310 – Beggar Siblings: The Silver Ring
"What a ss," Ober muttered as he furrowed his brows at the sight of the guests filling the Rauno family mansion's parlor. He couldn’t help but feel bewildered, but decided to brush it off.
Apparently, Lean is a prince. And Lerialia, that little kid, is a princess.
It kind of made sense.
From the first mont he saw them, their behavior was unusual, and he had recognized early on that they were special. Well, of course.
But that aside, this was a big deal. When he first heard rumors that Lean had chard so noble lady and was dating her, he had dismissed it with a simple, "Oh, impressive," not caring much.
But now—a prince? Nobles were sending ssages in droves. Occasionally, so of them even visited in person, and since Ober held a relatively high rank within the Rauno family, he was in charge of guiding them.
There was no way to turn them away.
Whether they were barons or viscounts, nobles were exalted figures to commoners. And since they were here to et a prince, what choice was there but to let them in?
What Ober couldn’t understand, however, was why they needed to deliver their ssages in person. Couldn’t they just leave the letters to be passed along? The ssengers, acting with the pride of those serving nobles, insisted on handing them directly to the prince.
Ah, how frustrating. Ober suppressed his rising irritation.
As a result, the Rauno family was busy. The ssengers gathered were made to wait in one spot, while the visiting nobles were led to the parlor and offered refreshnts. Even Joseph Rauno, the aging head of the Rauno family, had to rush around greeting everyone.
Just then, a noble waiting beside Ober spoke up.
"Receiving guests in this manner is problematic. You have no sense of etiquette."
He was an oddly wrinkled man, a noble, but since he worked in a similar field, Ober knew who he was.
Ober responded rather curtly, "Lord Brian, it’s almost your turn. Stop complaining."
It was Brian Sauer, owner of many pleasure houses in Orville. As the illegitimate son of Viscount Sauer, a bit of courtesy was all that was needed. Still, he was a reasonable man to talk to.
"I’m giving you so advice: instead of receiving guests in the order they arrive, you should take nobles directly to the prince. I waited because I know how things are here, but if you're not careful, you might offend soone. Even the ssengers—adjust their order based on who sent them."
It sounded reasonable, but Ober countered, "Is it really our job to worry about that? We're not doing this for fun. If you're unhappy, take it up with the prince."
"They might already be doing that. From what I hear, the Rauno family doesn’t have much to do with the prince. That ans you should be more cautious. Besides, the prince’s position might not be as secure as you think."
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes."
"But he’s a prince."
"You should look into that yourself."
"How petty. Ah, no offense ant."
"..."
"It’s your turn. Let’s go."
It was Brian’s turn to et the prince. Ober, who was a little annoyed, led him to Lean, who sat in the parlor looking sowhat tired.
"Lord Brian. Nice to et you. Ober, please clear the table before letting the next guest in."
"You... know ?"
"I saw you at the Marquis Tatian’s estate. Please excuse . Have a seat."
As Ober left, Lean approached a temporary desk to organize the letters he had received along with so notes. The chaos had started just yesterday, and people had been pouring in since the morning.
Most of them didn’t have any urgent business.
It was because he was a prince.
The nobles didn't know whether he would be exiled or not, but they wanted to form a connection, just in case.
He had received countless invitations, welcoming letters, and no less than ten invitations to various banquets. Of course, all with the intention of testing the waters.
Hiding his fatigue, Lean returned to Brian. He opened the conversation, taking the initiative.
"You must have waited a long ti. Apologies for the inconvenience. We weren’t prepared for so many guests. How is your business?"
"Thanks to your concern, it’s flourishing... I’m deeply honored to be in your presence. I’m sure you already know, but let formally introduce myself: I am Brian Sauer."
"Lean de Yeriel."
Lean replied simply and took the tea from the orange-haired girl, Soirin, who quickly left after serving. Brian began to make small talk.
Starting with asking when Lean had arrived in Orville, he went on to talk about his own efforts in establishing himself here as a young man, trying to build a sense of camaraderie.
Brian had no particular business either. He had co out of a "just in case" mindset. A prince without any significant backing. No harm in trying—best case, it could be a jackpot.
Despite the obvious intentions, Lean was actually quite interested. He had always been curious why the Sauer viscounty had changed hands from Brian to his brother Bretin.
"So, you must have received a lot of help from Marquis Tatian. A remarkable man, isn't he?"
"...Yes, a truly exceptional person."
"We actually spoke about you a little. Since the marquis seed interested in the Sauer viscounty..."
"Ho- hold on... Pardon for interrupting, but what did the marquis say about ?"
"...He ntioned that you run a well-established business. You seed to have earned his trust."
Brian’s face darkened.
He had taken ti out of his busy schedule managing the pleasure houses to visit the prince for one reason: he had been reporting on Gilbert Forte, the son of a duke who frequently visited his establishnts.
But Gilbert was no longer around.
He was currently under house arrest, and rumors said he’d soon be sent to the capital’s churChapter This was a disaster for Brian.
He replied gloomily, "It seems I’ve been overpraised."
"Yes, the marquis seed quite regretful about it. Regardless, I was curious—how did Bretin end up inheriting the title? As he’s an illegitimate child, shouldn’t you be the rightful heir? It made quite angry."
Lean raised his voice as if genuinely upset. To Brian, it didn’t seem like an act.
After all, this prince had also been displaced by a concubine’s child. Brian felt an unexpected sense of kinship.
"That’s right! It’s all because of Arista de Klaus, that tyrant from the barbarian kingdom!"
