The next afternoon, a girls’ party was to be held in the reception room at the very back of the first floor, one hosted by the head chef.

“Kyle, if you’re reluctant, there’s no need to force yourself to participate. No one invited you in the first place.”

“Shut up. I’m the acting head of the family, so I have a duty and a right to keep track of what’s going on inside the mansion.”

Kyle snorted, then folded his arms in an exaggerated manner.

Father and mother returned to the territory that morning in order to launch the medical facility.

While Kyle was laying the groundwork in the territory, my father was scouting doctors while procuring medicine and medical equipment in the capital.

My father was taking his work more seriously than I expected, probably because he couldn’t wait for research on red wine hair growth agents to begin.

“—As expected, Stepsister’s favorite servant is very quirky.”

“It’s great that you were unfazed when you saw that. The head chef did a good job of hiding his true personality from his employers and fellow servants.”

“O-of course. As the next head of the family, no matter how surprised you are deep down, you mustn’t let it show. Shouldn’t that be obvious?”

Kyle snorted softly, grinning.

“But still… To see her opening up to another man… It’s, kind of hard to believe…”

I followed Kyle’s line of sight. Across from Kyle, I saw Sasha’s white, slender hands. She was holding the meat jerky the head chef had cut into smaller pieces.

Seemingly self-conscious, Jack sat in the farthest seat from her. Well, Jack had the appearance of the King of Mob, and since he was seeing Liz, he didn’t seem to mind Sasha’s dislike of men.

The head chef seemed to be able to sense Sasha’s fear, anxiety, excitement, and doubt. He was keeping a close eye on Sasha, but without staring at her. Even then, whenever her guard would suddenly tighten, he would skillfully divert his attention elsewhere.

After swallowing all of the jerky, Sasha looked at the head chef. She simply stared at him, as if begging for something.

What are you? A hamster?

“Rather than a man, the head chef is neither—or is it both? Well, despite his outward appearance, he’s a maiden at heart.”

I answered, and Kyle leaned forward with his arms folded.

“After all, no matter how approachable and friendly I was, I could see that she’s still a bit scared of me, even though I’m her older brother.”

I don’t know if that’s really the case.

“Kyle, your birthday is only slightly earlier than her’s. Well, she was suddenly told, ‘I’m your older brother.’ Knowing Sasha’s personality, she probably felt really awkward and ended up blanking.”

Kyle pondered for a moment and nodded, “That’s fair.” Looking at his profile, I suddenly asked him a question.

“I thought the two of you were closer to each other than either of you were to me.”

“When I was first adopted, we did play together a bit. Then, I got busy, whereas she was too delicate to continue with the pace. I only interacted with her a little more than with my stepsister, but we weren’t that close.”

“Certainly, I know next to nothing about you two…”

Perhaps because I had been bottling it up for so long, it spilled out, and before I knew it, I was saying it out loud. Kyle looked at me with a slightly surprised gaze. I was sure my voice was low enough to be a murmur.

In someway, I averted my gaze from Kyle.

“Chef, why are the sleeves of your shirt rolled up to your shoulders?”

“Oh, me too. I’ve always been curious about the head chef’s hairstyle. Your hair looks like it’s been blown by a headwind. Could you let it down a bit?”

“Are you kidding me!? This is my policy!? Ah, hey, stop it—!!”

Seeing Liz, Jack, and the head chef making a fuss, Sasha laughed. The laugh was a mixture of amusement, embarrassment, and shock. I was also feeling quite mixed inside, but when I saw her smile, the inside of my nose felt prickly.

Wow, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. When Sasha smiles, it’s as if Obon and New Year have arrived at the same time.

My tears were about to fall, and I hurriedly lowered my head.

“See? Isn’t the head chef really cool? Lady Juliane, please take a look!”

“He does look like a prince! I think he’d look stunning in Lord Kyle’s flashy clothes.”

When I was called, I turned quickly to see Jack and Liz hounding the flustered head chef.

“No, I don’t like this. If I let my hair down, my eyes will automatically change.”

The head chef spoke as he pushed the two of them away and turned towards me.

“—What is this sorcery?”

I blinked and did a double take at the source of the voice. If I were to describe my current feelings, they would be, ‘Who are you?’

I couldn’t help but take a closer look and examine him completely. As he stood in front of me, the head chef pursed his lips a bit.

His face, framed by lustrous brown hair, was fearless yet kind. His smooth bangs fell carelessly over his shapely forehead.

When his hair was up, his face looked so impressive. On the contrary, when his hair was down, he seemed so refined—graceful. There was even a glimmer of intelligence in his blue eyes.

That’s right—! This can be an option! We can always start with appearances!

Although it was more a flimsy idea rather than a sophisticated one, I might be able to help Sasha overcome her fear of being looked at by men.

“Chef! I’m begging you, could you dress Kyle’s clothes for a moment!?”

After putting my hands on the floor and prostrating myself with all my might, I looked up. When I looked around, I found everyone sitting upright, staring at me with their eyes and mouths wide open.

“Oh…? Ohoho? No, I mean, if the sister of the next crown princess has a fear of men, wouldn’t that be a hinderance for me? Even though she can be used as a political pawn—no, I mean—no, well, it is what it is, but anyway…”

Everyone was surprised at my sudden dogeza.

I looked at the head chef, who was petrified and almost on the verge of bursting into tears.

I may be mean, cunning, pretentious, and extremely shallow, but I wanted to do everything I could for Sasha.

What is it that I’m supposed to accomplish?

Why, a wonderful comeuppance.

In order to do so, I have to return the happiness that I had taken away from Kyle and Sasha with plenty of interest.

For my comeuppance, it was necessary for the both of them to be happy. Only when that was achieved could I express my frustration with a grand attitude, before leaving with great grace.

For a girl whose beauty could only be described as ‘exquisite’ to not be able to live a sparkling life, it was simply outrageous.

It’s all because of me, I thought to myself, and as I did so, I felt the tender part of my chest constricting.

The head chef seemed a bit baffled, but quickly nodded and looked at Kyle.

“Lord Kyle, please bring me the biggest clothes you have. I have long arms and legs, so I’m definitely going to look stubby, but I’ll make sure to dress with style.”

“You… Watch the way you speak…”

 Kyle’s mouth twitched, but he quickly left.

“Well, why don’t we eat something sweet as we wait? When you use your brain, you end up craving something sweet, don’t you?”

Although Liz isn’t using her brain at all.

However, thanks to Liz’s laughter, the atmosphere suddenly became more peaceful.

The head chef, wearing a black ballgown with blue embroidery that Kyle had brought, looked like a dignified and elegant nobleman.

“What is this? There’s no mistaking it, he’s a prince… He’s inferior to Lord Alfred, but he looks like the real deal…”

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