It was only a single duel.
Just from that brief process and result, I could feel the drastic change in how my family treated me overnight.
“Kyle, did you sleep well?”
“…Yes, did you rest well last night, mother?”
“For breakfast today, Kyle, I had the servants prepare your favorite dishes. Enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you, mother.”
At first, my food was also placed on the table with the others at every meal.
And when I visited the dining hall in the morning, both my father and mother greeted me with a surprisingly warm attitude.
Each time that happened, I couldn’t help but find it amusing to witness Hassel’s reaction as he sat across from me, his expression clearly sour.
However, I didn’t have the luxury to fully enjoy this changed daily life.
‘Sylvia.’
Yes, it was because of Sylvia’s existence.
According to what I heard before the regression, she must have been facing considerable oppression in the family at this point.
Since she was allowed to go out starting at age 21, it’s likely that, until she was at least 17, her only hobby would have been to stay cooped up in that enormous mansion, gazing out at the garden from her window.
It’s a sad situation.
“Kyle, what are you thinking so deeply about before your meal?”
I must have gotten lost in my thoughts, as I inadvertently became deeply pensive when I thought of her pitiful situation.
When my father’s voice faintly reached my ears, I snapped out of it and looked around.
“Oh, I apologize. I must have zoned out for a moment due to fatigue.”
“My, were you unable to sleep properly? It might be because the weather has gotten colder. I’ll make sure to have your blanket changed to something thicker.”
“No, it’s alright. Thank you, mother.”
Since when did you start caring so much about me?
The sudden change in my mother’s attitude wasn’t something I could be happy about. If anything, it made me more irritated. But I didn’t show it, putting down my utensils and attempting to leave my seat.
“By the way, Kyle, you’re nearly fifteen now. How about finding a partner early?”
“A partner…? Do you mean an engagement?”
“Yes, I heard recently that you turned down the advances of several young ladies from other families. Is there anyone you have in mind?”
Well, it seems that unnecessary rumors spread quickly.
Thankfully, my father didn’t seem to catch the last part of what I said.
Had he heard it, he would have kept me at the table for a long time, asking if I had already marked some woman.
That would have been close to torture.
It seems that, here, I can only make up an excuse and leave.
“…Ah.”
When that thought crossed my mind, a low sigh escaped my lips.
Now that I think about it, my current position is that of a man competing for the position of heir to the Lyard family.
Although I don’t believe that my father’s feelings have fully shifted from Hassel to me after that one duel, I must have reached a level where I can at least compete.
If that’s the case, I might be able to push my proposal, even if it seems a bit forced.
“Father, there is actually something I would like to discuss with you.”
“Mm?”
“I don’t have any particular feelings for her, but there is a woman who has been on my mind. Would it be possible for me to meet her just once?”
I tried my best to avoid facing Sylvia in this world, but if, as you once said, she’s still living such a miserable life, I can’t just stand by and watch.
I hope you’ll forgive me, as I’m doing this for you.
Or perhaps, this is just my cowardly excuse to meet you.
As expected, the moment my words left my mouth, the entire house was thrown into chaos.
Apparently, even in this world after the regression, she is still known as a witch.
My father, mother, and even Hassel were furious, warning me to reconsider and saying they could never bear to see my life ruined by getting entangled with such a woman.
Hassel even looked at me and said, “Are you out of your mind?” while spinning his finger next to his head before storming off.
But to put it simply, I won.
Though it was a sudden idea, I wasn’t foolish enough to speak without having prepared a justification for it, so I explained my reasoning as best as I could.
In fact, this was almost identical to the reason my father wanted to create a connection with the Eleonore family before the regression.
First, the Eleonore family had produced an empress, so making any form of connection now could prove useful in the future.
Additionally, the Eleonore family held the rights to mine a rare mineral called the Froststone, which could be of great value as it was only found in the northern regions.
