Viscount Roteschu settled onto a plush sofa and contentedly sipped his tea.
He was truly blessed. A splendid mansion, numerous servants, a noble status, his hometown that he could return to at any time, two reliable children, good health, and a successful slave that put him up here. How wonderful!
Now there were only three things left he that he wanted: his wifeâs health to improve so they could enjoy their happiness together, his son to marry a woman from a good family, and his daughter to marry a man from a good family.
He had high hopes for his two children, especially Rivetti. Alan had no talent at all, and these days he spent too much time pampering a slave-born baby. Alan was not so stupid that he would jeopardize the family name, but he didnât make it any better either.
But he wasnât like his beautiful and smart sister, Rivetti. With Viscount Roteschuâs support, she could climb up high on the social ladder.
âRivetti! Rivetti!â
He was in high spirits and called out to her in a sing-song voice. The butler who served him his tea answered.
âLady Rivetti is out with her new friends.â
âFriends?â
âThey are all people from great families.â
Viscount Roteschu gave a wide grin at the butlerâs reply.
âShe has a nice personality, too. She gets along well with anyone!â
âOf course.â
The deacon agreed enthusiastically. Viscount Roteschu himself nodded in satisfaction, but as soon as he saw his son feeding his baby in a chaise lounge, his mood immediately turned sour.
âTell him to feed himself! Why are you messing with that bottle?â
âHow can a baby feed himself?â
âHe should be able to do it in nine months!â
â...In ten months.â
Viscount Roteschu clicked his tongue.
âItâs not the time to take care of a slave child, you idiot. Your sister is going to make her societal debut this year. Do you realize how important this is?â
âTime goes by so fast...â
âDonât just sit at home looking after a baby! Go socialize with other noble families!â
Viscount Roteschu was so worked up over his son that he even started to shout. This wasnât the first time it happened, and the butler calmly poured another cup of tea while the viscount continued to yell at his son.
âWhy donât you interact with other young men so someone can escort your sister to her debutante!â
âShe wouldnât like whoever I choose. Rivetti says I have strange tastes, Father. Sheâs supposed to choose her own partner anyway.â
Viscount Roteschu drank his hot cup of tea in anger. At the same time, the baby burst into tears. After quickly putting down the baby bottle, Alan skillfully calmed the baby. The sight furthered the Viscountâs anger, and made him feel as if he was about to explode. It was true that the baby was their own blood and had to be taken care of, but Viscount Roteschu could not understand why his son was so fond of a child that he couldnât even show in front of others.
It was then.
âKyaaaag!â
There was an excited squeal from the hallway and the sound of footsteps quickly approaching. Viscount Roteschu set down the teacup and looked at the door as it opened.
His lovely daughter Rivetti burst inside the room. She must have had a good time with her friends, and his pleasant mood returned again.
âCome here, sweetheart. Youâll catch a cold. Butler, get her a blanket.â
âYes, master.â
The butler glanced at a servant, who quickly left the room to run the errand. Rivetti ran up to her father.
âDid something good happen, Rivetti?â
He was ready to praise her even if it was nothing special, and he spoke to her with a smile.
âYes!â
But Rivettiâs next words completely dashed his hopeful expectations.
âFather, I will get to meet Her Majesty the Empress!â
Viscount Roteschuâs face immediately turned to stone.
âWho will you get to meet?â
âThe Empress!â
Rivetti face was of open glee and she stamped her foot in excitement. She had longed to see the Empress ever since she was in Rimwell.
âGood for you.â
Viscount Roteschu grabbed the bottle and tossed at his ignorant sonâs forehead.
âFather?â
Rivetti was wide-eyed from her fatherâs strange behavior. Viscount Roteschu suddenly rose from his armchair as if he were in a mad panic.
âWhere are you going?â
âTo the palace. And Rivetti?â
âYes.â
âWeâll talk about this later. Donât do anything else today, understand?â