I’m the fifth son of a count’s family, but I became the head of a duke’s house
As I walked down the hallway toward my room, a man approached from the other end.
He raised a hand lightly and smiled.
“Yo, Ainzich.”
“Brother Josef.”
As soon as he reached me, my brother pulled me into a tight hug with his broad chest.
“Guh—!”
Crap, crap. Not only is he incredibly strong, but his sheer muscle mass is suffocating me.
“Sorry. Mind if I borrow Ainzich for a bit?”
Josef turned his gaze to the elderly butler standing beside me, seeking confirmation. The butler, however, sent me a troubled look instead.
I pleaded with my eyes for help, but I had no idea if my message got through to him.
“I believe that should be fine.”
Hey! Don’t just hand me over!
I just wanted to go back and rest.
…Well, if it means escaping this choking embrace, I guess I have no choice.
As I savored the long-forgotten sensation of fresh air, a sudden feeling of weightlessness struck me.
Josef had hoisted me onto his shoulder.
This… this looks exactly like a kidnapping.
I locked eyes with the elderly butler, who had moved behind Josef, but he quickly averted his gaze with an indescribable expression.
I continued to stare at him in protest, but he never looked back.
After a brief silence, Josef finally spoke.
“Ainzich, you’re way too light. Are you eating and training properly?”
“Well, I do train to some extent…”
Even with my administrative duties, I kept up with basic training. I needed the exercise to avoid getting sluggish, and besides, it was a good opportunity to move around… though Herbert tended to push me pretty hard.
“Hmm.”
My brother didn’t seem entirely convinced.
He had the same skeptical expression as a gym trainer suspecting their client of sneaking sweets during a diet.
“Well, never mind. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Someone you want me to meet…?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Who could it be…?
As I pondered, Josef started walking.
With each step he took, I swayed along on his shoulder. I continued to glare at the elderly butler, but he never met my eyes.
Josef stopped in front of a certain room.
A maid stood by the door, her expression unreadable.
Perhaps to hide it, she kept her head lowered after bowing, never raising it again.
Josef, however, paid no mind and reached for the door handle.
Sensing that this was not a good idea, I began to struggle on his shoulder in protest.
“Brother, I can’t exactly meet someone like this!”
“Oh, right. I forgot. You were making for good weight training.”
Seriously…? Has muscle taken over his brain too?
After being set down, I quickly dusted off my clothes and adjusted my appearance.
Once Josef saw I was ready, he opened the door.
Inside the room stood a woman.
She had a gentle aura about her—probably older than me.
Something about her seemed familiar.
Placing a hand on my chest, I bowed lightly.
“Nice to meet you. I am Einzich von Sil Baltia. Selene Belraia, Marquess Belraia’s daughter… or should I call you my sister-in-law instead?”
As I slightly lowered my head, I discreetly observed her reaction.
She looked momentarily surprised but quickly composed herself, offering a smile.
She grasped the hem of her skirt and returned the bow.
“Nice to meet you, Einzich. Please, call me however you like.”
Selene Belraia—daughter of the Belraia Marquess, a noble house allied with ours.
And Josef’s wife.
