“Papa! Why do I have to see that man?! He’s just trash!” Sophia angrily complained to her father.

“Listen to Papa, Sweetie.” Zenobia gingerly coaxed. “He’s just coming because Papa wanted him to apologize to you. It’s not a matchmaking interview.”

“Hmmph! I’ll show him! If he even has any ulterior thoughts on me, he’ll regret it!” Sophia harrumphed as she stormed off. She had just returned for break only to be told this terrible news. If she had known about this, she would’ve chosen to remain in the capital.

“Hah~ What am I going to do about her?” Zenobia said as he rubbed his temple. “I’m spoiling her too much.”

Sophia was already 16. Most girls her age, especially nobility would have already been engaged or married by this point. However, Sophia was a very picky person and wanted to remain untethered so his matchmaking attempts hadn’t been going well, leaving Zenobia is a major headache. Normally this role should be taken up by the mother to seek out marriage candidates, but…

“I just hope she gets married before no one will want her anymore.” Zenobia muttered.

Back in her room, Sophia was angrily pounding a pillow. “Augh! Why the hell should I show him respect?” She was referring to Vincent Silverlight, the youth who had barged into her room in an attempt to ‘rape’ her. Ever since that event she had become insecure and even moved into a different bedroom.

“I remember him. He looked okay, but his eyes were lecherous. I could already tell he was a shrewd and scheming man. He kept trying to hold my hand during the party last year, ugh!” She felt shivers as she shook her arm. “I’ll make it so he’ll regret showing his face around here.” She promised to herself as she got up and began making plans before he came.

---

“I’ve heard that you’ve renounced the Redwall name.”

Vincent flinched slightly when he heard those words, but remained silent. The man opposite him was a Duke and he was a mere trash from a Viscount family. One word from that man and his family would have it tough.

“Duke Evergreen...”

“Please.” Zenobia held up his hand, “Drop the formalities, Vincent.”

“Sir… I don’t believe this is appropriate.” Vincent replied. Just what was the duke thinking?

“No, I insist.” Zenobia said.

Vincent studied the duke for a bit longer before saying, “As you wish. Zenobia, to answer your earlier comment. Yes, I’ve renounced the Redwall name.”

“And what pray you to do such a thing?”

“It’s because…” Vincent was slightly panicking. The original novel didn’t provide this information and he hadn’t expected the duke to bring up such a question. Quickly thinking on his feet, he continued, “I wanted to make it very clear that Gerald Redwall, my brother, should inherit my father’s title as head of the household.”

“Oh really?” Zenobia smirked. “Then are you saying you are not worthy? Even though you are the eldest son?”

Vincent only felt more uncomfortable as the silence continued on. What was he getting at? These things had happen all in the past and there was no point bringing this up when he had come to apologize. What’s more, he had been here for long enough, but he hasn’t been served any tea.

“It’s alright, I understand, Vincent. You were too immature back then and had done things without putting much thought into it.” Zenobia waved it aside and finally went to the point. “However, immaturity isn’t an excuse when you tried to do what you did to my daughter, now is it?”

“N-no, Sir!” Even though the Duke’s face was all smiles, his glaringly cold eyes were like a snake’s poising to strike. “I was wrong… It was…”

“No, I don’t want excuses, Vincent. I want the truth. How did things end up like that one year ago? Just what happened?”

“W-well, you see… I don’t remember much…” In fact, he hadn’t been there at all, so how was he supposed to know. If only he could reveal that information, he would.

“But you do remember being there at the party, correct?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“To be fair, Vincent. Something is puzzling me. You know your reputation and you also know that you went to my daughter’s, for lack of a better word, marriage candidate selection. But here’s the most puzzling thing of all. You see, I hadn’t sent an invitation to the Redwall Household. What could this mean?”

“Yes, Sir?” Vincent was left with a puzzled look as he wondered just how the events happened. The novel only mentioned the events at the party and never what happened leading up to it. Now this was another layer of mystery that he wanted solve. Did someone acted against the Duke by using him as a pawn? He felt some trepidation, imagining that he was playing in the palms of somebody else.

“Hm… It looks like you also don’t know.” Zenobia shook his head in defeat. “Sorry to do this to you, Vincent. I just wanted to know your thoughts on the whole matter. For now, let’s drop the matter, shall we?” He clapped his hands and a few maids entered with tea and snacks.

Knowing that he had just narrowly dodged a bullet, Vincent let out a relieved sigh and took a sip. Bitter. It was bitter, but yet refreshing. Not a bad taste.

“Blue Sorin. It grows high on the plateaus of the Sorin Mountain range in your Redwall Territory.”

“Ah, no wonder it tasted familiar.” Vincent awkwardly laughed.

