"Eugene. You made it to the banquet."
It was Kyle. Dressed to the nines like me, he approached with a smile.
"I've been feeling better lately, so I thought I'd enjoy the banquet. But Kyle, you're not really one for these kinds of events, are you?"
Kyle wasn't the type to enjoy banquets.
"This banquet is for Father. As his son, I can't miss it."
"If you put it that way, what does that make me, who's skipped so many banquets before?"
"Ah, sorry. You had a heart condition, so it couldn't be helped. Everyone in the family, including the vassals, understands that."
Kyle glanced around as he spoke, clearly looking for someone.
"Eugene. Where's Yuria? I thought she'd be with you as your personal maid…"
"Why are you looking for Yuria? Do you have feelings for her or something?"
"No, it's not that. You have a heart condition, so I assumed Yuria would be by your side."
Kyle seemed oddly flustered.
Watching his reaction, I realized he was paying attention to Yuria. I couldn't be sure exactly what kind of feelings he had, but I understood.
Currently, Yuria was highly popular within the estate. Not only had she received marriage proposals from the butlers, but even visiting nobles, despite already being married, had proposed to her. That's how beautiful she was.
'Certainly… Yuria is the type Kyle would like.'
Of course, this alone didn't mean Kyle had fallen for her.
"Yuria's in the kitchen. Over half of the dishes being served to the guests today were made by her."
I had deliberately sent Yuria to the kitchen.
Cooking was one of the reasons, of course. I planned to showcase modern dishes and claim them as my own creations. The moment one of these dishes satisfied their palates and left a lasting impression, they would remember my name. I needed to make my presence known to them, even if it was through something like this.
Also, if I had Yuria by my side, it was inevitable that men would flock to her.
Politely turning them down would be a hassle.
And most importantly…
'Among today's guests is the heir of Helbrit.'
He and Yuria are half-siblings. Yuria's silver hair and blue eyes are characteristics of the Helbrit family, so there's a chance he might find her presence suspicious.
"So, are there dumplings among today's dishes?"
"You mean the dish you taught me? Yes, there are."
"Really? I'll have to try them."
Kyle's face lit up. The dumplings were something I had made after asking Kyle about them. It was a precaution to avoid unnecessary suspicion from him.
"Lord Kyle! There you are!"
A slightly husky female voice called out. Kyle's face stiffened instantly.
A woman in a pink dress was walking briskly toward us. She was a noble lady dressed in a soft pink gown. Her face was round, with acne on her cheeks, and she had a plump figure.
"Oh my. Young Master Eugene is here too. It's been a while."
I greeted her with a bright smile.
"Yes, it's been a while, Lady Baryen."
Baryen Flavit.
She was the daughter of the Flavit Marquis, the owner of the Flavit Vineyard, which produced the kingdom's finest wine. The Flavit family was one of the wealthiest in the kingdom, even surpassing the Pruckus Count's family in terms of financial power.
And she was Kyle's fiancée.
'Kyle didn't like her... Well, it's more accurate to say he was wary of her.'
There wasn't a big reason. Kyle, being a man, naturally preferred women with pretty faces.
In the original story, the Flavit family was revealed to have made a pact with demons, leading to the execution of all direct members of the Flavit family. The evidence was so overwhelming that even Kyle couldn't do anything to help.
'Couldn't help? That's a load of crap. When the heroine was in danger, he didn't hesitate to help…'
Kyle awkwardly dealt with Baryen, who was actively pursuing him with a bright smile. She didn't hesitate to engage in physical contact.
I quietly observed their interaction.
Baryen wasn't lacking in any way except for her face. In fact, she had a good personality and came from an incredibly prestigious family. Of course, she was about a million light-years away from my type, so there was no way I'd ever be interested. I wouldn't touch her even if she begged me.
'Heh! In the original story, this didn't work out… but I think I'll step in and help this woman.'
In return, I'll take all of Kyle's heroines for myself.
"Wait, Lady Flavit."
"Lord Kyle, there's no need to be so formal. We're engaged, after all. Just call me Baryen. Go on."
"...Baryen. I was in the middle of a conversation with Eugene. So, if you could step aside for now…"
I intervened. Don't use me as an excuse.
"I don't mind. Since I live in the estate, I can talk to Kyle anytime. On the other hand, Lady Baryen doesn't get to see Kyle often, right? Why don't you two take this opportunity to talk as much as you'd like?"
"Young Master Eugene, you've matured quite a bit since I last saw you."
"I can't stay a child forever. Ah, by the way, when are you two planning to hold the wedding?"
"I'm ready anytime. But considering the positions of both families… it keeps getting postponed."
"Ha... Haha... We'll do it when the time comes."
Kyle laughed awkwardly.
Fortunately for Kyle, the marriage was being delayed due to political reasons. To be precise, it was being obstructed. If Pruckus and Flavit were to unite, both families would gain immense power.
And the fact that Kyle had no intention of marrying also played a part. Ention was surprisingly lenient when it came to marriage or romance.
"Well then, you two enjoy your time."
I left them and went to find Zent.
"Brother Zent!"
"Oh! Eugene! I heard you invented this thing called chocolate? It's delicious!"
Zent was my brother, twelve years older than me. Despite his appearance, he had a sweet tooth.
"Yes. I've been receiving a lot of inquiries about chocolate lately."
