Viscount Augusta was a man in his early fifties. He doted on Minerva, his youngest child born late in life. Recognizing her talent early on, he had ensured she received a proper education.
Thanks to those efforts, by the age of ten, Minerva was already advising the Viscount on territory management and business.
Developing herbs resistant to the dry land of the Viscount's territory, and the proposal to start growing rare spices—both were Minerva's ideas. Furthermore, she started a wool industry on land that had previously been useless. The Augusta textiles made from that wool were now enriching the empire's industries.
As a result, Minerva's name became known even in other territories. After she graduated top of her class at the academy, marriage proposals flooded in from noble houses.
Even from the Emperor himself. As much as he loved his daughter, a mere Viscount could not ignore an imperial decree. The Viscount had reluctantly agreed, thinking that if she became a Duchess and could utilize her talents... but that result was the annulment.
He had heard the details of the night party from acquaintances who were present at the venue.
The party was held at the Imperial Palace. For some reason, Alex, her fiancé, had claimed he could not escort her, so the Viscount had intended to do so himself. However, a sudden business meeting arose, and he was unable to attend.
(To think he would propose the annulment of the engagement at a night party...)
Just thinking about it made him furious. Though it didn't show on his face, Minerva must have suffered considerably.
The one who had saved her from that predicament was the young man sitting before him. He was said to be Alex's twin brother, Cyril Louzer.
(A visit without any prior notice... I am being looked down upon.)
He was the son of one of only two Ducal houses in the empire. Even if he was the former fiancé's brother, did he believe that a Viscount's house was not worth the courtesy of a formal notification?
(And above all, this man sitting before me... is he really sixteen years old?)
The Viscount stared intently at Cyril. When their eyes met, Cyril showed no arrogance, nor did he look down upon the Viscount, nor did he panic. He simply narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled elegantly.
The maids standing behind them seemed as if they were about to scream from the heart.
(His brother Alex was visibly arrogant in his attitude.)
The Viscount shifted his gaze and reached for his cup.
There was no arrogance or conceit felt from him, yet there was a strange, profound presence.
(To feel such dignity in a sixteen-year-old youth...)
"アウグスタ子爵,"
Called by name, the Viscount looked up.
"Is something the matter? Does the tea not suit your taste?"
"No, well..."
His sudden hesitation made him look a little young.
"Has your daughter not arrived yet?"
With that expression, his cheeks flushing slightly, he looked for the first time like someone his own age.
(What is that expression... could it be, really?)
No matter how one looked at it, it was the attitude of someone who had feelings for his daughter. The Viscount was slightly shaken. He had heard that during the commotion at the night party, Cyril had proposed an engagement to Minerva, but he had thought it was some kind of mistake.
(This is quite troublesome.)
While Alex, the former fiancé, seemed to have had no interest in Minerva at all.
(And is it true that the succession rights might be transferred to the second son...?)
The House of Louzer would likely be in turmoil for a while. He did not want to send Minerva into such a house.
"Lord Louzer, my daughter will need a bit more time to prepare herself."
When the Viscount said this, Cyril's shoulders slumped.
"I see..."
"Now then, Lord Louzer. For what business have you come to my home?"
Viscount Augusta changed his approach to Cyril. He had thought it might be amusing to keep him waiting, but it was better to get to the main point quickly and have him leave.
"......"
At the Viscount's question, Cyril thought for a moment.
He had intended to say, "I have come to apologize once more for my brother's foolishness," but he felt that the Viscount would not be satisfied with that.
Cyril clicked his tongue inwardly. He should have listened to the others' opinions properly.
He hadn't realized that visiting without prior notice in noble society was so close to being a taboo.
He had regretted it the moment he arrived at Viscount Augusta's estate. The servants were in a panic, and although he was led to the drawing room, he was made to wait for nearly an hour.
The waiting time had not been painful. In fact, he had felt happy just thinking of it as time spent waiting for Minerva. However, after waiting for nearly an hour, the person who entered the room was not Minerva, but Viscount Augusta with a bitter expression.
(Will I be able to meet Minerva today...?)
He felt intimidated by the Viscount's gaze, which was trying to gauge him. He was forcing a smile, but it was becoming difficult to maintain.
"I heard from your attendant that you came to apologize,"
The Viscount pressed him as he spoke.
"Yes. That is my intention."
As Cyril was lost in thought, the Viscount's questioning tone pushed him to answer.
"However, I wish to apologize to Lady Minerva directly. As for the discourtesy toward the House of Augusta, I intend to have my brother do that personally. I wish to apologize for my own sin... that as a brother, there must have been something I could have done, yet I failed to do it."
Cyril knew that if his sincerity did not reach the Viscount before he could get to Lady Minerva, he would likely not be allowed to see her. Cyril spoke, carefully choosing every word.