Chapter 3

"What kind of drink do you like?"

"Uh, um, well, tea... I like any kind of tea..."

The next Earl of Shaltee, who possessed a perfect combination of freshness, dignity, and strength, was giving me a warm welcome in the salon by instructing the maid.

It was strange. The Earl of Shaltee had requested my sister, Casablanca, and I had been sent instead by lying. Normally, one would be more reluctant, yet the maid served me tea with a very friendly "Please."

Being naturally shy, I was not just sitting with my legs neatly aligned but was huddled up entirely.

While taking a sip of tea, I looked at the person in front of me again... What? What is this?!

"It's very delicious...!"

"You must be nervous, right? I was told it was tea, but I chose chamomile tea for its relaxing effects."

"Indeed, it has a very soothing aroma and sweetness."

With a sigh, I relaxed my shoulders and smiled, and the next Earl of Shaltee smiled back in the same way.

However... the difference between the portrait and the present is just too much. How on earth did such a plump body transform into such a fine physique? It's a transformation that could hardly be believed even in fiction.

Thinking about what I was like 8 years ago, I feel like I was just a smaller version of my current self.

"This is a very impolite question, but I want to confirm if you are the person in the portrait..."

"You can ask me anything."

Thanks to his open attitude and the effect of the tea, I tried to choose my words carefully as I asked.

"...The impression from the portrait is quite different. Are you really the person in the portrait...?"

"Yeah, that. Ha, I was very fat, right? Since I just came back recently, the portrait is outdated... My family has been the hereditary head of the Royal Guard for generations."

"Yes, I have heard that."

"During childhood, if you build too much muscle, it can stunt your growth or hurt your joints. And if you gain weight first and then build muscle to match your body as it develops... well, to be honest, you grow taller and it's easier to build flexible and supple muscles. So, during the portrait period, I focused on flexibility and stamina training, and ate a lot to gain weight. It's a family secret."

The explanation made a lot of sense, especially since the next Earl of Shaltee standing in front of me had the physique described.

I've also heard that the first training for the Royal Guard is to build stamina. Before that, you build stamina and gain weight to prepare for muscle building.

...It's like a veil has been lifted. Learning new knowledge can make you a bit dazed for a moment. I bowed my head in surprise at the next Earl of Shaltee, who was tilting his head in interest.

"I'm very sorry for asking such an impolite question. The explanation is very convincing... Of course, I won't tell anyone!"

"Sure. But... I requested Casablanca, yet you came. It was as I expected, but I'm glad you came smoothly."

...? The conversation became a bit hard to follow. He requested my sister, but he's glad I came?

Before I could ask, the next Earl of Shaltee's gaze was calm and warm, and I could only close my mouth.