FMY 14

In the bright midday sun, Madame Suzanne Rolland hummed a tune as she groomed a décolleté jacket with a soft brush. The bright green silk, something that would have been unheard of in Serge’s wardrobe in the past, shimmered in the sunlight.

“Our lovely young master, you’ve been going out so often lately. Thanks to you, this nanny couldn’t be happier these days. Isn’t it wonderful that you are wearing these beautiful, well-fitting clothes, and that your hair is styled so handsomely? I am just going to get rid of all those big, gloomy, sewer rat-colored clothes in that wardrobe! That will make this nanny feel so relieved. And if you continue to hold your head high with a bright face like you have been lately, I could not ask for anything more.”

As always, Madame Rolland personally attended to Serge, feeling joyful one moment, then angry, then joyful again, endlessly murmuring the colorful array of emotions she was feeling. Seeing her, Serge wore a faint smile on his face.

“Yes, you do look truly happy.”

“I am happy, but because the young master has become busy, I have become busy along with you. By the way, now that you are no longer shy around the servants like you used to be, how about properly hiring a valet like other people do?”

Among the high nobility, Serge was likely the only one who, at his age, still had his nanny attend to all his needs, so Madame Rolland suggested it cautiously.

“Suzanne. I actually have something to ask of you regarding that matter.”

“Just say the word, whatever it is.”

As Serge looked around and lowered his voice, she too became serious. Madame Rolland clasped Serge’s hand with her plump fingers and listened intently.

“As you know, Nanny, I am no longer shy like before, nor do I avoid people.”

“I know, I know. Of course. This nanny knows everything, my admirable young master.”

The nanny nodded her head vehemently, saying she knew everything about him as if she had earned a doctorate in Serge Studies from a graduate school. A gentle curve formed on Serge’s lips as he watched her. The confidence she had, proclaiming to know everything about him, was surely a parent-like sentiment based on a deep affection for a child. Serge spoke to Madame Rolland with a serious gaze.

“Just as you said, I will be hiring a valet, so I want you, Suzanne, to be in charge of the twins instead of me from now on.”

“Young Master Julien and Lady Yvonne?”

“Yes. To be precise, I want you to always keep an eye out for anything strange around the twins, and watch to see if Gabriel approaches them. That is what I would like you to do.”

Madame Rolland, who had also raised the twin young lord and lady with her own hands just as she had Serge, had widened her eyes at the mention of their names, but as soon as Gabriel’s name was spoken, she immediately scowled. It was a look uncharacteristic of her, a kind woman who always wore a pleasant smile and sincerely cared for the children of the Arthur family.

“…Did that wretched thing bother you again, young master?”

She was also the only person in the mansion, aside from Serge, who had a slight inkling of Gabriel’s true nature.

“The Duke, honestly. Why on earth does he dote on that sly and greedy child so much! He does not even believe me when I always say that child is tormenting the young master! This is the problem with Alphas! They do not even notice when an Omega is being slyly foxy, and just say ignorant things like ‘Gabriel has always been frail,’ or ‘It makes no sense that someone as big as Serge was picked on by Gabriel.’ All they do is say he is pretty and that he is doing a good job…!”

Madame Rolland grumbled nonstop as she neurotically adjusted the cravat around Serge’s neck. Her imitation of her master, Duke Arthur, was also a masterpiece.

“Do not worry, young master! I will stick right by our young master and young lady twins and watch with the eyes of a hawk to see if that child comes near.”

“Thank you, Nanny.”

“To be born into the Lutell family and still act like the master of this mansion. A pine caterpillar should eat pine needles, and a vassal should act like a vassal.”

To the lady’s sigh, Serge spoke nonchalantly as he slipped his arms into his jacket.

“I am not doing this because I think Gabriel is overstepping his bounds.”

“Then why?”

“Nanny, in truth, I believe anyone can have the desire to attain a high position, and that they can strive to do so. Who does not have a dream? But one should not trample on others to achieve it. What makes Gabriel dangerous is his tendency to do anything for his own desires. Furthermore, he believes he has the right to stir things up in this house because the blood of the Duchess of Arthur also runs in his veins.”

“Oh my… With a disposition like that, I wish he would know his place…. If Gabriel acted on his thoughts, it would be as if I could act like the lady of this household, too. But have you ever seen me dare to do such a thing?”

Just as the Lutell family, the family of Gabriel and Leana, was a distant relative of the late Duchess, the Rolland family was also a distant relative and a collateral branch of the ducal house of Arthur. And Suzanne was the wife of the late Baron Rolland, who had been a vassal. However, when she became a widow after losing her child and husband at the same time, the Duke took pity on her and brought her to the mansion, making her the nanny for the direct children of the Arthur line. So, to be more precise, rather than being a wet nurse for the children, she was more like a governess, responsible for their overall care, including their upbringing in a noble household and early childhood etiquette.

Therefore, she received special treatment that set her apart from the other servants. Not only was her status different as a lower noble, but unlike the butler or the head maid, who held the highest authority among the servants, she possessed a unique authority within the household that came directly from the Duke. However, as she herself said, she had never once acted like the master of this house, nor had she ever dared to covet the late Duchess’s authority for a single moment.

Even if the Lutell or Rolland families were connected to the Arthur family by blood, there were certain lines that should not be crossed. Madame Rolland was pointing that out.

‘In any case, Nanny is in a position to command the servants, so she will be able to protect the children with ease.’

No matter how he thought about it, there was no one better suited for the job. Was not Madame Rolland someone who cared for the twins more sincerely than anyone else? There was no doubt that she would protect the twins with great zeal. While he was busy running around to fulfill his contract with Raphael, she was the right person to protect his precious younger siblings. Serge held Madame Rolland’s hand tightly as he made his request.

