“She absolutely hated learning to dance or embroidery like other noble ladies since she was young. She much preferred reading books or just sitting idly by the window.”

“Did she really?”

Edward chuckled softly, imagining a five-year-old Yelodia staring absentmindedly out the window. Fabian, however, wrinkled his nose as if there was no time for laughter.

“Once she fully recovered, she spent more time in the saddle than she ever did on the ground. She’s my sister, but she’s anything but ordinary.”

“I know she enjoys horseback riding.”

“More than just enjoys, I’d say. She’s good enough that I can’t always guarantee victory against her.”

“Impressive.”

Edward was genuinely impressed. He hadn’t realized that Yelodia’s riding skills were on par with those of a royal guardsman. He thought it might be enjoyable to ride together once they were married.

As Fabian studied Edward’s expression carefully, he let out a chuckle and swirled his coffee.

“I think I understand why His Majesty holds you in such high regard.”

“…”

“Let me add that I also like you, Baron. In fact, I’d say you pass the test.”

“Am I supposed to feel honored?”

“Pfft…!”

Fabian burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking. He hadn’t expected to like Edward this much.

Fabian eventually clutched his stomach, gasping as if he were in pain. The curious glances directed his way quickly turned back.

“I truly appreciate your forthrightness, Baron. Just between us, I think you and Yedi are quite compatible.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask, but in what way?”

“Yedi doesn’t hold back when she’s upset, either.”

Fabian then offered a somewhat ominous piece of advice.

“Since you’ll be taking Yedi with you, let me warn you—it might get overwhelming at times.”

“…”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. She just has a little habit of running away every now and then.”

“Ah, running away…”

Edward trailed off.

A memory surfaced of Yelodia arriving at the naval headquarters in a carriage, but he hadn’t thought she was running away at the time. His gaze wavered.

Fabian seemed flustered and hastily explained further.

“Well, by running away, I mean she sometimes dresses as a man, leaves the estate, and wanders around the streets. From what I’ve observed, she seems to enjoy walking through the bustling areas alone.”

“…”

“It’s not as strange as it sounds… there’s a reason for it. I can explain.”

“Go ahead,” Edward prompted.

Fabian paused in thought before continuing.

“There was a time when my family and I thought Yedi wouldn’t live past thirteen. She probably believed it herself. Until her thirteenth birthday, she couldn’t leave her bedroom.”

“I heard she was ill.”

“Then you’ll understand. One day, the confinement became too much for her, and she escaped—not ran away, really—just left the estate. She spent the entire day walking through the streets, thinking it would be her last day alive.”

Fabian rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, as if surprised he had shared such a personal story. His eyes reddened slightly as he seemed to recall his sister’s past self.

“Since then, we’ve decided to let Yedi do whatever she wants, so long as she’s happy. If we’d known she’d grow up so healthy, we might have raised her to be more ladylike… but then again, there’s nothing about her that anyone could look down on.”

Fabian, speaking with the unmistakable pride of an overprotective brother, raised his coffee cup as if concluding his story.

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

Edward genuinely seemed unsure.

“Once you’re married, Yedi will become part of your household. If you explain things to her patiently, she’ll understand—she’s not a child anymore.”

“What exactly should I explain to her?”

Fabian opened his mouth as if to respond, then closed it again, muttering an “Ah…” He realized Edward had no intention of trying to lecture Yelodia or impose rules on her.

Fabian’s face lit up with delight.

“From the moment I met you, I could tell you were a good man—and a good match for her! Hahaha!”

“…I see.”

“Yes! I’ll treat you with the utmost respect, brother-in-law!”

Edward didn’t ask if Fabian had stormed into the naval headquarters with a sword over this same sisterly devotion. He already understood the depth of Fabian’s care for his sister.

“Well, let’s leave the serious talk there. I have plenty of stories I want to hear from you, Baron.”

Fabian’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, eager to hear the behind-the-scenes tales of the Phoenician naval battle.

Before Edward could respond, a stranger approached them and greeted Fabian.

“It’s been a while, Sir Fabian.”

“Ah, long time no see, Theodore.”

Fabian greeted him awkwardly, then cleared his throat. His expression made it clear he wasn’t thrilled by the encounter.

Theodore, seemingly oblivious to Fabian’s feelings, asked cheerfully, “What brings you here? You rarely visit the club.”

