"... It might be better to refrain from that," Serena said with a delicate expression.
Serena replies like this when I ask about when to meet with her bother. Perhaps her brother Oliver was upset about the lack of previous greetings. After all, it has already been near to three months.
'What should I do?'
"I apologize for exposing family matters, but my brother has been consistently opposing my engagement with you, Elysion. Well... he tends to be a bit possessive about matters regarding mine."
"Haha, of course after all rumours about aren't exactly good." I said in a playful manner that ade serena's dull mood to brighten up.
However, "The are only bad rumours about you, prince Elysion." A harsh reply came from someone who was playing with my cat.
"Mir is so straightforward."
"So, I don't really think it's good idea to meet up with my brother unofficially."
Oh, from this I can be sure of one thing, her brother is a siscon.
In that case, he probably despises me for taking his sister.
"You can meet him later, during a ball or official gatherings. It would be for the best."
Serena spoke seriously, making her stance clear.
But... considering the future, it would be better to build a relationship now. Because...
"I am just the third prince, and no one, including King, expects anything from me. Eventually, I will renounce my status and leave the royal palace, receiving a suitable territory. So, recently, I've been thinking that becoming a son-in-law to the Ravenhurst family isn't a bad idea."
"Huh!?"
At my words, Serena gasped.
"I mean, of course, I don't particularly want to become the head of the Ravenhurst family. Instead, I thought I could serve under your elder brother..."
"I see. I understand Ely's feelings. In that case, I'll prepare a meeting with my brother immediately."
Serena's face flushed with excitement, leaning forward and returning back. From her reaction, it seems like she loves my proposal.
"Mir, did you hear? Prepare a meeting place for my brother and Elysion to meet right away... Yes, that's right. Have him come from the Royal Academy to the townhouse."
"Understood. I'll make the arrangements right away."
Mir bowed respectfully and disappeared from the training ground. I admired her proactive attitude, just from sensing the faint scent of something interesting.
"In that case, Elysion, you'll need to prepare as well."
"Y-Yes."
"Hey, hey, what about me?"
"Of course, Night too."
"Naay!"
And there was Night, overjoyed for reasons unknown. Wait, Serena, is it okay to let magical beasts attend the meeting?
What if they suddenly attack?
'I really want to restrict night from coming with us but…I don't spoil such a nice atmosphere.'
"Hehe, the Ravenhurst family welcomes you."
"Can I eat lots of delicious sweets, then nyaa?"
"Of course."
Despite my slight unease, seeing my excited fiancée and partner, I found myself unable to say anything.
---
.
..
…
"Fu fu... There's no need to be so nervous. I'm here too, so it'll be fine, you know?"
"Y-Yeah..."
In the carriage heading to the Ravenhurst family's townhouse, Serena chuckled. But meeting a siscon brother, I couldn't help but feel anxious.
"...It's okay when the young lady is present, but please be cautious if you're left alone even for a short moment."
Mir, there's no need for you to cheerfully give me such warnings right. Actually, do she intentionally tries to increase my anxiety levels every time.
"Ely, it'll be fun nyaaah!"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Yep, yep, it's great that Night looks so happy. Feel free to enjoy on my behalf too."
"We've arrived."
"Y-Yes."
'Ugh, I'm nervous.'
Finally, I'm going to meet Serena's brother...
I hopped off the carriage with Night on my shoulder and escorted Serena and Mir. When I offered mir my hand to hop down, Serena shot me a fierce glare with a scary expression.
'Hey! Hey! Is it really so wrong just to receive my maid's hand!'
Anyway, I have my eyes on no lady apart from my Rena.
Mir, on the other hand, had been calling me a 'natural lady-killer.' Unreasonable.
"So, has your brother not returned yet?"
"Miss, Lord Oliver has just finished his class a little while ago. It might take some more time."
"Delicious! Delicious!"
As Serena sipped her tea and inquired, Mir answered calmly without changing her expression.
"By the way, Night, it's fine to eat the sweets on my lap, but please don't spill them everywhere. It makes me look bad."
"Ely bad! Bad! Nyahh!!"
Night swapped places from my lap to Mir's shoulders, she is really hopeless.
"Unfortunately, Father couldn't join us..."
"It can't be helped. While Lord Oliver resides at the Royal Academy, Lord Oliver is managing the territory."
No, no, it would be overkill if even Duke Ravenhurst came. Please stop. ...But for the sake of Serena and my future, I can't avoid it.
'Ugh…it's too tough!!'
Caught in tension and anxiety, I clutched the empty teacup and thought of random and stupid things, as an hour passes by.
"Serena, my sister!"
The door swung open, and a man with platinum blond hair coupled with sapphire... well, his eyes were narrowed, so it's hard to see. But that's how I immediately recognized him as Serena's brother, Oliver of Ravenhurst.
"Brother, thank you for returning so promptly, despite the sudden request."
"What are you saying? Of course, if it's to meet my adorable sister, it's only natural."
Oliver, gracefully curtsying to Serena, turned a smiling face to me. Even though he already had narrowed eyes, now they were squinted even more, making it seem like he had closed his eyes.
"More importantly, what's going on? Suddenly wanting to meet me."
"Actually, I would very much like you to meet my fiancé."
"Hmm."
Following Serena's gaze, Oliver turned his attention to me.
Oh wow... He had narrow eyes earlier, but now I can see his sapphire eyes clearly because they're wide open.