Chapter 7

The messenger from the Ophels family bowed deeply and left the room. After making sure the carriage had departed, I hurried back to the parlor.

Brother Alves was still seated.

He was staring at the sealed letter the messenger had brought, his expression blank, but it was clear he was suppressing his anger.

"Brother Alves, what is that?"

"...It's the worst. I've never felt such humiliation."

Brother Alves' voice was low, and his green eyes were cold.

But when he looked up at me, there was a slight, ironic smile on his face.

"Lucia, it seems Lord Gorman is getting married."

That...

I was genuinely surprised. It was only a week ago that he had broken our engagement, and now he was already getting married.

Brother Alves seemed to want to say more but hesitated. He suddenly stood up and started pacing around the room, looking out the window for a while before finally turning back to me.

"This is an official invitation from the Ophels family."

"An invitation?"

When I tilted my head in confusion, Brother Alves growled low and continued.

"Lord Gorman and Irena are getting married... and they're inviting you."

"...Huh?"

I let out a strange sound in shock.

Born into the Laguren family, Irena from the Bertia family is my maternal cousin. We are the same age and used to play together when we were young. When I visited the capital, I would often stay at their mansion. I thought we were quite close, but I had no idea she was going to marry Lord Gorman.

"But... Irena from the Bertia family. If you think about it, it's a reasonable choice."

"I haven't been in the capital for a while, but is the Bertia family really that influential now? I heard they have a few famous products."

"Their dye has been in high demand this year. Haven't you noticed the increase in light purple at the palace? That color is a specialty of the Bertia family, and it's selling in large quantities."

"Light purple, huh. I remember Brother mentioning that more and more nobles, both men and women, are wearing that awkward color, which doesn't suit them at all."

"...You're still as sharp-tongued as ever. I'm not saying anything. I haven't heard anything."

"Tell me more. Every time I see you, I end up listening to a torrent of complaints!"

"I won't listen at all. Besides, it's all the Ophels family's fault. Both the young master and the head of the family are spineless. Let me punch them once!"

"Alves, who also farms, would kill them if he punched them. Should I pretend to attack the Ophels territory during a drill?"

Brother Alves and Fil seemed calm on the surface, but they were having a completely uncalm conversation.

They were just drunk, so their words shouldn't be taken seriously.

But throwing knives every time they spoke was a bit much.

I had anticipated this, so I had attached several targets to the wall, each with a piece of wood cut into it.

All the knives were embedded in the targets.

Even when drunk, his aim didn't dull, which was commendable.

Moreover, with these two letting off steam, I could remain calm.

I had to stay calm to deal with this mess.

Really, these men.

But I felt a bit better, so I decided to bring out some steamed buns with beans.

"Wow, they look delicious! Thank you, Lucia!"

"Right. Show more gratitude to your sister. Praise her. My sister is such a good woman that it's a waste for that young man! If she hadn't insisted on getting married this year, our income would have increased! And Irena? How can a soft, weak girl be better!"

"Soft and weak? That's why you don't get any dates. Irena is petite and cute, but she has a large chest and is good at being affectionate. She's a perfect lady, even if she's a bit calculating."

"Fil, don't you think so too?"

"I don't like artificial things. But there are men who fall for that softness. ...I prefer strong women. I want a woman who can laugh and raise children even if I die. But why are there so many women who fake tears to gain sympathy and then take more money from men!"

"Haha! You're still saying that!"

"Why not? The other day, when I returned to the military headquarters at the palace to report, my brother showed up with a fishing rod. I still had work to do, but everyone ran away, so my work was delayed, and I had no escape!"

"No, don't bring up your family to me. I don't want to hear things I don't want to hear."

"Listen! My nephew and niece are monkeys! Not cute puppies or kittens. Monkeys! I was only near them for a day, but several maids cried and said they would quit!"

"...I haven't heard anything. I haven't heard anything at all!"

What are these drunks talking about?

Brother Alves, you don't need to cover your ears that much, do you? Is Fil's family that complicated?

I want to take back the steamed buns with beans.

Should I confiscate the alcohol too?

"Lu, Lucia! I'll abstain from alcohol, but please let me have the steamed buns! I've dreamed of them!"

"Hmm, does Fil always talk like that? But I don't feel bad. Maybe Brother should learn from him a bit?"

It's a small thing, but I felt a bit better and turned to look at Brother.

At that moment, Brother Alves, who had just thrown a knife, blinked with a slightly dazed look due to the alcohol.

"...What? Are you telling me to lie on the floor like him?"

"No, that's not what I meant!"

Indeed, expecting a normal reaction from a drunk is futile.

That night, the hours passed in the midst of the drunks' ramblings and laughter.