Chapter 5
“Fiancé?!”
Ara jumped to her feet.
No wonder everyone was keeping their mouths shut…!
The bearer of the bombshell news remained completely calm. He quietly studied Ara for a moment, then spoke.
“Looks like this is the first you’re hearing about it.”
“…Yes.”
It wasn’t so much that she was surprised—it was that she hadn’t expected the news to arrive so quickly.
The count has been dead for less than a week…
Still, she thought someone would have given her prior notice. In the original story, Arachne’s uncle had arbitrarily arranged a fiancé for her. Tonight seemed to be the preparatory step for that.
Manuel Vulcan, the eldest son of the Vulcan marquisate, was ten years older than Arachne. And…
“Honestly, Lumie would be far easier to make your wife than you, but Lumie is from a cadet branch.”
“…”
He showed not an ounce of respect for Arachne.
And after Arachne dies, he flirts with Lumie…
Ara bit her lip.
Well… I was going to have to face this eventually anyway.
She had already decided her uncle had to be removed—this gave her one more reason.
Colin stroked the book in his hand and spoke softly.
“…I’m truly sorry.”
“Pardon?”
A sudden, unexpected apology.
“It seems Miss Edmon is in a difficult situation this time, and there’s nothing I can do to help…”
“…”
His shoulders slumped, eyelashes shadowed in sorrow. Ara sat beside him, inspecting his face while lamenting her own fate. Colin kept speaking in small ways, probably to lift her spirits.
If only my uncle or Manuel were even half as considerate as Colin…
In the original story, Colin had always been gentle and composed, a proper romantic sub-lead, constantly buffeted by his social status yet endearing and kind. Lumie rescued him at times but later benefited from his decisive help. Particularly, Colin’s management of the Oliver guild was known for excellent treatment of employees.
Come to think of it, Lumie got Colin’s help when she tried to reform the guild to atone for Edmon’s misdeeds…
…Wait. Suddenly, a thought flashed through Ara’s mind.
“You must be quite taken aback… Everyone probably kept quiet out of concern for you. Don’t be too upset.”
“…There you are.”
“Pardon?”
Ara snorted. Golden eyes gleamed like a predator.
The Silver Thread Room.
It was the most beautiful room in the Edmon mansion.
The center of the hall, decorated in white marble, showcased a golden spider—the Edmon family symbol—exuding majesty. Only a select few guests ever received hospitality there. Sometimes it was used for dinners, such as gatherings of the empire’s twelve noble houses.
To think a commoner could enter here… They’re living in luxury.
Colin looked around, staring at the golden spider ornament.
“Oh my, welcome, Colin.”
Zyla, hosting guests with a retinue of servants behind her, greeted him warmly.
“It’s been a while, Madam Edmon.”
“Yes, you’ve been abroad, haven’t you?”
“Yes… I’m sorry about the count… Please forgive me for not attending the funeral on my return.”
“It was because of work, how could that be Colin’s fault?”
Zyla pretended to wipe away tears with a handkerchief.
A sharp, clear voice rang out.
“Of course! How could that be the junior marquis’ fault?”
An elderly lady stood behind Colin, leaning on a cane. With one hand, she wagged a finger at Zyla.
“You went abroad and even helped with the Edmon guild’s affairs, eating up so much time! How long do you intend to let your husband, now a junior marquis, be overworked?”
“…Madam Capernic.”
Every time she shouted, her cane hit the floor with a heavy thud. Colin instinctively leaned back. The cane, carved with wings along the handle, ended in a sharp point—he worried it might even crack the polished floor.
“Tell him clearly! Oliver, the junior marquis, is officially a noble now. He’s busy enough with his own affairs, so don’t treat him like a servant anymore!”
“…I’ll tell him.”
Even Zyla’s smooth, porcelain-like smile showed a crack for once. Colin fought back a laugh. Zyla hurried off to welcome other guests.
The cane’s owner approached Colin with a smirk.
“You too… did you really do everything he asked without question, you naïve fool?”
“Still, it was a good opportunity to broaden my horizons.”
“A good opportunity? Then why send me out to suffer? Let the bear do the work but you pocket the money?”
