"
Serika's eyes went wide.
"What's that about, big brother?"
Her gaze was screaming: Why didn't you tell me about something that big?
...Come to think of it, yeah. I should've said something.
As I froze, Rozina slipped in with a sly smile.
"My, you didn't know?"
There was a subtle air of superiority in Rozina's voice.
"How cool Aiman was back then..."
Rozina set down her teacup and began recounting the tale.
"The ruthless trading company head tried to steal Aiman's piano. But Aiman teamed up with Mr. Hans, devised a scheme, and brought the whole company crashing down. His strategy was brilliant."
"No, that's not quite right, is it, Lady? What did I even do back then...?"
"You can't say you did nothing."
It felt half-right, half-wrong. Rozina kept going.
"I just helped from the sidelines."
"And that help was huge, Lady."
"True, but it was Aiman who suggested we do it that way, wasn't it?"
Rozina said that and flashed a leisurely smile at Serika.
Serika's brow furrowed slightly. She looked at me, and I could read her eyes again.
-Why didn't you tell me about this?
I couldn't meet Serika's gaze.
"...Anyway."
Rozina's expression turned a bit serious.
"Lately, Mr. Hans has looked a little down."
"Down?"
"He's doing great at work. Sometimes he holes up in the office all night."
Rozina added with a hesitant look, as if wondering whether to say it.
"He seems to have something weighing on him."
"...He probably couldn't bring himself to tell you, Lady."
If I had to guess, he was scared of looking incompetent.
"It's probably not a big deal. If it were serious, Hans would've reported it by now."
"I think so too. That's why I didn't pry."
My eyes met Serika's, who'd been listening quietly.
"Serika."
"Yeah."
"Want to check out the Bellua family situation?"
"...Can I?"
"That's up to Lady Rozina."
Rozina heard me and just smiled.
"If you two talk like that, you know I can't refuse."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Before long, Serika and I were riding in a Bellua family carriage.
Rozina had offered to personally introduce Serika to the family, while I was guided by a servant.
"Is this the place?"
"Yes, sir."
I'd arrived at the annex handling administrative work.
The servant knocked, and a familiar voice came from inside.
"Come in."
The servant withdrew, and I opened the door.
The room was a mountain of documents.
Papers and ledgers covered the desk, sofa, floor—everything.
And in the grave of papers at the center sat a buried man.
"Hey, Hans."
I called out, and Hans looked up. His face bore the mark of deep contemplation.
"Baron Aiman? Mr. Aiman? Or just Aiman?"
"Just Aiman."
"Yeah, that's easier. Aiman, long time no... wait, not really."
"Feels like a while to me. Been a lot of incidents lately."
Hans nodded in agreement.
"So, what's troubling you?"
"What're you on about?"
"Lady Rozina said you looked like you had something on your mind."
"Not really..."
"You look like it."
Hans gave me an incredulous look.
"Since when do we spill our guts like this? More importantly, why're you here?"
"Just sightseeing, feeling out my position? Oh, and I've got someone to introduce you to."
At my words, a spark lit in Hans's eyes. There was the Hans I knew.
The flirt incarnate.
"A woman?"
"Of course."
"Ooh..."
"Tall, with that pink hair you love?"
Hans's eyes began to shine.
"But."
"But?"
"Won't introduce her unless you spill what's on your mind. Thanks for your time."
"...How old are you to pull this?"
I get it.
"Couldn't hold back my curiosity."
Hans made an incredulous face and opened his mouth.