***

One of the things that must be obtained to become the head of the Blanche family is the recognition of the heads of the vassal families.

Silvio, Rechel, and Dukoff.

It would certainly not be easy to gain recognition from the heads of those three families who had turned their backs on Belinda.

If there was someone relatively approachable among them, it would be Holio Rechel, whom I met at the casino.

As seen earlier, he was an ardent follower of Adelia Blanche, and I had succeeded in making quite a strong impression on him.

However, Baron Rechel hadn’t shown any particular interest in me after our first meeting.

Even when we encountered each other at the casino, he would only exchange eye contact and observe me from afar, never showing the enthusiastic response I had expected.

Half-doubting his lukewarm reaction, I requested to meet him while Sybel was busy handling casino affairs.

[I must get back the gold chip I lent you immediately.]

…Well, it was half a threat, but Baron Rechel gladly invited me to his mansion.

“The Baron is waiting for you. Please follow me.”

I followed the guidance of the very tired-looking elderly butler directly to the Baron’s office.

The hallways of the Rechel estate had a somewhat gloomy atmosphere, not because the building was old, but because it wasn’t properly maintained.

Dust accumulated on the window sills.

Servants who weren’t even visible and bare walls with only marks where paintings once hung.

‘The financial situation seems more serious than I expected.’

Clicking my tongue, I walked down the corridor for quite some time before I could finally meet Baron Holio.

“This seems to be the first time we’re meeting privately. Please sit here.”

He appeared energetic, deliberately ignoring his declining fortunes.

I took a sip of what was the weakest and most astringent tea I had ever tasted, then got straight to the point.

“As I mentioned in advance. You remember the gold chip I lent to the Baron that day, don’t you? I’ve come to get it back.”

“Yes, yes. This Holio has not forgotten that brilliant gold chip that you lent me then.”

Baron Rechel placed a money pouch on the table between us, as if he had been waiting for this.

Judging by the weight that made the table ring with a clink, it seemed to contain platinum coins.

“Let me check here…”

“Now that the principal is returned, shall we talk about interest?”

“…Interest… you say?”

Baron Rechel paused as he was untying the string fastening the pouch.

“When the casino gives loans, they charge interest, so it’s only natural that I should receive interest too. Especially since the Baron and I don’t have any personal relationship.”

“That’s… right.”

“But since I made the mistake of not mentioning it beforehand, I’ll only charge as much interest as the casino would.”

“Yes, yes… Thank… you.”

Despite his words of agreement, the Baron’s expression showed difficulty. This was because the casino’s loan interest was quite ruthless.

He was currently preparing a large-scale opera that debuts every spring.

From discovering new talent to recruiting playwrights and assembling the orchestra, everything went through him—a guaranteed successful opera, but the problem was that he was in a very tight financial situation right now from planning it.

So much so that he couldn’t hide his strained expression over a mere 1000 gold interest.

“If it’s difficult to pay right away, there is another option.”

I pretended to be relaxed and took another sip from the teacup, then put it down with a blank expression as the terrible taste spread in my mouth.

Slightly furrowing my brow as if to shake off the astringent taste, I concluded.

“Just support me once at the first monthly meeting held this year.”

Holio Rechel was a gambling addict, but he wasn’t a fool.

His expression became solemn, as if facing a bet with his entire fortune at stake.

The first monthly meeting of the year, where all the heads of the vassal families gather, was scheduled to take place after Sybel’s succession ceremony.

Baron Rechel would have his own predictions about what opinion I might express then.

If he rejected my proposal, he would have to pay me back the debt with interest; otherwise, that pouch of gold coins would return to the Baron’s possession.

Baron Rechel didn’t give an answer easily.

After fidgeting with the gold pouch for a while, he finally spoke.

“After the family head passed away, I suppose you had your own realizations. But I never imagined you were hiding such excellent abilities.”

…Abilities?

I couldn’t easily understand Baron Rechel’s words.

“That day, I saw the shadow of Adelia Blanche in Lady Belinda Blanche. So I’ve been observing you while watching the gambling tables.”

Uh… this guy, surely not…

“Blackjack, full house, and even straight flush! I’ve never seen a straight flush hit at the casino before. That’s when I decided.”

