64

He would have to wait a year for the next Amenas anniversary, and he would have to make an excuse to aim for another time.

Above all, making chocolate was quite difficult, so I wondered if there would be a sense of rejection later on.

‘Has your birthday passed?’

Even though we’ve had quite a few conversations, we didn’t know about Shion’s birthday date.

But when I was preparing for my birthday, it seemed like anxiety was already creeping in.

‘I don’t think the cake is a bit… … .’

Even without knowing the recipe, I was able to clearly distinguish them.

Chocolate can be mixed in an appropriate ratio and hardened, but for cakes, various ingredients, including fresh cream, had to be used appropriately, starting with bread.

It was difficult enough to make chocolate, so I couldn’t carelessly foresee a difficulty beyond that.

‘Let’s just buy a present and give it. That’s enough.’

Shion also bought a necklace and gave it to herself as a gift.

It was a meaningful item in its own way, and it also contained Shion’s magical power.

Of course, buying a gift with money might seem lacking in sincerity, but if you choose well, you won’t be disappointed.

‘Is there anything the kid needs?’

It wasn’t something money could solve.

Shion had spare money, and could buy anything he wanted.

Of course, as long as it was a gift, he could show condescension, but he didn’t know if Shion would be satisfied.

‘I can’t make a cake… … .’

Harnette took out a handkerchief and approached Shion.

Shion immediately stops his hands and just watches Hanette.

“I’m afraid I’m not a kid… It’s all over your face.”

Harnette wipes her mouth with a handkerchief and meets Shion’s gaze.

It has a calm color now, but if you become a little more serious, it will become darker.

When fighting with someone, getting caught up in strong emotions, or protecting oneself.

Why is he so dependent on a kid who looks so young?

‘I must be lacking that much.’

Before he became an adult, he stuck to his own way, and after he became an adult, he became close to alcohol and gambling.

She kept away from the nobility, didn’t attend social gatherings, and tried to ignore what her parents were saying.

As time passed and they got tangled up one by one, before they knew it, they were being called the crazy ladies.

It was probably from there that the difference with Zion widened.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never talked about that before.’

Several nobles have made similar noises whenever they approached them.

Whether it’s beautiful, noble, inherited from a prestigious family, wanting to be close to each other, etc.

It was an act that showed a lot of intention, and every time it happened, I turned my back first after fiercely shooting it.

However, Shion had never talked about her appearance or status to herself.

‘I think I said something similar… … .’

Harnett wiped off the chocolate stain and cautiously stepped back.

Shion looked at it and immediately closed the box of chocolates.

“Why? It tastes awful?”

“Well… to save money.”

“You’d better eat it before it melts.”

“You can put it in a cool place.”

Zion took the box and put it in a shady place.

Of course, it could be put in a storage box with freezing magic, but since the price was quite expensive, it was rarely seen except in the housekeeper’s room or kitchen.

Hanette can’t stop Shion and walks towards the table.

“I want more, but that’s all there is.”

“That’s just right. Wouldn’t it be less valuable if there were too many of them?”

“What is it worth falling for? It’s over when it goes into your stomach, right?”

“It was made for me, so it’s worth it. If the quantity is fixed, the value will be higher, right?”

“Sigh… Should I take it as a compliment?”

“If this isn’t a compliment, what is?”

“It could be sarcastic.”

“If your sister’s heart was twisted, that’s how it would sound.”

“Is it fun to tease me? I didn’t make it for you to hear this… … .”

Hannette sat down in front of the table and rested her chin sideways.

Shion wiped his hands and sat down directly across from him.

“It’s enough to say it’s delicious, what more do you want me to do?”

“I played a joke like you once. Do you understand my position now?”

“I don’t know if that makes sense, and I know that your sister has an eccentric personality. Where do you see that as a joke?”

“Show me what eccentricity really is?”

“Giving chocolate is an excuse, are you here to fight me?”

“Huh! It’s not even funny. Why should I fight you?”

Harnette smiles softly as she recalls old memories.

Obviously, when I first met Shion, I had a conversation like this.

I was annoyed at the time, but the answer was different, so I was a little interested.

“It’s been a while since we had a conversation like this.”

“Sigh… I’ll just be honest. I deliberately created this atmosphere. We haven’t had a conversation like this lately.”

“Does your sister like it this way?”

“It’s comfortable. You don’t have to think about it.”

Harnette hated being bound by formality or status.

Sometimes I want to act without hesitation and speak coolly, but I had to be confined to discipline just because I was the daughter of a duke.

Of course, the other nobles had no choice but to do the same, but only Shion was the only one who pushed himself for words.

“At that time, we didn’t trust each other. There must have been a lot of complaints.”

“Yes it was. It’s still not bad… I think it was more fun then.”

“Were you anxious because you couldn’t eat each other?”

“So it’s a little bit sad. Did you really have to do that? We could have gotten along better… … .”

“… … .”

Even Shion was able to understand Hanette’s heart, albeit slightly.

Obviously, not too long ago, they had exchanged childish conversations, but they didn’t feel bad.

Rather, I felt a little interest, and I also had a bizarre curiosity.

