“Then, will I be able to meet you at your inauguration, Baron?”

“That day, I may be too busy to spare any personal time. However, there will be a reserved seat for you, so if you sit there, I’ll be able to spot you.”

“I see.”

Yelodia’s voice turned a bit gloomy. Edward quickly added,

“I’ll do my best to make time. Even if I’m busy, I should at least be able to greet you.”

“Yes, I’ll be looking forward to it then.”

Yelodia responded, her face filled with anticipation.

Outside the mansion, a light drizzle was falling. The cool, moisture-laden air gently cooled Yelodia’s flushed cheeks and forehead.

Although there was a roof over the mansion’s entrance, the servants stood by holding umbrellas high, ready to shield the two from the rain should it be needed.

Yelodia looked at the approaching carriage with a touch of regret. She wished she could talk with Edward a little longer…

She had been looking forward to the formal dinner for days, but the conversation ended up being mostly led by her brothers. She didn’t mind, but every now and then, she felt a strong desire to get to know her fiancé in a more calm and personal way.

As if reading her mind, Edward spoke.

“I’ve shared some of my story today, so next time, will you tell me about yourself?”

“My story…?”

“Yes. When I was talking about my childhood, I grew curious about yours.”

“I don’t have anything special to share.”

“Please, tell me anyway.”

A blush quickly spread across Yelodia’s cheeks. She nodded enthusiastically, then bit her lip shyly and smiled.

“I’ll make sure to share next time.”

Edward’s gaze briefly shifted from her lips to her cheeks, then finally met her eyes. His look carried a strange emotion.

With a puzzled expression, Yelodia spoke.

“Baron…?”

“Then, please go inside. The night air is still quite chilly.”

“Yes. Have a safe journey.”

Edward bowed politely, then entered the carriage as a servant held the door open for him.

Yelodia stood there, watching the carriage fade into the dark blue night, unmoving until its silhouette disappeared.

＊ ＊ ＊

“How did the invitation to the Duke’s residence go?”

“It went smoothly.”

Edward answered nonchalantly while removing his jacket. Beyhern quickly took the jacket from him and hung it on the rack, then stared at him expectantly, but no further explanation came from his superior.

‘I knew it. He’s always so reserved,’ Beyhern thought in frustration.

Unable to hold back, Beyhern asked eagerly,

“So, did you eat the asparagus with your hands? Or did you cut it with a knife?”

“Oh, did you mention something like that?”

Edward’s indifferent response made Beyhern pat his chest in exasperation.

“How can you speak so casually about it? Because of that, the officers and soldiers were on edge for days, losing sleep!”

Now that he thought about it… It did seem like there had been quite a debate when Edward sought advice on noble dining etiquette.

Some insisted that grilled asparagus should be eaten with one’s hands, while others argued it should be cut with a knife. The discussion became so intense that sleep was impossible. “Surely you didn’t eat it with your hands, right?”

The officers had argued fervently about the proper way nobles eat asparagus, showing more passion than they did during tactical training.

“If you try to cut asparagus with a knife, it could clumsily splatter or roll away, so you should pick it up with your hands!”

“Nobles aren’t novices with knives; surely they wouldn’t butcher a simple asparagus. Don’t be absurd!”

The arguments went on, pointless as they were.

“…”

Edward tilted his head, trying to recall the dinner, but he couldn’t even remember if asparagus had been served at all.

Either way, the young nobles at the Duke Xavier’s estate wouldn’t have cared whether he used a fork or his hands to eat it. And now, it hardly seems worth worrying about.

While scanning through some documents, Edward answered casually,

“I think I ate it just fine.”

“‘Just fine’?! You’re being too harsh, sir!”

What on earth was so harsh about that?

Beyhern flares his nostrils, looking at Edward as though he had committed a grave betrayal, eyes narrowed in dissatisfaction.

Stifling a sigh, Edward looked at him.

“Which side did you bet on?”

“…The knife side, sir.”

“Then stick with that. If your subordinates win any money, buy them a round.”

With a grin as bright as a summer day, Beyhern replied,

“Yes, sir! You can count on me!”

It seemed that a fair sum had been wagered on the matter.

Beyhern, still smiling, finished his report, saluted Edward, and exited the office with a cheerful stride.