Baron Rechel clutched the gold pouch tightly, like a knight swearing noble loyalty.

“Whatever Lady Blanche proposes, I call.”

“…I’m not proposing a gamble, Baron.”

“Lady Blanche, my belief is that life is like gambling. In this one life we live, we should play at the big table. I’m all in on Lady Blanche!”

I was expecting this response, but…

‘Why do I suddenly feel uneasy?’

Is it really alright to have a madman who even gambles his own life on my side?

I need his recognition right now, so there’s no choice, but in the long term, it was a self-destructive move.

“With Lady Blanche, I’m convinced I will never sink.”

Though I felt very uneasy, I did my best to deliver a service line.

“That’s right, Baron. You just need to enjoy the scenery like you’re on a ship with favorable winds.”

“Haha, that would be quite a view. This is no time for that. We’re now in the same boat, aren’t we? Specially! Very specially, I have something I absolutely want to show Lady Blanche.”

While I was feeling anxious, Baron Rechel suddenly stood up and began guiding me somewhere.

“To be able to show my life’s work to none other than Lady Blanche is an honor for our family!”

I followed without knowing what was happening, but I had a bad feeling about this.

Soon, the Baron guided me to what appeared to be the largest and most luxurious hall in the mansion.

“These are all my collections!”

The Baron proudly exclaimed as he vigorously opened the door before us.

“……”

Looking at the enormous exhibition hall occupying the best room in the mansion, I thought.

‘This bastard is really messed up.’

Inside the room, all sorts of odds and ends said to have been used by Adelia in her lifetime were preciously preserved in glass cases.

It was a terrifying level of collecting obsession that would have certainly landed him in jail if Adelia were still alive.

This confirmed it.

Holio Rechel, who was practically Adelia Blanche’s fanboy, supported me because I imitated Adelia Blanche.

“Lady Blanche, may I request a handshake?”

“The only time you can hold my hand is when we’re making a contract.”

A cold response escaped my lips without my realizing it.

Yet this crazy fellow simply nodded excitedly.

“Indeed, that’s the 53rd saying from Adelia Blanche’s quotes!”

What the hell is that, you fanboy?

***

“I’ll bring the contract!”

While waiting for Baron Rechel, who disappeared after leaving those words, not knowing what contract he was talking about, I unconsciously let out a deep sigh.

“Haah.”

“Haah.”

“…?”

I’m pretty sure I only sighed once.

Looking around, I realized I wasn’t alone in this large exhibition hall.

A boy with a slender build, perhaps two or three years older than Leo, was writing something on a paper in his hand and, belatedly noticing me, gave a short bow.

“You must be the guest from the Blanche family. Has a new item of Adelia’s been discovered?”

“No. By the way, what are you doing now?”

“I’m appraising my father’s collections. Trying to figure out how much he paid for them, how much they could be resold for, and what the loss would be if sold.”

The boy who so dryly muttered about selling off what his father called his life’s work began to mutter while chewing on the end of his pen.

“This is a brooch that belonged to Adelia… If we say it brings good luck, it might sell. This… seems like he was scammed…”

Those words were too heavy for a boy of at most twelve years old. So much so that I couldn’t help but lament.

“You must have it hard with such a father.”

The boy pushed up the glasses dangling at the tip of his nose and lightly denied my words.

“He’s not as bad a father as he appears. Though he lives immersed in gambling, he truly loves my mother and me, and tries to somehow manage my education. He also has the ability to plan performances. A pearl necklace on a pig, though.”

It was true, but the fact that such a scathing assessment came from his son’s mouth made my ribs ache.

“Baron Rechel wouldn’t easily sell his collections.”

“I’m not asking him to sell everything. Just enough for the academy entrance fees. I’ll cover the rest of the tuition with scholarships.”

“Do you want to go to the academy?”

“Yes. So I’ve made a plan. I’ve calculated the cost of raising me from birth until now. If I pass the high-ranking civil service exam right after graduating from the academy, I can repay it all in four years. I’m planning to brief my father on this.”

“……”

Are you perhaps on your second playthrough of life?

I couldn’t help but think so, given his firm life plan.