Chapter 25

“As for being partners who have a promised future together…….”

Esteban reflexively started to question her, only to snap his mouth shut as if realizing his slip-up too late. Aria, pretending not to notice the vivid confusion etched across her son’s face, added nonchalantly: “Doesn’t that usually mean they’re fiancés?”

“……Poblian Fennec is only thirteen years old, Mother.”

Esteban pointed this out in a significantly lower tone, directed at Aria’s amused inquiry. Aria cupped her cheek, feigning innocence as she replied:

“Hmm, by our standards, that would be true. However, I’ve heard that shifters often marry two or three years earlier than we do.”

“…….”

“Especially in Poblian’s case, since she has to spend five years here due to the contract, having a fiancé might actually be a good thing. Besides, Poblian’s fiancé seemed quite decent.”

The more Aria spoke, the more Esteban’s face stiffened. Seeing his contorted expression, Aria continued in a casual voice.

“Have you heard of him, Esteban? I’m told he is the heir to the Scorpion family.”

“…….”

“The Scorpions are a very influential family in Anif. Even our house often purchases the specialty goods they sell.”

‘Hmm, did I tease him too much?’

Aria briefly wondered if she was being too mischievous, but she soon maintained her lithe smile. She liked the fact that her son, who was usually so adept at masking his emotions, was showing his heart so honestly. Of course, there was a small chance these emotions could trigger a rampage, but Aria had noticed that Esteban had been so stable lately that such a minor surge wasn’t a cause for concern.

Watching the boy’s expression, Aria suddenly clapped her hands together as if just remembering something.

“Ah! Come to think of it, since you asked to send Poblian back to Anif this time, they might even hold their wedding within a few years of her return.”

Aria, driving the point home like a wedge, smiled brightly at Esteban, who was staring at her with a face full of shock.

‘Oh my.’

She had never quite understood other noblewomen when they said teasing their young son was a delight, but today, she finally felt she knew that feeling. Aria barely suppressed a laugh at the sight of Esteban, who had frozen like a statue, and added: “Well, if the fulfiller of the five-year contract changes, their marriage will surely proceed without any obstacles.”

“…….”

“And about Miss Ariel, who visited Winchester on behalf of the Fennec couple earlier.”

“…….”

“I’m not sure if you know, but she is the original party to the contract—the one who wanted you to stay here instead of Poblian. I believe Rendel is showing her to her room right now…….”

“My Lady.”

“Oh, speaking of the devil.”

Aria turned around at the sound of her name being called from behind. Esteban, who had been standing there with a rigid face, also shifted his gaze toward the approaching presence. Behind Rendel, a girl appeared who looked both like and unlike Poblian.

“The Young Master is here as well.”

‘Young Master?’

Ariel, who had been absentmindedly turning her head at Rendel’s voice, widened her eyes. She had heard he was a half-wit who couldn’t even control his mana at thirteen, so she expected someone similar to Poblian. However, the boy she saw was unbelievably handsome—far more so than Lexus Scorpion, who had come with her today.

‘No, wait. Why would that idiot who only cares about Poblian be handsome?’

Shaking off thoughts of Lexus, Ariel quickly composed her expression and offered a greeting.

“Hello. It is an honor to meet you. I am Ariel Fennec.”

“…….”

“……?”

“Esteban, you must return a lady’s greeting.”

At Aria’s reminder, Esteban, who had been keeping his mouth shut, reluctantly spoke.

“Esteban Hardel Winchester.”

Ariel curled her lips into a smile as she watched Esteban, who had merely spat out his name. His attitude was arrogant beyond belief, but she couldn’t afford to look bad in the presence of the Grand Duchess. Fortunately, as if recognizing her effort, Aria offered an apology first.

“I’m sorry. I’ve told him to be kind to children his age, but he simply won’t listen.”

“It’s quite alright. I’m sure the day will come when we can exchange warm greetings.”

“My, Miss Ariel, you have such a kind heart.”

Ariel gave a radiant smile to the admiring Aria. Aria smiled back and asked Rendel: “Are you taking Miss Ariel to her assigned room, Rendel?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“I shall take my leave then.”

Ariel lightly bowed to Aria and then stared at the back of Esteban, who was walking away without hesitation. Hair as beautiful as woven silver and deep red eyes that emitted a heavy glow. Even to Ariel, who had seen enough beautiful and expensive things to be sick of them, Esteban’s face was beautiful beyond measure. Standing next to him would surely draw everyone’s attention to her.

‘The aesthetic standards of shifters and humans for beautiful things aren’t that different, after all.’

Ariel smacked her lips with a hint of regret as she watched Esteban’s receding figure. Honestly, if he could just handle his mana properly, he was so much to her taste that she might have even considered staying in this mansion instead of Poblian.

‘That is a bit of a shame……’

“Miss Ariel?”

Lost in her own thoughts, Ariel flinched and looked up at the sound of Aria’s voice.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I must be tired from the long journey.”

“Oh dear, I’ve kept you for no reason again. Rendel, Ariel’s room should be…….”

Aria glanced at Ariel with a mischievous glint in her eyes and said to Rendel: “The room next to Esteban’s would be best.”

“Next to his room? Ah, you mean the room on the opposite side.”

‘Opposite side?’

As Rendel bowed in understanding, Aria smiled benevolently and gave her instructions.

“Then please make sure Miss Ariel feels no discomfort; provide her with everything she needs.”

***

Sitting in his office at the marquisate, Ilain frowned as he recalled Hardium, who had been proposing bills for shifters throughout the entire aristocratic council.

“I have heard that the total amount of taxes paid by shifters is nearly identical to that of humans. This is not right. Is their lifespan not generally shorter than that of humans?”

“B-but taxes are a form of protection tax! They receive protection from the state, so naturally they should pay……!”

“So you are saying it is right to calculate and demand a protection tax at a much higher rate than humans for a place that isn’t even bordered by a frontier and handles most of its own security?”

“But in the case of the ratio, we had no choice to balance the total amount……!”

“I don’t know how many times I have to say this. Unless you intend to tax corpses, you cannot ask those with shorter lifespans to pay the same level of tax as humans. Is that not so, Marquis Alpenso?”

“He’s nothing less than a hundred-year-old fox.”

Hardium Winchester had thoroughly toyed with him. Normally, Ilain would have opposed his bills with all sorts of excuses, but this time, he had no move to make.

Ilain’s eyes flashed with murderous intent as he thought of Hardium. At that moment, a subordinate entered the office after a sharp knock.

“Your Excellency, I have received word that those brought from Anif have arrived at the prepared location. What are your orders?”

“How many did you bring?”

“Two shifters and one man who managed them—three in total.”

At his subordinate’s words, Ilain tapped the longsword at his waist.

“Do you think they’ve noticed the disappearances over there?”

“Yes. It appears that internal security within the family has been tightened, as rumored. Vigilance is certainly higher than it was at first. Thus, it seems impossible to bring more for the time being.”

“It’s a pity we can’t get more immediately, but it can’t be helped. This is a matter that requires a long-term view.”

“…….”

“Seeing as they’ve lived in hiding all this time, it seems they really are hiding something. Shall we see why Winchester was so desperate for them?”

Ilain gave a cold laugh and looked at his bowing subordinate, speaking in a deeply lowered voice.

“Bourbon, I am concerned that this secret might leak.”

“I will handle it thoroughly so that you have nothing to worry about. As for the ones we captured…….”

When the subordinate asked again while gauging Ilain’s mood, Ilain replied as he boarded the prepared carriage.

“I will confirm them myself. Lead the way.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”