“How were you able to defeat eleven enemy ships with just a single vessel during the Phoenician Sea Battle?”

“Ah, well…”

Edward paused, taking a sip of his drink. The brandy, distilled from white wine, went down his throat smoothly. Kias and Hester were drinking theirs mixed with soda, but Edward preferred his brandy straight.

Fabian, whose face was now flushed from drinking alone, impatiently pressed him.

“How exactly did you manage it? Rumors around me say you have a wizard in your ranks. Is it true that you changed the direction of the sea winds in the middle of the Mediterranean?”

“That’s not it. The rumor about Feorn’s navy secretly using wizards in operations is just baseless gossip spread among the Iotan navy.”

In ancient times, when civilizations flourished marvelously, it was said that wizards could split the earth and call down lightning. But in the present day, those are nothing more than legendary tales.

Scholars like Hester, who studied ancient history, were the only ones truly continuing that legacy.

“If you look through the ancient maritime geography records of Phoenician, you’ll see that the mana waves there are very chaotic. Any wizard from the old days would likely have fainted from the strain.”

“Then what exactly did you do?”

This time, it was Hester who inquired.

An ancient history scholar at the academy, Hester was thoroughly engrossed in Edward’s firsthand account of the battle. He was especially astounded by Edward’s extensive knowledge, even including the ancient maritime geography of Phoenician.

After all, when viewed broadly, war is part of the historical current, and Edward was a remarkable hero who had commanded the tides of history from the front lines.

Realizing this, Hester focused on Edward with as much fascination as Fabian.

‘What torture this is.’

Watching her brothers from start to finish, Yelodia pouted, venting her frustration by mashing up a piece of fruit. She was starting to feel disappointed in herself for having lost sleep over this.

From her seat, which was far from the rest, she couldn’t join the conversation from the beginning, and by the time the four had started drinking competitively, she was being largely ignored.

‘They act like they’d poison his drink, but who exactly is supposed to be engaged to him, anyway?’

She bit into an apricot, stewing in her irritation. Edward, noticing her from the corner of his eye, cleared his throat and looked over to Kias.

“It seems we’ve all finished our meal. How about we move to another room?”

“Damn it, I’m not finished yet! I won’t let you leave until I hear firsthand how you defeated the Iotan ships in the Phoenician Sea Battle.”

Fabian, his eyes flashing with tenacity, declared. Hester, his face now flushed, nodded in agreement.

“I, too, would like to hear it.”

Edward, hiding his discomfort, took another sip of brandy.

And Kias was growing weary of his brothers’ fanatical behavior.

“…Steward, is the tea ready?”

“Yes, it will be served shortly.”

“Then let’s proceed to the parlor.”

Fabian and Hester both looked displeased at Kias’s suggestion.

“Already? It’s not even midnight.”

“It will be soon.”

Kias rose, thinking how immature his younger brothers were.

He had placed his sister across from him as the hostess, though he would have preferred to have her seated beside him. He was sure Yelodia was pouting because she’d realized that he intended to keep her separated from her fiancé.

“Get up now. Let’s stop this childish behavior in front of our guest.”

“Why call him a ‘guest,’ when he’s practically family? He’ll be one of us soon.”

“Not yet,” Kias retorted curtly. Fabian didn’t argue further, as Yelodia suddenly stood from her seat.

“…”

She walked over to Edward and stood beside him, casting a firm gaze at her brothers, her eyes filled with frustration at being ignored.

Finally, Fabian got up obediently.

“Seems time has flown. I hope the meal was to your liking.”

Once seated on the sofa in the parlor, Kias began with a composed tone, and Edward responded.

“Every dish was prepared with such care. The chef’s skill is truly exceptional.”

“Thank you for the compliment. I’ll pass it on to the chef.”

Taking a sip of the tea the steward had poured, Kias encouraged Edward to do the same.

“The aroma is quite nice. Please, have some.”

“Thank you.”

Edward accepted the tea, though he would’ve preferred a bit more brandy. Still, the gentle bitterness of the tea was quite pleasant.

“Now, do tell us how you achieved that remarkable victory in the Phoenician battle.”

Fabian, who had brought his glass with him from the dining room, asked boldly, sitting with his legs crossed on the sofa.

Under normal circumstances, Fabian might have grilled Edward all night, but today, for the family’s sake, he kept a semblance of decorum.