“I was out enjoying my day off and just stopped by. What about you, Theodore? Here on business?”

Fabian openly displayed his annoyance, his eyes practically urging Theodore to get on with his business and leave.

Fabian harbored a lingering grudge against Theodore, who had once dared to propose to Yelodia. That was back when she had been unwell, and Fabian had feared she might never receive another proposal. Though grateful in some ways, he still found Theodore’s presence grating.

Even so, unless Theodore did something truly irritating, Fabian let him be.

“I came out because I often attend these social gatherings. But who is this gentleman?”

‘As expected… I knew he would ask that.’

With a reluctant expression, Fabian introduced Edward to Theodore.

“Introduce yourself. This is Baron Adrian.”

“Adrian… Ah, could it be…”

“Yes, he’s my younger sister’s fiancé.”

At Fabian’s response, Theodore’s face momentarily stiffened. He quickly scanned Edward from head to toe, his gaze lingering on his face. It was an insistent, probing look.

Fabian, visibly annoyed, interjected.

“Still haven’t introduced yourself, have you?”

“Ah, I’m Theodore Kesley, the second son of Baron Kesley.”

“I’m Edward Adrian,” Edward responded in an indifferent tone.

Theodore’s gaze remained fixed on Edward’s face, as if unwilling to let it go. Perhaps it was a misconception, but his eyes seemed cloaked in a stifling heat.

“It’s truly an honor to meet the hero of the war. I’ve heard many rumors about you, Baron.”

“You flatter me.”

“If given the chance, I’d like to invite you to my estate someday.”

“That would be an honor,” Edward replied nonchalantly, which caused Theodore’s expression to flush. His jaw tightened, and his lips twisted as if suppressing anger.

“It seems that, as a newly minted noble, you’re unfamiliar with the proper etiquette of the aristocracy.”

“Have I just said something deserving of such criticism from you?” Edward asked with a puzzled expression.

Theodore’s face grew darker.

The truth was, Theodore had disliked Edward from the start. He couldn’t stand the idea of a mere commoner winning over Yelodia.

‘Damn it, what makes him think he’s worthy of this?’

Theodore clenched his teeth silently.

Yelodia was meant to marry someone like himself—someone of noble blood. That was the divine order of things.

The thought of this beggar, who only got lucky by catching the emperor’s eye, being engaged to Yelodia filled Theodore with seething resentment.

“Are you close acquaintances?” Edward asked Fabian, who shrugged lightly.

“As you can see, neither close nor distant.”

Edward immediately understood the undertone in Fabian’s words. The relationship was far from friendly; rather, it was one of nuisance and indifference.

Edward observed Theodore’s increasingly red face quietly before speaking.

“Do you have more to say to me?”

Unexpectedly, Theodore erupted in fury.

“What an arrogant attitude! Do you think you can act this way because you have the emperor’s favor?”

Without replying, Edward suddenly rose from his seat.

“…!”

Theodore gasped, instinctively inhaling sharply. Edward had merely stood up, yet Theodore’s throat tightened and his shoulders tensed as if under invisible pressure.

Theodore wasn’t consciously aware of it, but the man before him had crossed countless battlefields.

As the second son of Baron Kesley, Theodore had lived his life pampered and revered. He had spent his days oppressing and bullying those weaker than himself, never once encountering the aura of a man stronger than he.

With a calm but steely expression, Edward asked quietly,

“Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”

“Re-Responsibility? What do you mean by that!” Theodore raised his voice in a futile attempt to appear imposing, like a cat puffing up its fur before a predator.

Edward stepped closer in silence. Theodore, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of his presence, unwittingly took a step back.

“Ha…”

Fabian let out a mocking chuckle, causing Theodore’s neck and face to flush even redder.

“Then you’re not going to throw that glove at me, are you?”

“…What!”

“The one you’re wearing on your hand.”

Edward’s gaze shifted to the glove on Theodore’s hand. Theodore’s lips quivered in humiliation, but his hand refused to move.

Apparently satisfied, Edward turned away, speaking to Fabian.

“I’ll be leaving now. It seems we’ll have to postpone today’s conversation.”

“Indeed, let’s meet again soon.” Fabian waved him off, throwing an occasional irritated glare at Theodore.

Theodore couldn’t muster the courage to stop Edward as he walked away, calm and unbothered.