"With a taste like this, it's no wonder. You're a great asset to the Pruckus family, little brother. Help me out later. With your and my combined strength, we can bring the Pruckus family to its greatest peak."
"If it's something I can do… I'll do my best to help you, Brother."
It was an empty promise. The moment Zent became unnecessary, I'd have him assassinated. This guy wasn't a pushover like Kyle.
"Hahaha. Just hearing that makes me feel reassured."
Zent patted my shoulder.
Zent was showing favor toward me. The reasons were that I had no talent for swordsmanship, we were full brothers, and I had a congenital heart condition. From his perspective, I wasn't a competitor.
"I saw you talking to Kyle earlier. What were you discussing?"
He saw Kyle as a rival.
"It wasn't anything significant. Just that some of the dishes I developed would be served today."
"I've tried the dishes you developed. They were delicious. Especially the braised ribs—they were outstanding."
Zent glanced toward one side of the banquet hall. There were tables and chairs set up where guests could enjoy their meals. The dishes I had developed, in particular, seemed to have gained quite a reputation, as they were highly popular.
"Lady Flavit seems to really like Kyle."
"She's his fiancée, after all."
"Tsk! Eugene, an engagement doesn't always lead to marriage."
Zent clicked his tongue as he spoke. Ironically, he himself was engaged to his fiancée. He simply didn't like the fact that Kyle's fiancée was from the Flavit family. If the Flavit family backed Kyle, it would put Zent at a disadvantage in the succession race.
"Wouldn't it be better for Kyle to marry soon?"
"Eugene, marrying quickly isn't always a good thing. Remember that."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind. But if Kyle marries, wouldn't he become the heir to the Flavit family?"
"The Flavit family has a legitimate eldest son, so that won't happen."
"Hmm. I see."
Fortunately for Kyle, Zent was opposed to his marriage with Baryen.
'Well, that can be dealt with later. For now… let's stir the pot a bit. Heh.'
Zent wasn't as broad-minded as Kyle. If someone insulted Kyle, he'd let it slide, but Zent was the type to punish or retaliate against anyone who insulted him.
"Brother Zent. It seems like Kyle might soon reach the level of an Aura Expert… did you know?"
"What?! Kyle's already reaching the level of an Expert?!"
Despite his surprised tone, his voice was very quiet. He was conscious of the surroundings. If this fact got out, Kyle's reputation would skyrocket.
"It's not certain. It's just something I've been thinking after observing Kyle lately."
"...Eugene. You shouldn't say such things carelessly. And you shouldn't spread rumors either. Did you tell anyone else?"
"You're the first, Brother Zent. I'm sorry. I won't tell anyone else."
"...."
"...."
As I fell silent, Zent furrowed his brow.
"...Eugene. Tell me more. What do you mean by Kyle reaching the level of an Aura Expert?"
"I've been getting close to the Flune Knights lately."
"The Flune Knights…? Ah, that knight order made up of commoners."
"Yes. They're knights with exceptional skills."
"Exceptional skills? Hah... Never mind. Go on."
"As a member of the Pruckus family, I've been training in swordsmanship too. I have no talent, of course. But even so, I have an eye for these things. There's a knight who just became an Aura Expert… and the aura he gives off is similar to Kyle's."
"Haha. Is that all?"
"I've even asked Kyle directly. He said he feels like he's about to break through a barrier soon."
At my words, Zent's face hardened. He asked me in a low voice.
"...Did Kyle really say that?"
Zent was his brother. He knew Kyle wasn't the type to make empty boasts. If Kyle said he was about to break through, he really was.
"Yes. That's what he said."
I smiled as I spoke. Kyle had indeed said that when I asked him recently. Even if it was a complete lie, Zent's personality wouldn't allow him to confront Kyle directly to confirm.
"...Kyle's 17 this year, right?"
"Yes. If Kyle becomes an Aura Expert, he'll be the youngest in the kingdom to do so. It'll probably be an unprecedented record."
Well, assuming Yuria's record doesn't exist.
"...."
Zent's expression grew serious.
People in this world love heroes. Tales and legends of heroes were common. People longed for and admired heroes.
A 17-year-old prodigy reaching the level of an Aura Expert? That's the stuff of heroic tales.
If this fact got out, more vassals would support Kyle. That's exactly what happened in the original story.
"Ah, right. Do you know why Kyle, who doesn't usually enjoy banquets, attended this one?"
"...Why?"
"He said it was for Father. As a son, he couldn't miss it."
"...I see."
To the average listener, Kyle was a filial son. But to Zent, it could be interpreted differently. For example, Kyle might be subtly trying to show off his abilities to Ention.
'People are self-centered. If they don't like someone, they'll never see them in a good light.'
Even if a bastard does something good, it's hard to see it as anything but ulterior motives. It's a kind of prejudice.
'And a bastard only sees other bastards.'
I didn't think Zent would act based solely on this. But he would definitely be more wary of Kyle and prepare thoroughly to bring him down. And the more that happened, the more intense their conflict would become.
Thud! Thud!
Footsteps approached. Zent and I turned our heads toward the sound.
Four men were walking toward us. At the center was a strikingly handsome man with silver hair and blue eyes.
"Young Master Zent. It's been a while. Your exploits at Utrein Castle have reached even the royal palace."
"Young Master Halios. You're as elegant as ever. Ah, this is my younger brother, Eugene."
He turned his head to look at me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Eugene. I am Halios Helbrit, son of Duke Makelos Helbrit."
***
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