“I am truly counting on you. If you notice anything suspicious, please come and tell me.”

“Rest assured, young master.”

“And there is one more thing I need to ask. Have you heard anything about the stableman Antonio’s son?”

The name was so unexpected coming from Serge’s mouth that Madame Rolland tilted her head.

“Oh… You mean Antonio’s son, Camille. I did not know you had heard about it, young master. I thought you were not interested in the lower staff.”

“I happened to hear about it by chance.”

It was a memory that had surfaced just yesterday when he went to watch his twin siblings’ riding lesson.

<Why is Antonio not here?>

<I heard his son was badly injured.>

<Camille? You mean that freckled boy who is always in and out of the stables helping his father?>

<Yes. A few days ago was the ball to celebrate the young master’s birthday, wasn’t it? There were so many distinguished guests invited by His Grace the Duke. They say the little fellow came to help his busy father as usual, and while moving about in a dark place, he was kicked by a guest’s horse.>

<What? That boy, who handles horses so skillfully like his father?>

<That is what I am saying. It seems there was a rather wild horse, unlike the ones here. It is such a shame.>

Camille, the son of the stableman Antonio. He was a boy with red curly hair and freckles, who would scrunch up his nose and always greet even the foolish young master Serge politely. That boy had been seriously injured. And, if his past memories served him right, that boy would…

“They said it was a fracture…”

“That is right, young master. I heard it from the chef when I went to the kitchen today. He was such a bright and kind child, it is a pity. I hope he gets well soon.”

“So, about that, please send the family doctor to Antonio’s house.”

There was something he had to confirm.

“Monsieur Bertrand?”

Madame Suzanne Rolland’s eyes grew to the size of saucers. It was understandable, as Monsieur Bertrand, the Arthur family’s physician, was a very renowned doctor who usually only treated nobles and never saw commoners.

“Yes. The skillful Bertrand is trustworthy. If you tell him I asked, he will see the child. Tell him to spare no expense on medicine or anything else. I will more than pay him for asking him to do something outside of his usual duties.”

“…If it is the young master’s order, then of course it must be done. I will go and deliver the message right now.”

“Thank you, Suzanne.”

After finishing his preparations with Madame Rolland’s help, Serge quietly watched her back as she hurriedly left the room, the hem of her simple dress fluttering.

She would probably handle everything perfectly through the doctor. She would likely assume that Serge had ordered this out of pity for Camille.

But her assumption was only half right.

There was something Serge desperately wanted to find out through this.

‘It was not a serious illness. Just a fracture from an accident… and his condition worsened because it was not treated in time…. Because of that……’

As the memory surfaced, Serge felt a tightness in his chest.

In the past, Camille’s condition from this accident had worsened, and he had tragically died. But this time, he would receive proper treatment, so he would surely be able to recover.

He hoped so.

No, he had to.

For the sake of knowing his own future more clearly.

⚭

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The sound of new horseshoes striking the neat stone road echoed cheerfully.

Sitting in the family carriage heading towards the main street of the capital, Anser, Serge opened a small window and gazed outside, lost in thought. He was on his way to a tailor’s shop at the prince’s invitation.

For some reason, Raphael had summoned Serge today to Champatignolles Street, a street filled with luxurious tailor shops and jewelers. It was one of the wealthiest streets in Anser.

‘I need to keep my wits about me.’

Serge thought he had returned to a ‘past’ where he could predict his future to any extent he wished. And he had done so with the ability and wisdom to easily achieve his goals.

However, the situation kept veering off in unexpected directions.

This was especially true of his encounters with the second prince, Raphael.

“…But this is all within the expected range.”

Serge muttered as he watched the splendid and bustling scene of Champatignolles Street through the open window.

Even if things were not going as planned, he considered this to be within his control.

It was only natural. Although he did not know the past situation in great detail, was he not a returner? It was a bit unfortunate that his foolish past self had not been very interested in the workings of the world, like society or the social scene, but he at least knew about the major events to some extent. Especially when it came to information that would allow his future to flow in the direction he wanted, he had more than enough.

That was why he was here now, full of confidence, but…

“We have to be in a very passionate love affair.”

Raphael said, looking Serge straight in the eye.

Just what on earth did this prince eat to be like this…?

Sitting in a reception room in the deepest part of the tailor shop, Serge looked at Raphael, who was spouting nonsense in front of him, and suspected that he might have had some madman’s fly agaric soup for breakfast. If not, there was no way he could so confidently make such an absurd proposal.

“You said it was a contract…! A fake political engagement!”

To think he had to act like a clingy lover with this annoying prince who reminded him of Gabriel. No matter how outstanding an actor he was, there were roles he wanted to play and roles he did not. If he had known this was the scenario, he would have refused it to his dying breath…! Serge shuddered and shot a ‘screw you’ look at Raphael with his expression.

Regardless, Raphael simply shrugged, seemingly unfazed by Serge, who was cursing him with his face. He even very naturally and slowly flipped through a booklet containing Monsieur Gautier’s new gentlemen’s suit designs for the season.

“Of course, as you say, Sir Serge, our relationship is bound by a contract. But you did not think we could go around boasting to everyone that we are in a ‘contractual’ relationship, did you?”

As if to say, ‘surely you are not that dense,’ Raphael lifted his eyes from the booklet and smirked, making Serge even more dumbfounded. This bastard is treating me like an idiot?

“Then you should have explained it that way from the beginning, and now all of a sudden…!”

“Serge, do you remember when we learned about Monsieur Dumont’s market economy theory in the seventh grade?”

Raphael closed the paper with the clothing design he was looking at and asked with a serious expression.

“The teacher would sometimes say he would keep the students from getting bored, and he would often use stories of ordinary merchants from the real world as examples.”