“So… what brings you here, anyway?”
“I’m here to visit my older brother. Do I need a reason to come see you? I just wanted to see your face.”

Aria Radner.

The audacious girl was Edward’s younger sister.
She lacked the family’s reserved demeanor, yet somehow, I felt a sense of familiarity.

Perhaps it was also Edward’s emotions at play. Regardless, I had no memories of her.
I only knew of episodic incidents from reading books.

“By the way, brother, this is delicious. It feels like a dessert from the capital.”
“Right, because it’s a dessert made in the capital.”
“Wow…”

Unbeknownst to us, Aria, who had been exploring the mansion, entered the kitchen and started gobbling up the dessert I intended to give Ania.

“Brother, did you have this kind of hobby?”
“It’s for my wife…”
“Ugh…”

Aria frowned.

“Didn’t you know? Brother used to be all dreamy-eyed whenever Ania’s name came up. It seems completely different now.”

With an incredulous expression, Aria pushed the last remaining madeleine into her mouth. Then, patting her belly with satisfaction, she smiled.

“Thank you for the meal.”
“Why did you come, anyway? Surely not just to steal desserts.”
“Geez… do I look like such a parasite?”

While she did give off that impression, I didn’t voice it. Aria pouted.

“I couldn’t attend your wedding, so… Since you got married, I thought I should visit at least once.”
“And the Tower?”
“Why are you like this, brother? It’s my vacation already, you know?”
“Is that so?”
“Edward Radner, Mr. Marrying-a-beauty, can’t even get his act together after getting married?”
“… I guess so.”

No, it wasn’t true, but saying so would easily create misunderstandings, so I just nodded.

“Have you already forgotten? Anyway… how’s Ania?”

Aria walked back into the kitchen, looking around as if searching for Ania.

“She’s sick.”
“What? Why? How bad?”
“She caught a cold about a week ago.”
“That’s serious.”

It seemed Aria was well aware of Ania’s condition.

They have been close since childhood, so it was understandable.

“It’s not that serious. Her body is almost fully recovered now.”
“Oh, really…”

Aria shook her head as if she couldn’t believe it.

“You foolish brother. Where can you find a healthy person when they’re sick?”
“Ania seemed fine, though.”
“She’s just pretending to be okay!”

When I casually replied, Aria jumped up and playfully hit my head. It didn’t hurt much.

“Listen, brother. In this world, no one’s okay when they’re sick. If they do, it’s all an act.”
“You never knew when I was ill.”
“That’s because you’re a weird person, brother. Anyway, listen. Ania pretends to be okay because she doesn’t want to worry the people around her.”
“Hmm…”

Looking back, it seemed true.
She said she was fine, yet she asked for my hand, and I even sang her a lullaby.

‘Was she pretending to be okay in her own way?’

Or perhaps it was a scheme to deceive me. Anyway, the more I knew about Ania Brontë, the more mysterious she seemed.

“Here, take this.”

At that moment, Aria handed me a box.

“What’s this?”
“Green tea.”
“Green tea?”
“It’s the kind Ania likes. It’s made from leaves that only grow in the lands governed by the Northern Duke, so it’s incredibly expensive. I had difficulty getting it, but remember: it’s for Ania.”
“I’m not really a fan of green tea anyway…”
“Just say you understand!”
“Alright, I get it.”

As I responded with a gloomy expression, Aria giggled.

“I wanted to see my sister’s face after a long time, but she’s not feeling well… I’ll see her later. Well then, see you again, brother.”
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yeah, I have to. I’m a busy person too, you know? After all, I’m the tower’s best mage, Aria!”
“Impressive.”
“Hehe…”

I accompanied Aria to the main gate as she prepared to leave. Since the tower was quite far away, I had asked Ricktman to summon a carriage, which arrived shortly.

Aria initially complained about why I bothered to call a carriage, insisting she would just go on foot, but eventually, she boarded it.

“Well then. Take care now that you’re married, big brother.”
“Sure. Study hard, too.”
“Yeah.”

Aria smiled mischievously and playfully wrinkled her forehead.

“Don’t ever drink the green tea.”
“I won’t.”
“And… take good care of Ania, okay?”
“I will.”
“She’s a precious person. She’s someone you like, and I like her too.”
“A precious person…”
“Alright, I’m off!”

With that, Aria said her goodbyes and swiftly left.

***

Fortunately, a few days after Aria left, Ania’s cold cleared up as if it had been washed away.

And so, our ordinary married life resumed.
We shared meals, Ania fed me, and…

Of course, the monotonous routine didn’t last forever.

Ania Brontë was a noble lady of Duke Bronte, and I was the eldest son of Earl Radner.
Even without any special events, nobility always had its busy aspects.

Ironically, the tranquil honeymoon period without any incidents felt more strange.

“An invitation to a ball has arrived.”

Ricktman said one day during mealtime.

“Who is it from?”
“Earl Roland. He manages a large farm in the west and maintains a close relationship with our earldom.”

Earl Roland…
Looking back, I vaguely remembered him.

He was the heir to the farm business handed down through generations, essentially a second-generation chaebol, fond of pleasure and luxury. (TN: Chaebol is a large industrial conglomerate run and controlled by an individual or family.)

To put it positively, he was an intelligent businessman, but to put it negatively, he was profligate. Beyond that… there wasn’t much that came to mind.

But I didn’t particularly want to attend the ball.
I wasn’t well-versed in noble etiquette, and there was a risk of my true identity not being Edward being revealed. Getting involved unnecessarily could lead to trouble.

“Is it necessary to go?”
“…My lord. Why would someone with your knowledge make such a joke?”

So I asked Ricktman, and he chuckled as if I told a joke.

Among noble families, an invitation to a ball held a significant meaning.

It meant, “We respect you and would like to treat you well, so please come and enjoy.” There were also opportunities for the youths of noble families to socialize.

Furthermore, young members of different noble families often built relationships in such social gatherings.

Having strong ties with other nobles was advantageous if one aspired to inherit an earl or marquis title someday.

Business wasn’t done alone, and there might be help needed someday.
That is why connections are essential.

“Say that we will attend.”

Ania said, cutting a piece of steak and feeding it into my mouth.

“I will attend together with my husband.”
“Yes, My Lady.”

Since attendance had already been decided, and Ania’s confirmation was all that was needed, Ricktman left the dining room without hesitation.

Upon his departure, Ania smiled slyly at me.

“It seems you’re not fond of balls.”

I pondered the meaning behind her words.

Did she mean she sensed I didn’t like attending the ball? Or did she think I was embarrassed?

I offered the most plausible excuse.

“I’m not confident in dancing.”
“If you’re not confident, you could choose not to…”

Was that really acceptable?
Weren’t balls events where everyone danced to the music?

Ania inserted a piece of broccoli into my mouth and spoke.

“You don’t necessarily have to dance at a ball. If you really want to, you can join me.”

After finishing the meal, Ania stood up, extending one hand straight and placing the other in front of her waist.

“Or should I teach you right now?”
“…”
“Gladly.”

Interpreting my silence, Ania grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

“Now, hold my hand…”

Ania clasped my right hand with her left hand.
Then, with her right hand, she moved my left to her waist.

That brief moment felt like a fantasy from a dream.