“Just kidding. It’s actually Laminella, unique to the northern kingdom beyond the Emerald Forest.” Zenobia laughed as he watched the youth struggle to maintain his composure.

“Sir, have many told you that you are quite the jokester?” Vincent’s tone showed that he was flustered.

“Ah yes, many. Too many for me to recount.”

Vincent was awkward at first, but the atmosphere just couldn’t remain so with such a charismatic person in the room. Soon, the two had already talked for most of the evening. The sun had already fallen and the internal lighting in the house came on.

“Sir, it’s getting late. I must be going now.” Vincent stood up. “Again, I would like to sincerely apologize for what I had done. I’ve learned a lot in that time and many of it is thanks to your forgiveness.” He bowed as he gestured to leave.

“No, no, no. How can we let a guest like you leave? Please, won’t you stay for dinner? I’ll have my servants prepare you a spare room. Stay the night!” Zenobia cheerfully bellowed refusing any excuse Vincent came up with.

“Sir, I really have to go.”

“No, I insist.” Zenobia draped his arm over Vincent as he said, “If you really meant your apology, you’ll stay the night.”

What can he say? Vincent was trapped in a dead end and the only way out was to agree to the Duke’s request.

The dinner was a large spread and hardy. Although the Duke’s methods were subtle and humble, he treated his guests excellently which could be seen by the types of dishes on the table. There were Remifield Geese, Redfur deer, Thousand-yolk egg and many more. It would be impolite to say too much so Vincent only remained quiet. When he looked over to the host, he was puzzled as the host silently sat there and stared at the doorway.

“Sir?”

“Just wait a moment.” Zenobia smiled as if he knew Vincent’s question.

Vincent was spent just wondering what they were waiting for, but his question was answered by a cheerful girl.

“Papa! Did he already leave?” A beautiful girl that still had a bit of baby fat on her cheeks pushed the door aside. She had on a casual dress that highlighted her rich blond hair and golden irises. “I promise you, I wasn’t trying to hide from him or any… thing… Oh you’re still here?” She asked with a look of disgust.

“Sweetie, is that how you should treat a guest?” Zenobia asked as he apologetically looked over at Vincent.

“Hmph! How is that thing a guest? I don’t ever remember inviting him.” Sophia crossed her arms.

“Sophia.” Zenobia sternly warned.

“But… Papa~…” She complained. The atmosphere was a little too tense for Vincent as he swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat and spoke out.

“Sir, it’s quite alright. I understand that anyone would feel this way if the same were to happen to them.” Vincent then turned to Sophia. “Lady Sophia, I apologize for what happened and I know fully well that you may never forgive me. I don’t ask for your forgiveness, I just want you to understand that such a thing will never happen again.” He bowed as formally as he could.

When he looked up, the girl was left stunned as she stood there frozen. It was Zenobia who was the first to speak.

“Sweetie, it would be impolite to leave him like that. Please just forgive him already. He suffered through a whole year of torture.” Zenobia mediated as he gave Vincent a sly wink.

‘Oh please, you’re exaggerating.’ Vincent thought to himself as he rolled his eyes.

“S-since Papa said so… Then I forgive you for attempting to molest me, Pervert.”

“Sophia?” Zenobia warned.

“B-but~!”

“No, that’s quite alright with me. I’m not asking her to change her thoughts of me, so this is already enough.” More than anything, he was hungry and wanted to eat. “Let’s eat.”

“Good call, Vincent.” Zenobia chuckled as he began dishing out his own portion. Sophia only huffily snorted as she sat down beside her father and also began to eat while glaring at Vincent. It truly was an informal dinner.

After dinner, when the servants were clearing the dishes. Zenobia loudly asked, “What will be your plans for tomorrow, Vincent? Surely you don’t plan on leaving the following morning?”

“Hm… I don’t really have any plans. Oh wait, I need to stop by in town for a bit.” He remembered the rescued storm falcon. He had left it with a vet and had to check up on it.

Zenobia’s eyes lit up. “Great! Sweetie, please show Vincent around the town.”

“Wha-?” She asked in disbelief.

“T-there’s no need, Sir.” Vincent worriedly added as he watched the ugly expression on the girl’s face grew worse by the second.

“No, I insist!”

“Sir!”

“Papa!”

“Alright, it’s decided. Sleep early tonight, Vincent. You too, Sweetie!” Zenobia laughed as he quickly made his exit. The two people in question were left to work out their own problems.

“YOU!” Sophia said through clenched teeth. “You better not think about anything funny or I’ll have you castrated.” She angrily threatened as she stormed away.

Vincent felt a cold breeze pass between his legs as he shivered. “How strong-willed is that woman.” For once he envied the MC for being able to calm this violent kitten.