Chapter 2 – Something That Comes To Everyone (Part 1)

The knight of the Ducal House opened the massive front gate and shouted loudly.

“He has arrived!”

Then, the knights lined up along the long road leading from the gate to the mansion moved in perfect unison.

“Everyone, return to your positions.”

Paul, the butler, also directed the employees with a more stern face than usual.

“Your cravat is crooked.”

Unlike him, who was adjusting the attire and posture of the employees until the last moment, Edwin stood slouched and said to Paul.

“Take it easy.”

Unlike the employees dressed in full uniform, he looked no different from usual.

The only difference was that today he wore a vest that fit snugly over his solid frame.

As soon as Paul stood next to Philip, the massive Black Wind carriage came to a smooth halt. Lorraine’s mouth dropped open at its intimidating appearance, which she had seen before but still found awe-inspiring.

Before Paul could quickly approach to open the door, the carriage door burst open.

“You have arrived.”

The person who emerged from the carriage was Owen Duncan, the former Duke of the Duncan family and Edwin’s father.

True to his reputation as the Emperor’s Sword, he was still brimming with vigor despite his age.

Feeling like she was seeing Edwin’s future, Lorraine alternated her gaze between Edwin and Owen.

Owen, who had disembarked from the carriage, turned back toward it without glancing at the lined-up employees.

With a suddenly softened expression, he extended his hand into the carriage.

“Be careful getting down. The step is quite high.”

A small hand in a white silk glove emerged first.

A petite woman, who grabbed his firmly planted hand, carefully descended from the carriage and snapped.

“You should be careful yourself. You just jumped down recklessly earlier.”

Her honey-blonde hair was neatly pinned up, and she wore a stylish blue outing dress. She was Edwin’s mother, Monica Duncan.

Her blood-red eyes slowly scanned the lined-up employees before she looked at her son and spoke.

“You must have some face to show your mother.”

Her red eyes glinted sharply. Owen, wrapping her shawl around her, urged her.

“It’s still cold, let’s go inside before you scold him.”

In fact, the temperature in Lantil, relatively south compared to Astia, the capital of the Duncan territory, was higher.

However, no one standing there could point that out.

When Monica showed no sign of moving, Owen looked at Paul and spoke.

“Escort the madam inside.”

At his command, the footmen began unloading the luggage from the carriage, and the maids quickly opened the front door.

“Madam, please come inside.”

Martha, the head maid, cautiously approached her. After glaring at her son for a long time, she sighed softly.

“Follow me inside immediately.”

“…Yes.”

As Monica and Owen entered the mansion, Paul and Martha followed them, with the footmen carrying the luggage and the maids trailing behind.

Once all the employees, who had been standing crowdedly, went inside, the area in front of the entrance became empty.

Only Philip and Lorraine remained by his side.

Edwin exhaled deeply.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes.”

***

The rules of the father-son duel were simple. The challenger had to survive with the chosen weapon, and that was it.

Edwin, wearing a breastplate for the duel, muttered as he looked out the window.

“The weather is annoyingly good.”

Though his expression remained displeased, his hands meticulously adjusted his attire.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Upon receiving permission, the door opened cautiously.

A squire holding a sword approached carefully. He offered the sword to Edwin while watching his reaction.

“Your Grace, here it is.”

Edwin, checking the rapier’s thin blade, ran a hand through his hair and spoke.

“You’ve chosen quite a day.”

“…….”

“What did Father choose?”

The squire, watching his expression, carefully chose his words.

“The Master… chose a bastard sword.”

Edwin, taking the rapier from the squire, glanced at the time.

“It’s going to be a long day.”

Securing the sword firmly at his waist, he immediately left the room.

Clang—

Even as the sharp swords clashed, Monica remained indifferent, looking at Philip’s flinching with disdain and asked Lorraine.

“Did you change the tea leaves this time?”

“Yes, it’s a newly improved variety this year. How do you find it?”

Hmm, Monica nodded slightly at Lorraine’s question.

“It’s fine. By the way—”

Drawing out her words, Monica set down her teacup.

“- I’m thinking of hosting a party. Since it seems he has no intention of getting married or even engaged, I have to take action.”

Monica’s gaze continued to follow the swords. Even so, she meticulously instructed the things to be prepared for the party.

“Since it’s the first party we’re hosting since returning to the main estate, we should allow ample time.”

Resting her chin on her hand, Monica continued slowly.

“A light gathering would be nice. Not too many people, just… it would be best if many unmarried young ladies attended.”

“Yes, are there any other instructions?”

After a moment of thought, Monica shook her head.

“Actually, the title doesn’t matter. It’s not something to be picky about.”

Monica’s tone was sharp. Lorraine swallowed dryly at her sarcasm.

Even so, he’s the best groom material.

Lorraine hesitated, unsure whether to agree or refute her words, and ended up smiling awkwardly.

“Ha ha….”

“Put any family with unmarried women on the invitation list.”

“Yes.”

Just as she was about to pick up her teacup to drink the remaining tea, Monica suddenly turned around, a thought occurring to her. Instinctively, Lorraine took a step back from her sudden gaze. But it wasn’t a big deal for Monica, who was lost in thought.

“You too… yes, that’s right.”

She mumbled something incomprehensible and nodded.

‘This feels ominous.’

Lorraine had a feeling that something would happen without her consent.

‘Especially in a direction I don’t particularly want….’

Just as she was thinking that.

Clang— Clatter—

With a sharp sound, a sword flew through the air.

The three of them simultaneously looked toward the training ground. The rapier had flown far away, and Owen’s massive bastard sword was aimed at Edwin’s neck.

“It’s over.”

It was a close call, just a hair’s breadth away from a beheading. However, the people involved faced each other indifferently.

Monica ordered the maid waiting at the entrance of the training ground.

“Bring the cold tea we prepared earlier.”

“Yes, madam.”

The maid quickly left the training ground.

As Owen lowered his sword, the squires who had been waiting to serve them rushed over.

Philip checked his pocket watch and shook his head, muttering with a pale face.

“They’re monsters, monsters.”

Lorraine, watching the two sweat-drenched men walk over, nodded in agreement with his opinion.

Once Edwin and Owen had cooled down a bit, Monica solemnly announced.

“I’m going to host a party.”

Edwin, drinking the cold tea brought by the maid, nodded.

“Yes, sure. Go ahead.”

When he quickly agreed, Monica added with a faint smile, as if asking if he was really okay with it.

“It’s to find your future partner.”

“…….”

Edwin, who had been setting down his teacup, froze in that position. Monica warned with a cold expression.

“So you’d better not think of running away.”

It felt as if the temperature around them had suddenly dropped.

In the awkward atmosphere, Philip cleared his throat and looked into the distance, while Lorraine stuffed her mouth with a madeleine.

The one who had created this atmosphere, Monica, picked up a maple cookie with a nonchalant face.

“Why can’t we get this taste in Astia?”

It was hard to believe that this was the same person who had just threatened Edwin with a cold face. Monica bit into the cookie with a childlike expression.

Owen, with a softened expression, suggested.

“We should bring the chef to the main estate.”

The atmosphere around them instantly turned rosy.

It was an ideal image of a couple. However, only close acquaintances could acknowledge that.

Monica and Owen were their employers, and mere employees could not meddle in their employers’ private lives.

Lorraine endured by biting the soft flesh inside her mouth.

It was then.

“No, you can’t.”

Lorraine turned to look at the person who had poured cold water on the rosy atmosphere with a surprised face.

Edwin, the one who had poured the cold water, looked calm and composed.

“What’s the matter?”

“…….”