With Fabian, Hester, and even Yelodia watching him attentively, Edward cleared his throat.

‘They’ve always been so innocent, never hiding their thoughts,’ thought Kias, watching them from the head of the room.

Though he’d expected his brothers to show fierce resistance, they were, surprisingly, easily won over by Edward.

While Kias himself had a favorable impression of Edward, he found his younger brothers’ blatant admiration slightly pathetic.

‘Well, he’s the man who even captured the emperor’s admiration, after all.’

Thinking back on it, Kias could understand why his brothers were so easily charmed, almost to the point of being spineless. It was a bit irksome, but he could accept it.

Noticing the time on his pocket watch, Edward spoke, sounding a bit troubled.

“It’s quite late. I think we’ll have to save that story for another time.”

“Wait, are you really going to leave like this? If you do, I won’t be able to sleep tonight!”

Fabian raised his voice, sounding indignant, nearly to the point of pleading.

Kias spoke in a stern tone.

“Fabian.”

“Can’t you just let him stay? There are plenty of guest rooms in the mansion. Couldn’t he spend the night here?”

“I can’t just let Yedi’s fiancé stay in any guest room. Besides, are you planning to keep the baron here just to satisfy your curiosity?”

“Ah! What’s the harm in that…”

“Fabian Xavier.”

At Kias’s strict reprimand, Fabian lifted both hands in a gesture of surrender, sighing in frustration. He would’ve loved to question Edward all night, putting him up in an empty room if necessary.

“When can we meet again, then? Tomorrow? The day after?”

“It might be difficult for a while, but I should have time next weekend. I would be even more pleased if Lady Xavier could join us.”

Hearing this, Yelodia’s face lit up.

Fabian, however, looked disappointed. With his sister present, he knew the gathering would likely remain formal and reserved.

At that moment, Kias’s calm voice interjected again.

“I heard you’ll be appointed Vice Admiral next Wednesday.”

“Yes. It seems there will be quite a grand parade. If you have the time, would you care to attend? His Majesty himself will be presenting the medal.”

“For an occasion of that scale, I’d certainly like to attend and offer my congratulations. Unfortunately, my duties at the palace keep me busy. But as a royal guard, Fabian should be attending.”

“Then, how about the other two?”

“I’ll take Yedi along,” Hester volunteered, bringing a sincere smile to Edward’s face. Yelodia, caught off guard by the exchange, found herself staring at Edward.

“Thank you for so readily agreeing to such a last-minute invitation.”

“I’ve actually been curious to see what a naval parade looks like.”

Hester answered with the enthusiasm of a dedicated scholar. Any trace of hostility toward Edward had vanished entirely.

Just then, the butler entered the drawing room and announced, “The carriage is ready.”

Edward rose from his seat.

“Then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Travel safely.”

With a composed and impeccable posture, Edward bid farewell and calmly followed the butler.

Yelodia, glancing toward Kias like a puppy seeking permission, looked hesitant.

Kias, letting out a wry smile, finally relented.

“I’ll allow you to escort him to the lobby.”

“Thank you, brother!”

Yelodia jumped up from her seat and eagerly followed Edward, resembling a newly hatched chick. Her three brothers couldn’t help but click their tongues in exasperation.

Edward, now wearing his jacket and gloves from the cloakroom, was momentarily startled to see Yelodia waiting by the door.

She spoke as if making an excuse.

“Just to the lobby. My brother permitted it.”

“Yes, to the lobby only, I see.”

Edward chuckled softly and started walking. Yelodia naturally fell in step on his left.

After a moment, Edward spoke up.

“You have very considerate brothers.”

“Were they a bother to you?”

“Not at all. It was an enjoyable conversation. I was a bit nervous about being formally invited to the duke’s estate for the first time, but they were all so easygoing that I soon felt quite at ease.”

“I see…”

Yelodia blinked, unsure if Edward’s remarks were meant as compliments. Judging by his pleasant expression, she assumed they were.

Edward spoke again.

“It must have been disappointing for you to dine separately.”

“Yes, well… yes, a bit.”

With a gentle smile, Edward looked down at his frank and candid fiancée, recalling her pouting throughout the meal when she couldn’t get a word in.

When she mashed her dessert in frustration, he’d barely managed to suppress a laugh.