But beyond that, hostility and suspicion were hidden, so he couldn’t go beyond that.

“Sister, let me ask you one last question. Once you’re married, you can’t go back. Are you really okay?”

Even Zion was afraid of marriage.

When I was living in modern society, I had never even talked to a woman, let alone dated.

I couldn’t even go through the preparation process, how can I maintain my marriage life?

Even if Hanette was considerate of her, she wouldn’t be able to shake off that feeling as easily.

“… I’ve already decided Wouldn’t it be enough for you to entrust my future to me?”

Hannette pondered dozens or hundreds of times before asking herself.

Can I marry Shion Reggiard?

It wasn’t a long-lasting relationship, it was a forced relationship.

However, during that short period of time, I learned about Shion Regard, and I was able to have faith, albeit belatedly.

“If my sister comes out like that… I should be prepared too.”

Shion calms his troubled mind and recalls his will.

It bothers me a little that Harnett didn’t follow the main character, but I decided not to think about it any longer.

For now, he could be satisfied with just being with him.

“Now that your sister has agreed to come with me, should we make a plan?”

“What plan?”

“Well… Something like a couple knights?”

“… Why are the knights appearing all of a sudden?”

“uh… Do you want to do something meaningful?”

Harnette silently stares at Shion with her mouth shut.

Shion accepts that gaze and shows an awkward smile.

“Explain in detail from start to finish.”

“Do you have any intention of joining the Knights?”

“Then shall I send you alone? You know where to do weird things… … .”

“Sister, I’m telling you in advance, I won’t cheat.”

“Does that make you even more suspicious? Please explain quickly.”

Harnette gave a sharp look and answered coldly.

I expected it to some extent, but did I know that the word couple knights would come out?

In other words, it meant that he would try to plan something after creating a knighthood alone with himself.

‘Still, I’m not saying you’re going to leave me. Should I say I’m proud, or should I say I’m not afraid… … .’

* * *

The residence of the Duke of Ternane, a banquet hall.

Few noble families had banquet halls.

Of course, there was a banquet hall in the palace, and other than that, it was close to being the exclusive property of dukes and marquesses.

If you want to have a banquet hall, you need a large land and the corresponding construction cost, and after that, you must have funds that can be used periodically while managing the banquet hall.

In other words, there was no reason to use it, let alone build a banquet hall, unless it was a royal palace, a duke’s family, or a marquess’ family.

‘As expected, it’s bigger than ours.’

Shion looks around the inside of the banquet hall and sips a glass.

As befits the name of the duchy, the banquet hall was also grand and splendid.

Of course, compared to the banquet hall of the Duke of Adelaira, there didn’t seem to be much of a difference.

‘I’m sure the head of household and mother are also here.’

Today was the founding anniversary of the Duke of Ternane, and was widely known as an event honoring the first head of the family.

The first head of the duke’s family was a servant and friend of the first king, and he was also a contributor who contributed greatly to the founding of the kingdom of Alain.

That’s why, along with the title of duke, he was bestowed with some territory on the capital side, huge funds, and preferential treatment to establish a base.

‘There are too many people.’

Even this was close to taking only a limited number of people.

The king or direct royal family, the royal family who is friendly with the dukes of Ternane, the same dukes, marquesses, and some counts.

All of them were guests invited by the Duke of Ternane and also those who proved their worth at least.

Of course, it was close to inviting the direct royal family, duke’s family, or marquis’ family out of courtesy, acknowledging their long history and reputation.

‘Still, I have to go see the test… … .’

Shion participated in the event as the son of the Marquis of Regiard and the fiancé of Hanette Adelaira.

However, it was only a visit to save face, and I had no intention of expanding my personal network at random.

Because the person who is worth it has already been decided.

Rather, they had to recruit talent with a guaranteed future ahead of time.

‘Ah, aren’t you a prosecutor yet?’

The person Shion was looking for was a swordsman who would be active in the outskirts in about a year.

He is probably secretly training his swordsmanship, and he only runs away after the founding anniversary.

And in that short time, he would have developed his skills and even earned the nickname of a monster hunter.

‘It should be somewhere… … .’

Shion looked around and started looking for her.

There was Harnette right next to her, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable.

Rather, from Shion’s point of view, she had to go with Hanette to be at least a little relieved.

‘Ah, is it that person?’

Shion found the Duke of Ternane first, and the young lady following him immediately caught his eye.

Golden hair that looks bright and elegant, light green eyes with a clear glow, and a gloomy yet lethargic impression.

The duke of Ternane had three sons and one daughter, so I was sure that he was the prosecutor.

‘I’d like to talk to you, but the situation… … .’

“Hey, what are you looking at?”

Harnette brought her face together and whispered carefully.

Shion turns her head slightly and mutters softly.

“I was looking at the Duke of Ternane.”

“Do not lie.”

“… Are you lying?”

“You were looking at the princess of the duke.”

“… … ?”

Shion twisted his eyes and completely turned his head.

Harnette was glaring at her with a cold expression on her face.

“You said you wouldn’t cheat. But what are you doing?”