“I don’t even have my Big Brother anymore, so… How should I say this, it is rather empty here? No, it is nothing. Please forget it.”
Riley couldn’t understand what Lloyd was trying to say. Riley tilted his head. However, Lloyd left the office without resolving Riley’s curiosity.
“So, Riley.”
Stein used his left arm to press on the desk as he got up. He pointed at the sofa for Riley to sit.
“Sit down for now.”
Having heard him say Riley should sit down first, Riley figured this was going to be a long conversation. Hiding the icky feeling he was having, Riley sat on the sofa.
“What is it, Father?”
After Riley sat down, Stein also sat on a sofa while facing his son. Between Stein and his son, there was a table, and Stein placed a letter envelope there.
“What is this?”
“The letter is for you.”
“For me?”
Riley tilted his head as he looked at the envelope. Riley checked the look on Stein’s face and picked up the envelope.
The envelope looked pretty thin. However, as if it was trying to prove that the letter was sent by someone very high up, the feel of the paper indicated it was a very high-quality kind.
“Um…”
Riley checked the front and back of the envelop. He casually moved his eyes and looked at Stein.
“Is this really for me?”
Stein nodded as the response.
‘Just who?’
Riley thought about a few people that could sent a letter like this to him. He carefully opened the envelope.
Inside the envelope was another piece of perfectly flat paper that was just as luxurious in quality.
‘An invitation?’
The top of the paper had the word ‘invitation’ written on the top. Riley lightly shook his eyebrows as he read the rest of the letter’s content.
<It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. This invitation is to invite Young Master Riley of the Iphalleta House to the end of the year banquet at the Duke Philisneon House. Please attend the banquet and empty a glass of wine at the mansion. As for the date and the direction…>
Riley read that far and put the letter down as if he didn’t need to read the rest. Riley said,
“… I am not going.”
As if Stein knew Riley was going to say that, Stein covered his eyes with his palm and sighed without making any sound.
“What is your reason?”
“It is such a bother. Even if I went there, it will just tickle my ear holes. Why should I…”
Stein was actually thinking the same.
Riley was famous with many poor rumors about him thanks to the Lazy-Sword title. Someone like him going to the banquet held by the Duke?
Riley becoming complimentary snacks for drinks for the nobles in their gossiping would be a fortunate scenario. Riley could be insulted right on the face if he went there. This was why Stein didn’t want Riley to go either.
“Father, by any chance?”
Stein suddenly closed his mouth tightly. Having noticed this, Riley had a bad feeling. Finding it suspicious, he crumpled his face and asked,
“That’s not it, right?”
“…”
Despite the question, Riley’s father didn’t open his mouth. Riley suddenly got up from the seat.
“I am not going.”
“Riley.”
“… To begin with!”
Riley suddenly got angry and yelled. The stacks of papers piled up at the office waved in the wind that came through the window in response.
“To begin with, that prospective marriage meeting a few days ago was also… too sudden without any prior notification, don’t you think?”
‘It is too much of a bother.’
‘I don’t want to do it.’
Riley always said foolish things like that or disappeared from important moments as if he was playing hide and seek. However, he never once let out frustration like this before.
Having seen Riley’s response, Stein vacantly stared at his son.
“… I!”
“…”
It seemed Riley read his father’s eyes vacantly staring at him. Riley, who just shouted all of the sudden, also lost words to say. He moved his gaze away in silence.
‘Damn it. Again…’
Again…