"Young master, young master. Please wake up."

"Mmm."

Sonia rubbed my cheek with her usual bluntness. I must have dozed off.

"Is it morning already?"

"Yes, it is morning. But there's something more important. Something that requires your attention."

"What is it?"

As I tried to get up, my eyelids felt heavy. I hadn't slept much. Sonia gently patted my back and helped me sit up.

"There's a commotion outside."

"What's going on?"

I shuffled toward the door in my slippers. Even before the automatic door opened, I could hear arguing voices.

"I'm telling you, it was a misunderstanding!"

It was Rhezein's voice.

"How was I supposed to know that an Adelbein direct descendant was sleeping in the Rheinland main house? I thought she was my daughter."

"That's beside the point. People make mistakes. I'm asking for an explanation about what you said to me last night, Mother Seti."

Rhezein and Zernya were arguing.

"Didn't you say you were going to teach the Adelbein main family a lesson? If you have complaints about the direct line, talk to me. I'll listen personally."

"That wasn't meant for a student."

"You specifically targeted the Adelbein direct line. That means you were talking about me. Please tell me. How exactly were you planning to teach us a lesson?"

"Enough..."

Zernya was particularly sharp today. There was no arrogance or malice in her demeanor. She was purely angry because her feelings were hurt.

I needed to mediate.

"Good morning, everyone."

I greeted them lightly as I joined the conversation. I positioned myself between Seti and Rustila.

Rustila, who had been watching nervously, quickly attached herself to my side like a cat finding sanctuary. Zernya's eyes widened.

"What's happening this early in the morning?"

"Eidel, please explain. Who is this girl, and who is that blonde girl? Why are there so many outsiders in our house?"

I answered calmly.

"That's Zernya, and this is Rustila. They're both my friends. Rustila took the college entrance exam with Seti, and she stayed overnight at our house yesterday."

"And this child?"

"Father brought Zernya here. She's been living with us for two months."

Rhezein's eyes narrowed. I quickly added a detailed explanation before she could misunderstand.

"...I see. Captured by foreign gods and then returned. I understand the situation."

Rhezein seemed to accept my explanation to some extent. I was glad I had built up goodwill with her last night. Of course, I still received unfriendly glances for being the first wife's child.

"Seti, and Rustila, was it? You don't have to go to school today, right? If you have time, let's go out together. I'll treat you to something delicious."

"We actually need to go to school. See you later."

We each quickly got ready. Fortunately, the atmosphere didn't become any more hostile.

***

While Zernya attended her class, I had a free period. I didn't have much to do during this time.

So I decided to meet Ireh Hazlen after a long while.

Ireh was living in a small studio apartment near the college. Currently, only I and her real estate agent knew her exact location.

Knock, knock.

"It's Altair."

After I knocked and exhaled once, the sturdy metal door was pulled inward.

"It's you. Come in."

Ireh gestured for me to enter while fixing her disheveled hair.

"Have you been sleeping all day?"

"The exam ended yesterday."

"Did it go well?"

"...I'm definitely going to pass."

There was really no reason to worry about the exam results of Ireh, a regression. Still, I asked out of courtesy, and she smiled contentedly as she sat on the bed.

I entered the room and wrinkled my nose. There was a slightly musty smell.

"The air isn't very good here. Why don't you move to a better place?"

"This is the cheapest. And the location is good."

"You could stay at our house."

"No. That's..."

Ireh pushed her side hair back and trailed off. She looked like a shy maiden hesitating.

"Which department did you apply to?"

"Physics."

"That's exactly it, junior."

I clapped like a seal to lighten the mood.

We talked for two hours. Most of it was about work, but we also chatted about other things.

Suddenly, Ireh touched her hair and smiled bitterly.

"It's a mess because I haven't been taking care of it. My hair has grown quite a bit too."

She used to have a bob cut that ended at the nape of her neck. But after spending months studying like a shut-in, her hair had grown down to her shoulders.

"That style looks good too. Why not try growing it out?"

"No. I have bad memories associated with that."

"What kind...?"

"It happened before. While running away from an avatar body, my hair got caught in an elevator. I died right there."

The way she casually talked about her death in a previous timeline showed she was no stranger to tragedy. I couldn't help but feel sympathy.

"That's all in the past. Don't look so sad, and go take care of your business."

"Let me know if you need anything. Never forget that you have the Rheinland family backing you."

Ireh nodded and smiled.

"Thank you."

***

Swish, swish.

Clink, clink.

