“You’ll learn step by step. And if it were something you couldn’t do, I wouldn’t have brought it up like this.”
In other words, trust him and give it a try. Emily pondered for a moment before finally sending him a determined look.
“Then I’ll give it a try.”
“Good thinking. Oh right, and I’m telling you in advance—the period is one month.”
“…One month?”
At the voice immediately tinged with disappointment, Roman chuckled and explained the reason.
“If it’s Diego, he’ll probably reluctantly allow even that one month.”
Emily quietly closed her mouth. Come to think of it, she had completely forgotten about her brother.
“…He’ll allow one month, won’t he?”
“You’ll have to coax him well. I’ll talk to him this evening.”
“Yes! Thank you so much, Roman. Really.”
Seeing her expression as if shouting that he was the best, a smile naturally formed. Roman had never had much interest or fantasy about women since childhood. He had no longing for female siblings either, but when he saw Emily, he somewhat understood why his mother doted on his cousin Ireta so much.
After taking a sip of tea, Roman continued.
“How is Diego doing?”
The reason he visited Emily today was partly to deliver news of the job, but also because he was curious about Diego’s situation.
It had already been more than ten days since Diego took on the new assignment. During that time, Roman hadn’t even seen his shadow, and today he had deliberately come to the house at dinner time. Unaware of Roman’s feelings, Emily candidly informed him of her brother’s situation.
“He’s doing well, but he’s incredibly busy.”
“Busy?”
“Yes. He leaves early every morning and comes back in the evening, and yesterday he came home when it was almost midnight. The person my brother is protecting had an evening appointment.”
“……”
An appointment…
The request letter sent by Viscountess Rood clearly stated she hoped for escort from morning to evening every day. He had assigned the work to Diego precisely because of the unusually good hours, but he came back when it was almost midnight?
Roman knew better than anyone that unexpected situations could arise while working. But hearing that he came home late at night didn’t sit well with him. Because there was probably only one reason why a noble young lady would be outside at that hour.
“…Roman?”
She must find it strange that he suddenly fell silent. Roman smiled at Emily, who was calling his name with puzzlement.
“I’m sorry for assigning such work to your brother.”
The quick-witted Emily immediately understood Roman’s meaning and waved her hands.
“Absolutely not! I know very well how much you consider my brother, don’t I? And you even deliberately assigned me cookie-making work… I really can’t tell you how grateful I am.”
Roman looked slightly surprised before deliberately responding playfully.
“It’s because they’re delicious. But hearing you say that, I don’t know what to do with myself.”
Looking at the clock, it would soon be seven. …Will he come home late today too? Just as he was about to ask Emily, there was a knock on the door with perfect timing. Emily’s face brightened as she stood up.
“My brother must be here!”
Roman also leisurely stood and approached the door. Watching from a few steps away, Emily, who had exchanged greetings with Diego, turned around and said in an excited voice.
“Roman is here, brother.”
When he turned his head, he could indeed see Roman standing there. Diego belatedly closed the door and entered the house.
“What brings you here?”
“You don’t seem pleased to see me.”
At the words delivered jokingly, Diego showed a rare flustered expression as he answered.
“I was just surprised. I never thought Roman would be at our house.”
Emily, standing beside them, didn’t miss the opportunity to speak.
“Have dinner before you go, Roman. I’ll make you something delicious.”
Then she disappeared into the kitchen without even waiting for an answer. Roman looked at Diego again and examined his body. At least from the outside, it was fortunate that there were no visible injuries or damage to his face.
“Is it okay if I stay for dinner?”
“Of course. Please wait a moment while I wash up.”
“Take your time. …Or should we wash together?”
“……!”
When he whispered in a lowered voice, Diego’s expression hardened. At the expected reaction, Roman let out a laugh and added.
“I’m joking. Even I wouldn’t suggest doing such a thing in a house where Emily is present.”
Just as he was about to add that he should rest assured, Diego stepped closer, narrowing the distance. A similarly low whispered voice reached his ear.
“…Let’s wash together next time at your place.”
Then he walked past him with long strides. Roman, who had been standing there watching his retreating figure, belatedly let out a laugh. He had thought Diego would be angry since his expression wasn’t good, but it was an unexpected reaction.
Shortly after, Diego reappeared. His hair was soaking wet, so he seemed to have washed properly, but he had returned quite quickly for that.
Soon, sitting on the opposite sofa, Diego spoke.
“What brings you to our house?”
“I wanted to see you.”
“……”
For a moment, Diego felt at a loss for words.
‘Wanted to see me—could he really mean that?’
Roman sat there with his usual calm expression. Because of that, it was impossible to gauge how much was sincere and how much was jest. After staring at his face for a moment, Diego eventually steered the conversation elsewhere.
“Is everything alright at the guild?”
“It’s running smoothly. What about you, have you found any suspicious individuals?”
“No. I’m keeping watch continuously, but I haven’t found anyone particularly noteworthy yet. There haven’t been any incidents either.”
It would be good if interest in the young viscountess had disappeared, but they couldn’t rule out the possibility that someone had noticed the protection detail and was lying low.
“Still, don’t let your guard down until the end. You never know when something might happen.”
“Of course.”
His response carried determination. He didn’t know if he could catch the suspicious individual, but at the very least, he wanted to perfectly accomplish the task of protecting the young viscountess. Because only then could he avoid being shameful to Roman, who had trusted him with the work.
“Come eat!”
Shortly after, Emily’s spirited voice calling them could be heard. Entering the kitchen, they could see a table set with steaming stew and potato dishes.
“It’s nothing much, but please eat a lot.”
“Nothing much? I’ll enjoy it.”
The meal was far more excellent than expected. Even though he rarely overate, Roman emptied two bowls of meat stew and only left Diego’s house after being treated to dessert.
By then, the sky had become completely dark. Roman looked up at Diego, who had come out with him to see him off, and asked him.
“Are you angry?”
After finishing the meal, Roman brought up Emily’s matter as promised. Emily also enthusiastically helped, saying she was too bored and lonely staying home all day, but Diego’s expression wasn’t very good. However, perhaps because Roman was there, he didn’t scold her or raise his voice, and after letting out a sigh, he answered that he understood.
To be honest, Diego still felt reluctant even now. Every time he saw his younger sister take care of all the housework without a single complaint, he felt both sorry and pitiful, so the idea of her doing other work on top of that wasn’t welcome.
But on the other hand, he wasn’t unaware of Emily’s feelings. The neighbors were all adults, and even he, her only conversation partner, could only show his face briefly in the evenings these days. Thinking that she might feel lonely, he couldn’t oppose it to the end.
“Angry? That’s absurd.”
“You’re not planning to go home and give her a hard time, are you?”
When he playfully tapped his chest, a faint smile finally appeared on Diego’s face.
“I won’t. Thank you for your consideration in many ways.”
Roman chuckled as well. Of course he would think the two siblings were like two peas in a pod.
Gesture, gesture— When he beckoned with his hand to come here, Diego closed the distance without a word, though looking puzzled. Looking at his partner who had drawn closer, Roman made one more request.
“Lower your posture a bit.”
Then he grabbed Diego’s collar first and pulled him in, pressing their lips together. As he pushed his tongue into the parted mouth, he could feel the strength of arms wrapping around his waist as if belatedly grasping the situation. After sharing a brief but deep kiss, Roman bid farewell.
“Just work a little harder. Give my regards to Martin too.”
“I’ll see you off to the main road.”
