Chapter 7 – Progress (Part 14)
The head maid greeted Aaron upon his arrival at the Hass household.
“Young Master Aaron, you’ve come early. Master Ronan will be a bit late, but he said he’d return by dinner time. You must be hungry; would you like to have dinner first?”
“It’s fine. I’ll eat with him when he arrives. I need to wash up anyway.”
Since Aaron hadn’t sent word ahead and arrived early, it seemed it would take some time for the kitchen to prepare the meal. After washing up and changing into lighter clothes, Aaron went to the dining room to wait for Ronan.
Not long after, a maid came in to set the table for two and conveyed some news.
“The Master has returned. He said he’ll come down to the dining room right after washing up.”
After acknowledging the maid, Aaron sat at the dining table and waited for Ronan to arrive. Soon, footsteps approached the dining room, and the door opened.
“My beloved brother! What wind blew you home so early today?”
Ronan was wearing a sleeveless, loose top made of thin fabric with a neckline that plunged more than halfway down his chest, paired with wide pants. Having just washed, he hadn’t dried off properly, so the thin top clung to his body here and there, revealing his muscles. Water droplets dripped from his slightly damp, tousled auburn hair onto his shoulders.
As a maid preparing the table caught sight of him, she blushed and hurriedly finished setting the table before exiting. Aaron clicked his tongue.
“If you’re going to wear clothes like that, why not just walk around n*ked? What kind of indecent outfit is that?”
“Should I? The clothes are sticking to me because of the water, and it’s uncomfortable. Since you’ve mentioned it, I might as well eat without it.”
Ronan started to lift his shirt from the waist, pleased with the suggestion. As his wet abs and chest were quickly revealed, a maid carrying food almost dropped a dish in surprise. Fortunately, she regained her balance but couldn’t approach the table, her eyes wide and unsure of what to do.
“Just keep it on! The maids don’t know where to look when you dress like that!”
Ronan, with a sulky face, pulled his shirt back down and winked at another maid bringing in appetizers.
“You don’t mind the view, do you?”
The maid blushed, her hands trembling as she set down the food and left. Another maid, accustomed to the situation after working for several years, cleared her throat and quickly glanced at Ronan’s body before exiting.
“They work hard all day; I should at least give them this much eye candy. I’m a kind employer, after all.”
Aaron, who had been making a disgusted face, shook his head. This kind of conversation couldn’t continue throughout the meal. Aaron directly stated his purpose.
“Brother, how can two awkward people become close quickly? You’re an expert in this area, so don’t hold back and tell me all your secrets.”
Ronan’s face lit up with mischief at Aaron’s question.
Ronan was confident that the awkward man and woman Aaron referred to were the Duke and his fiancée. Ronan smiled broadly.
“Of course, there’s a perfect method. Whenever I used it, it worked every time, but it’s not something just anyone can do…”
Seeing Ronan dragging out the explanation, Aaron urged him on.
“I’m not going to tell just anyone. Don’t worry about that and just tell me quickly.”
“That would be having an adult conversation.”
“A…dult conversation?”
Aaron tilted his head, not immediately understanding what Ronan meant.
“My dear brother, I have so much to teach you. Still so innocent, huh? It’s the kind of conversation grown men and women have at night… Well, it doesn’t have to be at night, but anyway, a conversation with their bodies. If done well, it can bring them very close, very quickly.”
Aaron’s face turned beet red at those words.
“There’s no way the Duke and Madam would suddenly do something like that! Do you think they’re libertines like you?”
Realizing he had openly referred to the Duke, Aaron belatedly closed his mouth in surprise.
“No need to look so shocked. I knew from the start you were talking about your Duke.”
Aaron sighed. Ronan, seeing his dejected expression, asked,
“Miss Serenze has been in that house for how long, and they’re still awkward? Doesn’t your Duke even want to get close to his fiancée?”
“That’s not true! The Duke said in front of Madam and me that he would make efforts to grow closer! So give me your secret method quickly! …Not like the one you just mentioned.”
“Even if I taught you that, it’s not something just anyone can do. Only someone like me can pull it off. And to be honest, I don’t do anything special. I just look at them a bit, whisper in their ear, and when I take off my clothes, it’s all done.”
Ronan replied nonchalantly to Aaron’s glare. Aaron looked sulky.
“Everyone has to use methods that suit their level. Aaron, admit it. Even the Duke, who you claim does everything perfectly, has something he can’t do.”