“Please hear me out.”
“Hear you out! Broadening your horizons at a loss?! And I already heard you lost a fortune! You got completely stuck at customs on your way back!?”
“Ah, that….”
Colin trailed off.
“…It should be resolved smoothly.”
“It had better be!”
“…”
“Noblemen are useless everywhere.”
Even though she herself is a noble, a duchess, Colin swallowed his words and simply smiled.
Herawin Capernic.
The Capernic family, one of the empire’s long-established houses that protected the realm alongside the Edmons. Even if one didn’t know her personally, Herawin’s glare would unsettle anyone. Nobles aware she was the mother of the deceased Capernic duke would be doubly intimidated.
“…But the late Count Edmon cared for him quite a lot, didn’t he?”
“The same goes for that one!”
The reply was bitter.
“Don’t go before this old woman…”
Despite her clucking tongue, Herawin felt conflicted herself. Colin’s words were true—she had considered the late Count Edmon somewhat competent, at least in making money.
He just failed at having children.
Then Lumie appeared from a distance, smiling brightly.
“Madam Capernic! Colin!”
“…Ahem!”
“No, Junior Marquis Oliver.”
Herawin gave Lumie a pointed look; Lumie smiled and immediately assumed proper etiquette.
To anyone else, her grace would inspire smiles, but Herawin’s expression remained unchanged.
“Welcome. I’m glad to see you again.”
“You should use proper titles. Can a young lady of a noble house just call any man by his name?”
Lumie laughed playfully.
“It doesn’t come naturally yet. Besides, Colin isn’t ‘just anyone,’ you know?”
“….”
Colin raised an eyebrow, recognizing she meant no malice and no special significance.
Even if Herawin hid it outwardly, she was troubled inside.
If Colin had just been a fallen noble…
If not for his commoner origins, she might have actively tried to pair him with Lumie Edmon. But that was impossible. Even weakened noble families would not easily consent to a commoner junior marquis marrying the Edmon heiress.
At least two generations would be needed for full recognition.
Even Herawin, thinking pragmatically, was still a noble.
“By the way, I see many unfamiliar faces here today.”
“Yes, distant relatives have come.”
Lumie gazed at the empty seats with a soft expression.
“Everyone seems concerned about Arachne.”
“….”
“Hmph!” Herawin snorted, and Colin forced back a bitter smile.
Colin recalled the silvery, spiderweb-like hair he had seen in the greenhouse.
How many of these attendees are truly here out of concern for the Edmon heiress?
He sincerely envied Lumie’s pure-heartedness as he stepped forward.
At the head of the table sat Herawin, with the seat to her left empty.
Naturally. There was no one of higher status present.
Next to the empty seat were Karl and Zyla.
The remaining seats were taken by representatives of the twelve noble houses, with a few reserved for Edmon cadet family members.
Even if I attend, there’s nothing to gain here.
Karl glanced at the far end of the table. Practically, he had no voice in the proceedings. Near the door, a delicately carved gentleman was enjoying his meal, perfectly proper in posture and etiquette.
Colin, getting all arrogant just because he got a title… Does he really think that makes him a noble?!
In fact, Colin had already been officially recognized as a noble. Karl tried to ignore it.
And yet, he’s so ungrateful… clueless, too!
Since the first time the deceased Count Edmon entrusted him to Karl, Colin had been fed, clothed, and trained. Quick reflexes and some education from Karl’s brother had made him useful in the guild. Otherwise, he’d have been another child twisting cords until his hands bled.
Then suddenly, he wanted independence and even received a title from the emperor—Karl nearly lost his neck.
Without me, he wouldn’t even be allowed in this room…
Originally, Karl might have begged for a seat at the table. Now, he was content.
He was Arachne’s only uncle and her legal guardian. If things went well, his niece might even renounce her title. Few women accepted titles to continue the family line anyway.
If we’re going to manage the Edmon family properly, it’s better than letting a girl take the countship.
Karl smirked at the empty seat.
Strange that the old woman is quiet today.
Herawin was usually a troublesome figure, interfering in every matter. As Karl watched carefully, Herawin finally spoke.
“…Is Miss Edmon here yet?”