Edward chuckled softly, recalling the events of the previous night.

The children of the noble Duke were graced with a natural dignity, as if it were innate, and carried themselves with an effortless ease.

They didn’t fuss over rigid formality, nor did they find meaning in looking down on those of lower status.

Edward decided to humbly acknowledge his good fortune. The Emperor must have taken all these aspects into consideration when pairing Edward with Yelodia.

Just then, someone knocked on the office door.

“Come in,” Edward called.

As he finished speaking, Major Livia entered the room and saluted.

Noticing the stiffness in Livia’s expression, Edward set down the document he was holding and asked,

“What’s the matter?”

“A guest has arrived to see you, sir. She introduced herself as Lady Selina. What would you like me to do?”

Instead of answering, Edward rose abruptly from his seat. Major Livia was startled by her superior’s unusual haste.

“Is this an important guest?”

“Where is she now?”

“I escorted her to the parlor.”

Edward immediately adjusted his attire and made his way out, pausing briefly to address his adjutant.

“Prepare some light refreshments and tea. She doesn’t particularly enjoy sweets, so keep that in mind.”

“Understood, sir. May I ask about your relationship with her?”

“She’s my aunt.”

As soon as Edward replied, Major Livia turned and rushed off at top speed.

Under no circumstances could she afford to treat the Vice Admiral’s family members with anything less than utmost care.

Opening the parlor door, Edward saw Lady Selina rise to greet him.

She had the appearance of a typical countrywoman.

Her dress, repeatedly washed, was frayed at the sleeves, and her hat, adorned with an oversized ribbon, was charmingly old-fashioned.

Her jet-black hair, tinged with blue in the light, fell in unruly waves, and her sun-kissed nose bore a sprinkle of freckles.

Lady Selina’s expression was a mix of pride and bewilderment at her nephew’s sudden rise to prominence.

“Here you are at last. I hope I haven’t taken you from something important,” she began.

“Not at all. Please, take a seat, Aunt.”

However, instead of sitting, Lady Selina got straight to the point.

“I’m sorry, dear. I only saw your letter quite late, so I arrived much later than intended. I hear you’re soon to be promoted to Vice Admiral. Or, should I start calling you Baron Adrian now?”

“There’s no need for that. Please, just call me Edward, as you always have. I was worried my letters might not reach you out there.”

Lady Selina let out a long, relieved sigh at his response. From the looks of it, she was uncertain of how to address her nephew now that he had received a noble title.

The dimples that appeared on her sun-warmed cheeks as she smiled softened Edward’s expression in turn.

“When I was serving on a ship, I often wondered how you were doing.”

“Every time a letter came stamped with the naval department’s seal, my heart would sink. I feared it might carry the news of your death somewhere in the middle of the sea. I couldn’t even sleep well on the nights when those letters arrived.”

“Is that so.”

Edward quietly observed Lady Selina as she sighed and placed a hand over her chest.

In her mind, she was likely remembering the man who had died at sea three years prior.

Edward’s father, and Lady Selina’s older brother, Commander Renders, had passed away prematurely due to a combination of injuries and overwork. His sudden death left no time for Edward, busy with war, to properly mourn.

Edward forced himself to maintain his composure as he asked,

“Didn’t Uncle come with you?”

“It’s been over six years since I divorced that man. Don’t even call him your uncle. It’s best to keep him out of this. If he learns of your achievements, he’ll only try to use you. If something like this happens again, do not involve him under any circumstances.”

“Understood, if that’s what you wish, Aunt.”

Satisfied, Lady Selina finally nodded and took a seat.

Just then, Livia entered the parlor with a tray holding teacups and light refreshments.

It seemed she had chosen to serve personally, rather than having a servant do it, likely wanting to show respect to her superior’s family.

“I’ll set the tea for you.”

Edward, appreciating his adjutant’s thoughtfulness, decided to introduce her.

“This is one of my adjutants. She is a capable officer with excellent tactical skills.”

“Hello, ma’am. I’m Major Livia.”

“Hello. Ah, might you be the one Edward is engaged to…?”

Before Lady Selina could finish her question, Livia’s eyes widened, and she looked at Edward. Equally surprised by her words, Edward turned to his adjutant, pausing a moment before speaking up,

“Ah…”