Moreover, I had already put in place a safeguard. I wasn’t suggesting that I wanted to marry her. I merely wanted to see the face of the woman the world calls a witch.
“Kyle…! I didn’t know you cared so deeply about the Lyard family. I am truly touched.”
My father’s response was unexpectedly intense.
It seemed that in his mind, I appeared as the devoted son who was already thinking ahead for the future of the Lyard family.
Perhaps even my willingness to risk my own safety to meet Sylvia, and my desire to make connections with the Eleonore family, looked to him like a noble act of sacrifice.
In truth, I had made the suggestion with that exact intention, but it was still surprising how easily he bought it.
Anyway, thanks to that, I was granted my father’s approval and scheduled my visit. A week later, today, I was able to visit the Eleonore family’s estate.
“Young master, if that witch does anything strange, scream and I will rush to your side immediately.”
Alf, who had come as my guard and attendant, earnestly warned me in front of the Eleonore family’s gates.
I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person Sylvia was in Alf’s mind.
Did he imagine her as some evil witch from a storybook who seeks immortality through the blood of children?
“How excessive.”
“Young master, you’re too calm…! Do you know what rumors are circulating about that witch?”
“I don’t know, it’s none of my business.”
I’ve always believed that rumors aren’t worth trusting, and in this case, I felt they weren’t worth listening to, so I coldly turned my body and moved toward the inside.
Come to think of it, is this my first time visiting here?
I had visited the Eleonore estate just before I was about to die, but I don’t recall actually stepping into the castle.
“Thank you for visiting the Kaintreche Castle. You must be Kyle Lyard, am I correct?”
“Yeah.”
As I entered through the castle gates that had been opened as if inviting me in, a woman with a gentle demeanor greeted me.
She was probably a dedicated servant who handles guests, much like the ones in our family.
By the way, this castle’s name is Kaintreche.
“Miss Sylvia is waiting for you in the drawing room. This way…”
Following the servant’s guidance, I crossed a well-maintained garden and reached the main building.
Indeed, as Sylvia had mentioned, it was a very beautiful garden.
Although I wouldn’t say I have an exceptional aesthetic sense or eloquence, it’s certainly a well-kept garden.
However, thinking that this might be the only view Sylvia ever sees, a sense of bitterness lingered.
“Miss is waiting inside.”
Indeed, it seems even the servants don’t want to be around the witch.
Normally, one of them would follow inside to serve, but the way she immediately gestured for me to go in alone made me feel uncomfortable.
But on the other hand, this gave me a chance to speak with her privately, so I decided to take it as a positive and placed my hand on the doorknob of the drawing room.
My heart was about to burst.
Sylvia, what kind of expression are you wearing now?
It’s probably the same emotionless face I saw when we first met.
Having been trapped in one place for over 15 years, it’s only natural.
Maybe I’m the first person who’s ever come to find you.
But that’s okay. I’ll take you out of this cage.
Creak.
“Excuse me. Are you Kyle from the Lyard family…?”
With that determination, I pulled open the door I had been holding for a while and stepped inside.
Just as I was about to greet her normally, I suddenly froze, my eyes wide open, staring at the woman sitting before me.
There she was.
“Nice to meet you, Lord Lyard. I’m Sylvia from the Eleonore family.”
Unlike before when she always seemed to hide her skin and cloaked herself in dark colors, she was now wearing a rather daring outfit with a deep neckline.
Her doll-like, emotionless face from when we first met was gone, replaced by Sylvia, who smiled lightly and gazed at me.
Wait… did I really come back to the past?
Although it’s true that girls mature faster than boys, that outfit certainly doesn’t seem to belong to a 15-year-old.
Could it be that I’ve traveled not to the past, but to the future…?
Thud.
To shake off the unnecessary thoughts that had suddenly crossed my mind, I twisted my thumb in a direction it shouldn’t go, then pinched the flesh of my waist out of sight, giving it a firm squeeze.
Don’t think about Sylvia in that way, you lowly fool.
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