The sounds of meat being sliced and dishes clinking alternated.

In the high-end restaurant frequented by the wealthy, Rustila sat between Seti and Rhezein, feeling awkward.

"...Has everything been alright?"

"Nothing unusual."

The atmosphere was somewhat stiff. It didn't seem like a normal mother-daughter relationship.

Or was this how meals always were among the elite?

But that thought didn't hold up, as it was quite different from how Seti or Eidel usually behaved when dining with their father.

Rhezein sighed for what must have been the umpteenth time, closing and opening her eyes as she continued to slice the meat. The glossy meat juices flowed out modestly.

"Mother?"

"Eat. I haven't been able to take care of you all this time."

Rhezein cut several pieces of the tenderest part and placed them on Seti's plate.

"How are you getting along with the rest of the family?"

"I don't know about Brian and Catrick since I haven't seen them. But I'm getting along well with Eidel and Father."

"Has Eidel ever given you a hard time?"

"He used to, but not anymore."

Rhezein's eyebrow twitched.

"He used to...?"

"That's all in the past, so don't worry about it. We get along really well now. I don't want to go into details."

"If you ever have any troubles, you can always tell Mom. I'll be able to visit the main house more often from now on."

Seti's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Seti was surprised twice.

First, because it had been a long time since she'd been comforted by her mother. Second, because her mother had referred to herself as "Mom," a somewhat rough but warm word.

Rationally thinking, it was probably because of the next family head position.

To Rhezein, Seti was a joker card. The only hope for revenge against those who had sent her away to an unwanted marriage, ruining her life.

With such hope, she couldn't afford to be harsh or cold.

Seti knew this but didn't show any disappointment. The position of family head was something she also desired, and as a child, she wanted to ease her mother's burden.

Do your best to catch the eye of the council of elders.

Seti's thoughts only went that far.

Rhezein, hardened by the internal politics of Adelbein, thought one step further.

She turned her gaze to Rustila, who was munching on her salad.

"Rustila, right? You seem quite close to Eidel."

"Ah, yes. That's right."

Rustila scratched her cheek and smiled broadly.

Rhezein knew.

Such a smile was the privilege of a girl in love.

"Thank you for keeping our daughter company. Don't be shy, eat plenty. And if possible, stay at our house tonight too. We'll make sure you're well taken care of."

Rhezein spoke more casually to Rustila than before. It meant she recognized Rustila as a comrade and ally. She addressed Rustila in a much friendlier tone.

"What do you think of our daughter and Eidel?"

"They're both kind. And talented too. Seti is good at making money, and Eidel excels at research. You must know about Eidel. He was one of the people who ended the Southern War."

Rustila continued praising Seti and Eidel, her eyes shining like stars. Rhezein simply listened for a while.

Eidel von Rheinland.

That name had risen rapidly in the last two years.

Rhezein knew about him. She just hadn't shown it in front of him because she was already wary.

Why had her husband Arnold brought Zernya to the Rheinland main house instead of a hospital?

And why had he let them live together for two whole months?

What were the intentions of the Adelbein main family?

Would Eidel and Zernya really remain just friends?

Above all, who did the council of elders plan to make the next family head?

Various thoughts intertwined like tangled threads, weaving logic.

Soon, Rhezein understood everything. As the puzzle pieces fit together, a bigger picture began to emerge.

Zernya was someone the Adelbein main family had infiltrated to keep her in check. Also, a child meant for a political marriage with Eidel.

If that happened, there would be no way out. A marriage between the direct lines of Rheinland and Adelbein would disrupt the balance of the ten great families. Seti's chances of becoming the family head would significantly decrease. Then revenge would be impossible.

"I want to become... someone worthy of Eidel."

"Oh, is that so?"

This was why Rhezein was looking at Rustila with such affection after finishing her calculations.

Perhaps there were two joker cards.

***

[I'm sorry, but due to family circumstances, I cannot schedule a meeting at this time.]

[Jerome von Adelbein's apology]

"Hmm."

Arnold swallowed.

Things were getting complicated.

The prosecution had been investigating the Adelbein main house several times regarding the recent foreign god manifestation incident.

This was not good news for Arnold, who desperately needed a doctor daughter-in-law from a powerful family.

"Even a simple meeting is difficult."

It's been eventful.

Just as he was about to give up on scheduling an appointment and return to the main house:

[Lord Rheinland, I plan to return to the Adelbein main house after next week. Thank you for taking care of me until now.]

Such a message arrived from Zernya.