Eldest SS6

Side Story 6.

Still, under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t even have brought up something like matchmaking!

Catching Mostyn’s look, Killian simply shrugged.

‘Sorry, Mostyn. But you really made a sport of me of late.’

When it came to matters involving Hera, Killian’s reactions became vivid and expressive, making him an easy target for Mostyn’s amusements.

And how delightful that had been, all this time.

But Killian was not one to just let things slide forever.

“Now then, Duke Fredo. Go on, make your choice.”

“Ugh.”

Mostyn had no choice but to quietly bear the brunt of Killian’s subtle revenge.

It was awkward to outright reject a match proposed personally by the Emperor…

Suddenly finding himself in a bind, Mostyn glanced at Killian, then took a sip of the tea the attendant had set before him.

After placing the photograph he’d been holding down on the table…

“Oh, dear! Come to think of it, I forgot to turn off the stove in our mansion’s kitchen! If I leave it as it is, there’s bound to be an accident, so I must hurry and check on things myself!”

“What was that?”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty! The future of my household rests in my hands! Thus, your loyal subject will take his leave!”

Like the wind, he dashed out of the office.

Forgetting even his dignity, Mostyn raced away with only one thought in mind.

‘I refuse to become a fool like Killian or Ryuspel!’

He was experiencing firsthand the drawbacks of having two hopeless romantics in his orbit.

For someone as free-spirited as he, engagement and marriage were still distant matters, far from his concerns.

‘I’ll avoid the palace entirely for the time being!’

If he ever needed to visit, he resolved to bring Sion along without exception.

After all, the southern heir, like Mostyn himself, was unmarried and considered the most eligible bachelor around.

‘If Killian proposes another match… I’ll just pass it on to Sion…!’

While Mostyn plotted mischievously, Killian let a sly grin spread across his lips as he glanced at the seat his friend had so hastily vacated.

“Hm, perhaps now I know what’s so entertaining about teasing people like Mostyn does.”

Killian wore that mischievous smile for only a moment before collecting himself.

After all, tormenting others was not his way.

‘Back to work, then.’

Returning to his desk, Killian picked up his pen. Yet, in that very instant, a thought flashed through his mind and he leapt up once again.

‘Wait a moment. If Belladi is opening the mansion doors to welcome Nesia…’

Does this mean I can finally see Belladi again?

It was in accordance with the agreement between them, but still—it had been weeks since he’d last seen his beloved.

Expectant longing beat in Killian’s chest, quick and insistent.

---

“Nesia’s visit is almost here.”

At Belladi’s murmur, Meldor, who had been smiling brightly, composed his expression.

“Ahem! Indeed. We should prepare at least a modest banquet. That little thing suffered too much abroad, after all.”

At this, Belladi, polishing her sword, let an amused smirk curl one corner of her mouth.

“For all that, her nickname is rather fearsome, isn’t it?”

The Demon Spiritist.

As Ryuspel had predicted, Belladi already knew everything.

Meldor, who had also heard in advance, snickered with delight.

“Well, if it’s Alton, that level of fame is only fitting.”

“The banquet’s a good idea. We should invite Ryuspel as well.”

“Huh? Why would you invite that ‘dog’ to a banquet?”

Meldor’s face contorted in genuine distaste.

Belladi glanced sideways at her brother.

Catching her look, Meldor swiftly corrected himself.

“Fine, not ‘dog.’ That guy. Lord Fredo. Why invite him to a family gathering?”

Having finished polishing her spirit sword, Belladi handed it to Dorothy, who had been quietly waiting behind her.

While Dorothy scampered off to return the sword to its place, Belladi spoke.

“Ryuspel endured hardship in the Magala Empire solely for Nesia’s sake.”

“But isn’t that the Fredo house’s concern?”

“He’s not the only guest I intend to invite.”

“Then?”

“I’m considering sending an invitation to Crown Princess Hera as well.”

“…At that point, it’s practically a small soiree.”

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

At Belladi’s reply, Meldor ran a rough hand through his dark hair.

Grown now, Meldor had become the Magus Tower Master’s apprentice thanks to Belladi’s introduction.

He’d been recognized as a potential successor by the Tower Master himself, but in truth, Meldor had little interest in such positions.

“I just want a quiet family meal, that’s all.”

As a wizard, what satisfied Meldor most was a life filled with research he adored and serving as his perfect sister’s supporter.

This meant he was deeply attached to his family, yet wary and guarded whenever outsiders entered the familial fold.

Belladi gave her brother a quick flick to the forehead.

“Ow! Sis!”

“Meldor, how long are you going to live in such a tiny world?”

Clicking her tongue, Belladi leaned back on the sofa in her study.

It was fine that Meldor harbored neither ambition nor hunger for power.

