Chapter : 100
The Bachelor Noble Brings Friends to His Family Home
From Volume 2 of “The Bachelor Noble Enjoys Another World”
“Why do I even have to go?”
On a certain day off, I was riding in a carriage with Leonard and Ilia, heading toward the Ruren territory.
I had sent a letter asking my family to treat Ilia and Alto well, to smooth over Leonard’s business dealings. But instead of a reply, my family sent Ilia and Alto in the family carriage.
I had no idea what was going on.
“No, it would be strange if I went alone since the liaison isn’t here. Isn’t it only natural that you’re called too?”
“Exactly! And besides, the wedding ring was made by our brother, right? We can’t just decide on our own.”
“No, I wrote that I would leave that matter to you. Most of the rings in production are Ilia and Fibel’s responsibility. You can handle it at your discretion.”
“Even so, Brother should participate in the discussion! He’s the one responsible for creating it!”
“That’s not the important part, though.”
“Well, well, he wouldn’t come home without an occasion like this. Father and Mother want to see him too.”
While Ilia and I argued, Alto tried to mediate.
Honestly, being made to come home at every opportunity is a huge nuisance.
Today, I had planned to clean the house, read, and maybe cook some meat dishes. My perfect day off had been ruined.
Still, Leonard was here. Even though he was a close friend, I couldn’t afford to embarrass myself any further.
Pretending to listen to Alto’s reasoning, I decided to stop complaining.
After being jostled along in the carriage for a while, we finally arrived at the mansion in the Ruren territory.
“So this is the Ruren estate. Isn’t it lovely?”
“It’s just a big, ordinary mansion.”
Compared to Leonard’s estate, it lacked extravagance and splendor.
Our family wasn’t interested in such things, so our house only maintained the dignity appropriate for a viscount.
“Well, beauty also comes from functionality, you know?”
“Is that so?”
Indeed, our estate emphasized practicality, such as storage for materials and magical tools, making it different from a typical mansion.
Leonard seemed to notice this immediately upon entering.
“By the way, is this your first time visiting the Ruren family home, Leonard?”
Alto asked as Leonard admired the interior with interest.
“Yes. I’ve wanted to visit several times, but Zilch never took me along.”
“At the academy, you lived in the dorms. There was no need to travel so far.”
“I see.”
Hearing my response, Leonard shrugged. He might be interested in magical tools and workshops, but to me, it was all familiar from birth.
There was nothing particularly exciting about coming home, so I had never invited friends to my family home before.
“I don’t want my precious vacation ruined by family interference.”
Hearing my reasoning, not only Leonard, but Alto and Ilia also smiled wryly. That’s why I avoid it whenever I can.
“Mom, I’m home!”
“Welcome back, Sera.”
At the entrance, Ilia’s daughter, Sera, appeared.
“Oh, what a cute little girl.”
Seeing Leonard, Sera froze and tilted her head.
“…Who are you?”
“I’m Leonard, Zilch’s friend.”
“I’m Sera! That’s my name!”
“Nice to meet you, Sera-chan.”
Leonard gently patted Sera’s head with a warm smile.
“He seems good with kids.”
“I don’t dislike children or anything.”
Though Leonard avoided the responsibility of having heirs by taking in adoptees, it wasn’t that he disliked children.
“Uncle!”
“Yes?”
Sera, who had been looking at Leonard, suddenly turned toward me, her expression serious, as if assessing me.
“…Do you remember my name?”
“Of course I do. Sera, right?”
“Hehe, good!”
Satisfied with my smooth reply, Sera grinned and nodded.
“You’re showing your foolish side.”
“Don’t be mean! She’s only four, you know? It’s normal, and that’s what makes her cute!”
Ilia hurriedly defended her daughter, but her phrasing seemed to affirm that her daughter was silly—was that really okay?
“Zilch, you’re harsh even to children.”
“I’m fair to everyone.”
Since her parents were blinded by love, a third party should provide a rational perspective. Not that I’d interfere in someone else’s family, of course.
Leaving Sera to Ilia, we headed to the reception room, where Fibel was already waiting.
“Thank you for coming all this way, Lord Aquinas. I’m Fibel, working with Ilia on the rings.”
“This is Leonard Aquinas, Zilch’s friend. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule.”
“No, not at all.”
This was likely Fibel’s first time speaking at length with Leonard. She greeted him very formally.
The Aquinas family was a countly household, higher in rank than ours. Naturally, Fibel, already soft-spoken, became even more deferential.
“Today, we’re here as equals to discuss business. No need to be so formal—feel free to be casual.”
“Leonard is just this way,” Alto explained, which seemed to relax Fibel slightly.
“Thank you. May I call you Leonard?”
“Yes, and I’ll call you Fibel.”
Though the greeting was a bit stiff, it seemed to go smoothly after that.
“Well then, let’s get to the main topic. I’d like to propose a business selling wedding dresses and rings as a set—”
As everyone sat on the sofa, the discussion about business began amicably.
●
After introductions, they immediately got into discussing the wedding dress and ring set business.
“In that case, we’d want to design the rings after seeing the dresses.”
“If possible, matching the materials used in the dress decorations would create harmony and make it look beautiful.”
“That’s a wonderful idea!”
Though I was present, I had little involvement in this business. The discussion was mostly between Ilia, Fibel, and Leonard. I was only there as the responsible party and introducer.
Sitting quietly without much to do was unbearably boring. Alto occasionally chimed in, but only to check on Fibel, concerned about her health as she balanced work and childcare.
Fibel tended to overwork when engrossed in her tasks, so Alto acted as her caretaker. My brother still enjoyed taking care of others, as usual.
I was present, but no one asked me anything. Clearly, my presence wasn’t necessary.
Seeing no one paying attention to me, I told Alto I was going to the restroom and left the reception room—but instead of going there, I headed for the entrance.
Then, someone tugged on my pant leg.
“Uncle, the restroom is this way.”
Looking down, I saw Sera. She had apparently followed me without anyone noticing.
“The line I just said was just an excuse to leave the reception room. I’m not really going to the restroom.”
“What do you mean?”
Maybe my words were too difficult.
“I lied just now.”
“Eh? Lying is bad! Mom and Dad said so!”
Technically correct, but not always practical in life.
“That’s not strictly true. There are good lies and bad lies. By knowing the difference, we can live wisely.”
“Really?”
“That’s how it is. Remember that.”
“Okay! There are good lies and bad lies!”
Impressively perceptive for her age.
“But…why did you lie?”
On second thought, maybe she’s not so perceptive.
“If I say I’m going to the restroom, no one will stop me. It’s the perfect way to get outside without suspicion.”
Sera looked up at me, her mouth slightly open.
“…Uncle, are you…smart?”
“Maybe.”
“Wow!”
Sera was impressed by my cleverness.
“Go tell Mom how amazing I am.”
“Okay! I will!”
With that, Sera ran back to the reception room, her eyes shining.
“She really is an idiot,” I muttered.