Brian’s rant grew long and detailed. His claim was that his mother had been a noble lady from the Viscount Brina family in the Aslan Kingdom.
Brian's mother had co from a neighboring estate, though in a different country—she was the daughter of a baron from the Brina Viscounty, located next to the Sauer Viscounty in the Bellita Kingdom. She had married into the Sauer Viscounty as the official wife, securing the main position in the household. However, her failure to conceive early on beca the root of the problem.
Needing an heir, Brian’s father took a concubine not long after. True to her low-born status, the concubine quickly beca pregnant and gave birth to a son.
That son was Bretin Sauer.
Brian was born later, and while he was born after Bretin, he was the son of the legitimate wife, and therefore, he rightfully should have inherited the title. But...
"There was an accident. My father and that concubine both died in an unfortunate incident. In any case, my mother sought to secure my place as the heir. But everything fell apart when Prince Arista de Klaus started ddling."
"How did that happen? No matter how close the Sauer Viscounty is to the Aslan Kingdom, it's still officially part of the Bellita Kingdom, isn’t it?"
"That’s what’s so infuriating. You’ve probably heard the rumors about Arista de Klaus being obsessed with strengthening royal power. Apparently, that vile ambition was already ingrained in him when he was a young prince."
Brian went on to explain how his maternal family, the Brina Viscounty, was severely pressured by Prince Arista. The prince had accused them of attempting to rge the Sauer Viscounty into their domain through Brian’s mother. Brian claid this was completely unjust and that it led to his inheritance being stolen by the illegitimate son, Bretin. Lean played along, responding with an exaggerated expression of disbelief.
"My word, what a tragic situation. A king should protect nobles who serve their people. Arista de Klaus... I have a new perspective on him."
Though Lean’s words seed sympathetic, in truth, his thoughts were different. The Brina Viscount, as Lean saw it, was a selfish figure who only sought to enrich himself.
Brian nodded in agreent. "Exactly. I tried everything to reclaim my rightful position, but it wasn’t easy. That’s why I sought out the Marquis Tatian for assistance."
After that, Brian’s story devolved into complaints unworthy of any serious attention. He spoke about setting up pleasure houses to earn money and forming an alliance with the Marquis Tatian. Though Lean found it distasteful, he listened courteously, using the next visitor as an excuse to end the conversation.
Brian Sauer left the parlor with a much lighter step. He was likely content, believing he had secured so connection with the prince. But Lean had other thoughts.
Lean couldn’t shake the foul stench of greed he associated with Diego Brina, the obese and gluttonous viscount. In Brian, gaunt and wrinkled though he was, Lean sensed a similar odor.
Well, it made sense—they shared blood from the maternal side of the family. Lean sighed, now understanding the situation.
"Hoo…" He let out a breath, tired from the long day. Even a scoundrel like Brian was soone Lean couldn’t afford to dismiss.
At that mont, Soirin returned, perhaps having received feedback about the ss. She tidied up the cluttered table and straightened the cushions on the squashed sofa. anwhile, Lean seated himself at his desk, sifting through the pile of letters and painstakingly replying to each one.
As a prince with no real power, this was his only lifeline. Moreover, Lena’s wish was for her and her brother to live together for a long, long ti, so he had to ensure nothing jeopardized that.
But no matter how he thought about it, this wasn’t enough...
‘This won’t do. I need to bring Ray here.’
Lean had been avoiding anything related to engagent scenarios, given how much hardship they had caused him in previous iterations—he’d struggled through them twice already.
As much as he wanted Ray and Lerialia to live happily ever after without interference, his own situation was far too precarious. The difficulty of the "beggar siblings" scenario was hellish, and even for Lean, who had regained his mories, it was overwhelming to handle alone.
Rev was occupied with his own tasks.
‘The Sauer Viscounty... I also promised to help the Marquis Tatian with matters related to that family. I guess I’ll have to head there myself.’
He needed to bring Ray, the Swordmaster, back. The problem would be Rera Ainar, but he would find a way to deal with that.
The prince had decided where he needed to go.
Just then, a knock ca at the door, announcing yet another visitor. Lean exhaled deeply.
He still had to visit Jenia soon... It had already been a day since the engagent was broken off.
Though he had persistently tried to repair their relationship, certain he could win her back, he was burning up inside.
What if he couldn’t restore things? Would he just have to live, always looking after his sister?
Lerialia’s dream was to live forever in a beautiful house with her brother.
For her "true ending" to happen, it wasn’t enough to just reach the final scene. She had to be happy for the rest of her life.
In the previous beggar siblings scenario, even though his sister had beco a princess and entered the palace, she saw it as her ho and expected to live with her brother, thus triggering the ending. However, after the scenario concluded, she had been married off far away. That couldn’t happen this ti.
Her dream was as sweet and innocent as a fairy tale, but it was also terribly unrealistic and brutally difficult to achieve.
Lean couldn’t help but feel overwheld by the lifelong challenge of fulfilling this dream. He wasn’t sure he could do it alone. This was the kind of commitnt only a mother, like Katrina, who had made that choice for her child, could handle.
He wanted to see Jenia.
He needed her, he realized. Right now.
Just as Lean thought this, the door creaked open.
"...What?"
"Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not here because I like you, Prince."
"Jenia!!"
Lean rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. Laughing, he wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her slightly. Jenia, with her flowing black hair cascading down, spoke softly.
"I ca because I love you, Lean. And I’m still mad at you, Prince."
On her hand, the silver engagent ring was still there.
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