Chapter 5

"Actually, my engagement has been called off."

"…What?"

Phil, who had been fixing his messy hair with his fingers, turned around a moment later.

His eyes were wide open. He seemed quite surprised.

"Called off... What? But, wasn't the carriage that came here today carrying the young master of the Orphels family?"

"Yes. Lord Gorman came here himself to break the engagement."

"…Engagement, broken off."

Phil repeated my words in a low voice.

He frowned at the sound of them, even though he had just muttered them.

"So, I think Albes is feeling down. Please keep him company with some drinks."

"That much is a given. …No, but isn't that strange? Your engagement was decided by the previous generation."

"Our family is short on money this year. So, we couldn't prepare the dowry in one lump sum."

"Is that all?"

Few people would say the dowry is just a matter of money.

Phil must have said that to be considerate of me.

"There might be other reasons. Lord Gorman didn't seem to like me very much."

"…Still, breaking the engagement? With Lucia? Even if it's a baron's family, that's unreasonable!"

Phil muttered, pressing his hand to his forehead.

There was a hint of anger in his voice.

I appreciate that he's getting angry on my behalf.

Well, I've told him what I needed to. For Phil's sake, I should make a delicious stew.

"I'll take the basket."

"…No, I'll carry it. It's quite heavy."

Phil easily picked up the basket filled with turnips in one hand and led the horse by the reins, walking with large strides.

Our destination was our house.

Phil, walking on pure emotion, was so fast that I had to hurry to catch up. But by the time we saw the house, he had calmed down and stopped abruptly. When I caught up, he let out a big sigh.

"Is Albes at home?"

"He's in the barn. He needs to finish the roof repairs today, so if you want to talk, do it while working together."

"…Roof repairs. I'm not very good at that. But, I can help out."

Phil muttered.

Though he said that, Phil isn't that bad at carpentry. His work is as good as, if not better than, Albes's. It just takes him a bit longer because he doesn't do it often.

But with the two of them working together, the barn repairs should be finished by today.

That's good.

When my brothers returned before evening, they seemed normal at first.

The barn repairs were successfully completed, and before dinner, Albes was enthusiastically talking about how rotten the roof planks were.

Phil had apparently helped by carrying the new planks up to the roof.

Both of them were laughing and having a good time.

However, that was only until they started drinking.

It was fine that they were eating the simple stew with just salt and asking for seconds multiple times. It was also fine that they were drinking beer like cows.

But the moment they started drinking the distilled liquor Phil brought, Albes slammed a dagger into the table.

"What's wrong with that kid! What does he have against my sister!"

It seemed that the matter with Lord Gorman hadn't settled at all.

I don't mind if he gets angry, but please don't take it out on the furniture. It's not a fancy table that gets upset over a little scratch, but you'll be the one fixing it, brother.

When I looked at Phil to try to calm him down, he was spinning a knife in his hand.

…Eh, what is Phil doing!

"Sure, if he were the heir to the baron's family, but that kid is the second son, right? Isn't he being too disrespectful?"

"He's either forgotten or pretending to forget that I'm a viscount. Damn it! Why did my father agree to an engagement with such a stupid son?"

"The Orphels baron's family is stable. The baron himself must have recognized the value of the Laguren viscount's family. …He must have found a more suitable daughter."

Listening to his words, Phil seemed calm.

But he spun the knife and threw it into the wall with a thud.

Oh, come on.

Do that kind of thing at the army barracks!

But I understand that they're angry on my behalf.

So, I quietly placed some salted beans on the table for them. However, I can't keep up with them anymore.

"Albes, I'll leave the rest to you. You can get as drunk as you want, but be careful with the fire."

"Sure, leave it to me!"

"…Can I trust you? Oh, and no throwing knives at the candle flames. Phil, I've prepared your room as usual, so don't pass out here."

"Don't worry. It's warm around here, so I won't freeze to death."

"Eh? That's not the issue… Well, good night."

When I said that, they both stood up straight at the same time. They stood so straight, it was hard to believe they had been drinking, and then they gave me a beautiful bow.

A respectful, highest-level bow, like the one given to a princess.

…Yeah, they're impressive drunks.