“Lady Laforet, it seems someone has arrived.”
Martina, who finally lifted her head at the sound of knocking on the door, called out to Laforet, who hadn’t even noticed the noise.
Laforet eventually looked up from her book and directed her gaze toward the door.
“Lady Laforet, my apologies for the sudden visit. I am Roland from the Department of Government Affairs.”
“And I am Nadia.”
“We have a matter we’d like to discuss. Would it be alright to trouble you for a moment of your time?”
Hearing their muffled voices through the door, Martina hastily stood up from her chair.
“They’re my superior and colleague. There might be some sort of issue at work. May I open the door?”
“I don’t mind. You can use the sofa over there.”
“Thank you.”
—Maybe I should have gone back at least once, even if I had permission to prioritize the investigation team’s work this afternoon.
“I’ll open the door now!”
As Martina said this and opened the door, Roland and Nadia, upon seeing her, let out relieved sighs, their expressions softening.
“Martina… you’re safe.”
“Thank goodness. We were worried about you.”
Their obvious relief made Martina tilt her head curiously.
“Worried about me?”
“…Hey, don’t tell me you haven’t realized? Look at the time!”
Glared at by Roland, Martina hurriedly pulled out the watch she had tucked into her pocket. The time shown was hours later than she had expected.
“Is it… already night?”
Martina stared at the clock in disbelief, then looked fearfully up at Roland, whose expression seemed ready to explode.
“I-I’m so sorry! I completely lost track of time while reading…”
—I always thought reading blurred my sense of time, but I didn’t think it could get this bad. I can’t believe myself.
“We’ve been running around worried something might’ve happened to you!”
“Really, Martina, you get too absorbed in your books!”
Both of them scolded her at almost the same time, and Martina shrank back, lowering her head.
“I’m so sorry… Thank you for worrying about me, Nadia too.”
“Haah… Well, as long as nothing happened, it’s fine.”
Laforet, who had been listening to the exchange, stood from her chair and directed her gaze at Roland and Nadia.
“I also lost track of time. My apologies for keeping your colleague for so long.”
“No, we appreciate you taking care of Martina. We’re sorry for the commotion.”
“And for the unannounced visit.”
“Think nothing of it. —Hmm? Are you Roland by any chance?”
Laforet narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Roland before speaking. Roland hesitated for a moment, then quickly bowed his head.
“…Yes. It’s been a while, Grandfather.”
The ones most shocked by this were Martina and Nadia. Without uttering a word, they widened their eyes, looking back and forth between Roland and Laforet.
“I thought so. It’s been quite some time.”
“You seem well, Grandfather. That’s good to see.”
“Yes, I’ve been absorbed in my research as always. How’s everyone doing? Now that I think about it, I haven’t been back home in years.”
“It’s been more than ten years, to be exact.”
“Has it really been that long?”
Laforet, who had dedicated his life to research, had neglected his household duties even when he held the title of viscount. After passing the family leadership to his son, he all but moved into his laboratory.
Roland, unsure how to interact with such a grandfather, chose to maintain his distance.
“I’ll try to visit home sometime soon. You’re welcome to drop by the lab whenever you like, Roland.”
“…Thank you. Speaking of which, may I take Martina back with me tonight? It’s already past dinnertime.”
Not wanting to prolong the conversation, Roland placed a hand on Martina’s shoulder as he spoke. Laforet, seemingly unaware of Roland’s unease, nodded with a smile.
“That’s fine. Martina, feel free to come back when you have time. I’ll need your help with my research again.”
“Yes, thank you for letting me read your valuable books today. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
The three left Laforet’s lab, walking quietly until they were far enough away. Martina finally broke the silence.
“Roland, so you’re part of the Laforet Viscount family?”
“I didn’t know either. To think you have such an incredible person as your grandfather.”
“I rarely use my family name, so most people don’t know. Besides, I’d rather not be roped into any work related to Grandfather.”
Roland’s lack of enthusiasm made Martina look up at him hesitantly.
“Do you… not want to get along with Lord Laforet?”
“Not exactly. I just don’t know how to interact with him after so much time apart. Besides, Grandfather was born into the Laforet Marquis family and received the viscount title as a second son. So, my family is more like a branch family of the marquisate. The marquis family doesn’t think highly of Grandfather’s free-spirited ways, and as a result, we hardly interact with them. To avoid worsening relations, I’ve kept my distance from Grandfather too…”
Roland’s complicated expression mirrored the complexity of his family situation. Martina, unsure how to respond, furrowed her brow.
Seeing her troubled expression, Roland smiled as if to lighten the mood, ruffling her hair a bit more firmly than usual.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like we’re on bad terms. More importantly, Martina, be more mindful of the time from now on.”
“Yes, I’ll reflect on this seriously…”
“Martina, you should get a clock that chimes when the hour changes. I have one I can lend you.”
“Nadia… thank you so much. Could I borrow it? I’ll save up and buy my own, but it would help in the meantime.”
With a sheepish expression, Martina looked at Nadia, who nodded with a smile.
“When you save up, let’s go shopping together. I know a great shop.”
“Really? That sounds so fun!”
Martina’s bright smile made both Nadia and Roland smile as well.
The three returned to the dormitory. Martina, having missed dinner, snacked on some emergency rations and went to bed, looking forward to breakfast the next day.
