I’m the fifth son of a count’s family, but I became the head of a duke’s house.
I had only heard of Lady Selene, who is my older brother Yosef’s wife, by name.
But this was the first time I was actually meeting her. Well, they got married about a year ago, so the timing would be after last year’s gathering.
“I see. So this is just for a formal introduction, then?”
“That’s right.”
For Yosef, who is usually not one to think too much ahead, this was thoughtful of him.
But since he’s introducing his wife to me, it would be rude not to introduce mine as well.
“Would it be alright if I called for Leila?”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
I lightly open the door and tell the maid, who was waiting outside, to fetch Leila. The maid replies briefly with, “Understood,” and quickly leaves.
“I’m looking forward to meeting Lady Leila.”
Lady Selene smiles as she says this.
Although she’s the princess of a duke’s family, which had been in opposition to the Count faction’s nobles, it didn’t seem like there were any lingering issues from that. I didn’t feel any political undertones, either. My first impression didn’t give me that kind of impression.
Somehow, I feel like Lady Selene and Leila would get along well. They have a similar kind of atmosphere, after all.
“I hope you two can get along as well.”
“Yes, of course.”
“…I must say, I’m surprised. I didn’t expect my older brother Yosef’s wife to be this… normal.”
“Just what do you think of me, Ainzich?”
Huh? Isn’t he a musclehead?
It seems my brotherly banter amused Lady Selene, as she giggles quietly.
“But Yosef-sama has many wonderful qualities, too, you know?”
“That’s true.”
Well, Yosef’s lively personality might be rare for a noble, but that’s one of his good traits. He’s easy to get along with.
“Like this impressive chest…”
Lady Selene leans against Yosef’s chest with a dreamy look on her face. Yosef doesn’t seem entirely displeased, either.
Wait… could she be a muscle enthusiast?
The two are being affectionate, but brotherly affection like this is kind of nauseating. Though, maybe this is how Leila and I look to others…?
As I think about that, Yosef clears his throat, as if recalling something, and Lady Selene quickly pulls away from him.
“In fact, there’s someone else I want to introduce to you. Or rather, they’re the main person I want you to meet.”
“Really?”
Yosef nods once before speaking again.
“Actually, we had a child.”
“Eh… This is the first I’m hearing of this.”
I ask in surprise, and Yosef answers while crossing his arms.
“Yeah. I’m supposed to announce it at this year’s gathering in front of everyone.”
Eh… Is it okay to say that in front of me?
Shouldn’t that have been kept a secret?
Does that mean the gathering my father is hosting is when we’ll find out?
“Well, we’re family, so I don’t think it matters.”
It seems Yosef’s confusion is obvious even to him, given his muscular build.
Well, if Yosef says so, I guess it’s fine.
“Then, Yosef-sama, I’ll go—”
Lady Selene starts to move, probably intending to bring the baby from another room, but Yosef stops her by grabbing her shoulder.
Lady Selene looks at him with a puzzled expression, as if asking what he’s doing.
“Don’t overdo it, you’re not feeling well. I’ll go fetch the child.”
“Yosef-sama…”
“They seem to get along so well…”
She blushes, and with that, she gently pulls away from him.
“Well then, I’ll go now. You two can talk.”
“Understood.”
I nod in agreement.
Yosef looks between us and then leaves the room.
Left behind, I’m wondering what to talk about, but Lady Selene speaks up first.
“It seems like you and Yosef-sama are quite close.”
“…Yes, I suppose so. We haven’t spent that much time together, though.”
“Really?”
Lady Selene seems surprised by both the closeness and the lack of time we’ve spent together.
“Yosef-sama was busy with his duties as the heir to the Count family, so the only real interaction we had was when he occasionally came to train with me.”
By the time I was old enough to have more freedom, Yosef was already running around with responsibilities as the next Count.
And whenever he showed up, he’d beat me senseless in training before leaving again.
If you just heard that, you’d think I’d resent him, but because of his bright personality, I never could.
“I’ve been trained a lot, but he’s a good older brother. Please continue to take care of him from now on.”
“Yes, of course. I will continue to support Yosef-sama.”
Yosef is truly fortunate to have found such a good wife.
As we chat, there’s a knock on the door, and it opens.
I thought it was Yosef returning, but it’s actually Leila.
When Leila enters, her eyes look somewhat clouded.
Wait… objectively speaking, is it okay for a man and woman to be alone in a room like this…?
“…Ainzich-sama? Who is this woman?”
Leila’s voice has an icy tone to it.
N-No! Please, you have to listen!
