“Exactly when, with whom, and what kind of meetings they have. If possible, I want to know everything, including the content of the conversations.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

With the answer clarified, Daniel responded as if he had been waiting. He wondered if this kind of work was also part of a lawyer’s job, but he had already decided not to dwell on it. 

Following Andert around, he was starting to think that assisting someone might unexpectedly suit him. As Daniel was lost in his leisurely thoughts, a pair of black trousers strode past him. 

5:30 PM. Checking his watch, Andert got into the carriage, seen off by Roman. 

“Have a safe trip, Your Grace.”

The carriage, starting with Roman’s farewell, went around the fountain spouting a cool stream of water. Soon, the carriage, now running at full speed, was headed for Count Declen’s estate. 

Andert wasn’t usually one to attend social gatherings, big or small. But today was an occasion he needed to be present at.

It was an invitation from Count Declen, who had joined hands with him to pass the bill to suspend the Daloa tea tariffs. 

“I’m inviting people I’m close with, so I’d like you to join us, Your Grace.”

It had been a week ago that Count Declen himself had asked him to attend. Andert silently gazed at the crowded streets. It was right after that that he saw the flag of the Royal Library at the end of his gaze. 

Chloe. The one who had once shared the name Dietrich. And now, the one who kept coming to mind. The one he wanted to see again, no matter what excuse he had to come up with. 

Andert, counting the ways their already tattered relationship had been torn apart, let out a soft laugh. It was literally a waste of time, with no efficiency whatsoever. But he didn’t dislike this moment. 

Rather, it felt like he could finally breathe after being stifled for so long. 

***

Count Declen’s party was grand, seemingly to flaunt his power. 

It was a familiar sight to Andert. He had been invited by Raymond Declen, whom he had known since childhood, and had visited the place many times. 

“Duke Dietrich has arrived.”

The servant in charge of the main hall entrance raised his voice. It was a typical start to any other party, but the attendees were far from ordinary. 

All those seated in the hall were men. It seemed that Count Declen, the host, had decided to make today’s gathering a men’s only event. 

“This way.”

Raymond warmly led Andert through the ballroom filled with black suits. 

“The purpose of today’s gathering is for those invited by my father to talk and exchange information. So please, make yourself comfortable.”

Raymond, standing beside him, explained in a friendly voice. As he said, large tables, chairs, and sofas filled the hall. Not only that, but there were even bottles of liquor, a rare sight at parties. In short, it was a gathering where once you showed your face, it would be difficult to leave until it was over. 

So they’re still socializing like this. 

Andert sighed softly at the fatigue that was already washing over him. 

“You’ve arrived, Duke Dietrich.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you here.”

The people seated around the table where Raymond had led him greeted each other. They were all familiar faces to Andert. His gaze, which had been exchanging brief greetings, suddenly stopped at one point. 

It was Aaron Hussler, with his most hated gray hair. 

Aaron, catching his eye, gave a slight bow as if he had been waiting. He was clearly aware that Andert was coming. 

“Greetings, Duke Dietrich. It’s good to see you again.”

“Indeed, Lord Aaron.”

Until a moment ago, it had just been a boring social gathering. But after encountering Aaron Hussler, Andert was overcome with a strange feeling. A desire to pick a fight with him for no reason. 

It was a petty sense of competitiveness he had never felt, even in the dormitory surrounded by boys. Andert slowly emptied the glass that had been handed to him. 

Daniel, following his instructions, had been gathering all sorts of information from everywhere. Among them was information about the son of House Hussler, who had been frequenting Bergen recently. 

Officially, it was for visits to the Bergen villa and engagements with the Artists Association. But Andert thought differently. 

There had to be a good reason for someone who had only visited two or three times a year to show such a drastic change. 

The only one he’d be that serious about is Chloe. 

The wariness he had felt from Aaron when they met in Bergen was undoubtedly directed at him. They were about the same age, but they had nothing in common. 

Someone who has nothing in common with me. That’s how Andert assessed Aaron Hussler. To even compare himself to him. It was foolish from the start. Averting his self-deprecating gaze, Andert half-heartedly listened to the conversations going on at the table. 

“I’m planning to dispose of the land I own and invest it somewhere suitable. Currently, I’m leaning towards mineral investments.”

“I see. I’ve also been keeping a close eye on the western mining areas. And I’ve heard that investing in canal construction has become quite the trend lately.”

“I’ve heard that investments in buildings in the main city center have been active these days. Isn’t that what the wealthy are after?”

Information was exchanged over the clinking glasses. Naturally, Andert had no interest in the superficial investment advice being thrown around. 

Just as he was about to move to another table at an opportune moment, someone sat down across from him. It was Aaron, who had been sitting at a distance until now, who suddenly spoke to him. 

“Would you care for a drink with me?”

Aaron offered his glass with a casual expression. Andert’s gaze, which had been fixed on the fingers wrapped around his glass, slowly began to travel up his arm. 

Finally, meeting his gaze, Andert tilted his head. 

“Very well.”

The glasses, sparkling under the crystal lights, clinked. Andert slowly emptied his glass, the alcohol flowing down his throat. 

As soon as the glass, which left a particularly lingering aftertaste, was placed on the table, a natural question came from beside him. 

“By the way, when can we hear the news of your marriage, Lord Aaron?”

It was Count Asbeck who had spoken. He, who had a history of arranging the forced meeting between Andert and Espin, seemed genuinely curious about Aaron’s marriage as well. 

The old count, known for being well-connected in social circles, must have a lot of free time. 

Andert silently stared across from him. Aaron smiled pleasantly at the friendly question from the old gentleman who was like a father to him. 

As if waiting, Count Asbeck continued his questioning. 

“Haha, your father, Count Hussler, is also quite worried. Everything has its time. Do you really have no interest in marriage?”

Count Asbeck’s voice carried an unusual excitement, likely fueled by the lively atmosphere and the abundance of flowing drinks. Others joined in, expressing their agreement with feigned interest. 

If he had to guess what Count Declen, the host of today’s event, had in mind, it seemed that he had achieved his goal. 

A suitable level of intimacy and camaraderie. That must have been what Count Declen, the leader of the Parliament, expected from this gathering. Aaron, who had suddenly become a new topic of conversation for the old gentlemen, still had a calm expression. 

Just as Andert, his eyes bored, was about to turn his head to another table, Aaron spoke. 

“No, I do have someone in mind, so it’s not that I have no intention of getting married.”

“I knew it!”

“Oh, I had no idea. Haha, I’m curious to know what kind of lady she is.”

A flurry of responses followed, but Andert gripped his glass tightly. Then Aaron, who had emptied the glass refilled by Count Asbeck, raised it. 

It was directly at Andert, who was sitting across from him. 

It was a gesture clear enough to confirm who the woman he had in mind was. Even though her name wasn’t mentioned. 

The eyes of the two men, separated by the table, met. His eyes, cold, stared at the other man’s gray eyes that were silently provoking him. 

At the same time, Andert, the corner of his lips twisted into a smirk, let out a silent laugh. He knew exactly what those staring eyes meant. 

There was a reason why he had felt the need to pick a fight with the man who had done nothing to him. He erased the thought of his feelings as petty competitiveness. 

Chloe. He was the one connected to that name. So there was no way he could be indifferent to the fact that he thought about her several times a day. 

Unlike the relaxed atmosphere surrounding them, it was Count Declen who broke the growing tension. 

“What are you two talking about so cheerfully?”

“Welcome, Count Declen.”

“Have a seat here. I was just telling them about an anecdote from my recent visit to a coastal city in the east.”