As Aaron, looking as if the world was about to end, sat with his head down and didn’t touch his food, Ronan’s heart softened, and he let out a chuckle.
“Alright, then I’ll tell you a good method that’s perfect for your Duke and his fiancée.”
At Ronan’s words, Aaron lifted his head eagerly, despite not wanting to acknowledge the Duke’s weakness.
“Well, even the Duke is human, so there could be something he can’t do. Having a bit of humanity like that makes him even more perfect!”
“Uh-huh, let’s go with that. According to my investigation, your Duke and Miss Serenze have almost no dating experience, right?”
Aaron nodded in agreement with Ronan’s analysis.
“Have you heard of the theory that when two awkward people find themselves in a dangerous or frightening situation, they mistake it for attraction to each other?”
It was from a paper published by Professor Edina Haylen of the Department of Psychology at the Royal Academy of Advanced Studies. Ronan found it quite useful information, but even those who read the paper rarely applied it in practice.
However, even before such papers were published, seasoned romantics had been using this situation based solely on experience. Ronan was one of them, and after reading the paper, he was delighted to see his experiences scientifically validated.
At the word ‘danger,’ Aaron’s face turned pale.
“I can’t put them in danger!”
“It doesn’t have to be real danger; something light, like a game, is fine. For example, walking together on a shaky bridge or visiting a haunted house together. After experiencing an appropriate level of perceived danger, the essential choice for innocent people is to ride a Ferris wheel together.”
The haunted house was a facility inspired by the sight of lovers seeking secluded abandoned houses for secret meetings.
The Ferris wheel was an invention prompted by an offhand remark from the previous king.
‘I think allowing commoners to experience the view of the developed capital from above, not just from the palace spires, would boost national pride in Brunchia.’
Thus, the Royal Academy of Advanced Studies mobilized its expertise in architecture, agricultural machinery, weaponry, and alchemy to create the “Ferris wheel.” It was inspired by a makeshift ride where a few chairs were connected and spun by hand like a waterwheel, a commoners’ plaything.
The Ferris wheel became a must-see attraction for foreign delegations, and although some mocked the use of national technology to enlarge a children’s ride, they secretly envied it. For Brunchians, it was an important date spot.
Aaron asked skeptically.
“Will that be enough? It seems too mild.”
Ronan wagged a finger left and right as he spoke.
“For those with a lot of romantic experience, something more active might be good. But neither of them is like that, right? And the Duke is very conservative… upright, so anything too extreme would be counterproductive. A subtly thrilling environment is enough. Once it’s clear they feel attracted to each other, then you can move on to the next step.”
It seemed like a reasonable point. Aaron nodded in agreement.
“Then what’s the next step?”
“Ask me after you succeed with the first step.”
Ronan’s expression was oddly firm. Realizing it was no use asking further, Aaron thanked him and focused on eating.
They continued their meal in silence for a while, until Aaron suddenly voiced a question that came to mind.
“Brother, is there anyone you’re seeing these days?”
Ronan responded with a noncommittal sound while chewing his meat.
“I’ve been busy with the trading company and keeping an eye on the Duke’s affairs, so I haven’t been seeing anyone lately.”
“It’s unusual for Ronan Hass to take a break from dating.”
Ronan felt somewhat unjustly labeled as a notorious womanizer by Aaron’s comment.
“I don’t always have women around me, you know. I feel a bit wronged.”
Aaron merely shrugged. Ronan resolved that he should start dating again to ensure the rumors weren’t unfounded. He pondered who might be a good choice for his next romance, but then Elysia’s face suddenly came to mind, making him pause.
Noticing Ronan’s odd expression, Aaron looked at him.
“There’s something fishy. You might not be seeing anyone, but is there someone you’re interested in?”
Aaron, who knew his brother’s expressions well, probed.
“…No matter how much you ask, I won’t tell you who it is.”
Normally, Ronan would have teased Aaron by revealing his thoughts, saying he was interested in Elysia. But this time was different. He decided to keep silent for fear of causing harm to Miss Serenze.
Throughout the remainder of the meal, Aaron tried to coax and glare at Ronan, but Ronan’s lips remained tightly sealed.
– To be continued in Volume 3 –
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Rosamundbea
Nice to see them take a good leap closer this volume and for Elysia to finally see her family again. Hurray!
I’m looking forward to seeing how they proceed in the next volume!
Thank you for your lovely translations, the comedy in the drunk scenes specifically was very well done. Thanks!