I was reincarnated as the carefree duke’s second son, and somehow, my random remarks got me treated like a hero
**Marquis Edgar Vandergast of the Empire.**
The name sounded familiar.
“The Empire is the order of the world! The strongest is the Empire, obey the Empire!”
These were Edgar Vandergast’s iconic lines. While the Empire is often depicted as the symbol of evil, Prince Brid is called the “vicious mad king,” whereas Edgar is portrayed as the executor who carries out the worst atrocities under direct command.
That is Edgar Vandergast for you.
“Excuse me, Lady Cecilia.”
Edgar, with his strong gaze and a deeply carved face, stood before Lady Cecilia, his piercing eyes fixed on her.
“Oh my, Lord Vandergast, what brings you here?”
“Lady Cecilia, please call me Edgar.”
“Fufufu, Lord Vandergast. Today, we have new friends visiting, so if you have any business, might I ask you to state it quickly?”
It seemed she wanted to use me as an excuse to send Edgar away. Indeed, the pressure he exuded was quite intense.
“Hmm.”
Edgar’s gaze shifted to the person sitting next to Lady Cecilia—me and Elizabeth.
“Ah, isn’t that the young lady of the Count Eulheim family? I thought you didn’t belong to any faction? It’s rare to see you having tea with Lady Cecilia. Above all, it’s pitiful that despite being an imperial noble, you haven’t been invited to join Prince Brid’s faction.”
Apparently, he doesn’t know that Elizabeth was approached by Prince Brid on the day of the entrance ceremony. And it seems he’s quite obsessed with Prince Brid.
“Moreover, it seems you’ve brought along a man I’ve never seen before. Women sure are something, aren’t they? So carefree even though you’re engaged.”
“Lord Vandergast! Please refrain from such rude behavior towards my guests!”
“My apologies. I am a blunt man and cannot lie. If speaking the truth has offended you, I apologize.”
I see… this kind of person, huh?
There’s a theory about human relationships called the 2-6-2 rule. It suggests that when meeting someone new, 20% of people will like you, 60% will be indifferent, and 20% will dislike you.
Prince Brid and Prince Ice fell into that 20% of people who disliked each other from the moment they met.
And now, I realized that Edgar Vandergast belongs to the 20% of people I instinctively dislike upon meeting.
“Lady Cecilia, forgive me.”
“Eh?”
I pride myself on being able to smoothly communicate with anyone using my social skills, no matter the situation. I also believe I can endure any insults directed at me without feeling hurt.
But when someone speaks rudely to someone important to me—Elizabeth—I can’t stay calm or forgiving.
“You dare raise your head so high!”
I placed my hand on Edgar’s head and slammed it to the ground.
“What!?”
“Eh!?”
“Whoa!?”
Ignoring his cries, I pressed my foot down on Edgar’s head.
“How dare you speak so disrespectfully to my brother’s fiancée? Since when did a Marquis think they could act so arrogantly? Nobles value honor. Do you really think such insolence towards someone of higher rank is acceptable? Know the shame of your disgraceful behavior, ignoring manners and disregarding ranks!”
No one spoke. In the tense atmosphere, I introduced myself to Edgar.
“My name is Fly Eltor. I am the second son of the Imperial Duke’s family, and this is Lady Elizabeth, the fiancée of my older brother, Eric.”
“What!?”
It seemed Edgar finally realized whom he had spoken so rudely to.
“As the knight of Lady Elizabeth of the Count Eulheim family, I was invited to the tea party of Princess Cecilia Rose Arlington. Do you still have any complaints?”
“M-my deepest apologies!”
Edgar Vandergast, whether good or bad, was still a noble. He would flatter those of higher rank more than necessary. Believing the Empire to be supreme, he acted arrogantly toward Lady Cecilia, thinking himself superior since she was a duchess, and because his Marquis title outranked her Earl status.
However, to Edgar, princes and dukes held higher positions than him. Once he realized I belonged to a duke’s family, his attitude changed instantly.
“Edgar, I’m usually a mild-mannered person. I don’t get angry easily. But it’s only natural to get upset when someone speaks rudely to my companions, right?”
“Y-yes.”
“I’m glad you understand. Now, would you mind leaving?”
I removed my foot and silently watched as he got up. Words can be sharper than swords, but against those who try to trap others with rhetoric, I show no mercy.
“P-pardon me!”
After glancing at my face, Edgar hastily left.
As the tea party returned to its peaceful atmosphere, I bowed to the attendees.
“I apologize for the rudeness of the imperial citizen. Please understand that not all of us are like that. I regret spoiling the mood of the gathering. Lady Cecilia.”
Lady Cecilia looked stunned by my apology but then gave me a serious round of applause.
“Elizabeth, shall we take our leave?”
“Yes! Thank you, Lord Fly!”
Elizabeth happily took my hand.
“Lord Fly Eltor!”
As I was about to leave, Lady Cecilia called out to me.
“Yes?”
“Please, do become my friend!”
“Would you truly accept someone as barbaric as me?”
“Of course! I have the right to choose whom I associate with.”
“Then I gladly accept. However, in front of everyone, I must take my leave today.”
“Very well, please come again soon.”
With Lady Cecilia seeing us off, Elizabeth and I departed together.