But his reclusive tendencies and prickliness had limited the scope of his relationships more than she’d anticipated.

“You don’t even have friends you socialize with, do you?”

“My friend is magic.”

“Hah, truly, what a splendid friend you have.”

“Of course! Magic is humanity’s oldest truth and the most intricate law.”

“I should never have sent you to the Tower Master as an apprentice.”

He’d hardly ever gone out before, and Tower life had only made things worse.

Belladi intended to use this coming opportunity to showcase Meldor’s abilities to the world.

Just because Meldor himself lacked desire was no reason not to make use of him as her trump card.

“You know Nesia is the first spiritist in history to contract with multiple spirits, right?”

“I know.”

“And I, too, am set to go down in history as the first female duke and the youngest ever to perfect our family’s swordplay.”

“Absolutely! My sister’s swordsmanship is the best in the world.”

The northern sword style, known for its weighty, defensive moves.

Feeling its limitations, Belladi had, only yesterday, finally perfected a new sword form integrating a range of offensive techniques.

This revised art would soon be handed to her grandfather and to Theodor.

Once their final review was complete, it would be rolled out for training on a grand scale.

“With this, our House Alton’s might grows even greater. You’re a genius, Sis! The best!”

Having learned the blade himself, Meldor keenly appreciated the completeness of her new form.

As if he himself had created it, he beamed and grinned.

Belladi nodded at his reply, gazing at her brother.

“And you?”

“Me?”

“How do you intend to go down in history?”

“I haven’t really… Ouch!”

Answering carelessly, Meldor yelped, grabbing his shin.

Belladi had kicked him, hard.

“You’re the Tower Master’s star pupil, having received every lesson he can offer. Are you planning to disregard that accomplishment?”

“I-it’s not that. It’s just, I’ve never really cared about such things.”

“But I do.”

At her resolute tone, Meldor, still rubbing his shin, wore a vaguely stunned expression.

Belladi’s face softened as she met his eyes.

“The strongest knight, the strongest magician, and the strongest spiritist—all arising from a single house. This is a historic moment.”

“…”

“And who, if not House Alton, deserves that honor?”

“Ah…”

Realization finally dawning, Meldor gaped in silence.

Belladi, smiling, reached over to lift her brother’s chin.

“More than a mere banquet, we should hold an actual celebration for Nesia’s return. Ryuspel can serve as herald, spreading word of her achievements. Hera will be the key to showcasing Nesia’s connections.”

“All right.”

“And as for you—send invitations to all the magi of the Tower. Let them be the wind to spread tales of your skill with magic.”

“All right!”

“It would be fitting to present a spectacular display, so everyone can witness your powers firsthand. I leave that to you, yes?”

“Of course!”

A new mission!

Eyes bright, Meldor nodded vigorously.

Of all things, it was the prospect of a task from Belladi that made him most passionate. Seeing this, Belladi ruffled his hair.

“Well done, little brother.”

“Yes, Sister!”

So I whined and acted childish while I didn’t even understand my sister’s great intentions!

Meldor, realizing this, metaphorically wagged his tail in delight.

Belladi caught the gesture and allowed herself a faint smile.

‘He calls someone else a dog, not knowing it fits him better.’

Had the two of them attended Magala Academy, Meldor would have been the first to become her pup.

Though, even without him, there were plenty eager to serve as Belladi’s ‘dog.’

In any case, Alton was now the continent’s most powerful house—reputedly strong enough to bring down birds in flight—yet public interest was beginning to wane.

At such a time, Nesia’s homecoming was a golden opportunity to rekindle the world’s attention.

‘And I’ll help Meldor find a few friends too.’

Worrying about her brother, Belladi slipped into other thoughts.

‘I miss him.’

Her beloved, Killian—the red fox who claimed he could look at her all day without ever tiring—she’d left him unattended for too long.

As they’d agreed, their conversations had ended and they would not meet for a while.

But the heart does as it wills.

‘How many times did I nearly abandon my sword practice and run to him?’

For eight years, without fail, Killian had visited Belladi every single night.

Perhaps she had grown too accustomed to that warmth—for now, the nights without him seemed unbearably long and empty.

‘I’ll tell him to come this very day.’

If Killian was too busy, she was even considering staying at the palace herself.

She was due for a rest period before Nesia’s arrival anyway.

Smiling at the thought of Killian, Belladi was interrupted by Dorothy, who had for some time returned from putting the sword away and now hurried up to her.

“Duke~. You have a guest~.”

“A guest?”

But the mansion gates were still barred to visitors.

Belladi raised an eyebrow, and Meldor’s expression darkened at once.

Dorothy finished, her voice polite.

“It’s Her Highness, the Crown Princess~.”